Posted by Jeff Short on September 6, 2016 · 1 Comment
Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.
– Proverbs 5:5
Feet and steps continue the theme of a path or way, which stands for the course of life. These are continually contrasted in this first section of Proverbs. The strange woman presents a companion picture to the way of the evil man warned against earlier (Proverbs 2:12). Death and hell continue the death symbol from the sword in the previous verse. The warning of death is pointed and has two main senses. First, it is hyperbole for a life that is destroyed through adultery. Rarely does adultery end in physical death, but it certainly ends in destroying lives. Second, death in Proverbs is often in consideration of the spiritual and contrasting from the eternal life of wisdom. The strange woman’s is not a good way and the wise will not begin in it.
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Posted by Jeff Short on September 5, 2016 · 1 Comment
But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.
– Proverbs 5:4
End means future and is a stern reminder there is an after, as Kidner pointed out. She may at first appear with smooth sweetness and delicious promises of where she is going but the reality is opposite. Rather than sweetness is bitterness, and rather than smoothness is sharpness. Solomon uses two figures to illustrate how all adulterous activity must end. Wormwood is usually related to bitterness and is a symbol of suffering in Scripture (Deuteronomy 29:18). The sword is obviously a symbol of death as that is what her house inclines to and her path leads to (Proverbs 2:18).
Solomon demonstrates the nature of wisdom in this warning. Wisdom considers and weighs. Wisdom looks to the end or the outcome of a path and not just the exciting prospect at the beginning. In relation to the strange woman, Solomon intends for this end to be considered before she is ever met in person (Proverbs 5:8).
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Posted by Jeff Short on September 4, 2016 · 1 Comment
For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:
– Proverbs 5:3
The strange woman was referred to previously (Proverbs 2:16-19) and much of chapters 5-7 is spent warning against her and her ways. The term refers to a foreign woman and is mostly used in these chapters to refer to a married woman. This chapter opens exhorting the ear and lips to be employed in attending wisdom and keeping knowledge. These are a defense against the enticements of the strange woman.
We must never discount the danger of flattering speech, for that is one of her tools (Proverbs 2:16; 6:24; 7:21). Her lips and mouth are here put for her speech. Dropping honey is sweet to the taste and enjoyable. Her words are suited to appeal to the taste in similar manner. Smoother than oil is an expression that refers to treachery. It is an intentional deception that is wholly designed to ensnare to the flatterer’s purpose. It is no wonder Solomon advised the best course of action was to avoid her altogether (Proverbs 4:14; 5:8).
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Posted by Jeff Short on September 3, 2016 · 1 Comment
That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.
– Proverbs 5:2
Regarding discretion indicates to set a guard over or to keep diligently. There is also a sense of distinguishing a good plan from a bad one. Discretion carries the thought of a plan or scheme and can be good or bad depending on the context. Keeping knowledge with the lips is a safeguard of wisdom in the heart. Solomon’s aim is that the son will recognize the plan of folly and give a wise answer to it.
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Posted by Jeff Short on September 2, 2016 · 1 Comment
Chapter 5 has two main parts that are related. The first half issues a warning against the seductions of the adulteress. The strange woman, who was introduced earlier (Proverbs 2:16-19), is here characterized. Solomon unmasks her flattering attentions and reveals them for what they are. He warns of the steep price to be paid for going her way.
The second half of the chapter presents the blessings and delights of a faithful marriage. Regardless of what the strange woman has to offer, it cannot compare with the lasting delights to be had in marriage. Happiness in marriage is painted against the misery in the ways of fornication and adultery.
My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:
– Proverbs 5:1
Verses 1 and 2 start the new exhortation in a similar pattern by urging attentiveness and intelligent listening. The son is required to exercise humility to attend and bow to the wisdom and understanding of the father. Solomon later describes young fools who are devoid of understanding that are taken in the trap. Wisdom is important regardless of age but it is important that a young man begin in the way of wisdom and keep to it.
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Proverbs 5:5
Posted by Jeff Short on September 6, 2016 · 1 Comment
Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.
Feet and steps continue the theme of a path or way, which stands for the course of life. These are continually contrasted in this first section of Proverbs. The strange woman presents a companion picture to the way of the evil man warned against earlier (Proverbs 2:12). Death and hell continue the death symbol from the sword in the previous verse. The warning of death is pointed and has two main senses. First, it is hyperbole for a life that is destroyed through adultery. Rarely does adultery end in physical death, but it certainly ends in destroying lives. Second, death in Proverbs is often in consideration of the spiritual and contrasting from the eternal life of wisdom. The strange woman’s is not a good way and the wise will not begin in it.– Proverbs 5:5
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
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