This next portion of the proverbs is a story of a young man who was enticed by a harlot. I am not sure if it is allegorical or actual, but it seems to me that Solomon had observed this happening. Up until now, Solomon has been drawing on life experience, why be allegorical now? Remember that wisdom is knowledge gained through experience. So I would have to assume that this entire event played out in front of Solomon.
"For at the window of my house I looked through my lattice, and among the simple [empty-headed and empty-hearted] ones, I perceived among the youths a young man void of good sense, sauntering through the streets near the [loose woman's] corner; and he went the way to her house, in the twilight, in the evening; night black and dense was falling [over the young man's life]." Proverbs 7:6-9, Amplified
As Solomon was sitting at the window of his house he was observing his subjects. Among his subjects he observed a young man. This particular young man was walking near the house of the woman in question. Now youth brings many different things like stamina and excitement and curiosity, but it also brings a lack of wisdom and pride. Solomon understood this. For this very reason, Solomon recorded the proverbs for his son to draw wisdom from.
But this young man was walking near her house, near her corner. If this woman was indeed a harlot then many people would know that this particular corner is where she could be found. Though this young man was void of understanding, he was full of the deceit of lust. It was in the evening, in the twilight when he began his trek to her house. Under the cover of darkness, sin is easier to commit. We want out bad deeds to remain under lock and key where nobody knows, but in truth there is always someone watching.
"And lo, there met him a woman dressed as a harlot, and sly and cunning in heart." Proverbs 7:10, Amplified
Who knew that when the young man walked near her house that he would be met by a harlot? I think that he did. You see sin will always be a convenient thing. It is readily available. Sin can be likened to room service. Don't bother getting out of bed in the morning, just pick up the phone and order what you like. In a few minutes your meal comes to your door ready and hot and someone will even come into the room and set it up for you. This is a wonderful thing, but in the end the cost is high. It costs the wallet too much for room service just as sin costs the soul too much.
But this woman came to the young man dressed as a harlot. If sin were not enticing then we would all be perfect Christians. Sin dresses herself up to appeal to our wants and desires. A definitive moral choice must be made when confronted with sin, a hard choice.
"She is turbulent and willful; her feet stay not in her house; now in the streets, now in the market places, she sets her ambush at every corner." Proverbs 7:11-12, Amplified
Have sin, will travel. Sin has no problem coming to you. It lurks everywhere. The man given over to lust has an opportunity to sleep with different women in every city, state and country. The same can be said for pornography or drugs or any other vice. It lurks, it lies in wait and sin is very patient in waiting for the perfect victim.
"So she caught him and kissed him, and with an impudent face she said to him, sacrifices of peace offerings were due from me; this day I paid my vows." Proverbs 7:13-14, Amplified
The woman caught him and kissed him. Sin desires to catch us off guard.
It is interesting that this woman spoke to this young man in a way that he would understand. This young Jewish man would identify with sacrifices and peace offerings. "Here she seems rather to be hypocritically using the peace offerings required of Israelites as a further inducement to the young man. These offering implied that she was at peace with God and thus her invitation was quite appropriate." (Henry Morris)
"So I came forth to meet you [that you might share with me the feast from my offering]; diligently I sought your face, and I have found you." Proverbs 7:15, Amplified
Sin will make you feel special. She told him that she came out to meet him, she was seeking him out, he was the one chosen. Everyone desires to feel special. But she sought him out for the purpose of feasting. "The flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offering for thanksgiving shall be eaten the same day it is offered. he shall not leave any of it till morning. But if the sacrifice is offered as a vow or a voluntary offering, it shall be eaten the same day that he offers his sacrifice; but on the next day the remainder of it may also be eaten; the remainder of the flesh of the sacrifice on the third day must be burned with fire." (Leviticus 7:15-17, NKJV)
She was inviting him to partake in the feast of the peace offering sacrifice, but there was also a sense of urgency in that it needed to be eaten within the first two days. Better hurry before the opportunity leaves.
Remember too, that in the Eastern cultures, eating is a very intimate time.
"I have spread my couch with rugs and cushions of tapestry, with striped sheets of fine linen of Egypt..." Proverbs 7:16, Amplified
This couch that was decorated was what they were going to be lounging on as they dined. What she ultimately promised the young man was a luxurious experience. She had also draped her couch with sheets from Egypt. Egypt will always be a symbol of bondage in the Scriptures.
"I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon." Proverbs 7:17, Amplified
Do you see the progression? The interaction goes from the street, to the couch, to the bed. Sin is never satisfied until you are pulled in to the fullest.
Notice, as well, that sin appeals to the senses. First a meal was offered. The way to a man's heart is through his stomach. But look at the bed, it is covered with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. Myrrh is a very powerful herb that has a very pungent and beautiful scent. Aloe is soothing to the touch. Cinnamon is a spice for food. These spices could be found in the far east and were very luxurious. When confronted with sin, for me, I always feel that what if this was a one time opportunity, what if I miss out? But in truth, sin is an all time opportunity. Turning our backs on that sin may be the last opportunity that we have before we pass away.
"Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning; let us console and delight ourselves with love." Proverbs 7:18, Amplified
See what sin does? First she seeks you out, she wants to seduce you. Then the opportunity before you is to be an active participant with sin, a mutual effort. "Let us take our fill." Remember that sin is a whore. She is coming to take you down, not to dine with you or make love to you, but to destroy you.
"For the man is not at home, he is gone on a long journey; he has taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the appointed day - at the full moon." Proverbs 7:19-20, Amplified
I just had an interesting thought. Could this be in reference to Jesus? I know that for this time period it does not include Jesus, but the spiritual implications. But look at what is being said, the man is gone, he will come back on the appointed day. Jesus is gone, but He is coming again. Until then, do we have the opportunity to sin like we want or should we still live circumspect lives?
Sin is an admitted whore. The man is gone away, we have time to sin together. Three words of advice: Don't Do It.
"With her much justifying and enticing arguments she persuades him, with the allurements of her lips she leads him [to overcome his conscience and his fears] and forces him along. Suddenly he yields, and follows her reluctantly, like an ox moving to the slaughter, as one in fetters tot he correction given to the fool, [or as a dog enticed by food to the muzzle]..." Proverbs 7:21-22, Amplified
When we give sin a chance to justify itself, it seems to be a more and more practical solution to fill a need that we have. To walk down its street, to allow it to ambush and entice us is to give in to it. As sin enters the mind, expel it before it enters the heart. Any action that needs justification must first be questioned. If an action is questionable then it probably should not be done.
Giving in to sin is giving in to death. In the end, sin will destroy you, it takes everything from you and leaves nothing.
"Till a dart [of passion] pierces and inflames his vitals; then like a bird fluttering straight into the net, he hastens, not knowing that it cast his life." Proverbs 7:23, Amplified
We have an opportunity that this young man did not. We have Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We do not have to be like the ox going toward the slaughter, or the fool to the correction of the stocks or like the bird going toward the net. We can make to choice to not sin. My freedom in Christ allows me the freedom to not sin. I am justified I do not have to justify.
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