Proverbs 23
Praise the Lord. There are a few things that stood out to me here in this chapter. In verses 6-8 the father brings to the attention of his son the insincerity that lies in the heart of men. Often times a person will seem to be inviting but yet their heart is far from it. Many of us have been in situations where someone would offer food or other things of their possession. Something inside us compels us not to accept, whether it be an attempt not to appear greedy or an unsettled feel to the offer. Personally I've gotten this feeling more times when I hear the phrase, "have some". It may just be me, but it doesn't always sound that inviting to me. In the Word, it says that a person will offer food but actually have an evil eye. This person is a miser and one who hates to share deep down inside. He will have contempt for you upon every bite if you accept his offer. Don't do it.
In verses 15, 16, and 24 great joy is taken upon a child that heeds the instruction and wisdom conveyed to them. The heart of a parent is truly blessed when that parent can see that child mature in spirit, live a righteous life, and bless others in the process. This child brings pride and satisfaction to all that has the family name.
The heart of chapter 23 goes on to warn the son against various snares and obstacles that would present them selves along the way. These warnings are not unlike those that have gone out before including, strange women, moving the old land mark, and treasuring wisdom, knowledge and instruction. I have learned it's a good thing to hear sound words over and over again. When I was child, it seemed so boring to continuously hear the same thing. But after I got saved and received a better understanding, I see now that when it comes to God's Word, we can never get enough. Hearing it over and over again allows it to become apart of us. Earlier in the book we were admonished to bind the word on our fingers and write them upon the table of our hearts. Repetition has a way of doing that in us. That's why we must ever turn our ears from foolishness because it is an attempt of the enemy to get things unbecoming righteousness within us.
In verses 29-35 the warning goes out concerning the excess of strong drink. vs 29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? The answer comes in the following verse. They that sit and drink for a long time. There is a spirit of which I had been acquainted. Before I got saved, drinking had become apart of my lifestyle. In high school, in the navy, and in college there were times that I drank in excess. As the word says, the eyes behold strange women. In fact they eye will seek out strange women and the mouth shall utter perverse things. I was subject to all those things and more. That spirit tosses a person to and fro with an end purpose of destruction. When things settle the body cries, "I'm wounded, don't do this ever again"!! Nevertheless to those who are subject to such a spirit will perform the same activities again and again should they not escape the dominion of a drunkard spirit. I thank God I did escape, and it happened before I got saved. The Lord is good and his mercy endureth forever.
