The Book of Proverbs at its core is a
father’s attempt to infuse wisdom into his son. At this moment, my
first-born son is on the cusp of adulthood. As a dad, I desperately
want to warn him of the hazards and distractions ahead. I want him
to enjoy life with the fullest of joy. I believe that is only
possible after fully submitting to the authority of God over every
part of our life. It is in this context that I believe King Solomon
wrote these words literally to his son. It is my prayer that each of
us hear the wisdom and instruction of a loving dad. Chapter 1 begins
with his purpose, “for
attaining wisdom and discipline… understanding words of insight…
doing what is right and just and fair… giving prudence to the
simple… discretion to the young“.
You can almost hear the frustration of every parent of teenagers,
“let
the wise listen
and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance“.
Notice he does not necessarily expect his son to immediately change
course, just to LISTEN. Perhaps that is sound advice for us parents.
One of my wise and encouraging friends once told me, “They are
listening. Even though they don’t act like it, they are listening
and those words stay with them”. Our challenge as parents is to
remember they listen to all the words, even the words spoken in
disappointment. Solomon lays a foundation stone, “The
fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise
wisdom and discipline“.
Young men in particular tend to be fearless. Too often recklessness
leads to wrecks. Fear of the Lord considers consequences that we may
not yet see.
Next Solomon touches on one of the many
benefits to having both a father and mother in the home. Very often,
dads lecture and moms nurture. Somewhere in there is a proper
balance and I think, at times, all of us need one more than the
other. He writes, “Listen,
my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s
teaching‘.
Dad’s word may ring in our ears, but mom’s tears lubricate our
heart. I think this is why he adds, “They
will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck“.
Finally Solomon gets
down to the observations that only come with life experience. All
parents want their kids to hang out with the good crowd. In
hindsight we frequently realize that mom was right about the kid she
did not trust. He writes, “My
son,
if
sinners entice you, do not give in to them“.
Bad guys don’t always wear black hats. We don’t always
recognize the corrupt, but the writer gives us some clues to watch
out for. “If
they say,
‘Come
along with us… let’s waylay some harmless soul… we will get all
sorts of valuable things and… plunder… throw in your lot with us,
and we will share a common purse‘.”
Things done in secrecy, or with bad intentions toward innocent
people, or solely for financial gain, or to be included in the “in
gang” are giant warning signs. No mater our age, Solomon warns,
“Do
not set foot on their paths…
for their
feet rush into sin, they are swift to shed blood“.
Corruption needs cooperation to thrive. Intimidation only works
when no one stands up for what is right. One person can give courage
to the group to resist. Solomon personifies wisdom and our reaction
to her call. “Wisdom
calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public
squares… If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured
out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you“.
Temptation and peer pressure can lead us into bad situations. He
continues, “Since
you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke… I will
mock when calamity overtakes you“.
He includes with this very somber warning, “Then
they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but
will not find me… Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to
fear the LORD“.
He says those that do not listen to wisdom, “will
eat
the fruit of their ways“.
Do you know the awful taste? He concludes, “Whoever
listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of
harm“.
True wisdom is found in God’s Word. I hope you will listen and
hear.