Friday, August 5, 2016

Aug. 5 - Prov. 5

Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house ...
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The story is told of a bus company that was looking for a driver to work a route through a high mountain pass. In the interview process they asked those applying for the position how close they could come from the edge of a precipice before they considered themselves in danger. Some, not wanting to appear fearful, said a foot, or a couple of inches. The person who got the job replied, "I'll stay as far away as I can, for I don't want to endanger my life or the lives of my passengers."

The fifth chapter of Proverbs is one of only three Proverbs that keeps to a single theme; the adulterous woman. It is a reminder for a young man to keep his way pure and to not even cast a glance in the direction of sin.

But in the history of Israel, as a nation, she was often considered the adulteress; the one who abandoned her covenant with God; people that wandered into the sins of idolatry and forgoting all that their God had done for them. It all started with seemingly simple steps away from their practice of worship, but those small "baby steps" away from God soon led to huge leaps away from the relationship that they had with their Heavenly Father.

As individuals and as a body of believers we should be cautious when we hear ourselves saying things like, "it's just this time," "a little won't hurt," or "no one will notice." The father in this Proverb also says to his son, "For your ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all of your paths" (Prov. 5:21). God knows when we're getting too close to the edge, and through His word and our conscience, He warns us to stay clear and not even go near. The outcome is disastrous for the group of people and the individual who does not listen to His warning.


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