Year 5, Day 314: Proverbs 23

Theological Commentary: Click Here

Discipleship Focus: Appetite

• Appetite: We all have needs that need to be filled.  When we allow ourselves to be filled with the people and things that God brings into our life, we will be satisfied because our

So much of this proverb really has to do with tempering our appetite.  It begins and ends with appetite.  There are words sprinkled throughout the whole chapter that speak of appetite.

For example, take the way that this chapter begins.  The first eight verses have to do with desire.  We are not to desire the opulence of kings.  We are not to be blinded by all that they have to offer.  What bargains will we make to share in their goods?  What moral and character flaws will we tolerate because of the ease they can bring to our life?  No, when we desire the opulence of others we open ourselves up to all kinds of bad judgment.

Neither are we are not to desire the things of people who are stingy.  After all, why would we desire to be in the company of those who are not generous?  When it comes time for us to prosper, will the stingy be content if we are stingy in return?

In the middle of this proverb we talk about those who associate to much with drunkards and gluttons and slothful people.  Solomon’s point here in these verses is that when we associate too deeply with people who are happy in this life that we will learn habits from them.  We will learn to make bad decisions with respect to priorities.

We also hear about prostitutes.  Solomon warns us about sexual appetite as well.  Solomon calls her a robber.  People with unscrupulous sexuality teach us to value the wrong things.  They also steal things that are hard to replace: honor, righteousness, and purity.

At the end of the chapter, we once more hear about drinking and the dangers of wine.  The reality is that Solomon knows what happens when one becomes intoxicated.  We make poor decisions.  We don’t see clearly.  We speak poorly and without thought.

Human beings have a problem with appetite.  We want.  When we want, we don’t often think.  When we want and don’t think, we usually make poor decisions and sacrifice things that are worth far more than that which we desire.

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