Proverbs 5:15-23 – The value of marital fidelity

In Proverbs 5:1-14 the teacher gave very good reasons why one should avoid a promiscuous life. Sexual intimacy, therefore, should be confined only to a man and his own wife. To violate it breaks the sanctity of marriage. The Bible upholds conjugal fidelity. Verses 15-19 give reasons why one must only have sexual intimacy with one’s own spouse. Metaphorically, the terms well, cistern and fountain are used to refer to one’s own wife. Since the husband has chosen who his wife should be, he must therefore make her his sole companion for life. Being his wife, she becomes the God-ordained and legally sanctioned source for his sexual urges. “Drinking water” is a figure of speech for sexual relationship. As water is given to quench one’s physical thirst, so sexual intimacy within a marriage is designed to satisfy one’s sexual urges. To drink water out of one’s own cistern is a call to seek sexual gratification only with one’s wife.

The springs and streams are referring to the children produced through sexual relationship. In every culture, children are a contribution of married couples to their community. The call is for children to be legitimate sons and daughters of one’s God-ordained marriage. Having children produced from promiscuous relationship throw the identity of the parent of illegitimate children into doubt. In marriage, a couple share life and rejoice in each other. And the man must fix his affection on the wife who is referred to as a lovely hind or a graceful doe. The breast could refer to the whole experience of sexual intimacy.  The way sexual intimacy is depicted here gives the idea of more than procreation. This conjugal intimacy is for both the husband and wife to enjoy each other. And a man should only be delighted with the love of his wife. These verses indicate to us that sex within a marriage is the God-appointed means to help us avoid unlawful sexual complications.    

Rounding up in verses 20-23, the teacher provides three strong reasons to argue for faithfulness in one’s marriage. Firstly, God is watching all our steps. Nothing is hidden from the eyes of the Lord. Everything we do is within the full view of God so we need to be circumspect. Secondly, unfaithfulness lays a trap for us and get us into a bondage. Finally, unfaithfulness will lead us astray and cause destruction to our life. For all of us who are married, let’s take heed to these godly instructions. We will never live to regret it!