The Chambers of Death
Proverbs 7:1-27
During my years in the sandhills of Nebraska I participated in many a cattle drive and branding. It was awesome. I have the highest respect for farmers and ranchers and consider myself a cowboy wannabe. Ranchers truly care about their livestock and take good care of them, but they are not family pets. In the end they will go to market to provide food for others to eat.
Of course, this has been true for thousands of years. People have raised animals, treated them well, only to eventually lead them to market to be slaughtered. This is where the saying, as an ox goes to slaughter comes from. In the ancient world they didn’t have ways to transport the animals so they would walk them to the place where it would be slaughtered. I’m not sure what the animal was thinking on that walk. Perhaps he’s just enjoying a nice walk with his buddy who feeds him and cares for him. But certainly, the animal has no idea that this is the last walk of his life.
This is how the Proverb describes those who go with the strange woman. Suddenly he follows her as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as one in fetters to the discipline of a fool, until an arrow pierces through his liver; as a bird hastens to the snare, so he does not know it will cost him his life. He ends the chapter this way: Her house is the way to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death.
It’s very unusual in the Proverbs that an entire chapter is dedicated to one topic but that’s the case this week. It’s all about how the strange woman lures and seduces her victim who is described as a young man lacking sense. Step by step she leads him down the path of destruction like an ox goes to the slaughter.
Isn’t it interesting 3000 years later that description perfectly fits what’s happening in our culture today? I guess some things never change. I couldn’t begin to count the number of people who have sat in my office and shed tears over being seduced by the strange woman. Men and women who have been deceived by the lies of the enemy into thinking sexual immorality would make them happy. It’s a bit like the ox thinking he’s on a nice walk with his buddy unaware of what awaits him.
So, what’s the answer? The warning is clear but what are the practical steps to avoid the chambers of death? The repetitive answer in Proverbs is to learn and embrace the truth. My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you. Keep my commandments and live, and my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.
As we talked about early on in Proverbs, the roadmap through the landmines is available for those who choose to study it. No one has to learn these lessons the hard way. Treasure my commandments within you. Keep my commandments and live. The repetition of this message throughout Proverbs is worth noting. This is key. People who are truly filled with the truth live skillfully.
In four decades of ministry, I can’t remember a single situation where someone who gave into sexual temptation was also deeply engaged in treasuring and keeping God’s truth. Rather, the people who stumble have a consistent pattern of growing stagnant in the Word. They’ve lost their passion for God’s truth. They become careless. Often, they are busy going many directions but have little time or interest in treasuring God’s commandments. A stagnant, apathetical relationship with Jesus makes easy prey for the enemy. A thirsty soul is easily fooled by cheap substitutes.
The most common question I get asked in these moments of brokenness is, how did this happen? It happened because you got careless and let it happen. You got bored with Jesus and His Word and left yourself vulnerable. With her many persuasions she entices him; with her flattering lips she seduces him. Suddenly he follows her as an ox goes to the slaughter.
If you want to blow off your leg in a landmine, then hurry on. The temptress awaits you. For many are the victims she has cast down, and numerous are all her slain. But if you want to live more skillfully, more joyfully, then heed the warning. She’s coming for you and she’s very effective at what she does. Behold, a woman comes to meet him, dressed as a harlot and cunning of heart.
It’s common for people to say they are too busy to study and meditate on God’s truth. But let’s be honest, that’s not it at all. We all make time for things that matter to us. You have time to watch TV or get on social media. You have time to eat out, go to the gym, play video games, or play with the dog. You have time for lots of things. The truth is we push aside God’s Word because we think we can do so without consequence. Maybe this would be a good time to rethink that. There must be some reason why a book dedicated to skillful living keeps repeating the same admonitions.
Keep my words and treasure my commandments and live. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, you are my sister, and call understanding your intimate friend. Why? That they may keep you from an adulteress, from the foreigner who flatters with her words. Remember, her house is the way to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death. I suggest we all heed the warning!