Avoiding the Harlot (Appendices) Obviously, in Prov.5,6,7, much of the instruction is male- oriented, “my son… avoid the harlot.” This morning, we also covered several points regarding the female’s presentation of herself (dress and conduct). However, there were a few things in the text (primarily 7:1-27) that weren’t covered in the previous lesson- partly because of time considerations, and partly because they just weren’t really amenable to the points we were then considering. Let’s take a quick look at a few of these “extra” considerations.

Avoiding the Harlot, Appendices Other Points of Consideration from Prov.7: The naïve, young, and lacking sense male is certainly not guiltless: He went “near her corner”- indicating he already knew where she was, v.8a  Jas.4:17. He also took “the way to her house”- so he was deliberate in his action, v.8b  Rom.13: He did also this under the cover of darkness for concealment- so he knew his activity was wrong, v.9  Eph.5:5-17.

Avoiding the Harlot, Appendices Other Points of Consideration from Prov.7: The woman is not a “harlot”- she is “dressed as a harlot,” v.10b. In fact, she has a husband, v.19; (NASV marginal says, “my husband…” ). In that sense, she may have indeed been (or currently be) a “respectable” woman! But though married, this woman acted like a “harlot,” vv Therefore, these warnings more specifically address “the strange woman” or “an adulteress,” cf. 2:16; 5:3,20; 6:24,26; 7:5. The “respectability” of being married obviously did not affect her, or those drawn to her, the way(s) that it should have, Heb.13:4!

Avoiding the Harlot, Appendices Other Points of Consideration from Prov.7: The woman is also “cunning of heart” v.10c. Her suitor may be naïve, but she isn’t, cp. 2Tim.3:6. She says she is even “religious,” v.14  2Tim.3:1-5. She also says she’s earnest in her affections and desires, v.15. (Did she say the same to her husband?) She says she’s made all the necessary preparations for the tryst, vv.16-18; And that they won’t get caught, vv What difference would that make if she is “religious” and “earnest” as she claims?

Other Points of Consideration from Prov.7: The real warning is not about “harlots”- surely those are so painfully obvious as to be unnecessary. Instead, the warning is against: Those who employ the “ways” of a harlot, v.25a; Those who trod the “paths” of a harlot, ” v.25b14. Thus, the warning is actually against those who dress like, v.10b; think like, v.10c; act like, vv.11-13; feign goodness like, v.14; pretend earnestness like, v.15; prepare like, vv.16-17; and reason like, vv a Harlot! Avoid the Harlot- being tempted by, or acting like, one!