Read Proverbs 7
Questions from the Scripture text: How does Proverbs 7:1 address the reader? What does it say to do with the words? With the commands? Where? What else to do with the commands (Proverbs 7:2a)? With what result? Nd how to treasure the law (verse 2b)? Bind them where (Proverbs 7:3a)? Write them where (verse 3b)? Say what to what (Proverbs 7:4a)? And what to what else (verse 4b)? To be kept from whom (Proverbs 7:5a, n.b. that this means “strange” as in the fire of Leviticus 10:1)? From whom (Proverbs 7:5b)? Who does what? From where does the speaker look in Proverbs 7:6? Whom does he see (Proverbs 7:7)? Where is he going near/to, to demonstrate his lack of understanding (Proverbs 7:8, cf. Proverbs 5:8, Proverbs 6:32)? At what time (Proverbs 7:9)? Who meets him (Proverbs 7:10)? How is she dressed? Of what is she in control (NKJ “crafty”)? What is her manner (Proverbs 7:11a)? What is her habit (Proverbs 7:11-12)? What does she do to him (Proverbs 7:13)? What does she do with a set/hardened face? What does she say she has (Proverbs 7:14a)? That she has done (verse 14b)? What does she relate to this activity (Proverbs 7:15)? To what furniture does she draw attention (Proverbs 7:16-17)? And what things about it? What does she suggest to do (Proverbs 7:18)? For how long? With what proposed result? What does she say makes this possible (Proverbs 7:19-20)? What effect does her speech have (Proverbs 7:21)? What four analogies do Proverbs 7:22-23 give for his going with her? What will it cost? What does Proverbs 7:24 again say to do (cf. Proverbs 7:1)? And what does Proverbs 7:25 say not to do (cf. Proverbs 7:8, Proverbs 5:8)? What has she done, to how many, of whom (Proverbs 7:26)? Where does her house lead (Proverbs 7:27)?
Why do we need to treasure and keep God’s Word? Proverbs 7 looks forward to the sermon in this week’s midweek meeting. In these twenty-seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we need to treasure and keep God’s Word, because we would otherwise walk right into destruction.
Apply and internalize Bible instruction, Proverbs 7:1–4. In order unto keeping God’s Word (Proverbs 7:2a), we need to be treasuring it first (Proverbs 7:1, Proverbs 7:2b). How we value it will determine what we do with it. And what do we need to do with it? Have it control everything we do (Proverbs 7:3a). Indeed, have it control everything we think/feel/ choose (verse 3b). How close/big a part of one’s life should wisdom and understanding be (Proverbs 7:4)?
To be saved from the strange/foreign woman, Proverbs 7:5. Although there are many harmful sins and follies into which we might fall by lack of wisdom, it is especially this one (the danger of wrong romance) to which the Spirit keeps bringing us back in the first nine chapters of the book. All of the rest of the instruction in wisdom is thus set in the context of an attempt to save our life! We must be willing to treasure/heed all Bible wisdom.
Because there are habits that destroy the ignorant, Proverbs 7:6-9. Proverbs 5:8 had said “Remove your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house.” We might think, “do we really need instruction like that? Isn’t it obvious?” The writer pictures himself as observing youths, unseen, and what he sees is that they are an entire class of the simple and ignorant (Proverbs 7:6-7). And the ultimate exhibit of this folly is the young man who “passed along the street near her corner and took the path to her house” (Proverbs 7:8). So, he’s not diverting his way to avoid temptation, but going straight near it. To make things worse, the sun has gone down (Proverbs 7:9), so that sin has greater opportunity by the cover of night/hiddenness. Wrong place/wrong time isn’t always something that “happens to you.” Often, it’s the result of foolish choices that could have been prevented by Scripture being treasured, meditated upon, and implemented in the life.
Because there are harlots that destroy the ignorant, Proverbs 7:10-20. It’s bad enough when we put ourselves in positions where our flesh will reason us into sin. But there are others who will reason with us to rationalize sin.
The woman in Proverbs 7:10 is dressed to allure, but it’s her wicked “mastery” (slavery!) that is the greater problem. She is literally “keeping” her heart, but not for good. She does what she wants (Proverbs 7:11a), where she wants (Proverbs 7:11-12). She finds her mark, bold with her initial action (Proverbs 7:13a), and “strong”/“hard” of face (i.e. showing no hint of remorse, verse 13b). Her forward manner encourages him that she will be one with whom he might indulge sinful desire.
Proverbs 7:14a isn’t just enticing him with roast meat. It’s asserting that she’s a “good worshiper”; she pays her vows (verse 14b). To get to the peace offering, she made it also through sin offering, ascension, and tribute. After all, isn’t sin like this what sacrifices like that are for? Her reasoning resembles that of so many members in churches. They enjoy both their religion and their folly, both their worship and their sin.
Having preempted any complaints of his conscience, she now appeals directly to the flesh. First, he is special; she’s come to “seek his face” (Proverbs 7:15). Second, what she has prepared is special and even luxurious (Proverbs 7:16). Third, it is very pleasant and even intoxicating (Proverbs 7:17). Fourth, it will be lastingly and intensely enjoyable (Proverbs 7:18). Fifth, it will be safe (the husband is away) and justified (he’s taken a bag of money to spend on himself—perhaps even upon harlots, and only the new moon would bring him back home, Proverbs 7:19-20).
Because the destruction is unforeseen, sure, and lethal, Proverbs 7:21-27. Giving in to either someone else or one’s own sinful desire is as ignorant as an ox going to slaughter (Proverbs 7:21-22a) or a bird to the snare (Proverbs 7:23b). It is as sure to bring bondage as snapping the shackles onto yourself (Proverbs 7:22b). It is as lethal as an arrow to the liver (Proverbs 7:23a, c). Indeed, allowing oneself to be persuaded into sin is the path not to pleasure but to perishing. The first step into that path (Proverbs 7:25) puts even a “strong” one (Proverbs 7:26) in the way to death and the grave as judgment (Proverbs 7:27).
So, thank God for His Word—but not the sort of gratitude that is just a moment of good feelings, but the sort of gratitude that treasures His Word and implements it (Proverbs 7:24, cf. Proverbs 7:1-4)!
Whom has the Lord given you to teach you His Word? How can you tell if you are treasuring God’s Word on their lips? What is your habit for meditating upon them? What are some situations in which you are tempted to various sins? How are you going out of your way (out of their way!) to avoid them? How do you go about training your mind/heart to view every sin as a path do destruction?
Sample prayer: Lord, we are so thankful for Your Word. Please help us, by Your Spirit, to treasure it and keep it. For, we are so foolish that we would put ourselves in the way of sin, and even to reason ourselves into sin, or allow someone else to persuade us into it. But, You have given Christ for us to be our atonement and right standing with You. And, You have given Christ unto us to be our life and our righteousness. So, grant that by Your Spirit’s blessing to us Your Word, He would apply unto us our union with Christ, and make us to love and keep Your Word as our Savior has, which we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP119B “How Can a Young Man Cleanse His Way?” or TPH119M “O How I Love Your Holy Law”
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