Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.  (16)  Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.  (17)  Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’ with thee.  (18)  Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. 

Proverbs 5:15-18 

Explanation:

The passage this week has dealt with the danger of sexual immorality.  There is a danger in thinking that God and wisdom is against all sexual activity.  We must remember that God designed human beings to enjoy sexual intercourse. This is His idea.  He designed it to be pleasurable and intimate.  It is not a bad thing.  Between a husband and wife in a lifelong monogamous relationship it is a very good thing!

The father tells his son in this passage to “drink waters out of thine own cistern”.  This metaphor of the quenching of thirst is speaking to the natural satisfaction of sexual urges being appeased in one’s own spouse.  He is telling his son to love his wife and to satisfy his sexual appetite through intimate and loving sexual intercourse with his wife. 

The metaphor continues of water running in the streets, speaking of the offspring that comes from the sexual union.  He is telling his son in verse 16 and 17 that his offspring ought to be the fruit of his own marriage relationship.  There is a much pain that can come from there being questions about maternity and paternity.

Verse 18 declares it simply.  If you want sexual satisfaction without all of these dangerous and undesired outcomes, follow God’s plan and design for marriage and family.  Commit yourself as one man and one woman for one lifetime, and enjoy the family life that comes as the blessed result.

Application:

The biblical language is clear and vivid, but is never crass.  Think of the joy that can come from the physical, emotional, and spiritual intimacy that can happen between a committed husband and wife.  The man who avoids the strange woman, and finds his satisfaction and intimacy in his wife alone, will have blessing and joy from a lifelong relationship with her and his offspring.

Response:

• For the married, what is a way that you can invest in your spouse and love them well today?
• For the unmarried, what do you need to do to invest in your future relationships?