Year 8, Day 298: Proverbs 7

Theological Commentary: Click Here

Proverbs 7 continues the recent theme of avoiding adultery.  I can’t help but wonder if this isn’t truly a reflection on David’s own life.  We tend to try and make sure that those we love don’t fall into the same pitfalls that plague us.  Of course, it could also be that God knows what Solomon’s reign is going to be like and he is trying to give Solomon a push in the other direction.  Either way, these are great words for us to hear.

What I love about the message of this Proverb is that the story that it brings out.  We hear about a woman who see a man seemingly wandering about aimlessly.  Here is our first lesson.  When we don’t really have a purpose, we are in a great place to fall into temptation and sin.  When we don’t have a focus, sin will come along and focus us onto itself.

This woman seduces the man to come with her.  As she speaks, hear the risk in her words.  Her husband isn’t home.  But she has a husband.  Often times we get into trouble because of the rush of doing something in which we might get caught.

The woman also entices the man.  She has food.  She promises lengthy love.  She promises a soft bed.  Her words are persuasive.  This brings us back to the man’s lack of purpose.  Because he has a lack of purpose, he is able to be persuaded.

David wants Solomon to avoid such pitfalls.  He wants him to be able to resist the temptation of others.  He wants him to understand wisdom and be in a place to pass it along when he becomes a father as well.

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