Proverbs 7:4
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Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:
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Every man needs a good woman ... or two! He first needs Lady Wisdom as his sister and kinswoman (4:8; 8:17; 9:1-12). She will protect him from the whorish Lady Folly (9:13-18). Then he needs a God-fearing and virtuous woman as his wife (18:22; 19:14; 31:10). She will satisfy him against seduction by the strange woman (5:15-20; I Cor 7:1-5).
Solomon the king warned his son about the strange woman, a single or married whore trying to seduce him - a constant threat of those in positions of influence, power, or wealth (7:1-5). He wanted his son's full attention, for the warning advice was crucial to his safety and success. He wanted his son to remember and prize the instruction (7:1-5).
Solomon then wrote a lengthy parable about the seduction of a foolish young man by an adulteress (7:6-23). He fully developed the woman's guile and manipulation of the young fool, illustrating it in such a way as to show her bewitching attractiveness. He finished by warning all his children to keep their hearts and feet from going near her, for her seduction is powerful and the sinful consequences of fornication are severe (7:24-27).
The proverb under consideration is part of Solomon's appeal to his son. He first told his son to retain and remember his instruction (7:1). He exhorted his son to obey his rules, and to value them as the apple of his eye (7:2). He exhorted him by two figures to make every effort to remember the warning advice, because there would be a need for it (7:3).
What does it mean to call wisdom your sister? It means to embrace her and make her near and dear to you (4:6-8; 8:17; Song 8:1). A close sister would never let you get near a whorish woman. She would despise the woman, and she would expose her wicked wiles and foretell the horrible consequences. You would trust a close sister, for you would know she had your best interests at heart. Wisdom calls for young men to stay away from anything to do with whores and to find their fulfillment with a godly wife (5:15-20).
What does it mean to call understanding your kinswoman? It means to consider her a close confidant, dear companion, and faithful friend. It means to trust her motives and follow her advice, for she seeks your prosperity. Understanding is another name for wisdom in this context. While other men are making "sisters" of wanton whores, let understanding be your close kinswoman. She will protect you from their sinful seduction.
Is wisdom your sister? Is understanding your kinswoman? If she is, you fear God and want to live by His wisdom. You have taken His words and warning to avoid worldly women and any activities or places pertaining to them. You are totally against fornication before marriage and adultery during marriage. You despise pornography, lascivious movies and music, and Internet chat rooms. You love the wife of your youth (5:15-20).
Your literal wife and figurative sister are dear friends. The two women help each other. A man with wisdom as his sister will maximize his marriage by the word of God. He will cherish, honor, love, and nourish her, for He will obey God's wisdom for marriage. And a man with a virtuous woman for his wife will seek the fear of the Lord and wisdom by the provoking example and meek reminders of his holy wife. What great women!
Call unto wisdom today! Call her your sister! Call unto understanding today! Call her your kinswoman! Embrace the truth of God's inspired word. Tremble before its every word, esteem every precept regarding every subject to be right, and hate every false way (Is 66:2; Ps 119:128). If you do not, then you are fair game for Lady Folly and the strange woman. The great God will leave you to your own devices and destroy you (8:36; 29:1).
Follow the metaphor even further. Who were the sisters of Jesus Christ? Whoever heard God's word and obeyed it! When told about his literal mother and siblings, Jesus said, "For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother" (Matt 12:46-50). When Mary was exalted too highly, Jesus said, "Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it" (Luke 11:27-28). Are you a true sister or mother of Jesus Christ?
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