Proverbs (Part 049) - Pro 5:2-3

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2. Pro 5:2 - "That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge." A. That thou mayest regard discretion, i. In this verse Solomon gives the reason for attending unto his wisdom and bowing our ear to his understanding. ii. By focusing our mind and energy on understanding and learning God's wisdom in His word we will be able to regard discretion. a. Regard v. - 1. a. To look at, gaze upon, observe. b. Discretion n. - III. [Cf. discreet.] 6. Ability to discern or distinguish what is right, befitting, or advisable, esp. as regards one's own conduct or action; the quality of being discreet; discernment; prudence, sagacity, circumspection, sound judgement. iii. The purpose of listening carefully and paying attention to the word of God (which is wisdom - Pro 2:6) is not simply to acquire information about wisdom, but rather to be able to learn how to discern and distinguish what is right and advisable regarding our own conduct and decisions. iv. In other words, it behooves us to focus on learning the word of God so that we will be able to figure out how to do what is right in the eyes of God in our lives. v. The intention of the Proverbs is to give the young (and old) man discretion (Pro 1:4). a. When we learn discretion, it will save us from sin and sinners (Pro 2:11). b. When we learn discretion, we learn to defer our anger and be merciful to others (Pro 19:11). c. When we learn that, we are better than the mighty (Pro 16:32). B. and that thy lips may keep knowledge. i. The second reason given for attending unto wisdom is so that we can retain knowledge and be able to share it with others through our speech. ii. Fools don't have lips of knowledge (Pro 14:7). iii. The wise have knowledge, and their lips disperse it (Pro 15:7). a. If we regard discretion our lips will be able to utter knowledge clearly (Job 33:3). b. As priests in the house of God (1Pe 2:5), we should all attend to the word of God so that our lips may keep knowledge and people will therefore seek the law of God from our mouths (Mal 2:7). iv. The lips of knowledge are a precious jewel (Pro 20:15). 3. Pro 5:3 - "For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:" A. For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, i. Solomon gave the general reason for attending unto his wisdom in Pro 5:2. ii. Now he gives the specific reason for doing so. a. This verse begins with the conjunction for which connects it to the previous sentence in Pro 5:1-2. b. A specific reason for attending unto Solomon's wisdom (and therefore God's wisdom since this is inspired scripture) in order to learn discretion is to be able to identify and avoid the strange woman. c. This instruction is particularly important for young men. iii. A strange woman is a whore, harlot, prostitute, or fornicatress. a. Strange adj. - 4. strange woman: a harlot. b. Harlot n. - 5. Applied to a woman. a. As a general term of execration. c. spec. An unchaste woman; a prostitute; a strumpet. (Very frequent in 16th c. Bible versions, where Wyclif had hoore, whore; prob. as a less offensive word.) c. Unchaste adj. - Not chaste; lacking chastity; impure, lascivious d. Chaste adj. - 1. Pure from unlawful sexual intercourse; continent, virtuous. e. Chastity n. - 1. a. Purity from unlawful sexual intercourse; continence. f. Lascivious adj. - 1. Inclined to lust, lewd, wanton. g. According to God's law, unlawful sexual intercourse is fornication (1Co 6:18) and adultery (Heb 13:4). h. Fornication n. - Voluntary sexual intercourse between a man (in restricted use, an unmarried man) and an unmarried woman. In Scripture extended to adultery. i. Therefore, a strange woman is not merely a prostitute, but is also a woman who offers the same service free of charge to boyfriends or men whom she dates. iv. The strange woman's lips drop as an honeycomb. a. Honeycomb n. - 1. A structure of wax containing two series of hexagonal cells separated by thin partitions, formed by bees for the reception of honey and their eggs. The shape and arrangement of the cells secures the greatest possible economy at once of space and of material. b. Honeycombs drop honey (1Sa 14:25-27). c. Honey is sweet (Pro 24:13). d. Pleasant words are also sweet like honey (Pro 16:24). (i) The lips of a man's wife should drop like an honeycomb to him (Son 4:11). (ii) Her words and her kisses should be sweet. (iii) The strange woman perverts the way that a godly woman relates to her husband and instead directs her affection toward a whoremonger she is not married to. e. The words of a strange woman (a whore or fornicatress) are sweet. (i) Sweet and seductive words drop off of her lips. (ii) She uses fair speech to seduce men (Pro 7:21). (iii) Fair adj. - 1. Beautiful to the eye; of pleasing form or appearance; good-looking. 2. Of sounds, odours, etc.: Agreeable, delightful. 4. Of language, diction: Elegant. Hence fair speaker. (iv) Elegant adj. - 1. Tastefully ornate in attire; sometimes in unfavourable sense: Dainty, foppish. (v) The speech of a strange woman is tastefully ornate and delightful like honey. B. and her mouth is smoother than oil: i. The wicked use words that are smoother than butter and softer than oil to deceive their prey (Psa 55:21). ii. The strange woman uses flattery like oil to butter up her victims (Pro 6:24; Pro 7:21; Pro 7:15). a. Flattery n. - 1. The action or practice of flattering; false or insincere praise; adulation; cajolery, blandishment. b. Flatter v. - 1. a. intr. Of an animal, bird, etc.: To show delight or fondness (by wagging the tail, making a caressing sound, etc.). 2. To try to please or win the favour of (a person) by obsequious speech or conduct; to court, fawn upon. c. Men: if any woman (including your wife) ever meets you with the excitement that your dog does, be very suspicious! d. If a woman you just met is lavishing praise on you, beware because she is setting a net for your feet (Pro 29:5). e. Her flattering mouth works ruin (Pro 26:28).