Proverbs 1:12
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Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:
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Fools and sinners are arrogantly confident of success. A band of cutthroats tried to lure an innocent young man to join it by boasting of certain success. Such lazy, murderous thieves, bloated with ambitious and ignorant pride, are beyond hope or help (26:12,16).
King Solomon knew evil friends were the greatest danger to his son and all young men, so he began Proverbs by warning against them (1:10-19). This proverb is part of a parable about a gang of murdering marauders, who declared their plans in positive glory to entice a new member. Solomon concluded the parable by guaranteeing their ruin (1:17-19).
The murderers speak in this proverb. Though such things are rarely said openly, Solomon exposed their true intents for the purpose of his warning. Full of malice and violence, they will find victims with assets (1:11-14). They will kill the innocents easily and swallow them as thoroughly as the grave or pit. The united band will kill quickly; there will be no opposition; any incriminating evidence will be destroyed. Success is certain!
The haughty confidence and lying words of these cutthroats are old. Sinners have always thought their crimes would be easy and without consequences. They are sure of success in their evil ambitions. Foolish and naïve young men fall for their boastful plans and join them. They do not see the certain destruction that is waiting for all such wicked rebels.
David was confident he could successfully kill Uriah in battle for his wife, but he forgot God seeing the deed and letting him grieve over the death of his son (II Sam 12:14-23)!
A strange woman, an adulteress, guaranteed the pleasure and success of a sinful liaison (7:18-23). She detailed how they could get away with this heinous crime against her husband. The idiot that joined her ended up in death and hell (2:18-19; 5:5; 7:27; 9:18)!
Judas thought 30 pieces of silver for betraying Jesus was an easy score. In his profane pride, he did not see Satan leaving his guilty bowels scattered across a field (Acts 1:18).
The Jews hated Jesus, so they demanded Pilate to crucify Him. When he sought to avoid His innocent blood, they begged for it on themselves and their children (Matt 27:24-25). God and Titus made sure that it was (Matt 21:33-41; 22:1-7; 23:29-36; I Thess 2:15-16)!
The way of transgressors is hard (13:15), the way of murder harder. "A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him" (28:17).
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