Train Up The Child - Proverbs 4:1

In our journey through Proverbs, Solomon will rehearse key themes. In our text, we see Solomon again pleading with his son to heed instruction. God, in His infinite wisdom, gave children parents to pass godly wisdom from one generation to another. Let's pause and consider whether this godly mechanism is in place. In order for children to heed instruction, that implies parents (particularly the father) are providing instruction. Unfortunately, many parents today are pawning their children off to others to provide that instruction. What exacerbates the problem we see in our land is that many "Christian" parents are pawning their children off to unbelievers to instruct. It goes without saying that an unbeliever is unable to train Christian children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. God gave that responsiblity to the parent.

When we look around the landscape, we see there is an issue with respect to children. But we cannot expect the blessing of God when we, as parents, refuse to submit to God's wisdom. Furthermore, it will be difficult for us to convince our children to submit to God's wisdom when we refuse to apply it. This text is not just speaking to our children. This text is speaking to us as parents. When we do not see the blessings of God with respect to our children, then we need to come back to Bible, which contains the blue print for raising children. Secular philosophy concerning children will not bring the blessing of God.