04.17.24
‘The Importance of Early Training’
Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. (Proverbs 4:1)
We are going to call the fourth chapter of Proverbs ‘A Life-long Pilgrimage.’ While the Christian walk has a beginning (at the moment of the new birth), it has no end (in this life). It actually goes on into eternity… Paul tells us that in the ages to come God is going to show to His children the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:7).
Therefore during our pilgrimage on earth we must constantly strive after wisdom. Our life-long quest for wisdom involves three aspects: choosing wisdom (1-13), avoiding wickedness (14-19) and concentrating on wisdom (20-27).
We will plan to walk through this chapter, verse by verse, as we did with chapters 1-3, as we seek to find the truths God has for us. May I repeat that these precious truths will be much more impactful to your life if you first surrender your heart to Christ Jesus by faith.
We are presented first with the choice we must make—to chose wisdom as our life’s focus. I remind you that wisdom is embodied in the written Word, the Bible, and in Christ the Living Word.
The first five verses stress the importance of early training, of choosing wisdom while we are young and have our lives in front of us. Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. (2) For I give you good doctrine, forsake not my law. (3) For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. (4) He taught me also, and said unto me, “Let your heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. (5) Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.”
Wisdom must be passed on from generation to generation. Solomon is referring to the knowledge of God given from parent to child orally. In the NT Timothy spoke of how he had heard the Word of God at the knees of his godly mother and grandmother. Solomon could trace his lineage at least as far back as godly Abraham, and he strove to pass on truth to his son Rehoboam.
Every good teacher knows that truth must be repeated to be retained. Isaiah referred to truth being presented “precept upon precept.” That’s why we see the same principles cropping up again and again in these early chapters of Proverbs.
Teaching is best received when it is presented in earnest. We’re not talking about the alphabet or the multiplication tables, both of which are very important. We’re talking about truth that matters for eternity, that determines one’s eternal destiny.
We as parents will clearly face shame and regret if we fail to properly teach our children (Proverbs 13:24; 29:13). True, children will sometimes go astray even with the best efforts and intentions of parents, but there is a far better chance that children will love and serve God if their folks have set a consistent godly example in word and deed.
In the next section (6-13) Solomon will once again help us to understand the importance of wisdom. This we will plan to look at next time.
If we at Immanuel Baptist Church can be of any help to you, please feel free to call upon us.