Thoughts On A Proverb (A Series)

Thinking with the wise Proverbs 10:1

Photo by Alex Shute on Unsplash

First Things First

Proverbs is said to be “The Book of Wisdom.” We have all heard this and I’m sure we all want to live with as much wisdom as we can get!

I want to start thinking through the proverbs. I also want to keep a steady, short, and simple collection of what I can draw from each of them. I don’t want these to be lengthy, as some of my articles are, but I want them to be useful to look back on.

I decided to start in chapter ten because this is where the list of short and punchy proverbs begin. Chapters one through nine will be for later and longer reflections.

The layout of each, going forward, will be:

1. The verse being considered.

2. A few points to remember and final resolves.

3. A few other verses that relate.

I also will have the verse as a picture (Seen above) with things underlined and circled for memory sake. I hope these are helpful and I hope they produce some conversation! This will be a long project but I think what will be learned is going to bless us all. May we all cling to Christ who is wisdom clearly seen! Let’s get started!

Proverbs 10:1

“A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.”

Points To Remember

1. The point of parenting with both mother and father is clearly seen. The man and the woman are needed for the family. The training of children needs both. What a father offers and what a mother offers are necessary for balance.

2. The whole family is affected by choices made in the family. We see “The son” as the focus here, but listening and being wise will make or break a household. Actions will impact everyone.

3. Children should not be left to decide what’s right and wrong by themselves. Children should be trained and guided in the fear of the Lord. They should be at least offered wisdom as a foundation.

4. Parents must seek wisdom so they can rightly lead their children. I must constantly and rightly divide the word of God in order to rightly lead as a father and husband.

5. The welfare and the good of the family rest on the family as a whole not just the individual. There are no lone rangers. Each member gives to the well being of the family. For one to rebel (whether father, mother, son, or daughter) will ultimately harm or destroy the whole household.

6. Both gladness and grief are the outcomes of listening or ignoring wisdom.

It is best if I give all my energy to the teaching and training of my children and to urge them to follow and know Christ above everything else. Many seek career and comfort, but ignore what’s eternal. I must put my focus here.

Related Verses

“The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” —Proverbs 1:1-7

“Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.”—Proverbs 1:8-9

“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.” —Proverbs 3:13

Cling to Christ!