Proverbs 7:6

A picture is worth a thousand words. Object lessons are better than theory. Rules with examples are better than just rules. A window provided the frame for the painful view of a foolish young man being seduced and destroyed by a whore. What a terrible picture!

Whether this is an event in Solomon’s life or his parable illustrating a common danger of life, it does not alter the lesson. But since the book is one of proverbs and parables, not a history of his life, the chapter is a parable. As a parable, it gives additional instruction.

King Solomon did not merely watch passing people. He observed, analyzed, considered, and drew wise conclusions. He did the same with the field of the slothful (Pr 24:30-34). It is your duty to observe and consider the ways of the world, for you can do it safely with the wisdom provided by the wise Preacher through this inspired book of instruction.

The lesson again is about the strange woman, an adulteress or whore (Pr 7:5,8,10). The whole chapter is about her. The parable teaches how the powerful temptation and wiles of a whorish woman can easily destroy a foolish and naïve young man (Pr 7:6-23). The only hope for deliverance and safety is for him to stay far away from her (Pr 7:8,24-27).

Solomon began by appealing to his son to remember his instruction and warning about the strange woman (Pr 7:1-5). And he concluded by telling him the grave danger, how to be saved from her, and the absolute necessity of caution (Pr 7:24-27). In between the introduction and conclusion is the graphic parable of sexual sin due to a bold woman.

Grasp the lesson from this short proverb’s words. Parents and teachers must use plain, descriptive illustrations of real life dangers. Theory, rules, frowns, and negative answers are not enough. Solomon did not use the seventh commandment here (Ex 20:14). Rather, he showed plainly the danger and dire consequences of breaking that commandment. Do you know how to teach godly wisdom for avoiding life’s problems? If yes, do you do it?

Whispering, backbiting, talebearing, and slandering are heinous sins. But holy use of real events for godly instruction in wisdom falls into none of those categories. If real people are used, the events must be true, well known, and not used to harm others’ reputations. The great apostles Paul and John identified sinners by name, and even a whole nation, to illustrate wickedness (I Tim 1:18-20; II Tim 4:14-15; Titus 1:12; III John 1:9-10).

Jesus said, “Remember Lot’s wife.” He did the woman no harm; she had already ruined her reputation forever. In three words, Jesus illustrated with great power the danger of worrying too much about your worldly life (Luke 17:28-33). Do you see a pillar of salt?

Jesus described prayers by a Pharisee and a publican. In a few verses He showed the contrite heart of one and the self-righteousness of the other (Luke 18:9-14). He did the Pharisee no harm. His foolish prayer was true, well known, and used for holy instruction.

Jesus knew how to use current events. When told about Galilaeans killed by Pilate while offering sacrifices, He made a lesson of repentance. And He used the story of eighteen who died when a tower fell on them for further emphasis on repentance (Luke 13:1-5).

The Bible records many sins of many men, both wicked and godly alike. The sins truly happened, were well known in Israel, and were used for holy purposes of instruction. The sinners had been punished openly, so all Israel would hear and fear (Deut 13:11; 21:21).

Consider Jude’s short epistle. He warned by using Israel in the wilderness (5), the fallen angels (6), Sodom and Gomorrah (7), filthy dreamers (8), Michael the archangel (9), brute beasts (10), Cain (11), Balaam (11), Korah (11), and Enoch (14). Get the message?

Parents, can you use family members, neighbors, and others for valuable object lessons to train your children? Can you take current events of your city or nation to illustrate sin and its consequences? If you can do this, have you actually done it to save your children?

Academic instruction is of comparatively little value, even in their chosen profession. The practical training of a godly supper table is of much greater value. It is easy to make a living, but it is much more difficult to live godly. Parents, keep your priorities right.

You cannot assign child training to the local school, a Christian school, or a Sunday School. It is your job. Helping your children with their homework is not training them (Pr 22:6; Ps 78:1-8; Ep 6:4). Pagans help with homework every night to make little pagans.

Teach spiritual truth, godly wisdom, holy living, virtuous thinking, noble attitudes, and sober application of it all. Child training is easy, if you will not follow the pagans in their worship of academic instruction. Let your supper table be a feast of godly wisdom. Every day should be a learning experience, for a window to the world presents many pictures.

A father who can take either an infant’s temper tantrum or an international political event and apply the word of God is a wise and valuable father. His children will trust and fear his opinion. A father who can speak plainly about the real aspects of life – such as sex, money, love, and success – is a great father. His children will trust and seek his opinion.

Neither intelligence, education, nor eloquence is needed. Every man is capable, for a farmer or mechanic who reads his Bible and watches through his casement will have the wisdom to teach children at every supper table. Fathers, will you rise to the opportunity?

Solomon spent his life, not reading about sin and the purpose for man, but experimenting with it all. You have his incredible experience and wisdom at your fingertips in the Bible. You do not need to experiment like he did; you can learn from his findings and use valuable object lessons for instruction from the real world passing by your own windows.

Can you take current events and apply God’s word to them? Can you apply Solomon’s proverbs to situations in life? It is your duty as a Christian to grow in wisdom and knowledge to be able to discern between good and evil and to teach others (Heb 5:12-14).

Jesus Christ sat and watched the offerings at the temple and drew marvelous conclusions for holy instruction (Mark 12:41-44). He filled Scripture with examples for your learning (Rom 15:4; I Cor 10:5-6,11-12). If you look through the window of the Bible and watch Him, you will have a perfect illustration for a godly life (Heb 12:1-4; I Pet 2:21).