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By: Pastor Schlicht

The book of Proverbs, King Solomon’s anthology of inspired wisdom, is made up of six distinct units. Chapters 1-9 form a kind of prologue addressing the need for and value of wisdom. Last month, we covered some of the highlights of this section, especially the fear of the LORD which is the beginning of all wisdom. In this article we head to the end of this opening section in order to meet two women: Lady Lust and Lady Wisdom.

From wisdom’s high vantage point in Chapter 7, we spy as Lady Lust seduces a young man after dark. The seductress is clearly portrayed as the sexual aggressor, provocatively dressed and physically bold. She mentions that she has already made offerings at the temple, reminding us that Lady Lust certainly tempts the faithful and often reminds them of their worship or offerings as license to indulge with her. (Indeed, the fact that she has already made shelamin or fellowship offerings means that she would be offering the young man meat as well as love.) After her brazen advances, the young man stands no chance. He is like a “deer prancing into a noose until an arrow pierces his liver”. Biblical Hebrew links the liver with desire, therefore his desire for love—even his ability to appreciate love—is fatally wounded. Listen to how Solomon finishes the chapter: Now, you sons, listen to me. Pay attention to the words from my mouth. Do not let your heart turn in her direction. Do not wander on her pathways,because she has brought down many victims. Those she has killed are countless. Her house is on the road to the grave. (The term for grave is sheol in Hebrew which could well be translated “hell.”) It goes down to the chambers of death. -Proverbs 7:24-27

You don’t need me to make too many connections to realize the danger that Lady Lust poses today. We don’t need to wander into the streets at night, simply pulling out our phone or computer opens the door to Lady Lust’s chambers. Notice how Solomon doesn’t tell the young men to say “no” to her. He tells them to not let their hearts turn in her direction. In other words, Solomon knows that we do not stand a chance if we open ourselves up to the temptations of Lady Lust. The epidemic of pornographic addiction in our world today stands as a chilling witness to his wisdom. “Those she has killed are countless.” is a phrase never truer than today. There is also an inherent warning in the absolute ignorance of the young man who falls into her trap. Frankly, if we are consistently engaged in sexual immorality we become stupid and ignorant. Lady Lust sticks a hook in both our heart and our brain. The Lord invites us to look where Lady Lust leads her victims and to set our hearts on his wisdom.

As I read this section, I thank the Lord first and foremost that there is free and full forgiveness in Christ for all those caught by Lady Lust. I pray for parents to stand strong and set good boundaries on their children’s devices. (No one stands a chance without good boundaries!) I pray for wisdom for God’s people to take proactive steps and flee from sexual immorality. I pray for a tender conscience to see how dull I have become to what I once would have realized as blatant temptations. I pray that the Lord, through his Spirit and by his grace, would shelter us and rescue those who are caught by Lady Lust! (If you are struggling with sexual temptations, please consider checking out Conquerors Through Christ, a WELS-affiliated ministry that helps thousands of people resist, reject, and recover from porn use or addiction.)

Next, in Chapter 8 and 9 we are introduced to a very different woman: Lady Wisdom. She calls from the hills in broad daylight. She stands at the crossroads and offers her benefits freely to anyone who will listen. She has no ulterior motive. Yet, paradoxically, just as with all God’s gospel gifts, even though Lady Wisdom’s advice is completely free, it is more precious than gold and jewels! We even find that Lady Wisdom was used by God when he created the universe! How much more should we value her words? Those who listen to her will certainly create and construct a beautiful, healthy life! Listen as she concludes her speech at the end of chapter 8: How blessed is the person who listens to me…because whoever finds me finds life, and he obtains favor from the Lord, but whoever sins against me harms himself. All who hate me love death. Those who listen to Lady Wisdom fear the LORD and have salvation in Christ. Those who live in Wisdom’s house are blessed.

I pray that you are getting a taste of how effectively the book of Proverbs communicates to modern believers. What value we have in this book of wisdom! How wise are those in Christ!

Suggested Reading this Month: Proverbs 10-16