Today I fulfilled my vows,
and I have food from my fellowship offering at home.
So I came out to meet you;
I looked for you and have found you!
Proverbs 7:14-15
Observation: As the young fool wanders off to commit folly, the woman - temptation and sin - emerges to meet him and take him in. They kiss, and she tells him that her husband is away so they may be together for a long time. This is how the woman greets he fool ... she says that, not only does she have food so they may relax and have plenty together, but that food is from her fellowship offering. She has fulfilled her vows that very day.
In other words, the woman has just returned from pledging her love for Yahweh, and with the sacrificial meat that has been presented before the Lord she will now seduce the one who is foolish enough to come meet her.
In total, this is evidence that the actions of both are not just that of earthly lust. Instead, they are committing their foolish sin with plotting coordination, while also even utilizing the Lord's blessings to empower and complete their actions. They are even declaring that, since they honored the Lord this very day, they can now do whatever they please, perhaps even to the extent of thinking that the Lord has helped arrange certain circumstances (the wandering of the young fool; the departure of the husband on a long trip) to provide for their rendezvous.
Application: This is the most difficult thing for me to acknowledge about my sins ... I do them while declaring my faith and love for the Lord. I use my blessings to create a safe place where I can think and do what the Lord has told me not to do. I worship the Lord, give him my tithe and blessing, then turn around and sin. And then repeat the cycle.
The idea that I both "fulfill my vows" by declaring my love for God, praying, worshipping, and doing devotions, and then think evil thoughts, curse others, and commit sins with my words and thoughts, is as shocking as this proverb implies. It makes me worse than a fool.
Prayer: Lord, I desire to be committed to your path every day, doing your will, obeying your word, embracing your precepts and instructions. I will make mistakes, but may I cease to use my faith as a cover or excuse or enabler of such activities. Amen.
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