Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. – Proverbs 1:8 (NIV)

My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: – Proverbs 1:8 (KJV)

52 Proverbs in 52 Weeks – Week 24
This week’s theme:  Godly Families

This is our fourth week on the theme of Godly Families, and this Sunday we also celebrate Father’s Day.  It’s a day when families across the country will be looking for a way to honor dad and show how much he means to them.  As a father, I can tell you that one of the greatest blessings my children could ever give me would be to live by King Solomon’s words here in Proverbs 1:8.  That is, to listen to and heed the advice and instruction my wife and I offer them.  Why?  In short, because I love them and I want what’s best for them.  I know that the wisdom God has given us, as parents, through life experience can help our kids discern right from wrong, avoid some of the mistakes we’ve made, and make wise choices as they go through life.

As we look a little closer at Proverbs 1:8, I find the placement of this verse interesting for a couple of reasons.  First, it’s right up front in the book of Proverbs, near the first part of chapter 1, so Solomon must have thought it was important.  Second, the verses that immediately precede and follow Proverbs 1:8 really amplify the value of guidance from Godly parents.  Here are the three verses together (note that Proverbs 1:7 is our verse from 2018 week 1):
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. – Proverbs 1:7-9 (NIV)
Rephrasing a bit, this passage goes something like this…
·  Knowledge starts with reverence and awe for our God
· And you’re a fool if you don’t seek wisdom and listen to instruction
· Speaking of instruction…listen to the instruction & teaching of your parents
· Their instruction is really special…to be treated as a prized possession you want to put on display…it’s something to be proud of

If you’ve been blessed with Godly parents, then Proverbs 1:8 is aimed straight at you.  Put their teachings on display like “a garland to grace your head.”

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