Proverbs 23:26 - Printer Friendly

ESV: My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.

NIV: My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways,

NASB: Give me your heart, my son, And let your eyes delight in my ways.

CSB: My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.

NLT: O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes take delight in following my ways.

KJV: My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

NKJV: My son, give me your heart, And let your eyes observe my ways.

Solomon urges his son to emulate him. This appeal is a call for Solomon's son to pattern his ethics after those of his father. Solomon wanted his son to lead a godly lifestyle like his own. To do that, the son would need to carefully notice how Solomon lived; this is the meaning of the phrase about his eyes. The need for careful observation is directly tied to Solomon's warning about sexual sin (Proverbs 23:27), which begins with a term meaning "because" or "since," most often translated as "for." The importance of this advice—to "look" at a godly lifestyle—counters the way sexual temptation often begins with one's eyes (Proverbs 6:25; Matthew 5:28). Tragically, Solomon himself was tempted into sin by intimate relationships (1 Kings 11:4).

In the New Testament we read Jesus' command to His disciples to follow Him. He said, "If anyone serves me, he must follow me" (John 12:26). In other words, Jesus' followers must take the same path through life that Jesus took. They must imitate Jesus' righteous life of service. The apostle Paul urged the Philippian believers to follow the example Jesus set, He writes: "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5).

Proverbs 23:26–35 contains a portion of thirty wise sayings endorsed by Solomon (Proverbs 22:17–21). In verse 26, he again pleads for his words to be heard. The warnings given here are more extensive than most others in this book. The first sounds an alarm about sexual temptation, comparing it to a trap or an ambush. The second goes to great lengths discouraging drunkenness, because of its effects and the danger of addiction.

This portion of wise sayings (Proverbs 22:17–21) starts with the sixth of thirty mentioned in chapter 22. These include advice on presenting oneself well to a host, while not being unduly influenced by such hospitality. The passage also speaks on the right time to share wisdom, ethics, discipline, and the joys associated with godly children. Also included are warnings about relationships and those who lack self-control. The chapter ends with the Bible's most strident warning about the dangers of alcohol abuse; this is the eighteenth of the thirty promised teachings.

This chapter continues Solomon's collection of the sayings of wise men (Proverbs 22:17–21). These lessons continue through Proverbs 24:34. Here, Solomon addresses his "son," perhaps meaning a student, with warnings about money, gluttony, speaking in the company of a fool, dishonesty, withholding discipline from a child, keeping company with drunkards, and the abuse of alcohol. The description of alcohol's risks is the most extensive such caution given in Scripture.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.