In today's passage see NET notes and it was divided into several sections and very easy to follow.
v.1-3 being invited to eat before the rulers
v.6-8 being invited by a stingy person
Both sections warn us not to crave for the delicacies v.3 and 6. Why?
For the ruler you do not know why they invite you and therefore be careful v.1, 3. NET, "warning that a ruler only draws someone into his court for his purpose, but in their day of trouble he will not be there to help them."
For the stingy host, he is calculating the cost and his heart is not with you v.7. Probably he has some favor to ask for you to pay back for the meal. Therefore, "you will vomit up the little bit you have eaten v.8." You know the value of food is very little if you know what they will ask from you. Another explanation, NET, "Eating and drinking with a selfish miser would be irritating and disgusting. The line is hyperbolic; the whole experience turns the stomach."
I think the Scriptures warn us against naivety or ignorance. Think carefully who invite you and what is their purpose. Eating delicacies is not necessary a pleasant experience. Also, sharing meals together usually symbolizes close friendship, which is not the case here.
In general, do not be deceived by people with motives.
but rather be zealous in fearing the LORD all the time.
23:18 For surely there is a future,
and your hope will not be cut off.
Envy and zealous are the same word. NET, "The verb means “to be jealous, to be zealous”; it describes passionate intensity for something. In English, if the object is illegitimate, it is called “envy”; if it is correct, it is called “zeal.”
In other words, what makes your heart burning? Is it what sinner can offer? Or is it what fearing the LORD will bring you? I think if we are short sighted the things offer by sinners will be more attractive and therefore v.18 reminds us to look at the future. NET, "far from being cut off, the “hope” will be realized in the end. So this saying, the thirteenth, advises people to be zealous for the fear of the LORD, their religion, rather than for anything that sinners have to offer."
In other words, what makes your heart burning? Is it what sinner can offer? Or is it what fearing the LORD will bring you? I think if we are short sighted the things offer by sinners will be more attractive and therefore v.18 reminds us to look at the future. NET, "far from being cut off, the “hope” will be realized in the end. So this saying, the thirteenth, advises people to be zealous for the fear of the LORD, their religion, rather than for anything that sinners have to offer."
In today's Sunday school we talked about Jesus as the only hope for sinners. In Christmas, let's celebration the restoration and redemption that Jesus brought us. Those things may not be seen today or they are not fully realized until the future when Jesus come back. This proverbs reminds us that " For surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off."
Give me your heart, my son,
and let your eyes observe my ways;
23:27 for a prostitute is like a deep pit;
a harlot is like a narrow well.
23:28 Indeed, she lies in wait like a robber,
and increases the unfaithful among men
and let your eyes observe my ways;
23:27 for a prostitute is like a deep pit;
a harlot is like a narrow well.
23:28 Indeed, she lies in wait like a robber,
and increases the unfaithful among men
How do we apply this? I think the problem of prostitute is the unfaithfulness. When we are married and having a relationship with another person it is unfaithful. Same as our relationship with God. If we worship idols then it is also unfaithfulness. It is very easy to fall into this temptation and it is very dangerous once got trapped. Look at the description of v.27, a deep pit and a narrow well (NET, "The metaphors of a “deep pit” and a “narrow well” describe this sin as one that is a trap from which there is no escape. The “pit” is a gateway to Sheol, and those who enter are as good as dead, whether socially or through punishment physically). In v.28, she lies in wait like a robber. A commitment is a commitment. No matter how good another person is to you, no matter how attractive other religious seems to be we will not change.
From v.29-35 the Scriptures describes a drunkard. Note the addiction of the drinking problem:
v.30 Those who linger over wine,
those who go looking for mixed winev.35 b When will I awake? I will look for another drink
How to stop this viscous cycle?
How to stop this viscous cycle?
v.31 Do not look on the wine when it is red,
when it sparkles in the cup,
when it goes down smoothly
Do not look at the color, nor when other people put that in their cups, or when they are drinking. More you look more you wants to do it yourself.
when it sparkles in the cup,
when it goes down smoothly
Do not look at the color, nor when other people put that in their cups, or when they are drinking. More you look more you wants to do it yourself.
I think we can also apply this to our own temptation or addiction. Some sisters told me that they spent too much time watching dramas. I used to do the same and was guilty about that afterwards because I lack self control. The remedy here is: do not look! What is your temptation or addiction?
Audrey
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