December 17
PROVERBS 23
20 Be not among drunkards
or among gluttonous eaters of meat,
21 for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,
and slumber will clothe them with rags.
22 Listen to your father who gave you life,
and do not despise your mother when she is old.
23 Buy truth, and do not sell it;
buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
– Proverbs 23:20-23
PROVERBS 23 LISTEN AND OBEY YOUR PARENTS
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
The Lord God assigned a set of parents to you
If you honor them, you are submitting to God
If you listen and obey your father and mother
You are following God’s authority and order
When you respect and heed their instruction
Your life will be long and you’ll overcome temptations.
In the book of Ephesians chapter 6, Paul teaches the church in Ephesus the secret of long life. He says in verses 2-4“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
Why do you think this command was included in the ten commandments of God? It is the first commandment with a promise tied to it: a long well-lived life. Why has this command been minimized by so many people? Both parents and children do not take this law so seriously. Discipline and guidance in the way that is right have been a rarity in our world today. No wonder we have so many problems in our society. Parents do not bring up their children in the way God designed it to be. Children do not honor their parents anymore.
REFLECTION
• What hindrances do parents and children have towards following this command?
