Insight from the book of widom Poverb 23:1-5 1. When thou sittest to eat with a ruler - When invited to the table of thy betters, eat moderately. Do not appear as if half starved at home. Eat not of delicacies to which thou art not accustomed; they are deceitful meat; they please, but they do not profit. They are pleasant to the sight, the taste, and the smell; but they are injurious to health. These are prudential cautions; and should be carefully observed by all who would avoid the conduct of a clown, and desire to pass for a well-bred man. Vs 2. i. e., "Restrain thy appetite, eat as if the knife were at thy throat." Others render the words "thou wilt put a knife to thy throat" etc., i. e., "indulgence at such a time may endanger thy very life." Vs 3. Dainties ... deceitful meat Genesis 27:4, offered not from genuine hospitality, but with some by-ends. Vs 4. Cease from thine own wisdom - i. e., "Cease from the use of what is in itself most excellent, if it only serves to seek after wealth, and so ministers to evil." There is no special contrast between "thine own wisdom" and that given from above, though it is of course implied that in ceasing from his own prudence the man is onthe way to attain a higher wisdom. Vs 5. Set thine eyes - literally, as in the margin, i. e., "gaze eagerly upon;" and then we let consider the words that follow, "they fly away as an eagle toward heaven;" "certainly make themselves wings." Good night.
Posted on: Tue, 13 Aug 2013 22:48:14 +0000