105. The Neighbours Wife

Proverbs 5-7

1.  She forsakes the guide of her youth (she neglects the instructions given by her parents) and forgets the covenant of her God (she breaks her wedding vows which were made "in the presence of God").  For her house bows down (inclines) to death, and her paths to the dead (those who are guilty of unrepentant adultery are on their way to the place of the dead). 2:16-18. 

2. All who go in to her do not return, nor do they take hold of the paths of life. 2:19.  The words describe more than the fatal persistency of the sinful habit when once formed. A resurrection from that world of the dead to “the paths of life” is all but impossible. Barnes Commentary.  

Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; he who does it destroys his own soul. 6:32.  Once a person gets involved in that lifestyle he will never come back as the same man; that person is forever gone.

3. They do not despise a thief, if he steals to satisfy his soul when he is hungry; a thief will be forgiven if he steals food when he is in need, but even he, if he is caught must restore sevenfold. 6:30-31.  However, a man who "fools around" with his neighbor's wife will not be as easily forgiven by society; whoever touches her shall not be (pronounced) innocent. 6:29.

He who "fools around" with his neighbour's wife shall get a wound and dishonor; and his shame shall not be wiped away. 6:33. I have come to the brink of utter ruin, among the gathered assembly.” 5:14 World English Bible.    When I go to the synagogue, the mosque, the church, people now whisper about me and my neighbour's wife.

4. For jealousy is the rage of a man (the husband who was cheated on); therefore he will not spare (hold back retribution) in the day of vengeance. He will not take any ransom; nor will he be willing (to forgive) if you multiply the gifts. 6:33-35.   Money and gifts will not lessen his jealousy, soften his anger or mitigate his pain.  He will get even; murder in such cases is not uncommon.

Then you will say, How I have hated instruction, and my heart despised correction;  and I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor bowed down my ears to those who taught me! 5:12.  The ruined sinner vainly laments his neglect of warning and his sad fate in being brought to public disgrace. Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Com.

5. If these reasons are not enough to keep you from straying to the bosom of a stranger, 5:20, think of this reason: the ways of man are before the eyes of Jehovah, and He watches all his paths.  Jehovah absolutely does not condone anyone "having sex" outside the marriage relationship.

For any who are guilty, there is hope, Jehovah is a forgiving God.  If the guilty repent of their actions, turn away from them, past sins can be forgiven.  There is a story in the life of Christ where a woman, guilty of adultery, was brought to Christ by the Jewish leaders.  After a reprimand to the accusers, Christ asked her, where are those men that accused you?  The woman said I don't know.  Christ made an end of the subject; He said,  Just like those that accused you, do not condemn you, publicly, I also do not condemn you, but don't you ever commit that sin again! John 8:11