PORTRAITS OF A FATHER FROM PROVERBS
Proverbs 13:1; 15:5; 27:10; 22:28; 17:6
INTRODUCTION:
A. Happy Father’s Day Fathers.
1. If you are here with your dad you are privileged to do so.
2. There are many who would like to be but cannot - enjoy the time together.
B. On Mother’s Day we noted that though God gave us a wonderful passage in Proverbs 31:10-31 concerning a wife and mother there was not such an extensive passage for husbands and fathers.
1. That is not to say that the book of Proverbs does not have much to say concerning the subject.
2. Scattered throughout the book are many passages that deal with the subject of Fathers.
C. This morning I would like to take a look at 4 of those scripture texts and see what we can glean concerning Fathers.
1. In them we will find much to be grateful for
2. They are:
a. Proverbs 13:1 – Fathers Give Instruction
b. Proverbs 15:5 – Fathers Give Reproof
c. Proverbs 22:28 – Fathers Provide Foundations
d. Proverbs17:6 – Fathers Become Glory
3. May we be encouraged as God brings to light the wonders of fatherhood and the blessing of having a loving father.
PRAYER
Before I get into the message I want you all to know that I am very proud of my dad. He is presently in his second year of fighting colon cancer.
- He has had surgeries; He has had radiation; and he is now on his 3rd round and different chemotherapy – which is the worst , causing him to break out in a rash and causing him constant itching.
- Who knew that when he got saved a few years ago that this would come – God did – and who, but God, knew what a testimony he would be through this trying time.
- He has been a picture of contentment and grace, and a witness to the mercy and peace of God!
- He is indeed, as the scriptures state, the glory of his children!
And so we consider fathers today – grateful for them because from them we gained much that we needed for life. We begin this morning with
I. FATHERS GIVE INSTRUCTION: Pro 13:1 A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
A. The Passage - In this passage we see a particular act of a father seen in two very distinct lights
1. A wise son considers what his father is saying and gleans from it that which is needed to grow in wisdom and understanding.
2. A scorning son, also called a fool in our second passage, hears the same words and sees it as a rebuke, that of which he does not what to hear.
3. Wisdom and instruction go hand in hand
4. Resisting instruction, because it is seen as rebuke, inevitably brings rebuke, that of which a fool scorns at.
B. The Application – Oh, how we need to understand the purposes of God as He has set fathers in the home.
1. It is amazing how much our dads learn in 10 years: when we are 18 we think they know nothing – when we move into our late twenties it seems that they overflow with wisdom.
2. Though it may seem that way to us, it is this principle in action.
3. The verse infers that a father is taking the effort to teach – instruct his children in the things of life – that is one of his major responsibilities in life.
4. And as the verse states, a wise son, or child, hears and grows in understanding
5. We need to thank our dads for the teaching and wisdom they tried to impart to us as we grew – it is a show of love and concern for our benefit.
6. Over and over the writer of Proverbs makes the plea
a. Proverbs 1:8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
b. Proverbs 2:1-2 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; [2] So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
c. Proverbs 3:1-2 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: [2] For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
d. Proverbs 4:1-2 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. [2] For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
7. As you can see there is much to be gained by your children, fathers – instruct
8. And one of the best ways to provide the instruction is to live it, dads!
- But sons and daughters, hear and act upon your father’s instruction, put it to use in your lives.
The second passage comes at this same topic from a slightly different direction
II. FATHERS GIVE REPROOF, Proverbs 15:5 A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
A. The Passage
1. In this passage we are told that a prudent child regards their father’s reproof
a. To “regard” means to keep, observe, to give heed to
b. “Prudent” means Cautious; circumspect; practically wise; careful of the consequences of enterprises, measures the actions; cautious not to act when the end is of doubtful utility, or probably impracticable.
c. And “reproof” is correction or chastisement
d. In other words we could say that the child who gives heed to correction is cautious not to act when the end is of doubtful utility, or probably impracticable – in other words he grows in wisdom and understanding.
B. The Application.
1. Inferred is that fathers rebuke or chasten their children
a. They, we, do it for the good of our children because we love them
b. This reproof may take the form of a simple word of rebuke or it could involve discipline by spanking
- Proverbs 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
2. It is the father’s responsibility to ensure reproof is conducted when necessary and the child who learns from it is prudent
3. If you have a father who is willing to give reproof when necessary you have a father who loves you!
- Sons and daughters, hear your father’s reproof and grow in wisdom.
Loving fathers give both instruction and reproof as necessary and it is all done so that children might have a foundation to stand on. It gives children something to orient themselves with in this world – like old landmarks.
III. FATHERS PROVIDE FOUNDATIONS, Proverbs 22:28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
A. The Passage
1. The landmarks that are spoken about in this verse are physical landmarks delineating physical boundaries of property
2. In ancient Israel God had forbidden the removing or moving of landmarks as it amounted to stealing.
3. Landmarks gave boundaries and limits to people who lived next to each other or to those who sought to purchase (move in) to the area.
4. Today moving the ancient landmarks would amount to digging up survey stakes and moving them one way or the other to gain property.
B. Now it would be spiritualizing to take this particular passage and speak to you about how fathers lay foundations or stake boundaries for their children, especially in the spiritual sense.
1. However it was while reading this that I thought of Paul’s words in 2 Thes. 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
2. By traditions Paul is not talking about man-made habits or doctrines, but rather the continuing truths of the faith
3. As fathers we are to be setting down some spiritual landmarks for our children – not in the legalistic sense but in the tradition of the word, guiding them in their spiritual formation
4. Salvation by grace and discipleship in the word of God that sets boundaries and gives a foundation for their faith.
5. Our children need some secure boundaries – places they can find safety and assurance
6. And as children of our fathers we should endeavor to hold the landmarks in place for the next generation.
7. Groups like Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons came about because spiritual and biblical landmarks were pulled up and removed.
8. So we see the necessity for spiritual landmarks and the criticality for keeping them in place.
A father’s task is large: instruction, reproof, spiritual formation and with this task accomplished we see
IV. FATHERS BECOME GLORY, Proverbs 17:6 Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
A. The Passage - An interesting statement
1. To the Israelite the family was the proof of God’s blessing or curse.
2. The more children, especially boys, the more the glory – the more grand children, the greater the glory
- Hence, children’s children (grand children) are a crown to old men
3. And as the children grew to honor and respect their parents the aged parents became their glory as they became the wise and learned heads of large households.
B. The application – it was not hard to find application of this idea
1. I have only been around for 48 years, but that has been long enough to see how people react to grand children
a. They get silly and even stone faced parents become giddy with grand-children
b. How many times have I heard kids tell their parents, “You never let me do that or get a way with that.”
c. Grand-children seem to put a crown of delight upon old men’s heads.
2. And how great it is to have a father who you can look back on, realizing what a man he was.
a. The glory of children are their fathers.
b. My hope for years of parenting was that I might be as good a father to my daughter as my father was to me.
c. His instruction, reproof, and moral foundation he gave to me helped me.
d. Even now he is teaching me more than he will ever know about love, perseverance, faith, and hope!
e. I know of no other man on earth that I would rather call dad, than him!
3. I am double blessed I have a father who loves me and I have a Father who loves me – what glory!
4. I pray that that will be the testimony of my daughter and, eventually, my grand children if the Lord see fits to give them to us!
5. And I know that is your desire as well!
CONCLUSION:
A. As we close, I hope that fathers have been encouraged to be:
1. The loving, instructors and reprovers they need to be.
2. I pray we will give our children good biblical landmarks to which they can look to and keep a good bearing on where they are.
3. May we see our children and grand children as a crown of glory and may our children glory in us as God has allowed us to raise them and see them follow Him.
B. May God be glorified in us and the whole family of heaven and earth!
God bless you and happy Father’s Day.
