#1313. Proverbs 5:15–19 – Rejoice in marriage (23/7/25)
- Matt Beaney
- Jul 23
- 4 min read
Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional where we are continuing in our Wisdom for Life series from Proverbs.
Today, from Proverbs 5:15-19, we consider how listening to God’s wisdom leads to a lifelong and satisfying marriage.
To watch this devotional, please select the link below.
‘Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer— may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.’ (Proverbs 5:15-19)
i. Drink your own water!
Following on from our last devotional, we continue on the theme of sex and relationships. This command to drink your own water and never share it is an allusion to only having sexual relations, and sexual joy, with your spouse. These words challenge a society where people are reluctant to make commitments and refrain from marriage. Where dating apps have created a culture of short-term relationships that are also sexual in nature. Where open relationships and forms of polygamy or polyandry are on the rise, we need to hear these words afresh.
‘To ‘drink’ is a euphemism for enjoying a healthy sexual relationship within the confines of marriage. That relationship is referred to as 'fresh water’, as opposed to that which runs through the gutters in the public square. Keeping our sexual expression with moral boundaries does not limit our pleasure, but actually enhances it’ (John Kitchen)
This is why, in Hebrews, we read:
‘Marriage should be honoured by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.’ (Hebrews 13:4)
ii. Rejoice in the wife of your youth
Added to being faithful to your spouse is the teaching that we, as time goes by and age catches up with us, remain faithful. Again, too often marriages break down because we want a ‘newer model’. We are fooled into thinking that a new and younger spouse will give us the joy and satisfaction that we desire.
iii. Be ever intoxicated with her love.
Many sneer and are cynical about marriage. As time goes by, they lose the joy and excitement of their early relationship and choose to be ‘intoxicated’ by another. However, God’s wisdom is that we can choose to be intoxicated by our spouse as the years go by. We are not the victims of the winds of romantic love. We are not to see ourselves as helpless victims overcome by love-lost or a new, powerful romantic attraction. The ESV puts it: ‘Let her…delight’, ‘Be intoxicated always in her love’. We are not to be passive or think that we are not responsible for the health of our marriage. Choosing to invest in a marriage through conversation, recreation, prayer, sexual intimacy, etc., will lead to a deep love that surpasses the allure of sex without faithfulness! As my father-in-law used to say, “Keep courting!”
Let’s pray together as we finish.
“Lord Jesus, I thank you for your faithful love for your church, whom you call your bride. Help me, if I’m single, to enjoy, be satisfied and intoxicated by your love. Help me, if I’m married, to obey and trust your wisdom and remain satisfied and faithful to my spouse. Give me the wisdom I need in order to find fresh joy and satisfaction in my marriage. Amen.”
Community Group Notes
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.
Week #7: Proverbs 5:1-6:5. Pay attention and have healthy relationships.
1. What themes stand out in this week’s section? Identify key ideas and repeated patterns. What is the focus of this section?
2. What promises does God offer, and what warnings does He give? Look for specific encouragements, blessings, or cautions in the text.
3. How does this speak into our lives today? What are the practical ways we could live this out — individually, in our families, in our community?
4. How is God calling you to respond? Consider what this means for your heart, your choices, and your direction.
5. SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)
How might the wisdom in this week's section of Proverbs help us to be a light for Jesus?
Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing testimonies of God at work through us.
6. Let’s pray together:
Let’s pray for one another based on our study, and bring before God any other needs or requests for prayer.
Pray for one another's SIV opportunities and boldness in following the Spirit's promptings.
Pray specifically for the 'people of peace' in our lives—asking God to open hearts and provide opportunities to speak life and truth.
Comments