THE APPLE OF YOUR EYE

Proverbs 7:1-27 / Keywords 7:2

Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.

 

Warning Against the Adulterous Woman

7:1 My son, keep my words

    and store up my commands within you.

2 Keep my commands and you will live;

    guard my teachings 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 to insight, “You are my relative.”

5 They will keep you from the adulterous woman,

    from the wayward woman with her seductive words.

6 At the window of my house

    I looked down through the lattice.

7 I saw among the simple,

    I noticed among the young men,

    a youth who had no sense.

8 He was going down the street near her corner,

    walking along in the direction of her house

9 at twilight, as the day was fading,

    as the dark of night set in.

10 Then out came a woman to meet him,

    dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.

11 (She is unruly and defiant,

    her feet never stay at home;

12 now in the street, now in the squares,

    at every corner she lurks.)

13 She took hold of him and kissed him

    and with a brazen face she said:

14 “Today I fulfilled my vows,

    and I have food from my fellowship offering at home.

15 So I came out to meet you;

    I looked for you and have found you!

16 I have covered my bed

    with colored linens from Egypt.

17 I have perfumed my bed

    with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.

18 Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning;

    let’s enjoy ourselves with love!

19 My husband is not at home;

    he has gone on a long journey.

20 He took his purse filled with money

    and will not be home till full moon.”

21 With persuasive words she led him astray;

    she seduced him with her smooth talk.

22 All at once he followed her

    like an ox going to the slaughter,

like a deer[a] stepping into a noose[b]

23     till an arrow pierces his liver,

like a bird darting into a snare,

    little knowing it will cost him his life.

24 Now then, my sons, listen to me;

    pay attention to what I say.

25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways

    or stray into her paths.

26 Many are the victims she has brought down;

    her slain are a mighty throng.

27 Her house is a highway to the grave,

    leading down to the chambers of death.

Footnotes

a. Proverbs 7:22 Syriac (see also Septuagint); Hebrew fool

b. Proverbs 7:22 The meaning of the Hebrew for this line is uncertain.

1. This proverb is another strong warning against adultery. The best way to avoid adultery is to treasure God’s commands – not sex and beauty. We need to keep God’s commands and obey them, and to keep God’s words as the apple of our eye. What we seek and desire as the apple of our eye will dictate our actions and the direction of our lives. What is the apple of your eye?

 

2. Verses 6-23 describe a man swooped up in adultery. He is captivated by the adulteress’ smooth talk and goes where he should not go (near her corner, the road to her house) when he should not (twilight, evening, darkness). She runs out to meet him in the street and brazenly kisses him in public. She tells him that he is special. She promises him delicious food (sacrifices) and a romantic rendezvous, and she assures him that their secret will be secure. Using her seductive powers, she leads him into sin. Once he follows her, he is trapped by his own desire. 3. It would be wise to not pay any attention to the seductress in the first place. If a man doesn’t talk to her or listen to her, she doesn’t have a chance. Throughout history, the adulterous woman is like a mighty warrior who has slain hordes of men.

 

Prayer Father, thank you for giving us a clear warning about adultery. Help me to keep your commands as the apple of my eye.

One Word What is the apple of my eye?