Proverbs 7:1-27

Proverbs 7:1-27

This passage, which is a continuation of 6:20-35, has applications for every age of history. Some believe it is an allegory about the spiritual infidelity of Israel in the vein of the Book of Hosea. But the simple understanding is best: this passage describes the death-dealing effect of sexual sin.

Verses 1-5 describe how holy living and wisdom are protectors from the death of sexual sin. The word "flattering," in verse 5, can be translated as "smooth" but also "divide." Think of a smooth-talking con-man lawyer who talks to someone who is out of their depth. This woman is skilled at her craft of seduction.

Verses 6-23 tell the whole story of the seduction from the first encounter to spiritual ruin. The clarity and detail of the account are so realistic we might imagine that Solomon had heard the story of ruin or may have, in some way, lived it out. Whether adding a woman to the harem, a one-night stand, a high-end wealthy escort occasion, or a sleazy side-of-town hooker, there are certain consistencies in seduction. Several lessons for our attention are in this sad story. First, in verse 8 we learn there are places it is stupid to go. For us this is true both in person and on the internet. Going to a site where there is danger is what stupid people do. Second, the woman is described as ‘cunning of heart.' The word literally means "hidden." Whatever her outward persona, she is disciplined to keep her true self hidden. People imagine they are wise enough to manage sexual temptation and sin. In reality they are babes in the woods dealing with people far more skilled in the matters of seduction. Not to mention all sexual immorality has a demonic component to it. Demons are far more clever and experienced than we are. Third, notice the timing is very important. She mentions “peace offerings," which were eaten at home. She is inviting him to dinner, a lavish dinner. In fact, it is a religious dinner. More often than we care to admit, sexual temptation is described as God's will. She also mentions that her husband is gone for a long trip and that is why he took a bag of money. With the peace offering at the new moon and the husband's return at the full moon, she is offering almost 2 weeks of uninhabited, casual, non-responsible sex and feasting. We don't get the picture of sex for hire as much as having a sexual fling without responsibility. Once engaged deeply in conversation with all the promises of a ‘great time’ with a steamy lover, he will almost certainly say yes.

Four examples of sudden doom describe the one who submits to the seductress. Oxen are unaware that they are about to be butchered. In those days the perpetrator caught in their crime went straight to the stocks. The arrow shot into the liver is sudden. And the snare for a bird takes its prey in an instant. Seduction and doom go together even if the young man doesn't notice the trap.

Verses 24-27 conclude with the warning that her house is Hell's waiting room. The expressway to destruction is the house of the sexual seductress.

“Lord, grant me a passion to be holy and pure in my sexual life. AMEN.”