Reflections From The Proverbs: A Bird's Eye View

A Bird’s Eye View

Proverbs chapter 1
Verse 10. My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.
Verse 11. If they say "come along with us; let’s lie in wait for someone’s blood, let’s waylay some harmless soul;
Verse 12. Let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
Verse 13. We will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder;
Verse 14. Throw in your lot with us, and we will share a common purse"
Verse 15 my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths;
Verse 16. For their feet rush into sin, they are swift to shed blood.
Verse 17. How useless to spread a net in full view of all the birds!
Verse 18.These men lie in wait for their own blood; the waylay only themselves!
Verse 19. Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it.
It is almost easy to think that verses like these are unnecessary. Don’t people just know that it is not wise to cast their lot in with thugs, thieves, and those who would do harm to others? Not necessarily. These types of enticements will be camouflaged and will look more like "Hey you, want to have some REAL fun?" "Let’s see how brave you are." "If you want to be in with us, this is what you gotta do." People want and need to be a part of something. They need a place to fit in.
Most people know that it is not wise to play in a street with heavy traffic, but babies and small children don’t know that. There is something enticing about the street. Something that makes it look fun. They have to be taught, restrained, and disciplined for their own good. As they grow and learn they get new perspective of the dangers of the street. Then they choose on their own not to play in the street because they see the danger.
People can be spiritual babies not able to see the dangers around them. Those involved in mischief don’t wear shirts that announce "Beware of me I am a potential hazard. I’ll lead you astray." There is enticement in power and gain when the consequences are hidden. The goal of these verses is to make very clear the consequences. To give the bird a view of the net. If a bird sees a net it won’t go there.
The net is this; if you go after gain in ways that hurt people, or misuse people there will be a high price to pay. It will never bring the enjoyment you hope for.
God wants us to be able to see the nets around us. His deep love for us is the kind of love that will teach us, restrain us, and discipline us for our own good, just like a father keeping a toddler from a busy street. Instead of the famous line "show me the money" we should be crying out "show me the nets."