Love and respect
Opening Prayer
Father, help me to see You for who You are and to rightly honor You.
Read Proverbs 23:10-28
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
[10]Saying 11 Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, [11] for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you. [12]Saying 12 Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge. [13]Saying 13 Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die. [14] Punish them with the rod and save them from death. [15]Saying 14 My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed; [16] my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right. [17]Saying 15 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD. [18] There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. [19]Saying 16 Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path: [20] Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, [21] for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags. [22]Saying 17 Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. [23] Buy the truth and do not sell it- wisdom, instruction and insight as well. [24] The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him. [25] May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful! [26]Saying 18 My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways, [27] for an adulterous woman is a deep pit, and a wayward wife is a narrow well. [28] Like a bandit she lies in wait and multiplies the unfaithful among men. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How are parents to show love?The writer speaks here of three categories of people: the fatherless, sons and parents. Broadly he is saying that each one is worthy of respect. The fatherless are vulnerable, but if anyone tries to exploit and deprive them of the little they have, they will have God to reckon with (10,11). For God has pledged himself to be their Defender.Those who have fathers should know they are loved, because a true father shows his love by carefully training with discipline (13,14; see also Heb. 12:5–11). Discipline is a necessary part of loving care if the child is to develop in self-respect and respect for others. This takes diligence and effort.Parents are also worthy of respect, especially since they are the means of the greatest gift of all: life! Their experience is invaluable, and not to be despised (22). A child who listens respectfully, and curbs his impatience and his appetites, learns wisdom from his parents and also brings them joy (24). In fact, respect is due to all, whatever stage of life or social standing we may find people in. However far we may fall, remember that we all retain something of the image of God.The writer speaks here of three categories of people: the fatherless, sons and parents. Broadly he is saying that each one is worthy of respect. The fatherless are vulnerable, but if anyone tries to exploit and deprive them of the little they have, they will have God to reckon with (10,11). For God has pledged himself to be their Defender.Those who have fathers should know they are loved, because a true father shows his love by carefully training with discipline (13,14; see also Heb. 12:5–11). Discipline is a necessary part of loving care if the child is to develop in self-respect and respect for others. This takes diligence and effort.Parents are also worthy of respect, especially since they are the means of the greatest gift of all: life! Their experience is invaluable, and not to be despised (22). A child who listens respectfully, and curbs his impatience and his appetites, learns wisdom from his parents and also brings them joy (24). In fact, respect is due to all, whatever stage of life or social standing we may find people in. However far we may fall, remember that we all retain something of the image of God.
Apply
Ask yourself, who do I listen to and respect in my life? How do these chapters speak to that?
Closing prayer
Lord of love, teach us to walk in Your love within community and to speak truth and to listen.
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