In this Proverb we get to sit with Solomon while he describes the snaring of a naïve young man. We feel, smell, and see the allure of sexual temptation. Which, in reality, is exactly how sexual temptation works. However, because this was written for our wisdom, we get the added advantage of knowing the end of the story. In real life, sexual sin never reveals the end of the story. If she did, who would choose that “highway to the grave” (v. 27)?
Verse 14 is interesting. In the middle of the wayward wife’s persuasion, she mentions fellowship offerings and the fulfillment of her vows to God. The offerings simply mean she has food leftover at home. The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, so the food had some appeal, but there’s something even more sinister at work. By stating that she fulfilled her vows, she’s attempting to pacify the guilt that they both are possibly feeling at this moment. In other words, “we’ve done our duty to God, we’ve gone to church, we’ve satisfied God...now let’s go satisfy ourselves.” Be careful when someone uses God or religion to justify their actions. Sin is probably creeping in the background.
The punch line of the Proverb and the image that God has used in my life to keep me from sin is verses 22-23. Take some time to imagine an ox blindly lumbering to the slaughter, an arrow violently piercing the liver of a deer, and a bird naively darting into a snare. These are images that foster a healthy fear of the Lord. These are images that keep us from double-clicking the wrong thing, making the inappropriate phone call, driving to the wrong residence... These are images that protect our family, our future, and our integrity.
Do you agree with Solomon’s, ultimately God’s, perspective on the consequences of sexual sin? Have you felt the temptation and the pain personally? How do you protect yourself from the slaughter?
Friday, November 7, 2008
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3 comments:
To me, this is a perfect illustration of what goes on with the Internet today... We're going on our way, minding our own business, when POW! There she is! (vs. 8-9). But isn't it funny that we're going about our business at twilight, and that we're going down that street? Why can't we do our business during daylight when there is accountability in numbers and why can't we take the streets that we know are legitimate and safe? (vs. 25) I know for me, i've never run into a problem when I am doing the right things. Finally, if a prostitute ran up to me in broad daylight while buying groceries and my friends were in the next isle, how tempting would that be??? I also want to endorse the Covenant Eyes program. Invaluable to anyone committed to maintaining their integrity online!
I think that this is one of my favorite proverbs. Being a male, I can fully understand the temptation that the "young fool" was experiencing. In our modern society, the "young fool" who follows the woman to her bed is actually regarded as cool! We live in a culture today where, especially as males, the more partners we can lay claim to, the more popular we become. It's funny how rock stars who brag about having a different woman every night are revered figures! In the end of the proverb, Solomon mentions that these decisions will ultimately lead to death. In this modern era, oh how true that has become! How many people die because of Sexually Transmitted Diseases everyday in America? In addition to physical death, financial and spiritual death can occur as well. If you have an affair and your spouse finds out, financially speaking, you've just lost half of everything that you own! You can imagine how bad it would be if children are involved. How would those kids feel about you, knowing that you destroyed their family? How would it affect their relationship with God? It would be hard for them to want to believe and trust in the lord when the person who taught them about the lord turned out to be the biggest liar of all! Do not believe the modern media which claims that promiscuous sex is great. It truly does lead you down a path that you would not want to follow.
I am glad that Wisdom is kinda referred to as a "She" and that it is a revered thing. As a women myself it is really hard in this society to stay pure and think that I am worth a man's struggle to stay pure. With all the internet garbage it sure is hard to feel "treasured" and respected as a female.
I like how he say's " I saw among the simple".
Thanks for doing this blog Pastor,I enjoy it very much.
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