Proverbs
4 reminds me of a Boy Scout expression; “If a boy does not make
Eagle Scout by 14, he probably won’t make it at all, because after
that, he hits the ‘fume years’.” Car fumes and perfumes take a
boy’s attention away from scouting. As the father of two young
men, I have witnessed firsthand how easily distracted they can be.
Throughout this proverb, Solomon repeatedly stops, to make sure his
kid stops texting long enough to hear what he is saying. I suppose
even Solomon’s sons didn’t think he was too bright for a period
of time! He sounds already exasperated as he begins, “Listen,
my
sons, to a father’s instruction;
pay
attention
and gain understanding. I give you sound learning“.
It seems at a certain age, all conversations are squeezed into those
precious times when both father and son are awake at the same hour of
the day. Some things never change. I picture Solomon wearing
knee-high black socks with his sandals and his middle-aged physique
trying hard to relate, “When
I was a boy in my father’s house…“.
The important thing here is, Solomon did not stop, he kept on
teaching his boys because he understood, even though he was not cool,
his words still have an impact. “Get
wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from
them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and
she will watch over you“.
Even as adults we have regular interruptions, but we must guard
against surrendering to them. What are the “Fumes” in your life?
There
are lessons in failure. Like merit badges, we keep adding
understanding with each experience. Solomon encourages his sons not
to remain a tenderfoot. “Though
it cost all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will
exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you“.
As he turns down the music, he continues, “Listen,
my son… I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along
straight paths“. He
avoids the desire to tell his boys to take a hike, instead he
perseveres, “When
you
walk…
when
you run, you will not stumble“.
He reminds them God’s Word is their manual, “Hold
on to instruction, do not let it go“.
Are you prepared for what is ahead?
Exploring the woods can be dangerous
without a field guide. Solomon continues, “Do
not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil
men. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it“.
Evil is not always easy to spot, particularly in the dark. Perhaps
this is why the wise dad remains trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, and friendly with his sons? He adds, “The
path of the righteous is like the
first
gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter“.
We cannot see what is in someone’s heart, but we can see the
fruits produced in their life. Are they courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful? Solomon says again, “Son,
pay
attention…listen
closely to my words…
for
they are life… and health to a man’s whole body“.
This dad is not thrifty with the time he has for his son. He bravely
continues to teach his boy to keep his speech clean, “Put
away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your
lips“. Jesus said,
“What
goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes
out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean’”
(Matthew 15:11). He explained what is in the heart will come out of
the mouth. Finally Solomon closes with three tips for staying on the
trail, “fix
your gaze directly before you… take only ways that are firm… Do
not swerve to the right or the left“.
How can a child of any age learn reverence for God if they do not
have someone willing to lead them to the Master?