Taking Fire to the Chest without Burning? - Proverbs 6:27

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life”, and in chapter six and verse twenty-seven of Proverbs Solomon asked, “can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?” where we read,

Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?

The verse begins, “Can a man take fire in his bosom, ...”. Solomon began with the words, “can a man take fire” or “is a person whether male or female able and capable to seize, heap up and lay hold of fiery flames” “in his bosom” which means “within the hallow and middle of his, the person's, lap or chest”. Solomon asked whether a person is able to lay hold of fiery flames within their chest without the following happening.

The verse continues, “... and his clothes not be burned?” Solomon added the words, “and his clothes” or “and his, the person's, garments, raiment, wardrobe or vesture” “not be burned” which means “not in any way be utterly kindled or set on fire”. Solomon continued his thought by questioning whether a person's garments would not be set on fire if they took fiery flames to their chest.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon employed the illustration of a person holding “fire” to their chest and not being “burned” by it to refer to a person who takes a prostitute next to their body. Whoever commits this sin will be affected not only in their physical body, but also within their soul. Sin has this same effect. Paul the apostle wrote, “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (See Romans 3:23), and “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”. (See Romans 6:23) Even as Solomon knew taking hold of an “evil woman” would cause destruction, so God knows when we sin, there are horrific consequences. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross and suffer the consequence of death for the sins of all mankind, and when we believe and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and keep us away from sins and the “burn” that they produce.

Next time Solomon asks, “can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?”, 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".