Proverbs 23:19-35 - Outline of Proverbs (Book Notes menu page)

Warnings - The Poverty of Partying... The Fragile Joy of Family... The Woe of Wine...
Review - 23:15-18
  The first half of chapter 23 closed with the rejoicing of a father, for a son...
  - whose heart is wise,
  - who speaks right things,
  - who fears the LORD,
  - whose end {ie., future reward} is according to the LORD's sure promises.
  The father of such a son is not disappointed in him.
  Likewise, the son will not be disappointed because he has followed the path of wisdom.
  In the last half of the chapter, the father offers additional practical guidance.
The Poverty of Partying (or) The Measure of True Wealth (23:19-23)

1. Be not among winebibbers... (23:19-21) -
   - The world will want you to attend their parties and social functions.

  But fleshly pleasure is fleeting and empty.
- Lest you come to poverty (v.21; 21:17)...- You will be wise to stay away (1Cor 5:11).
  - Ancient Israel's leaders did not heed this admonition
      and led the nation to its downfall and captivities. Isa 5:11-15,22-25; 28:1-3
  - For the Christian-
      Partying displays unbelief in the Lord's imminent return (Mat 24:45-51).
      Party life is contrary to the Christian life. Rom 13:13; Eph 5:18; 1Pet 4:3-5
- Buy the truth... (23:22-23) -
  - Truth is not for sale. It cannot be purchased with gold (Job 28:12-19).
  - It is offered, freely, by the LORD without money and without price (Isa 55:1,2).
  - A wise son will seek it with all of his being. Pro 2:2-5; 4:5-7; Mat 16:24-27
  The Fragile Joy of Family (23:24-28)
  1. The Joy of Parents in a wise son -
    There is no greater joy for parents than to see their children turn out 'well' (cf. v.25 with Pro 17:25). Of course, godly parents will have a higher standard of 'well' than the world, which gauges success by money and position, rather than by "truth and righteousness."
- The Joy of children who have godly parents (v.26) -
    The lives of godly parents must set a pattern of life for those who follow them. Ask yourself: When my children "observe my ways," are they encouraged to walk with the LORD, or caused to stumble?
    Your heart must belong to the LORD, before you can teach His ways to your children (Deu 6:4-7). Remember "just Lot" who "vexed his righteous soul, with seeing and hearing the unlawful deeds" of the citizens of Sodom (2Pet 2:7,8). He had compromised his testimony, to such an extent that when he warned his sons-in-law of the impending judgment, "he seemed as one that mocked unto" them (Gen 19:14). Whatever instruction in righteousness Lot had given to his children, did not sink in. He lost them all, even the daughters who escaped the city with him. Their immoral scheme (to become pregnant by their father, by making him drunk) revealed the filth of Sodom had permeated their hearts.
    So, Dad, if your children are to follow your heart, you must first steer a course wide of the "strange woman" (v.27,28)... pure of fleshly lusts, adultery, fornication, pornography, and all perversions. Here is another reason to avoid the partying crowd. Yet, the seductive appeal of the strange woman is often a private matter (Pro 7:12-27).
    And Son, even if your earthly father were to fail in this area, the counsel of the heavenly Father is the Truth which you cannot afford to sell. The price of giving yourself to such foolishness is far too high (Pro 22:14). Yet, with a little help from alcohol, many like Lot, lose their moral wallets, when their guard is down.
  The Woes of Wine
  1. Woes in definition, 23:29-33
     - Woe {HB='oy}... Sorrow {HB='ab-oy} - An exclamation of regret, redoubled.
     - contentions {brawling, conflict, strife} - senseless fights.
     - babbling...- senseless talk, a loose tongue talking too much, revealing secrets.
     - wounds without cause...- from fights, from accidents, from falling... Pro 20:1
     - at the last {in the end, afterwards}, it biteth like a serpent... -
    Unlike the 'end' of the wise son (v.18), the end of the drunkard is not good (cp. 5:11-13; Isa 28:3,7-8).
    'Serpent' is the same word as in Gen 3. Alcohol is a tool of the devil.
- thine eyes shall behold strange women... (v.33; example: Lot's daughters, Gen 19:32)
- thine heart shall utter perverse things...- eg., v.29 'babbling,' also Pro 31:4,5
- Woes by example, 29:34,35 - Two pictures:
  1. of drunken staggering and inability to stand, like a sailor on a storm tossed ship.
       The pitching of the deck may be sickening, but the effect is greatly amplified at the top of the mast. The sailor at the top of the mast is supposed to be keeping watch. But the man, who staggers due to alcohol, is not watching. Mat 24:38,39; Luk 21:34
  2. of senses so impaired by alcohol, that he is unaware and unfeeling of his injuries.
     - Even the duration of his stupor is uncertain:
         "When shall {ie., How long until} I awake?"
     - But being foolish and addicted, once sober,
         he soon returns to the poison that bit him: "I will seek it yet again."
  There is a way of escape from this cycle: Eph 5:14; 1Cor 6:9-11.
    But beware... False teachers may offer to guide you in God's way, even though they have already turned back. Making excuses for their sinful ways, they lead others to destruction. 2Pet 2:18-22
  Therefore, the wise will heed the heavenly Father's voice, "My son, give me thine heart..." v.26; cp. Eph 3:16-21

This concludes the study in the second narrative section (Proverbs ch.23).
Read the individual proverbs in Proverbs ch.24-29.
Continue the study in the third narrative section, beginning with Proverbs 30:1-33.
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