“Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching…” (Proverbs 1:8-19, NASB)

After reading today’s passage, I decided to title today’s devotional: Listen to your mom and dad. This is wise counsel, not only in a Christian setting, but generally for all. In general, parents will not deliberately give their children bad or destructive advice. Yes, there are some not-so-good ones who will prove me wrong. It brings to mind the movie, The Godfather, where Vito Corleone teaches and guides his children to be sharp, wise, and the best gangsters they can be. The book of Proverbs is not about such parents, but about those who have a genuine desire to see their children succeed, be fruitful, and be pleasing to God. Verses 8-19 say,

“Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching; indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head, and ornaments about your neck. My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. If they say, ‘Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause; let us swallow them alive like Sheol, even whole, as those who go down to the pit; we shall find all kinds of precious wealth, we shall fill our houses with spoil; throw in your lot with us, we shall all have one purse,’ my son, do not walk in the way with them. Keep your feet from their path, for their feet run to evil, and they hasten to shed blood. Indeed, it is useless to spread the net in the eyes of any bird; but they lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush their own lives. So are the ways of everyone who gains by violence; it takes away the life of its possessors.”

Since the author was King Solomon, the “son” in verse 8 must be one of his. Therefore, the source of the “instruction” and “teaching” in this passage must be understood in the biblical context, namely, the Law of Moses and the Prophets. It does not pertain to all the wisdom found in the world. In spiritual application, we can also apply this to ourselves who desire wise counsel on how to live rightly before God. Wise parental guidance is pictured as something beautiful and beneficial, like a “wreath” on our heads, and “ornaments” about our necks. Of all the “instructions,” Solomon especially emphasizes a caution against being drawn in by wrongdoers who offer quick rewards through stealing and violence. They would seductively say, “Join us! Just for fun, let’s ambush someone unassuming. Let’s kill him and take his goods, and we’ll split the spoils!” On the other hand, Solomon the wise father says, “People like that are setting a trap for themselves, a trap in which they will die” (GNB). Wisdom exposes the lie: their plan is self-destructive. Sin often makes things look fun and exciting, but its end is enslavement and ruin. The moral of the passage is, “Receive and remember wise instructions, especially those of biblical wisdom. Treat godly counsel, whether from parents, mature believers, or the Scripture itself, as a gift, not an intrusion.

• Why did Solomon specifically warn against associating with those who pursue theft and violence?
• Of all the wise instructions from your parents, which do you remember and value the most?