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Proverbs presents two categories of people: the wise or cautiousbeing and the fool, scoffer, or unwise being. The first one seeks wisdom and loves instruction: the second avoids discipline altogether. Also, each one can be characterized by his or her response to parental and/or other authority, the first brings happiness and enjoyment, the second brings shame, dishonor, and sadness. Proverbs wants the reader to become wise and look down on the foolish and their foolishness. With all this being said, we dive into a very touchy subject for many found in Proverbs 23:29-35, concerning alcohol. Whether you think it is OK or not Ok to partake in alcohol conception, Proverbs is telling us to the effects of alcohol if abused. Alcohol like many other things can be bad for us spiritually, physically, and mentally if abused and missed used.
This is like a short essay within the text against alcohol abuse. Wine is described as dangerous as a snake (v. 32 NKJV), producing hallucinations (v. 33 NKJV), bad language (v. 33 NKJV), and insensitivity (v. 34,35 NKJV). Alcohol can be very appealing and satisfying for many people, alluring many into a foolish life. Proverbs is telling us here to not allow it to take your eyes off God who gives you wisdom for a short fix that ends in destruction. As in all things we are not to abuse things, for it is the abuse of things that always gets us into trouble.
All of Proverbs has a resounding theme if you haven’t caught on yet and that is seek out knowledge. Hold on to it as a precious jewel as we see once again found in Proverbs 24:13-14. I heard a friend the other day say that Proverbs keeps repeating itself over and over again – about be careful not to be foolish and seek out wisdom. Another friend of mine said that the foolish need to hear about wisdom repetitively in order for it to sink in.
I love v.28 of Proverbs chapter 25, it says; “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.” In the days of the Bible a city was only as strong as the wall that kept the enemy out. If you had a weak wall the enemy would overtake your city, but a strong wall kept out those that you did not want to come into the city. Just like a man or women that is out of control, with no self-imposed limits is any man. We all need limits, we all need to be cautious and take heed from others!
Finally in Proverbs 26:6-11 & 17-19 we see a vivid list of things that should not be together. Go over these verses and see if there are things in your own life that maybe you are trying to merge together that should not be together, knowing that one does not complement the other. Or in other words are you trying to indulge in a little evil while trying to serve the Lord, you can not do both – it has got to be one or the other.
In today’s world, it seems like people refuse instruction from any source, no matter the circumstances and they’re even less found of a reproof. I, myself, don’t mind instruction – especially if I’m clueless on the subject matter. But reproof, that’s a little tougher. Feel free to compliment, but criticism and detail reports of my wrongs, I’m not down with that. The fact is we all love a good compliment, but can’t stand to hear about our inadequacies. However in Proverbs 9:7-9 it states that we need to embrace the discipline of instruction and listen to reproofs gladly. I know that is such a strong word to use there, but that’s how serious we need to take good criticism. We have got to realize that we’re imperfect in many ways and that God, every so often sends someone our way to help us see what we are doing right or wrong. We have got to also realize that turning away for both instruction & reproof is natural, but we must resist that urge if we want to obtain great wisdom.
Then in Proverbs 10:14 the author tells us to watch that mouth! Oh if we could only take back some of the words we have said to others over the years — how much better off we’d be. V.14 “The wise accumulate knowledge a true treasure; know-it-alls talk too much a sheer waste.” (MSG) How true! We have got to be careful in what we say. We need to gauge every word before we speak it. My grandmother always told me, “Do not speak unless it is important that you do so”. Man is that right — preach it granny! We should make it a point to only speak in order to build up another, rather than tear down.
In closing, the author gives us a great warning that we need to make sure we heed to his words “22 God can’t stomach liars; he loves the company of those who keep their word.” Proverbs 12:22 (MSG) We need to let our yes be yes, and our no be no plain and simple. A righteous person will stand by there word no matter what.
The wisdom that the book of Proverbs holds is as meaningful today as when it was written. It is a book that demonstrates how to order your values, which leads us to great character, which leads to completeness, which leads to great satisfaction. It is a book that warns of the pitfalls of careless living. With that being said, I love the way the author of chapter 1:20-21 puts a face to wisdom – by calling wisdom she. It makes it personal, putting a face to it, as if you were communicating to a friend, rather than talking about wisdom as some cold and distant object that we can not truly obtain.
I also like what he says in chapter 2:4-6 “… and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (TNIV) This text is saying “seek out knowledge, it’s out there – but you are going to have to look for it, it’s not just going to fall in your lap”. Then delight in it as a valuable possession when you find it.
Now in chapter 3:21-26 “My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them, for they will refresh your soul. They are like jewels on a necklace. They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble. You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly. You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.” (NLT) These verses sound like a great poet wrote them, the words just jump off the page and grab you. It is as if he is saying hold tight to wisdom, never let it go. Chase wisdom down if you have to, but at all cost hold on to it, because through wisdom, you gain a better understanding about life. Wisdom gives you patience, discernment, favor, godly prosperity, safety, and many more benefits. Man who wouldn’t want these things!
Then comes chapter 4 and neatly tucked middle way of the chapter is verses 14-17 warning us about the path of evil. “Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble. They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.” (TNIV) These couple of verses are saying to me that they (meaning the wicked) are literally addicted to evil. It becomes as natural to them as eating, drinking, and sleeping. It reminds that if you venture down their path, you will become entangled very quickly with them and not even realize it, so WATCH OUT!
