HEY! GET TIMELY WISDOM
Prov 1:8,9
8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
9 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
I have always been captivated by the Book of Proverbs. Even as an unbeliever, this Book made me think about life and lifestyle during my early years as I was growing up.
The word ‘proverb’ means ‘to be like’. Proverbs are simple, moral illustrations that highlight and teach fundamental realities about life. Proverbs are designed to make men consider the fear of God and learn to live by His wisdom. The sum of this wisdom, of course, is personified in the Lord Jesus Christ.
On this Mother’s Day, the key thought in the verse above is the wisdom not only to ‘hear’ your father’s instructions, but also not to forsake the ‘law’ of your mother.
So, what then it the ‘law’ of your mother?
Firstly, fathers occasionally gave instruction; but fathers were not always in the family because of their outdoor work in OT times. In turn, the mother was constantly indoors or in the fields with her children. And so, to her the directive of the family belongs and therefore she has and provides faithful teaching. The various aspects of life come from mothers. They give good practical lessons. Lessons learned and instructed with a deep personal touch of love and commitment. Lessons that are passed down for generations.
Secondly, we must receive them with readiness, we must retain them with resolution, and we must regulate them with acute rightness in all dimensions of daily living in the home.
Did you know that Gentile ethics, and the laws of the Persians and Romans, around at that time, provided only that children should pay respect to their fathers?
But here in the Bible, God’s Divine law secures the honour of the mother also.
When diligently followed, this becomes very graceful and will put an ornament of honour upon us as we go along in life. This very ornament of honour, in the sight of God, is of great price, which makes the household look grand and great, and so much better than those that wear gold chains about their necks!
This Mother’s Day then appreciate your Mum and don’t forget to hear and listen to her teaching.
And in all your getting…get Wisdom!
Shalom!