Into The Breach – Christian FatherhoodНамуна

Day 3 — A father’s teaching

Read: Proverbs 3:1-12

As wisdom was communicated to students in ancient Israel, fathers must hand on to their children the fruit of their experience. Here is a collection of teachings concerning virtues to practice in one’s life and vices to avoid. The text contains six parts of two verses each. The odd numbered verses contain the moral teaching and the even numbered verses follow each teaching with a rationale for obeying. 

The introductory verse, urging children to remember the teachings, is followed by the motive clause offering a good and peaceful life if they follow this way (vv. 1-2). Love and fidelity are the virtues most associated with God’s covenant. So, they should be memorized and embodied into children’s character. Cultivating these covenant virtues results in favor before God and neighbor (vv. 3-4). Children must learn to trust in God wholeheartedly as they come to know him through the experiences of life. Relying on God’s truthfulness and promises will provide confidence along life’s path (vv. 5-6). 

Children must be cautioned not to be conceited and arrogant. They have to develop a proper respect for God and reject what is wicked if they wish to live a morally healthy life (vv. 7-8). Honoring God “with your wealth” means offering your first and best to God in the context of worship, and not giving God your leftovers. This acknowledges that God is the giver of all things and expresses trust in his providing his children with abundance (vv. 9-10). Finally, children must learn that discipline is for their well-being. For God disciplines out of love for his children, just as a father corrects his own children with that same love (vv. 11-12). 

REFLECT: How can I better teach my children to trust and honor God? 

PRAY: O God, who gives good things to your children out of love, teach me to imitate you in instilling Christian virtues in my children and teaching them to trust.