My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching. Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck. When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you. — Proverbs 6:20-22

Ok. So when I read this section of Proverb 6, my first thought as a father was, "Yeah, son, listen to me, and your mother by the way." It was a small self-righteous attitude from within that proclaimed, "I know things that you don't because I am older, have more experience, and more wisdom than you." Which is true.

But then I caught myself. I realized that making this assertion depended on what kind of wisdom I had. It was dependant on my source of truth, how effectively I lived by that truth, and the spirit with which I conveyed that truth. And then I was overwhelmed.

And then I remembered that some of us out there lacked the presence of a father. That we never gained any wisdom from our biological dads. Or maybe we had a father who was present, but he failed to live a life that was worth emulating. He lacked that godly wisdom that would equip us to walk and lead effectively, as Solomon infers.

But while these thoughts sound so heavy and the cycle sounds so defeating, I kept coming back to one word in this text. It's the word commandment. You see, everything Solomon says here hangs on the weight and assumption of this one word. And while it appears that wisdom depends on what a father says and how he lives — it doesn't. Truth stands on its own. The commandments and teachings that Solomon is passing on are not his own. Truth and wisdom belong to God, which is assumed here. All Solomon needs to do is accept God's truth, live by God's truth, and then pass it on to his son. And here, he invites his son to accept the truth and live by the truth as well.

So the good news is this. God's commandments are effective in every generation. They break the bonds of generational shortcomings and sin. His truth will triumph over our father's sin and our sin. And the way this wisdom endures is we accept it as men over our truth. Then we live by it. And finally, we pass it on to others, especially our sons. So, gentlemen, and son, join me in living a wise life. But it ain't my wisdom, commandments, or teachings — it's God's. Let him prevail through you from one generation to the next.

ASK THIS: What wisdom do you need to accept, live by, and pass on today?

DO THIS: Share it today with one man you know.

PRAY THIS: God, thanks for allowing me to steward your truth. May it dwell deep in me, transform my character, and bring you glory in all I say and do.

PLAY THIS: A Thousand Generations — Dan Rivera.

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