Pr. 23: Do What I Say, Not What I Do

Proverbs 23:22 "Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old."

This chapter appears to be David (or Solomon, whoever) telling his son not to do some of the things his father has done or experience. Both saw extreme wealth, were tempted sexually, hung out with unsavory characters, dealt with neighboring nations, etc. They want to pass on life experience.

There seems to be an emphasis on wealth. Not the acquisition of it, but not depending on it. Glance at it, and it's gone, the Proverbs say. Show restraint, not wearing yourself out to acquire it. Because there's always more. And more. And you won't have everything.

A few verses are devoted to correcting, disciplining children. As a child, the original intended reader probably experienced "the rod" from his dad. Dad didn't need to explain his actions. Dad wanted his grandson to have the same opportunity his son did.

Avoid prostitutes...yep.

Don't hang out with those who overdrink. It describes drunkenness in verse 33. You won't be yourself, and you could get beat up. What, read it!

Pr. 22: Wise Sayings

Proverbs 22:19 "So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you."

Protect your good name before amassing wealth. (v. 1)

Train a child in the way he should go. Kids don't raise themselves. They don't have a sense of righteousness unless it is instilled. (v. 5)

Borrowers are slaves to the lender. Don't owe money if you can help it. If you do, don't be all arrogant. (v. 6)

Then the writer sort of refocuses, like that "Are you listening?" question I periodically got from teachers in school. He emphasizes the need to listen to the wise. The rest of his proverbs in chapter 22 are about justice. Don't crush the poor, don't move boundary stones. It's not fair to be like that. He wants the student to be able to trust God.

Ps. 128: Ascent of Blessing

Psalm 128:5 "May the LORD bless you from Zion all the days of your life; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem,"

So, those who fear the LORD will be blessed in all their ways. And they will be blessed with children. This is if Jerusalem stays safe. I wonder if this comparison is a legitimate one. Protect Jerusalem, be blessed. As though God is the man, and Jerusalem is the woman. God protects Jerusalem and it prospers...hmm.

Children are like a peaceful Israel...

Ps. 127: Ascent for Children

Psalm 127:5 "Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate."

There are a couple of great truths here in the 127th Psalm. I imagine David writing this Psalm while thinking of his son, Solomon.

I don't want to skip over verse one's idea that unless the LORD builds the house, the labor is in vain, and without God's protection, the watchmen are in vain. Good to know, and I hope that the LORD is building my "house." I suppose you can have all the money and the land and a gigantic fortress of a house, but unless God is watching over it, it can never be completely impregnable. It could fall easily without his guard.

I guess the latter half of the chapter could be construed as a command from God to have a lot of kids. I guess I don't see it that way. IF one has a lot of kids, its a blessing from God, not an overwhelming burden. At least, that should be the opinion. Maybe Israel was at the point where they needed a lot of manpower, and the more a man had, the more he could contribute to the defense and protection of Israel.