The opening few verses of this proverb appear to be slightly out of place. Proverbs chapters 5 to 9 develop two interwoven themes, that of Wisdom and Adultery, but the first 19 verses appear at a tangent to these themes? However, within the title ‘Warnings against Folly’ (NIV) these opening verses give sound advice. A quick Google search yielded this ‘insight’:
Folly or foolishness refers to someone who lacks the proper fear or respect for God. He or she is therefore prone to go in the wrong direction in life. Psalm 14:1 says, “The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.’ In this sense, these verses warn against rash or quick decisions and making promises that one might regret later. Isn’t it so easy to speak without thinking things through? The bible consistently teaches that one is not to forsake a friend, but it is one thing to lend a friend some money, and quite another to be a guarantor of a friend’s debts, and thus becoming ensnared (v2).
Verses 6 – 11 make clear that we are expected to work and to earn a living, it is what we were created for (Gen 2: 15) and it is why unemployment is such a scourge upon any society.
Verses 16 – 19 contain seven items that are frequent in the wisdom literature of the O.T. and are worth some meditation upon! From verse 20 we appear to be back on the theme of warnings against adultery, which begins with instruction not to abandon a father’s commands or a mother’s teaching. Here I think is a challenge to all of us who are, or aspire to be parents (and grandparents) – we have a moral and spiritual responsibility to instruct and teach our children about God and His ways, providing a solid foundation upon which our children can build their lives (Matt 7: 24-27).
The remaining verses of this proverb make clear that there will be clear consequences to breaking the 7th and 10th commandments (Ex 20:14-17). While someone might understand a person stealing food to satisfy a hunger (v.30), there is no excuse for ‘stealing’ another man’s wife. I do just want to mention here that ‘it takes two to tango’ and although these verses address the male position, they of course equally apply to women as well. There is no such thing as a harmless fling – adultery wrecks marriages, family relationships, and endangers the spirit as well – the bible is clear that sexual union is also a spiritual union (Gen 2:24).
The proverbs concluding verse suggests that once adultery has been committed, it is a point from which there is no return and things will never be the same again (v35).
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Prayer: Heavenly Father, Your Son taught that looking at someone lustfully is the root of adultery (Matt 5: 27-28). Help me by your Holy Spirit, to exercise control over what I look at; what I allow my mind to dwell upon; and instead teach me to continually adhere to Your instruction, through the reading of your precious word. Amen.