Proverbs 1:17 “for in vain a net is spread in the sight of any bird”
It’s not always obvious when we first go into situations or relationships what the outcome may be. Sin will set itself up to look attractive and inviting. I remember sometimes as a young man meeting new people and becoming friends with them as they seemed to be living really exciting lives with no shortage of resources, only to find out later that their life was a mess, and that they were involved in activities that were damaging to others and really horrible.
I think drugs are like that, the first promise, the first feelings, the sense of sharing deep experiences, it draws you in, the illusion is that you are in control of the drugs. If we understood right at the beginning that drugs would immediately control us, that we are handing our life over to a substance, we maybe think twice about getting involved. The writer is imparting a really beautiful piece of wisdom to us here in a seemingly innocuous phrase that we could easily rush past. Don’t expect sin to be immediately obvious all the time, it will try to find a way into your world through your appetites and interests when you are not looking.
Let’s have a look at the individual words in this scripture and see if that will better help us understand and apply its wisdom….?
KNOWLEDGE
We have an almost “of to the side comment” here, that nevertheless amplifies the existing theme of choices. The literal translation could look like “for unjustly is a net spread….” the birds in question are metaphorically the young youths and the simple. As we take care to understand this almost missable moment in the writing, we must pause to consider the actual weight given here. If we could see it coming, if we understood the bait, the allure, and the snare, we would turn and run.
This deepens the call that is being made for all to gain understanding, knowledge and wisdom. Understanding allows us to see that there could be problems if we consistently hang out with the wrong crowd, knowledge allows us a glimpse into the options we have and the choices we can make, and wisdom of course is the verb here – it’s the action we take to go the right way, and so avoid the snares that have been set for us. In Psalm 91 we are told ‘He will deliver [tear away, rescue, snatched, saved] from the snare [bird trap] of the fowler. God has already made a way out – it’s our choice, to choose, to be chosen……..
UNDERSTANDING: Let’s pick one word from this verse to look closer at and see if that can help us gain a deeper insight into how God would love us to live? The word for “spread” in Hebrew, is pronounced “zarah” and this word is found 38 times in the Old Testament. The English words used in translation [ESV] are, scatter; winnowing; search; spread; and, disperse. In verse seventeen we pick up on the idea of sometimes being spread out purposefully.
WISDOM: what’s my proactive prevention plan to guard my heart and establish my life?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Arranger is a beautiful Executing Strength – you can flow quickly as circumstances adjust and move. You see the best in others and understand the dynamics of mining for gold in people. You naturally avoid dead-ends, step over pitfalls, and sidestep blockages. Complexity is your friend, and you come alive under chaotic and continual change. Others may not follow your thinking or decision making easily, you may need to make time to take others through your thinking processes to keep the momentum going.
P.S. – Others can see things you don’t, so do value input.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version: [there is no point in making a trap that everyone can see]
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Please help me to discern when a potential trap is being laid for me, especially when I am around anyone involved in gossip.
I once upon a time did trap birds so can relate to this verse. The traps of the enemy are laid in secret, hidden from view of those intended for capture because if they know the trap is there they can a valid it. It’s vital we live life with eyes wide open, looking for the traps craftily laid by our enemies, so we don’t find ourselves ensnared by them. What are my weaknesses? Be aware and look for pitfalls around them and walk freely in Jesus name!
This passage brings back many memories of young men and women in my practice who were caught in traps. . Some listened and got back onto the right path before it was too late. Others were too deeply ensnared and stayed caught in sin due to fear. Sadly a few felt that all was lost and took their lives.
Young ones, stay away from the traps set by cunning ruthless people. They may seem attractive in the beginning, but will soon destroy both the innocent ones caught in these schemes as well as the wicked people who snare them.
Thanks Ps Allan. Very good, my reminder to myself is to set my eyes on the things of above as too often the things of this world can trap us into thinking it’s God,when really it’s not and leading us down the wrong path.
Hi Allan when I read this passage, it takes me back to what happened in my life the last 11 years now, I got set up in a trap and not being wise I fell in it 3 times because I didn’t know Jesus as I do now.
It also demo-straights how God turned it and flipped it as 3 blessing now, but one thing I learned especially in the last year is that your trap and choice you made many years ago will be living with you everyday till you die.
This is very deep an I pray everyone out there, to make the right choice by not choosing sin over righteousness, because it can be life changing moment as it was for me.
Genesis 4:7 “sin is lurking at your door”
The bible tells us that sin will dominate us in this world if we chose to let the enemy in.the enemy is always looking to find who he can devourvor,
So we need to ask God everyday to keep us away from these traps ,to help us to stay his path,
To be wise and make good choices in life .
Hindsight as they say is a wonderful thing, so is age and experience. In giving us a free Will and choice to make our decisions God has shown us how much we need to follow his word and listen to him. How often did we look around us and see our youth especially making decisions which we know will not end well, but then was I any different at their age! Profound words this morning and the realisation that it’s only in staying close to the path God has before us are we spared the nets spread out in front of us
This is a verse which should encourage us to take an inventory of our strengths & weaknesses if we don’t already know them. Knowing our weaknesses can possibly make us less vulnerable to temptations & making wrong choices in life. Being accountable to someone can also be a good safety net for us particularly when you are young immature & naive. Sadly the youth can easily fall prey to seemingly good people with good ideas & without wisdom discernment & wise mentors they can be led very much astray & have to regretfully pay the price later .
Some traps are designed for mature believers, also. While the young are vulnerable, so too are believers,of decades, including those who’ve been in ministry for many years. I’m sure you’re aware, but the youth stood out to me in your comment.
Blessings.
“Don’t expect sin to be immediately obvious all the time, it will try to find a way into your world through your appetites and interests when you are not looking.”
This statement rings very true. If we go all the way back to Eve in the garden she wasn’t tempted by something ‘ugly’ or ‘frightening’ it was something which appealed to her. The Bible has so many verses that warn us what we see isn’t always what it seems.
It is through prayer and supplication that the Holy Spirit will give us the wisdom to discern what is meant for our good and what is meant to harm us.
This is yet again another reminder that I so desperately need to be listening to and for the voice of Holy Spirit in my life, so as to be able discern and recognize The traps the the enemy has so cunningly laid out to ensnare me.
“What’s my proactive prevention plan to guard my heart and establish my life?” This question has challenged me and I believe it’s an area I need to pay far closer attention to and pray and ask God for His wisdom to do exactly that!
This is wonderful- I also like the passage about not sitting in the seat of scoffers. Wow.
It was good to learn how this verse does give us a piece of wisdom when we look closer. It was good how you explained and unpacked this verse. This line impacted me “Don’t expect sin to be immediately obvious all the time, it will try to find a way into your world through your appetites and interests when you are not looking.”
Thanks Ps Allan!
Habits become addictive and addiction becomes desperation
I need it I can’t live without it
Having to be alone working away without nothing I had to take a decision will I go and search for the world or would I search for God and get to know Jesus?
Thank God I knew Jesus had call me to meet Him to see who He was and all I can say is get addictive to Jesus search for Him become desperate and act on it and I can guarantee He will blow your mind
Thank you Jesus!
Guarding my heart always, there are many traps all round. Traps come in many forms, feelings, visual, appetite, words. Be always on the look out.
Thanks Allan
Hebrew 4 tells us how to use the sword, the word, to cut through and divide the ungodly thoughts and intentions. It is a painful process like how the surgery is, but necessary for me to stay healthy and avoid pitfalls. I pray I will not shy away from knowing what makes me fall or trap and run to God for knowledge and wisdom.
I so look forward to the nuggets of wisdom & truth being delivered every morning in this amazing, insightful study.
It truly is life-changing & take each message into my day dwelling on & intentionally applying God’s wisdom.
Thankyou so much Ps Allan for sharing your life experiences, heart & amazing insights.
Blessings 🙏💐
Thanks Ellie – I love all feedback – thank you!!
The full context of the proverb becomes clearer in verses 18-19, which specifically warn against making a profit dishonestly, as it’s like setting a trap for oneself. While I’ve never consciously cheated to make a living, there have been times when I sought to gain an unfair advantage through dishonest means. For instance, when I was younger, I remember colluding with others to cheat on a test. It’s a humbling reminder of how dishonesty, no matter how small, can backfire and lead to consequences that harm us in the long run.
Thanks for this honest reflection Steven – so true!!