.6:20-35.

Back to Contents

More about sexual misbehaviour (Prov 6:20-7:27)

Sometimes teaching can be so well known that people no longer take any notice of it. Therefore, they must remind themselves to be obedient to familiar truths (Prov 6:20-22).

One matter concerning which the writer repeats his earlier warnings is sexual immorality. Offenders are merely destroying themselves (Prov 6:23-29).

People may not despise a desperately hungry person who steals food; nevertheless, the person must be dealt with and made to repay (with interest) what was stolen. But people will certainly despise a man who takes another’s wife; and there is no repayment he can make that will calm the anger of the offended husband (Prov 6:30-35).

Chapter 7 gives a colourful picture of how an immoral woman can trap a weak, easily led young man. The section opens with a renewed emphasis on the importance of a young man’s getting wisdom and holding on to it firmly.

Then he will know best how to resist the temptations he meets (Prov 7:1-5).

The writer imagines himself looking out the window and seeing a silly young man wandering around the streets at night (Prov 7:6-9).

The young man is met by a prostitute who sees him as a likely customer (Prov 7:10-12).

She assures him that there is nothing wrong with going to bed with her. After all, she is a very religious person who has just been to the temple, and she had the feeling that she would meet this particular man (Prov 7:13-17).

Furthermore, her husband is away for a few weeks on business. Clearly, all the circumstances indicate that the young man is meant to go with her (Prov 7:18-20).

After some indecision the man gives in, and in exchange for a night’s pleasure his whole life is spoiled (Prov 7:21-23).

All young men should take note and resist the temptations offered by such women (Prov 7:24-27).