Three Foolish Paths (Prov. 6:1-19)

The first section of Proverbs (chapters 1-4) set forth the path of wisdom. Proverbs 5-7 sets forth the Father's teaching on the way of folly.

While the dominant theme of Proverbs 5-7 is the adulteress, chapter six reminds us that folly takes many forms

And here in Proverbs 6:1-19 we see three types of fools:

• the surety
• the sluggard
• the troublemaker

There is a descending path in our text, since the surety is still addressed as a son –
a foolish son, perhaps, but a son nonetheless. The sluggard, however, is not addressed as a son, but as "O sluggard!" but like the surety he harms primarily himself. The troublemaker, on the other hand, harms others. He is connected to the sluggard by the image of sudden judgment. Just as poverty comes upon the sluggard like a robber, so also calamity comes upon the troublemaker suddenly.