Proverbs 5:16
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Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.
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Fornication and adultery are powerful lusts. A remedy for these temptations is to consider the wonderful blessing of lawful children. The strange woman is a dangerous foe. Young men must be taught early the glory of a large and godly family from honorable pleasure with their fruitful wife. The wise Preacher here teaches us another very good lesson against sexual sin. Let every man take careful heed, and let every woman learn wisdom.
The fifth chapter of Proverbs deals with the strange woman - any other woman than the one to whom a man is married. Solomon warns his son against the great temptation she creates (5:1-3,6-8,20). And he describes the horrible consequences of sinning with her (5:4-5,9-14,21-23). Here is the perfect father warning his son about life's greatest trap. For the bitterness of wormwood and sharpness of a twoedged sword are hard to describe.
He raises several practical arguments against this sin. He tells plainly of the bitter pain, death, and hell she brings (5:4-5). He warns she will destroy his reputation (5:9) and devour his living (5:10). He warns about the pain of a violated conscience (5:11-14). He recommends loyalty to his lawful wife (5:15) and holy fascination with her body and lovemaking (5:19-20). He warns of God's judgment for sexual sins (5:21) and the addicting nature of sexual liberties (5:22-23). Here is excellent, practical wisdom!
Sexual enjoyment of a wife is one of God's greatest gifts to man. It is honorable (Heb 13:4); it is to be used frequently and wisely to the complete pleasure of both (I Cor 7:1-5); and it is a great remedy against wandering lusts (5:19-20). It is described as drinking waters out of your own cistern and well (5:15), for men should satisfy their sexual thirst from their own wives only. See the comments on 5:15.
But our proverb contains even another argument against the strange woman. A wise man will consider the blessing and glory of a large and legitimate family, where his influence and pleasure is realized through many children marrying and having more children of their own. These are the fountains and rivers, which a man should desire and enjoy. By lawful offspring, a man can disperse influence and glory abroad in the streets of his city.
Children of a sinful relationship are not so. Men are ashamed to own bastards as their own. They are a perpetual reminder of shame. Jephthah is the perfect example (Judges 11:1-2). Even our heavenly Father speaks of them despicably (Heb 12:5-8). While a man may love a child born out of wedlock, the trouble and difficulties are great. The example of Isaac and Ishmael prove this clearly, even though Abram did "marry" Hagar.
Solomon pursues this additional argument against the strange woman for three verses (5:16-18). A man should delight in the natural use of his wife; he should desire and enjoy her conception, pregnancy, and childbirth; he should rejoice with his wife being a mother of many children. Here is something the strange woman cannot offer - the creation of a legitimate and godly family for the glory of God and the pleasure of two holy parents.
The fountains of a man are his children, who are able to have more children of their own, bearing his name and character. Jacob, or Israel, was a fountain - he had twelve sons (Deut 33:28)! And Judah was one of his rivers of waters - for he grew into a mighty nation (Is 48:1)! The nation of Israel was the fountain from Israel, or Jacob (Ps 68:26)! See also Numbers 24:7 for an elegant and modest metaphor of Israel's great increase!
A man's particular fountain is his singular wife, which is stated rather clearly in our context. We read, "Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth" (5:18). And this woman is able to bear him the additional fountains of our proverb, the children who in turn can increase his influence in the city and the whole earth! A blessed situation is to have many boy and girls playing in the streets, from your loins (Zech 8:5)!
Children, and many of them, are God's blessing. "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate" (Ps 127:3-5).
A fruitful wife, who is a gushing fountain and a fruit-bearing vine, is a blessing from God. "Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD. The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel" (Ps 128:3-6).
Young men should be taught the glory of a pregnant wife and a nursing mother. Conception should be praised; pregnancy enjoyed; childbirth celebrated; nursing exalted; and children esteemed highly. The present generation is perverse, for pregnancy is avoided at all costs; it is thought a burden and judgment when it does occur. God forbid such folly! Let the righteous raise the birthrate and increase in this wicked generation!
If a man took this great blessing seriously, he would have little desire for the strange woman, who cannot give these great pleasures with God and man's blessings and peace. For the whore must avoid conception or birth to hide her sin, and illegitimate children are a perpetual problem rather than a productive pleasure. Whoredom does not bring increase (Hos 4:10). Let every young man hate the folly that would steal his increase.
The Lord Jesus Christ has married His bride, the church. He has sought a godly seed (Rom 8:29). We are His fountain, His numerous progeny (Heb 2:13). We are for signs and wonders in Israel, to the glory of His grace (Is 8:18). He saw His seed and prolonged His days (Is 53:10). Praise Him, ye children! Give glory to God through Jesus Christ!
It is by the careful cultivation of our relationships in the family of God that we bring forth further increase, by His blessing (Col 2:19; Eph 4:15-16). The children of God, the citizens of Zion, the bride of Christ, should have an influence in our cities and world for the glory of our Husband (Mal 2:15; Matt 5:13-16). Blessed Father, help us fulfill this privileged calling as your children and disperse your knowledge throughout the earth!
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