Proverbs 5

So, before I get to chapter 5, I wanted to first start by zooming out, and comment on Proverbs as a whole.  As I write, I should clarify, that until this assignment, I had never actually read the book of Proverbs, and sometimes find the OT books tough to sink my teeth into.  That said, I can honestly say I’ve been pretty blown away by this book.  It contains well written imagery, it has creative and clear analogies, and also has a lot of great advice.  Thus far, among the first five chapters, a reoccurring theme that has hit me, and has been a takeaway, is this concept of listening to the advice of your father. 

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight, and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for sliver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

Listen to your Father, because He is wise, because he loves us, because He will not lead us into troubled waters, He always has our best interest in mind, even in times when it is difficult to see. 

Okay, onto chapter 5.  While chapter 5 talks about some risky business, I think it does so pretty effectively, with a warning to adultery.  Even though she has sweet lips, and smooth speech, she is bitter as gall, and sharp as a double edge sword (like I said this book has good imagery).  My study Bible says that a “gall” is a bitter herb, however, when I read the word “gall”, I think of the bile that your gall bladder produces.  Also, I once sat on a couch at a friend’s place such that I was sitting beneath a mid-evil sword (single edge).  Needless-to-say, I was freaked out.  So, to create the analogy of kissing an adulterer to drinking bile and playing with a double edge sword is pretty effective to me – don’t do it!  You’ll get burned!  Nothing good will happen!  That’s what is great about Proverbs, this is not a book that says – don’t do this, and do that, but rather, through vivid speech, explains to us why all this stuff is good and bad. 

Finally, I thought v21 was pretty good as well – “For a man’s ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all his paths.”  God knows us inside and out, he knows our actions as well as our intentions.

This is a book I’ll read to the end (and would recommend to someone, if they ever asked).