Proverbs 20:16

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 about accountability:

Proverbs 20:16 (NASBStr)

Take his garment when he becomes surety for a stranger;

And for foreigners, hold him in pledge.

Proverbs 20:16 (ESV)

Take a man’s garment when he has put up security for a stranger,

and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners.

Holding someone accountable and taking personal responsibility for what you promise is a character of God.  He stresses those qualities in this proverb at the pen of Solomon.   He tells us that when someone steps up and takes personal responsibility for someone than you must hold them accountable for what they say.  This whole thought of doing what you say and being accountable for those vows is based in the deep character of God.  God promises and keeps His promises (See Romans 4:20-21).   Our entire salvation is based upon God making a promise and fulfilling that promise.  God keeps His Word.   When we vow something, or to care for someone, and we fail to do so, than we fail to reflect the character and personhood of God.   Solomon tells us that when someone makes a vow to cover the debt of someone we must even take his/her garment, if necessary, to pay.   That might seem trivial to our modern society.  Since we have so many garments that doesn't seem too harsh, at all.  However, the times in which Solomon penned this proverb speak to a different meaning.  For most, in Solomon's day, the garment they had was all they owned.  It became a covering for protection not style.  It was a tool also used for caring, not simply wearing.    It wasn't for form, it was for function.  So, to take the garment away you would put the person under duress, if not stress.   God demands that we keep our promises and fulfill our responsibilities.  Both to Him and to man.  Vertical AND horizontal relationships matter to God.