Lessons from Proverbs: Step Nine
While writing these proverbs Solomon was in the prime of life and undoubtedly anticipating Rehoboam inheriting the throne. What wise words does a father give to impact his children’s life?
Understanding worldly dangers, Solomon wrote in Chapter 23:19-35 that outside influences will effect our family and clearly wrote words of warning for us. Keep in mind that these words may have been Solomon’s but more importantly, they are God’s prophetic words to us today.
What Christian parent doesn’t want his children to walk in the ways of the Lord? Solomon tells us to ‘direct our heart in the way’, in other words, make good decisions that impact your family. He immediately hits alcohol and food abuse along with respecting your parent’s guidance and finally sexual immorality of all kinds. What had he observed in his family that caused him to dedicate so many strong warnings to these issues?
It occurred to me that it’s no different for us today as parents and grandparents. We may include any addiction, even exercise or technology, when it controls your daily life. God wants His Spirit to control you, not outside influences, so He beckons you,
My child, give Me your heart.
What alliances do you see in yourself? How about your kids or grandkids? These warnings are given to help us mashal in life, rule and reign in victory, and the outcomes are clear when we have a slave master and not a Savior.
What can you expect from alcohol addiction? Verses 29-35 show us emotional pain, broken hearts, fighting, complaining, and physical problems. God is warning us that drunkenness is like a venom keeping you from seeing clearly and using words that become ugly. That’s not mashal: that’s slavery. He closes this discussion with a prediction,
When shall I awake? I must have another drink. Point received.
Chapter 24 is a new topic, thankfully, that warns our family of evil people; they’re obvious since we see the fruit of their lives. They’re called schemers, scoffers, wicked, and fools being the polar opposite of the righteous. Our families are to be built, stone by stone, with wisdom and understanding, strength and might, and wise guidance. Now, to be clear, the righteous and the wicked may fall (vs. 16) but we, followers of Christ, will rise again and continue our life of victory.
Solomon closed this chapter with words of warning for everyday life, even employment. There’s warning of retaliation against injustice but trusting God will show your godly character. His observations of those who didn’t patiently work hard with integrity reaped a reward of poverty.
Solomon’s later life shows that he didn’t follow God’s warnings but, nevertheless, God’s truth remains and always gets to the heart of the matter where true freedom exists. He gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit to live in our hearts where He remains on high alert when we face temptations and need power to live in righteousness. His love for us never fails.
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