Proverbs 5 Devotional


Common view and interpretation of Proverbs 5 seems to be that it is written as reminder and warning not to commit adultery, and to focus on and enjoy what you have at HOME rather than with the "stranger."

Sadly, when I was reading this Proverb chapter, I saw two "older men," from my life, for whom I have witnessed a sad last chapter.  Both of these men perceived themselves as very lonely, eyes not on relationship with the Lord, souls not concerned primarily with growing in His wisdom.  Both men ignored statements of caution from others.  Both men basically forfeited relationship with "family," (children and grandchildren) and gave themselves to a new woman in their lives, a "stranger" who would become their wife, not a woman seeking to live for God and his ways.  Both men died leaving fruits of their inheritance to the woman, and very little to the people that sprang forth from their fountain (in this case, their genetic offspring).

I see this proverb as a reminder to be careful and weary of "strange women" who are not family, and to listen to advise and counsel.  Do not focus on self.  Focus on God's ways, His plan, what He has provided...(family).  Of course this could be conversely applied to be cautionary of women ...against "strange" men.  I think it is all about reminding people to remember their moral compass, God's Word. Live carefully considering God's prescription.

List of priorities
GOD, His will, His ways
Family, loyalty to and service for, 
Friends, CHURCH, community, ministry...

If people have their priorities straight they would be much less vulnerable to temptations that would lead them awry and to strangers rather than higher priorities.  God sees ALL and His Word assigns morality and some system for assigning priorities.

Here is this chapter copy and pasted from BibleGateway and verses in bold, which succinctly apply to the highlights that grabbed me as I was reading.


Proverbs 5  (KJV)

My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:
That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.
For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:
But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.
Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.
Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.
Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.
Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:
Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:
10 Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger;
11 And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,
12 And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;
13 And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!
14 I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.
15 Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.
16 Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.
17 Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee.
18 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
19 Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.
20 And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?
21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings.
22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.
23 He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

Deuteronomy 6:7  (KJV)

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

I have heard of people reading a Proverb a day to their children, or even a Proverb a week... How much less sin and heartache do you think there would be, if Christians were diligent to teach their children?


Lord, I thank you for Your Word.  Please forgive us when we let you down by missing an opportunity to teach or to speak for Your wisdom, Your ways, but Lord, help us to practice what we preach and to demonstrate Your LOVE and grace.  More of You is what we need.  In Jesus's name we pray, Amen.


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Comments

  1. What a great expounding of this Scripture, Tammy. I think we can apply this is so many ways. Thank you for sharing your heart in this post!

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    1. I am always blessed that you visit sister friend.

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