Greetings
"Suddenly...he follows her as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as one in fetters is the discipline of a fool." (Pro-Verbs 7:22)
SUDDENLY...implies...something happened in the twinkle of the eye...BUT...what led up to the SUDDEN SLAUGHTER...was anything but SUDDEN. Notice that the sudden slaughter...is part of DISCIPLINE of a fool. In I Timothy we are called to..."DISCIPLINE yourself...for the PURPOSE OF GODLINESS." (I Timothy 4:7) Better you discipline yourself...(control yourself) versus being left to the discipline of the cause and effect of your sin.
You can see the progression that led up to the SUDDEN moment.
PRO-VERB 7 starts of with instructions on how to KEEP you from the ADULTERESS and from the FOREIGNER who FLATTERS you with her WORD.
Once again..the son is encouraged to (1) keep my words (2) treasure my commandments within you and live (3) keep my teaching as the apple of your eye (4) bind them [words, commandments, teaching] on you fingers (5) Write them [words, commandments, teachings] on the tablet of your heart. With these things you will have wisdom as your sister and understanding as your intimate friend.
NOTE: Your relationship with the WORD...will keep you from SUDDEN SLAUGHTER brought about by the FLATTERING WORDS of the adulteress and foreigner.
The Pro-Verbist is looking our from the window of his house...through the lattice and he saw...a naive...young man...among the youths...who was LACKING SENSE (apparently not doing THE WORD).
THE PROGRESSION TO SUDDEN SLAUGHTER
1. Passing through the street NEAR her corner
He is not WITH her...just NEAR her. Her corner...is like her office. It is where she does her business. It is like getting near the edge of the river bank...just to see how close you can get before you slip into the river.
2. And he takes THE WAY to her house
Another Pro-Verbs speaks of THE WAY..."There is A WAY which seems right to a man...but it's END is the WAY OF DEATH." (Pro-Verbs 14:12; Pro-Verbs 6:25)
So...Close Encounter of the 1st kind is NEAR her corner...close encounter of the 2nd kind is THE WAY to her house. Notice he goes (1) in the twilight (2) in the evening (3) in the middle of the night (4) in the darkness.
3. And BEHOLD...a woman COMES to MEET him
Now...Close Encounter of the 3rd kind. His passing near her corner, on the way to her house... shows her the he is interested...so she COMES to MEET him.
NOTE: She is (1) dressed as a harlot (2) cunning of heart (3) boisterous (4) rebellious (5) her feet do not remain at home. This is what attracts him.
4. She is NOW (1) in the streets (2) now in the squares (3) lurks by every corner.
She is AVAILABLE. It's like going to Amsterdam...and walking through the Red Light District... where the hookers/prostitutes are in windows...advertising their goods...or bads. Find one you like...go in...pay your money...close the curtain...and SUDDEN SLAUGHTER...all legal.
5. So she SEIZES him...and KISSES him
Close Encounter of the 4th kind. He has now gone from being on the street...near her corner to...being SEIZED and KISSED.
6. And with a brazen face, she SAYS TO HIM.
Not only does she have his body grasped...and has his lips...she now has his EARS. She is talking to him. Faith comes by hearing...and so does doubt and unbelief. It all hinges on who you are listening to...THE WORD...or her words.
7. THE ADULTERESS/FOREIGNER'S FLATTERING WORDS
(a) I was due to offer peace offerings (b) Today I have paid my vows NOTE: Hmmmm... she is religious...making offerings and vows. (c) I have come out to meet you to seek your presence earnestly (d) I have found you (e) I have spread my couch with coverings and colored linens of Egypt (f) I have sprinkled my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
NOTE: She is enticing him even more...since he appears to be interested in her...with kisses, flattery, sensuality and with reassurances.
8. Come, let us drink our fill of love until morning...let us delight ourselves with caresses
The INVITATION is made. At this point...the young man can STILL avoid SUDDEN SLAUGHTER. He has a CHOICE to make.
9. For my husband is NOT AT HOME...He has gone on a long journey...he has taken a bag of money with him...at the full moon he will come home.
She now...reassures him of the safety of NOT BEING CAUGHT by her husband.
10. With her here MANY PERSUASIONS she ENTICES him; with her FLATTERING LIPS she SEDUCES HIM.
Persuasions, enticements, seductions...aka TEMPTATIONS. Remember that temptation is not designed to pull you into something (although that may be part of the process)...as much as it is designed to PULL YOU AWAY FROM WHO YOUR REALLY ARE...DIVERT YOUR ATTENTION AWAY FROM YOUR PURPOSE...YOUR DESTINY.
11. SUDDENLY...he FOLLOWS her...as an ox goes to the SLAUGHTER...or as one in FETTERS to the DISCIPLINE of a fool.
Well...as we have seen...this SLAUGHTER...was not so SUDDEN. It was a progressive letting down of the guard.
12. 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.
If you do not have your eyes opened by the WORD...and you are not walking in wisdom and understanding...you will not see the destruction coming upon you...before it is to late.
THE COST: Your life.
13. The end of this Pro-Verb...ends like it started..with encouragement to listen to WORDS.
Now therefore, my son...(1) listen to me (2) pay attention to the words of my mouth (3) do not let/allow YOUR heart turn aside to her ways (4) do not stray into her paths
14. CAUSE AND EFFECT
Here is the cause and effect of not listening to the Father's words, commandments, and teachings.
(a) For MANY are the victims she has CAST DOWN (b) and NUMEROUS are all her slain (c) her house is the WAY TO SHEOL (d) descending to the CHAMBERS OF DEATH.
"No TEMPTATION has overtaken you...but such as is COMMON to man...and GOD IS FAITHFUL...who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able...but WITH THE TEMPTATION...will provide THE WAY OF ESCAPE also...so that you will be able to ENDURE IT." (I Corinthians 10:13)
The WAY OF ESCAPE...is found in verse 14..."Therefore, my beloved...FLEE FROM IDOLATRY." (I Corinthians 10:14)
FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY
If the young man had listened to the Father...he would have ran away from the STREET NEAR HER CORNER...instead of progressively getting close and closer. For those thinking it could NEVER happen to them...take this warning from I Corinthians 10:12, "Therefore...let him who thinks he stands...take heed that he does not fall."
Love and Word Treasured Kisses
Rodney "Fleeing" Boyd
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