Maternal and Paternal Protection

After giving us a list of the things that God hates and before launching into another warning about adultery, the writer of Proverbs reminds us of how we can best avoid falling into sin.  Let’s read that in verses 20-23:

My son, keep your father’s command,
And do not forsake the law of your mother.  21 Bind them continually upon your heart;
Tie them around your neck.  22 When you roam, they will lead you;
When you sleep, they will keep you;
And when you awake, they will speak with you.  23 For the commandment is a lamp,
And the law a light;
Reproofs of instruction are the way of life

The Bible is not full of only “thou shalt nots” or “you’d better nots”.  Rather, the word of God is full of counsel on how we should live our lives so that we won’t be so susceptible to the things that God hates.  We are told to keep the commands of our mother and father.  Implicit in this statement is the assumption that these commands mirror the commands of God.  We are to keep them with us at all times.  The words of God have power and ability to save us, protect us and keep us from harm.  The commandments are a lamp and the law is a light.  The commands of God serve as a way for us to see what lies ahead of us and to turn around if necessary.

Finally, the last phrase is meaningful to me:  “Reproofs of instruction are the way of life”.  Most of us don’t like to be reproved.  We don’t like to be corrected.  But it is essential that we are reproved.  We’re just too susceptible to getting off track, off the mark.  We should long for reproof.  We need someone to consistently tell us and help us to get back on track.  Please don’t run away from the commands of the Lord as they reprove you.  Your heavenly Father just wants the best for you in each and every situation.

In wisdom,
Eric