Read Proverbs 23:12–24:2
Questions from the Scripture text: What should the son do with his heart (Proverbs 23:12a)? And ears (verse 12b)? What shouldn’t be withheld from whom (Proverbs 23:13a)? What won’t happen (verse 13b)? What must a parent do (Proverbs 23:14a)? Unto what purpose (verse 14b)? Whose heart may be in what condition (Proverbs 23:15a)? Whose heart will do what (Proverbs 23:15-16a)? How will the father know, when the son’s heart is wise (Proverbs 23:16b)? What must the son keep his heart from (Proverbs 23:17a)? How (verse 17b)? Why (Proverbs 23:18)? What does Proverbs 23:19a command? Unto what end (verse 19b)? And the avoidance of whom (Proverbs 23:20)? Why (Proverbs 23:21)? What should he do with his father (Proverbs 23:22a)? And with his mother (verse 22b)? What should he get, and never give up (Proverbs 23:23)? Who will rejoice (Proverbs 23:24)? What, then, should the son do (Proverbs 23:25)? What should the son do with his heart (Proverbs 23:26a)? And eyes (verse 26b)? Why—of whom would he be in what danger (Proverbs 23:27-28)? What is the condition of the person in Proverbs 23:29? How did they get there (Proverbs 23:30)? By what mustn’t the son be tempted (Proverbs 23:31)? Why (Proverbs 23:32)? How does wine sting (Proverbs 23:33)? What sort of choices do drunks make (Proverbs 23:34)? How do they end up (Proverbs 23:35)? What should the son avoid (Proverbs 24:1)? Why (Proverbs 24:2)?
How can the heart be kept safe? Proverbs 23:12–24:2 looks forward to the midweek sermon. In these twenty-six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we keep our heart safe from following evil by giving it to the wise’s wisdom.
The 12th–20th sayings focus on the keeping of the heart from being with and like the wicked, by giving it to the wise parent’s wise teaching. #12 (Proverbs 23:12) is an introduction to the section, recalling saying 1 (cf. Proverbs 22:17). The ears are for getting knowledge that shapes the heart. Not only his soul, but his own children’s soul’s depend, instrumentally speaking, on his being wise, and instructing (Proverbs 23:13a) and disciplining (Proverbs 23:13-14a) them wisely, in dependence upon God to save the soul (#13, Proverbs 23:13-14). So, not only should he aim at his parents’ joy, but by the time it is complete, he will be urging his children similarly from his own lips (Proverbs 23:16b); in this way, the hearts of the generations are linked together (#14, Proverbs 23:15-16). In #15 (Proverbs 23:17-18), we learn why the care of the heart is so important: it is in danger of envying sinners, (Proverbs 23:17a) and having hope cut off (Proverbs 23:18b) in the latter end (verse 18a). The fear of YHWH (Proverbs 23:17b) is the antidote that the heart-work of these sayings produces.
So, to escape winos, gluttons, drunks, and sluggards (Proverbs 23:20-21), the son must guide his heart in the way (Proverbs 23:19b) by hearing his father (Proverbs 23:19a) and being wise (#16, Proverbs 23:19-21). It is not just the attention of the heart, but the affection of the heart, that the Lord uses. The natural affection for begetting father (Proverbs 23:22a) and aging(verse 22b)/bearing(Proverbs 23:25b) mother (Proverbs 23:22b) motivates us to give them great joy (Proverbs 23:24a), delight (verse 24b), and gladness (Proverbs 23:25a). So, we must get truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding, and never give them up (Proverbs 23:23) (#17, Proverbs 23:22-25). Aiming at his mother’s joy is urgent because of the mortal danger of lusting for the harlot or seductress (#18, Proverbs 23:26-28). But it’s not just harlots that seduce; wine also seduces (Proverbs 23:30-31), destructively (Proverbs 23:29), painfully (Proverbs 23:32), deludingly (Proverbs 23:33), derangingly (Proverbs 23:34-35b), and addictingly (Proverbs 23:35c) (#19, Proverbs 23:29-35). The last thing one should want is what the wicked have, or to be with them, lest your own heart and lips become like theirs (#20, Proverbs 24:1-2).
What dangers is your specific heart most prone to? How are you using your eyes and ears to protect it? To whom (Whom) are you giving it?
Sample prayer: Lord, please help us to give our ears, eyes, and hearts to You by hearing and heeding those by whom You instruct us in wisdom. Make us zealous to fear You. Make us delight to delight you, and to gladden the godly. And, thus, save our hearts from envying the wicked, being seduced by them, or becoming like them. Save us from deadly pleasures, and give us eternal life, enjoying You, we ask in Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH164 “God Himself Is with Us”
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