Pro 6:20-24 | KingComments | STEP | After the teaching on various topics in , the father continues from with teaching on the sin of harlotry with which he began in Proverbs 5. This teaching continues through Proverbs 7. He describes two new aspects of that sin. In Proverbs 2 he talks about the relationship between the harlot and her husband, and in Proverbs 5 he highlights the relationship between the adulterer and his own wife. In the now following verses, he exposes the relationship between the husband of the adulterous woman and his son if he commits adultery with the adulterous woman. His son will have to deal with that husband in case of adultery. The father is very practical. Adultery is not just a matter about which the church needs to discipline. That is an important aspect, but there are more aspects to this sin. As we saw earlier, the father speaks of the financial consequences of adultery. Another practical aspect is that the son will have to deal with that woman’s husband. He is going to speak about that now. Before he does so, he first introduces to the son the importance and beauty of the commandment of the father and the teaching of the mother ( ). This again underscores the importance of the education provided by the father and mother at home. Father and mother together raise the children. If the children listen to their teaching, it will preserve them from an immoral life. For this reason, the father urges his son to bind the commandment and teaching “continually” on his “heart” ( ). If the heart is the repository of the teaching of the parents, it will be able to exert its protective function on the actions and ways of the young man. He should also tie them around his neck (cf. ). That will keep him from turning his head toward a beautiful, wicked woman to give her attention. It will govern the total life of the young man ( ). It guides him when he “walks about”, it watches over him when he “lies down”, and it speaks to him when he “awakes”. It summarizes everything he does ( ). ‘Walking about’ is the daily activity. ‘Sleeping’ he does after his daily activities. After he slept, he ‘awakes’ to ‘walk about’ again. But before he goes, it is important to seek counsel for the day ahead and let the commandment speak to his heart. We can apply this to having ‘quiet time’ for reading God’s Word. The “commandment” of the father ( ) and the “teaching” of the mother ( ) function as “a lamp” and “a light” ( ; ). It makes things clear and public, showing what is right and what is wrong, so that we know what to do. The “reproofs for discipline” that belong to upbringing are a way that leads to “life”. Those who follow the admonitions achieve life. Light and life belong together. They are deepened in the New Testament ( ). The Word of God is a lamp and a light ( ). A lamp illuminates the next step; the light shines far ahead, all along the way. The lamp and the light correct what is wrong and educate in what is right. If we follow the Lord Jesus, we will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life ( ). The Word gives guidance and protection. The main point here is that the Word will keep the son and protect him from the wicked, adulterous woman if he listens to the commandment and teaching ( ). The young man will not then be deceived and seduced by the smooth and flattering tongue of this wicked woman ( ). She is “the adulteress”, literally “the foreign woman” someone who does not belong to him, but to another.

‏ Proverbs 6:20-24

What Keeps From the Evil Woman

After the teaching on various topics in Pro 6:1-19, the father continues from Pro 6:20 with teaching on the sin of harlotry with which he began in Proverbs 5. This teaching continues through Proverbs 7. He describes two new aspects of that sin. In Proverbs 2 he talks about the relationship between the harlot and her husband, and in Proverbs 5 he highlights the relationship between the adulterer and his own wife. In the now following verses, he exposes the relationship between the husband of the adulterous woman and his son if he commits adultery with the adulterous woman. His son will have to deal with that husband in case of adultery.

The father is very practical. Adultery is not just a matter about which the church needs to discipline. That is an important aspect, but there are more aspects to this sin. As we saw earlier, the father speaks of the financial consequences of adultery. Another practical aspect is that the son will have to deal with that woman’s husband. He is going to speak about that now.

Before he does so, he first introduces to the son the importance and beauty of the commandment of the father and the teaching of the mother (Pro 6:20). This again underscores the importance of the education provided by the father and mother at home. Father and mother together raise the children. If the children listen to their teaching, it will preserve them from an immoral life.

For this reason, the father urges his son to bind the commandment and teaching “continually” on his “heart” (Pro 6:21). If the heart is the repository of the teaching of the parents, it will be able to exert its protective function on the actions and ways of the young man. He should also tie them around his neck (cf. Pro 3:3 ; Pro 7:3). That will keep him from turning his head toward a beautiful, wicked woman to give her attention.

It will govern the total life of the young man (Pro 6:22). It guides him when he “walks about”, it watches over him when he “lies down”, and it speaks to him when he “awakes”. It summarizes everything he does (Deu 6:7 ; Deu 11:19). ‘Walking about’ is the daily activity. ‘Sleeping’ he does after his daily activities. After he slept, he ‘awakes’ to ‘walk about’ again. But before he goes, it is important to seek counsel for the day ahead and let the commandment speak to his heart. We can apply this to having ‘quiet time’ for reading God’s Word.

The “commandment” of the father (Pro 6:20a) and the “teaching” of the mother (Pro 6:20b) function as “a lamp” and “a light” (Pro 6:23; Psa 19:9b ; Psa 119:130). It makes things clear and public, showing what is right and what is wrong, so that we know what to do. The “reproofs for discipline” that belong to upbringing are a way that leads to “life”. Those who follow the admonitions achieve life.

Light and life belong together. They are deepened in the New Testament (Jn 1:4-5). The Word of God is a lamp and a light (Psa 119:105). A lamp illuminates the next step; the light shines far ahead, all along the way. The lamp and the light correct what is wrong and educate in what is right. If we follow the Lord Jesus, we will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (Jn 8:12).

The Word gives guidance and protection. The main point here is that the Word will keep the son and protect him from the wicked, adulterous woman if he listens to the commandment and teaching (Pro 6:24). The young man will not then be deceived and seduced by the smooth and flattering tongue of this wicked woman (Pro 2:16). She is “the adulteress”, literally “the foreign woman” someone who does not belong to him, but to another.