# 35 2023 Prov. 23:12. With Open Ears and Heart! Read all of chapter twenty three first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story! Do you believe that this is also our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.
Proverbs 23:12 “Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.”
Proverbs 23 Continues with “Thirty Sayings of the Wise.” Introduced by; “Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach… So that your trust may be in the Lord… teaching you to be honest and speak the truth…”How then should we live? How? With open ears and hearts.
Vs.1-3 Saying Seven. “When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what, (who) is before you…” This is about a bribe in disguise.
Vs.4-5 Saying Eight. “Do not wear yourself out to get rich:” An African proverb: “Guests are our riches.” What matters to you? Money or relationships?
Vs.6-8 Saying Nine. “Do not eat the food of a begrudging host… who is always thinking about the cost.” It violates the norm of many cultures where eating together is the height of friendship. It is about genuine relationships!
V.9 Saying Ten. “Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words.” Fools talk past each other, one does not know what the other is saying. In that case silence is golden!
Vs.10-11 Saying Eleven. “Do not move an ancient boundary stone…” is about the rule of law and protection for the disenfranchised!
V.12 Saying Twelve. “Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.” The knowledge we hear and read must be allowed to settle in our hearts if our lives are to be changed!
V.s13-14 Saying Thirteen. “Do not withhold discipline from a child…” Children must be taught, stubborn children must be punished. The problems in our homes and in society is a lack of accountability!
Vs.15-16 Saying Fourteen. “My son, if your heart is wise…when your lips speak what is right.” both father and mother “will be glad indeed!”
Vs.17-18 Saying Fifteen. “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.” “The fear of the Lord is my strength” Ps 28:7
Vs.19-21 Saying Sixteen. “Listen my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path…” All things in moderation!
Vs. 22-25 Saying Seventeen. “Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.” May we all rejoice when we see families raising children in the way they should live; in the way of the Lord, in the way of wisdom, in taking responsibility for each other, respecting the law and a desire to serve the country. Restoring the family is the answer to our local and national problems!
Vs.26-28 Saying Eighteen. “My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways…” Faithfulness in life and in marriage is in short supply today. This is a two way street, the problem is equally shared, men are unfaithful, selfish, self-absorbed and women are unfaithful, selfish and self-absorbed and they are a scourge to a righteous society and a poor example to all children. The answer: “give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways” God says to us!
Vs.29-35 Saying Nineteen. “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…” Too much wine, too much food, illicit sex and not enough God in our lives is destroying our lives and our country!
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