Wisdom's Call: The Life-Shaping Lessons
Proverbs 23:1-35
- What did it mean to the original reader or original audience?
- At what age do you think you became (or will become) an adult? What telltale signs, privileges or rites of passage marked the occasion?
- Can you recall your first major Father-Son or Mother-Daughter talk about what it means to be an adult? What prompted it: Concern about driving? Drinking? Smoking? College? Voting rights? Mom's apron strings are too tight?
#People = The Wise, The Deceptive, Parents, Children, The Drunkard, The Glutton, The Envious
#Time =
#Place =
#Obedient faith =
#Sin =
#Key Idea =
1When you sit down to eat with a ruler,
observe carefully whata is before you,
2and put a knife to your throat
if you are given to appetite.
3Do not desire his delicacies,
for they are deceptive food.
4Do not toil to acquire wealth;
be discerning enough to desist.
5When your eyes light on it, it is gone,
for suddenly it sprouts wings,
flying like an eagle toward heaven.
6Do not eat the bread of a man who is stingy;b
do not desire his delicacies,
7for he is like one who is inwardly calculating.c
“Eat and drink!” he says to you,
but his heart is not with you.
8You will vomit up the morsels that you have eaten,
and waste your pleasant words.
9Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,
for he will despise the good sense of your words.
10Do not move an ancient landmark
or enter the fields of the fatherless,
11for their Redeemer is strong;
he will plead their cause against you.
12Apply your heart to instruction
and your ear to words of knowledge.
13Do not withhold discipline from a child;
if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.
14If you strike him with the rod,
you will save his soul from Sheol.
15My son, if your heart is wise,
my heart too will be glad.
16My inmost beingd will exult
when your lips speak what is right.
17Let not your heart envy sinners,
but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.
18Surely there is a future,
and your hope will not be cut off.
19Hear, my son, and be wise,
and direct your heart in the way.
20Be not among drunkardse
or among gluttonous eaters of meat,
21for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,
and slumber will clothe them with rags.
22Listen to your father who gave you life,
and do not despise your mother when she is old.
23Buy truth, and do not sell it;
buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
24The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice;
he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.
25Let your father and mother be glad;
let her who bore you rejoice.
26My son, give me your heart,
and let your eyes observef my ways.
27For a prostitute is a deep pit;
an adulteressg is a narrow well.
28She lies in wait like a robber
and increases the traitors among mankind.
29Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
Who has strife? Who has complaining?
Who has wounds without cause?
Who has redness of eyes?
30Those who tarry long over wine;
those who go to try mixed wine.
31Do not look at wine when it is red,
when it sparkles in the cup
and goes down smoothly.
32In the end it bites like a serpent
and stings like an adder.
33Your eyes will see strange things,
and your heart utter perverse things.
34You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,
like one who lies on the top of a mast.h
35“They struck me,” you will say,i “but I was not hurt;
they beat me, but I did not feel it.
When shall I awake?
I must have another drink.”
observe carefully whata is before you,
2and put a knife to your throat
if you are given to appetite.
3Do not desire his delicacies,
for they are deceptive food.
4Do not toil to acquire wealth;
be discerning enough to desist.
5When your eyes light on it, it is gone,
for suddenly it sprouts wings,
flying like an eagle toward heaven.
6Do not eat the bread of a man who is stingy;b
do not desire his delicacies,
7for he is like one who is inwardly calculating.c
“Eat and drink!” he says to you,
but his heart is not with you.
8You will vomit up the morsels that you have eaten,
and waste your pleasant words.
9Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,
for he will despise the good sense of your words.
10Do not move an ancient landmark
or enter the fields of the fatherless,
11for their Redeemer is strong;
he will plead their cause against you.
12Apply your heart to instruction
and your ear to words of knowledge.
13Do not withhold discipline from a child;
if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.
14If you strike him with the rod,
you will save his soul from Sheol.
15My son, if your heart is wise,
my heart too will be glad.
16My inmost beingd will exult
when your lips speak what is right.
17Let not your heart envy sinners,
but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.
18Surely there is a future,
and your hope will not be cut off.
and direct your heart in the way.
20Be not among drunkardse
or among gluttonous eaters of meat,
21for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,
and slumber will clothe them with rags.
and do not despise your mother when she is old.
23Buy truth, and do not sell it;
buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
24The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice;
he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.
25Let your father and mother be glad;
let her who bore you rejoice.
and let your eyes observef my ways.
27For a prostitute is a deep pit;
an adulteressg is a narrow well.
28She lies in wait like a robber
and increases the traitors among mankind.
Who has strife? Who has complaining?
Who has wounds without cause?
Who has redness of eyes?
30Those who tarry long over wine;
those who go to try mixed wine.
31Do not look at wine when it is red,
when it sparkles in the cup
and goes down smoothly.
32In the end it bites like a serpent
and stings like an adder.
33Your eyes will see strange things,
and your heart utter perverse things.
34You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,
like one who lies on the top of a mast.h
35“They struck me,” you will say,i “but I was not hurt;
they beat me, but I did not feel it.
When shall I awake?
I must have another drink.”
Proverbs 23 contains a collection of wise sayings and advice, primarily focused on self-control, wisdom, and avoiding various temptations and vices. It offers wisdom and advice on various aspects of life. Key themes include:
Self-Control and Discipline: The chapter advises moderation in behavior and consumption, such as not overeating or being consumed by greed.
Wisdom and Learning: It emphasizes the value of wisdom and the importance of seeking understanding and knowledge.
Integrity and Moral Conduct: There’s a focus on the importance of maintaining honesty and integrity, especially in dealings with others.
Parental Guidance: It highlights the role of parents in guiding their children and instilling values.
Avoiding Temptations: The chapter warns against succumbing to the allure of wealth and the pitfalls of a lavish lifestyle.
Here are more key points:
The chapter begins with warnings about exercising restraint when dining with rulers or wealthy people, as their generosity may be deceptive. It cautions against pursuing wealth obsessively, noting that riches can quickly disappear.
There is a strong emphasis on listening to parental wisdom and not withholding discipline from children. The chapter states that proper discipline can save a child's life and soul.
The proverbs warn against associating with drunkards, gluttons, and immoral people. It states that such company can lead to poverty and ruin.
Readers are encouraged to pursue wisdom, truth, and understanding. The chapter advises to "buy the truth and do not sell it".
A significant portion is devoted to describing the perils of excessive drinking. It vividly portrays the negative effects of drunkenness, including physical harm, impaired judgment, and addiction.
Overall, Proverbs 23 offers practical advice for leading a disciplined, wise, and morally upright life. It warns against the allure of adultery and prostitution, describing them as dangerous traps. It provides practical advice for living wisely, emphasizing self-control, respect for parents, pursuit of wisdom, and avoidance of destructive behaviors and influences.
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- Where do you think the conversation of this chapter took place: Family dinner? Son's 21st birthday? Father-son wood-shed chat? Or what?
- How many don'ts are in this chapter? What positive alternatives are given for someone who chooses "not to"?
- What is it about the king's fare, a stingy man's offering or strong drink that we are to avoid (vv. 1-8, 30-34)? What is the point of such abstinence?
- How are we to regard the fool? The poor and fatherless? "Sinners"? Drunkards? Wayward persons?
- Who is this Defender of those who lose property and lose their fathers (vv. 10-11; see the kinsman-redeemer in Lev 25:25; Ru 3:12-13; 4:1ff and the Deliverer in Gen 48:16; Ex 6:6)?
- What is the rod of discipline (vv. 13-14; also 13:24)? Is it stoning (see Dt 21:18-21)? What is the result of using "it"? Of not doing so?
- What makes a parent happy (vv. 15, 16, 24-25)? Which of those three happy events would make you most glad?
- If getting wisdom, discipline and understanding" were compared to a football game, where are you: (a) Still in the locker room, getting suited up? (b) On the bench, resting from your tum on defense? (c) Stopping for a Gatorade break? (d) Running with the ball on offense?
- What does this "future hope" depend upon (v. 18; see 24:14, 20; Ps 37:37)? To what extent are you sharing in that hope for yourself? For others?
- What effect do all the negative words ("do not...") have on you? Do they make you feel negative? How so?
- If you were advising abstinence to your child, or a friend, how would you word it? Where would you put the accent?
- On a scale of 1-10, how much do you agree with verses 13 and 14? If less than 5, what practical alternative to the rod do you suggest? How does your alternative compare with how you were raised? What uses and abuses of rod-like discipline are you concerned about?
- To what extent do you identify with this father's other concerns (vv. 19-35)? With his wisdom? His joy? What advice, given here, have you found most relevant to your family situation?
- In Solomon's day, it was the duty of a relative to take care of widows and children who lost their husband/father. Who would take care of you in a similar situation?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- What transformative move needs to be made?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
- What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this passage? How will you apply it to your life this week?
- Whom do you know who needs to hear this?
- What is God bringing to your attention in this discussion? What beliefs, thoughts, or actions need to be addressed or changed?
PRAYER: "Father, help me to be wise in my choices and obedient to Your Word. I pray that I would not give in to peer pressure or be influenced by those who would lead me astray. I want to honor You with my life." In the Name of Jesus.
Other Resources:
- Audio Recordings
Through the Word = Audio
Proverbs 23 - The Sayings of the Wise
Discovery Bible Study
Articles
- Devotions
7 Sins That Many Christians Seem To Ignore.
--Jack Wellman
What are seven common sins that often get ignored by Christians? Which ones can you think of?
Bearing False Witness
We are still sinners, the Bible is very clear about this (1 John 1:8. 10), but we should not be bearing false witness to others. We can “stretch” the truth, but a half-truth is still a whole lie. I know I’ve done it, and I would imagine you have, too. I’ve been caught in a lie, and I’ve caught others in them, too. Most Christians repent of this and ask for forgiveness, but I also know a lady who claims to be a Christian and is a compulsive liar. This ought not be because this is one of the so-called seven deadly sins that God hates, and it includes being “a false witness who breathes out lies” (Prov. 6:19a), which is “a lying tongue” (Prov. 6:17).
Gossiping
This is one sin that God truly hates. It divides and destroys many churches and relationships, too. God says, “There are six things that the Lord hates [and] seven that are an abomination to him” (Prov. 6:16), including “one who sows discord among brothers” (Prov. 6:19b) because it destroys the unity which God is trying to create in the church. This was a huge problem within the Corinthian church, as Paul wrote that there should “be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10) because “a whisperer (gossiper) separates close friends” (Prov. 16:28b).
Stealing
We might not be robbing banks, but we can leave work early; have someone clock us in or out; or steal pens, paper, and even paperclips from work. If we aren’t giving it our all at work, then we’re stealing from our employer, who pays us the wages for which they expect us to work. Paul admonishes those thieves of property and time: “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need” (Eph. 4:28). Paul rebuked the church at Rome by asking, “While you preach against stealing, do you steal” (Rom. 2:21)?
Coveting
This is the only sin that is listed among the Ten Commandments that nobody can see. You can covet your neighbor’s spouse; you can covet their brand new car; you can covet their house; or you can even covet their job, status, or position in life. Coveting is the one sin that Paul apparently had trouble with, as he wrote, “Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet’ But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead” (Rom. 7:7-8). When you covet, you tell God, “God, I’m not satisfied with what I have–I want more.”
Dishonoring Parents
I hear this broken frequently by people who talk about their parents when they’re not there and even after they’ve passed away. Once again, I’ve done it, but I stopped. I repented of this. You can dishonor your parents even after you’re an adult by the way you talk to them, by the way you talk about them, and by the way you treat them (or mistreat them). This commandment is so important to God that He placed it first in the six commandments that are horizontal (human to human). This is the only commandment that promises a longer life if obeyed but a shorter life if not. This is not simply an Old Testament law, as Paul reiterated it in Ephesians 6:2-3, writing, “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Paul directly quoted Deuteronomy 5:16.
Bonus Content
Gluttony
The Bible describes gluttony as sin, but most Christian’s would never approach someone about this in a million years. Maybe it’s because they fear a backlash from the person they come to, but gluttony does not always have to be about food. We can be gluttonous with food, clothing, movies, sports, the Internet, Facebook, Instagram, and self, devouring hours and hours of time while neglecting prayer and Bible study. Gluttony means you are always wanting more than what you need, so want always outweighs need, and need is never enough, so our addiction (to whatever it is) takes priority over a lot of good things in our life. Gluttony and idolatry are cousins.
Neglecting the Saints
This is a big problem in many churches. Recently, I visited a man who was in the hospital for a week and almost no one in his church knew it. He had pneumonia and was on a catheter, so I ask if there was anything I could do for him. He asked me to get his phone charger, some clean underwear, and his toothbrush and razor, so I ran to his apartment and came back, and asked if he had many visitors, and he turned to me and said, “You!” His own church members, once they all knew, never once visited him, and I could tell this hurt him. This neglect is sin because visiting the sick is a command of Christ (Matt 25:36), but very few Christians seem to understand that doing this for others is doing it for Him (Matt 25:40), or doing nothing at all for Him (Matt 25:42-43).
Conclusion
I used the Ten Commandments because every sin we can commit are contained within these ten. I could have also added putting others before God and taking God’s name in vain, but I would not expect Christians to openly do these sorts of things. Surely, we should not be lying to one another, we should not be gossiping about others, we should be giving an honest day’s work for an honest day’s wages, we shouldn’t be coveting what others have but be content with what we have, and we should be honoring our parents.
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