Teach Your Children Well

Teach Your Children Well is an old Crosby, Stills and Nash song about a broken relationship between a father and his son. The father, who sometimes was on the wrong side of the law and spent time in jail, failed to pass along important lessons and values to his son.

Today’s passage is Proverbs 4:1-9. Solomon recalls how his dad, David, passed along God’s Word to him, and encourages his sons to do the same.

The biggest tragedy in history is the broken relationship between humankind and God. Because we failed to obey, we live in a prison that is tainted with sin. Had we obeyed, we would be on the right side of the law and live a life with no cares or worries.

Fortunately for us, God wanted that relationship restored and sent is son, Jesus Christ, to atone for our disobedience. Through grace, he gives us faith so that in the future we will live a glorified life with no cares or worries.

The means of grace are God’s Word and the Sacraments (baptism and communion).  The Sacraments are best administered by a pastor, but parents can pass along God’s Word to their children. In so doing, they help their children gain wisdom for this life and glory for their future life.

Perhaps you did not get the benefit of God’s Word at a young age. It is never too late to start. His Word is ubiquitous and can be found on-line and in just about any book store. It literally is at your fingertips!

God entrusts parents with his souls, and that is an enormous responsibility. So parents, Teach Your Children Well!

Proverbs 4:1-9

These words are synonyms for wisdom: understanding, knowledge, insight, perception, astuteness, intelligence, acumen.  These are also qualities we strive to possess and which take a lifetime to achieve. 

The Life Application Study Bible says, "David taught Solomon as a young boy that seeking God's wisdom was the most important choice he could make." 

The opposite of wisdom is folly.  We don't hear that word too often.  Folly connotes foolishness, silly behavior and unwise actions.  In the day where most children grow up with college as part of the path to adulthood, we consider ourselves smart, too smart to fall victim to folly.  But, the wise person realizes the gift of wisdom doesn't come from any book except the Bible.

Proverbs 4:7 (NIV) 

“Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” 

Wisdom and understanding are achieved through study of the Bible and applying those words to our lives every day.  Our education is important and will assist us in maneuvering this world, making a living and providing for our family, but it does not show us the path to eternal life.  It doesn't fill our hearts with peace, nor does education give us the assurances of a secure tomorrow.  Money and prestige may seem to fit the bill, but let the economy take a tumble, and those things can disappear overnight.

We have been reading this week about the value of wisdom and how the Christian's life is more complicated and incomplete without it.  We have also read that wisdom is ours for the asking.  "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." (James 1:5)  God will grant that request.

Read Proverbs 4:1-9 here

Listen to Proverbs 4:1-9 here