Wednesday, August 19 — Learn From Father And Mother
There is a moment, usually somewhere in our thirties or forties, when we suddenly hear our parents' words coming out of our own mouths.
Proverbs 23:22-26 — KJV
22 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. 23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. 24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. 25 Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice. 26 My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.
Proverbs 23:22-26 — WEB
22 Listen to your father who gave you life, and don't despise your mother when she is old. 23 Buy the truth, and don't sell it. Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding. 24 The father of the righteous has great joy. Whoever fathers a wise child delights in him. 25 Let your father and your mother be glad! Let her who bore you rejoice! 26 My son, give me your heart; and let your eyes keep in my ways.
Explanation
Today's proverb speaks to grown children as much as to young ones. Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. That last phrase is tender and pointed at the same time. There comes a season when the parents who once carried us grow older and need us, and the temptation is to grow impatient with them, to dismiss their stories, to treat their counsel as out of date. Scripture says the opposite. Honor them. Keep listening even when the roles have started to reverse.
Right in the middle of this passage is one of the most striking verses in Proverbs. Buy the truth, and do not sell it. Truth is presented like a treasure worth paying for and never worth trading away. Along with it come wisdom, discipline, and understanding. The picture is of a person who spends whatever it costs to gain what is true and then holds onto it no matter the pressure to let it go. In a culture where truth is often up for sale to the highest bidder or the loudest opinion, that is a radical instruction.
Then the passage widens to show us the joy on the other side of home training. The father of the righteous has great joy. Let your father and your mother be glad. Parents who invested in their children get to taste the harvest of a child who grew up wise. This is the emotional heart of the week's theme. Home training is not just duty. When it takes root, it produces joy that runs both directions, the child who lives well and the parent who gets to watch it happen.
The passage closes with a plea. My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes keep in my ways. Notice it asks for the heart, not just obedience. A parent can force behavior for a while, but the real goal is a child who wants the good life, who has internalized the values rather than just tolerated the rules. That is what Timothy had. His grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice did not just teach him facts about God. They won his heart.
For us, this passage cuts two ways. If your parents are still living, there is honor to give and listening to do. And whatever your age, someone is watching your ways. Give the people who love you your heart, and give the young ones watching you a life worth imitating.
Thought for the Day
Buy the truth and never sell it, no matter the price.
Reflection Question
Is there a parent or elder you need to honor with your patience and attention this season?
Prayer
Lord, thank You for those who gave me life and taught me to walk. Where I have grown impatient or dismissive, forgive me and soften my heart. Help me buy the truth and never sell it, and help me live in a way that brings joy to the people who invested in me. Give my heart fully to You. Amen.
This week we walk toward Sunday's lesson: Timothy, The Influence of Home Training.