Solomon here is summing up the previous chapters and setting the stage for the rest of the book by encouraging his son to marry and be enthralled by wisdom. He has been building to this point where he sets before his son a choice between two contrasting ways and asks him to make a fundamental faith decision to be married to (in relationship with) wisdom and so be enabled to do what the rest of the book demands. And so two women vie for his affection. Which feast will he choose?
Well, we have another sermon on this topic. But that’s because Proverbs talks about it again. We are going through the first nine chapters of Proverbs, which form a unit, and serve as foundation for the rest of the book. And within these foundational chapters the father repeatedly addresses his son on this all-important topic, which actually was first mentioned in Prov 2:16-17 (and appears more in the book!). He wants his son to be prepared for this powerful temptation. He’s preparing his son for war.
We’re going to talk about sex today, and specifically the folly of adultery and the wisdom of sex within the covenant of marriage. I think there are a lot of reasons we avoid talking about sex. Here are a few: we think sexual purity and holiness includes avoiding talking about it, we underestimate the gravity and offensiveness of sexual sin — to God and others, we don’t really understand it from a biblical and theological perspective, & guilt and shame. So, whether you avoid talking about it, can only joke about it or get sensitive or embarrassed or defensive talking about it, know this: we are going to talk about sex today. Be prepared for the awkwardness, but be assured that I’m going to stick to the Bible and Proverbs 5. We need to hear this just like Solomon’s son needed to hear this, even and especially if it makes us uncomfortable.
