PROVERBS Chapter 23
Discomforts Of The Social Heights “The perspiring social climber is gently chaffed, in three loosely connected paragraphs” (Kidner p. 151). 23:1-3 The expression, “put a knife to your throat”, means to curb your appetite or control yourself (like “bite your tongue”). “What you say and do at a banquet or elegant dinner tells others what kind of person you are. The ruler who hosts a dinner has a sharp eye on his guests. Some are so awed by the elegant surroundings and rich array of food that they will probably miss out on the real purpose of the evening. Others will overeat, thereby revealing greed and overindulgence. Wise men, however, will eat with moderation and restraint, constantly aware of what the host is asking of them” (Alden pp. 167-168). The food at such a banquet is called “deceptive”, because the ruler simply isn’t hosting a party. Nothing is free, and the ruler is probably wanting something from you, whether it is information or a favor. “The banquet may be a butteringup occasion” (Bible Knowledge Comm. p. 956). “The rich do not give away their favors for free. They want something in return, and it is generally much more than what they have invested” (Garrett p. 195). The verse serves as a warning to those who long to be around the rich and powerful. It is a reminder that the stakes can be very high in such a crowd and the games that they play can be very dangerous. 23:4-5 Here is a warning against overwork for the sake of getting rich. “This speaks not against being industrious but against consuming oneself for money” (Bible Knowledge Comm. p. 956). Remember, this was said by a wealthy man! The word “consideration” literally means, “to let one’s eye fly toward it”. “But the wealth itself can fly like the eagle and thus outstrip all attempts to capture it” (Garrett p. 195). Compare with 1 Timothy 6:7-10, 17. “Wealth is not less elusive than social prestige” (Kidner p. 151). “Even though a man may become exhausted trying to get rich, what he has amassed could disappear by tomorrow” (Alden p. 168). Unfortunately, in our society many people would argue, “but we have solved the problems of financial instability”. In addition, many people feel that wealth is the equivalent of morality. Getting rich in many multi-level market companies is virtually presented as a religion or a moral achievement.
23:6 It is a mistake to accept hospitality from a stingy person, “for his lack of sincerity would make the evening unpleasant” (Gaebelein p. 1068). 23:7 The phrase, “as he thinks with himself”, is literally, “reckons in his soul”. The idea is that all the while you are eating, such a man is adding up the cost of the food. 23:8 The vomiting here probably isn’t literal, but rather, “the whole course of events is nauseating. ‘It’s enough to make you sick’ might be the modern parallel here” (Alden p. 168). In addition, any compliments that you gave such a person during the course of the evening has been completely wasted on him. Any attempts at having a pleasant conversation has been a waste of time. So the question is, “Why would such a man open up his home?” Probably out of duty or the attempt to get something from you.
Wisdom Wasted On A Fool 23:9 This verse is much like what Jesus said about not casting your pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6). The verse infers that we can know when we are talking to a fool. “The point here is that one should not waste sound teaching on the stubbornly unresponsive” (Garrett p. 196). At times Christians feel guilty for not being able to reach someone with the gospel. We are tempted to feel like failures if we can’t get someone to have a class with us or see the truth. This verse is telling us there are people that we won’t be able to convert---and it isn’t our fault.
Champion The Fatherless 23:10-11 Compare with 22:28. “It is so easy to take advantage of weak people and so easy to abuse those who cannot fight back. Wicked men know homes without fathers are easy marks, yet verse 11 says men who would attack them should think twice. The ‘Defender’ of the widows and fatherless children is no ordinary lawyer, he is God Himself” (Alden p. 169). The term “Defender” did apply to a strong relative who would rescue one who had fallen on hard times (Lev. 25:25; Ruth 3:12,13). The term is also used in reference to God (Genesis 48:16; Exodus 6:6; Job 19:25 and many times in Isaiah 41-63). The verse should give righteous men and women comfort when they see the people taking advantage of the vulnerable and there are no consequences. God will try the
case and condemnation will fall upon the wicked. Doctors who perform abortions need to seriously contemplate these verses!
The School Of Wisdom 23:12 Learning and becoming wise will take effort. There are times when listening is hard, especially when the truth being heard is anything but flattering. The path to wisdom might start with hearing a rebuke (2 Timothy 4:2). “The acquisition of instruction is not to be taken lightly” (Garrett p. 196). “Applying your ears is another way of saying ‘pay attention and listen’” (Bible Knowledge Comm. p. 956). 23:13-14 The death under consideration could be physical as well as spiritual. Compare these verses with popular modern educational theories. It seems that in the mad dash to make learning “fun”, many have forgotten that learning takes work and effort! In order to learn there does need to be order and a definite element of strictness present. “The child will not only survive it, he will survive because of it” (Kidner p. 152). “The text does not justify brutalizing children. Parents who find it only too easy to apply the rod, and especially those who lose their tempers when doing so, should consider Ephesians 6:4” (Garrett p. 196). “Wisdom literature is also timeless in the sense that what is recommended here does not change in the New Testament. Children need spankings then just as much as they need them today” (Alden p. 170). Please note that self-control and maturity don’t just happen with the physical aging process. We cannot depend on the popular idea, “Well, they will eventually grow out of it”. The process to an unselfish life isn’t easy or painless. Many adults would testify that if one doesn’t receive loving and consistent discipline as a child, the only other way to gain mastery over self is typically to learn it the hard way. Either we can correct our children, or “life” will administer discipline that is often very deadly. 23:15-16 “But if a parent’s firmness is vital, so is the child’s own choice” (Kidner p. 152). Godly parental discipline can never erase the child’s own personal choices in life. Consider the warmth in this appeal from a father. This is the same father who has used the rod! “The joy of giving one’s parents or teachers a sense of pride and satisfaction should serve as a motivation to pursue the right path” (Garrett p. 196). Along with the rod, let us as parents add a tremendous amount of verbal encouragement. We need to praise our children when they do well, and let them know that we really care about the choices that they will make in life. When our children do and say noble things, let us tell them, “I am so proud of you!” Carefully note that parental praise is conditional.
Enviable sinners? 23:17-18 “24:1, 19 and Psalm 37:1,8; 73:1ff., expose the simultaneous admiration and resentment which make up envy, springing from an undue preoccupation with oneself and with the present” (Kidner p. 152). Envying sinners, wanting to do what they do, thinking that they are living a happier life, is senseless because they have no hope. Note that envy is a choice, “Do not let”. For remedy for such a temptation is to look up (“live in the fear of the Lord”), and up past the present (“Surely there is a future”). How can anyone envy the lifestyle of a man or woman who is facing eternal condemnation? (John 3:36). Therefore, what are we doing to our children when we start suggesting that God will save people who aren’t obedient to His will? If God will save the nonChristian, then Solomon’s argument of not envying sinners is false!
From Revelry To Rags 23:19-21 Note, even in the Old Testament there is only one way (Matthew 7:1314). Remember, it costs money to eat like a glutton and drink like a drunkard. Sin is expensive in more ways than one. Gluttony is pretty much a forgotten sin. Alden admonishes us, “Is eating a necessity or a hobby? Would you rather eat out or give to the poor?” (p. 170). The verse infers that laziness seems to be a progressive state. The glutton and the drunkard (or the person always wanting to have a good time) finds it harder and harder to concentrate on their work. Living for the next party has become a very addictive lifestyle.
A Son To Be Proud Of 23:22 This verse reminds young people that God isn’t impressed when we ridicule the sound values of the previous generation. God doesn’t believe in a generation gap, and neither does God believe in forgetting about, forsaking or never having time for your parents as they get older. Being too busy isn’t an excuse for not calling or visiting your mother. Garrett adds this angle to the passage, “The warning not to despise the mother because she is old does not mean that the parents are well advanced in years, merely that the son perceives them in that way” (p. 197). Of course, the verse would apply in either situation.
23:23 Truth does have a price! The price includes honesty, sincerity, effort, courage, respect of God, unselfishness, humility, etc…Sadly, in our current society we see and hear many people who are selling the truth. They are trading in the truth for popularity, status, peer pressure, personal gain, secular advancement, political correctness, personal comfort, apathy, and selfishness. “Consider truth as a thing of the highest value, and spare no pains, cost, or sacrifice to obtain it, and, when gotten, keep it safe; do not batter it for earthly profit or the pleasures of sense; do not be reasoned out of it, or laughed out of it…do not part with it for any consideration” (P.P. Comm. 443). God says a person is a fool who sells the truth. The world says, the person who abandons all else for the truth is the fool. We need to seriously ask ourselves, “Is the truth more important than my job security, earthly relationships, human friendships, or my life?” Of course, the verse infers that the truth can be acquired by anyone who is willing to pay the price (1 Timothy 2:4)! 23:24-25 The connection from the above verse would be that godly parents value children who buy the truth. No other parental accomplishment is greater than for one’s children to become faithful Christians.
The Prostitute’s Clutches 23:26-28 “Unchastity may be romanticized, but the hard facts are faithfully given here: captivity (27: no unaided escape), ruthlessness (28), and social disruption (28)” (Kidner p. 153). Leave it to God to always be honest with us, and leave it to the world to give us myths. Points To Note: 1. We truly give our heart to someone when we respect and obey what they are saying. 2. If we don’t “delight” in God’s ways, then we will be an easy target for temptation. It is a useless to fight against temptation if we are only serving God out of a cold sense of duty. 3. The verse may warn against two kinds of unfaithful women, the prostitute and the unfaithful wife. Such women aren’t to be taken lightly, they are actively dangerous! 4. To me the verse is a rebuke to those who think that the answer to prostitution is legalization. There is something far more dangerous than AIDS in this verse, this woman is contributing to men dying spiritually! Legalized prostitution still sends people to hell! In addition, God clearly doesn’t sympathize or attempt to glorify the prostitute. He doesn’t see her as a strong and resourceful woman, or as a woman unselfishly sacrificing herself so she has enough money to pay the rent and clothe her children. God never argues that there are times that we must resort to sinful behavior in order to survive.
The Real Picture Of The Drunkard This is God’s viewpoint of such a person and note that there are no excuses for their behavior. This man doesn’t have a disease, rather his drinking is a choice (31). Our society tends to glorify drunkenness (as long as we aren’t driving), but here God gives us the whole truth. 23:29 “Who is miserable, and has sorrow, strife, complaints, bruises, and bloodshot eyes?” (Alden p. 171). So much for the expression, “happy hour”! What an accurate picture! The local tavern is filled with people who have had a host of personal and relational problems. How many fights happen in bars? How many of those sitting on the barstool are continually complaining about how people have treated them? 23:30 The expression, “linger long over wine”, “describes those who derive comfort and security in knowing that a glass of wine is at hand, ready to deaden the senses” (Garrett p. 197). This isn’t necessarily the bum on the street, rather this can also be the person who says, “What a day—give me a double” or, “I need to go get drunk and blow off some steam”. The word “taste” in this verse can mean to “search out”. Here we see the increasing desire for something stronger. 23:31 The verse admits that alcoholic beverages are very appealing to the senses. So much for the argument, “but I like the taste”. Note, the only way to avoid this temptation, “Do not look on”—that is stay away from it completely. 23:32 After the wine goes down smoothly, after the effects wear off—watch out! “Everything hurts; bloodshot eyes and ‘needless bruises’ are the results of beatings (or self inflicted wounds caused by falling down, etc..) acquired when the drinker couldn’t feel them……sorrow, strife, and complaints follow” (Alden p. 172). 23:33 Blurred eyesight, and “oh, the foolish, the coarse, the vulgar, the wicked things that men say when drunk” (Hunt p. 312). Here is the real danger of alcoholic beverages, “One’s senses and one’s judgment can no longer be trusted” (Kidner p. 153). 23:34 “Physically a drunkard is off balance as he walks. In his stupor he may imagine himself moving like a sailor swaying at the top of a ship’s rigging” (Bible Knowledge Comm. p. 957).
23:35 Here is the real tragedy. In spite of all this suffering, this man still wants another drink. Again, this isn’t merely the bum on the street, this can also be the person who maintains a job, has a family, or the person in college who binges on the weekends. “Man, did I get sick after the party last night---where is the party tonight!”
Closing Comments Christians at times fails to appreciate the fact that God has released us from the need to find happiness in some artificial stimulant. Christians can actually find happiness in reality! The world glorifies alcohol as a way in get into a romantic mood, but if I need a few drinks to bring on romantic feelings for my wife, then what is that saying about her? The man whose wife needs a couple of drinks to get in a romantic mood should be insulted! In contrast, how wonderful to be a Christian, who is a real person, has a real life, and has real passion!