Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi
Well, our little trek through the Bible looking at verses the Exhaustive Concordance based on the NIV 84 lists as containing 'Heart'/'Hearts' has us solidly in the book of Proverbs. We're looking today at the rest of the chapters covering fatherly advice to a son, picking up in chapter 5, where the senior is envisioning what the young person will say after spending a lifetime of indulgence and waywardness (specifically if he gets involved in a relationship with an immoral woman)
At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent. You will say, "How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction! I would not obey my teachers or listen to my instructors. -- Prov. 5: 11-13; 'Heart' is Strong's H3820, Leb, which is one of the two most common words for 'heart' - inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding.
It's interesting that, while the passage goes on to encourage marital fidelity, 'heart' is not in that discussion...although 'love' is mentioned in verse 19. But 'heart' is seen as the place of either embracing or rejecting instruction.
We have several 'heart' references in chapter 6; gonna list them all together and then discuss.
A scoundrel and a villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth, who winks with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers, who plots evil with deceit in his heart --he always stirs up dissension. Prov. 6:12-14; 'heart' is H3820 again.
In the list of things that God hates (Prov. 6:16) --
a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, -- Prov. 6:18; 'heart' is H 3820.
Encouragement to pay attention to one's elders:
My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching. Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck. Prov. 6:20 - 21; 'heart' is, again, H3820.
And, warning again against an immoral woman,
Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes -- Prov. 6:35; 'Heart' this time is Strong's H3824, lebab, the other most frequently used word - inner man, mind, will, heart, soul, understanding.
Mostly in chapter 6, we see warnings against people with bad character...with an emphasis on avoiding getting involved seduced by someone with low morals. The text is specific about a immoral, seductive woman, but I think that's because it's aimed at a son. It would apply equally for a daughter to avoid being seduced by some guy who offers her ...something other than a marriage covenant...in exchange for her affections. Remembering ...and following...the wise instruction of one's elders can help avoid such traps.
Moving on into chapter 7, we have a repeat of that charge
Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. - Prov. 7:2-3 ; 'Heart' is H3820 again.
And, also an echo of the warning against the seductress
Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. -- Prov. 7:25; heart is once more H3820.
So. Many. Warnings against falling into a relationship with an immoral woman. I have to think it was a real issue. Especially considering that Solomon himself was not immune to the influence of women. Was this Solomon instructing his son in a 'do as I say not as I do'? Was it David's instruction to Solomon, that Solomon eventually forsook? Or the general writing of other authors who observed the whole mess and wanted to use it as a warning? In any case, it is still sound advice...a person who genuinely cares for another will not take advantage of that person. In any way. If there is an individual who is trying to wheedle or seduce his or her way into a too intimate relationship... consider it a red flag.
Remember what your parents taught you.
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