Family Bonds

(Pro 28:24 KJV) Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.

We all know families where the children and parents don’t get along.  For some it is a part of a cycle of short term disagreements that seems to be a pattern for their life.  You could say they kiss and make up.  For others it becomes a life long estrangement.  When I was younger I could not understand how this could happen.  How could you not get along with your parents?  None of my brothers went through any big rebellion period.  I don’t know of any in my circle of friends that did so, yet it was considered the “norm” for our culture.

Keep in mind that the norm for our culture is based on a rejection of the standards of God.  Children are to obey their parents, yes, but we often overlook the verse that says,

(Col 3:21 KJV) Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

As in so many areas of life the Biblical life is balanced.  As I get older and see beyond the masks and smokescreens of life I can see why children turn away from their parents and the faith.

So?  We often laugh about being nice to our grandchildren because they are the ones who will pick our nursing home.  I am not worried.  To be honest, I think the first choice will be a room off the back of their house.

Scale Models

(Proverbs 16:11 KJV)  A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work.

I think we can take this a bit figuratively, as regarding more than selling produce.  Our lives are represented by “all” (3605) the “weights” (68) in the “bag” (3599).  Every action and commitment we are involved with is to be put on the “balance” (scales NASB) (3976).

Are you familiar with the traditional statue representing justice.  A balancing scale is held up and the woman holding it is blindfolded.  This is to represent an honest weight and not the results of prejudice and personal opinion.  God does not need a blindfold.  He doesn’t even need a scale.  It is also impossible for us to balance the debt we owe Him.  The picture is still a reminder of how our lives are to be lived.

God wants every area of our life to be examined.  He wants everything about us to conform to His will.  Jesus put it this way,

(Mark 12:30 KJV)  And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

Paul put it a different way,

(Colossians 3:17 KJV)  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

So?  It is called living an upright life.  It is called righteousness.  It is what we are called to. 

Beware of Strangers

(Proverbs 5:20 KJV)  And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?

Two types of people are to be avoided.  The “strange woman” (adulteress NASB) (2114a) and the “stranger” (foreigner NASB) (5237).  The translations tend to overlap in English.  The first literally means stranger and the second foreigner.  Keep in mind the tribal sense of social relationships of the day.  People identified with those related by blood.  Anyone outside was to be treated with suspicion.

We have come a long way.  Paul set the standard with

(Colossians 3:11 KJV)  Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

Our new relationships are based on the blood of Christ.

So?  Limit your involvement with those outside the faith.  Obviously we cannot all go live in communes.  What we can do is listen to those who speak with wisdom and a fear of the Lord. 

The No-Account Curse

(Pro 20:20 KJV)  Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.

How do you “curse” (7043) someone?  My first thought was actual, active cursing, you know, the four letter word kind.  It turns out that this Hebrew word has a different spin.  The first part of the definition that shows up is “to be slight, be swift, be trifling, be of little account, be light.”  When you curse someone this way you let them know that they are of no significance. 

The focus here is on our parents.  Have you been a source of pride or an embarrassment?  Have you refused to follow their lead?  There is a verse that parents like to quote.

(Col 3:20 KJV)  Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

At another place Paul adds a qualification.

(Eph 6:1 KJV)  Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

If you have been blessed with godly parents then make sure you are not a curse to them.  If your parents have left a lot to be desired then more responsibility falls on you to discern what they have passed on that is godly and at least honor that.

So?  It is never too late to be a blessing to your parents, even if it is just to their memory.  It is also a good day to be the kind of parent that builds godly children.  It is a long, daily task.  Get started.

Can’t Get No Satisfaction?

(Proverbs 12:14 KJV)  A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.

What does it mean to be “satisfied” (7646)?  This is one of those words that depends on its context for meaning.  It can mean being sated with all the loss of feeling and mental acuity that comes with overindulgence.  This is the feeling you get at nap time after Thanksgiving dinner.  It can also mean a tremendous sense of satisfaction at a job well done.  Picture watching your children moving on and making a difference in the world.

The promise here is that we can find satisfaction.  Both “mouth” (words NASB) (6310) and “recompence” (deeds NASB) (1576) are covered.  The two words appear together other places, such as,

(Colossians 3:17 KJV)  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

So?  Invest your time in something lasting.  That starts with the right materials and plans.  Both are available in the Book.  Let the Holy Spirit be your general contractor.