The Ant, the Worthless, and Seven Abominations

The Ant, the Worthless, and Seven Abominations

Wisdom for Living Well with Others – Proverbs 6:6-19

Proverbs 6:6-11
Industry and a good work ethic are upheld in many of the biblical proverbs, often contrasted with the lazy and the sluggard. See 10:26; 13:4; 15:19; 19:24; 20:4; 21:25; 22:13; 24:30-34; 26:13-16.

Proverbs 6:12-15
Some people are consumed with evil. In this description of a worthless, wicked person note references to the tongue (crooked speech), winking eye, shifty feet, pointing fingers, and perverted heart. The wise will learn to recognize and avoid such a person.

Proverbs 6:16-19
*Six, no seven things the Lord hates (notice body parts – here and in the previous section):
– Haughty eyes – pride
– A lying tongue – dishonesty
– Hands that shed innocent blood – violence
– Hearts that devise wicked plans-Micah 2:1
– Feet that run to evil – Prov. 1:16
– The false witness – Ex. 20:16
– The sower of discord – Rom. 16:17-18

*When we read across Proverbs, we find numerical sayings of “x, x+1” and it seems so strange to us.  Indeed, as Westerners, it is strange, but like everything in Scripture, there are reasons for it.  Unfortunately, most of the meaning of this one is lost to antiquity.  In the time of the writing of Proverbs, this type of expression was common—in all wisdom literature both inside and outside of the Bible.  One thing commentators and scholars are fairly certain of is this: the final item listed (the “+1”) functions as the apex of the expression.

What are the things the Lord hates?  Six things are listed that roll up into one grand expression: “a person who stirs up conflict in the community.” This is the pinnacle of what the Lords hates: divisiveness.
Joel Dorman on Life Meets Theology blog

For discussion and additional enlightenment:
Given our recent church study/discussion of justice issues for the poor, what disclaimers might be appropriate for blaming poverty on laziness?

What lessons from animals are addressed in Prov. 30:24-31?

Can someone be morally or spiritually broken beyond healing?

What does it mean to say that God “hates” a thing?