Stolen Waters are Sweet - Proverbs 9:17

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knows nothing. For she sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, to call passengers who go right on their ways: Whosoever is simple, let him turn in here: and as for him that wants understanding, she says to him, ...”, and in chapter nine and verse seventeen of Proverbs Solomon said, “stolen waters are sweet” where we read,

Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

The verse begins, “Stolen waters are sweet, ...” Solomon began with the words, “stolen waters” or “water for drinking that is taken away by stealth or by a thief” “are sweet” which means “exist as pleasant and relished”. Solomon shared how the “foolish woman” told the “simple” person that “waters” taken away by thievery exist as pleasant.

The verse goes on to say, “... and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” Solomon continued with the words, “and bread eaten in secret” or “and grain or food consumed and devoured in a shelter, hiding place or covering” “is pleasant” which means “exists as beautiful, delightful and lovely”. Solomon said the “foolish woman” told the simple person that food and grain consumed in a shelter or hiding place exists as beautiful and delightful.

When we think through Solomon's words in this verse, we learn how the woman's invitation to the “simple” person referred to when a person takes and consume things that do not belong to them seem to be pleasant and delightful at the time, however, the consequences are often painful and difficult. God knows what is best for our lives, and although we have sinned against God, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we surrender to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and keep us from the wicked invitation to “steal” and consume that which seems to be delightful but ends in destruction.

Next time Solomon says, “he knows not that the dead are there”, 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".