Proverbs
13 reminds me of a modern phenomenon of “experts” with no
practical, Real-World experience. We hear relationship advice from
reality show characters, and parental advice from rockers in Rehab,
and prayers from Bounty Hunters. How can a regular dad compete with
Top Models? Can you imagine the frustration of Solomon as his wisdom
was regularly ignored by his own son? Perhaps this chapter is
Solomon’s attempt at writing important things with the hope that
his son will read them once he is out of This Old House. He begins,
“A wise
son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond
to rebukes“. Dads are
not always tactful in choosing their words, but their desire is to
give positive direction. He adds, “A
sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but
the
desires of the diligent are fully satisfied… the wicked make
themselves a stench
and
bring shame on themselves“.
When the “night owls” sleep in, hard working parents often find
a mess in the morning. Many times the smells also clarify exactly
what kind of activities took place the night before. We understand
the hopes and fears behind the next verse, “Righteousness
guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the
sinner“. These words
are not shouted in anger, but written as guidance for his son, when
he is no longer living with The Worlds Strictest Parents. Who do you
turn to when the Fear Factor is high?
Late
night television targets those who do not have to get up early. Many
preach on how to get rich quick featuring out of work celebrity
Pitchmen. Solomon writes, “One
person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be
poor, yet has great wealth“.
Even an Apprentice knows the Surreal Life portrayed on VH-1 is not
the pattern for Survivors to follow. We read, “Where
there is strife, there is pride“.
Isn’t that the premise of most of these shows? Here is wisdom
that would not be highly rated, “Whoever
gathers money little by little makes it grow… Whoever scorns
instruction will pay for it“.
Instead, people watch “fools
expose their folly“.
Solomon has a word for the next American Idol, “Whoever
disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame“.
He even warns those who claim that they are not into the same stuff
as their friends, “A
companion of fools suffers harm“.
Are you in Jeopardy?
The
chapter closes with the true concern of a father toward his son.
Real parenting is not often popular. His hopes reach far beyond
today, “A
good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children“.
To those who feel like Storm Chasers, he writes, “Trouble
pursues the sinner“.
How many near misses will it take before you will listen? Are you
tired of being Punk’d? Maybe it is time for an Extreme Makeover.
Solomon would admit that parenting is a Dirty Job. He knows without
a doubt, “Whoever
spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their
children is careful to discipline them“.
Correction is NOT abuse; it must always be done in love, never in
anger, and it should begin when they are still Little People. The
sooner we learn to submit to God’s authority, the better we know
that we are God’s Most Wanted. He does not want us judged in the
People’s Court. Jesus has already paid the penalty for our Crime
and Punishment. Solomon concludes, “The
righteous eat to their hearts’ content, but the stomach of the
wicked goes hungry“.
Peace with God begins with accepting the reality that you need a
Savior and His name is Jesus. Is that your Final Answer?