The book of Proverbs provides us with
plenty of wise quips. The purpose of it all is to make us wiser and not more
foolish. When taken seriously and making a point to practice them, they help us
to advance life and avoid those that lead to irrational, uncontrolled, and
unfettered living. They are aimed at helping us to become more sensible so as
to progress in life. They will help us to align our steps and go about living life
with timely and priceless counsel.
Verse 20
commends a person for showing respect to one’s parents. Although it focuses on respecting
the father, there is no denial that mother ought to be shown the same loving devotion
too. Godly parents find delight in watching and guiding their children to walk vigilantly
and live thoughtfully. William Wordsworth, the poet, first used this paradoxical
phrase: “the child is the father of the man.” On reflecting, it tells us that
every person is the product of his habits, manner and behavior since young. Good
parents seek to inculcate them in the life of their children through wise teaching and training. When a child
takes to heart what the parent had imparted, it gladdens their hearts. But if a
child does not take to heart the good parental intention and instruction, he
will be the cause of his or her mother’s innermost grief. Parents are there to
guide us and instruct us, it will do us a world of good to take heed to their
teaching.
Verse 21 commends
a person who is understanding. To have understanding is to have the ability to
perceive and discern issues accurately. It suggests that a person with understanding
has the ability to accurately distinguish between good and bad, and right and
wrong. When one lacks the ability to distinguish between what’s good and bad, and
what’s right and wrong, he or she tends to be pulled in a direction that winds
down the path of recklessness and foolhardiness. But when a person chooses a path
that he had aptly discerned, he will end up in the straight and right path that
will lead to great fulfilment and fruitfulness. Here we are advised to choose discerningly
and to make a conscious decision to walk in the right path.
Verses
22-23 commend that we should always seek wise counsel. What we plan to do has a
better chance of success when we seek the wise inputs of others. This is especially
so when we are talking about a community project. Life is not lived in isolation.
This has been God’s intention from the onset. Whether at home, work or
recreation, we live in groups. Hence, we should make a habit of seeking counsel,
especially from the wise and experienced. In so doing we could prevent
disaster. Our plan can find enhancement with the multitude of good counsellors.
Most people have opinions. And it would
be folly to be egotistical and self-centred, and only accepts one’s own opinion.
No matter how sound we may think our argument is, there will be angles that we
have failed to explore. Many a times, a fitting word given at the right time and
right moment has saved our day for us. Hence, we should seek to be discerning
as we hear the counsel given by others.
Verse 24
commends us to consider the outcome of life. There are only two outcomes: upward
or downward, heaven or hell. We can choose to live wisely and live with God eternally,
in the wonderful place Christ has gone back to prepare for us. Or we choose to
live carelessly without considering our eternal destination and end up in Sheol
or hades, and then to a final eternal damnation. The choice is clear. The way to
start a journey upward is the fear of the Lord. Let us not miss it. Let us love
the LORD our God with one hundred percent devotion i.e. with all our hearts and
minds and strength. Anything less is an inappropriate response. Wise up and
live life maximally!
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