The ‘Other Woman’

Solomon tells of another ‘woman’ quite the opposite of wisdom. She is equally as enthusiastic as wisdom with her appeal, but her message, while flattering, appeals to the natural instincts of the naïve, mockers, and fools.

It all began for the ‘other woman’ when the curse was pronounced on the serpent in the garden.

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed…” Genesis 3:15

It is interesting to note that Solomon explains that embracing wisdom is the best way to resist the allures of the ‘other woman.’

When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you, to deliver you from the way of evil…to deliver you from the immoral woman, from the seductress who flatters with her words… her house leads down to death …” Proverbs 2:10-12a, 16, 18

The immoral woman speaks to itching ears. And the Hebrew term for ‘seductress’ means to ‘lead astray’ and/or ‘deceive.’

Whereas wisdom leads to life, the ‘other woman’ leads to death.

Solomon warns his son to resist temptation by not wandering close to the immoral woman’s house. The consequences are too great.

Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house…for why should you, my son, be exhilarated with an adulteress and embrace the bosom of a foreigner (seductress)?” Proverbs 5:8, 20

Solomon then presents a vivid example of how a naïve man without wisdom could be seduced. He begins by telling how a crafty, or cunning, harlot seeks her victims. The plot is narrated by an observer looking out his window.

For at the window of my house I looked through my lattice, and saw… a young man devoid of understanding, passing along the street near her corner; and he took the path to her house…and there a woman met him with the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart.” Proverbs 7:6-8, 10

The harlot told the naïve one that she had prepared for him that which appeals to the senses.

I have spread my couch with coverings, with colored linens of Egypt. I have sprinkled my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon…let us delight ourselves with caresses.” Proverbs 7:16-18

The unsuspecting victim was entrapped.

With her many persuasions she entices him; with her flattering lips she seduces him. Suddenly he follows her…he does not know that it will cost him his life.” Proverbs 7:21-23

The seductress told the victim that their illicit activities were safe, inasmuch as her husband was on a long journey.

For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey…and will come home on the appointed day.” Proverbs 7:19-20

Notice the prophetic implications of the above.

But of that day or hour no one knows…Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do no know when the appointed time is. It is like a man, away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge…commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert – for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, at cockcrowing, or in the morning…” Mark 13:32-35

The ‘strange’ or ‘immoral’ woman that Solomon spoke of is also an imposter. She offers something for temporal advantage in place of the truth. The one who takes her bait has chosen death.

The woman of folly…knows nothing…She sits…on a seat by the high places of the city calling to those who pass by…‘Whoever is naïve, let him turn in here,’…But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.” Proverbs 9:13-16, 18

And so it is every man is confronted by two women. Both of them openly seek to share their offerings. One of them offers life and the other offers death. One represents the Seed of the woman who would destroy the evil one, and the other is the seed of the evil one who would be destroyed.

Such defines the two categories of all mankind.

Can we discern between the two?

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