Our last week’s Proverb focused on the general sin of fornication. This week is a continuation of the theme – focusing on faithfulness to the marriage bed, using wonderful prose to give us the depth of meaning.
15 Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.
16 Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.
17 Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’ with thee.
18 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
Could the Word be any more clear?
19 Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.
Proverbs 5: 15-19
Gentlemen – is it possible you do not fully comprehend how it hurts your wife when you lust after other women? Despite the so-called women’s movement, it is clear that men in their hearts still look at females essentially the same way. We read far too frequently of prominent pastors committing adultery. Why? What is the reason?
19 Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.
SELFISHNESS
Both husband and wife must be willing to lay aside their self-interest – just as Jesus – the Bridegroom of the church did.
Philippians 2:7-8
King James Version (KJV)
7 But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
This denial of self-interest is not demeaning! It is the only way to happiness and fulfillment in marriage!
20 And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?
The rebuke for this kind of foolishness is not a mere hand slap. . .
21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He pondereth all his goings.
22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself,and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.
23 He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.
Proverbs 5:20-23
The philosophy of the world does NOT make happy marriages. Sadly, most Christians have accepted the conditioning that marriages are a 50/50 proposition. That quotient has never worked, and it will bring forth the struggle for “getting our due.” Since a married couple is one flesh – the marital unit can not survive with two heads – which is exactly what the 50/50 idea promotes. Selfishness is the root of all marital problems.
1 Peter 3:7
King James Version (KJV)
The Vine Vigil 