Proverbs 23:26-28 Wise Words #17
Sexual sin is the focus today. This sin goes beyond a single person and affects an entire community. Fathers, be a godly example for your sons.
The bible was written in a time when the woman was little more than whatever the man told her she was. Women didn’t strike out on their own, except for this area. Prostitution has been in ‘business’ for longer than Israel was a nation. It is still a ‘profession’ today. It has always been something to be ashamed of by both the ‘employee’ and ‘customer’.
The first story of a prostitute that we see in scripture is when Tamar disguised herself as one and serviced her father in law, Ruben. She bore twin sons as a result of that encounter. This is probably not the first mention of prostitution but is the first story beyond a quick mention.
Daughters were, at times, sold into prostitution by their fathers. I don’t know if it was because they were poor and had nothing else to sell to feed the family, or if they didn’t have enough money for a dowery if they married of their daughters. Maybe it was an easy to deal with a rebellious daughter. It could be something else completely that I don’t understand.
I imagine that some women entered the profession out of desperation in their own lives. They might have saw it as their only means of support. Others actually ‘dedicated themselves’ to service of their gods. That ‘service’ is one thing God forbade Israel from installing in His place of worship.
Prostitution ruins lives. The woman is forever marked by this ‘profession’. Anyone who knows of her ‘trade’ will forever see her as such, even if she changes. The men who visit them didn’t suffer as much stigma as the women do, but it still brings with it shame for him. It also starts the man down a dangerous road where he is entrapped by his own desires and consumed with having them met. It’s easier to hire someone for an hour to satisfy a physical desire than it is to form a real relationship and care for a partner on an ongoing basis.
The adulteress finds something lacking in her home life or sees something in someone else’s that she wants, whatever the cost. She is trying to fill and empty space in her heart. In doing so by entering into another sexual relationship, she destroys what she had and what her partner had. Even if they were to leave their spouses to be together permanently, their union is in tatters before it even starts. “If he cheats with you, he will cheat on you.” The same goes for the woman in the equation.
They leave a trail of destruction in their wake. Trust is broken, families are split, and in bible days, she paid for this sin with her life. This sin ruins communities too as it splits allegiances of both partner’s friends and families. The ‘blame game’ starts with who instigated the ‘relationship’, what caused the wandering eye, what could have been done to prevent it, and is there any return from this situation.
The story of adultery that comes to my mind is the story of David and Bathsheba. Their sins resulted in murder. Uriah was totally in the dark about the relationship and he paid for it with his life. The son that was conceived in this relationship was taken also from this world. I have no doubt that there were whispers behind both David and Bathsheba’s backs. If David wasn’t the king it probably would have been worse for both of them. The question of if Bathsheba had any option beside submitting to David’s will is a valid one. Maybe that is the reason she was not put to death. Surely their sin was discovered. It is an example that is STILL talked about to this day. It marred David’s character forever. Whenever he is talked of, this story eventually surfaces. He was never the same man afterwards. He was forgiven but there was no way to turn back the hands of time.
God can forgive ANYONE for ANY sin. The prostitute and adulterous are not beyond His reach. Rahab, Tamar and Bathsheba ALL are part of Jesus’ lineage. Their lives were redeemed and their sins forgiven. There is grace for all who will reach out and accept Jesus’ work but that still won’t restore the life to its original form. God can make something beautiful though out of the life that remains.
In our text, the father is imploring his son not to get mixed up in either of these ‘relationships’. He, himself, is the model for his son to follow. This would mean that the father hadn’t indulged in either sin himself. The “Do as I say, not as I do” would probably not work in this instance. It doesn’t work well in any area as morals are ‘caught’ more than they are ‘taught’.
This world is FULL of broken families. Mine is no exception. Some are a result of sexual sin. Today, though, our world is calling it “normal” behavior. It is anything BUT normal, and this too is a sign of our times. I believe Jesus is going to call His people home SOON. And it’s going to get worse before it gets better.
Father God, forgive me for any part I played in ending my marriage. I know my ex is the one who ended it but I’m certain I had some part in it, besides being too ‘heavy’. THANK YOU that You have provided a ‘mended’ family for me instead. It’s hard for me to think of the kind of example I am for my children. I wonder what they TRULY learned from me. Watch over their marriages Father. It’s asking quite a bit because they are not walking with You and giving You charge of their lives. But I trust YOU to care for them in the way that is BEST for them; whatever that looks like.
Lord Jesus, THANK YOU that You don’t draw a line in the sand and say “These sins only” when offering forgiveness and salvation. You died for ALL our sins; past, present and future. There is NOTHING I can do that will surprise You. THANK YOU for loving me anyway.
