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“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”

Proverbs 6:16-17

The writer uses a Hebrew construction, a numeral plus one, to indicate the Lord’s ultimate displeasure with the items in the list.

The third item in this list is “hands that shed innocent blood.” God’s heart for the innocent is present in both the Old and New Testaments. For example, “You shall not murder” (Ex. 20:13), which is contained within the 10 Commandments. This prohibition deals with the physical destruction of another person, an innocent person.

Additionally, in the New Testament, Jesus expressed his heart for the innocence of children, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea” (Mt. 18:5-6). This deals with the spiritual destruction of another.

These examples serve as a warning to us in how we view and treat others. Beware of that which God hates.

but in the end she is bitter as wormwood,

    sharp as a two-edged sword.

Proverbs 5:4 ESV

“But in the end …” is a signal to put on your seat belt because you are going to be on a bumpy ride. In this proverb, the writer presents the bad outcome as the result of a deception. In verse 3 we see that the forbidden woman is a smooth talker, “smoother than oil.” As we have said in a previous post, “Because everything is not as it appears, wisdom is a necessity.”

Verse 4 is the first of many examples of bad outcome. Here, the reader’s physical senses of taste and touch are assaulted: “she is bitter as wormwood” and “sharp as a two-edged sword.” An engaged reader might even recoil at the bitter taste of wormwood or the painful thought of being cut by a two-edged sword. That is the writer’s intention, like a splash of cold water to shock us into clarity. Everything about the forbidden woman draws us in, “For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil.” BUT! “But in the end …”

Verse 4 reworded: If you don’t want to have a bitter taste or be sliced and diced, avoid the forbidden woman.

Hear, my son, your father’s instruction,
and forsake not your mother’s teaching,

for they are a graceful garland for your head
and pendants for your neck.

Proverbs 1:8-9 ESV

A couple questions:

1. Children, do you view your parents’ teaching in a positive light? Do you view them as adornments?
2. Parents, are your teachings worthy of being viewed as adornments?

What may be easily overlooked in these verses is the two-directional responsibility. Yes, children should listen to their parents. But, the parents are obligated to guide their children toward godliness, and not toward foolishness.

Colossians 3:20-21, “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children lest they become discouraged.”

Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,

But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

Proverbs 31:30 ESV

As the list of the qualities of an excellent wife comes to a close, note the core values expressed in this verse. Charm and beauty are revered qualities in our culture, but here, the writer describes them as deceitful and vain. That can seem harsh, but the writer wants us to understand the transitive and external nature of these qualities.

In contrast, the more valuable quality is the woman’s heart for the Lord. This is a fitting closing to the book of Proverbs, a book that intends to shape our hearts toward the eternal over the temporal.

What are the qualities that draw you to another person?

Neither have I learned wisdom,

Nor do I have the knowledge of the Holy One.

Proverbs 30:3 ESV

This verse follows the pattern of Proverbs in making the direct connection between wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One, God. Thus, it is a good reminder that to pursue wisdom is actually to pursue knowledge of God. You can’t become wise if you do not pursue knowledge of the Holy One.