Faithfulness is not a hugely valued commodity especially when opposed to the value of choice. As choice is so vaunted and regarded as essential to quality life not much is said about staying with the made choice. I reckon this is down to two key factors. First not making the most of that which we have and secondly the allure through discontent.
We see it in the garden where the basis of the deception of the enemy was to get the woman and the man to find discontent with that which they have. Indeed the enemy puts across the first advert. Look at this product – this is exactly what you need to be a complete person. Do not settle for what you have when there is something greater ahead. Forsake all that has been told to you and follow this.
Wisdom endeavours to replace the discontent with that crucial quality of faithfulness. That’s not about sticking with something when it is of no use, but it is about believing the best in something until considerately told otherwise. Faithfulness isn’t just about sticking to something, it’s about committing wholeheartedly to the best in that which has been agreed to.
One of the great things of Proverbs, is the use of imagery and scenarios. As we look at the picture the writer wants us to consider contrasting the safety of wisdom in faithfulness to the wiles of the seductress, this is a scenario that is common. She sounds good and uses the right kind of words to subtly break down any caution and discretion. Not only that but the power of persuasion can make the good seem bad and the bad seem good. As it works its way to the will and the desire concepts of restraint and discipline are denounced and discarded in favour of loose living.
Just as too many sweets makes you sick, so following the advice of the seductress only leads to bad things and before you know it that fatal final trapdoor. This will not be the last time the writer talks about the wiles and deadly consequences of following the way of seductress.
What’s worth noting here, though, is what is heartily encouraged.
Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love. (Pro 5:18-19)
Check the language out. It celebrates faithfulness as something worth being intoxicated. That leads to my first point. Consider intoxication – being completely absorbed in someone. The advice is useful for marriage and is also a great advert for life itself – it’s to say to singles that married life and monogamous living is something worth waiting for and fighting for when much is made out having the right to choose and getting rid of an old model to get something exciting and new.
This is so true especially in getting to know people – have you really made the most of getting to know someone. With growth and development happening every day and over time there’s no time to take people for granted, just when you think you know them they can pop up with something you never considered. Faithfulness even suggests that there is more to people than we see or have experienced and so as well as celebrating the positive that is already there, it is also the challenge and the joy of uncovering what more there is. This applies to all relationships because it is founded on a faithful God and we discovered that the foundation of wisdom is a fear for the faithful God. As He’s stuck with us and believed in that which He has created, it’s no surprise that wisdom enjoys those same characteristics.
So the Proverbs builds on the foundation of desiring God with a commitment to reflect His character in faithfulness and once the foundations are right vertically this makes all the difference to applying the same principle in horizontal relationships.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
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