Proverbs 13:1, Some Home Truths

June 26, Proverbs 13:1

1 John 2:1-17 “They have refuse to receive correction” (Jer. 5:3).

Some Home Truths

This verse recalls the opening chapter of Proverbs. A wise son heareth his father’s instruction, but a scorner heareth not rebuke. Instruction includes, if necessary, discipline and correction. The message here is clear. Are you a teachable son? Will you submit to wise and loving parental discipline? Teachable sons are wise and profit thereby, but sons who scorn rebuke lose everything.

1. Instruction Received – Brings a Blessed Gratifying. Given such a godly father, Solomon says the son who listens to him is wise because: a. This is the Creator’s condition for the betterment of the human family. Why should not children get their best teaching and wisdom from their parents. In this way the race of mankind can move forward. b. It gratifies the heart of his best earthly friend. We could paraphrase this: A wise son is the living proof of a wise father’s instruction. That is, he is the very embodiment of his father’s training. Such a son brings credit to his parents and his family. c. Such counsel is always sincere, and issues from a heart that truly loves the son. It always has the child’s best interests at heart. d. It brings joy to the father’s deep parental nature. It surely is a wise son who takes advantage of such instruction, knowing that his future prospects and happiness may depend upon it.

2. Instruction Refused – Brings a Blighted Grieving. A scorner heareth not rebuke. The word rebuke appears for the first, of only three times, in Proverbs (13:1, 8; 17:10). Scorn (contempt or derision) from a beloved child is very bitter, is it not? There are things that deserve contempt, and people who merit scorn. The son who scorns the person and counsels of his kind and gracious father is likened to a scorner who will not hear rebuke. This scorn is surely evidence of deepest depravity, for a scorner is profited by nothing. There is little hope for such a scorning son. If he remains unteachable, how can there be correction if he will not hear it? He treats his father as an enemy rather than his best adviser. The pairing of the training of a son with a scorner, who is a rank fool, is a warning to all. If a son can’t stand some instruction from his father, he is well on the way to becoming such a fool himself. Those who will not hear an earthly father, will not likely hear the Heavenly Father either. The father, however, must display those fatherly instincts that entitle him to instruct. Sadly, many fathers have forfeited that right. Why should a father, who is himself without true fatherly wisdom, expect his son to listen to his advice or rebuke? When Scripture commands us to honour our father and our king, it clearly supposes that the father and the king deserve that honour. “The son of an ass is sure to bray.” He simply follows his father! Sadly, certain sons of wise fathers exhibit a folly that is not hereditary.

Thought: “The parent’s life is the child’s copybook.”

Prayer: Lord, for more wise sons and worthy fathers.