Day 10 - six things the LORD hates
Today's Reading is Proverbs 6:1-19
1My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,
2you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth.
3So do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go—to the point of exhaustion— and give your neighbor no rest!
4Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids.
5Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.
6Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!
7It has no commander, no overseer or ruler,
8yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.
9How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?
10A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—
11and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.
12A troublemaker and a villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth,
13who winks maliciously with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers,
14who plots evil with deceit in his heart— he always stirs up conflict.
15Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.
16There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him:
17haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
18a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
Questions to Consider about the Reading
- What different character types does this passage describe (the one who makes rash pledges, the sluggard, the troublemaker)?
- Which of the seven things that the LORD hates stands out to you most, and why?
- What does the image of the ant teach us about wise living and responsibility?
- In what areas of your life might you need to show more diligence and less procrastination?
- How might understanding what God hates help shape your priorities and values?
What's One Thing God Wants you to Underline?
Ending Prayer
God, help me to be diligent in the responsibilities you've given me. Keep me from laziness and teach me to work with purpose like the ant. Guard my heart from the things you hate—pride, lies, violence, evil schemes, and stirring up conflict. May my life be marked by honesty, humility, and peace. Give me wisdom to make good commitments and the integrity to keep them. Amen.