The Signs of the Times, vol. 23

October 7, 1897

“One Sure Thing” The Signs of the Times, 23, 39.

E. J. Waggoner

In the book of Proverbs much is said about surety, and people are more than once warned against going surety, not only for a stranger, but even for a friend. In the eleventh chapter, verse 15, we read, “He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it; and he that hateth suretyship is sure.” In the margin we have in the place of “suretyship,” “those that strike hands.” That is, a man can not be safe unless he refrains from giving his hand as surety for another. SITI October 7, 1897, page 2.1

But read further, and see what is said in the twenty-first verse: “Tho hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished; but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.” Notice that the words “tho” and “join” are in Italic type, indicating that they are not in the Hebrew. The literal Hebrew, as indicated in the margin of the Revised Version, is “hand in hand.” Here, then, we find an instance of giving the hand, or, as rendered, “My hand upon it,” in two translations before me, I read, “One can give his hand for it, that the wicked shall not be unpunished, but the seed of the righteous shall escape.” So sure is it that God will see that justice has its due! Men are often tempted to think, as did David, that the wicked have the best of it, and that in unrighteousness is the most prosperity to be found; but let no one be deceived in this matter. So sure is it that wickedness will be punished, and that the reward of the righteous will not be forgotten, that one may safely give his hand upon it, and be a surety for it. It is the only sure thing in this world. E. J. W. SITI October 7, 1897, page 2.2