Proverbs 1:17-19

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them. 

Proverbs 1:17-19 (ESV)

For in vain is a net spread

in the sight of any bird,

but these men lie in wait for their own blood;

they set an ambush for their own lives.

Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain;

it takes away the life of its possessors.

The above three proverbs have much ambiguity and, therefore, there is a struggle and diverse variety of opinions on how to interrupt them.   The meaning of the proverb, according to most commentaries, is determined by who the writer is talking to or, better, talking about.   In the beginning of proverb he is addressing how to avoid naive behavior and to be wise (Prov. 1:1-7).  He then tells the "son" to watch out for the wicked and takes time to describe the wicked's activity (Prov. 1:8-14).   In verse 15 Solomon returns to the theme of warning the son about the wicked.  However, here, we lose some understanding of who he is talking to or about.  Some say if it is the son, the warning is about avoiding the wicked's trap.   Other say it is about the wicked and that they will fall into their own trap.    Personally, I think the ambiguity is with intent by Solomon and he is talking to both the son and the wicked.  Solomon seems to be telling us that the wicked will spread his net and eventually, like all violent people, be consumed by it, himself.  He is telling the son, it is a vain thing for the wicked to spread the net before the son, since, the teacher has now warned the son about the wicked's ways and traps.  Like a bird who can see the net and the trap, the son is no longer (as a result of the training he is now receiving) susceptible to the wicked's ploys.   However, the wicked is!!   He will fall into his own ambush.  He will be consumed by the violence that consumes him.    Anyone who "gains by violence" will eventually fall by violence.   It will take their life away.   But, the son, like the wise bird who sees the net, will pass on ... assuming he listens to the teacher and heeds the warning.