Their generation is beyond my understanding. They have developed something new. They are eliminating right and wrong. They have no respect for their parents, and so far as I can see very little affection. They have a positive hatred for all restraint. They will not stand to be controlled. They have no faith in our old standards. As a rule they have no religion.”
–Zane Grey (Lost Pueblo)
“You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
–Psalm 16:11 (NKJV)
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In this next section of Proverbs 4, we see again the faithful father giving instructions to their son (child). Oh, that we had more faithful fathers, but we know that our heavenly Father is faithful in His instruction.
10 — Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of your life will be many. (NKJV)
There is much foolishness that abounds in the hearts of youth. Some have a death-wish it seems, while others love the dare-devil lifestyle. The ESV puts it this way, “Hear…accept my words.” No matter how much instruction there is; no matter how good and proper instruction is given; it must be accepted and obeyed. Implied here is the concept of not being foolish or simple, but being serious about the journey of life. Listen and heed to the good instruction.
11 — I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in the right paths. (NKJV)
Proper teaching has been given, what will you do with it? You have been taught properly, now what? Warren W. Wiersbe states, “The will of God isn’t for the curious; it’s for the serious.” Over the years I have seen so many young people go their own way, putting aside the teaching of parents, wise instructors, and the church. They ignore and turn from sound teaching and advice such as Paul gave Timothy, “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them.” (2 Timothy 3:14, NKJV)
Proper instruction is the teaching of the truth, which is knowledge. Direction is the guiding for duty, putting into practice the things you have learned. If you are told to not touch the stove because it is hot, then proceeding to do so is foolishness, not understanding. Ralph Wardlaw said, “To teach duty without truth is to teach action without motive–virtue without its principle. To teach truth without duty is to teach motive without the practice to which it should lead.”
12 — When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble. (NKJV)
If you do God’s will, you will have God’s guidance. The way will be open, you will see what is in front of you. The ESV says, “your step will not be hampered.” If we listen to the words of wisdom and obey in faith then we will not stumble or be hampered along the way. It is when we get things out of order, such as zeal before knowledge that we can end up stumbling. There must be the proper mixture of zeal and knowledge and in the right order. There must be godly wisdom that we adhere to; a wisdom of unity of principle. We learn from the past, but we do not live there. We do not step into the future simply because it is impossible; we can’t live in tomorrow with today’s knowledge and wisdom. Augustine put it this way, “Trust the past to the mercy of God, the present to His love, and the future to His providence.”
This morning we are encouraged to walk the path of faith and wisdom. To obey the instruction of our parents and God. This way is straight, safe, and unencumbered. It is a path in which the way is well lighted and leads to promise, not only of long life, but of eternal life. Tomorrow we will look at the other path. The other choice that is before us in this life.