Proverbs 5

Today’s chapter warns us about the adulterous woman, whose lips drip honey and whose mouth is smoother than oil (Proverbs 5:3).

If we are not careful, she indeed seems very attractive and enticing. In Proverbs 9:17, she continues to seduce us by suggesting that

“Stolen water is sweet,
And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”

The adulterous woman personifies the way of folly, and indeed to the foolish and him who lacks understanding (Proverbs 9:16), sinning appears to be exciting.

I have spread my bed with tapestry,
Colored coverings of Egyptian linen.
I have perfumed my bed
With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. (Proverbs 7:16-17)

The adulterous woman appeals to our sensual desires; Pleasure for the moment is emphasized with no consideration for any long term consequences.

This is the method of Satan, and the way our world is like right now.

In fact, even for those who “go straight on their way”, she is also constantly calling out to them (Proverbs 9:15). No one is spared. Seduction and temptations are all around us. But which way do we choose?

Proverbs teaches us the consequences:

But in the end she is bitter as wormwood,
Sharp as a two-edged sword.
Her feet go down to death,
Her steps lay hold of hell. (Proverbs 5:4-5)

Lest you give your honor to others,
And your years to the cruel one;
Lest aliens be filled with your wealth,
And your labors go to the house of a foreigner;
And you mourn at last,
When your flesh and your body are consumed,
And say:
“How I have hated instruction,
And my heart despised correction! (Proverbs 5:9-12)

And guides us on what to do:

Therefore hear me now, my children,
And do not depart from the words of my mouth. (Proverbs 5:7)

Remove your way far from her,
And do not go near the door of her house (Proverbs 5:8)

Drink water from your own cistern,
And running water from your own well. (Proverbs 5:15)

The adulterous woman and the wise woman in the Book of Proverbs personify the two ways of life – the way of the wisdom and the way of the folly. It is not only talking about a way of lifestyle we are choosing to lead our lives, but a matter of life and death here. Satan is leading with him onto the path of destruction those who choose not to follow on the way of wisdom.

While today’s chapter may specifically talk about sexual purity in marriage and about adultery, the foolish woman also symbolises any other sins that may be alluring us. The advice of drinking from your own cistern, while it teaches us to be faithful to one’s spouse, also teaches us about contentment and boundaries.

There are certain boundaries we cannot cross; but rather than toeing the line, let us find wisdom and strength to remove our way far from it instead.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)

It seems apt to end with a hymn from our hymnbook (470):

There’s a line that is drawn by rejecting our Lord,
Where the call of His Spirit is lost,
And you hurry along with the pleasure-mad throng –
Have you counted, have you counted the cost?

You may barter your hope of eternity’s morn,
For a moment of joy at the most,
For the glitter of sin and the things it will win -
Have you counted, have you counted the cost?

While the door of His mercy is open to you,
Ere the depth of His love you exhaust,
Won’t you come and be healed, won’t you whisper, I yield -
I have counted, I have counted the cost?

Have you counted the cost, if your soul should be lost,
Though you gain the whole world for your own?
Even now it may be that the line you have crossed,
Have you counted, have you counted the cost?