The commentators are once more agreed: They do not know! Most of them suggested that “seven” signals perfection, but that seems to be as close as we can come to an answer. Where God has not specifically alluded to something important for our soul, it is best we not speculate.

2. Proverbs 11:30. He that wins souls is wise. Or is it, He that is wise wins souls? As in other translations? More importantly, what did it mean to “win souls” in the Old Covenant times?

There are various ways to translate this verse, but the overall impression seems to be that a righteous man will not only want to remain righteous, but win others to his righteousness. Though this proverb could not have intended the soul-winning of the New Testament times, surely there is a connection here. Our righteousness is in Christ. Our winning of souls is not just to ourselves but to the one who gives us the fruit of righteousness.

3. Provers 23:20-21. Is Gluttony A Sin?

Is gluttony a sin?

Short answer: yes, it is.

Proverbs 23:20-21: Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

Proverbs 23:2. Put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.

Israelites known to be drunkards and gluttons were to be killed by stoning: Deuteronomy 21:18-21.

Self-control is a quality of the Spirit-filled man, 2 Peter 1:5-7, Galatians 5:22. Lack of same is listed as a trait of an evil person.

The lusting of the children of Israel in the wilderness was not after women, it was after food.

Wouldn’t you say that the Biblical record is clear about over-doing it with eating?

Then why do we see so many fat Christians? Sorry, there’s no other way to say it. And yes, with a little more caution and as much respect as I can muster up, there seems to be a lot of this condition standing behind the pulpit.

We allow these things in ourselves and those we love because the Christian culture as a whole in the well-provisioned West has come to a belief that, really, it’s okay. A little embarrassing, yes. Maybe some health issues down the road, yes, but not so bad as “other” sins. It’s how we think. It’s what we are taught.

Of course, Webster doesn’t help. He says that gluttony has to do with “greedy and voracious” eating or drinking. Somehow, those growing pounds on our front side, back side, and every side, don’t seem to be “voracious”. Cuddly, some would say. “Love handles”, some remark. “Enjoying the fat of the land, as God said we should,” joke others. Then there’s the inevitable “King’s Kid” remark, which shoves all implied criticism under the bus, clothed by the simple idea that as a Christian, I’m free, and I’m blessed, and leave me alone.

Unfortunately, we have to submit, not to Mr. Webster, but to Mr. Strong, of Concordance fame, in this matter. He says that the word translated glutton comes from a word meaning (morally) loose, and even worthless.

Seriously, of what value are we, as Christians, to a watching world, if they know that we cannot control our appetites? Why should they trust us in the unseen parts of our lives if we have demonstrated we are not able to deal with the seen?

Food is a great thing. God has given us a lot of it. But some of it is out there to test us, not to control us.

And we have not even mentioned the fact that most of the world does not get to eat like this. For most Christians, this discussion is meaningless, if not a thing of wonder. You see, your mother was right. You should not be eating so much food if poor starving Chinese people don’t get more than a bowl of rice every day. Why have we laughed that concept off? Why have we not cared more about our hurting brothers and sisters, setting aside portions of food-money for them, instead of assuming that every dollar we receive is to be budgeted for our use and ours alone?

Looked at it that way, gluttony becomes an even more serious sin…

4. Proverbs 24:11, 12. Who are those “drawn toward death” and “stumbling to the slaughter”? And what did we “not know” in the following verse?

This is an impassioned plea to rescue those headed for unjust punishment. Then, there is a rebuke to those who refuse to help the condemned, and even give excuses for their negligence. With but little imagination we can apply this to our unwillingness to share the Gospel with those who shall be justly condemned if they do not repent, and our constant excuses for not warning the lost.

5. Proverbs 24:17. Didn’t Solomon’s father rejoice when his enemy fell?

There are indeed two ways of looking at the demise of evil people, and God has seen fit that both views are available to us. Because we were all under the curse of God at one time, we can relate with and have mercy on those who are yet under that curse, and cry with real tears, as did Jesus at Jerusalem, when we anticipate, or even see, their fall.

On the other hand, like David and the saints in the latter part of Revelation, we can rejoice when evil has been conquered, God vindicated, the earth cleansed. We have no pity on evil, but we show human compassion for our condemned fellow man.

6. Proverbs 24: 21. What is so wrong with “change”?

Again a two-pronged subject. There is the change called for at repentance, the change from evil to good in a person or society. All good. There is a change from boring and fruitless in the life of a church or man that is called for and desired greatly.