Proverbs Chapter 23
Proverbs
Chapter 23
1-3. When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive. God's Book tells us how to behave, not just what to believe. It gives directions about the details of our daily lives. Suppose we are invited to a meal with a ruler. We are given this wise warning: Note well what is before you. Think about where you are. What besetting temptation may attack you? What impression is your behavior likely to make? If your appetite is out of control, ungodly people may criticize you, and you may be a stumbling-block to the weak (1 Corinthians 8:9; Romans 14:21).
We ourselves are also in danger. The luxuries on the table may encourage us to overindulge our appetite. You may have to put a knife to your throat. That is, be stern with yourself. If an unbeliever can say, "I am greater and born to greater things than to be the servant of my body" (Seneca), is it not a shame for a Christian, born as he is, the heir of an everlasting crown, to be the slave of his carnal indulgences?
It is exceedingly dangerous to go to the limits of intemperance. "He who takes his full liberty in what he may, shall repent him" (Bishop Hall). "If I see any dish to tempt my palate, I fear a serpent in that apple and would please myself in a willful denial" (Bishop Hall). Temptation is hard to resist. So be on guard at your weakest point. "Curb your desires, though they be somewhat importunate, and you will find in time incredible benefit by it" (Bishop Sanderson). Pray the following prayer, for the first Sunday in Lent: "Grant unto us such abstinence, that our flesh being subdued unto the spirit, we may ever obey thy godly motions." To knowledge, add self-control (2 Peter 1:5-6).
4-5. Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. Here we are warned about covetousness. If riches come as a result of God's blessing, receive them thankfully, and consecrate them wisely and freely to him. But to wear yourself out trying to become rich is to follow earthly wisdom, not the wisdom from above.
We need to recall the intrinsic value of riches. Luther declared that "the whole Turkish empire in all its vastness was only a crust, which the great Father of the family cast to the dogs." The person who has devoted his every waking hour to amassing a fortune is often deprived of all his wealth at a stroke. In a moment his financial empire can crash as a result of divine judgment, laziness, extravagance, or theft. It is much wiser to lay up treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:20).
This is where the contrast lies. The world sees realities only in the objects before their eyes; the Christian only sees reality in invisible things. So, Christian, think about your heavenly birth, your eternal expectations. With this glory in mind, how dreadful it is to focus on everything that is passing (1 Corinthians 7:29-31). The philosopher Longin has remarked, "Nothing can be called great which to despise is great. Thus riches, honors, dignities, authorities, and whatever besides may have the outward pomp of this world's theater cannot be to a wise man preeminent blessings, since the contempt of them is a blessing of no mean order. Indeed, those who enjoy them are not so much entitled to admiration as those who can look down on them with a noble superiority of mind."
6-8. Do not eat the food of a stingy man, do not crave his delicacies; for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost. "Eat and drink," he says to you, but his heart is not with you. You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments. It is best to decline an invitation to eat with a stingy man when his offer of friendship is a cloak for some selfish action. We do not judge him by his words, but by his heart. But there are no such dangers linked to the invitations of the Gospel. The table is ready, and the invitations have been sent out. The only qualification is our own hunger to accept the invitation and eat the heavenly food. Then we discover that our appetite increases with every mouthful we consume.
9. Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words. Our Lord gave similar teaching when he spoke about not casting pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6). Don't throw away your good counsels on incorrigible sinners. But so long as there is any hope for reclaiming the fool, make every effort for his precious soul. In the spirit of our Master we must present the Gospel to the worst and most unwilling listeners. We must never allow prudence to be an excuse for laziness. But there is the right time to speak and the right time not to speak (Ecclesiastes 3:7).
10-11. Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you. The general prohibition against moving an ancient boundary stone has already been given (22:28). Now a special warning and a specific reason for this is given. Many people who do not dare to touch the rich are quite prepared to oppress the poor. But the fields of the fatherless are under the Almighty's protection. As the fatherless are powerless, God will accuse anyone who wrongs them. So beware of being at the receiving end of divine vengeance.
12. Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge. This counsel is repeatedly given in the Book of Proverbs. This only goes to show how men rebel against divine instruction and how careless they are about paying attention to words of knowledge. The best-taught Christian and the most advanced Christian will be the most earnest in seeking more instruction. He will gladly sit at the feet of the Lord's ministers to hear the words of knowledge. This is where the value of the Bible lies, as the one source of instruction and the only storehouse of words of knowledge.
Observe the link between the heart and ears. The heart that is otherwise open to sound advice may be shut against Christ and his teaching. It may be closed up in unbelief, prejudice, indifference, and the love of pleasure. A listless heart can, therefore, produce a careless ear. But when the heart is graciously opened and enlightened, the ears instantly become attentive. Awakened spiritual desire brings prayer, and prayer brings blessing. And every work of knowledge is more precious than thousands of pieces of gold and silver (Psalm 119:72,127).
13-14. Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death. Christian parents do not always recognize the scriptural standard of discipline. Parents, no less than children, are foolish. They, too, need correcting. The rule for parents concerning disciplining their children, notwithstanding all the pleas for pity, is: do not withhold it. Do it wisely, firmly, lovingly. Persevere with it, even when the results look unpromising. Link this discipline with prayer, faith, and careful instruction.
We agree that it is revolting to inflict pain and to make those we love tenderly, cry. But while our hearts are what our hearts are, it is not possible to train without discipline. If it is asked, will not a gentle approach be more effective? The reply is that if this had been God's wish, since he is a God of mercy, he would not have provided a different way.
But some parents use nothing but discipline. They indulge their own passions at the expense of their less guilty children. Unlike our heavenly Father, they willingly inflict pain on their children. They vent their own anger on them, and they are not really interested in subduing the sins of their children. We need to ask ourselves the question: "Am I about to discipline my child for his good?" An intemperate use of this scriptural ordinance brings discredit on its efficacy and sows the seed of much bitter fruit. Children become hardened under an iron rod. Sternness and severity close up their hearts. It is very dangerous to make our children afraid of us. "If parents," said a wise and godly father, "would not correct their children except in a prayerful frame of mind, when they can 'lift up their hands without wrath,' it would neither provoke God nor them" (Henry).
We must learn not to expect too much from our children. We must not be too depressed by their naughtiness. However, we must not overlook their sinful follies. We must not love them less, but more. And because we love them, we must not withhold, when needed, discipline from them. That would be more painful to us than to them. This is most humbling. For since the corrupt root produces the poisoned sap in the bud, what is it other than the correction of our own sin? "Lord, be pleased to strike with every stroke, that the rod of correction may be a rod of instruction" (Swinnock). "It is a rare soul," said Bishop Hall, "that can be kept in constant order without smarting remedies. I confess, mine cannot. How wild I would have run if the rod had not been over me! Every man can say he thanks God for his ease. For me, I bless God for my trouble."
15-16. My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad; my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right. The wise man now turns from parents and addresses himself most tenderly to children, perhaps to his own child. What Christian parent does not respond in this way? But would we be happy if our child was honored by this world because of his talent or wealth, if he lacked godliness? The spring of parental joy is the wise ... heart of the child. His health, his comfort, his welfare are unimaginably dear to us. The love of our child's soul is the life and soul of parental love. None but a parent knows the heart of a parent. None but a Christian parent knows the yearning anxiety, the many tears and prayers for the soul of a beloved child.
17-18. Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. The Christian's hope is to be continually with God. God is to be our guide now, and after this life he will receive us into glory (Psalm 73:24). With this hope for the present and for the future, how can we possibly envy sinners? The Lord will show us the path of life, and we will have everlasting joy (Psalm 16:8-11). What more could we want? So our hearts, instead of envy[ing] sinners, should be full of compassion for them, for they have nothing to look forward to but death.
19-21. Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path. Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags. The repeated exhortations in the Book of Proverbs to listen remind us of our Lord's earnest and affectionate call to use our ears (Matthew 11:15; 13:9). They show the great importance of listening as the first step to becoming wise. For wisdom, no less than faith, comes from what is heard (Romans 10:17).
But this call especially warns against a besetting temptation. God's creatures abuse his gifts. Wine becomes the occasion of excess. Gluttonous eating degrades the soul and enslaves the body. We are warned not only not to be one of them, but not to join them. Can we be among lepers, figuratively speaking, without catching the disease? The best way to show love is not to sit down with them but to work for their conversion. And if this is not effective, then avoid them. Young people, remember, "Tinder is not better at receiving fire, or wax the impression of a seal, or paper ink, than youth to receive the impression of wickedness" (Greenhill). Do not think that the enemy wants even your present happiness. His malice holds out a poisoned bait. Poverty and shame are temporal fruits. But the eternal ruin of his deluded victims is his far more deadly design.
Noah, as a drunkard, and the Corinthian converts, polluting their sacred feast with drunkenness and gluttony, warn the man of God to "watch and pray" in case he himself is tempted (Matthew 26:41). Always combine these parental warnings with the principles of the Gospel. Do not walk as drunkards, but put on the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13:13-14).
22. Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. "A thing comely and pleasant to see," says Bishop Hall, "and worthy of honor from the beholder, is a child understanding the eye of his parent." Scripture is full of beautiful examples for us to imitate. There is Isaac with Abraham, Jacob with both his parents, Joseph's deference to his elderly father, asking him to bless his children, Moses with his father-in-law, Ruth with her mother-in-law, and most of all, the Savior's tender care for his mother as he died in agony. Dr. Taylor's "godly exhortation to his son," as Foxe writes in his biography, "is worthy of all youth to be noted": "When thy mother is waxed old, forsake her not; but provide for her with thy power, and see that she lack nothing; for so will God bless thee, give thee long life upon earth, and prosperity, which I pray God to grant thee."
23-25. Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding. The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him. May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice! This is the merchant who sold everything in order to buy the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:45-46). This is a gift from God that cannot be bought with money, no matter how much is offered (Isaiah 55:1). It is free, and it is precious. But this proverb says it is important to gain it at any cost. Let us first of all be satisfied that the seller is no deceiver. Are we sure that he is upright in his dealings? The Savior says that we should buy from him (Revelation 3:18). This settles the matter. If we do not really want the goods, we will not pay much attention to the proverb. For we only buy what we eagerly desire.
Note also that this purchase is of inestimable value. It is the truth, the only means of salvation, the only deliverance from sin, the only way of holiness. It is the one thing that is necessary (Luke 10:42). Put this blessing fully in your sights. We cannot be defrauded in such a purchase. It is cheap at any price. Those who love pleasure value highly the baubles of Vanity Fair. But Bunyan beautifully describes the pilgrims answering the sneering reproach. "What will you buy?" They lifted up their eyes to heaven and said, "We will buy the truth."
But like the seasoned merchant, we must buy the genuine article. Many counterfeits are offered for sale. We must measure everything by God's standard. What brings wisdom, instruction, and understanding is the truth of God.
26-28. My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways, for a prostitute is a deep pit and a wayward wife is a narrow well. Like a bandit she lies in wait, and multiplies the unfaithful among men. Solomon now speaks in the name and person of divine Wisdom (see 1:20; 8:1). Who else could claim your heart? Jesus Christ has bought it with his own blood.
All the blessings of the Gospel are yours; but if you refuse them, you trample them under your feet. You live a life of rebellion against your best friend. This is cruel madness against your soul. If you live without Christ, you will die without hope, accursed, lost forever. The command is an invitation of love. Think about that. Think about how right, how reasonable, how attractive it is, how much it is beyond everything else. How much more than any other joy is the delight of giving your heart to the tender, compassionate love of your dying Savior! And then, having made him the object of your desires, be determined to be resolute in rejecting every temptation. "Our heart given, gives all the rest. This makes eyes, ears, tongue, hands, and all to be holy and special in God's sight" (Leighton). His Word will be our rule, his providence our interpreter. The heart will no longer be divided. The eyes will no longer wander.
Here also is our power to resist the strong seductions of the enemy (see 2:10-11,16). God has my heart, and he will keep it. But as long as we live according to our sinful nature, we will die. But we will live if by the power of the Spirit we put to death the misdeeds of the body (Romans 8:13). In our new atmosphere of heavenly light, the mask falls off from the allurements of sin. The prostitute appears as frightening as a deep pit or a narrow well, from which it is impossible to escape. Mighty and strong men have fallen into it. "Samson broke the bonds of his enemies, but he could not break the bonds of his own lusts. He choked the lion, but he could not choke his own wanton love" (Ambrose). The temptress hides the danger while she lays in wait for the prey. Blessed be God if though the lusts of the body have destroyed their thousands and tens of thousands, we have, by giving our heart to our divine Lord, been enabled to abhor the temptation and to ascribe to our faithful God the glory of our deliverance.
29-35. Here is a drunkard looking at himself in the mirror. Let him see his own face. Let this be hung up in his own cottage. Hang it in the alehouse. Every sin brings its own sorrow. Wisdom's voice is: Avoid the allurements of sin. Often a seemingly harmless look leads into a fatal temptation.
Rarely does any sensual temptation come on its own. One evil desire prepares the way for another. The first step is sure to lead to further steps. Drunkenness opens the door for impurity.
Though we see the whole nature so depraved in taste, so steeped in pollution, we ask, is anything too hard for the Lord? May his name be praised for a full deliverance from the enslavement to sin—to all sins and to every individual sin—and even from the chains of this giant sin. The drunkard becomes sober, the unclean holy, the glutton temperate. The love of Christ overpowers the love of sin. Pleasures are then enjoyed without a sting, for no serpent or adder can live in his presence, and the newly planted principle transforms the whole man into the original likeness to God. See 1 John 3:9; 5:18.