27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
29 So he that goeth in to his neighbour’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.
30 Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
34 For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
35 He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.
Up to this point we have learned about the characteristics of the “strange woman.” Now, we read about the consequences for the man who steals the wife of another. We can read the parable and get the straight-forward meaning, and that is good. It is good for people to be reminded of the terrible sin of adultery, especially in this generation for which adultery and fornication are rampant.
I know someone whose place of work is so full of adultery, that their refusal to participate stood out as an abnormality because “everyone cheats.” It is a sad world we live in. Marriage is not valued as it should be, and there are many reasons for this, many of which I sympathize with.
Women are not women and men are not men, and both are a torment to one another. Much could be said on that topic alone.
Another reason is this: our generation wants everything handed to them. They want an easy life, yet they do not want to work for it, and this extends to marriages as well. Marriage is work. Raising a family is work. If one partner is unwilling to work at these things then you have hell on earth, and there will always be someone out there who is ready and willing to boost an ego that needs affection without working at a relationship or taking on real life responsibility. Adultery results.
I know the writer of the Proverbs was not thinking about the Christian church, but I do not think it is wrong to consider Christianity when reading the Proverbs. I think there is a lot of parallels to consider, especially when we compare the Proverbs to the teachings of Jesus, the apostles, Revelation, and the prophets in general.
What happens when you have a church that wants everything the easy way? What happens when you have a church that is used to having everything handed to them without a debt of responsibility attached? This is precisely what we have today.
Of course, this does not apply to all. However, for those to whom is does apply, the carelessness I refer to is abuse of the blood of Jesus and the covenant therewith paid.
His forgiveness and mercy were graciously given freely through His blood. We entered into a covenant with Him, and we abused Him. Instead of entering His service as a faithful church who would take up our cross and follow Him, we wanted the easy way. We wanted the blood without the debt of responsibility that was attached to it. We rejected responsibility to our spouse (Jesus) and our children (young Christians).
Just like the adulterers of this generation, there are many out there who are ready and willing to boost an ego that needs affection without working on a relationship and taking on responsibility. Many Christians commit adultery with such pastors, churches, and teachings that abuse Jesus and His sacrifice, and they will find the covenant they claim is null and void.
Because we wanted it the easy way, we will have hell (death) on earth.
Jesus is faithful even when we are not. He is patient with us, and He forgives us of our adulteries towards Him, but we must repent and get serious about the covenant we lay claim to. If we do not, then another will come and seduce us away, and this will be easy to do considering many of the faith choose the ways of the “strange woman” already. This false Christ will take what does not belong to him, and his end will be just as this parable says.
Will there be forgiveness for the church who commits adultery with him? God is judge and He can show mercy to whomever He will.
Consider this passage as cited above:
30 Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
There are many sheep who steal bread (bad Christian teaching) because they are starving. There are many starving sheep doing the best they can with what they are given, and I do believe there is much mercy for them. Jesus willing, He will send more faithful teachers and pastors to feed the flock that was neglected.
However, there is a line. There is a line between doing the best with what you are given as a lost sheep and being an unfaithful shepherd who knows full well the negligence they perform.
These “hirelings” and “wolves in sheep’s clothing” are the ones who commit adultery. The sheep (the general assembly of believers) are as children that are neglected and suffer due to the negligence and unfaithfulness of their parents. I do believe many “children” are to be spared, though they will repay what they stole.
Chastisement will come. There will be great tribulation, and all the substance of our houses will be taken away.
The substance of our spiritual house so that we might see our poverty and be filled with the Spirit. The substance of our earthly houses so that we can seek the Kingdom of Heaven above this world. And the substance of our church houses as we prepare for the King of Kings who will replace all unfaithful pastors and the establishment of unfaithful Christianity at large.
Many will give their lives for the faith as their individual house is destroyed, and their reward in Heaven is great.
If we return to our true Lord, Jesus before that time comes, we might be spared of much tribulation. We might find peace and safety. However, many will lose their lives not because of chastisement, but because they are servants of God who will be honored with a more glorious resurrection.
The establishment of mainstream Christianity at large will be thrown down—and all the more when the ultimate adultery takes place.
We do not need to be ashamed for standing against the corruptions within the church. We do not need to be ashamed of our being ostracized. We do not need to be ashamed of our poverty or small ministries. We do not need to be ashamed of our hope in Jesus and hope for our fellow servants and brethren who are confused and without peace. Jesus will strengthen all who belong to Him and guide them towards greener pastures.
Again, we see the importance of the individual, and we rest assured in the just judgment of Jesus who tries the hearts of mankind. He is merciful to all Christian leaders and towards the general assembly of believers who sincerely love Him and trust in Him. He is merciful towards much misunderstanding, false teachings, and sinful struggles. He will provide for those who no longer trust in the lazy, self-serving adulterers who would leave the church fatherless and widowed.
Jesus Alone 