Proverbs 6:5
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Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
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There is a time to be frantic! To wildly use every ounce of energy to escape! To violently do anything to get out of danger! Think about drowning and the desire it creates to get to the surface! If you agreed to a foolish financial deal, you should be frantic in getting out of it before trouble comes. Thus Solomon warned his son against cosigning loans (6:1-5).
A roe is a small species of deer, inhabiting parts of Europe and Asia. It is light of foot and darts and runs very fast when frightened by a hunter. It is able to frantically dash away before a hunter can shoot an arrow at it. Even hunters with firearms have work enough killing one of these deer. They can even escape many stealthy and quick cats of prey.
Birds do not like to be taken in a fowler's net. They will thrash wildly, using every ounce of energy and strength they have, to extricate themselves from the net. Their frantic movements, caused by intense, instinctive fear, are almost painful to watch, as a bird can appear to practically turn itself inside out in its efforts to regain its freedom.
Reader, are you listening? Does the Preacher have your attention? Solomon warned his son about foolish financial commitments, especially cosigning loans. Being a king's son brought financial temptations, as friends would ask him to guarantee loans and other obligations. Since he was rich, he might easily agree to such things to be their dealmaker!
But wisdom warns against foolish financial risk (22:26-27)! It warns against debt (22:7). It warns that riches are temporary (27:24)! It warns against contingent liabilities (22:3). Wise men keep their lives as simple as possible with the least amount of risk. If you are in any negative or risky financial situation, be like a roe or a bird! Get out of it! Now!
This rule also applies to other sins. Emotional or physical desire for someone you cannot marry leads to fornication. Some sins you may fight; but this sin is only beat by flight (II Tim 2:22)! Get frantic! Joseph made like a roe or a bird, when Potiphar's wife took him in her warm embrace and begged for him to sleep with her (Gen 39:12)! How much greater could Samson's accomplishments have been had he been like a frantic roe or bird!
Are you frantic to obey God? David made haste to keep His commandments (Ps 119:60). Abraham rose early in the morning to obey a hard request (Gen 22:1-3). The kingdom of heaven is entered by violent force - frantic zeal to conform your life to Jesus Christ (Matt 11:12). You must strive to press through a strait gate (Luke 13:24; 16:16). We work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Phil 2:12)! What should you do today? Right now?
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