December 29, 2022 -- Proverbs 29:3 & 9 & 11 & 17 -- Journey to Christmas through Proverbs and Luke: the long road of obedience

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He who loves wisdom makes his father glad,
   but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
Proverbs 29:3 ESV
 
The general population of those who sit in church pews usually half smile at this and think mildly, “well, I’ve never hired a prostitute”. The precise meaning of this Proverb is easily overlooked as one is busy congratulating himself on his morals. What is your financial plan? Are you looking for an early retirement, times to travel and go on cruises and live at ease for the later part of your life? Perhaps you are closer to being a companion of prostitutes than you think you are. You are looking to squander your wealth on your own pleasures rather than asking: how am I going to use all that God has given me build His kingdom?
 
Consider this, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30 NKJV. Our life’s work is not to be at ease, but to pursue wisdom and to live for Jesus. Such a life consists of sacrifice. Giving money for the kingdom. Freely spending time with those who need the Gospel. Offering acts of service where such help would build the body of Christ. I wonder how many folks in the pew are living for Jesus and including Him as the focus of their retirement plans? In Proverbs the one who is a companion of prostitutes merely pays lip service to God while actually serving himself.
 
If a wise man has an argument with a fool,
   the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.
A fool gives full vent to his spirit,
   but a wise man quietly holds it back.
Proverbs 29:9 & 11 ESV
 
In verse 9 the word “quiet” is rest. The fool will laugh and taunt, nag and stoke up the flames of controversy all the time. It is a fool who says in his heart there is no god (Psalm 14:1). Jesus says of the Devil, and those who are fools following him, lying is their native language (John 8:44). The liar cannot rest or keep quiet because his folly is set ablaze by the very fires of hell, and he is spurred on by the Devil. Telling him this fact will only antagonize him further. Until the Spirit of God opens the blind eyes of the fool, he will not be able to understand his own wickedness and profound need for God His Savior.
 
Verse 11 emphasizes what was already taught in verse 9. A fool is full of hot air that he has no intention of keeping to himself. A wise man, this is the title used of Joseph when he was placed over Egypt. Look at the contrast: the wise man. He is one who keeps company with other wise people. A wise man fellowships up—that is, always seeks company which reflects the character of the Living God. Unlike the fool, the wise man does not need to give full vent to his anger because he knows other wise men will discern a situation and know the truth of a matter without the need for many, useless, empty words.
 
The translation at verse 11 is interesting. A wise man quietly holds it back. In fact, some translations state it slightly differently. A wise man knows how to soothe the other. He can hold his tongue, put the fire of contention out, and only afterward speak. He will not needlessly try to vindicate himself before a fool. He knows it is the LORD Who vindicates (Psalm 43:1).
 
Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;
   he will give delight to your heart.
Proverbs 29:17 ESV
 
The discipline of a son (or a daughter) is a life-long work. The effort given in the early years pays good dividends in the later years. A child who has been taught well—that is discipled to know the LORD and delighting in Him and whenever needed was disciplined and corrected when he was in the wrong—such a child will give you rest. There the word rest has a sense of contentment in it. It is further explained by the next line of the proverb Such a child delights your heart. The word delight is used for food that is delicious or a delicacy. No wonder. In any generation, a child who knows right from wrong, who is a delight to his parents and gives them a sense of joy and contentment in his mature years; that person is a rarity to be relished.
 
 Ah, God! Behold my grief and care. Fain would I serve Thee with a glad and cheerful countenance, but I cannot do it. However much I fight and struggle against my sadness, I am too weak for this sore conflict. Help me in my weakness, O Thou mighty God! and give me Thy Holy Spirit to refresh and comfort me in my sorrow. Amid all my fears and griefs I yet know that I am Thine in life and death, and that nothing can really part me from Thee; neither things present, nor things to come, neither trial, nor fear, nor pain. And therefore, O Lord, I will still trust in Thy grace. Thou wilt not send me away unheard. Sooner or later Thou wilt lift this burden from my heart, and put a new song in my lips; and I will praise Thy goodness, and thank and serve Thee here and for evermore--Amen. 
S. Scheretz (1584-1639)

Fain: pleased, willingly
Countenance: face or facial expression
 
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Selah “Precious Lord Take My Hand/Just a Closer Walk with Thee”

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