I. The wise man here uses the word "heart" in the fullest sense. It includes the whole mind, the spirit, and the soul. These are what the Lord claims, and what the wise man here claims in the name of the Lord. Bear in mind that, although this claim is put affectionately and appealingly, it is a claim, and admits of no compromise. God will not be put off with any minor or inferior concession. He says to every child of man, "My son, give Me thine heart."
II. It is a very comprehensive claim, this demand of the heart. The best way to comply with it is to identify God with everything which will bear contact with Him. If you would give God your heart, just think over to yourself the list of all those pursuits in business, study, or pleasure for which you feel you have the strongest taste, and in which you find the most congenial enjoyment. The evil thing which is wrong in itself must be struck out of the list, and your heart given to God. A life thus controlled and regulated would, be indeed a blessed and a model life.
III. God demands your heart that He may enlighten, convince, pardon, sanctify, keep, dignify, and save you. We might press the demand on the ground: (1) of right; (2) of reason; (3) of gratitude; (4) of self-interest. Yield your heart to Him humbly, believingly, unreservedly, cheerfully, irrevocably.
A. Mursell, Calls to the Cross,123.
I. Consider the relationship to God which is conveyed in the text: "My son." Can any closer, any more endearing, tie be suggested? Consider what is involved in the term "Father." (1) God is the Author of our being. (2) God not only bestows upon us life, but the means of enjoying it. He provides us with all that we want. (3) In one particular, God's love is shown to us in a way that no analogy can reach. Our earthly parents can only provide the means of our education, our instruction, our start in life. What if these are neglected, misused,. and misapplied? Why, henceforth there is little help for us; "the voyage of our life is lost in shallows and in miseries." Our parents try remedies, but it is often too late; they are often in vain, ineffectual to do away with the mischief once wrought. God has provided a better remedy for His children.
II. Consider what God asks us to give: "My son, give Me thine heart?This implies that we have a power over our affections. There can be no doubt that the heart influences the will, and in a less degree the understanding. We are called upon to give our hearts to God.
III. Consider what this means. The loyal affection which a son feels towards his earthly parents throws some light upon the concentrated love with which we are called upon to regard Him "in whom we live, and move, and have our being." We may in our lighter moments, and for purposes of amusement, prefer the society of younger persons; but still there is a fund of deep, undisturbed love for our parents, with which the most enthusiastic friendship will not bear comparison a love which sometimes slumbers, but never dies; a love the reality of which we cannot endure to be questioned. Such, in its calm repose, in its loyal attachment, and in its undying constancy, is the Christian's love to God.
G. Butler, Sermons in the Chapel of Cheltenham College,p. 327.
References: Proverbs 23:26. Spurgeon, My Sermon Notes: Genesis to Proverbs,p. 184; J. Budgen, Parochial Sermons,vol. ii., p. 127; Clergyman's Magazine,vol. viii., p. 87; H. Wonnacott, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xvi., p. 289. Proverbs 23:29. J. N. Norton, The King's Ferry Boat,p. 50. Proverbs 23:29-35. R. Wardlaw, Lectures on Proverbs,vol. ii., p. 303.Proverbs 24:1-12. Ibid.,vol. iii., p. 98. Proverbs 24:1; Proverbs 24:19; Proverbs 24:20. W. Arnot, Laws from Heaven,2nd series, p. 268.