Many a proverb has an emotional story for me when I read it. Like “Don’t eat a stingy person’s bread, and don’t desire his choice food, for it’s like someone calculating inwardly” (v. 6-7). I experienced that once. I was invited over and the husband was calculating what I ate (2 pieces of pizza) and was upset when anyone ate more. It soured my stomach.
But to divide this up, there are 3 main themes in this chapter.
1) Advice to Sons.
Basically the advice is the same: Be a wise son and listen to my words, and you bring my heart great joy.
“My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will indeed rejoice” (v. 15).
“The father of a righteous son will rejoice greatly, and one who fathers a wise son will delight in him” (v. 24).
And it’s true. The pride of a father is son who is good, loving and wise.
2) Financial Advice
“Don’t wear yourself out to get rich; stop giving your attention to it” (v. 4).
It’s mighty tempting these days when everyone online seems to making a fortune with things. But they do wear you out and it can be a distraction to what you are called to do.
3) Danger of alcohol
“Don’t associate with those who drink too much wine…for the drunkard and the glutton will become poor” (v. 20,21).
“Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
Who has strife? Who has complaints?
Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
Those who linger over wine,
who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.
Do not gaze at wine when it is red,
when it sparkles in the cup,
when it goes down smoothly!
In the end it bites like a snake
and poisons like a viper.
Your eyes will see strange sights,
and your mind will imagine confusing things.
You will be like one sleeping on the high seas,
lying on top of the rigging.
“They hit me,” you will say, “but I’m not hurt!
They beat me, but I don’t feel it!
When will I wake up
so I can find another drink?” (vv. 29-35).
