Drunkenness Leads to All Kinds of Problems
May 28, 2020
Commentary
In Proverbs being wise in God’s view means being godly or righteous (vv. 24-25). Wise, godly living, in obedience to the parents’ discipline, not only benefits the child; it also benefits the parents. Again, the son was exhorted to follow his father’s teaching (vv. 26-28). The words “give me your heart” appeal to the son’s thoughts and values so that his lifestyle will follow that of his father. The son’s eyes as well as his lips (Prov. 22:18) and ears (Prov. 23:12) are important. What one sees, says, and hears should be pleasing to the Lord. The urgency of the father’s appeal is related to the dangers of sexual waywardness. Two kinds of immoral women are in view, the unmarried (the prostitute) and the married (the wayward wife). Immoral women are like a deep pit (Prov. 22:14) or a well that traps men, making it impossible for them to escape the consequences. Men need to be on guard against wayward women who seek to seduce them, springing on them suddenly (Prov. 7:7-10) like a bandit, adding to the number of their victims. The Bible also warns against men seducing women.
These verses present the longest and most articulate warning in Proverbs against drunkenness (vv. 29-35). Six questions call attention to emotional problems (woe and sorrow), social problems (strife and complaints), and physical problems (bruises-from beatings or bumping into things while staggering with bloodshot eyes) that stem from lingering long over wine. Wine seems attractive (v. 31); it is red, sparkling, and smooth in the senses of sight and taste. But it is as devastating and painful as a snake bite. Drunkenness also leads to mental problems (v. 33): hallucinations and imagining confusing things. Also, a drunkard is insensitive to pain when people hit him.
Application
A Japanese proverb says: “First the man takes a drink; then he takes another drink; then the drink takes the man.” I thank the Lord for protecting me from ever taking the first drink of alcohol.
Proverbs 23:24– 35 (NET)
24 The father of a righteous person will rejoice greatly; whoever fathers a wise child will have joy in him.
25 May your father and your mother have joy; may she who bore you rejoice.
26 Give me your heart, my son, and let your eyes observe my ways;
27 for a prostitute is like a deep pit; a harlot is like a narrow well.
28 Indeed, she lies in wait like a robber, and increases the unfaithful among men.
29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has dullness of the eyes?
30 Those who linger over wine, those who go looking for mixed wine.
31 Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly.
32 Afterward it bites like a snake, and stings like a viper.
33 Your eyes will see strange things, and your mind will speak perverse things.
34 And you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, and like one who lies down on the top of the rigging.
35 You will say, “They have struck me, but I am not harmed! They beat me, but I did not know it! When will I awake? I will look for another drink.”