Alright, my friends, this is not a fun chapter, but there are two very important takeaways. Well, I’m sure there are more than two, but these are the two things that God opened my eyes to while reading Proverbs 5.

Adultery is wrong.

We know this. It’s all over the Bible, Old and New Testaments. It smacks us in the face with the Ten Commandments,

You shall not commit adultery.
Exodus 20:14

and it continues from the mouth of Jesus,

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Matthew 5:27-28

However, the Bible is filled with examples of polygamy and adultery from men considered to be patriarchs and fathers of our faith. God even laid down the law for His kings and His expectations of them in Deuteronomy 17:16-17.

So, let’s not confuse what we might perceive as God’s “allowance” of polygamy to be His “acceptance” of it.

God calls sinners.

King Solomon, who probably wrote much of the Proverbs, was considered the wisest man to live. God blessed him. God loved him. God used him to take care of His people. God uses him still to teach us through His word.

Yet, Solomon was a sinner.

The Bible records that King Solomon had 700 hundred wives and 300 concubines. That just makes me want to vomit.

Yet, God is good. He loved Solomon. He used, and still uses, Solomon despite his sin.

My point?

Do you ever feel unworthy? Like God could never use someone like you? That you’re not good enough?

Hmmm. Let Proverbs 5 be a reminder that God loves you no matter what. He does expect you to obey Him. When we choose not to obey God’s word or His will, it’s like we put roadblocks in our own path. We do it to ourselves. Solomon did it to himself. God did not want that for him, and God does not want that for us.

But even as sinners, imperfect people, God will still use us. And God will still love us.

What a refreshing Monday morning reminder.

My friends, you are worthy.
You are enough.
You are loved.

Heidi xoxo