Proverbs 5:15-19, Keep to Your Own Cisterns!
February 28, Proverbs 5:15-19
Psalms 127; John 4:13-26 “The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother” (Hesburg).
Keep to Your Own Cisterns!
William Arnot observed, “A painter lays down a dark ground to lean his picture on, and thereby brings its beauty out.” This is what is happening here. The pleasures of marriage and family are painted in the brightest colours nature provides. The Holy Spirit passes from warnings against lust to commend chastity and marital fidelity, “Against the unholy passion to be shunned (Pr. 5:1-14), is set the holy-love to be cherished (Pr. 5:15-21).
- A Fragility in Marriage: Water and fountain mean wife and family (v.15). In other words, men and women should enjoy and find satisfaction in true married love. The legitimate nature of this pleasure is compared to drinking from the wholesome waters of one’s own cistern. Every house in the East certainly had a cistern, hence the fitness of the analogy. Drinking waters from your own cistern suggests the proper way to having a fulfilling marriage and family life. “God made the country, man made the town” (Wm. Cowper). Arnot re-phrased this, “God made the family; man made the casino, the theatre, the liquor shop, the ball-room.” It only takes a small amount of foreign matter to pollute a pure well. Avoid broken or cracked cisterns! Solomon called the bride a spring shut up, a fountain sealed (Song. 4:12). Isaiah says the same of Sarah (Isa. 51:1-3). This imagery carries over into the NT where Paul and Peter speak of woman as a vessel (1 Th. 4:4; 1 Pe. 3:7). The weaker vessel hints at something strong yet fragile. Make much of the family and all that belongs to it. Take pleasure, then, in the pure, clear running-waters of married love. It is the first institution of God. No wonder it is always under such fierce attack by Satan.
- A Futurity in Marriage: This refers to children, the legitimate issue of a godly marriage (v.16). The meaning is, “May your marriage be blessed with many children who go out into society for the public good” (Deut. 33:28; Isa. 44:3-4). “If a happy issue is given, let it be as fountains dispersed abroad” (Bridges). From such marriages, blessings flow from the offspring in godly influences. Happy the children who do not put a stigma on their father, and happy the father who does not bring shame on his children. Thank God for virtuous wives and for offspring that bless their own and future generations too!
- Fidelity in Marriage: It is only by such faithfulness that these values come (v.17). God instituted monogamous marriage to bring stability into family life. What a waste to throw water from your well into the street! It is a privilege to display one’s children with a sense of God-given thankfulness and pride. “Marriage,” says Jeremy Taylor, “is the mother of the world, and preserves kingdoms, and fills cities and churches, and heaven itself.” The phrase, strangers with thee, reminds us of the strange woman (v.3) who may seduce you, and strangers (v.10) who bankrupt you. Strangers with you in life! Strangers with you in death! Fidelity in marriage will save you from strangers with you in eternity!
Thought: “Affection without action is like Rachel, beautiful but barren” (Trapp).
Prayer: Lord, let my fountain run over for the good of my family and others.