Proverbs 19:26-29 – Acting right as a son and as a citizen

Generally, people who believe in the Almighty God find peace with Him, with others and with himself. They are a joy to relate with as a family member, as a friend in a community, as a fellow worker in a company or as a citizen of a nation. Such people can co-exist with others peacefully. They are not at ought with authority whether at home, at work or in the nation. As believers, we need to constantly deal with the residual of our sin nature. Remember God is constantly moulding, sanctifying and transforming us as we walk with Him in close relationship with Him. We owe our allegiance to God and are obliged to live as good members in a family, the community and the nation. God hates rebelliousness. Anyone who goes against authority is repugnant to the Lord. Proverbs 19:26-29 remind us never to mock the authority.

Verses 26-27 deal with the situation in the home. We are counselled not to neglect our parents. Verse 26 says, “He who assaults his father and drives his mother away is a shameful and disgraceful son.” It is a vile act for a son to mistreat his parents. God considers it deplorable when a son fails to provide for his aged parents. The result of such a neglect will see the father becoming a destitute and a mother driven from home to live with others. As a son, it will do us well to accept wise counsel and good discipline. When we fail to do so, we will likely become disrespectful and ill-mannered and stray from true knowledge. He will lack what it takes to live righteously and be pleasing to God.

Verses 28-29 deal with a situation in the nation. We are to honour people in authority and the rule of law of the nation. God expects us to be faithful and truthful witnesses in the society. When call upon to testify we must always show integrity and give account of what we know to be the truth. To falsify will make a person a worthless witness with no integrity.  Such a person who has no qualm in spreading falsehood and lies scoffs at justice. He has no regard for his personal obligation as a citizen.  A person may disregard authority and think he can go unchecked. He is woefully wrong. Verse 29 tells us that soon, he will have to account for his action. We must know that we cannot trifle with what God had ordained and expect to go unpunished. The blow will ultimately come.

The call of Proverbs 19 is for us to live a well-ordered life and enjoy harmony with God, self and others. And to have that we must remember that rebelliousness, whether in the home or in the nation, cannot bring about harmony. So, be sure to be a good family member at home and a good citizen in the country.