Proverbs 23:9-35

Proverbs 23 9-25

v.9  #9 This verse warns us against speaking to foolish people. The fool, by nature, despises wisdom. Once we recognize that God’s truth is mocked by someone we should simply resort to prayer for that individual. We will only frustrate ourselves if we try to convince them they are wrong. This proverb is not a prohibition against witnessing. It merely informs us that there is a time when we should step back and trust God to change the person’s heart.

v.10-11 # 10 These verses are similar to 22:28. The landmarks identified property lines. The commandment not to “enter the fields of the fatherless” is a warning that people should not try and take property away from those who should inherit it after their father’s pass away.

Verse eleven implies that property has been wrongly seized and two parties are now in a legal battle over the property. The word “redeemer” is “goel” in Hebrew. The word is used to describe what is known as a “kinsman redeemer”. This was a person who had the obligation and legal right of redeeming a piece of property for someone for it to stay in the family. Boaz was a “goel” for Ruth (See Deut. 25:5-10, Ruth 4:1).

In this context the redeemer is most likely God Himself. Note He is a “Strong Redeemer”. Those who try and steal from others will find that God will plead the case of the offended. He never loses a case. He will prove the innocent to be righteous and give the appropriate judgment to the guilty. 

v.12 # 11 Here we learn that we should learn with both our ears and our heart. This means that we should listen with the intent to obey what we learn. “Instruction” and “words of knowledge” describe God’s truth. As believer we should be eager to hear and apply God’s word. This means we should expect God to speak to us and obey Him when He does.

v.13-14 # 12 This Proverb is an encouragement to parents to discipline their children by spanking them. The Phrase “If you strike him with rod he will not die” does not mean that you can’t kill your child as a result of beating him too hard. Verse 14 expounds on 13 to teach us that the correction keeps him from living a life that may result in an early death and possibly even from hell.

Disciplining our children is a very successful way to teach them how to behave and even to lead them to Christ. Obviously, discipline must be done in love and with compassion. Excessive discipline or discipline done in anger will do more harm than good (Eph. 6:4).

v.15-16 # 13 The character of a child is what brings joy to a wise parent. Note that he is concerned both with what the child knows (wisdom) and what the child says (lips). Many children are taught wisdom but do not live it. The child who learns and practices wisdom brings joy to his parents’ heart.

v.17-18 # 14 We should not envy the lifestyle of the sinner because in the end they will be punished, and the righteous will be rewarded. It is the temptation of young people to envy rebellious children. They seem to have all the fun, all the friends, and all the fame. As we grow older, that temptation is still there. This proverb encourages us to consistently fear the Lord (all the day). The promise of eternal life, joy and freedom from trial and trouble will one day be a reality for us. We should always keep our eyes on the prize. The hope of the believer cannot be cut off. It will remain. The hope of the unbeliever, however, will be cut off. Therefore, it is foolish for us to envy what will pass away when we already possess what cannot pass away.

v.19-21 # 15 This proverb teaches that a life of excess will lead a person to poverty. Verse 19 begins with an appeal for the young man to listen to the father’s instructions. His instructions will lead to wisdom and guidance in life. The young man is not to identify himself with the crowd of people who drink and eat too much. The drunk and the glutton reveal that they cannot control their own lust. They are driven by appetite and addiction. This type of excessive lifestyle will only lead to poverty (rags) and laziness (slumber).

These verses remind us that character is revealed by behavior. We are usually quick to condemn the drunk. However, we are often quiet when it comes to the glutton. The excessive eater should recognize that he/she has a problem with self control. That problem, just like alcohol, could lead to health problems as well as spiritual ones. The wise recognize that they must have control of their desires and their desires must not have control over them.

v.22-25 # 16 Parents should be respected and listened to even when a child advances in age. The context of this verse seems to imply that the child has reached adulthood. The mother is “old” therefore the father is as well. Generally, men were older than their brides. Respect for parents should carry over into adulthood. Adult children can continue to learn more from their parents as they grow older. Children should recognize and take advantage of this.

Children should not “sell the truth” when they get older. In other words, they should continue in what their parents taught them. Wisdom, instruction and understanding all come because of obtaining the truth of God’s word. When a child continues in the way, he brings great joy to his parents.

Thoughts To Consider

1. We run the risk of looking foolish if we continue to debate with the foolish.

2. A godly parent is more concerned about a child’s character than his career.

3. If the ungodly knew what awaited the righteous, they would be filled with envy.

4. Gluttony is still a sin.

      Proverbs 23 26-35

v.26-28 #17 This saying teaches that sexual immorality leads to personal tragedy and increased sinfulness in the world. Verse 26 begins with an appeal to the son to stay devoted to the teachings of his father. The father wants the son’s heart. That is, he wants his love and devotion. If he has it, the son will stay on the path the father has directed him down (observe my ways). The term “observe” in Hebrew means “to be pleased with”. The son is to find his satisfaction in the godly life the father desires for him to have.

In verse 27 the sexually immoral woman is described. She is described as a deep ditch and a narrow well. These were both types of traps that were used during war or hunting. Once inside, it would be very difficult to get out of them. Notice that in one case the woman is a prostitute and in the other she is an adulteress. This shows that there is no sexual immorality that is pure. Intimacy is reserved for a married couple. Intimacy in any other circumstances invites trouble into a person’s life.

In verse 28 the intentions of the immoral woman are obvious. She plans on seducing the young man. She waits for him like a robber waits on a victim. Wherever the young man may find himself he can be sure their will be the temptation for sexual immorality. The verse also says that she increases the traitors among mankind. In other words, she encourages people to engage in sin and does a good job at it. Every time a pure person falls into sexual immorality she has increased the sinfulness in the world. The young man should be sure to keep himself pure.

v.29-35 #18 This saying states an important truth. Alcohol will destroy you. Verse 29 is a series of six questions.

“Who has woe?” Who is it that will have a life full of troubles?

“Who has sorrow?” Who has needs and desires that aren’t being met?

“Who has strife?” Who has problems with others? (fussing and fighting)

“Who has complaining?” Who has constant complaints?

“Who has wounds without cause?” Who doesn’t know the source of their bruises?

“Who has redness of eyes?” Who has blood shot eyes?

The answer to these questions is found in verse 30. The person who has these problems is the one that drinks wine for an extended amount of time or seeks after mixed wine. Mixed wine could be either wine diluted with water or wine mixed with certain spices.

Simply put, those who savor (tarry long) alcohol or seek after it will have these problems.

 Verse 29 describes the problems associated with alcohol. One who indulges in alcohol can expect to have both personal and social problems. The Scripture seems to be saying “Is this what you want in life?” This is not an appealing lifestyle. Like the strange woman alcohol appears to be a thing of pleasure. In the end, however, the price one must pay is far greater than the pleasure enjoyed.

Verses 31-32 is a warning against alcohol. In fact, we are warned not to even look at it! This is certainly an argument for complete abstinence from alcohol. We can’t drink it if we don’t look at it! It seems that we are warned not to look at it because when we do, we will be reminded of how good it tastes. Also, the smell of alcohol can be a temptation. The phrase “sparkles in the cup” describes the sparkle of the alcohol in the glass. The phrase “goes down smoothly” describes the smoothness in which it goes down. Placing ourselves near alcohol will only tempt us to become more tempted by it.

Verse 32 shows what will happen to us if we get too close. It is like a snake. It will bite us like a serpent would (adder). The venom of a snake quickly enters the bloodstream. It will kill a person slowly or sometimes quickly. So, it is with alcohol. It enters our bloodstream and begins to kill us. Some it may kill quickly. Others it may kill slowly. If it is continually consumed it will seriously affect a person in a detrimental way.

Verses 33-35 are a strikingly accurate picture of a person consumed with alcohol. If it were not such a tragedy it would be almost comical. The metaphors given paint a perfect picture of the drunk.

First, we see that a drunken person is more likely to be sexually immoral. To “see strange things” could mean to look at women lustful intent. One’s standards of morality fade with alcohol. We see things in an entirely different manner when we are drunk. Things we may not consider doing when we will do when we are not sober. Therefore, drunkenness and sexual immorality almost always go hand in hand.

Second, we see that a drunken person often says perverse things. Alcohol loosens the tongue. Usually, the drunk has a mouth full of cursing, vulgarity, lies, threats, and many other forms of corrupt communication. You want find a bar without this type of speech.

Third, we see that the drunken person loses his sense of balance. To be in the sea (whether you’re on a boat or not) means that you are tossed about by the waves. Alcohol makes it difficult for a person to walk. This makes him look foolish and puts him in harms way. The drunk is therefore not safe to drive a car or do other things that require concentration and stability.

Fourth, we see that the drunken person is unaware of much that goes on while he is drunk. In context, it refers to a fight the drunk got into. They struck him, but he wasn’t hurt (that is he had no effects at the time). They beat him but he did not feel it. Alcohol is a pain killer. The drunk can hurt himself physically without even recognizing it until the next day.

Fifth, we see that alcohol is addictive. Despite all the troubles that alcohol brought, the drunk seeks it again as soon as he awakes. Anything that can cause so much harm yet be so appealing is a dangerous thing.

So, the father warns the son against two things. He warns him against women (27-28) and wine (29-35). It doesn’t seem that much has changed through the years.

Thoughts to Consider

1. Sexually immorality is a great danger to our children. We should warn them appropriately.

2. The effects of alcohol on others should be enough to keep us away from it.

3. Not everything that looks good, smells sweet, and tastes great is beneficial.

4. Total abstinence is the only sure way to keep ourselves from its grip.