By Mavis M. duCille
Scripture reading: Proverbs 5:20
Our first responsibility when reading Proverbs 5:20 is to establish what a stranger is: a stranger is essentially one who does not belong to the household or community in which he finds himself. In other words, an outsider is one who does not fit into the order of things in a particular place.
The Bible speaks much about the stranger, but though God gave commands regarding the love and care for the stranger, yet He warns against being in union or league with a stranger. There are so many Christians today who are under a sentence of unhappiness, because of being unequally yoked in marriage; therefore it is right and reasonable to take time to look into this matter.
Looking back into the Old Testament, we see God’s order from the beginning. God made a man (Adam), then He made a helpmeet for him, who he called Eve. She was helper or complement to him. Things went pretty well in the garden until the serpent tempted Eve and caused her to disobey. It is wonderful, however, that Adam stood with his helpmeet, choosing to die with her, rather than to be separated from her. They were one. Her disobedience brought separation from God. That union could not be broken, therefore, Adam could do nothing else but cast himself upon God, in hope.
Taking a few examples might bring greater clarity to the subject:
1st Kings 11:1 – Solomon ruled very well, but he had a weakness: he loved many strange women. This clouded his glorious reign, because some of these strange women were idolatrous. It is not possible for one to be in union with an idolater, and not be affected or infected. They were daughters of heathen priests. These were strangers to God’s laws and commandments; of different culture and upbringing.
Ezra 10:2-44 – The people, mainly those among the leadership of Israel, departed from God’s laws and married the strangers of the land. This was the cause of Israel’s captivity and suffering. Ezra prayed, confessed and wept before God, and the people saw themselves and their apostasy. They confessed to their broken faith, their need of making a covenant with God, and then they put away their strange wives. The measures were severe but effective – their blessings returned.
Nehemiah 13:27 – Here again, Israel was in trouble. The leaders married strange women. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Proverbs 9:10a) – not to be afraid of God, but having a healthy desire to do His will. Apostasy causes complacency, and complacency, familiarity, and familiarity breeds contempt. Thus, pleasing God is no longer a joyful pleasure. Being aligned with people who walk in the ways of darkness can dim one’s light and sight, because the people who abide in darkness have not allowed the light of the world, who is Jesus, to shine in their hearts and to change their lives. They delight in doing evil and delight in frowardness. Their ways are crooked; they use flattering words; they care not about the covenant of God; their path leads to destruction.
Proverbs 5:20, “And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?”
Apart from the deep spiritual meaning of these words, there is much truth on the surface. A child of God can be ravished by a stranger (one who cannot embrace understanding or walk in the ways of the Lord). Consequently, instead of a help meet, there is a terrible weight of discord, disharmony, etc. One cannot take coals into one’s bosom and not get burnt. Strangers desire not the things of God and His kingdom.
“My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother.” Proverbs 6:20.
There is the tendency for young people to rebel against parents, especially in the matter of marriage. Young people, beware of this, especially where parents are walking in the fear of the Lord. I have yet to see a marriage based on such rebellion and total disregard for (the) parents’ blessing, that is blessed of God and doing well. Now, do not forget that there are people of God who are not delivered from the carnal eyesight – where earthly wealth and beauty is the criteria and not the will of the Lord. Such people are in trouble with God, the Body of Christ, and their family. The carnal mind cannot please God.
YOUNG PEOPLE, AS MUCH AS LIES WITHIN YOUR POWER, LISTEN ATTENTIVELY to your parents. God will honor your love and respect for them. There are many men and women today who, looking back, will say to themselves (very rarely to those who need to hear), “If I had only listened to that parent or minister, I would not be in this mess today.” Some are able to give the troubled situation to Jesus, and have Him issue forth His love and bind up their wounds, healing the union and causing it to increase in His love.
Satan enjoys joining people, because he gets not just the two, but sometimes the children to do his evil bidding. Also, when one is joined to an unbeliever, such a one has weakness and problems, instead of strength and help in the Spirit to bring up a family in the fear of the Lord. Though, sometimes, in God’s mercy, the faithful believing partner becomes the saviour of the unbelieving.
A stranger carries into the marriage all the things that pertain to this life; a way of life to which he or she is accustomed (the traits of the land from which he or she comes). You wonder why he/she cannot see, accept or appreciate the things of God; no, (it is) because he/she is a stranger, and must resist the truth as if it were an enemy.
(Excerpt from Nuggets for the Needy, 1997, pages 36-39)
Thought for today: YOUNG PEOPLE, AS MUCH AS LIES WITHIN YOUR POWER, LISTEN ATTENTIVELY to your parents. God will honor your love and respect for them.
Sonlight Devotional 