Meditationen am Gnadenstuhl: Proverbs 23:10-15 Wise Words from Wise Men 1e

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Proverbs 23:10–15

[10] Do not move an ancient landmark

or enter the fields of the fatherless,

[11] for their Redeemer is strong;

he will plead their cause against you.

[12] Apply your heart to instruction

and your ear to words of knowledge.

[13] Do not withhold discipline from a child;

if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.

[14] If you strike him with the rod,

you will save his soul from Sheol.

[15] My son, if your heart is wise,

my heart too will be glad. (ESV)

Wise Words From Wise Men 1e

v.10-11 This pair of verses share their first line with 22:28, but in this case, it is not only about the theft of property by moving a surveying marker. It is also about taking advantage of the weak and powerless, a theme we saw earlier in verses 22-23. "Moving an ancient landmark" is a real-world example of many such cases where someone manipulates the legal system using their status and wealth to take advantage of those without such means for personal gain. It also applies to frivolous lawsuits that the rich may file and the poor cannot afford to defend against. For a society to legalize and make acceptable that which had formerly been immoral is "moving an ancient boundary." We see this in all societies in decline throughout history, including our own—"What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9). All the boundaries we see being moved in our living memory have been moved before: abortion, euthanasia, pornography, incest, pedophilia, the alphabet movement, legalization of hard drugs, and many others, were seen in many societies of many ages. To “enter the fields of the fatherless” is a metaphor for using one’s power to aggressively manipulate them to their detriment. While they are powerless, God is their “strong redeemer.” God Himself will guard them when society breaks down and becomes godless, leaving them as orphans cast adrift on the seas of greed and lust for control. Such offenses incur God's wrath (Matthew 18:6, 10), and they will be punished in this life or the next if they do not repent.

v.12 This proverb is an invitation to learn and urges self-discipline in the pursuit of wisdom, particularly the Divine Wisdom of Scripture.

v.13-14 Those placed in authority over teaching children are not to forgo discipline as a part of instruction. This is not merely about parents utilizing corporal punishment, though there is that means to be employed as and if necessary. It is encouragement that instilling discipline has never brought about physical harm. Discipline, used appropriately in Wisdom and love, works only for the benefit of the instructed.

v.15 Completing the last two verses' thought, this proverb further encourages instructors not to neglect discipline out of a false sense of compassion. Consider the damage we see lack of discipline is causing in society, then stop to consider what a lack of spiritual discipline means for the care of souls. The ultimate goal is to instruct the young to not wander away from the faith into everlasting death (Ephesians 6:4). This is precisely what God, our Father, does for each of His children (Hebrews 12:5-11).