Today’s Reading: Proverbs 7-9
Follow my advice, my son; always treasure my commands.
Obey my commands and live! Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes.
Tie them on your fingers as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart…
Let them protect you from an affair with an immoral woman,
from listening to the flattery of a promiscuous woman. – Proverbs 7:1-5
Do you hear the intensity of Solomon’s plea? He is about to give strong advice, and he wants his readers to know how important it is to heed to this wisdom. Solomon speaks in Proverbs of several different kinds of women, but he starts with the most dangerous of all.
THE IMMORAL WOMAN
While I was at the window of my house, looking through the curtain,
I saw some naive young men, and one in particular who lacked common sense.
He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman,
strolling down the path by her house.
It was at twilight, in the evening, as deep darkness fell. – Proverbs 7:6-9
The young man was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was positioned to have easy access to temptation. When approached by the immoral woman, the young man allowed her to throw her arms around him and kiss him. She spoke of her desire for him and invited the young man to her bed. Although he had the ability to resist temptation, he chose to give into his physical urges instead of walking away. He was not a victim but a willful participant.
So she seduced him with her pretty speech
and enticed him with her flattery.
He followed her at once, like an ox going to the slaughter.
He was like a stag caught in a trap,
awaiting the arrow that would pierce its heart.
He was like a bird flying into a snare,
little knowing it would cost him his life. – Proverbs 7:21-23
Sexual temptation has a powerful pull and it is wise to avoid its trap. There may be a moment where an individual naively stumbles into its web, but it is a choice to stay there — it is not ignorance but stupidity that follows the path of immorality. It is wise to understand the powerful pull of sexual temptation and run the other way.
So listen to me, my sons, and pay attention to my words.
Don’t let your hearts stray away toward her.
Don’t wander down her wayward path.
For she has been the ruin of many; many men have been her victims.
Her house is the road to the grave.
Her bedroom is the den of death. – Proverbs 7:24-27
Rather than going down the straight path designed by God, the immoral woman staggers down a crooked trail. Her lips appear sweet as honey, her speech smoother than oil, but in the end she is as bitter as poison, as dangerous as a double-edged sword (5:3-6). Avoid the trap she lays, for sexually immorality will lead to destruction. It is like playing with a flame on your lap, hoping that your clothes will not catch on fire (6:27).
Drink water from your own well – share your love only with your wife…
Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you.
Rejoice in the wife of your youth.
She is a loving deer, a graceful doe.
Let her breasts satisfy you always.
May you always be captivated by her love. – Proverbs 5:15,18-19
O my son, give me your heart.
May your eyes take delight in following my ways.
A prostitute is a dangerous trap; a promiscuous woman is as dangerous as falling into a narrow well.
She hides and waits like a robber, eager to make more men unfaithful. – Proverbs 23:26-27
Let’s not get caught up in the gender Solomon uses to create his analogy. Solomon strayed from God’s instructions and he laid the blame at the feet of his wives and concubines, who brought into the palace their false gods and worldly ideas. But Solomon invited them into his bed against the clear guidance of his God. Solomon did not stumble into sin, he returned to it over and over again.
The temptation of sexual immorality is no respecter of persons — male or female. Our world has romanticized promiscuity and created a culture that worships sex. It can be found in our music, movies, stage productions, literature, art, pornography, prostitution, abortion, and now in our children’s books.
God help us! Give us wisdom to see the manipulations of sexual ideologies and agendas. Give us eyes to see the direction our world is going and ears to hear the lies of the world’s seduction. May we hear the invitation of Wisdom to walk in her ways, with eyes focused on God and God alone.
Wisdom has built her house;
she has carved its seven columns.
She has prepared a great banquet,
mixed the wines, and set the table.
She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come.
She calls out from the heights overlooking the city.
“Come in with me,” she urges the simple.
To those who lack good judgment, she says,
“Come, eat my food,
and drink the wine I have mixed.
Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live;
learn to use good judgment.” – Proverbs 9:1-6