Proverbs 5

*Sexual References, because this passage is about adultery.

Proverbs 5

Warning Against Adultery

1 My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding, 2 that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge. 3 For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, 4 but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. 5 Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol; 6 she does not ponder the path of life; her ways wander, and she does not know it.

7 And now, O sons, listen to me, and do not depart from the words of my mouth. 8 Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house, 9 lest you give your honor to others and your years to the merciless, 10 lest strangers take their fill of your strength, and your labors go to the house of a foreigner, 11 and at the end of your life you groan, when your flesh and body are consumed, 12 and you say, “How I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof! 13 I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my ear to my instructors. 14 I am at the brink of utter ruin in the assembled congregation.”

15 Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well. 16 Should your springs be scattered abroad, streams of water in the streets? 17 Let them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers with you. 18 Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, 19  a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love. 20 Why should you be intoxicated, my son, with a forbidden woman and embrace the bosom of an adulteress? 21 For a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his paths. 22 The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin. 23 He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is led astray.

Devotional

Introduction

The book of proverbs does not beat around the bush, which is why it feels comfortable enough, in addressing a variety of topics, to start with adultery. The adulteress is referenced numerous times throughout the book of Proverbs, which I think can be more metaphorical for all sin in general, and the temptation to divulge in sin. However, this passage, is actually addressing adultery itself. So I think it's appropriate to talk about adultery. Something, as a single, eighteen-year-old pastor's kid feels semi-uncomfortable talking about. But no more apologising, no more blushing...let's get into it!

Study

This passage's main aim is to emphatically proclaim that your should not have sex with someone who is not your spouse. I plan to continue with the same pronouns the passage utilises, but know I am referring to both men and women.

Solomon knows that to simply command his son not to have sex with a woman who is not his wife is not always effective. It is not just a single commandment, because the son probably already know about the ten commandments, it is an explanation of the wisdom behind keeping one wife.

1) Why he should listen to his father's wisdom (v.1-6)

Well, in short, the woman is tempting. And temptations are strong enough for us because we are not perfect. Illicit sex isn't the only sexual immorality. With the temptation there, we can very easily slip into lust. The woman, in this passage, is very tempting. Apparently, he lips drip honey. Some people say this means literal kisses, but many people believe it is simply her pleasant-sounding speech. In the next part of the verse, it says that her "speech is smoother than oil" (vs.3). Either way, she is enticing. And how easily we fall into temptation.

But the passage points out another side to this "two-edged sword" (vs.4). She is actually no good to be with. She is said to be "bitter as wormwood" (vs.4). Her paths are crooked and she knows such because she will not listen to discipline (vs.6). Her immorality even is said to hasten her death (vs.5). And just in saying that, we know that there a physical diseases that can arise from illicit sex such as STIs and such. They prove that such sex is not good for us physically. It is no good to have sex with someone who is not your spouse. So instead, the son should listen to his father. Although, from our knowledge of Solomon, we should not do what he did, because, as you probably know, he had 700 wives and 300 concubines. Perhaps his life was proof that his son should remain with one wife alone.

2) The price for immorality (vs.7-14)

In verses 7, Solomon once again repeats his command of verse 1: "listen to me". He commands him not commit adultery. He even goes as far as to say, stay away from temptation, perhaps in knowledge of Genesis 39:12, where even though Joseph did not sin, because Potiphar's wife was close to him, she could find a way to make it look like he had slept with her. Even if we do not commit the act, we still might be seen and perceived as doing some immoral.

And the passage shows that it does not protect your name. Nor does it protect you, perhaps from a husband seeking revenge (eg. the "merciless") (vs.9). It does not protect whatever riches you may have (vs.10) as other people can steal these from you or take advantage of them. In all these way, you will face "utter ruin" and you may even face punishment for such adultery in your church or community (vs.14).

A little illustration:
As a musical lover, I can't help but totally and utterly adore Hamilton. It is a great work of art! However, as a Christian, I can't help but cringe when it comes to the portion of Alexander Hamilton's life where he commits adultery with a tempting woman. This is kind of what I picture when I think of Proverbs. Hamilton's sin meant he had to deal with the "merciless" (the husband of his mistress), he paid the husband money to keep quiet (eg. the riches given to a "foreigner"), he had to face his wife and live a life in regret. Whilst the musical is not a great representation of God's stance on the issue, the consequences are quite clearly laid out in the narrative.

Perhaps even worse than all of this, you will live your life in regret for not having listened, and not followed the way of wisdom (vs.11-13). How awful to turn to God one day and say that you had sinned, and despised the way of wisdom! How much regret, how much sorrow!

3) So, stay with your own spouse (vs.15-23)

It's pretty clear what we must not do, and even some reasons why we must not do it. So then Solomon encourages his son what to do instead. He tells his son to "drink water from [his] own cistern" (vs.15) - have sex with his own wife. Be faithful to her alone (vs.17). He notes that in our own fall to adultery, we tempt our spouse to be unfaithful as well (vs.16), which would put a strain between the two partners indefinitely.

Not only should the man physically remain loyal to her, but rejoice in her (vs.18). Love her only. It says to be "intoxicated always in her love" (vs.19) and why would he do that with another (vs.20)?

And he gives the man three reminders:

1. Remember the Lord can see what you are doing (vs.21)

2. Remember that the wicked can easily ensnare you (eg. The adulteress) (vs.22)

3. Remember that your own folly can lead you into sin (vs.23)

And just a note on point 2 and 3, we must know that whilst there are temptations (hence, point 2), we are responsible for our own sins (hence, point 3). Solomon does not think that we are only tempted by another, but also by our own hearts. For example, your lustful thoughts can come from the heart, and may be provoked without the enticement of another. Food for thought.

Conclusion

This passage addresses the issue of sexual sin quite blatantly. But I am glad if I have made you uncomfortable, just as I am glad this passage is confronting to me to. In a conversation with my dad, we were both in agreement that sexual sin is different. Perhaps it is because it actually unites you to a person rather than disunifies you (although it certainly has the latter effect on the people around you, including your actual spouse).

Whatever it is about sexual sin that is different, I must say that all sin is bad in the eyes of a holy God. Jesus says so. So when a Saviour comes into the world to deal with all rotten sin, you can be sure that your sexual sin will be forgiven as well. So if you have fallen into such sin, turn to a loving God.

And for everyone (who are probably guilty of some sexual sin, whether physical or lust), Solomon's words are perhaps one's we heard all the time in church, maybe in our families. But they are wise, they are true. Do not fall into the trap, single or in a relationship, male or female, old or young, of sexual sin. It is not pleasant, though the temptation may be enticing.

Thanks for joining me in Day 5 of #31daysofproverbs and #31daysinproverbs! See you tomorrow!