June 8, 2020

The book of Proverbs is a collection of short sayings in the Old Testament meant to instill wisdom in God’s people. As we read, it is important to remember that a proverb is a statement which is generally true in principle, not a universally true promise. Let’s dig into the Word together and allow the Lord to shape our hearts, our minds, and our lives in his wisdom over the next month!

Proverbs 23 continues the 30 “words” or “sayings” of the wise begun in chapter 22. They exhort the reader to be wary of the rich and stingy, to fear the LORD, to do good to the less fortunate, to discipline their children, to diligently pursue wisdom and to honor their parents. They warn against the dangers of drunkenness and gluttony, of adultery and of the fleeting nature of riches. These are intensely practical sayings which should guide the lives of God’s people!

In verse 17-18 the author urges the reader to “Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day. Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.” This is a clear picture of the idea that there is great reward in fearing the LORD and living according to His wisdom, while there is great ruin and destruction in failing to do so!

The value of wisdom and the reward which exists in living wisely is a major repeated theme throughout the book of Proverbs, and this chapter reminds us in verse 12 that it is not an easy endeavor! We must apply ourselves in determination and in discipline in order to gain true wisdom; it takes a great deal of effort on our part, and a great deal of grace from our God, in order to attain the wisdom that He offers. 

We can rest assured that it will be well worth the effort!

Proverbs 23

23 When you sit down to eat with a ruler,
    observe carefully what is before you,
2 and put a knife to your throat
    if you are given to appetite.
3 Do not desire his delicacies,
    for they are deceptive food.
4 Do not toil to acquire wealth;
    be discerning enough to desist.
5 When your eyes light on it, it is gone,
    for suddenly it sprouts wings,
    flying like an eagle toward heaven.
6 Do not eat the bread of a man who is stingy;
    do not desire his delicacies,
7 for he is like one who is inwardly calculating.
    “Eat and drink!” he says to you,
    but his heart is not with you.
8 You will vomit up the morsels that you have eaten,
    and waste your pleasant words.
9 Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,
    for he will despise the good sense of your words.
10 Do not move an ancient landmark
    or enter the fields of the fatherless,
11 for their Redeemer is strong;
    he will plead their cause against you.
12 Apply your heart to instruction
    and your ear to words of knowledge.
13 Do not withhold discipline from a child;
    if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.
14 If you strike him with the rod,
    you will save his soul from Sheol.
15 My son, if your heart is wise,
    my heart too will be glad.
16 My inmost being will exult
    when your lips speak what is right.
17 Let not your heart envy sinners,
    but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.
18 Surely there is a future,
    and your hope will not be cut off.

19 Hear, my son, and be wise,
    and direct your heart in the way.
20 Be not among drunkards
    or among gluttonous eaters of meat,
21 for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,
    and slumber will clothe them with rags.

22 Listen to your father who gave you life,
    and do not despise your mother when she is old.
23 Buy truth, and do not sell it;
    buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
24 The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice;
    he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.
25 Let your father and mother be glad;
    let her who bore you rejoice.

26 My son, give me your heart,
    and let your eyes observe my ways.
27 For a prostitute is a deep pit;
    an adulteress is a narrow well.
28 She lies in wait like a robber
    and increases the traitors among mankind.

29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
    Who has strife? Who has complaining?
Who has wounds without cause?
    Who has redness of eyes?
30 Those who tarry long over wine;
    those who go to try mixed wine.
31 Do not look at wine when it is red,
    when it sparkles in the cup
    and goes down smoothly.
32 In the end it bites like a serpent
    and stings like an adder.
33 Your eyes will see strange things,
    and your heart utter perverse things.
34 You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,
    like one who lies on the top of a mast.
35 “They struck me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt;
    they beat me, but I did not feel it.
When shall I awake?
    I must have another drink.”

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Family Discussion Question:

  • How does verse 12, couples with verses 17 and 18, encourage you to seek wisdom with diligence and determination?

23 thoughts on “Daily Devotional-June 9”

    1. Gracias padre celestial por tu enseñanza, gracias porque eres un padre fiel y amoroso gracias por tú sabiduría y dejarnos toda la verdad en nuestras manos donde día a día podemos aprender más de ti, lléname de tú espíritu santo, dame sabiduría y que yo nunca olvide tus palabras que son lumbreras a mis pies, que seas tú padre amado en mi caminar guiando mis pasos en cada momento no me apartaré nunca de ti porque tú eres mi vivir gracias padre amado en nombre y por amor de tu hijo Jesús amén ?

    1. I’m confused by the definition of’a proverb’. I do understand that definition but am confused by it’s use as a preamble here. Is it’s use here intended to deny the inspiration and inerrancy of the book of Proverbs, and thereby the entire Bible? Are we supposed to pick and choose? I do not believe that. What is the stand of CFBC on this issue? Have I missed something? Thanks. Becky Cortese. North Klein Campus.

      1. Your question is understandable. I notice that statement each day I want to start reading the devotional. If it is not a universally true statement, then it means we can pick and choose. What I have done is to overlook it because that is a commentary before the main Bible reading. I am glad you asked the question because it is confusing. I hope the writer takes a look at the intended meaning of the statement. Thank you.

  5. Dear Heavenly Father,
    Thank you for giving such wonderful instruction in Your Word. You know everything about us …even the very number of hairs on our head. You made the stars and the fish in the sea. Oh Lord, why would we not want to follow Your instructions to live a Christ filled life? You are our Creator and our Lord. I will incline my ears to Your voice and obey You. Thank You for showing me the way that is full of wisdom. Life is hard enough as it is…without You we will certainly be destroyed. Help me to diligently read in Your Word daily and apply the teachings to my life . I know You only want the best for me and I want to please You. Help me to be discerning in all that I do so that it is one of wisdom and purity. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

  6. Father thank you for your reminder and encouragement this morning. Help me and my husband raise up our children to fear you. I want to follow in your ways Lord every single day of my life. I yearn to honor you in everything I do. Thank you Father for a beautiful morning. Bless my run this morning and give me strength and endurance to finish.

  8. Heavenly Father,

    Each time I read and meditate on Your Word I receive direction, hope and wisdom. Your Word is life, and it’s alive in me. Help me to apply these truths and principles as I walk out today.

    In Jesus’s name.
    Amen

  9. Let my heart be wise and my lips speak what is right. I will live in the fear of the Lord always. I will seek truth, wisdom, instruction and understanding.

  10. Thank you Lord for this beautiful day and for the blessings which are new every morning. Thank you for your Word which is full of instructions to make us wise. Help me to stay in your word and not be distracted. Thank you for your love, mercy, and grace. Amen

  11. As I’m reading with yall through the Proverbs, I’m thinking of the saying “Keep it simple”! Keep my eyes on the Lord. Keep to the Lord’s narrow path…don’t be swayed off the path by earthly endeavors. Let the Lord direct my path, period. Thank you Lord for making it simple for people like me…hard headed!

  13. Lord Thank you for protecting me & my family every day. Help us to make wise choices & to seek your wisdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen

  14. Thanks for the awesome prayers today. I am truly blessed and enjoyed the prayers that were written this morning. Great encouragement and so aligned with what I needed and in total agreement. We have a God that loves us so much and I pray that our hearts will continue to reveal how much we love and need him. Thanks to everyone that participates in the devotional responses and the others that are reading the prayers. May we all continue to seek Christ and rest in his assurance and wisdom. In Him I pray.

  15. This afternoon I am sitting in the park under a shade tree with an umbrella on my chair reading this devotional. All my 79 years by following the last few verses in this chapter by never drinking alcohol I have missed out on many problems. I lost my grandfather because of it.

  16. Father, thank you for your word. My hope is to make heaven my home, and along the way find as many as possible to come along. Help me serve you and to accomplish your will. Now, Father, let’s continue on the path we are on today and together, find one more for your son, Jesus. Amen

  17. Thank you for these reminder Lord, your wisdom, to fear you, to not envy the success of others, to desire a moldable heart, ears to listen and the understanding to learn and do better.

Comments are closed.