A Deep Pit and Narrw Well

Proverbs 23: 27&28 - for an adulterous woman is a deep pit, and a wayward wife is a narrow well. Like a bandit she lies in wait and multiplies the unfaithful among men.

Wow. Engaging in sin with the adulterous woman and wayward wife is described as being a deep pit and narrow well. The imagery here intends that we understand what a struggle it is to get free from the grip of engaging in this sin with her. She is like a robber who waits to destroy men. Note: “men”, not “man”. She intends her victims to be many!

The Modern English translation of the Bible describes her like this: She also lies in wait as for a prey, and increases the transgressors among men. She’s like an animal in the wild seeking to consume.

Scripture is replete with admonishments to avoid this unfaithfulness – this adultery.  It’s treacherous. It will destroy.

And the man is not the only victim in this scenario. The adulterous woman or wayward wife is also a victim.  The Word of God tells us that every good thing is from God (James 1:17) and that the enemy of our souls (satan) desires nothing more than to kill, steal (from), and destroy us (John 10:10). So when we see behavior as noted in this scripture, we can be assured that the enemy is at work both in the adulterous woman and the wayward wife, as well as the men.

No matter which gender you assign to the roles described above. Whether the woman is the “aggressor” and the man is the “victim” or the other way around, both are under the attack of the enemy and need deliverance from our Father. Thankfully, He is liberal with His deliverance. God, who is our precious Creator, sent His son Jesus to die for our sins, to reconcile us in relationship with Himself, and to work within us to desire and to do His will – and to live the peaceful, joyful, and abundant life we are created to live.

Praise God for that!