Proverbs 23:16-20

Proverbs 23:16-20
English Standard Version
16 My inmost being will exult
    when your lips speak what is right.
17 Let not your heart envy sinners,
    but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day.
18 Surely there is a future,
    and your hope will not be cut off.

19 Hear, my son, and be wise,
    and direct your heart in the way.
20 Be not among drunkards
    or among gluttonous eaters of meat,

---

Our spirit should rejoice when wisdom and truth are spoken (I think this is still Solomon speaking to his son and how the father's heart is glad to see his children having a correct worldview and learning to be wise).  When the lips of others speak the right things (like the Word of God) that also should make our hearts glad.

Don't look at the worldly "success" or possessions of a sinner and envy them--everything they are and have will be destroyed in the coming judgment.  Instead, we are to fear the LORD and obey His commandments all the days of our lives.  Then He will give us an inheritance that is incorruptible, a place of eternal blessing and security, and a sure hope that all this is secure because He has done everything necessary to secure it for us (it is not dependent on us).

Solomon now speaks to his broader audience of the people of Israel and warns them to be wise and to turn away from gluttony and drunkenness.  These are usually activities associated with their pagan rituals, but they were also a way that people tried to make themselves feel good when they should have felt bad about their sin.  We just studied a passage in the book of Isaiah yesterday in church where God prophecies directly against the drunkenness of HIs people Israel and Judah and their fake happiness that they were putting on because they knew their enemies were coming to destroy them.  Their laughing and partying would be destroyed in an instant when their circumstances changed, because their feasting was not rooted in the truth of who God was or what He had done (or what they had faith He would do) for them.  He was ready to once again be their Savior if they would trust in Him, but He was not going to share His glory with the pagan nations that they were relaying on for safety and security--not Egypt and not Assyria or anyone else.