To discover:
As you read note the key
lessons.
To ponder:
The space given in
these chapters to warning against adultery stresses its seriousness. Not only
is it profoundly destructive to marriage and family life, affecting generations
to come, but it also distorts the image of God’s faithful commitment to his
people that marriage is intended to picture. As a capital crime in Israel ,
when the law was properly administered, it could also lead to death. Because
the writer is addressing his son, he talks of the adulteress. But the
principles apply to both genders.
The father begins chapter 5 urging
his son to listen to his wisdom attentively and have lips that preserve
knowledge, no doubt by repeating it and passing it on. He is also warned
against the apparent sweetness of the adulteress’s words, that flatter, but
that are actually bitter and as destructive as a sword, leading those enticed
to the grave (5v1-6). So the son is urged not to even go near her door, lest he
give the years of his life to one who is cruel, lose his wealth to strangers,
and end his life with a groan and in ruin, regretting how he hated discipline
and instruction (5v7-14). Even today, these things can result from falling into
adultery. So this is a salutary warning. And it continues with metaphors that
urge the hearer to delight in his own wife (cistern) and not share his
“streams” with strangers, as God sees and examines his ways, and evil people
will be ensnared by their sin when led astray by foolishness (5v15-23).
It is perhaps the note of folly that
leads into chapter 6. It is unclear whether the writer is urging his hearers
not to offer money in support of a neighbour. But what he does advise, is that
if your commitment ensnares you financially, then you must not sleep until you have
persuaded your neighbour to free you from your obligation (6v1-5). We are
therefore urged to caution with money we might lend rather than give, and with
financial commitments in general. To find yourself indebted and unable to pay
can be terrible.
Wisdom on averting poverty in other
ways follows. First, we are to consider and emulate the ant, who has no one
commanding them, but has the foresight to work hard in order to store its
provisions ready for the winter (6v6-8). So there is wisdom in saving in case
of future need. We are also not to be lazy by seeking excessive rest, as that
way poverty comes suddenly and destructively like a bandit or armed man
(6v9-11).
Perhaps anticipating that the lazy
man will seek money by dishonest means, the writer then speaks of how the
deceitful and dissenting scoundrel, who works evil with his secret signals and
ways, will face disaster and destruction in the end. And the reason is because
of the things God hates: pride, lying, violence, scheming, being quick to do evil,
bearing false witness against others, and stirring up dissent (6v16-19). This
section of the psalm does not undermine generosity or promote materialism. It
does however commend caution with money, hard work, and upright living as the
way to avert poverty and disaster (see Eph 4v28, 1 Thess 4v11-12).
In what follows the son is again
reminded to obey his parents’ teaching and keep it with him, because it will
guide him, watching over him at night and speaking to him by day (6v20-22).
Here we see the normal means by which God guides. It is by the teaching of
scripture that we seek out, digest and keep to mind. Even when we don’t have
our Bible’s open, as we face everyday decisions, God constantly speaks to us
through our knowledge of his word, so that we act in a way that is wise and
righteous. Although he could give us direct guidance on such things as the job
we take or where we live, he doesn’t promise to. But he does provide insight as
to the things to be considered, such as financial risk, and godly motivation.
God’s commands in scripture, and perhaps passed to us by godly parents, are
like light illuminating our path, and corrections that can lead us not just to
long life, but eternal life (6v23).
In the rest of the chapter the
writer turns again to warnings against adultery. His commands can keep us from
falling into all forms of sexual immorality, whether by tempting words or
simple lust, as well as from the adultery that we have already heard will only
burn us (6v23-29). And we should be in no doubt, sleeping with a prostitute
reduces one’s dignity to the material gain she seeks in order to buy a loaf of
bread; and the adulteress preys upon one’s very life. Moreover, whereas a thief
is punished even if his crime is understandable because he is starving, how
much more can the adulterer be sure of punishment and everlasting shame for his
lack of judgement. 6v34-35 probably refer to the offer of compensation to the
woman’s husband when found out, in order to escape the law’s penalty. The point
is that the angry husband will not show mercy. Tolerance of adultery in our
culture means it rarely results in any punishment or shame, showing just how
immoral our culture has become. Nevertheless, without repentance, adultery will
receive its due at the judgement, and this more than anything should warn us
against it.
Praying it
home:
Praise God for his
readiness to warn us against destructive behaviour. Pray that he would keep you
from sexual temptation and sin.
Thinking
further:
None
today.
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