Proverbs 7:23

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about being caught in sin:

Proverbs 7:23 (NASBStr)

Until an arrow pierces through his liver;

As a bird hastens to the snare,

So he does not know that it will cost him his life.

Proverbs 7:23 (ESV)

till an arrow pierces its liver;

as a bird rushes into a snare;

he does not know that it will cost him his life.

We don't always know when we are in some situation that "will cost" us a life.    A bird, unknowingly, will swoop down and try to retrieve a certain enticing treasure only to discover that after having the prey firmly in its mouth, it finds its feet caught in the noose.   God let's us know, through Solomon's words, that these things happen.  Yet, we still don't pay attention.  In chapter seven the naive one is enticed into the snare by a beautiful women.   Just as he catches the prey in his arms, he is suddenly awaken to discover an arrow is on its way to pierce his heart (liver).  The arrow is not from Cupid’s bow.  He is caught in the cords of his sin.   He is caught in a way he will never escape ... it will cost him his life.   The only way to avoid this fate is to make sure we have God's watchful eyes over us.  He promises to make sure we are kept safe.    Folly will always lead you down this rode to destruction.   Wisdom will always make sure we are safe.   God makes sure His children are always safe.   Those who walk down a path, following a prey they should not have, don't know that they are safe ... because they are not.

Regretfully, some people don't learn the easy way.  They don't learn from instruction, interaction or inspiration.  They only learn from destruction.   The story in Proverbs 7 is about a young, naive boy who is caught in the trap by the smooth talking, sweet smelling, seductive sounding adulterous.   "IF" he would have listened to his father or instructors, he would have had a safe passage to his next journey.  Instead, this was not only a bad journey, it was his last journey.    He goes after her "until" ... !   He goes after and, "he does not know ...!"  How can he not know?  Because he didn't listen.  He didn't hear.  Or, he heard and listened but didn't take it to heart.   It is grievous to see people who have to go through the pain of "an arrow through his liver".   We wonder "why" this bad thing happened.  However, he was warned and refused to repent and turn aside.   He took the short path of the immediate and failed to see the long road of blessing.   Pain is at the end of that path.   Let's feel bad for people who have this end and let's do all that we can to continue to warn them.  But, let us also realize that even with the warning and the constant message to turn away, some are destined for an arrow and a snare.