Good Morning,

We continue the narrative from yesterday's study.  I have been blessed by these studies because I have learned something to a greater depth than ever before.  God hates sexual immorality, in all of its forms.  

The adulterous standing at the corner is further described:  

7:11-12 (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: 12 Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)  She is implicitly described as being loud, this means she has an active mouth. It is the opposite of having a quiet spirit.  The word translated stubborn speaks of rebellion. She is rebellious against her husband and moral propriety.  And so, this loose, immodest, rebellious woman slips out of her home and waits at the corner to fulfil her illicit desires.  

7:13-18 "So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him.  14 I have peace offerings with me; this day have I paid my vows. 15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.  16 I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. 17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves." The idea is that she prevailed (caught him) brazen-faced and all.  This woman is brazen not simply because of her sin, but the fact that she presented her proposition from a Jewish perspective.  She said, "I have peace offerings with me; this day have I paid my vows." Additionally, there is an indication that she knew the man and desired to have an affair with him, "Therefore came I forth to meet the, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee." (vs. 16) She had prepared for this rendezvous, "I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. 17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves." She made her plan very clear.  Just as the world does today, she presented her proposition of adultery under the guise of love and making love.  However, any dedicated Christian understands this proposition was motivated by lust, rather than love.  Someone has said, "Lust is getting. Love is giving."

Verses 7:19-20 "For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey: 20 He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed."  It is clear that this woman was married and that her husband was away on a business trip. Fornication is one thing, adultery is another.  Whereas fornication (sexual activity between unmarried parties) is immoral, adultery is both that and gravely dishonest. It is a breach of a sacred covenant.  It is the epitome of being disloyal.  This encounter wasn't by chance, it was planned, the woman knew who she wanted and what she wanted.

Verses 7:21-23 "With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. 22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; 23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life." Thus, Solomon witnessed this gullible young man being seduced by this convincing adulteress. He is compared to an ox unknowingly being led into the slaughterhouse. He is like a criminal arrested for his wrongdoing, again, he is like a hunted animal snared in danger of losing its life.  Multitudes of men and women have ruined a career, a family, and their life by an adulterous affair. 

Notice now, Proverbs 7:24-25, "Hearken unto me now, therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. 25 Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths."  The word translated children in verse 24, is the common word for sons.  Solomon makes sure to drive home his message to his son or sons, to avoid the seduction offered by this type of woman.

The conclusion of this chapter is to avoid adultery no matter the cost.  26 For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. 27 Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death. An adulteress and/or adulterer, has destroyed many people. Those in high positions have had great shame come upon them.  Adultery is destructive spiritually, financially, and personally.

May we all take heed to these words and avoid the sins of fornication, and if married, the sin of adultery.

Your Friend and His,

Pastor Abbott