How does Proverbs 2:16 connect with the commandment against adultery in Exodus 20:14? The Commandment Against Adultery Exodus 20:14: “You shall not commit adultery.” • A straightforward, non-negotiable prohibition from God’s own mouth • Protects marriage, family stability, covenant faithfulness, and public morality • Affirms God’s design that sexual union belongs only within the lifelong marriage of one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6) Wisdom’s Rescue Mission in Proverbs 2:16 Proverbs 2:16: “It will rescue you from the forbidden woman, from the stranger with seductive words.” • “It” refers to God-given wisdom (2:6-11); wisdom acts like a shield • “The forbidden woman” = literally “strange/foreign,” namely someone outside God’s covenant boundaries, often another man’s wife (Proverbs 6:29) • Wisdom protects before sin occurs; Exodus 20:14 forbids the act, Proverbs 2:16 prevents the approach Shared Moral Foundation • Both texts affirm God’s unchanging standard of sexual purity • Proverbs expands the commandment from a legal boundary to a heart-level safeguard • Adultery is not merely physical betrayal; it is rebellion against God’s order (Psalm 51:4) Beyond the Act: Guarding the Heart • Jesus deepens this link: “Everyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28) • Wisdom, therefore, works internally—shaping desire, perception, and decision (Proverbs 4:23) • Practical outworkings: – Avoid alluring speech and media (Proverbs 7:21-27) – Cultivate contentment with one’s spouse (Proverbs 5:15-19) – Renew the mind with Scripture (Psalm 119:9-11) Consequences Spotlighted in Proverbs • Physical danger: “Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?” (Proverbs 6:27) • Social shame and loss of reputation (Proverbs 6:33) • Divine judgment: “For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD” (Proverbs 5:21) • Contrast: obedience brings “discretion… understanding… pleasantness” (Proverbs 2:11) New Testament Continuity • Hebrews 13:4 — “Marriage must be honored by all… God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.” • 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 — “abstain from sexual immorality… control your own body in holiness and honor” • These passages echo the united voice of Exodus 20:14 and Proverbs 2:16 Walking in Wisdom Today • Fill the mind daily with God’s Word; let wisdom dwell richly (Colossians 3:16) • Flee tempting situations early; “It will rescue you” only if you heed it (Proverbs 2:12-16) • Invest in your marriage: time, affection, transparency (Ephesians 5:25-33) • Seek accountable friendships; “Iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17) • Trust the Spirit’s power to keep you blameless (Galatians 5:16) Exodus 20:14 sets the command; Proverbs 2:16 equips the believer with wisdom so the line is never crossed. God’s Word offers both boundary and safeguard, calling His people to cherish purity for His glory and their good. |
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