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Commentary on Proverbs 23 verses 19–28
Here is good advice for parents to give to their children; words are put into their mouths, that they may train them up in the way they should go. Here we have,
I. An earnest call to young people to attend to the advice of their godly parents, not only to this that is here given, but to all other profitable instructions: "Here, my son, and be wise, Pro 23:19. This will be an evidence that thou art wise and a means to make thee wiser." Wisdom, as faith, comes by hearing. And again (Pro 23:22): "Hearken unto thy father who begot thee, and who therefore has an authority over thee and an affection for thee, and, thou mayest be sure, can have no other design than thy own good." We ought to give reverence to the fathers of our flesh, who begot us, and were the instruments of our being; much more ought we to obey and be in subjection to the Father of our spirits, who made us and is the author of our being. And since the mother also, from a sense of duty to God and from love to her child, gives him good instructions, let him not despise her, nor her advice, when she is old. When the mother was grown old we may suppose the children to be grown up; but let them not think themselves past being taught, even by her, but rather respect her the more for the multitude of her years and the wisdom which they teach. Scornful and insolent young men will make a jest, it may be, of the good advice of an aged mother, and think themselves not concerned to heed what an old woman says; but such will have a great deal to answer for another day, not only as having set at nought good counsel, but as having slighted and grieved a good mother, Pro 30:17.
II. An argument to enforce this call, taken from the great comfort which this will be to their parents, Pro 23:24, Pro 23:25. Note, 1. It is the duty of children to study how they may gladden the hearts of their good parents, and do it yet more and more, so that they may greatly rejoice in them, even when the evil days come and the years of which they say they have no pleasure in them but this, to see their children do well, as Barzillai to see Chimham preferred. 2. Children will be a joy to their parents if they be righteous and wise. Righteousness is true wisdom; those who do good so well for themselves. Those are completely such as they should be who are not only wise (that is, knowing and learned), but righteous (that is, honest and good), and not only righteous (that is, conscientious and well-meaning), but wise (that is, prudent and discreet) in the management of themselves. If such the children be, especially all the children, the father and mother will be glad, and think nothing too much that they have done, or do, for them; they will please themselves in them, and give God thanks for them; particularly she that bore them with pain, and nursed them with pains, will rejoice in them, and reckon herself well requited, and the sorrow more than forgotten, because a wise and good man is the product of it, who is a blessing to the world he was born into.
III. Some general precepts of wisdom and virtue.
1.Guide thy heart in the way, Pro 23:19. It is the heart that must be taken care of and directed aright; the motions and affections of the soul must be towards right objects and under a steady guidance. If the heart be guided in the way, the steps will be guided and the conversation well ordered.
2.Buy the truth and sell it not, Pro 23:23. Truth is that by which the heart must be guided and governed, for without truth there is no goodness; no regular practices without right principles. It is by the power of truth, known and believed, that we must be kept back from sin and constrained to duty. The understanding must be well-informed with wisdom and instruction, and therefore, (1.) We must buy it, that is, be willing to part with any thing for it. He does not say at what rate we must buy it, because we cannot buy it too dear, but must have it at any rate; whatever it costs us, we shall not repent the bargain. When we are at expense for the means of knowledge, and resolved not to starve so good a cause, then we buy the truth. Riches should be employed for the getting of knowledge, rather than knowledge for the getting of riches. When we are at pains in searching after truth, that we may come to the knowledge of it and may distinguish between it and error, then we buy it. Dii laboribus omnia vendunt - Heaven concedes every thing to the laborious. When we choose rather to suffer loss in our temporal interest than to deny or neglect the truth they we buy it; and it is a pearl of such great price that we must be willing to part with all to purchase it, must make shipwreck of estate, trade, preferment, rather than of faith and a good conscience. (2.) We must not sell it. Do not part with it for pleasures, honours, riches, any things in this world. Do not neglect the study of it, nor throw off the profession of it, nor revolt from under the dominion of it, for the getting or saving of any secular interest whatsoever. Hold fast the form of sound words, and never let it go upon any terms.
3.Give my thy heart, Pro 23:26. God in this exhortation, speaks to us as unto children: "Son, Daughter, Give my thy heart." The heart is that which the great God requires and calls for from every one of us; whatever we give, if we do not give him our hearts, it will not be accepted. We must set our love upon him. Our thoughts must converse much with him, and on him, as our highest end. The intents of our hearts must be fastened. We must make it our own act and deed to devote ourselves to the Lord, and we must be free and cheerful in it. We must not think to divide the heart between God and the world; he will have all or none. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart. To this call we must readily answer, "My father, take my heart, such as it is, and make it such as it should be; take possession of it, and set up thy throne in it."
4.Let thy eyes observe my ways; have an eye to the rule of God's word, the conduct of his providence, and the good examples of his people. Our eyes must observe these, as he that writes observes his copy, that we may keep in the right paths and may proceed and persevere in them.
IV. Some particular cautions against those sins which are, of all sins, the most destructive to the seeds of wisdom and grace in the soul, which impoverish and ruin it. 1. Gluttony and drunkenness, Pro 23:20, Pro 23:21. The world is full of examples of this sin and temptations to it, which all young people are concerned to stand upon their guard against and keep at a distance from Be not a wine-bibber; we are allowed to drink a little wine (Ti1 5:23), but not much, not to make a trade of it, never to drink to excess. Be not a riotous eater of flesh, as the Israelites were, who lusted exceedingly after it, saying, Who will give us flesh to eat? Whereas Paul, though he is free to eat flesh, yet resolves that he will eat no flesh while the world stands rather than make his brother to offend; so indifferent is he to it, Co1 8:13. Be not an excessive eater of flesh. Intemperance must be avoided in meat as well as drink. Be not a luxurious eater of flesh, not pleased with any thing but what is very nice and delicate, savoury dishes, and forced meat. Some take not only a pleasure, but a pride, in being curious about their diet, and, as they call it, eating well; as if that were the ornament of a gentleman, which is really the shame of a Christian, making a God of the belly. "Be not a wine bibber, and be not a riotous eater; and therefore, be not among wine-bibbers nor among riotous eaters; do not give them countenance, lest thou learn their ways and insensibly fall into those sins, or at least lose the dread and detestation of them. They covet to have thee among them; for those that are debauched themselves are very desirous to debauch others; therefore do not gratify them, lest thou endanger thyself." He fetches an argument against this sin from the expensiveness of it and its tendency to impoverish men: and if men will not be deterred from it by the ruin it brings on their secular interests, which lie nearest their hearts, no marvel that they are not frightened from it by what they are told out of the word of God of the mischief it does them in their spiritual and eternal concerns. The drunkard and the glutton hate to be reformed, though they are told they shall come to poverty, nay, though they are told they shall come to hell. Drunkenness is the cause of drowsiness; it stupefies men, and makes them inattentive to business, and then all goes to wreck and ruin: thus men that have lived creditably come to be clothed with rags. 2. Whoredom. This is another sin which takes away the heart that should be given to God, Hos 4:11. He shows the danger which attends that sin, Pro 23:27, Pro 23:28, (1.) It is a sin from which few recover themselves when once they are entangled in it. It is like a deep ditch and a narrow pit, which it is almost impossible to get out of; and therefore it is wisdom to keep far enough from the brink of it. Take heed of making any approaches towards this sin, because it is so hard to make a retreat from it, conscience, which should head the retreat, being debauched by it, and divine grace forfeited. (2.) It is a sin which bewitches men to their ruin: The adulteress lies in wait as a robber, pretending friendship, but designing the greatest mischief, to rob them of all they have that is valuable, to strip them both of their armour and of their ornaments. Even those who, being virtuously educated, endeavour to shun the adulteress, she will lie in wait for, that she may assault them when they are off their guard and she has them at an advantage. Let none therefore be at any time secure. (3.) It is a sin that contributes more than any other to the spreading of vice and immorality in a kingdom: It increases the transgressors among men. One adulteress may be the ruin of many a precious soul and may help to debauch a whole town. It increases the treacherous or perfidious ones; it not only occasions husbands to be false to their wives and servants to their masters, but many that have professed religion to throw off their profession and break their covenants with God. Houses of uncleanness are therefore such pest-houses as ought to be suppressed by those whose office it is to take care of the public welfare.
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SUMMARY
Proverbs 23:24 eloquently captures the profound and overflowing joy experienced by a parent whose children embrace righteousness and wisdom. This verse underscores that true parental satisfaction is not found in worldly achievements or material success, but in the cultivation of upright character and discerning choices in their offspring, reflecting a life lived in accordance with God's principles and bringing honor to the family and to God.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Proverbs 23:24 masterfully employs several key literary devices to convey its profound message with clarity and emphasis. The most prominent device is Synonymous Parallelism, where the second line reiterates and reinforces the thought of the first line using different but closely related terms. "The father of the righteous" is paralleled by "he that begetteth a wise [child]," while "shall greatly rejoice" is paralleled by "shall have joy of him." This structural repetition serves to amplify and underscore the central truth: both righteousness and wisdom in children are profound and unparalleled sources of parental delight. Furthermore, the Hebrew phrase for "greatly rejoice" (gîl yagîl) utilizes an Infinitive Absolute construction. This grammatical device functions as an intensifier, underscoring the overwhelming, exuberant, and overflowing nature of the joy experienced by the parent. It suggests a joy that is not merely present but profoundly felt and expressed. Additionally, there is an element of Synecdoche at play, where "father" stands for both parents, acknowledging the shared parental investment and the collective joy experienced by both mother and father in their children's godly development and flourishing.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This proverb speaks to a profound theological truth about the very heart of God and His desire for His children. Just as an earthly parent finds immense joy in the righteousness and wisdom of their offspring, so too does our Heavenly Father delight when His spiritual children walk in truth and wisdom. This verse mirrors a divine principle where obedience and adherence to God's ways bring about blessing and joy, not only for the individual but also for those who have invested in their spiritual formation. It highlights the ultimate, enduring value of character over fleeting worldly success, aligning perfectly with God's eternal priorities for humanity and emphasizing that true fulfillment is found in living according to His righteous standards.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 23:24 offers timeless encouragement and profound guidance for all who bear the sacred trust of influencing the next generation. For parents, it serves as a powerful and essential reminder to prioritize the spiritual and moral development of their children above all other pursuits. In a world that frequently measures success by material wealth, academic accolades, or social status, this verse redirects our focus to the enduring and eternal value of character, integrity, and discerning judgment rooted in God's truth. Investing time, intentional discipline, and a consistent godly example in a child's life, fostering within them a genuine love for truth and righteousness, yields the most fulfilling and lasting reward—a joy that penetrates the deepest parts of a parent's soul, a joy that is truly divine. For children, it illuminates the profound impact their choices have on their parents, encouraging them to pursue wisdom and uprightness not only for their own well-being but also to bring honor and deep satisfaction to those who lovingly raised them. Ultimately, for all believers, this proverb underscores that true fulfillment and lasting happiness are found in living according to God's principles, recognizing that our lives have a profound ripple effect, bringing blessing and joy to our families, communities, and ultimately, to our Heavenly Father.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does "father" in this verse exclude mothers or other caregivers?
Answer: While the Hebrew word specifically refers to "father" (ʼâb), in the wisdom literature of Proverbs, "father" often functions as a synecdoche, representing both parents or even any significant elder or mentor responsible for the upbringing and instruction of a child. The principles of joy in a child's righteousness and wisdom apply equally to mothers, grandparents, teachers, and spiritual mentors who invest profoundly in the moral and spiritual development of the next generation. The book of Proverbs frequently mentions the instruction of both father and mother (e.g., Proverbs 1:8).
What is the distinction between "righteous" and "wise" in this context? Are they the same?
Answer: While closely related and often overlapping in Proverbs, "righteous" (tsaddîyq) and "wise" (châkâm) carry distinct yet complementary nuances. "Righteous" primarily refers to moral uprightness, adherence to God's laws, and living justly in accordance with divine standards. It speaks to one's character, integrity, and ethical conduct. "Wise," on the other hand, refers to practical discernment, skill in living, and the ability to make good, godly choices in various situations. It encompasses intellectual understanding applied to daily life, fundamentally rooted in the fear of the LORD. A truly wise person will naturally live righteously, and a righteous person will consistently seek wisdom. They are two essential facets of the same coin of godly living, both bringing profound joy to those who have nurtured them.
Is this verse a guarantee that if parents raise their children well, they will always turn out righteous and wise?
Answer: Proverbs generally presents divinely inspired principles and observations about life, rather than absolute guarantees or strict promises. While faithful, godly parenting significantly increases the likelihood of children embracing righteousness and wisdom, human free will and external influences always play a role. This verse highlights the blessing and reward that typically result from diligent parental investment in character formation. It serves as a powerful motivation and encouragement for parents to remain faithful in their calling, reminding them that the deepest and most enduring joys come from seeing their children walk in the truth, even if the path is not always linear or without significant challenges.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 23:24 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the perfectly righteous Son who always did the will of His Father, and the very embodiment of divine wisdom. The Heavenly Father's "great rejoicing" and "joy" in His Son, Jesus, is the supreme and perfect example of the delight described in this proverb, powerfully evidenced by declarations like "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" at His baptism and transfiguration. Furthermore, through Christ's atoning work, believers are made righteous in Him and receive the Spirit of wisdom, enabling them to walk in newness of life. The joy of the Heavenly Father over His adopted children who walk in truth and wisdom through faith in Jesus is the ultimate spiritual reality to which this proverb points. Just as the apostle John expressed his greatest joy in hearing that his spiritual children were walking in truth, so too does the Father delight in the spiritual growth, obedience, and Christ-likeness of His redeemed family, the Church, reflecting the ultimate fulfillment of this parental joy in the divine economy of salvation.