Solomon gives us a strong warning about taking advantage of the weak, then a reminder about correcting a child when he disobeys, and then he cautions us not to envy the wicked. There is nothing about their lives to envy. There is nothing about their future to envy. The one who follows the Lord wholeheartedly is the person with the envious life and the glorious future.
"Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, for their Defender is strong; He will take up their case against you." (Proverbs 23:10-11) Solomon quoted this law from Deuteronomy earlier in the week, but today he gives us the reason why we mustn't defraud others: their Defender is strong! There is a holy God with whom we must contend when we take advantage of our fellow man.
"Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge." (Proverbs 23:12) The king stops here to make sure his son, and all of us, are paying attention. We must be doers of the word and not hearers only, as the Lord's brother James said in James 1:22. We must apply this instruction to our hearts.
"Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die. Punish them with the rod and save them from death." (Proverbs 23:13-14) In Solomon's day it's likely that discipline took the form of a spanking or paddling, but we've already talked before about discipline taking many forms. In our modern times spanking is becoming more and more frowned upon, but there are other means of correction when young children or teens disobey. When I was a kid I would much rather have had a spanking than a timeout because I was so hyper, but my mom wasn't much into spanking, so I often found myself sitting in a chair for a period of time after being naughty.
"My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed; my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right." (Proverbs 23:15) He says, "Son, the way to make me proud is to be a godly man." What more could any parent really want than for their sons and daughters to be upright, honorable, and responsible citizens who obey the Lord? This is successful parenting. This is the type of outcome that makes a mom or dad's heart overflow with pride and love.
The world views success differently than the Lord views it. The world rewards shrewdness and it honors wealth gotten by any means. But the Lord rewards and honors an upright heart, so Solomon cautions his son, "Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off." (Proverbs 23:17-18) It may seem like sinners are living it up without a care in the world, but a day of reckoning is ahead of them. The psalmist Asaph once found himself feeling sad and bitter when he looked around and saw how much the wicked appeared to be enjoying life. He said, "I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked...This is what the wicked are like---always free of care, they go on amassing wealth." (Psalm 73:3,12) Asaph was going through some hard times in his life and it seemed unfair to him that the wicked were partying day and night without any worries. But when he took his troubles to the temple and laid them before the Lord, he saw the truth. He saw the destiny of the wicked, "Surely You place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!...Those who are far from You will perish; You destroy all who are unfaithful to You." (Psalm 73:18-19,27) In contrast, the righteous have the presence and the help of God at all times, plus the certain promise of eternity with the Lord. "Yet I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me into glory." (Psalm 73:23-24)
We, the church, have a glorious future! We also have a glorious present, for we have the constant companionship of our Creator and Redeemer. He is our help, our strength, our comfort. He is our provider and healer. His is the voice that whispers in the night, "Do not fear. I am with you."
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