Proverbs 23

God's restraints of the appetite only say, Do thyself no harm.

Be not of those that will be rich. The things of this world are not happiness and a portion for a soul; those that hold them ever so fast, cannot hold them always, cannot hold them long.

Do not make thyself burdensome to any, especially those not sincere. When we are called by God to his feast, and to let our souls delight themselves, Isa 25:6; 55:2, we may safely partake of the Bread of life.

It is our duty to take all fit occasions to speak of Divine things; but if what a wise man says will not be heard, let him hold his peace.

The fatherless are taken under God's special protection. He is their Redeemer, who will take their part; and he is mighty, almighty.

Here is a parent instructing his child to give his mind to the Scriptures. Here is a parent correcting his child: accompanied with prayer, and blessed of God, it may prove a means of preventing his destruction. Here is a parent encouraging his child, telling him what would be for his good. And what a comfort it would be, if herein he answered his expectation!

The believer's expectation shall not be disappointed; the end of his trials, and of the sinner's prosperity, is at hand.

The gracious Saviour who purchased pardon and peace for his people, with all the affection of a tender parent, counsels us to hear and be wise, and is ready to guide our hearts in his way. Here we have an earnest call to young people, to attend to the advice of their godly parents. If the heart be guided, the steps will be guided. Buy the truth, and sell it not; be willing to part with any thing for it. Do not part with it for pleasures, honours, riches, or any thing in this world. The heart is what the great God requires. We must not think to divide the heart between God and the world; he will have all or none. Look to the rule of God's word, the conduct of his providence, and the good examples of his people. Particular cautions are given against sins most destructive to wisdom and grace in the soul. It is really a shame to make a god of the belly. Drunkenness stupifies men, and then all goes to ruin. Licentiousness takes away the heart that should be given to God. Take heed of any approaches toward this sin, it is very hard to retreat from it. It bewitches men to their ruin.

Solomon warns against drunkenness. Those that would be kept from sin, must keep from all the beginnings of it, and fear coming within reach of its allurements. Foresee the punishment, what it will at last end in, if repentance prevent not. It makes men quarrel. Drunkards wilfully make woe and sorrow for themselves. It makes men impure and insolent. The tongue grows unruly; the heart utters things contrary to reason, religion, and common civility. It stupifies and besots men. They are in danger of death, of damnation; as much exposed as if they slept upon the top of a mast, yet feel secure. They fear no peril when the terrors of the Lord are before them; they feel no pain when the judgments of God are actually upon them. So lost is a drunkard to virtue and honour, so wretchedly is his conscience seared, that he is not ashamed to say, I will seek it again. With good reason we were bid to stop before the beginning. Who that has common sense would contract a habit, or sell himself to a sin, which tends to such guilt and misery, and exposes a man every day to the danger of dying insensible, and awaking in hell? Wisdom seems in these chapters to take up the discourse as at the beginning of the book. They must be considered as the words of Christ to the sinner.

Avoid the dangers of gluttony.

put a knife--an Eastern figure for putting restraint on the appetite.

are deceitful meat--though well tasted, injurious.

(Compare 1Ti 6:9, 10). thine own wisdom--which regards riches intrinsically as a blessing.

Wilt ... eyes--As the eyes fly after or seek riches, they are not, that is, either become transitory or unsatisfying; fully expressed by their flying away. 6-8. Beware of deceitful men, whose courtesies even you will repent of having accepted. evil eye--or purpose (Pr 22:9; De 15:9; Mt 6:23).

The morsel ... words--that is, disgusted with his true character, all pleasant intercourse will be destroyed.

(Compare Pr 9:8). "Cast not your pearls before swine" (Mt 7:6).

(Compare Pr 22:22, 23).

redeemer--or avenger (Le 25:25, 26; Nu 35:12), hence advocate (Job 19:25). plead ... thee--(Compare Job 31:21; Ps 35:1; 68:5).

Here begins another series of precepts.

While there is little danger that the use of the "divine ordinance of the rod" will produce bodily harm, there is great hope of spiritual good.

The pleasure afforded the teacher by the pupil's progress is a motive to diligence.

my reins--(Compare Ps 7:9).

(Compare Margin). The prosperity of the wicked is short.

an end--or, "hereafter," another time, when apparent inequalities shall be adjusted (compare Ps 37:28-38). 19-21. guide ... way--or direct thy thoughts to a right course of conduct (compare Pr 4:4; 9:6).

riotous ... flesh--prodigal, or eating more than necessary. Instead of "their flesh" (compare Margin), better, "flesh to them," that is, used for pleasure.

drowsiness--the dreamy sleep of the slothful.

Hearken--that is, obey (Pr 1:8; Eph 6:1). despise ... old--Adults revere the parents whom, as children, they once obeyed.

Buy--literally, "get" (Pr 4:5). truth--generally and specially as opposed to errors of all kinds.

(Compare Pr 10:1; 17:21, 25). 26-35. A solemn warning against whoredom and drunkenness (Ho 4:11). give me--This is the address of that divine wisdom so often presented (Pr 8:1; 9:3, &c.). heart--confidence. observe--keep. my ways--such as I teach you (Pr 3:17; 9:6).

deep ditch--a narrow pit, out of which it is hard to climb. lieth in wait--to ensnare men into the pit, as hunters entrap game (compare Pr 22:14).

increaseth ... transgressors--(Pr 5:8-10). The vice alluded to is peculiarly hardening to the heart.

This picture is often sadly realized now. mixed wine--(Compare Pr 9:2; Isa 5:11).

when ... red--the color denoting greater strength (compare Ge 49:11; De 32:14). giveth ... cup--literally, "gives its eye," that is, sparkles. moveth ... aright--Perhaps its foaming is meant.

The acute miseries resulting from drunkenness contrasted with the temptations.

The moral effects: it inflames passion (Ge 19:31, 35), lays open the heart, produces insensibility to the greatest dangers, and debars from reformation, under the severest sufferings.

awake--that is, from drunkenness (Ge 9:24). This is the language rather of acts than of the tongue.