Proverbs,
Chapter 7 surprises because of its detailed description, as well as a few
hidden extras. Let’s study!
Again, this Proverb begins with “My son”—a father instructing his son in wisdom. This is actually God teaching us, as well. He says, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee (verse 1). Not only keep my words but store them up as well. Remember them.
You’ve heard
the saying, “apple of my eye,” which means
something precious. Verse 2 says that the Father’s law is the vital apple of
the eye. Keep my commandments, and live;
and my law as the apple of thine eye. Many times we think about God’s love,
mercy, kindness, etc. as precious, but here, it says His law is special. Value
God’s law.
Verse 3 continues this theme, saying the son should bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon
the table of thine heart.
Verse 4 is a
little bit different. It personifies wisdom—as his sister or kinswoman. Verse
5 says this kinswoman will keep the son from the strange woman—whom we already know is an adulteress or prostitute.
It’s an interesting metaphor: a sister. Sisters care. They want the best for
us. They stick with us through thick and thin. Wisdom is like this.
The Father
looks out his window, and lo and behold, he sees young men, among them one who
isn’t wise at all. He’s on his way to her house (7-8). I think it’s worth
pointing out that the young man in this passage has already made a bad decision
and is on his way. What should we teach our sons? Avoid making bad decisions in
the first place. When you’re already on the path towards wrong, it will be hard
to resist.
It’s night and very dark (9). Should we be surprised?
Remember, Proverbs often makes the comparison between light (God, righteousness)
and darkness (evil).
How’s the woman dressed? In the attire of an harlot (10). Unfortunately, many Christian young women come very close to dressing this way. Think of what a harlot wears. Modesty never looks anything like that.
She’s also subtle—tricky (10). There’s more. She’s loud,
stubborn, doesn’t stay at home, and goes out to lie in wait for some poor
guy—to trap him (11-12). Contrast this woman with a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price (1
Peter 3:4b).
She catches him and kisses him (13)—physical first, talk
later. This is always the wrong order. If your date comes on physically and
refuses to truly communicate and doesn’t wait for marriage for all intimacy,
you need to run. This is the wrong order of things.
With an impudent
face, she pours on the seduction, “I’m free; I searched for you; I
came to find you. My bed is ready, and it’s beautiful and comfortable and
smells wonderful. Come, make love with me all night.” (14-18) It’s
embarrassing even to read this. How can any woman be this forward? But, this
same scene happens over and over in every city in the world. “I thought I
might find you here” is the oldest come-on line in the book.
Years ago, we were part of a tour with a group of young
people. A few of us parents went along. In a major European city, we were going
out to get into our bus after breakfast. Would you believe that there were
prostitutes on every single street corner—four at every crossroads? Strange women, trying to entrap men of
little understanding.
Verses 19-20 give the detail that this harlot is actually
married, but her husband’s away, and she knows he’ll be gone for a while. Do
women do this today? Oh, yes. (And, so do men.)
With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him (21). By the way, she didn’t have to do much forcing. He was already on his way to her house when we first saw this man. He wanted to be seduced. The fault for his sin was all his. The adulteress was personally responsible for her adultery, as well.
The next part of this Proverb shows the consequences of
adultery and fornication: He goeth after
her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the
correction of the stocks; Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth
to the snare, and knoweth not that it is
for his life (22-23). Look at this carefully: slaughter, stocks, a dart
through him, he doesn’t know he’ll die. The consequences of sexual sin are
extremely serious.
The end of this Proverb broadens its warning to children, not only the son. The warning
is clear: Let not thine heart decline to
her ways, go not astray in her paths. For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death (25-27).
“Oh, but Mrs. Keiser, I would never go with a prostitute” Or, “I would never sleep with someone else’s husband.”
Did you know that many Christian women watch dirty
movies, read risqué novels, and view porn on a regular basis? They have gone
down the path towards that house.
Many strong
men (and women) have
been slain by her. Her house is
the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death (26-27).
If you view anything that distracts you from having a pure mind, quit and get help. If you have a porn addiction (viewing or script), get biblical counseling. If you enjoy reading descriptions of immorality, quit and get help—and substitute squeaky clean Christian reading for it. These activities are addictive, just like gambling and drugs, and you may need counseling. Find your nearest Reformers Unanimous meeting place.* Get the help you need.
Wisdom is
your sister. She wants the best for you.
God wants
you to enjoy a clean, happy life.
Jesus said, I am
come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10b).
*Reformers Unanimous, also called RU Recovery Ministries, is a faith-based organization for people battling any kind of addictive behavior. Its program includes group Bible studies, accountability, and support. For more information and finding a group near you, access their website here.
** For a post about Christian girls and modesty, you might enjoy “Why do some girls who truly love the Lord dress immodestly?”
