“When I was a son to my father, tender and the only son in the sight of my mother, then he taught me and said to me…” (Proverbs 4:1-9, NASB)

Today’s reading reminded me of a song from the nineties. The song is called “Father to Son,” by Brian Doerksen. He was one of the worship leaders for Vineyard Christian Fellowship, and the song was dedicated to his son. He shared,

“I started writing this song the month our first son was born in the early 90’s when I was 26. What I didn’t know as I began to sing these words was that Benjamin had Fragile X Syndrome and would require full-time support for life. This song then became the opening song for the musical Father’s House.”

I believe that every father has wisdom to share with his son. I know that this is true for me. I didn’t know it when I was single, and I didn’t fully understand it even when my sons were born. However, when they began to mature into adolescence, youth, and adulthood, my heart became burdened when I saw them struggling with problems, pain, temptations, and life questions. My heart also became joyful and celebrated when they overcame them and matured. I sense that this was how my own father felt when I was a young man struggling with my struggles. Ultimately, it showed me what our God the Father is like when we, as His children, go through trials and pains of life, and rejoice when we overcome them. In today’s passage, Solomon reflects the wisdom that his father, King David, had taught him and is now passing on to his own sons. The Spirit of God then took those words and placed them in the Scriptures so that all children of faith would benefit from them. It says,

“Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father, and give attention that you may gain understanding, for I give you sound teaching; do not abandon my instruction. When I was a son to my father, tender and the only son in the sight of my mother, then he taught me and said to me, ‘Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments and live; acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; and with all your acquiring, get understanding. Prize her, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. She will place on your head a garland of grace; she will present you with a crown of beauty.’”

Wise advice from father to son is true, no matter who you are, where you came from, and what culture you belong to. I believe every father who loves his son will have such a heart, hoping for success, fruitfulness, and deliverance from the evils of life. Much of this wisdom may be lost in time, but the good ones will continue to be shared over and over. They are time-tested wisdom from generation to generation and even carry over into the mainstream. Solomon’s fatherly advice is such and is recorded in the Scriptures for us.

If you value the wise things your parents have taught you, and if you have something important to share with your children, then you can see the heart of the heavenly Father in today’s passage. Solomon valued the wisdom his father taught and encouraged his sons to acquire wisdom and understanding. He knew that receiving such wisdom would “guard” and “watch” over them, and would “exalt” and “honor” them, making them radiant, especially in the eyes of God. As those who are part of the father-to-son wisdom-sharing people, let us be teachable “son” or “daughter,” and seek to invest in the next generation. Most importantly, let us be father-to-son wisdom-sharers, who share not just any wisdom but the time-tested wisdom from God’s mouth.

• How important do you believe Solomon found his father’s wisdom, especially now as he wishes to pass it on to his own sons?
• What are some important lessons that your parents have taught you?
• What important words do you want to share with your children?