Proverbs 23:24

Commentary on Proverbs 23:24

1. The Text

Proverbs 23:24 (King James Version):
“The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.”

This proverb sits within a larger section of Proverbs 23 that urges the reader to pursue wisdom, avoid destructive paths, and live in a way that honours God and blesses others. The chapter is full of parental instruction, warnings against folly, and encouragements toward disciplined, godly living.

2. Exegetical Commentary

A. The Immediate Context of Proverbs 23

Proverbs 23[i] is a collection of sayings that emphasise:

• The value of discipline (verses 12–14).
• The joy of seeing children walk in wisdom (verses 15–16).
• The danger of envy, drunkenness, gluttony, and sexual immorality (verses 17–35).
• The call to apply the heart to instruction and the ears to knowledge (verse 12).

The chapter repeatedly frames wisdom as something that brings delight to parents and stability to life. Proverbs 23:24 is part of this theme.

B. The Meaning of Proverbs 23:24

“The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice”

The verse assumes a covenantal worldview: righteousness is not merely moral behaviour but a life aligned with the fear of the Lord. Earlier in Proverbs we read:

Proverbs 1:7 (KJV):
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

A child who walks in righteousness brings deep joy to a parent because righteousness reflects God’s character and promises blessing.

“He that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him”

Wisdom in Proverbs is practical godliness. It is skill in living under God’s rule. A wise child is one who:

• Listens to instruction (Proverbs 23:12).
• Avoids the path of sinners (Proverbs 23:17).
• Lives with self-control (Proverbs 23:20–21).
• Speaks truthfully (Proverbs 23:23).
• Fears the Lord (Proverbs 23:17–18).

Such a child is a source of joy because wisdom leads to life, stability, and honour.

C. Theological Themes

1. The generational blessing of wisdom
   Wisdom is not merely personal; it blesses families and communities. Righteousness has ripple effects.
2. The parental heart of God
   The joy of a human father over a righteous child reflects the joy of God over His people.
   Consider:

Zephaniah 3:17 (KJV):
“The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy…”

3. The covenantal nature of discipleship
   Proverbs assumes that parents teach and children respond. This mirrors the pattern of God teaching His people through His Word.
4. The unity of righteousness and wisdom
   In Proverbs, righteousness and wisdom are inseparable. To be righteous is to be wise; to be wise is to walk in righteousness.

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3. Application to Modern Christian Living

A. For Parents

1. Prioritise spiritual formation over achievement
   The joy described in Proverbs 23:24 is not about academic success, sporting ability, or career advancement. It is about godliness.
2. Teach diligently
   Proverbs 23 assumes active instruction. Parents are called to shape the hearts of their children through Scripture, prayer, and example.
3. Rejoice in spiritual fruit
   Celebrate signs of grace in your children: repentance, kindness, truthfulness, humility, and love for God.

B. For Children and Young Adults

1. Your choices affect more than you
   Righteousness brings joy to those who love you. Folly brings grief (Proverbs 17:25)
   “A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.”
2. Wisdom is a gift to your family
   When you walk in wisdom, you honour your parents and reflect the character of Christ.

C. For the Church Community

1. Spiritual parenting matters
   Older believers can rejoice as younger believers grow in righteousness. This is part of the beauty of the body of Christ.
2. Encourage generational discipleship
   Churches should cultivate environments where wisdom is taught, modelled, and celebrated.

D. For All Believers

1. Your heavenly Father rejoices over righteousness
   Proverbs 23:24 points beyond earthly relationships to the joy of God over His people.
2. Pursue wisdom as an act of worship
   Wisdom is not self-help; it is obedience to God.
3. Remember that righteousness is ultimately found in Christ
   Our righteousness is grounded in the finished work of Jesus Christ, who is Himself the wisdom of God.

1 Corinthians 1:30 (KJV):
“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness…”

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4. Meditation Guide

Use these steps for personal reflection or group study.

A. Read the Verse Slowly

“The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.”

Let the words settle. Notice the emotional tone: joy, delight, celebration.

B. Reflect on These Questions

• What does righteousness look like in your daily life?
• How does your walk with God bring joy to others?
• Who has invested in your spiritual growth, and how can you honour them?
• Are there areas where you need to grow in wisdom?
• How does knowing that God rejoices over His people encourage you?

C. Pray

• Thank God for those who have taught you wisdom.
• Ask for a heart that loves righteousness.
• Pray for the next generation in your family or church.
• Ask the Lord to make you a source of joy to others through godly living.

D. Act

• Encourage someone who has been a spiritual parent to you.
• Make one concrete decision today that reflects wisdom and righteousness.
• If you are a parent, take a moment to speak blessing and encouragement over your children.

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[i] Proverbs 23

King James Version

23 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee:

2 And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.

3 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.

4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.

5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:

7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

8 The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.

9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

¹⁰ Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:

¹¹ For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.

¹² Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.

¹³ Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.

¹⁴ Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.

¹⁵ My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.

¹⁶ Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.

¹⁷ Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long.

¹⁸ For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.

¹⁹ Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.

²⁰ Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:

21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

22 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.

23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.

25 Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.

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

27 For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit.

28 She also lieth in wait as for a prey, and increaseth the transgressors among men.

29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?

30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.

31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.

32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.

33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.

34 Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.

35 They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.