Proverbs 15:5, Fatherhood – Human and Divine

September 12, Proverbs 15:5

Luke 2:49-51; Eph. 6:1-3 “Rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith” (Ti. 1:13)

Fatherhood – Human and Divine

1. The Heavenly Father: The attempt to deny the title Father to God and replace it with mother or goddess figures is well underway in liberal churches. They argue that it makes no difference what we call God. Father is only an idea drawn from human fatherhood. Fatherhood, therefore, is not essential to the nature of God. This, we contend, is a serious error. It is not just a matter of gender-correctness. It is a subtle attack on the Trinity, on the eternal Sonship of Christ, and the divine institution of fatherhood as well. True, some human fathers are abusive or abandon their families. The word father, for many, is not a pleasant one. Some cry, Can we expect such hurting people to pray, “Our Father”? The Fatherhood of God, however, is the source of all human fatherhood, not the reverse. There are human fathers only because there is the Heavenly Father.

2. The Earthly Father: A fool despises his Father’s Instruction. This is a theme we have met with before. Perhaps this despising of his earthly father s teaching stems from the loss of respect for his Heavenly Father? The one who does not obey the Father in Heaven will be less likely to submit to any earthly father, however honourable.

a. Where There is Law: Train up the child is still God’s law to fathers and parents, whether the desired result is immediately realised or not. A father has a God-given right and duty to instruct and reprove his son (children), a right that is being undermined by government legislation today. Why does Solomon call the son a fool for despising his father’s instruction? It is because “fools grow without watering,” but there will be a Day of Reckoning. Fathers will answer for their failure to instruct their sons, and sons will answer for despising their instruction.

b. Where There is Life: This instruction is not from books merely, but from life itself. What fathers have learned in the school of life are often the best lessons. The dangers and failures, benefits and blessings the father has experienced can point the youth to the better, safer, surer way. “Bring up your boy to nothing, and he’ll be a rogue.” He will run into bad company, for fools run in packs, and wicked men and the devil will make a tool, and then a fool, of him. Life is all too brief! It is half spent before we begin to live! Will your whole life be summed up in the miserable cry, “What a fool I’ve been!”

c. Where There is Love: Who has more concern for his son than a loving father? Such a father’s motivation comes from the deepest and greatest affection, namely, his love for his son. “A faithful friend loves to the end,” and so does a faithful father. Such love can neither be drowned in water nor consumed in fire.

Thought: A permissive home is one where parents do not love enough.

Prayer: Help me to regard instruction or reproof with wisdom.