May 24, 2020
The book of Proverbs is a collection of short sayings in the Old Testament meant to instill wisdom in God’s people. As we read, it is important to remember that a proverb is a statement which is generally true in principle, not a universally true promise. Let’s dig into the Word together and allow the Lord to shape our hearts, our minds, and our lives in his wisdom over the next month!
We see in Proverbs 7 another urgent warning from Solomon concerning the grave danger of adultery and of the seductive and evil luring of the adulteress. Solomon describes in detail how the adulteress makes empty promises which lead only to death and ruin, and then exhorts his sons to keep their hearts true and far away from her paths.
We see in the voice of the adulteress in this passage a picture of all temptation towards sin; sin always makes promises it can’t keep. It is appealing to us and may even give us some temporary joy or pleasure, but just like the fruit in the Garden of Eden, it is wrapped up in a lie and inevitably ends in death.
Proverbs 7
Warning Against the Adulteress
7 My son, keep my words
and treasure up my commandments with you;
2 keep my commandments and live;
keep my teaching as the apple of your eye;
3 bind them on your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
and call insight your intimate friend,
5 to keep you from the forbidden woman,
from the adulteress with her smooth words.
6 For at the window of my house
I have looked out through my lattice,
7 and I have seen among the simple,
I have perceived among the youths,
a young man lacking sense,
8 passing along the street near her corner,
taking the road to her house
9 in the twilight, in the evening,
at the time of night and darkness.
10 And behold, the woman meets him,
dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart.
11 She is loud and wayward;
her feet do not stay at home;
12 now in the street, now in the market,
and at every corner she lies in wait.
13 She seizes him and kisses him,
and with bold face she says to him,
14 “I had to offer sacrifices,
and today I have paid my vows;
15 so now I have come out to meet you,
to seek you eagerly, and I have found you.
16 I have spread my couch with coverings,
colored linens from Egyptian linen;
17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh,
aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let us take our fill of love till morning;
let us delight ourselves with love.
19 For my husband is not at home;
he has gone on a long journey;
20 he took a bag of money with him;
at full moon he will come home.”
21 With much seductive speech she persuades him;
with her smooth talk she compels him.
22 All at once he follows her,
as an ox goes to the slaughter,
or as a stag is caught fast
23 till an arrow pierces its liver;
as a bird rushes into a snare;
he does not know that it will cost him his life.
24 And now, O sons, listen to me,
and be attentive to the words of my mouth.
25 Let not your heart turn aside to her ways;
do not stray into her paths,
26 for many a victim has she laid low,
and all her slain are a mighty throng.
27 Her house is the way to Sheol,
going down to the chambers of death.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Solomon presents us with the way of life and the way of death in the earlier chapters of Proverbs. The way of God’s wisdom and living according to His ways is the only path to true life, lasting joy, and perfect peace. Anything and everything else that the Devil or the world may throw at us may look like the way to happiness and life, but their end is always devastation.
- For three chapters in a row now, Solomon has warned his sons against adultery or against the adulterous woman. Why would Solomon feel the need to warn them so extensively on this issue? What does that mean for us?
Family Discussion Question:
- God places restrictions on our behavior because he loves us and knows that living his way leads to true life and joy. Why is it important to remember and understand God’s commandments and wisdom in this way? Where does every other way besides God’s way ultimately lead?
What a reminder to keep my eyes on Jesus.
Don’t stare at the storm, but if I do, I pray. I read my Bible. These bring my focus back to Jesus, where I need to keep my eyes.
Every time I stumble, God makes me stronger. Genesis 50:20
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for loving me so much that You have laid before me a foundation for healthy and righteousness living. We know that Your ways are the only ways to a fulfilled and happy life. Solomon knew how sin can disguise itself and tempt us into believing something is good for us when it really will be our ruin. This is why Solomon is constantly warning his son as he knows how powerful sin can be. I am praying to You Lord, ….Please lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Amen Jan! Well said & prayed!!
I will listen to you and be attentive to the words of your mouth.
Father, God. Good morning and thank you for this beautiful day, for the birds’s songs, for the sunshine, for the hope a new day brings. Guard my heart, guard my mouth, guard my actions. Check me up before I do anything displeasing to you. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.
Heavenly Father, you desire our praise. Your words are words of life. Your truths are absolute. Help me to hide your words in my heart. Today, Father, guide me closer to heaven’s door and along the way, let’s find one more for Jesus, for it is in his precious name I pray, Amen.
Listen!
Solomon’s wisdom is written over and over again in Proverbs through warnings and instructions. In verse 4 (NLT), we are told to — “Love wisdom like a sister; make insight a beloved member of your family.”
Yes, Lord – I want to open the door of my heart and welcome in family — namely, wisdom and insight. May my love for them continue to grow as I spend time with You in Your Word.
In Your precious name, I pray.
Amen.
Gracias mi padre amado, gracias por enseñarnos el camino de la verdad y disciplinarnos, gracias porque tú eres nuestra guía y nuestro sostén, en ti encontramos paz espiritual vida en abundancia, tú nos corriges porque eres recto de corazón y queremos seguir tus pasos no me dejes desviar de tu camino, que mis pasos sean tus pasos,gracias porque en ti confiamos padre amado y en ti nos deleitamos, tómame de tu mano Señor quiero caminar con tigo mi Dios hasta la eternidad en nombre y por amor de nuestro señor amado Jesús. Amén ?
Lord thank you for keeping me on the straight and narrow. Please help me to stay away from sin. I have done what Solomon is trying to keep his son’s from doing. All you do by committing adultrey is hurting others around you. I know when I did this I felt guilty. Committing this kind of sin is not the road to be going down.
Lord, give me the strength to not be persuaded by sin, to be snared and slaughtered. I pray your Spirit, will lead me down paths of wisdom.
The sin that Solomon warn us to flee from today has a high price if you would contact HIV it is none curable. All sin has a price tag.
Besides the physical message about adultry, there is the spiritual message. Especially in these last days, there are many false preachers preaching a false gospel. To listen to them is to commit spiritual adultry. Be careful about whom you follow. Pray for discernment.
That’s true. Most importantly, read and study the Bible. God’s Word is our shield and armor against the temptations to sin. Knowing the truth from His Word helps us to know who to listen to.