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?

Proverbs 14

The book of Proverbs not only shares about the True Wisdom that we should all pursue, it also talks about so many of life’s little teachings as well. There was a time when I was particularly interested in reading books on life’s wisdom (or wise sayings from people who have supposedly been there done there), and while some of these books do give good “advice” (some of them are actually quite shrewd, so be careful what you read), they are focused only on the things on earth. If the Book of Proverbs can provide the direction to this life (how we should lead our lives on earth) and the key to the next (eternal life), I urge you to “buy” the Book of Proverbs with your time, and really internalize these words of wisdom in your life.

I would like to highlight a few verses for today’s sharing.

The heart knows its own bitterness,
And a stranger does not share its joy. (Proverbs 14:10)

There are times when we are listening to someone share about his problems and we are so tempted to say, “I know what you are going through…” and then start to share about our own experience, hoping that our experience will edify him and give him good advice on what to do. Sometimes we may even think that the matter is not worth crying over, and that person should just move on. Being a counsellor, I am trained to empathise with another’s feelings and really seek to understand what he/she is going through. However, I have come to realise that “the heart knows its own bitterness, and a stranger does not share its joy”. We can probably never fully understand what someone else is experiencing.

Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather,
And like vinegar on soda,
Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. (Proverbs 25:20)

What does “empathising” mean then? It is to listen and to validate his hurts. Agree with him that he is indeed in pain, and help him accept himself. Often, it is when someone is not able to fully accept himself that there began to grow bitter roots within. Are you at peace with yourself? Can you truly accept the person that you are?

A sound heart is life to the body,
But envy is rottenness to the bones. (Proverbs 14:30)

What is a “sound” heart? The English Standard Version uses “tranquil” instead, suggesting a heart which is at peace with oneself. Are you able to love yourself, or do you find yourself often envying others? Perhaps these are questions we can explore with our hurting/troubled friends.

Even in laughter the heart may sorrow,
And the end of mirth may be grief. (Proverbs 14:13)

But even in moments of joy, sometimes, when the curtain has dropped and the applause has ended, we realised that these are vanities and that there is no lasting happiness on earth. And so we find ourselves chasing after more, more, more, and MORE! I have indeed met with quite a number of people who find life meaningless, and are hopeless. What is missing from the equation here?

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16)

Jesus is the missing link.

Jesus knows the bitterness in our hearts, and He shares in our joys too. I can say with all confidence that He is the only one who can truly empathise with you, because He lives in you and He knows you.

Knowing that He indeed made you and formed you from the womb, and love you, helps us to move beyond the stage of accepting ourselves to desiring to be Christ-like. We are at peace with ourselves, because we know we are loved by the Most High; and because of this love, we want to become better, like Him.

Joy is often found in hope and meaning. Clients who come to me still hopeful or who still find some meanings in their lives are the one who can still laugh and push on. And for us who have known the Lord, we know who is the Hope and the Meaning of our lives - Jesus.

You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalms 16:11)

Jesus is our true joy, and the joy of the LORD is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). We who have indeed tasted the goodness of the Lord, let us share this joy with those around us!

Proverbs 4

"The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble." - Prov 4:19.

God's word and His wisdom is like a light unto my path, and the lamp unto my feet (Psalm 119:105). For in seeking after and cherishing wisdom, illuminates our path into eternal life. For without it, we will stumble and walk in darkness. Wisdom is our sight, understanding is our perception, and knowledge is our illumination. Amen.

~ BurningBush

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"Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure." - Proverbs 4:26.

I like this verse. It teaches us to consider all that we do, because if we put in some effort and thoughts to think over our ways, the Holy Spirit will then guide us to make the good decisions and help us walk rightly.

"Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on." - Proverbs 4:15.

This verse teaches us how not to walk on the wrong path.

Basically, avoid it. Don't go onto it. Turn your back. And walk away!

Like how the bible also says to flee from youthful lusts. And how we ought to resist the devil and he will flee from us. So sometimes, 'running away' might not be such a bad option. This isn't a sign of weakness; God is pleased.

Proverbs 3

And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3:4)

We are reminded that we ought to not only do right in the sight of God, but also in the sight of man. Didn't Jesus too? :)

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. (Luke 2:52)

But what if those men aren't exactly with God? Do we still seek their favour? Why should we? Didn't the Bible said friendship with the world is enmity with God (James 4:4)?

I don't really know how to answer that... although the Bible also mentioned about loving your enemies (but we know that it is really hard too)... However, I hope to change our perspective a bit by highlighting verse 3 together with verse 4.

Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3:3-4)

I think this means that as long as we keep ourselves in the love and mercy of God, practise the truth, live out the ways of the Lord, then naturally, we will find ourselves in favour with God (and men).

I think there is a verse that says that God can make even our enemies reconciled with us? :)

This year, I am having a change of boss. My previous boss was very supportive of me and helped me a lot in my career advancement and interest. A new change is always scary, because everything is uncertain. Who knows if my new boss will just decide that she doesn't like me?

However, I have confidence that as long as I keep my faith, practise the truth and mercy of God, in my daily life honour Him, then God would be pleased. And if God is pleased, who cares what people think if they chose to think otherwise?

If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)

God bless.

Proverbs 2 - the right choice keeps you safe and secure

if you seek it like silver
and search for it as for hidden treasures,
then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2:4-5)

Do we seek after God and His wisdom like seeking for hidden treasures? Are our pursuit of godliness like the seeking of silver?

Sometimes it is really funny how we go all out to achieve something in life (academic excellence, chasing after someone we like, wealth, strange collectibles, level up in our games, gyming to achieve the shape you want, etc etc), but we never really have used the same kind of motivation/enthusiasm in our pursuit of God, have we?

It is really difficult especially as we get busier and busier in life; I am finding that fatigue is one big barrier that is blocking my way to God. That is why Sabbaths are especially precious (and it's just one more day to Sabbath!) and are by God's grace.

By making the choice to pursue after His wisdom, by receiving and treasuring His words within us, it can save our lives.

But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:14-15)

Let us encourage each other never to give up seeking after His heart.

But from there you will seek the LORD your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul. (Deuteronomy 4:29)

I love those who love me,

and those who seek me diligently find me. (Proverbs 8:17)
 
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)
 
It is His promise that whoever seeks Him diligently, and with all his heart, shall definitely find Him.

Proverbs 1

A wise man will hear and increase learning,
And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel (Proverbs 1:5)

A wise man will never perceive himself as wise, but will continously seek to learn from others.

Some warnings for today:

So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain;
It takes away the life of its owners. (Proverbs 1:19)

Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;
They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. (Proverbs 1:28)

And one verse of great comfort:

But whoever listens to me will dwell safely,
And will be secure, without fear of evil. (Proverbs 1:33)