Proverbs 7 - 9

Click HERE to read the passage.

Already in the first 6 chapters, King Solomon has warned twice about the dangers of falling into sexual immorality. It was a BIG problem then, just as it is now. So, to really hammer the dangers of falling into sexual immorality, Solomon plunges deeper on this subject in chapter 7. He's seen a lot of damage it's caused to others, even to himself. He knows, first hand, just how destructive becoming seduced into an immoral affair can be, not only to the individuals involved, but to their families, their careers, and ad infinitum...

So, before he hammers away at it, he strongly encourages the reader to consider 6 important things about the lesson he's about to give:

1. Treasure it!
2. Obey it!
3. Guard yourself with it!
4. Tie this instruction to your fingers if necessary!
5. Place it deep within your heart and don't let go!
6. Love it like you would a member of your own family!

In other words, Solomon is saying that above all things, please, please, please listen to what I'm about to say.

He begins his instruction with a personal story of an event he saw unfold before his very eyes. From the window of his palace, he broken-heartedly watched a man in the streets becoming the victim of a an immoral woman. He recounts how she targets the man, seduces him with seductive clothing, seductive makeup, and enticing words. Sadly, he ends the story with the man drawn into an act of immorality. An act that would haunt him for the rest of his days.

Listen to how Solomon describes this man's behavior:

"He followed her at once, like an ox going to the slaughter. He was like a stag caught in a trap, awaiting the arrow that would pierce its heart. He was like a bird flying into a snare, little knowing it would cost him his life."

Those are powerful and daunting words. Listen to how Solomon describes to event. And remember, this is true of both a man and a woman!

- "the slaughter"
- "a trap"
- "pierce its heart"
- "a snare"
- "cost him his life"

These words should be enough to make anyone who's listening beg for God's protection against falling prey to sexual immorality. Sadly, many Christians fall prey to it all too often. Even more sadly is the reality that there are those who claim to follow Christ but think nothing of having a sexual encounter outside the bonds of marriage. God views sex within a marriage as a HOLY thing. If He's sees sex within a marriage as HOLY...what do you think His view is of a sexual encounter would be outside of marriage?

And if these words aren't enough, try re-reading chapter 9:13-18.

How many men (and women) have been seduced into an immoral, sexual encounter to later see their families and lives crumble. Solomon is trying to tell us - IT'S NOT WORTH IT!!!  He goes on to say describe her bedroom as "the road to the grave and the den of death."  

That's why we need to be careful "where" we go, "what" our eyes see, and "the boundaries" we're willing to set up in our lives to keep us from following into that kind of temptation. 

As we read on into chapter 8, Solomon continues with just how valuable it is to have wisdom - "far more valuable than rubies." 

In fact, he describes how God used His wisdom to form the universe. Everywhere we look, we see the incomparable wisdom of God. No matter what it is - gravity, inertia, centrifugal force, radiation, light, the stars, the planets, the galaxies - they all work in harmony together under God's great wisdom. And here's the wonderful news, Solomon says it's available to everyone who searches for it.]

What about you? Are you willing to search hard to find wisdom? You can't find anything if you don't look for it.

In the end of this chapter I find one of my favorite verses - verse 35 - "for whoever finds me (wisdom) finds life, and receives favor from the Lord."

Wisdom is a gift from God. You must ask for it. And, you must diligently seek after it. Only then, after God sees your willingness to search for it, will He grant it to you.

In chapter 9, Solomon provides a little test. A test that allows you to see just who are the ones who love wisdom. Here's the test:

- Note 9:8 - If you correct the foolish, they hate you or at least they hate your attempt to correct them. But, when you find someone who truly wants to do what's right and wholesome, when you correct them, they love you for it. They understand that correction makes them a little wiser. To the fool, they feel threatened and hate to be corrected.

Can you think of anyone around you who's a fool?  And anyone who loves wisdom?