Today's chapter deals a lot with the relationship that Solomon wanted his son to have with his wife. Solomon really gives good advice in 5:15-19 that needs to be taught in today's society. We have become a throw-away, disposable culture in everything that we own and do - including marriages. Many studies show that half of CHRISTIAN marriages end in divorce, so nobody is immune from it and could not be reminded of Solomon's advice.
In using the strange woman/wife of thy youth analogy, we also see the strange woman here representing false doctrine. Notice this about those who teach false doctrine:
5:3a - Her words are SWEET words. She will flatter you with her words.
5:3b - Her words are SMOOTH words. She will not ask you to do anything that may be hard to do.
5:6 - Her words are SHIFTING words. She will constantly change what she believe in order to draw more to her.
What is the result? We see it in 5:4-5 - Everlasting, eternal damnation.
Let's take heed and flee from the doctrine of strange women.
BTW - Don't forget to check back over some of the previous day's comments and catch up on what every one else added to that day's thought. Many great points and questions are being brought out.
BTW - Don't forget to check back over some of the previous day's comments and catch up on what every one else added to that day's thought. Many great points and questions are being brought out.
Mike Hayes is preaching a Family Conf at our church, and he taught how flattery deals with physical atributes you have little to no control over, while praise deals with character; we should praise our children and not flatter them, to encourage good personal development.
ReplyDeleteps. Verse 21 is a great verse to frame up in the living room! "For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings."
ReplyDeleteI am hanging verse 21 right over my girls bed!
ReplyDeleteI am reading this and hearing how we hate to be told how to live our lives but, then again...we need the instructions to prevent us from choosing the wrong path. Also, it is telling us that the Lord watches the ways of man and knows what we are doing at all times.
ReplyDeleteAS Ch. 4 yesterday gave me opportunity to be thankful for my children, Ch. 5 helps me to remember to be thankful for my wife. I should take this instruction and be ravished with her love always.
ReplyDeleteBro. Brad your initial question and points are exactly right, a disposable society.
The "grass is always greener" either with my job, my home, my wife or even my church.
God help us as Christians to stop giving into this world's mentality of giving up and switching whatever and whenever we feel like it.
Lynda - now you know a little of what it is like to be the pastor every Sunday!
ReplyDeleteAllen - the preacher I was saved under used to always say: The grass may be greener on the other side of the fence, but you don't know how big their water bill is.