◄ Proverbs 28:7 ►
A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
Study Bible
A discerning son keeps the law
A discerning son is one who possesses wisdom and understanding, qualities highly valued in biblical literature. The term "discerning" implies the ability to judge well and make sound decisions. In the context of ancient Israel, keeping the law was central to maintaining a covenant relationship with God. The law, or Torah, was not merely a set of rules but a guide for living a life pleasing to God. This phrase emphasizes the importance of obedience and reverence for God's commandments, reflecting the wisdom literature's broader theme that true wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7). The discerning son is contrasted with the foolish, who neglects the law, highlighting the moral and spiritual benefits of adherence to God's instructions.

but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father
The term "companion of gluttons" refers to those who indulge excessively in food and drink, often associated with a lack of self-control and moral decay. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, gluttony was seen as a vice that led to other sins, such as laziness and drunkenness. Associating with such individuals was considered shameful and brought dishonor to one's family, particularly the father, who was the head of the household. This phrase underscores the biblical principle that one's associations can influence one's character and reputation (1 Corinthians 15:33). The disgrace brought upon the father reflects the communal nature of honor and shame in ancient societies, where individual actions impacted the entire family. This serves as a warning to choose companions wisely, aligning with the broader biblical teaching on the importance of righteous living and the consequences of folly.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Discerning Son
Represents an individual who is wise and prudent, making choices that align with God's commandments.

2. Companion of Gluttons
Symbolizes those who indulge in excess and lack self-control, leading to shame and dishonor.

3. Father
In this context, the father represents the family or community that is affected by the actions of the son.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Obedience
A discerning son keeps the law, demonstrating the value of obedience to God's commandments. This obedience is a reflection of wisdom and understanding.

Influence of Companions
The company we keep can greatly influence our behavior and reputation. Associating with those who indulge in excess can lead to disgrace and dishonor.

Honor and Shame
Our actions can bring either honor or shame to our family and community. Living a life that aligns with God's principles brings honor, while a life of excess and disobedience brings shame.

Self-Control and Discipline
The contrast between the discerning son and the companion of gluttons highlights the importance of self-control and discipline in living a life that pleases God.

Impact on Family and Community
Our choices not only affect us but also those around us. A life of wisdom and obedience can positively impact our family and community.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of a "discerning son" in Proverbs 28:7 relate to the idea of wisdom in the book of Proverbs as a whole?

2. In what ways can the company we keep influence our spiritual walk, and how can we ensure we are surrounding ourselves with wise companions?

3. Reflect on a time when your actions either brought honor or shame to your family or community. What did you learn from that experience?

4. How can we cultivate self-control and discipline in our lives to avoid the pitfalls of excess and indulgence?

5. What practical steps can we take to ensure that our lives reflect obedience to God's commandments and bring honor to our families and communities?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 13:20
This verse highlights the importance of choosing wise companions, as walking with the wise leads to wisdom, while associating with fools leads to harm.

1 Corinthians 15:33
Paul warns that bad company corrupts good character, reinforcing the idea that our associations can influence our behavior and reputation.

Deuteronomy 21:18-21
This passage discusses the consequences of a rebellious son, emphasizing the importance of obedience and the impact of one's actions on the family.
Sermons
The Source of Disturbance and the Secret of SecurityW. Clarkson Proverbs 28:1, 13, 25
The Moral Quality of LifeE. Johnson Proverbs 28:6-12
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Blush, Bringeth, Cause, Companion, Company, Discerning, Disgraces, Feasters, Friend, Gluttonous, Gluttons, Humiliates, Intelligent, Keepeth, Keeping, Keeps, Law, Observeth, Profligates, Puts, Riotous, Shame, Shames, Shameth, Teaching, Understanding, Wise
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 28:7

     5668   children, responsibilities to parents
     5685   fathers, responsibilities
     5850   excess
     5866   gluttony
     8227   discernment, nature of
     8281   insight
     8355   understanding
     8775   libertinism

Library
Two Coverings and Two Consequences
A Sermon (No. 3500) by C. H. Spurgeon, April 4th, 1875, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. Published February 24th, 1916. "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper."--Proverbs 28:13. "Thou Hast covered all their sins."--Psalm 85:2. In these two texts we have man's covering, which is worthless and culpable, and God's covering, which is profitable and worthy of all acceptation. No sooner had man disobeyed his Maker's will in the garden of Eden than he discovered to his surprise and dismay …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

The Right Kind of Fear
A Sermon (No. 2971) published on Thursday, January 18th, 1906, delivered by C.H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington on Thursday evening, September 2nd, 1876. "Happy is the man that feareth alway."--Proverbs 28:14. But did not John say that "fear hath torment?" Then how can he be happy who hath fear, and especially he who hath it always. Did not John also say that "perfect love casteth out fear?" How is it then that he is happy in whom love is not made perfect, if so be that the fear …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

"If we Confess Our Sins, He is Faithful and Just to Forgive us Our Sins",
1 John i. 9.--"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins", &c. The current of sin dries not up, but runs constantly while we are in this life. It is true, it is much diminished in a believer, and it runs not in such an universal flood over the whole man as it is in the unbeliever. Yet there is a living spring of sin within the godly, which is never ceasing to drop out pollution and defilement, either upon their whole persons, or, at least, to intermingle it with their …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"When Solomon was Old. "
"It came to pass when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other Gods." 1 KINGS xi. 4. Who could have predicted that this would come to pass? And yet it is often so, for it is still true that NO AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE WILL SAVE FROM BACKSLIDING THOSE WHO REFUSE TO LISTEN TO GOD. We learn from verse 10 that God had taken pains to save Solomon from idolatry, (see 1 Kings vi. 12, and xi. 6). But what good is it for even God to try to save a man who will have his own way? And …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread

Letter xxiv (Circa A. D. 1126) to Oger, Regular Canon
To Oger, Regular Canon [34] Bernard blames him for his resignation of his pastoral charge, although made from the love of a calm and pious life. None the less, he instructs him how, after becoming a private person, he ought to live in community. To Brother Oger, the Canon, Brother Bernard, monk but sinner, wishes that he may walk worthily of God even to the end, and embraces him with the fullest affection. 1. If I seem to have been too slow in replying to your letter, ascribe it to my not having …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Epistle xxv. To Gregoria.
To Gregoria. Gregory to Gregoria, Lady of the Bed-chamber (cubiculariæ) to Augusta. I have received the longed for letters of your Sweetness, in which you have been at pains all through to accuse yourself of a multitude of sins: but I know that you fervently love the Almighty Lord, and I trust in His mercy that the sentence which was pronounced with regard to a certain holy woman proceeds from the mouth of the Truth with regard to you: Her sins, which are many, are forgiven her, for she loved …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

"And the Life. " How Christ is the Life.
This, as the former, being spoken indefinitely, may be universally taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the state of nature, and to such as are in the state of grace, and so may be considered in reference to both, and ground three points of truth, both in reference to the one, and in reference to the other; to wit, 1. That our case is such as we stand in need of his help, as being the Life. 2. That no other way but by him, can we get that supply of life, which we stand in need of, for he …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

"And There is None that Calleth Upon Thy Name, that Stirreth up Himself to Take Hold on Thee,"
Isaiah lxiv. 7.--"And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold on thee," &c. They go on in the confession of their sins. Many a man hath soon done with that a general notion of sin is the highest advancement in repentance that many attain to. You may see here sin and judgment mixed in thorough other(315) in their complaint. They do not so fix their eyes upon their desolate estate of captivity, as to forget their provocations. Many a man would spend more affection, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

How to be Admonished are those who Give Away what is their Own, and those who Seize what Belongs to Others.
(Admonition 21.) Differently to be admonished are those who already give compassionately of their own, and those who still would fain seize even what belongs to others. For those who already give compassionately of their own are to be admonished not to lift themselves up in swelling thought above those to whom they impart earthly things; not to esteem themselves better than others because they see others to be supported by them. For the Lord of an earthly household, in distributing the ranks and …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

The Authority and Utility of the Scriptures
2 Tim. iii. 16.--"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." We told you that there was nothing more necessary to know than what our end is, and what the way is that leads to that end. We see the most part of men walking at random,--running an uncertain race,--because they do not propose unto themselves a certain scope to aim at, and whither to direct their whole course. According to men's particular …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Adoption
'As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.' John 1:12. Having spoken of the great points of faith and justification, we come next to adoption. The qualification of the persons is, As many as received him.' Receiving is put for believing, as is clear by the last words, to them that believe in his name.' The specification of the privilege is, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.' The Greek word for power, exousia, signifies …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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