Daily Devotion in Proverbs 7

Header from 1611 KJV

Daily Nugget:
A scene is described after Proverbs 7 spends the first five verses reminding the reader how important godly wisdom is and how it should be heeded.  A “simple” (Proverbs 7:7) young man, not led by any discernment, just his fleshly desires, succumbed to the enticement of a prostitute.

This harlot enticed this foolish young man who was possibly in a place he had no business being near (“near her corner” — Proverbs 7:8).  She seduced him (Proverbs 7:10) and made him feel she was “religious’ (Proverbs 7:14) and thus more trustworthy. 

The woman lied that he was the one she sought (Proverbs 7:15), which helped set sin’s snare (Proverbs 7:21-22).  His limited morals were discarded, and he was led “as an ox goeth to the slaughter.” He forgot all he had ever learned and was ruined by succumbing to his temptation.

This story of the young men falling for temptation pictures how we all can be snared — both men and women.  It may not be the allurement of a harlot that gets one far from heeding God’s protecting commandments.  

The alluring desire to fit in with peers may lower one’s standards and drive them to do things that sound biblical wisdom would have kept them from.  Many are seduced by the desire to have wealth.  Others are lured by pornography, covetousness, drugs, alcohol, and power.  The temptations all face are unlimited and are different for each person.

All wisdom and morality may be laid aside by many as temptations ensnare them.  People may find themselves doing something they never imagined they would commit.  Temptation can lead to sin, and sin can take one morally further than thought possible.

This chapter warns the reader to hear, follow, and not deviate from God’s commandments.  The biblical commands are not designed to rob anyone of “fun.” They are guidelines and protections to keep one from great regrets and ruin.  Be wise.  Let the Lord and His Truths guide you.
“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.” Proverbs 7:24-27

Today’s Thought: 
“Wisdom, a real understanding of God and his way in the world, is man’s only shield in the battle of life.” — J. Coert Rylaarsdam

Words to Understand:
Casement: often a window that is opened vertically rather than horizontally, as are modern windows
Discern: to distinguish differences; judging; to determine the truth
Impudent: not respectful
Kinswoman: a relative; someone of the same race
Simple: foolish; unlearned; undisciplined; a simpleton
Tapestry: ornamental weavings

Today’s Reading
Proverbs 7
1 My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
2 Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.
3 Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.
4 Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:
5 That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.
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 payed 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 goodman 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.
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.