The Word for Today with Ray

Sunday, December 1, 2024

Casting Down Many Wounded - Proverbs 7:26

In the book of Proverbs Solomon speaking of the strange woman said, “Hearken unto me now therefore, O you children, and attend to the words of my mouth. Let not your heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-six of Proverbs Solomon said, “she has cast down many wounded” where we read,

For she has cast down many wounded: yes, many strong men have been slain by her.

The verse begins, “For she has cast down many wounded:”. Solomon began with the words, “for she has cast down” or “because, since and on account that she, the strange woman, has prostrated, attacked, knocked out and wasted away” “many wounded” which means “a multitude, abundant and numerous amount of pierced, profaned, polluted and slain people”. Solomon shared how the strange woman knocked out and wasted away a multitude of profaned people.

The verse goes on to say, “yes, many strong men have been slain by her.” Solomon continued with the words, “yes, many strong men” or “even so and indeed, a multitude, abundant and numerous amount of mighty and great men, both male and female human beings” “have been slain by her” which means “have been killed, destroyed and murdered by means of her, the strange woman”. Solomon said assuredly that a multitude of powerful and mighty people have been destroyed by means of the strange woman.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how the “strange woman” has polluted, profaned and destroyed an abundant amount of mighty and powerful people. Temptation to sin is directed by Satan toward everyone, and when we yield to his evil invitations, we miss the mark in our relationship with God. 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) Jesus was sent into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we yield to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and keep us from being destroyed by the “strange woman” or anyone else who seeks our demise.

Next time Solomon says, “her house is the way to hell”, 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".

A Heart Not Declining to Her Ways - Proverbs 7:25

In the book of Proverbs Solomon shared a story about a young man yielding to the invitation of a woman dressed in the attire of a harlot, and afterward Solomon said, “Hearken unto me now therefore, O you children, and attend to the words of my mouth”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-five of Proverbs Solomon said, “let not your heart decline to her ways” where we read,

Let not your heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.

The verse begins, “Let not your heart decline to her ways, ...”. Solomon began with the words, “let not your heart decline” or “do not allow or permit your, the offspring and progeny or children, soul, mind, will, desires, conscience, living being and seat of emotions and affections to go aside, turn or deviate” “to her ways” which means “toward her, the woman dressed as a harlot's, road, journey, manner, path or direction”. Solomon warned his children not to allow their souls and minds to turn toward the manner and direction of the woman in harlot's clothing.

The verse continues, “... go not astray in her paths.” Solomon added the words, “go not astray” or “do not wander, stagger, be intoxicated or err” “in her paths” which means “within her, the woman in harlot's attire's, trodden pathway, beaten track or traveled way”. Solomon warned his children not to wander or stagger into the trodden pathways of the woman in harlot's attire.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon told the story of the seduction of a young man by a woman in harlot's attire to warn his “children” concerning the consequences of sinful behavior. His children were not to allow themselves to be persuaded to follow the woman's “ways”, and they were never to turn toward the woman's traveled road. God warns us in this manner also because sin has horrific consequences. Although a person may enjoy sin for a season, it will end in ruin and destruction. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross, be raised three days later so all who believe and trust in Him will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and given His Holy Spirit to guide them into all truth and away from harmful sin. Let all who read these words heed the warning of Solomon and God Almighty who desires to keep us from sin the the devastating consequences that accompany it.

Next time Solomon says, “she has cast down many wounded”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Hearken to Me Children - Proverbs 7:24

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said a young lad met a woman who wore the attire of a harlot who said, “Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves. For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey. He has taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed. With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. He goes after her straightway, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks. Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hastes to the snare, and knows not that it is for his life”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-four of Proverbs Solomon said, “hearken unto me now therefore, O you children” where we read,

Hearken unto me now therefore, O you children, and attend to the words of my mouth.

The verse begins, “Hearken unto me now therefore, O you children, ...”. Solomon began with the words, “hearken unto me now therefore” or “hear, perceive by the ear and listen to me, Solomon”, “O you children” which means “O you youthful offspring and progeny”. Solomon called upon the youthful offspring to listen to and perceive his words.

The verse goes on to say, “... and attend to the words of my mouth.” Solomon continued with the words, “and attend to the words” or “and be attentive to, heed, pay attention and listen to the utterances, declarations and proclamations” “of my mouth” which means “pertaining to my, Solomon's, orifice in the face used for drinking, eating and speaking”. Solomon called upon the “children” to pay careful attention to the utterances of his mouth.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon cared for his offspring. His words were warnings to them for damaging consequences for being seduced by sinful behavior. God warns us as well concerning sin, and when we fail to heed His warnings, we suffer. This is why He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we yield our lives to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us the value of paying attention to His warning words to avoid devastating results for disobeying His law.

Next time Solomon says, “let not your heart decline to her ways”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

A Dart Through the Liver - Proverbs 7:23

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said a young lad met a woman dressed in the attire of a harlot who said, “Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves. For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey. He has taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed. With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. He goes after her straightway, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-three of Proverbs Solomon added, “till a dart strike through his liver” where we read,

Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hastes to the snare, and knows not that it is for his life.

The verse begins, “Till a dart strike through his liver;”. Solomon began with the words, “till a dart” or “even to and until a piercing arrow, shaft or spear” “strike through his liver” which means “slice, plow and cleave open his, the young man's, heaviest physical organ known as the liver”. Solomon said the young man followed after the woman until a piercing arrow sliced open his “liver”.

The verse continues, “as a bird hastes to the snare, and knows not that it is for his life.” Solomon added the words, “as a bird hastes” or “similar and in likeness to how a flying fowl or sparrow is impetuous, precipitates and hurries” “to the snare” which means “toward the bird trap or net”, “and knows not” or “and does not perceive, recognize, acknowledge or consider” “that it is for his life” which means “that it, the snare, exists on behalf of his, the bird's, active living and breathing”. Solomon said the young man followed the woman similar to the way a “bird” hurries toward the trapping net and is unaware that the “trap” exists to take his active living away from him.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon employed several metaphors to describe what happened to the young man who yielded to the seduction of the woman dressed as a harlot. Not only would this be similar to a sharp spear piercing his “liver”, but also would be like an unsuspecting “bird” who hurriedly flies toward a netted trap without understanding that it was to take his life. This young man was void of understanding even like people who sin without thinking about the consequences. Sin leaves it's mark, and without God's Son Jesus coming to the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, we all would be doomed. When we believe and trust in Jesus as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit not only to be aware of the consequences of sin, but also to avoid sin altogether.

Next time Solomon said, “hearken unto me now therefore, O you children”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Straightway to the Slaughter - Proverbs 7:22

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said a young lad met a woman dressed in the attire of a harlot who said, “Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves. For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey. He has taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed. With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-two of Proverbs Solomon said, “he goes after her straightway, as an ox goes to the slaughter” where we read,

He goes after her straightway, as an ox goes to the slaughter,

or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;

The verse begins, “He goes after her straightway, as an ox goes to the slaughter, ...”. Solomon began with the words, “he goes after her straightway” or “he, the young man, walks, departs, proceeds and follows her, the woman dressed in harlot's clothing, suddenly and instantly”, “as an ox” which means “similar and in likeness to a bullock, cow or cattle” “goes to the slaughter” or “walks, departs, proceeds and follows toward the butcher”. Solomon shared how the young man naively and instantly followed after the woman in a similar fashion that cattle walk toward a butcher.

The verse goes on to say, “... or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;” Solomon continued with the words, “or as a fool” or “or similar and in likeness to a mocking, quarrelsome and perverse person” “to the correction” which means “toward the discipline, chastening and reproof” “of the stocks” or “belonging to the anklets, fetters or tinkling ornaments”. Solomon said the young man proceeded after the woman dressed in harlot's attire in a similar fashion to a quarrelsome and perverse person walking toward restraining fetters.

When we meditate upon Solomon's words in this verse, we learn how the young man proceeded after the woman in an oblivious manner. Like cattle walk toward the butcher and foolish people make their way toward prison, this young man followed the woman and was led straight into a trap. God knows sin has consequences, and those consequences are ruinous and damaging to our lives. He wants to keep us from devastation, but because we have failed to keep His law, we suffer the results of our disobedience. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross 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 give us His Holy Spirit power to help us resist temptations to sin that cause us to suffer devastation and ruin.

Next time Solomon adds, “till a dart strike through his liver”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Yielding to Much Fair Speech - Proverbs 7:21

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said a young lad met a woman dressed in the attire of a harlot who said, “Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves. For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey. He has taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty one of Proverbs Solomon shared how the woman, “with her much fair speech she caused him to yield” where we read,

With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.

The verse begins, “With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, ...”. Solomon began with the words, “with her much fair speech” or “by the use of her, the harlot dressed woman's, abundant, great, numerous and plentiful instruction and persuasiveness” “she caused him to yield” which means “she, the woman, perverted and turned him, the young man, aside”. Solomon shared how the woman convinced the young man to turn to her way.

The verse continues, “... with the flattering of her lips she forced him.” Solomon added the words, “with the flattering” or “by the use of smoothness and seductiveness” “of her lips” which means “belonging to her, the woman's, physical lips used for speaking” “she forced him” or “she, the woman, impelled, thrust and moved him, the young man”. Solomon said the woman used her seductive “lips” to move the young man to yield to her.

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover through Solomon how the woman employed seductive words to convince the young man to give in to her request. This was the same manner Satan used in the garden of Eden (See Genesis 3), and he does the same today. Satan is destined for eternal destruction and separation from God (See Revelation 19:10), and he wants to take as many people with him as possible. God, however, wants to save everyone who will believe and trust in His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we surrender our lives to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and provide us with His Holy Spirit who will teach us to avoid submitting to the seductive words of Satan and the people he uses.

Next time Solomon said, “he goes after her straightway, as an ox goes to the slaughter”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…