Proverbs 23

 

Proverbs 23:1  "When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what [is] before thee:"

Proverbs 23:2 "And put a knife to thy throat, if thou [be] a man given to appetite."

Proverbs 23:3 "Be not desirous of his dainties: for they [are] deceitful meat.

Here is a warning to exercise restraint when confronted with the luxuries of a wealthy ruler who seeks to lure you into his schemes and intrigues.

Proverbs 23:4 "Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom."

Proverbs 23:5 "Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not?  for [riches] certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven."

 Usually a person who gains great riches and has never been rich before cannot hang on to it, and it is soon gone.   Rather than wearing one’s self out pursuing wealth, pursue the wisdom of God and what glorifies Him, and He will bless with prosperity as He chooses.

Proverbs 23:11 "For their redeemer [is] mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee."

Proverbs 23:12 "Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge."

Proverbs 23:13 "Withhold not correction from the child: for [if] thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die."

Proverbs 23:14 "Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell."

Proverbs 23:15 "My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine."

 Let the desires of your heart be to learn, and in learning, accumulate knowledge. Listen to words of knowledge, turn on your understanding, and keep it in your heart.   Punishment should not be overlooked in training a child. If he cries, it is not because you are killing him. The child will survive the punishment and thus avoid an untimely or premature death due to sinful conduct.  The instructor rejoices more than the student when the student learns well. It is a good reflection on both. The instructor, because he has taught well, and the student, because he has learned well.

Proverbs 23:17  "Let not thine heart envy sinners: but [be thou] in the fear of the LORD all the day long."

Proverbs 23:18 "For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off."

Proverbs 23:19 "Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way."

Proverbs 23:20 "Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:"

Proverbs 23:21 "For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe [a man] with rags."

We see, here, that sometimes sinners seem to be prospering in this world. We are not to envy them or their evil ways. Never look longingly at what they are doing.     Anyone who might envy sinners needs to know that their prosperity is brief. They will die (“be cut off”); then there will be a time when all iniquities will be dealt with and divine justice will prevail.   The way of wisdom is the only right way.  Winebibbers are drunkards and riotous eaters of flesh are gluttons. Both are sinners and both are avoided by the wise man.