BIG IDEA:
SEXUAL SEDUCTION ATTACKS THE NAIVE AT THEIR POINT OF VULNERABILITY AND SUCKS THEM INTO THE PATH OF DESTRUCTION
I. (:1-5) THE FORTIFIED DEFENSE: SEDUCTIVE ENTICEMENTS REQUIRE STRONG DEFENSES
A. (:1-2) Life and Vitality are at Stake
“My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you.
Keep my commands and you will live;
Guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.”
B. (:3) Never Lose Sight of God’s Standards
“Bind them on your fingers;
Write them on the tablet of your heart.”
C. (:4) Remain Loyal to Wisdom
“Say to wisdom, ‘You are my sister,’
and call understanding your kinsman.”
Where do your loyalties lie?
D. (:5) Seduction is Rampant
“they will keep you from the adulteress,
From the wayward wife with her seductive words.”
II. (:6-12) THE FOOLISH VULNERABILITY: ONLY THE NAÏVE PUT THEMSELVES IN HARM’S WAY
A. (:6-9) The Naïve Fail to Avoid Temptation
1. (:6) The Wise Observe From Their Safe House
“At the window of my house I looked out through the lattice.”
2. (7) Character of the Naïve
“I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who lacked judgment.”
3. (:8-9) Dangerous Conditions
“He was going down the street near her house at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in.”
B. (:10-12) Sexual Seducers Aggressively Target Their Prey – But Can Easily Be Recognized
1. They Initiate Fraternization
“Then out came a woman to meet him”
2. They Dress Seductively
“dressed like a prostitute”
3. They Have a Hidden, Harmful Agenda
“and with crafty intent”
4. They are the Opposite of Meekness and Sweetness
“She is loud and defiant”
Lane: She is all mouth – plenty to say and a loud voice for everyone to hear (v.11). She is quite unashamed of her (presumably) lewd conversation.
5. They are Homebreakers instead of Homemakers
“her feet never stay at home”
6. They Accost you everywhere you turn
“now in the street, now in the squares, at very corner she lurks.
III. (:13-21) THE FLATTERING PERSUASION: THE AGGRESSIVE ADULTERER PERSUADES THE VULNERABLE TO PURSUE THEIR SEXUAL FANTASIES
A. (:13a) Initiating Sexual Contact
“She took hold of him and kissed him”
B. (:13b-15) Stalking Her Prey
“and with a brazen face she said: ‘I have peace offerings at home; today I fulfilled my vows. So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you!’”
C. (:16-17) Adorning Her Lair
“I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt, I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.”
D. (:18-20) Seizing the Opportunity to Portray Lust as Love
“Come, let’s drink deep of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love! My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon.”
E. (:21) Seducing Her Victim
“With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk.”
IV. (:22-23) THE FATEFUL CHOICE: THE DUMB OX CANNOT DISCERN HIS COMING SLAUGHTER
A. (:22a) The Fateful Choice Made Impetuously
“All at once he followed her.”
B. (:22b-23) 3 Images of Entrapment with No Possibility of Escape
1. Like an Ox to the Slaughter
“like an ox going to the slaughter”
2. Like a Deer being trapped and killed
“like a deer stepping into a noose till an arrow pierces his liver”
3. Like a bird being snared and killed
“like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.”
V. (:24-27) THE FINAL WARNING: SEXUAL SEDUCTION HAS RUINED COUNTLESS LIVES
A. (:24) Urgency of Listening and Heeding the Warning
“Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say.”
B. (:25) Urgency of Guarding Your Heart
“Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths.”
C. (:26-27) Surprising Multitude of Victims – Sucked in and Destroyed with No Escape
“Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng.
Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.”