Quick editor’s note: This is a continuation of my dad’s series entitled Wisdom of The Builders. The first installment of this series can be found 3 weeks ago. If you are wondering. My guest posts just worked out that way. Sorry for the interruption.
Wisdom Wednesday : Wisdom of the Builders PART 3
The Wise Builders of Children
Submitted by Debbie’s Dad
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it…” (Proverbs 22:6 King James Version)
The Scriptures speak of wise builders in several passages throughout the Old and New Testaments, and in this series, we are examining the references and the insight they provide about building a wise life.
Today we look at the builders of families – parents. The book of Proverbs emphasizes the role of parents in building a child on the foundation of Godly wisdom.
Children are to listen to Godly parents because they build a young life in wisdom, as a father instructs: “Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path.” (Prov. 23:16)
Children are instructed, “Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth and do not sell it— wisdom, instruction and insight as well. The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him. May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful! (Prov. 22:22-25)
The Proverbs emphasize that “child building” occurs in the home and the builders are the parents. The parents’ role (father and mother) is mentioned in many passages: 1:8; 10:1; 15:20; 20:20; 23:22, 25; 30:11, 17 and 31:1. As in verse 23:16 there are over 20 other verses that direct the instruction to “my son”. The narrator in the first chapter is the parent, “Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.” (1:8)
It is a wise parent that understands the importance of building up a child in Godly wisdom and it will be a source of rejoicing when the child grows in wisdom.