Solomon is really spending time with this notion of immoral women and adultery. Young men can be especially drawn in by attention from women. I’m guessing there is not a lot of discernment going on when testosterone starts coursing through a man’s veins. That’s why all this counsel is being offered when the enticement is not present. Hopefully, these words of warning will come back to mind when such a situation presents itself. It’s an important one to be sure.
What did you think of today’s reading? Solomon sure got specific with his details. I could perfectly envision the woman’s room, couldn’t you? It was almost as if Solomon had first-hand knowledge of what these women were like. In Solomon’s life, although wise, he ended up with many wives and concubines, most of which were not Hebrew like him. If only he had listened to his own counsel.
So how do we keep from falling prey to evil, in particular the immoral woman? Keep wisdom close. I remember my grandmother wearing a string around her finger. I smiled when I read this passage. She would do that so she didn’t forget to do something important. I wonder if she read Solomon’s suggestion and realized it would work for her situation? Have you ever used a string on your finger?
What sorts of things are enticing for you? Do you think Solomon, in all his wisdom, would tell you to avoid doing them? We’ve all encountered situations that seem “too good to be true.” Maybe it’s a deal on a car or some other purchase, like a vacation. Maybe it’s going out on a date with a beautiful woman or great looking guy. We might ask ourselves, “how did I get so lucky to have this happen to me?”
For a young, innocent man, the description of the immoral woman in today’s reading is exactly this. Too good to be true. She is making everything sound just right. She is using all the senses to make her enticement hard to resist. And then the word “husband” slips out of her mouth. That should be like a cold shower or slap in the face. It should remind you once and for all that this would be a wrong choice. That is, if you had listened to wisdom in the first place.
We should be mindful of own enticements. Where are your weaknesses? Isn’t it time you spent some time with wisdom and flushed out appropriate behavioral responses? Remember if it seems too good to be true, it probably isn’t good at all. Look for the loopholes. Look for the traps. Prayerfully ask God to give you wisdom to discern the truth.
Let’s pray … Lord, there are so many great “deals” around me. I am often drawn in and want to buy them all. Give me your wisdom to know what will benefit me and my relationship with you and what will destroy and distract. I have devoted my life to helping others, and that brings me satisfaction. Use me to help those who are looking for what I have offer. Continue to build me up and make me strong. Thank you for being loving and merciful. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
