The Solicitude of the Wise Father: a Sermon to Parents and Children
W. Clarkson Proverbs 4:1-13 Hear, you children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. In these verses we have a peep into the royal house at Jerusalem while David was on the throne. And we have such a glimpse as we should expect to gain. We see the devout man extremely solicitous that his son should walk in the ways of Divine and heavenly wisdom. David, like the rest of human parents, and more than most of them, was under - I. A STRONG TEMPTATION TO MAKE A FALSE ESTIMATE. So near to us is this present passing world, so powerfully do its interests appeal to us, so strong is the hold which it gains over our senses and our imagination, that we are apt to overestimate altogether its claims and its worth. And this in proportion to the height of the dignity, the measure of the power, the extent of the fortune, to which we have attained. David, as a man subject to all human passions, would be particularly tempted to weigh the worldly advantages of his favourite son, and estimate them very carefully and very highly. He would be in danger of considering - not exclusively, but excessively - what would be the extent of his kingly rule, what the revenue he would be able to collect, what the influence he would wield over neighbouring powers, what the authority he would exercise over his own people, etc. And in the thick throng of these mundane considerations there would be no small risk of other and higher things being lost sight of. So with other if not with all parents. There is a constant danger of worldly anxieties about our children absorbing, or at any rate obscuring, the deeper and worthier solicitudes. But in the case of the devout; monarch of Israel there was, as there should be with us all - II. A WISE DISCERNMENT. David was profoundly convinced that "wisdom is the principal thing" (ver. 7), that everything is of inferior value to that. He saw clearly and felt strongly that he must induce his son Solomon to walk in the fear of the Lord, or even his brilliant prospects would come to nothing. For he knew: 1. That the fear of God was the living principle most likely to lead to temporal prosperity: he had proved that in the elevation of his own "house" and the rejection of that of Saul. 2. That no possible successes of an earthly kind would compensate for the loss of character: his own hour of disastrous folly had shown him that (2 Samuel 11:27). 3. That no circumstantial misfortunes could fatally injure a man who was right at heart with God: his own experience had illustrated that truth (Psalm 41:12). We shall be wise if we come to the same conclusions. Like David, we shall see that the outward and the visible, though they may be far more attractive and voiceful, are yet of far inferior account to the inward and the spiritual. We shall care immeasurably more for our children that they shall be wise in soul than prosperous in estate, "all glorious within" than magnificent without; we shall be tar more solicitous to see them "getting wisdom" (ver. 5) than "making money," "retaining the words" of truth (ver. 4) than gaining or keeping possession of lands and houses. III. THE WAY OF WISDOM TOWARD THE YOUNG. If we, as parents, would walk wisely, so that we may attain our heart's desire concerning the children of our love and of our charge, we shall act as David did - we shall commend the truth God has taught us (1) with all affectionateness of manner (ver. 3); (2) with all earnestness of spirit (vers. 4, 10, 11); (3) with all fulness of exposition. There is a strain of parental tenderness of tone and energy of manner, as well as great fulness of utterance here. The same thought is presented, is repeated, is pressed on the reason and the conscience. David evidently yearned, strove, persisted with patient and resolute zeal, that he might convince and inspire his son with the sacred truths he held so dear. He represented heavenly wisdom, the truth of God, as (1) the thing of surpassing intrinsic excellency (ver. 7); (2) a thing to be pursued in preference to other fascinations (vers. 5-7); (3) a thing to be cherished and held to the heart (ver. 6); (4) a thing to be highly honoured before men (ver. 8); (5) a thing to be retained at all costs (ver. 13); (6) a friend that would repay all attentions - that would guard and shield from evil (vers. 6, 12), that would lead to honour and esteem (vers. 8, 9), that would prolong life (ver. 10), that would lead in that way which is the path of life itself (ver. 13). 1. To parents, the lesson of the text is (1) discern the one supremely precious thing to be commended to the heart of youth; and (2) commend it graciously, earnestly, fully. 2. To sons and daughters, it is (1) remember all the sacred solicitude that has been expended on you; and (2) fulfil the desire of your parents' hearts. "My son, know the God of your father" (see ver. 1); this is "good doctrine" (ver. 2); it is "your life" (ver. 13). - C. Parallel Verses KJV: Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. WEB: Listen, sons, to a father's instruction. Pay attention and know understanding;