Proverbs 7

Pastor Rob Frazier

Sermon • Submitted 16 days ago • Presented 16 days ago

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Introduction

Proverbs 7:1–7 NKJV

1 My son, keep my words, And treasure my commands within you. 2 Keep my commands and live, And my law as the apple of your eye. 3 Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” And call understanding your nearest kin, 5 That they may keep you from the immoral woman, From the seductress who flatters with her words. 6 For at the window of my house I looked through my lattice, 7 And saw among the simple, I perceived among the youths, A young man devoid of understanding,

Pray

Opening Thought:

We are now 7 chapters in and here Solomon is again talking about adultery. As we were covering it last week, I thought to myself, “why doesn’t he just change the channel?” .. then it hit me.. that’s the point.. we need to change the channel… what are we focusing on?

Change the channel 4 times with 4 thoughts randomly… then lift up the green beans… then put them away, .. hmm . Did I focus? I read the exact verse, Proverbs 7, right on point. Would you say I focused in that I found it… or would by focus be a measure of finding it and staying on it ?

where’s our focus?

1. Where’s our focus?

Proverbs 7:1–7 NKJV

The definition of FOCUS [v]: the center of interest or activity.

When we focus our eyes, what do we do? We lock something in sight and stay on it. Now, when we see Proverbs 7:2, it tells us, “keep my law as the apple of your eye.”

The phrase, Apple of Your eye , comes from a Hebrew expression that literally means “little man of the eye,” and it refers to the tiny reflection of yourself that you can see in other people’s pupils.

To be the apple of someone’s eye clearly means that you are being gazed upon and watched closely by that person. Your very image can be reflected in that person’s eyes.

This term is used several times in the Old Testament, look at:

Psalm 17:8–9 NKJV

8 Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings, 9 From the wicked who oppress me, From my deadly enemies who surround me.

So when David asked God to “Keep me as the apple of your eye” in Psalm 17, he was asking God to keep an eye on him and not lose sight of him. David was asking that God would regard him as one would a cherished child, the object of great affection. And because he was the apple of God’s eye, David also asked for God’s protection: “hide me in the shadow of your wings.” Just as a mother bird protects her young by covering them with her wings, David was seeking shelter in God from those who were out to destroy him, from his mortal enemies who were surrounding him.

If people focus on what you are focusing on will they see a reflection of God?

Solomon continues his call to wisdom.

Proverbs 7:1–5 NKJV

Solomon begins with an earnest plea to value wisdom and instruction, emphasizing the need to internalize God’s teachings, keeping them as close and essential as something bound to your fingers or written in your hearts. In fact, many Hebrews did bind them to remind them.

TALK ABOUT THE CAN OF GREEN BEANS AND THE NUTRITION FACTS IN HERMENEUTICS

YOU CAN LEARN A LOT FROM A CAN OF GREEN BEANS IF YOU STUDY HARD ENOUGH, BUT NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU STUDY OR LEARN, IT CAN’T SAVE YOU FROM STARVING TO DEATH IF YOU REFUSE TO LET THEM NOURISH YOU IN THE WAY INTENDED—NO MATTER HOW INFORMATIVE THE CAN.

Solomon personifies wisdom as a close family member, someone trusted and near. Wisdom, like a protective sibling, guards us against the allure of sin—so close, protection is assumed right within reach. Solomon goes on to describe wisdom as a sister, insight as a relative, meaning that it should be so familiar to you that it is natural… it is your nature. He emphasizes the need for internalizing God’s teachings, likening them to being as close and essential as something bound to our fingers or written on our hearts, Hebrew traditions even took many of these literally, to reflect this nature.

When wisdom is treasured in our hearts, it becomes a protective measure, influencing our decisions and shielding us from harmful choices—harmful choices like a lack of focus that produces distance., a focus which ignores wisdom.

Proverbs 7:6–23 NKJV

6 For at the window of my house I looked through my lattice, 7 And saw among the simple, I perceived among the youths, A young man devoid of understanding, 8 Passing along the street near her corner; And he took the path to her house 9 In the twilight, in the evening, In the black and dark night. 10 And there a woman met him, With the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart. 11 She was loud and rebellious, Her feet would not stay at home. 12 At times she was outside, at times in the open square, Lurking at every corner. 13 So she caught him and kissed him; With an impudent face she said to him: 14 “I have peace offerings with me; Today I have paid my vows. 15 So I came out to meet you, Diligently to seek your face, And I have found you. 16 I have spread my bed with tapestry, Colored coverings of Egyptian linen. 17 I have perfumed my bed With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18 Come, let us take our fill of love until morning; Let us delight ourselves with love. 19 For my husband is not at home; He has gone on a long journey; 20 He has taken a bag of money with him, And will come home on the appointed day.” 21 With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, With her flattering lips she seduced him. 22 Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, 23 Till an arrow struck his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare, He did not know it would cost his life.

Why do you think Solomon was so focused on adultery? Do you think it was wisdom or do you think it was conviction?

Why does he press in to tell us constantly two words: Wisdom and understanding.... didn’t he succumb that in teh end?

1 Kings 11:1–12 NKJV

1 But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites—2 from the nations of whom the Lord had said to the children of Israel, “You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love. 3 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart. 4 For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David. 5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 6 Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not fully follow the Lord, as did his father David. 7 Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, on the hill that is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination of the people of Ammon. 8 And he did likewise for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods. 9 So the Lord became angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned from the Lord God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, 10 and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods; but he did not keep what the Lord had commanded. 11 Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, “Because you have done this, and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. 12 Nevertheless I will not do it in your days, for the sake of your father David; I will tear it out of the hand of your son.

But here we are reading it. Is this not the right advice? Is this not wisdom? So he produced wisdom.. but apparently he didn’t understand it. What is the difference in wisdom and understanding?

Understanding is taking it in and letting it have the desired effect. You have to eat those green beans.. not just quote the wrapper.

2. The Folly of Ignoring Wisdom (Proverbs 7:6-23)

Verses 6-9: Solomon tells the story of a young man who, lacking judgment, finds himself wandering near the home of an immoral woman, setting the stage for his downfall. Look how Solomon, could observe everyone else’s lack of judgement, yet his own folly got him.

The young man’s path wasn’t accidental—he was aimlessly wandering near a place of temptation. Solomon’s observation shows that proximity to temptation often leads to sin, especially when wisdom is absent.Application: This passage warns us about the dangers of placing ourselves in situations where we’re likely to be tempted. Avoiding places and situations that weaken our resolve is a proactive way to live wisely.

Proverbs 7:10–12 NKJV

10 And there a woman met him, With the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart. 11 She was loud and rebellious, Her feet would not stay at home. 12 At times she was outside, at times in the open square, Lurking at every corner.

"Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. (She is unruly and defiant, her feet never stay at home..."

The woman here symbolizes the pull of sin—appealing on the outside but hiding destructive intent. Her restlessness and wandering suggest instability and an unwillingness to stay within moral boundaries.

If sin didn’t promise satisfaction, it wouldn’t be attractive. The nature of sin is such that if you understand the true inability of you to keep yourself away from on your own, you will see that the very act of it pulling you from God, and taking your focus off of Him, pulls you from the very thing that stabilizes you and gives you that wisdom in the first place, and empowers you to live righteous.

Proverbs 7:13–21 NKJV

13 So she caught him and kissed him; With an impudent face she said to him: 14 “I have peace offerings with me; Today I have paid my vows. 15 So I came out to meet you, Diligently to seek your face, And I have found you. 16 I have spread my bed with tapestry, Colored coverings of Egyptian linen. 17 I have perfumed my bed With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18 Come, let us take our fill of love until morning; Let us delight ourselves with love. 19 For my husband is not at home; He has gone on a long journey; 20 He has taken a bag of money with him, And will come home on the appointed day.” 21 With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, With her flattering lips she seduced him.

Verses 13-21: The woman’s seductive tactics are revealed as she flatters, entices, and uses sensuality to lure the young man. She reassures him that her actions have no consequences, using both words and touch to draw him into sin. Here, Solomon shows how temptation often manipulates and rationalizes sin, making it seem harmless or even justified. The woman’s use of flattery and promises of secrecy highlight the deceitful nature of temptation. This serves as a warning about the deceptive power of sin. When we’re not grounded in wisdom, it’s easy to be swayed by half-truths or flattery that appeal to our desires, leading us away from God.

Proverbs 7:22–23 NKJV

22 Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, 23 Till an arrow struck his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare, He did not know it would cost his life.

Verses 22-23: "All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose... little knowing it will cost him his life."

Solomon uses strong imagery to convey the inevitability of consequences. The young man, entranced by temptation, is compared to an animal walking into a trap, oblivious to the danger. This passage reminds us that yielding to temptation often leads to devastating consequences. When we ignore wisdom, we are vulnerable to choices that bring lasting harm to our spiritual, emotional, and even physical well-being.

3. A Father’s Final Warning (Proverbs 7:24-27)

Proverbs 7:24–27 NKJV

24 Now therefore, listen to me, my children; Pay attention to the words of my mouth: 25 Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her paths; 26 For she has cast down many wounded, And all who were slain by her were strong men. 27 Her house is the way to hell, Descending to the chambers of death.

Solomon returns to the role of a loving father, urging his children to heed his warnings. He calls for vigilance, emphasizing that the battle with temptation begins in the heart.Application: We’re reminded that true protection against temptation requires a heart aligned with God. This means guarding our thoughts and intentions, remaining sensitive to His guidance, and resisting even the first steps toward sin.

"Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death."

Solomon emphasizes the destructive power of sin by pointing out the many who have fallen victim to it. The “highway to the grave” illustrates the well-worn path of those who ignored wisdom and suffered for it.Application