The Father's Voice and Another Voice（Proverbs 5）
- Yoriko Sakasegawa
- Jun 4
- 1 min read
Proverbs 5 is often read as a warning against adultery,
or as a warning against the adulterous woman.
Indeed, the text speaks about these things.
Yet the first words we hear are these:
“My son, pay attention to my wisdom;
turn your ear to my words of insight.”
(Proverbs 5:1)
The first voice we hear
is not the voice of the adulterous woman.
It is the voice of a father.
The father speaks.
“Pay attention.”
“Listen.”
“Hear.”
His call continues.
Then another voice appears.
“For the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey,
and her speech is smoother than oil.”
(Proverbs 5:3)
This voice also attracts.
It sounds pleasant.
It appeals to the ear.
Rather than simply a warning against adultery,
Proverbs 5 presents us with two voices in contrast.
The father's voice.
And another voice.
The son stands between them.
Which voice will he hear?
To which voice will he listen?
Proverbs 5 seems to place that question quietly before us.
The father speaks.
Then he speaks again.
And again.
Yet the other voice continues to speak as well.
Perhaps that is why the father says,
“Pay attention to my wisdom.”
Today once again,
which voice am I listening to?
I linger for a while before that question.
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