Proverbs Pt. 27 Parental responsibility and the duty of children.

 Good morning. It took a while but we will finish Proverbs 6 in this post. The chapter ends with another long section of warning about sexual sin. 

Parents must teach; children must keep. 

Proverbs 6:20  My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: 21) Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. 22) When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. 

In this text the responsibility of a parent is laid out clearly along with each child's duty with regard to parental instruction. God is very consistent in communicating how a family should function. King Solomon tells parents about the importance of setting a good role model for their children to see and emulate. 

The "way" or pattern of life for each parent must show the wisdom of God at work in their own lives before seeking to train up a child in the right way to live. Mom and Dad need to "walk the talk" before instructing their children. Otherwise the kids will get the message of "Do as I say, not as I do." 

For example, parents should strive to have a good work ethic in all vocational activities or while doing routine chores at home. Parents must communicate the need for children to cultivate a good work ethic so that they do not grow up to be like the sluggard. 

Ephesians 6:1-4  Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2) Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. 4) And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 

Most vital of all is the spiritual training that parents must impart to their offspring. They must point their children to the authority of God's Word as the source of parental authority and then teach the children that knowing God and obeying His Word is the greatest privilege He has given to us in this life. 

Paul taught about family functions in his letter to the church of Ephesus. He connected what he taught to believers with the 4th commandment of God's law in Exodus 20. Children must be taught to obey and honor their parents. Parents must bring up their offspring in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 

This is what King Solomon taught to his children. He wanted his sons to keep his commandments and to remember the law of their mother. The superiority of moral guidance and wisdom from God is his point of emphasis. The children must keep all instruction and guidance from their parents because wisdom from God will keep them on the right path, help them make right decisions and result in living a life that is pleasing to God. 

God's Word: Moral direction for us.

Proverbs 6:23-24  For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: 24) To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. 

Solomon stated the great blessing of having truth from God as an anchor for the hearts of his children. Truth from God is a bright lantern that shows us the dangers right in front of our feet so that we do not stumble and fall into sin. It is a shining light to show us the path we should walk on. It will correct us when we stray off the path that honors God, so that we can get back onto the straight and narrow way that leads to eternal life. 

What else does the wisdom and truth from God accomplish in us? It will keep us from the strange woman (or the strange man) so that we do not commit adultery. Notice, that an adulterous relationship with the strange woman begins with conversation where this evil woman speaks with smooth, flattering words that appeal to the man's vanity. She appeals to his ego so that he is amenable toward her advances.

Guard what we see.

Proverbs 6:25  Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. 26) For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. 

The danger enters through the eye gate. Her beauty incites lust in the heart of the man who meets with her. It begins as corrupt thoughts in his heart. He thinks about how attractive she is and is smitten with her lovely appearance. Yet she is like a predator on the hunt for another victim who is compared to a mere piece of bread. 

The other idea here that we have not really discussed, is that of hiring a prostitute. The strange woman isn't just unfaithful to her husband. She commits adultery for financial gain. Thus, the man spends his money on her and can be reduced to poverty. He may only have a loaf of bread, instead of having a home, family, and a way to make a living. He gave up a lot for a moment of pleasure. 

Matthew 5:27-28  Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28) But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29) And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 

The Lord Jesus addressed this very issue as he preached the sermon on the mount. Adultery starts in the heart with thoughts driven by lust. Christ makes the point that even though the physical act may not have been committed, the evil thoughts are like committing adultery. This is why we need the Word of God constantly flowing into our minds. It will change and govern what we think. 

Consequences of adultery.

Proverbs 6:27-31  Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? 28) Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? 29) So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent. 30) Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry; 31) But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house. 

Solomon asked a rhetorical question that demands a "No" answer. Adultery is compared to placing a fiery object on your chest. For example, it you grabbed some hot coals and hold them against your chest, you will be burned severely. It you attempt to walk across hot coals laying on the ground, your feet will be burned. 

The man who commits adultery with his neighbors wife will be burned in some form. God will hold him accountable for the sin. 

King Solomon made an observation that most people do not despise a thief who stole some food because he was starving. But, if the thief is caught, he will be forced to make restitution seven fold. If he stole one apple, he must repay by giving his victim seven apples. The idea here is that a man who commits adultery will be punished. People will despise him for breaking up a family. 

Proverbs 6:32-35  But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. 33) A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away. 34) For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. 35) He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts. 

Adultery is an act that destroys the soul. He is disgraced, ashamed and despised. Her husband may be enraged with jealousy and seek vengeance upon the man who committed adultery with his wife. He will not be appeased by any attempts of bribery. Thus, the man who lay with the strange woman will always have the threat of revenge hanging over him.

Deuteronomy 22:22  If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel. 

Adultery carried a death penalty in the law of God.  Both parties were to be executed. Now, this may seem harsh, but this also shows us the value God placed on the institution of marriage and the husband/wife relationship. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

We see the importance of the nuclear family structure as ordained by God in the scriptures. When this God ordained family unit breaks down, society will break down. We have witnessed firsthand the destructive outcomes of well intended social policies that had the unintended consequences that destroyed families. 

Parents must teach their children that which God commands them to teach. They must live out the truth in front of their children. Children must be taught to listen and obey their parents and, ultimately, to hear from God and obey Him.

All of this material is so important. The moral foundation must be given by parents to children. Do not let the education establishment or the culture shape the minds of our children or grandchildren.

Wisdom from God and obedience to His word is the path of blessing in this life and the next. Without wisdom, people will make foolish choices and seek out the strange woman. There are many negative consequences associated with adultery and wisdom from God will help us avoid becoming enslaved to such sin.

May the Lord impart His wisdom and open our eyes to His truth that we might live a clean life before Him.

Bob