Proverbs 7
I would offer that the word love is not a verb, it is a noun. It is not a thing you do. It is the light that you are made of and what you were created to be.
Seduction – Another Warning about Immoral Women
1 Follow my advice, my son; always treasure my commands. 2 Obey my commands and live!Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes. 3 Tie them on your fingers as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.
4 Love wisdom like a sister; make insight a beloved member of your family. 5 Let them protect you from an affair with an immoral woman, from listening to the flattery of a promiscuous woman.
6 While I was at the window of my house, looking through the curtain, 7 I saw some naive young men, and one in particular who lacked common sense. 8 He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman, strolling down the path by her house. 9 It was at twilight, in the evening, as deep darkness fell. 10 The woman approached him, seductively dressed and sly of heart.
11 She was the brash, rebellious type, never content to stay at home. 12 She is often in the streets and markets, soliciting at every corner. 13 She threw her arms around him and kissed him, and with a brazen look she said,14 “I’ve just made my peace offerings and fulfilled my vows. 15 You’re the one I was looking for! I came out to find you, and here you are!
16 My bed is spread with beautiful blankets, with colored sheets of Egyptian linen. 17 I’ve perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18 Come, let’s drink our fill of love until morning. Let’s enjoy each other’s caresses,19 for my husband is not home. He’s away on a long trip. 20 He has taken a wallet full of money with him and won’t return until later this month.”
21 So she seduced him with her pretty speech and enticed him with her flattery. 22 He followed her at once, like an ox going to the slaughter. He was like a stag caught in a trap, 23 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.
24 So listen to me, my sons, and pay attention to my words. 25 Don’t let your hearts stray away toward her. Don’t wander down her wayward path. 26 For she has been the ruin of many; many men have been her victims. 27 Her house is the road to the grave. Her bedroom is the den of death. (NLT)
insights
In this great poem we experience the final lesson portrayed in proverbs as being told by Solomon to his own son. He emphasizes again that wisdom must be close to us, become part of us, be evident in our daily lives, and must guide our every decision.
Solomon is relating something he has observed from his window, and with this simple story he is teaching us that temptation is all around us, seduction waits at every turn. We must be both wise and vigilant to avoid danger and retain our freedom and integrity. “Be careful! Your enemy is the devil. He walks about, like a lion. He is looking for someone to kill and to eat.” (1 Peter 5:8)
The woman in the story embodies the seduction and temptation the world offers us from nearly every vantage point. We are constantly in danger because we are constantly in the midst of it. We may foolishly believe that we are in control, and can flirt with temptation to a point, but all too often we pass the point of no return and find ourselves trapped into something we know is not right for us. Now we want to run, to find an escape, but the seduction and the choices we made cannot be undone. We must face the consequences.
In this story the woman offers love, but gives only fleeting physical pleasures. The seduction offered fun, but the price was grave danger. Much of what seems to us to be attractive, when viewed in proper perspective turns out to be riddled with lies. Compromising what we know to be behavior that glorifies God, will only hurt us in the end.
lynnibug
To support continuation of this project and others yet to be birthed, donations are most appreciated.
Comment on your journey at WisdomBlog.
