FALLING WITH EASE

Proverbs 30.18-20
FALLING WITH EASE
She eats and wipes her mouth and says, "I've done nothing wrong. " (30.20)

TODAY WE LIVE IN A SOCIETY THAT IS constantly explaining things to us. Scientists, economists, psychologists, journalists and other experts tell us why things happen and what makes us tick. With all the knowledge they impart, we soon come to the assumption that there is nothing in life that cannot be explained one way or another.

But not so with Agur, the author of this saying. He notes several things which are "too amazing" for him. Commentators have tried to detect the common element in the four things. Movement seems obvious enough: an eagle moving in the air, a snake over the rock, a ship through the water. But what about the last? What kind of movement is there between a man with a maiden? Here, the interpretation seems to breaks down.

The key lies in the next verse. After the ways of the eagle, the snake, the ship and the man are described, we have the fifth, "the way of an adulteress": "She eats and wipes her mouth and says, 'I've done nothing wrong,"' (30.20). She sins but feels no trace of guilt. When sin is no longer followed by guilt, the devil's work in the sinner is complete. From now, she sins with ease.

The idea of ease is the common link among the three natural phenomena and the two life situations. It is not so much movement as the ease of performance, seemingly effortless and leaving no trace behind. We come back to the man with the maiden. His deed must be understood in the undesirable sense. He is a Don Juan, a Casanova, a Romeo. He charms the girl with flair and wins her heart with ease. How could a girl fall for such rot is beyond the comprehension of Agur!

In a world of things explained, "love" remains a mystery. Emotions are inexplicable stuff. We are said to "fall" into it, meaning that we cannot see it coming. But it is precisely this ease with which we fall (that is, into emotional involvement with someone of the other sex) that we are urged to be extremely wise. A young lady who allows herself to be courted by an unbeliever will soon find it difficult to extricate herself from the relationship. A young man who wants a non-Christian girl only as a friend may soon discover himself hopelessly committed.

In such cases, it is better to observe the mystery, respect it, and keep a safe distance. Since we cannot fully understand or control the power of our emotions, we do well stay clear of the smooth path that takes us into sin.

Do I know where my emotions are taking me?