We have seen the woman, we have looked at her speech. Today, we are going to view the decision this young man makes. In Proverbs 7:21-23, we are confronted with this as the choice is made and we, as the bystander, can do nothing to help.

Notice how the Bible describes it. This bears much weight with what we talked about regarding being trapped by these type of women and the destruction it brings on the life of those who are trapped. Today is no different. First, he yields to her enticing speech. When we read through the text, her speech is taunting and dripping with poisoned honey. Her lips glisten with seduction. This young man falls for her trap. While the sexual event may have pleasure, for there is pleasure in sin, it is only a limited pleasure (Hebrews 11:25). Moses chose to do the hard thing and walked away from Pharaoh and his house. This young man goes headlong into destruction. The description is very vivid of this man.

First is an Ox to the slaughter. Having spent five years in Nebraska, I was able to help on many ranches. I helped with the feeding, fencing, branding, moving, and calving. It is one thing to help the cattle move from one pasture to another for summer or winter grazing. It is another to put them in a feed lot, or a grass rich pasture. The purpose of either of these is to fatten up the cattle for being taken to the butcher. The cattle, however, only know one thing, they are getting a lot of extra food and putting on weight. They are then processed and turned into beef, steaks, and stews. Up to that point, they are led from one place to the next.

This woman leads this man as an ox to the slaughter. There is no hesitation on this man. It says right away. He immediately follows her as a cow following the feed truck. She is leading him to a bed of pleasure, a night of excitement, and a life of destruction. Not a good exchange.

It is not simply to the slaughter, the Bible says in Proverbs 7:22, that he is a fool to the correction of the stocks. Stocks have an interesting History and might require a little understanding for this passage. Stocks were a form of punishment and shaming. Around the world, they have been used up to even 2020. The point of the stock was to bring humiliation to the one in the stocks. The individual, depending on the stock used, either had just their feet held, or their neck and wrists. The stocks were usually made out of wood, with holes where the before mentioned body parts were put through. A second board was then lowered on a rack and the holes were closed smaller than what can be pulled through. At which time, the prisoner would either be forced to stand or sit. The residents could then torment the individual, either by kicking them, tickling them, spitting upon them, or however else they felt. The individual was mocked, ridiculed and humiliated.

Imagine this young man and the woman being in the stock when the woman’s husband came home? That now brings in what was taught in Proverbs 6:34-35. Imagine the damage he could inflict on this young man. This verse shows a very real and possible situation. This young man, for the short time of pleasure was going to be slaughtered at the worst, or derided and shamed at the best. How long will this last? Notice Proverbs 7:23. It is permanent.

As said, the consequences of sin is permanent. With sexual immorality, there is the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, and being caught and publicly humiliated and shamed. There is the aftershock of having a baby either out of wedlock, or with an affair partner. The consequences go much further than this and it has devastated not only families but individuals. What we read is that the arrow will strike the liver. Being struck in the liver can bring instant death. Then it is pictured as a bird heading toward the snare, unaware its life is about to end. The bird, going for seed, will be trapped and killed. This man, going for what he thinks will be sweet, will find death. So much has already been said, we will not continue repeating this but will refer back to the blogs of Proverbs 3:32; Proverbs 5; Proverbs 6:20-35; and Proverbs 7:6-23. It is foolish to follow in the path of this woman. This is where, again, wisdom and understanding must be part of the life.

Solomon, in finishing up this text will give us the application, and Lord willing, we will find it next week.