Same Action, Different Results

(Proverbs 7:11 KJV)  (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:

Today I want to compare this verse with verse 19.

(Proverbs 7:19 KJV)  For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:

In both we see people being away from their “house" (home NASB) (1004).  Both absences lead to disaster, one by design, the other by betrayal. 

In this verse the woman is away from home because she is restless and looking for a bit of fun.  It isn’t the issue of being out of the house.  She was free to do the activities of life that were normal.  She could have been shopping, running errands or visiting friends and all would have been well.  Her attitude shows that the disaster that comes will be deserved.

The man in verse 19 is away on a business trip.  Was it necessary?  It is assumed that he was on an honorable journey, he left his wife provided for and had a schedule for return.  He also has disaster waiting, not of his own making.

Sometimes our choices, freely made, lead to our downfall.  Sometimes doing the right thing can also cause a problem.  The condemnation comes from the deliberate choice to sin.

So?  When you run into problems in spite of doing the right thing, you can expect God to extend his grace to put things back together.  If it is deliberate rebellion, you can’t call on that warrantee.  God is merciful but not stupid.