Proverbs
7 Reminds me of a friend of mine growing up. He had a stereotypical
Italian name. His dad drove a brand new car. They lived in a very
nice home and they regularly met with other gentlemen with other
stereotypical Italian names. They had a small family business that
my friend never knew much about. He was the son from a second
marriage and his two older brothers were grown and part of the
business. The movie, The
Godfather had not been made yet,
but most of us knew about the Mafia. His dad seemed to want to keep
his youngest boy away from the family business because he knew the
entanglements better than anyone. I think this is true of all
fathers; they do not want their sons to repeat their mistakes. They
know personally the damage certain sins can produce and they want to
protect their boys. Today we have extensive family medical histories
that can influence our diet or lifestyle. If we learn from our
parents, we may be able to take precautions to avoid the same medical
maladies. Perhaps this is what Solomon is trying to do in this
Proverb? He begins, “My
son, keep my words and store up my commands within you… and you
will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye… write them
on the tablet of your heart… They will
keep
you from the adulterous woman… with her seductive words“.
Exodus 20:5 warns of “visiting
the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the
fourth generation“. Is there
a pattern in your family? Don’t be a wiseguy.
Solomon
continues by noting his observations from his stakeout, “At
the window of my house I looked down
through
the lattice… I noticed among the young men… I saw…
a
youth who had no sense… near her corner, walking along in the
direction of her house… as the dark of night set in“.
Not long ago, the crime bosses only had to worry about the FBI and
paparazzi taking their pictures, but now cameras are literally
everywhere. Virtually every dumb thing we do, say or read could be
recorded as evidence. He continues his report, “Then
out
came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute… her feet
never stay at home… She took hold of him and kissed him“.
He even adds the transcript of her words, “I
looked for you and have found you! My bed with
colored
linens from Egypt… perfumed… with myrrh… let’s drink deeply
of love till morning… My husband is not at home“.
He comments, “With
persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him“.
She made him an offer he could not refuse.
Parents
can over dramatize things, but many times that is the voice of
experience talking. One drink does not make you a drunk, but if
alcoholism runs in the family, maybe it is wise to avoid that first
drink. If abuse, or addiction, or infidelity are common traits,
perhaps some friendly persuasion is in order? Solomon continues his
observation, “He
followed her
like
an ox going to the slaughter… little knowing it will cost him his
life“. Bad decisions
don’t always lead to death, but they can lead to loss of everything
we cherish in life. Solomon pleads, “My
sons, listen to me;
pay
attention to what I say.
Do
not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths“.
It is sad to think he may be speaking from memory, “Many
are the victims she has brought down… leading down to the chambers
of death“. I am
convinced that the only way to break some patterns of behavior is by
the power of God’s Holy Spirit. Don’t be part of the mob, maybe
today you can turn to the real Boss?