A Woman with the Attire of a Harlot - Proverbs 7:10

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said to his son, “at the window of my house I looked through my casement, and beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding, passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house, in the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night”, and in chapter seven and verse ten of Proverbs Solomon said, “there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot” where we read,

And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtle of heart.

The verse begins, “And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, ...”. Solomon began with the words, “and behold” or “and lo, look and consider”, “there met him a woman” which means “there befell, encountered and sought for him, the youthful lad, a female human being” “with the attire” or “adorned, equipped and clothed with the attire or dress” “of an harlot” which means “belonging to a whore, prostitute or woman who commits fornication”. Solomon shared how a female human being who was dressed in the attire of a prostitute encountered the young lad.

The verse continues, “... and subtle of heart.” Solomon added the words, “and subtle” or “and guarded, watching, keeping and observing” “of heart” which means “pertaining to her soul, mind, will, desires, conscience, living being and seat of emotions and affections”. Solomon said the woman kept her soul and mind in a watchful and guarded manner.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how a female who was dressed in the clothing of a prostitute encountered the young lad, and this woman was guarded and protective in her soul. In other words, not only was she dressed like a woman who commits fornication, but she had a besieged and hidden soul to match her outward appearance. God sees us both inside and out, and He knows we have sinful tendencies in our lives. He gave His commandments to reveal not only His requirements for living holy before Him, but also to expose our sinful nature that violates His ways. Those sins deserve death because the wages for sin is death, (See Romans 6:23) however, God sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross on our behalf, and when we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and not only make us aware of those who would tempt us with their outward attire, but also who would capture us with their hidden souls.

Next time Solomon says the woman was, “loud and stubborn”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".