Warning Against Adultery
6: 24-35
A proverb is a short and memorable saying designed to be our blueprint for living in the world that ADONAI has created. It is important to note that proverbs are not promises; they are generally true principles, all other things being equal.
In Solomon’s tenth teaching (to see link click Aj – Proverbs for the Youth) the king counsels his son about the extremely significant area of life. The teaching is addressed to a son but applies equally to a daughter. There are two major sections. Here, in 6:24-35 he warns against sexual foolishness. In 7:1-27 the father warns us about the strategies of sexual temptation. We will look at each section, and then we will turn to the B’rit Chadashah to see the fuller relevance of it to us today – where we can all go for the love we crave.161
This is the third of four sets of instructions the father gives the son concerning proper sexual relationships: (1) Ap – Protection from Wicked People: Deliverance from the adulteress with seductive words; (2) 5:1-23; (3) here – Warning Against Adultery; and (4) Bi – Avoid the Seductress. Here in 6:24-35, the father’s instruction builds on ideas found in Chapter 5, so the theological implications there are largely relevant for this section as well, though we will not repeat all the points made in Chapter 5.
While virtually every outlet in popular media bombards us with sexually oriented material – a phenomenon that previous generations faced – we also face another danger: the opportunities to commit adultery have never been more prevalent. Furthermore, we live in a society that is more accommodating than ever. In addition to the normal temptations that occur in everyday life, we can go online to a dating service for married people seeking affairs! So what can we learn from Solomon’s sayings when we are faced with the lure of a lustful lifestyle? How can we live beyond the grind of this kind of temptation? He originally wrote these for his son, so temptation is cast as a female. Of course, temptation doesn’t discriminate, it affects both genders equally.
First, my son, stay away from evil women (6:24a Hebrew). Solomon urged his son to fill his mind with God’s Word as a means of putting distance between himself and the sensual woman he finds tempting (see the commentary on Deuteronomy Br – Do Not Commit Adultery). You might not be easily able to escape the physical presence of someone who wants to engage in an affair, but I highly recommend you make any sacrifice necessary to do so. At the very least, you can create emotional distance by nourishing your soul and, if you are married, by cultivating a deeper intimacy with your partner. The bottom line is this: put space between yourself and the lustful temptation.
Second, stay away from the smooth tongue of the adulteress that invites you (6:24b Hebrew). Believe it or not, most affairs aren’t all about sex. The potential for sexual tension exists anytime a man and a woman must spend significant time together, but most people do not cheat on their partners. A good marriage coupled with a secure, God-based self-image generally keeps us out of trouble. Yet very often, a normally straightlaced person is lured into an illicit relationship with compliments. In fact sexual predators use a person’s lack of confidence and relational dissatisfaction as opportunities to conquer.
Observe this vivid scene as Solomon describes how a tempter uses flattery to lure his or her prey: You’re the one I was looking for, and I have found you (7:15 ESV)! My bed is spread with beautiful colored linens from Egypt. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon (7:16-17 NLT). Come, let’s drink our fill of love till morning; let us delight ourselves with caresses (7:18 NLT). For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. He has taken his purse with him and will not be home until the moon is full (7:19-20 Hebrew). With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk (7:21 NIV).
As you think about your own weaknesses and life circumstances, name some situations or locations you would be wise to avoid. Usually putting distance between you and potential sins requires planning. What will your plan for moral purity include?162
How does wisdom counsel us, when we men notice a beautiful woman who is not our wife? Wisdom says: Don’t lust in your heart after her beauty, or let her captivate you with her eyes (6:25 NIV). Don’t take that second look. The wise man looks straight ahead and keeps on walking. But the fool takes that second look, and a third, and eventually, like David, acts on it (see the commentary on the Life of David Dc – David and Bathsheba). God’s Word warns us about the lust of the eyes for a good reason (First John 2:16b). It starts with the eyes, works its way down to the heart, and goes from there. If only evil were always ugly, life would be simpler. If only there were warning labels on all the poisons. But in this world disaster can be attractive. Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (Second Corinthians 11:14).163
The force of the argument here is real-life consequences. For a prostitute will bring you to poverty, but sleeping with another man’s wife will cost you your life (6:26 NLT). A prostitute will cost you money, but a relationship with another man’s wife may well cost the son his life, as will be specified in verses 34-35. The Hebrew says a married woman hunts for a man’s life. This is likely an exaggeration. She is not necessarily thinking that she will lead to his demise, but that is the practical consequence of her seduction of him. But make no mistake, a zealous husband can be very dangerous.164
Solomon tells us two things about the practical consequences of sexual foolishness. He comments in a humorous and memorable way that it is sheer idiocy to think that one can get away unscathed. First, the pain to be experienced is inevitable (6:29-31): Can a man scoop fire into his lap (surely suggestive of the man’s genitals) without his clothes being burned? Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched (6:27-28 NIV)? People who play with fire inevitably get burned. Fire can only burn. I have never heard anyone say, “I committed adultery, and I’m so glad I did. My whole life has gotten better. That was the best decision I’ve ever made.” But I have heard them say, “If only I could relive that moment. If only I could go back and change what I did!” The pain is inevitable. So it is who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished (6:29 NIV).165
His punishment is not only inevitable but also fully deserved. People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving (6:30 NIV). One might understand and have compassion for those who steal because they do not have enough to eat. Faced with starvation, who might not steal something in order to survive? Yet if he is caught, he must pay back seven times what he stole. Since they had nothing to begin with, they presumably would have to sell everything in his house (6:31 NIV). But there is no such pity for a man who commits adultery. Such a person receives no compassion; just the opposite, he receives only contempt. The adulterer receives no compassion because he shows no compassion. He lacks heart. He doesn’t care about the woman, her husband, or her children. If the offended husband ends up divorcing his wife, the adulterer doesn’t care. He only cares about satisfying himself.
Second, the adulterer will be shamed (6:32-35): Shame involves public exposure of a reprehensible act. Adulterous relationships may take place in private, but the consequences that flow from them will be both public and shameful. This shame will never go away. For the woman’s zealous husband will be furious, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge (6:34 NLT). He will not accept any compensation; he will refuse a bribe, however great it is (6:35 NIV). That is a realistic look at how an offended husband reacts when he finds out someone has sex with his wife. If you are the offending man, do not expect forgiveness. I know of a businessman who had an affair with his secretary. The offended husband was a hunter with plenty of guns and he started calling the adulterer, threatening to kill him. He made his life a living hell. After living in fear for years, the adulterer finally had to get the police involved. He is an utter fool; for he destroys himself. He will be wounded and disgraced. His shame will never be wiped away (6:32-33 NIV). Even if he repents and is restored to God through Messiah, the memory in the family history will always be, “Grandpa was the one who committed adultery.” Sexual folly carries consequences. They are inevitable and cannot be compensated for. So we can praise ADONAI for being honest with us. He wants to help us walk in wisdom through the brothel of our modern world.166
Think of the most worrisome or difficult temptation you face. List the consequences you could suffer if you fall on a three-by-five card. Some consequences are more likely to occur than others, but list them all. Rank them in the order of severity. Keep the list handy when you face that temptation again.167
Dear heavenly Father, praise You for how gracious You are! No temptation has taken hold of you except what is common to mankind. But God is faithful – He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can handle. But with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape, so you will be able to endure it (First Corinthians 10:13). Temptations come from the heart. But even the intentions of the heart are known to God. You will bless those whose hearts are true to You and delight in following You. Nothing is hidden from your sight! No creature is hidden from Him, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:13).
Foolish selfish actions produce awful and long-lasting consequences. For the eyes of ADONAI range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are wholly His. You have acted foolishly in this matter (Second Chronicles 16:9a). A life of sin produces terrible consequences. Our holy and loving God becomes righteously wrathful at sin (John 3:36). It cost God great pain and shame to pay the debt of our sin (Hebrews 12:2). But on the other hand, there are wonderful consequences for a life of following You, God, even thru hard trials and troubles – a life of peace and joy with You. For I consider the sufferings of this present time not worthy to be compared with the coming glory to be revealed to us (Romans 8:18).
What a great joy to look forward to eternal life with you in Your glorious heaven where there will no longer be any pain, or mourning nor death! Behold, the dwelling of God is among men, and He shall tabernacle among them. They shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them and be their God. He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more. Nor shall there be mourning or crying or pain any longer, for the former things have passed away (Revelation 21:3-4). In Messiah Yeshua’s holy Name and power of His resurrection. Amen
Leave A Comment