Proverbs 7:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you;

NIV: My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you.

NASB: My son, keep my words And treasure my commandments within you.

CSB: My son, obey my words, and treasure my commands.

NLT: Follow my advice, my son; always treasure my commands.

KJV: My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.

NKJV: My son, keep my words, And treasure my commands within you.

As in previous chapters of Proverbs, Solomon urges his son to live according to his teaching. Like something expensive and worth protecting, these instructions should be valued.

Solomon's counsel to his son follows the pattern God established in the early history of Israel. Before the nation entered Canaan, it was urgent for that generation to be familiar with God's law. Therefore, the Lord instructed fathers to faithfully teach the laws to their children; they were to do this when at home, and when travelling, and when resting, and when working (Deuteronomy 6:7).

Like Solomon's son, we, too, should treat God's Word like a treasure. These teachings are more valuable than gold or silver. The psalmist testified: "The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces" (Psalm 119:72). The apostle Paul counsels us to let Christ's teachings dwell in us richly (Colossians 3:16).

Proverbs 7:1–9 echoes the warnings given in Proverbs chapters 5 and 6. This section emphasizes the value of carefully heeding Solomon's instruction. Such attention to Solomon's teaching equips Solomon's son to avoid falling victim to an adulteress. While the statements here are specifically directed to a man, the principles apply to men and women, alike. The principles can also be more broadly applied to temptation to sin in general, not just temptation to adultery. Godly wisdom is the best defense against falling into temptation.

Repeating a theme common to the early chapters of Proverbs, Solomon once again presents a dire warning about the dangers of adultery. This comes in the form of a story about a foolish young man being seduced by a predatory woman. Solomon says this is something he has seen—meaning this is likely a summary of many such examples he has witnessed in his life. The result of these reckless sins is misery and death, for both men and women alike.

In Proverbs 5 and 6 Solomon warns his son against adultery. He describes the evil woman, the adulteress, as deceptive and dangerous. While this is valid in a literal sense, it also serves as a general warning about the seductive nature of sin. In this chapter he continues his counsel about adultery, stressing the tactics used in temptation and how falling to them leads to death. The following chapter will return to the personification of wisdom as a woman, begging to be honored.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.

Accessed 4/28/2024 10:08:06 PM