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).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
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.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
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.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on September 1, 2016 · 1 Comment
Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
– Proverbs 4:27
The deliberation in the previous verse leads one to properly identify the good way. Verse 27 exhorts to stay in that way and not leave it for one thing or the other. Chapter 4 ends having spoken to the heart, mouth, eyes, and feet. This speaks to the course of life of the whole person and exhorts to not turn, or bend away from the straight path of wisdom no matter the inducements.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on August 31, 2016 · 1 Comment
Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
– Proverbs 4:26
Ponder means to weigh out and make level as in measuring some substance in a balance. To be established is to be stood upright. Wisdom instructs to weigh carefully the path we shall tread. Our steps should be deliberate and the idea is presented of being straight. Wisdom is often seen in the exercise of judgment or discernment. Feet and ways refer literally to a road or path but is put here for the course of one’s life.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on August 30, 2016 · 1 Comment
Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
– Proverbs 4:25
Eyes are used to see. Going in the way of wisdom means seeing the way in the sense that we are thoughtful and deliberate in considering well the end of the way before we begin in it. So we should look right and straight ahead at where we should go. Even considering the uncertainties of life, Solomon concluded that it is better to walk in wisdom, which he spoke of as having eyes in your head as opposed to the fools who stumble in the dark (Ecclesiastes 2:13-14).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on August 29, 2016 · 1 Comment
Put away from thee a forward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
– Proverbs 4:24
Froward and perverse both carry the thought of crooked. They describe speech which is bent away from the straight way of wisdom. They are opposite of righteousness (Proverbs 8:8). Guarding the heart and mind is primarily a guarding of input and storage. We are also to give diligence to guard the product of heart and mind as well. The mouth and lips are obviously put for speech. Many exhortations, admonitions, and reproofs concerning speech await us in the Proverbs. So wisdom entails the governing of our tongues, which is no small feat and is accomplished with no small effort (James 3:3-8).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on August 28, 2016 · 1 Comment
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
– Proverbs 4:23
Verses 23 to 27 end this chapter with an exhortation to practical living by wisdom. All diligence means to keep or guard the heart above all else. Solomon starts with the heart because it is the source, for that is what issues means. Jesus said that the defilement of a man wasn’t from without but within (Matthew 15:19). We must labor to grasp onto wise sayings and guard them with all diligence. We must keep them fixed in our mind that we not go astray in the evil way.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on August 27, 2016 · 1 Comment
For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
– Proverbs 4:22
Wisdom keeps men from the destructiveness of the path of wickedness. Wisdom brings a wholeness and soundness to life on earth. Wisdom also brings spiritual life that delivers from death. Life and health are here seen as good rewards of wisdom and good reason to incline the ear, keep the sayings in the heart, and keep them before the eyes.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
« Previous Page — Next Page »
Proverbs 5:3
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:
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.– Proverbs 5:3
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).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Share this:
Filed under 5, Proverbs, Short Comments · Tagged with Commentary, Proverbs, Strange Woman