Chapter 23 ~
This chapter seems to have a lot more "don'ts" than "do's"! The very first "don't" is, "don't desire his [ruler's] choice food, for that food is deceptive." That is immediately followed by, "Don't wear yourself out to get rich; stop giving your attention to it." How do these two "don'ts" tie together? I think the ruler's food is indicative of a wealthy lifestyle. It seems rich and tasty and so much better than what we have at home, but it is deceptive. In fact, Solomon precedes that "don't" with "stick a knife in your throat if you have a big appetite"...he sees the temptation to fall into the pattern of desiring more than what we have been given as that dangerous. It is so easy for us, especially in our day and age, to expect to have more and more as we go through life. To acquire and achieve. In fact, if we don't, there must be something wrong with us! Solomon says to stop giving our attention to getting rich. Wow! Tell 2016 America that! Everyone seems to feel entitled, or driven, to have more than they currently have. Fact of the matter is, some of us were never meant to be rich. It's true, and it's not a bad thing. Let's get past the idea that money solves all the world's problems. We are to use what we have to glorify God in whatever way He shows us. Let's do that.
Solomon continues with:
This chapter seems to have a lot more "don'ts" than "do's"! The very first "don't" is, "don't desire his [ruler's] choice food, for that food is deceptive." That is immediately followed by, "Don't wear yourself out to get rich; stop giving your attention to it." How do these two "don'ts" tie together? I think the ruler's food is indicative of a wealthy lifestyle. It seems rich and tasty and so much better than what we have at home, but it is deceptive. In fact, Solomon precedes that "don't" with "stick a knife in your throat if you have a big appetite"...he sees the temptation to fall into the pattern of desiring more than what we have been given as that dangerous. It is so easy for us, especially in our day and age, to expect to have more and more as we go through life. To acquire and achieve. In fact, if we don't, there must be something wrong with us! Solomon says to stop giving our attention to getting rich. Wow! Tell 2016 America that! Everyone seems to feel entitled, or driven, to have more than they currently have. Fact of the matter is, some of us were never meant to be rich. It's true, and it's not a bad thing. Let's get past the idea that money solves all the world's problems. We are to use what we have to glorify God in whatever way He shows us. Let's do that.
Solomon continues with:
- Don't take from stingy people - if they aren't giving generously, don't take their gift
- Don't speak to a fool - he's not going to listen and will resent your advice
- Don't take advantage of those in vulnerable circumstances - God is on their side
- Don't neglect disciplining children - they need it
- Don't be jealous of sinners - you are the one who has a never fading hope!
- Don't associate with drunks or gluttons
Verses 29-35 really spell out in detail the future of those who drink too much (or abuse other substances). It's a sad story, and it is one that is lived out far too often in our society. I didn't do this, but seeing these verses now I would have my children read these verses when they were about 12 or 13 to see what God's wisdom has to say about the danger of falling into the grip of any substance. The chapter closes with the drunkard's voice saying, "When will I wake up? I'll look for another drink." How sad is that? That is the life of an addict.
Chapter 24 ~
I love the verses in 24:3-4, "A house is built by wisdom, and it is established by understanding; by knowledge the rooms are filled with every precious and beautiful treasure." I wish I could truly say that that is how I built my home from the beginning. It is not. But what a beautiful home it would be if it had always been established and filled with wisdom and understanding rather than selfish goals and desires. I thank God that the past misjudgments are covered by His grace and that my current seeking is bringing precious and beautiful treasures into our home for our children and grandchildren to discover.
Another verse that jumps out at me is v. 11, "Rescue those being taken off to death, and save those stumbling toward slaughter." As with everything in Proverbs that may be read as literal instruction, I believe Solomon's nuggets are also filled with spiritual application. We are called to rescue those we see being led by Satan's deception to a way that leads to death, or those we see starting to stumble toward the path to slaughter. That is part of what true Christian love looks like...caring so much for others that we can't stand to see them going in a way that we know has a fatal end, and not just earthly death, but for eternity.
And then I love v. 16, because I am a "faller"! (Both literally and spiritually!) I am not graceful in life, and I have taken my share of spiritual falls as well. But Solomon reminds us that when we have righteousness (and as Christians we are declared righteous through our acceptance of the blood of Christ over our lives), even if we fall seven times, we will get up! You know why I think we can get up? Because I have felt the hand of Jesus reaching down to help me up. And I thank Him for that daily! He lifted me back up after my knees were bruised and my hands were scraped and set my feet back on solid ground. Praise His name...He is a loving Savior!
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