The Husbands of Proverbs – The Adulterer, The Pledger, The Sloth and The Mischievious

Adultery Takes Two: Just as the Woman Sought to Entangle, the Man Was a Willing Participant (Proverbs 2:16-19; 5:3-14; 6:20-35; 7:1-27; 23:27-28; 30:20)

There are two key questions here. The first is “Where do you draw the line?” If there is no line drawn and nothing keeping one from going further, then you will be easily tempted when you are offered the temptation. This goes for any sin, and men are especially susceptible to the willing woman as Proverbs says.

The second is the question of risk. The man obviously allowed himself to be separated alone with the woman that was seeking him. She saw him and identified him as an available target. This also goes for both sexes—do we take precautions to keep us away from sin?

Finances are a major thing the husband is to be concerned with. What does Proverbs 6:1-5 advise against?

You should not sign your name to someone else’s debt, because you will be liable for it. The Bible has nothing good to say about being in debt. It says that the borrower is the servant of the lender, that you should have no debt but to share Christ, etc.

What Type of Provider Should the Husband Be? (Prov. 6:6-11)

The husband must not be slothful. It is not enough to sit by and expect to earn a living; the diligent husband must work, for winter may come. Hence the illustration of the ants, that works without tiring, and the fact that the writer encourages those that work to arise early and not waste the daylight.

The reputation of a righteous man is the opposite of Proverbs 6:12-16

He will walk in truth, having a good reputation. He uses his body in ways that help others. His heart will be pure, seeking out the good that he can do. He will seek unity, and strengthen bonds. He will be trusted by those around, and will be blessed.

Why isn’t there more in the Old Testament about the Husband?

The Old Testament is given to men, and as such, all of the law and the lessons are directed at the men. It goes back to the idea in Genesis that God created man and then gave him a job to do, but because it was not good for him to be alone He created a helper. Man was still the one with the job and the one to whom the law was given, and woman was to be his helper in accomplishing that work.

When you read the Old Testament, though the generic laws can be applied to both men and women, it’s instructive to understand that the man was the responsible one. He was responsible to teach, responsible to provide, responsible to lead. So all of it applies to him, and there’s extra for wives.