Take the garment of him who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner. Take the garment of him who posts security for a stranger;A man who guarantees another person’s debt accepts responsibility if the borrower fails to pay. Taking a garment as collateral provided a concrete safeguard against loss, since an outer cloak could be a person’s most valuable possession. Israel’s law required compassion when such a pledge was taken, commanding that a poor man’s cloak be returned by nightfall because it also served as his covering for sleep (Exodus 22:26–27). Prudence does not exclude mercy; wise stewardship recognizes both the reality of risk and the duty to treat people justly. Pro 20:16 Take the garment of the one who posts security.… get collateral if it is for a foreigner. Financial obligations outside the protection of family, clan, and covenant community could be difficult to enforce. The warning addresses the folly of assuming another person’s debt without sound knowledge of that person’s character or ability to repay. Proverbs repeatedly condemns rash suretyship because generosity without discernment can harm households and hinder faithful stewardship (Proverbs 6:1–5; 22:3). A believer should be willing to help those in need while refusing commitments that bind him to another’s irresponsibility or ungodliness. Deu 15:3 You may collect something from a foreigner,… Persons / Places / Events 1. The GuarantorThis is the person who offers security or a pledge for another's debt. In ancient times, this often involved offering one's garment as collateral. 2. The Stranger This refers to someone outside the immediate community or family, often implying a lack of trust or knowledge about the person's character. 3. The Wayward Woman This term can refer to someone who is unfaithful or unreliable, often used in Proverbs to symbolize folly or moral danger. 4. The Act of Taking Collateral This is a practical action advised to protect oneself from potential loss due to another's unreliability. 5. Ancient Israelite Society The cultural and legal context in which these financial transactions and social norms were practiced. Teaching Points Wisdom in Financial DealingsThe verse teaches the importance of being prudent and cautious in financial matters, especially when dealing with those who are not well-known or trustworthy. Understanding Collateral Taking collateral is a practical step to protect oneself from potential loss. It reflects a broader biblical principle of stewardship and responsibility. Discernment in Relationships The mention of a "wayward woman" serves as a metaphor for the need to discern character and intentions in relationships, whether personal or financial. Avoiding Unnecessary Risk The proverb advises against taking on unnecessary risk, especially when it involves others who may not have a vested interest in your well-being. Moral and Ethical Responsibility While the verse advises taking collateral, it also implies a moral responsibility to act justly and fairly in all dealings. Bible Study Questions 1. What does Proverbs 27:13 teach us about the importance of discernment in financial transactions?2. How can the principle of taking collateral be applied in modern financial practices, such as lending or co-signing loans? 3. In what ways does the concept of a "wayward woman" in this verse serve as a warning for other areas of life beyond financial dealings? 4. How do the teachings in Proverbs 27:13 align with Jesus' teachings on financial responsibility and relationships in the New Testament? 5. Reflect on a time when you had to make a decision about offering or requiring collateral. How did biblical principles guide your decision-making process? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 6:1-5This passage also warns against becoming surety for a neighbor, emphasizing the importance of freeing oneself from such obligations. Exodus 22:26-27 These verses provide laws about taking a neighbor's cloak as a pledge, highlighting the importance of returning it by evening, which underscores the seriousness of taking collateral. Matthew 5:25-26 Jesus speaks about settling matters quickly with an adversary, which can be related to the wisdom of avoiding entanglements in financial disputes.
People Abaddon, SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Adulterous, Alien, Becomes, Clothing, Collateral, Foreign, Foreigners, Garment, Gives, Hold, Makes, Man's, Pledge, Puts, Responsible, Security, Strange, Stranger, Surety, Undertaking, WaywardDictionary of Bible Themes Proverbs 27:13 5233 borrowing Library To-MorrowA sermon (No. 94) delivered on Sabbath morning, August 25, 1856, by C. H. Spurgeon at Maberley Chapel, Kingsland, on behalf of the Metropolitan Benefit Societies' Asylum, Ball's Pond Road, Islington. "Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth."--Proverbs 27:1. God's most holy Word was principally written to inform us of the way to heaven, and to guide us in our path through this world to the realms of eternal life and light. But as if to teach us that God is … C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs Cheer for Despondency The Best Friend The Honored Servant The Way to Honor Spiritual Appetite The Wandering Bird To-Morrow Epistle xxvii. To Anastasius, Bishop. Second Sunday Before Lent Of Suffering which must be Accepted as from God --Its Fruits. How those who Fear Scourges and those who Contemn them are to be Admonished. The Call of Matthew. The Poor in Spirit are Enriched with a Kingdom An Essay on the Mosaic Account of the Creation and Fall of Man Second Sunday after Easter The Sixth Commandment Proverbs Links Proverbs 27:13 NIVProverbs 27:13 NLT Proverbs 27:13 ESV Proverbs 27:13 NASB Proverbs 27:13 KJV Proverbs 27:13 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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