The writer is really warning us in Proverbs 6. In verses 1-5 he warns us against co-signing. In verses 6-11 he warns us against laziness. And in verses 24-35 he especially warns us against adultery. ALL things that are rampant today! The LORD led the author to write these things because, not only were these sins common during his time, but He knew that they would only get more prominent as time went by.
The verses that really stood out to me as I read this Proverb over and over and in different translations were verses 20-23. Here we see the responsibility of parents as we see in many other Proverbs. Here are two separate translations:
New Living Translation
20 My son, obey your father's commands, and don't neglect your mother's teaching.
21 Keep their words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck.
22 Wherever you walk, their counsel can lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up in the morning, they will advise you.
23 For these commands and this teaching are a lamp to light the way ahead of you. The correction of discipline is the way to life.
The Message Translation
20-23 Good friend, follow your father's good advice;
don't wander off from your mother's teachings.
Wrap yourself in them from head to foot;
wear them like a scarf around your neck.
Wherever you walk, they'll guide you;
whenever you rest, they'll guard you;
when you wake up, they'll tell you what's next.
For sound advice is a beacon,
good teaching is a light,
moral discipline is a life path.
Follow your mother and father's advice and keep them in your heart always. They will lead you, protect you, and be your lamp and light. WOW. So what he is saying is that mine and John's advice will be able to lead, protect, and light the lives of our boys? No! He is saying that the teachings of the LORD will lead, protect, and light their lives. And our teaching MUST be that of the Lord's. Verse 23 in the New International Version says, "For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light." As parents, we cannot stray from Scripture. We must always go to the Word to guide our own hearts and minds so that we may discipline, love, and guide our children accordingly. It is only through His Word and His power.
Psalm 19:8 says,
"The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
Psalm 119:105 also reminds us of the power of the WORD.
"Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.
Father, teach us Your ways. Help us to wrap ourselves from head to toe in your Word so that we can be overflowing with your love and wisdom for our children.
Proverbs 5 ~ Don't Go There!
I detect a note of desperation in this Proverb; something like the feeling that your child is about to walk into harms way and, with all that is in you, you to say “Don’t go there!”
Keep your way far from her and do not go near the door of her house. (vs. 8)
It even sounds like the writer may be speaking from experience.
And you groan at your latter end when your flesh and your body are consumed;
And you say (vs. 12) "I was almost in utter ruin in the midst of the assembly and congregation.” (vs. 14)
And what can keep us from the utter ruin mentioned above? Being satisfied with what we have rather than going out vainly searching for happiness elsewhere.
Drink water from your own cistern and fresh water from your own well. (vs. 15)
For why should you, my son, be exhilarated with an adulteress...? (vs. 20)
Or, if being satisfied with what we have does not restrain us, then, how about the all-seeing eyes of God?
For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord and He watches all his paths.
(vs. 21)
Repetition of harmful ways form habits and habits become principles that rule our lives.
His own iniquities will capture the wicked and he will be held with the cords of his sin.
He will die for lack of instruction and in the greatness of his folly he will go astray.
(vs. 22, 23)
Oh, but, our merciful God is always ready with outstretched arms to receive the penitent sinner! What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Rom. 7:24-25)
Lord, let your love for me and the knowledge that everything in my life is given to me by my loving Father restrain me from going astray. And, when I do, help me to come running to you for forgiveness.
Keep your way far from her and do not go near the door of her house. (vs. 8)
It even sounds like the writer may be speaking from experience.
And you groan at your latter end when your flesh and your body are consumed;
And you say (vs. 12) "I was almost in utter ruin in the midst of the assembly and congregation.” (vs. 14)
And what can keep us from the utter ruin mentioned above? Being satisfied with what we have rather than going out vainly searching for happiness elsewhere.
Drink water from your own cistern and fresh water from your own well. (vs. 15)
For why should you, my son, be exhilarated with an adulteress...? (vs. 20)
Or, if being satisfied with what we have does not restrain us, then, how about the all-seeing eyes of God?
For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord and He watches all his paths.
(vs. 21)
Repetition of harmful ways form habits and habits become principles that rule our lives.
His own iniquities will capture the wicked and he will be held with the cords of his sin.
He will die for lack of instruction and in the greatness of his folly he will go astray.
(vs. 22, 23)
Oh, but, our merciful God is always ready with outstretched arms to receive the penitent sinner! What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Rom. 7:24-25)
Lord, let your love for me and the knowledge that everything in my life is given to me by my loving Father restrain me from going astray. And, when I do, help me to come running to you for forgiveness.
Proverbs 4~Solid Footing
v18But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day.
When I read this verse, I envision a hiker setting off through the woods early in the morning as the sun begins to creep into the sky. The path is there, but it is a little difficult to see, so the hiker just puts one foot in front of another, trusting that the path is reliable. As the sun rises, the path becomes much clearer and the hiker's steps become more confident. This is similar to the walk of faith. When a person becomes a Christian and begins to live by God's Word, they may be tentative at first. As faith and confidence in God builds, walking with Him becomes more sure. Even when difficulties are encountered, we move forward, trusting in Him.
v19The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.
The contrast to the sure footed hiker is someone stumbling in the dark. This verse brings to my mind a person in pitch black darkness, groping and falling over everything in their way. What a frustrating and discouraging way to live.
A bit later in Chapter 4, we're told how to make sure we stay on God's path.
vs23-27Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth and put devious speech far from you. Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet and all your ways will be established. Do not turn to the right nor to the left; turn your foot from evil.
Lord, help me to remain on the righteous path today. Help me resist the temptations to harbor ugly thoughts and to worry unnecessarily. Help me to trust in you, even when the path is hard.
Lord, help me to remain on the righteous path today. Help me resist the temptations to harbor ugly thoughts and to worry unnecessarily. Help me to trust in you, even when the path is hard.
Proverbs 1 - Seek Wisdom or Else!
In this chapter Solomon implores the reader to fear the Lord, to heed parental instruction, to seek wisdom. He then describes a dire future to those who disregard his warning and a promise to those who listen to him. As we have seen, these themes are repeated and amplified throughout the remainder of Proverbs.
Proverbs 1:1-7 -- The proverbs of Solomon son of David, King of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline: for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple/ knowledge and discretion to the young-- let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance-- for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Solomon then moves to a description of someone disregarding the teaching of his parents and living a rebellious sinful life. The warning in v. 24 - 28 is very direct and clear:
But since you rejected me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand, since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock you when calamity overtakes you--when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you. Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me. Then in verse 31--they will eat the fruit of their was and be filled with the fruit of their schemes...
Contrast that with the promise in verse 33:
But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.
I don't know about you, but when I read this chapter, I am struck by the way it is all laid on the line. Heed wisdom and be blessed, Disregard wisdom and suffer. Pretty straightforward.
It makes me look at how I teach and discipline my children... Am I clear/deliberate/purposeful in the teaching of my children? Is my discipline just? Do I follow through with what I say? Do I let my children experience logical consequences? Are they aware that I will let them face their consequences or are they surprised when I do? Am I aware of where my parenting is leading my children? Am I conscious of God parenting me and letting me experience either results from heeding wisdom or ignoring wisdom? Am I enjoying verse 33, and basking in the protection and freedom of following God's instructions?
Father, would You show us Your wisdom, would You guide us to better understand how to apply this chapter today? Thank You for loving us.
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