Provérbios 7

Provérbios 7

Phillips - Warning of the Harlot's Secret Wares (Pr 7:22-27) She Deals in Death (Pr 7:22-23) The wise man continued with his clear warning to avoid the harlot who deals in death and doom. He pondered the folly of her victim and said, "He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks" (Proverbs 7:22). Either way the victim is ruined. Death and disgrace await him. The victim in our story was foolish because the woman was not to be trusted. Her own words testified to that. Her husband, a far greater fool than the young man, apparently trusted her. Otherwise he would not have gone away. But then, she might have been lying about having a husband too. In any case she was utterly unscrupulous and the young man was bereft of common sense when he put his life and reputation in her grasping little hands. A man in the heat of passion, however, never thinks of the consequences. Many a man who has done what this dupe did has found himself not only in the hands of a harlot, but also in the hands of a blackmailer. This harlot had the young man at her mercy. A word from her could be his death sentence—he could face death at the hands of an outraged husband or death at the hands of the law. From now on he was going to pay in one way or another. He would pay with his health: a promiscuous person is a potential purveyor of disease. He would pay with his memory: he would never be able to forget losing his innocence to a common slut of the streets. He would pay with his money. The anonymous note would come demanding money—or else. He would pay for more gilded furniture for that accursed bedroom. He would pay for costly spices for that hateful bed. And of course the courts might make the fool pay for his crime. He might be placed in the stocks, the public pillory in the center of town, if a merciful judge reduced his sentence from death to disgrace. Such a judge might take into consideration the character of the woman, the age and inexperience of the youth, and the fact that this was a first offense. However, the woman doubtless would accuse the youth of rape and produce a confederate, perhaps the chaperon her husband also trusted, to "prove" her charge. There was always the chance that Solomon would review the case when it came to trial. Some twinges of the king's own conscience might prompt him to pronounce the lighter sentence. Who would know more about the case than Solomon? Who would know more about lust? Who but he could have saved the young man instead of watching him? Even the lighter sentence was no laughing matter. In one of Jeffry Farnol's rollicking sea stories, an unjust judge seizes the hero, an escaped galley slave, and puts him in the public pillory. Then Farnol describes the horseplay that often attended such a victim. The position itself was galling. The prisoner's head and hands were secured between two pieces of wood so that he was helpless. Then he became the target for all the bullies in town. They would stand back and throw refuse, delighting when a rotten egg or overripe tomato made a direct hit, full in the face. A man with a personal grudge against the prisoner could come up and punch his helpless, bespattered face. (In Farnol's story, the village bully crowns the afternoon's entertainment by scoring a direct hit with a dead cat.) Added to all this persecution was the torment of heat, thirst, and flies. A well-known prisoner would also be tormented by the thought that he would never be able to live down the disgrace. "As an ox goeth to the slaughter!" That was Solomon's final verdict as he watched the young man follow the harlot into her house and saw her shut the door. Behind that door no one could see the deeds of shame that ensued. But God could see. Even if the youth escaped all human retribution, which many seem to do, he would not escape God's. Solomon had doubtless visited the stockyards and seen oxen contentedly grazing on the fodder provided for them, ignorant of the doom that was only a heartbeat away. Once that door closed on the young man, he had no more chance of escape than an ox that has been bought, paid for, marked for death, and shut up in the slaughterhouse. Thinking of the death the harlot deals in, Solomon pondered the fate of her victim and said, "He goeth after her... Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life" (Proverbs 7:22-23). Having discarded logic and enthroned lust, the youth was caught helpless in the harlot's hands. He would not come out from her house the way he went in. He would sneak away in the morning before sunrise, forever branded as an adulterer and marked for whatever punishment the future might hold. ANTHEM: Strategies for Fighting Lust November 5, 2001 | by John Piper | Topic: Sexual Purity I have in mind men and women. For men it's obvious. The need for warfare against the bombardment of visual temptation to fixate on sexual images is urgent. For women it is less obvious, but just as great if we broaden the scope of temptation to food or figure or relational fantasies. When I say "lust" I mean the realm of thought, imagination, and desire that leads to sexual misconduct. So here is one set of strategies in the war against wrong desires. I put it in the form of an acronym, A N T H E M. A – AVOID as much as is possible and reasonable the sights and situations that arouse unfitting desire. I say "possible and reasonable" because some exposure to temptation is inevitable. And I say "unfitting desire" because not all desires for sex, food, and family are bad. We know when they are unfitting and unhelpful and on their way to becoming enslaving. We know our weaknesses and what triggers them. "Avoiding" is a Biblical strategy. "Flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness" (2 Timothy 2:22). "Make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires" (Romans 13:14). N – Say NO to every lustful thought within five seconds. And say it with the authority of Jesus Christ. "In the name of Jesus, NO!" You don't have much more than five seconds. Give it more unopposed time than that, and it will lodge itself with such force as to be almost immovable. Say it out loud if you dare. Be tough and warlike. As John Owen said, "Be killing sin or it will be killing you." Strike fast and strike hard. "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" ( James 4:7). T – TURN the mind forcefully toward Christ as a superior satisfaction. Saying "no" will not suffice. You must move from defense to offense. Fight fire with fire. Attack the promises of sin with the promises of Christ. The Bible calls lusts "deceitful desires" (Ephesians 4:22). They lie. They promise more than they can deliver. The Bible calls them "passions of your former ignorance" (1 Peter 1:14). Only fools yield. "All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter" (Proverbs 7:22). Deceit is defeated by truth. Ignorance is defeated by knowledge. It must be glorious truth and beautiful knowledge. This is why I wrote Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ. We must stock our minds with the superior promises and pleasures of Jesus. Then we must turn to them immediately after saying, "NO!" H – HOLD the promise and the pleasure of Christ firmly in your mind until it pushes the other images out. "Fix your eyes on Jesus" (Hebrews 12:1). Here is where many fail. They give in too soon. They say, "I tried to push it out, and it didn't work." I ask, "How long did you try?" How hard did you exert your mind? The mind is a muscle. You can flex it with vehemence. Take the kingdom violently (Matthew 11:12). Be brutal (cf 1Co 9:27+) Hold the promise of Christ before your eyes. Hold it. Hold it! Don't let it go! Keep holding it! How long? As long as it takes. Fight! For Christ's sake, fight till you win! If an electric garage door were about to crush your child you would hold it up with all our might and holler for help, and hold it and hold it and hold it and hold it. E – ENJOY a superior satisfaction. Cultivate the capacities for pleasure in Christ. One reason lust reigns in so many is that Christ has so little appeal. We default to deceit because we have little delight in Christ. Don't say, "That's just not me." What steps have you taken to waken affection for Jesus? Have you fought for joy? Don't be fatalistic. You were created to treasure Christ with all your heart – more than you treasure sex or sugar. If you have little taste for Jesus, competing pleasures will triumph. Plead with God for the satisfaction you don't have: "Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days" (Psalm 90:14). Then look, look, look at the most magnificent Person in the universe until you see him the way he is. M – MOVE into a useful activity away from idleness and other vulnerable behaviors. Lust grows fast in the garden of leisure. Find a good work to do, and do it with all your might. "Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord" (Romans 12:11). "Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58). Abound in work. Get up and do something. Sweep a room. Hammer a nail. Write a letter. Fix a faucet. And do it for Jesus' sake. You were made to manage and create. Christ died to make you "zealous for good deeds" (Titus 2:14). Displace deceitful lusts with a passion for good deeds. Fighting at your side, Pastor John Piper Related Resources: Two Strategies to Win the War on Lust | Desiring God Six Steps to Defeating Sexual Sin LOOK AT THE BOOK - 6 video lessons on "ANTHEM" from John Piper Expulsive Power of a New Affection Pr 7:22 As a fool to the correction of the stocks. Slaughter of young men 1. We are apt to blame young men for being destroyed, when we ought to blame the influences that destroy them. Society slaughters a great many young men by the behest, “You must keep up appearances.” Our young men are growing up in a depraved state of commercial ethics, and I want to warn them against being slaughtered on the sharp edges of debt. For the sake of your own happiness, for the sake of your good morals, for the sake of your immortal soul, and for God’s sake, young man, as far as possible keep out of debt. 2. Many young men are slaughtered through irreligion. Take away a young man’s religion, and you make him the prey of evil. If you want to destroy a young man’s morals take his Bible away. You can do it by caricaturing his reverence for Scripture. Young man, take care of yourself. There is no class of persons that so stirs my sympathies as young men in great cities. Not quite enough salary to live on, and all the temptations that come from that deficit. Unless Almighty God help them they will all go under. Sin pays well neither in this life nor in the next, but right thinking, right believing, and right acting will take you in safety through this life and in transport through the next. (T. De Witt Talmage.) John Butler - Sermon Starters - THE PUNISHMENT OF IMMORALITY Proverbs 7:22, 23 The punishment for immorality is depicted in four different ways. Each way shows the devastation immorality brings to the ones guilty of immoral conduct. 1. Slaying (Proverbs 7:22) “As an ox goeth to the slaughter” (Proverbs 7:22). Immorality slays. It kills homes, marriages and even people (it produces many murders) It also kills spiritual life and opportunities and service. 2. Shame (Proverbs 7:22) “As a fool to the correction of the stocks” (Proverbs 7:22). Stocks really shamed the person put in them for punishment. It was a form of public punishment that made shame a great portion of the punishment. 3. Sickness (Proverbs 7:23) “Strike through his liver” (Proverbs 7:23). The word translated “strike” means to slice. This reminds of autopsies. Immorality produces many physical ills. VD is the most notable physical problem. Some VD strains are incurable and will eventually slay and make insane. 4. Stupidity (Proverbs 7:23) “As a bird hasteth to the snare … knoweth not” (Proverbs 7:23). A bird hastening for a bird trap, ignorant that the trap is for its life, so is the person who goes after immoral conduct. It is gross stupidity. Suddenly (06597) pithom (from same as petha = suddenness) means happening or coming unexpectedly and instantaneously, not immediately. All at once, in an instant or a flash. It is something marked by or manifesting abruptness. It refers to that which occurs all at once, surprisingly, all of a sudden! It describes something happening without previous notice or without warning. Suddenly stresses unexpectedness and sharpness or violence of action. In fact, if you review the following passages (in context), it becomes obvious that every use except 2 Chr 29:36 is associated with either disaster or judgment! As John MacArthur emphasizes "To come suddenly does not mean immediately, but instantaneously and unannounced. It usually refers to a calamitous event (cf. Is 47:11; 48:3; Jer 4:20, etc.)! Num. 6:9; Num. 12:4; Jos. 10:9; Jos. 11:7; 2 Chr. 29:36; Job 5:3; Job 9:23; Job 22:10; Ps. 64:4; Ps. 64:7; Prov. 3:25; Prov. 6:15; Prov. 7:22; Prov. 24:22; Eccl. 9:12; Isa. 29:5; Isa. 30:13; Isa. 47:11; Isa. 48:3; Jer. 4:20; Jer. 6:26; Jer. 15:8; Jer. 18:22; Jer. 51:8; Mal. 3:1 Fetters (05914)(ekes) is used twice with two senses - anklet or fetter/noose. The noun ʿekes refers to an "anklet." The Lord will come in judgment against the haughty women of Jerusalem and remove their anklets and other fine clothing and jewelry (Isa. 3:18). Ultimately, it was not their clothing that brought judgment upon them, but it was their focus upon themselves to the neglect and oppression of the poor. This noun also occurs in Pr 7:22. The KJV and NASB translate the word as "stocks" and "fetters" respectively. The NIV translates the word as "noose." (A loop of rope used as a trap. A rope configured in a loop with a running knot that draws tighter as it is pulled.) These translations draw from an Arabic cognate 'ks, which refers to a rope placed around the head and front feet of a camel to restrict its movement. It also refers to a rope used to hold back the head of a camel when it is being broken in or the head of any animal when it is being slaughtered. (WHAT A PICTURE OF A MAN ENTRAPPED BY THE LUSTS OF HIS FLESH!) Proverbs 7:23 Until an arrow pierces through his liver; as a bird hastens to the snare, So he does not know that it will cost him his life. Arrow - Nu 25:8,9 Bird - Pr 1:17; Eccl 9:12 As a bird - See note on the value of observing and accurately interpreting terms of comparison = metaphors and similes. See also Guidelines for Figuring our Figurative Language ILLUSTRATION - Sin has a price tag attached (Ro 6:23). Here's an illustration - A Golfer walks into the pro shop at the local course and asks the golf pro if they sell ball markers. The golf pro says, “Yes, they are just $1.00 each. “ The guy gives the golf pro a dollar and says he’ll take one... The golf pro opens the register, puts the dollar in the tray and with a big smile hands the guy a quarter. That’s the way it is with sin – you get back far less than you put into it. Jill Briscoe sums it up observing that "The world is littered with the debris of what eros has promised but been unable to provide. Charles Bridges unabbreviated comments on Proverb 7:6-23 - 6. For at the window of my house I looked through my casement, 7. And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding, 8. Passing through the street near her corner: and he went the way to her house, 9. In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night: 10. And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart. 11. (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: 12. Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.) 13. So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, 14. I have peace-offerings with me: this day have I vowed my vows. 15. Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee. 16. I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. 17. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18. Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves. 19. For the good man is not at home, he is gone a long journey: 20. He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed. 21. With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. 22. He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; 23. Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life. Solomon paints the deadly snare of the strange woman with a master’s hand, with exquisite fidelity of coloring. A young man without understanding, (Pr 1:4, 22, 13:16) in company with youths as simple as himself, taking in the dark of evening the way to the harlot’s house. She meets him—her attire (Ge 38:14, 15.); her subtilty (Pr 23:27, Eccl. 7:26, Jdg. 16:4–20); her loud and stubborn voice (Pr 9:13); her feet at this late hour not abiding in her house;(Comp. 1 Tim 5:13, Titus 2:5) lying in wait at every corner of the street; (Pr. 9:14, 15, 23:28. Dr. Richardson mentions seeing ‘these wretched women in a large commercial town in Egypt, in the harlot’s attire, sitting at the doors of their houses, and calling on the passengers as they went by, in the same manner as we read in the Book of Proverbs.’—Travels, Vol. i. p. 270.) her impudent face and conduct—all shew the harlot’s forehead (Ge 39:7, 12, Jer. 3:3). She allures her victim with the garb of sanctity. She had just been engaged in special religious duties. Now she was come forth to seek diligently her lover, that they might feast together upon her peace-offerings (See Holden. Comp. Lev. 7:16, 19:6, Deut. 12:6. Scott takes the same view—adding—‘that it is no wonder, that these sacred ordinances should have given occasion to carnal indulgence, when our Christian festivals Christmas especially)and abused for similar profanations.’), and solace themselves with love, with every indulgence. The goodman (perhaps the name of husband might have awakened conscience) is gone a long journey till the time appointed. Meanwhile therefore we may take our fill of loves without fear of interruption. Unarmed with principles, the weakness of resolution yields to the seduction of lust; and her unsuspecting prey rushes on to ruin. Trace this sad end to its beginning. Was not idleness the parent of this mischief? (2 Sam. 11:2) The loitering evening walk—the unseasonable hour (Judges 19:25, Job 24:15, Rom. 13:12, 13.)—the vacant mind—all bringing the youth into contact with evil company (Pr 13:20, 1 Cor. 15:33)—was not this courting sin—tempting the tempter? “The house was empty,” and therefore ready for his reception, and soon altogether in his possession. (Matt. 12:44, 45.) How valuable are self-discipline, self-control, constant employment, active energy of pursuit, as preservatives under the Divine blessing from fearful danger! See also the base varnish of religion. It is often a cover for sin (1 Sam. 2:22, 2 Sam. 15:8–11, John 18:28.). ‘She durst not play the harlot with man, till she had played the hypocrite with God, and stopped the mouth of her conscience with her peace-offerings.’ Nay—she seems to have emboldened herself in her wickedness, as if her meeting was a happy providence, the reward of her religious services.(Pr 7:14, 15, 1 Sam. 23:7, Zech. 11:5). Beware of any voice—from the most reverend quarter, that manifestly encourages forbidden indulgence. Observe also the infatuation of the snare. ‘Man cannot be ruined, till he has been made confident to the contrary. (READ THAT AGAIN!!!) A man must get into his victim’s heart with fair speeches and promises, before he can come at it with a dagger.’ Thus the harlot’s flattering speech chained the youth blindfolded for destruction. As the ox goeth to the slaughter, unconscious of his fate—perhaps dreaming of rich pasture: or as a fool goeth to the stocks, (Ecc. 7:26, Judges 16:15) careless and unfeeling; so does this poor deluded victim rush on with pitiable mirth or indifference, till the dart strikes through his liver.(Ecc. 7:26, Judges 16:15) He hasteth as a bird to the snare,(Ecc. 9:12) thinking only of the bait, and he knoweth not that it is for his life. (Pr 9:18) What will recollection bring, but the fragrance of exciting perfume, (Pr 7:16, 17) changed into the bitterness of wormwood and gall; the short night of pleasure succeeded by the eternal night of infernal torment! Lastly—mark the danger of venturing into temptation. Could we expect any other results, when we saw the youth going the way to the harlot’s house? (Pr 4:15; 5:8, Judges 16:15) He intended merely his own idle gratification; and when he yielded, it was probably not without some struggle. But it is a just judgment, that those who fear not temptation, should fall into it. ‘Who would avoid danger, must avoid temptation to sin. Who would avoid sin, must avoid temptation to sin.’ The force, to which the youth’s own folly subjected him, he could not plead as an excuse. When the first bounds of modesty are broken through, the door of the fancy is open to the tempter for the kindling of lusts. Thus to rush into the very jaws of ruin, is to “enter into temptation,” by our own will, instead of being led or falling into it, under the providential discipline and dispensation of God. (Matt. 25:41, with Mt 4:1, James 1:2) Self-confidence has ruined many a promising profession. Tenderness of confidence, sensibility of weakness, dependence on Divine strength and promise (ED: The enabling power of the Holy Spirit - Ro 8:13+, Gal 5:16-18+)—this is the frame, in which “he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” (1 John 5:18) Proverbs 7:24 Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, and pay attention to the words of my mouth. Pr 4:1; 5:7; 8:32,33; 1Co 4:14,15; Gal 4:19; 1Jn 2:1 Bridges - In the hand of a licentious poet or painter this picture might contaminate the unsanctified imagination. But as it stands on the page of inspiration, it is God’s solemn warning to sons, whether in years, understanding, or experience. Now then, now that you have seen the end of sin (Pr 7:22-23), listen to me. (Proverbs 7 Exposition) (See his full comment below) Listen - I like the ring of the old King James = "Hearken". Not a suggestion but an command (imperative). This is a "life and death" issue. Hearing is vital. In warfare if we mishear or misinterpret or fail to obey the commander, we may pay for it with our live. In spiritual battle for our souls (1Pe 2:11-note), the outcome is no different and even potentially worse (cp Mt 10:28). Therefore Lord, give all of us as your men, whether we be young and old, open hears and obedient hearts to hear the clarion call and command from the Captain of the hosts (Joshua 5:14,15), our Jehovah Sabaoth, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Pay attention (also a command) (qashab) describes the activity of hearing, and emphasize either paying close attention or obeying (heeding). (In other words, Proverbs 5-7 do not just go "in one ear and out the other"!). The first use of qashab is instructive... And Samuel said (to disobedient King Saul), "Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed (qashab) than the fat of rams. (1Sa 15:22) Comment: Saul did not obey and it cost him everything - including his kingdom and eventually his life! Proverbs 7:25 Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her paths. Pr 4:14,15; 5:8; 6:25; 23:31, 32, 33; Mt 5:28 Pr 5:23; Psalm 119:176; Isaiah 53:6 Bridges - An impure thought, an idle look, foolish company, are her ways (cf Eph 5:4, 5, 11). Dread the first step, and do not imagine that you can stop yourself when you want to. Familiarity with sin weakens our abhorrence of it. Soon you will begin to love the object of detestation. Too late you will find that you have chosen her house as your home. (Proverbs 7 Exposition) (See his full comment below) THOUGHT - Let me paraphrase Solomon's words and Bridges' comment ("do not imagine that you can stop yourself when you want to"). "Do not make even one click of that mouse on that pornographic link." Do not think you can hold back the flood of fleshly passions that a single mouse click will unleash! What you thought would be only a faucet dripping that you could easily turn off will turn out to be a spiritual tsunami you will not be able to resist! Only a fool reasons that they can "handle" the temptation. Just ONE LOOK is all it took for the fish to take the bait and be hooked and end up caught and dead. Just one look of a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22+) is all it took to bring irreparable damage to David's family (2 Sa 11:1-5). As James says "each one is tempted when he is carried away (see exelko) and enticed (see deleazo) by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren." (James 1:14-16+) Do not let your heart turn aside - Ultimately we make a choice either to turn or not to turn - that is the question - will you (I) refuse to turn aside? We see that from the beginning God gave us free will and in some way I do not completely understand (especially in the OT) even gave Cain the ability to turn aside... (Gen 4:6) Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? (Gen 4:7) “If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” (The only way God could have given this instruction is if Cain had also been given the ability to master it! What choice did he make? Read on...) (Gen 4:8) Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. (Gen 4:9) Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” And he said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” To quote Winston Churchill in his famous speech to a boy's school in the dark days of the WWII in England "Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never--in nothing, great or small, large or petty--never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy. (Read and listen to his full speech) Turn aside (satah) means to go astray from certain behavior that is expected and thus is used to describe a woman who goes astray and commits adultery (Nu 5:12, 19, 20, 29). In Proverbs 4:15 satah speaks of turning away from the wicked. Here in Proverbs 7:25, satah describes one who allows their heart to turn aside to a harlot. Job 31:7 tells us that ones heart follows one's eyes so we must diligently guard what we allow into our eyes (see Ps 101:3). Samuel Chandler writes on satah that "Mr. Schultens hath shown in his commentary on Proverbs 7:25 that satah hath a much stronger and more significant meaning than that of mere turning aside; and that it is used of an unruly horse, that champs upon the bit through his fiery impatience; and when applied to a bad man, denotes one impatient of all restraint, of unbridled passions, and that is headstrong and ungovernable in the gratification of them, trampling on all the obligations of religion and virtue. Such as these are the deserved objects of the hatred of all good men, whose criminal deviations and presumptuous crimes they detest; none of which shall cleave to them; they will not harbour the love of, or inclination to them, nor habitually commit them, or encourage the practice of them. Persons of this character are too frequently about the courts of princes, but it is their honour and interest, as far as ever they can, to discountenance them. Matthew Henry rightly described the deadliness of lust when he said "Natural desires are at rest when that which is desired is obtained, but corrupt desires are insatiable. Nature is content with little, grace with less, but lust with nothing. Proverbs 7:26 For many are the victims she has cast down, and numerous are all her slain. Pr 6:33; Jdg 16:21; 2Sa 3:6, 7, 8,27; 12:9, 10, 11; 1Ki 11:1,2; Neh 13:26; 1Co 10:8; 2Co 12:21; 1Pe 2:11 For - Another term of explanation - what's Solomon explaining? Did he listen to his own advice? Read 1Ki 11:1-12. Bridges - Many are slain in this way. It is the Almighty’s miracle of power and grace that plucks the child of God from the brink of destruction. The Gospel presents only one remedy. The love of Christ counters the love of lust. “If impure love solicits, remember the holy love of thy Savior to thee, proved by his most shameful death. Think of him as looking into thy heart boiling over with corruption, showing thee his wounds, and moving thee to a reciprocal love of himself” (Geier). The crucifixion of the flesh by a living union with him will keep us from iniquity (Galatians 5:24). The person who walks with God in gospel freedom and Christian discipline and watchfulness is safe. (Proverbs 7 Exposition) (See his full comment below) Proverbs 7:27 Her house is the way to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death. Pr 2:18,19; 5:5; 9:18; Eccl 7:26 Repeatedly Solomon warns that death stalks the adulterer, either figuratively (separation from relationships in this life, death of reputation, loss of job, etc in this life) and even physical death from a sexually transmitted disease. Bridges - But if sin is not mortified by these principles (Col 3:5+), sooner or later it will break out; if it does not result, as here, in open disgrace, it will defile the conscience and quench the Spirit and by a certain, though perhaps imperceptible, course bring the soul and body to hell (Ro 6:21; James 1:14-15), to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death. (Proverbs 7 Exposition) (See his full comment below) See word study - Sheol (07585) she'ol Here is Bridges' unabbreviated comments on Pr 7:24-27 - 24. Hearken unto me now, therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. 25. Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. 26. For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. 27. Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death. In the hand of a licentious poet, or painter, a picture like this might serve to contaminate the unsanctified imagination. But as it stands on the page of inspiration, it is God’s solemn warning to children—whether in years, understanding, or experience. Now therefore, that you have seen the end of sin (Pr 7:22, 23), hearken unto me. That you may not go astray in her paths, let not thine heart decline.(Pr 4:23, 10:8) An impure thought, a polluted fancy, an idle book, filthy conversation, foolish company, theatres or places of vain resort—these are her ways. Dread the first steps, and dream not that you can stop yourself at pleasure in her course. Familiarity with sin weakens abhorrence. Soon will you begin to love the object of detestation, and what! should you find too late, that you have chosen as your home her house, which is the way to hell, and to the chambers of death? (Pr 2:18, 9:18. The plural number (the ways, Heb.) seems to imply ‘many other ways of guilt, branching out—many other paths of ruin coinciding.’—Hervey’s Theron and Aspasio. Letter v. Schultens insists, that the present most wretched state—full of all horror and execration—is included, so that the man who hath entered the seducer’s house may be said to have entered alive into hell, and gone down to the chamber of death.—Pr 5:5) Many, not of the meaner sort, but strong men, has she cast down wounded and slain. And a miracle is it of Almighty power and grace, that plucks the child of God from the brink of destruction! Let not then the most established Christian dismiss this subject as of no personal concern to himself. Be it so—that “you are risen with Christ;” that you have “set your affections on things above;” that “your life is hid with Christ in God;” that you are looking for the glorious hope of his “appearing” (Col 3:1-4+)—It is to you—in whom “fleshly lusts are yet warring against the soul,” (1 Pe 2:11+)—that the exhortation is given—mortify therefore your members that are upon the earth—even the worst members of the old man—fornication, uncleanness, evil concupiscence. (Col. 3:1–5+. A similar exhortation is given to another flourishing Christian Church. 1 Th 4:3–5+) And who—with the picture of the wounded and slain before him, will revolt? (2 Kings. 8:13)—“Is thy servant a dog, that he should do this thing?—that he should need this warning? Look at the footsteps of the strong men who have gone in. (Samson—David—Solomon. Neh. 13:26. Vestigia terrent—Felix, quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum.) Whom do we see come out whole? ‘Behold Kings stood not before her; how then shall we stand?” (2 Kings 10:4) Nor let present steadfastness, or seclusion from temptation, blind our eyes to the liability of yielding to the vilest indulgence. The eye of God discerns a far deeper corruption than appears in the outer man—such a totality of depravation, that even the affections, designed to be the sources of our holiest delight, become the principle and occasion of the most awful departure from the ways of purity and peace. The Gospel presents the only remedy. The love of Christ is the counteracting principle to the love of lust. (ED: See Expulsive Power of a New Affection) ‘If impure love solicits, remember the holy love of thy Saviour to thee, proved by his most shameful death. Think of him, as looking into thy heart boiling over with corruption, shewing thee his wounds and exciting thee to a reciprocal love of himself.’ (Comp. 1 Cor. 6:18, 20, 2 Cor. 5:14, 15) The crucifixion of the flesh by a living union with Him “will keep us from our iniquity.” (Gal. 5:24, with Ps 18:23) “How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Ro 6:2, 3) “The flesh will still lust against the spirit.” (Gal. 5:17) But the man, who walks with God in Gospel liberty, and Christian discipline and watchfulness, is safe (Ro 6:14, with 1 Cor. 9:27). But if sin be not mortified by these principles, sooner or later it will break out; if not, as here, to open disgrace,—yet so as to defile the conscience, to “quench the Spirit,” (1 Th 5:19) and by a sure, though perhaps imperceptible course, to bring soul and body to hell,—to the chambers of eternal death. (Ro 6:21, James 1:14, 15+)