"Relevant Instruction" Proverbs 22:6 (Deut. 6)

The book of Proverbs is full of practical knowledge and will reveal its treasures if we study it. With a clear vision (as we discussed last week) the more clear the vision the more we can pattern our lives in righteousness. This verse addresses raising a child...a very real practicality in our lives, often looking up many books on it. Perhaps we overlook the MOST important Book on the subject?! We look at the fundamental principal. This verse leaves many to misinterpret as read. Literally this verse says "we should bring up a child in HIS way and when he is old he will not depart." We need to bring up a child in regards to his gifts, his way, even often times having different punishments for our children according to their individual needs. Though having the same goal with your children.

Here is our children. Our children are very different and unique from the children of this world which is very shot through with evolution with man at the top of the food chain among animals. You begin to understand then why children are bi-products who can be aborted as they strip humanity of the very basis of having a soul. They are glorified animals while we believe in creation...with man at the zenith of creation being created in God's image and placed in a relationship of fellowship and communion with God. God establishes the covenant of grace with us AND our children....people of God's care! The church that God continues to preach to and gathers His church in. That's why the marriage bond is so protected and important to God (and us.) HIS children give to us and incorporated into our families...in time conceiving His children who are all UNIQUE CREATIONS to fit perfectly in the new Heavens and earth as He has designed it. They are special and one of a kind! With God's stamp of eternity upon them! Oh to view our children in this way and correctly so! Talk about parental responsibility! ("...Your sons and daughters whom you have bore unto ME.....you have slain MY children...") Remarkable, unusual, and one of a kind!!!

Do we have a vision of what God is doing in and through us as He populates heaven? "Remember O Israel!" Do you remember that you have an obligation to bring them up in the fear of the Lord? It is God's purpose that we bring them up in the things of the Kingdom and show them the grace of God. And then to do that IN HIS WAY. Respecting the child's uniqueness. Literally we read "to hold to his mouth." Acquiring a taste for it by holding it up continually to their mouth! This concept often gets swallowed up. The BEGINNING of Christian upbringing STARTS with studying the child....getting to know that child! NOT a cookie cutter matter but individual instruction and chastening according to their individual needs! They will learn as we explain then that we are dealing with them to THEIR need. Some children understand with just a look while others need further admonition. All different...all unique accordingly as God has made them.

And we pray that God will use us for the glorious outcome of that Kingdom that He will reveal to us AND our children. And that He will use our sinful instruction to inculcate these things into our children. Not what WE can accomplish but making sure our actions and neglects can never be the cause for our children departing.....if we don't see the uniqueness and individuality of our children we MISS IT...trying to put a square peg into a circular hole. But teaching them on their level they will with God's blessing not depart from it.