Proverbs 7 Women
This chapter of Proverbs, on the surface, is a warning against adulterous women. It outlines the destruction that these women bring to those young men who lack sense and follow along with the temptation “as an ox goes to the slaughter” (verse 22).
Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death.
Proverbs 7:27
In a more broad sense (as becomes clear in the following chapters) this type of woman serves as a representation of all folly and temptation. However, this is not the only feminine figure mentioned in this chapter. Before the seductress, we find a woman that the reader is encouraged to keep close in a pure way instead.
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
Proverbs 7:4-5
and call insight your intimate friend,
to keep you from the forbidden woman,
from the adulteress with her smooth words.
Not only is a close relationship with wisdom an alternative to the deceptive seduction of temptation but it is also the antidote. Wisdom will keep you from falling for the smooth words that can sound so good to the simple.
Where To Find
The shady haunts of temptation are found almost everywhere.
She is loud and wayward;
Proverbs 7:11-12
her feet do not stay at home;
now in the street, now in the market,
and at every corner she lies in wait.
However, it’s not as if wisdom is hiding!
Does not wisdom call?
Proverbs 8:1-3
Does not understanding raise her voice?
On the heights beside the way,
at the crossroads she takes her stand;
beside the gates in front of the town,
at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud
It’s not that there’s a secret wisdom that is hidden from all but the most earnest of seekers. Rather, it is that there are not many seekers! Though wisdom stands at the gates calling, it is sin that blinds man from ever finding her.
What is her message that finds so few willing ears?
The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.
Proverbs 8:13
Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
and perverted speech I hate.
Wisdom tells us that evil is not only something to be avoided but something we must actively resist. Having nothing to do with perverted speech, she gives us truth straight if we would only humble ourselves to accept the words.
The ways of wisdom is dramatically different than the path which goes down to Sheol!
And now, O sons, listen to me:
Proverbs 8:32
blessed are those who keep my ways.
Simple Turn Here
The problem is that both folly and wisdom may sound the same at first! Folly says:
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
Proverbs 9:16-17
And to him who lacks sense she says,
“Stolen water is sweet,
and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
While wisdom calls with:
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
Proverbs 9:4-6
To him who lacks sense she says,
“Come, eat of my bread
and drink of the wine I have mixed.
Leave your simple ways, and live,
and walk in the way of insight.”
Both call to men without wisdom. However, a bit longer in listening and you see the difference. While one entices with nourishment stolen and eaten in secret, the other offers a life lived with insight. What is that insight?
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
Proverbs 9:10
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
The Promised Prayer
There is one thing in particular which God promises to always give to those who ask in faith.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
James 1:5-6
We should all be earnestly praying that God teach us to love and fear him and to hate evil. We are to seek wisdom rather than fall into folly, and that means humbly turning to God’s will for our lives instead of our own.
