Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

The "woman in the street" can appear more alluring (particularly with respect to sexual attraction) because of several factors, such as:

-- not seeing her as often
-- seeing her only at her "best"
-- not having to deal with day-to-day responsibilities, domestic and otherwise (including with respect to children)
-- seeing her as an "escape" from the daily routine involving the woman at home

However, the above factors disregard the overriding adverse consequences and possible losses resulting from becoming involved with her (just from one's own perspective, not even considering the actions of her jealous husband or lover, as noted in other similar passages such as Proverbs 6:34-35).

April 15 2021 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

This is a “before and after” picture. The first sermon I ever preached was on “The Strange Woman of Proverbs 5-7. In Spanish!) The “strange woman” refers to an adulteress.

A. The pleasure she offers can be found in Proverbs 5:3. Once in my late teens or early 20’s when my “hormones were raging,” I was driving around in the streets of Phoenix, Arizona in my VW beetle. At the side of the road was this most gorgeous (shapely) young woman in super-tight clothing and short shorts. She was hitch-hiking. I thought of picking her up and witnessing to her maybe, but my parents had taught me not to pick up hitchhikers. After I passed her by I looked in my rearview mirror and the very next car picked her up! Do I regret it? Was I envious? Read on.

1. Her lips are as sweet as honey (Pr 5:3). "For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil." The beginning of this sinful alliance may be exciting and sweet because the kisses and words from her lips drip like honey (Pr 7:13-20). Of course, temptation is symbolized by “honey” in Proverbs 5:3. And then again “honey” can also symbolize God’s Word (Ps 19:10; 119:103) which is our best weapon against sexual temptation, guys!

2. Her mouth is smoother than oil (Pr 5:3). “Oil” here symbolizes lying words (Psalm 55:21). Watch out, men, for these drop-dead beautiful girls who use deceit to destroy you. 

B. The price you pay (Pr 5:4-14) if you succumb to her subtle temptations.

1. "She does not care about the path to life" (Pr 5:6): "She staggers down a crooked trail and doesn't even realize where it leads." {“Path” here symbolizes danger)--

Proverbs 1:15
“My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:”
Proverbs 4:14
“Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.”

2. The loss of one's reputation (Pr 5:7-9): She will take your honor. Instead of a good reputation, the sinner has the name of an adulterer. (Pr 5:9, especially). 

3. IT COSTS YOUR PHYSICAL HEALTH... (this is common knowledge).
Solomon's reason: "[you give]...your years to the cruel one." - Pr 5:9b
He adds: "And you mourn at last, when your flesh and body are consumed." - Pr 5:11
Bacterial STDs (e.g., Chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea) are often brought on by immorality;
Viral STDs (e.g., genital herpes, Hepatitis B, AIDS) are incurable
-- Sexually transmitted diseases can eat away at your body --https://executableoutlines.com/textual_series/proverbs/pro5_1.html

The father warns his children to stay away from the adulteress. “Remove your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house” (Prov. 5:8). “Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death” (Pr 7:27). Instead of kissing the strange woman, submit to the Son (Ps 2:12).

April 17 2021 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report