God illustrates life . . .

 

Years ago I was given the opportunity to write a ‘religious’ column in a weekly newspaper, partly because the local pastors were too busy with other things. I called the column “Parables” (LINK). It lasted for seventeen years and eight editors until the ninth one decided the paper didn’t need it.

Today’s word, PROVERB, is mostly used in the OT while parable is more of a NT word. What is the difference? The dictionary says a proverb is “a condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people.” The Bible has an entire book of them plus others mentioned elsewhere. Every culture has its proverbs.

In the NT, parable identifies several literary forms that illustrate truth by comparing it with something more familiar to those who listen. However, many of Jesus’ parables required clarification and were often accompanied by explanations. In my column, I tried to clearly show how stories and events from modern life illustrate spiritual truths in the Bible. Writing them gave me a mindset to seek the hand of God in every area of life.

As for proverbs, God uses them to speak truth to readers but not every mention of them concerns God’s words. For example, 1 Samuel 24:13 quotes David’s saying to Saul after he refused to harm him: “As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness.’ But my hand shall not be against you.”

The book of Proverbs is filled with short sayings that are usually ‘in your face’ and don’t need clarification but some do. Also, in reading them it is helpful to understand that they are generally accepted truths but unlike the certainty of God’s promises because proverbs sometimes have exceptions. This is why the book begins with:

Proverbs 1:5–7. Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

The bottom line is remembering that a collection of sayings may or may not be valid for all situations. Instead, readers need to reverence God and seek His wisdom.

Some proverbs may need explanations to help in interpretation and application. For instance, Proverbs 22:6 says: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Many a parent has assumed this promised eventual faith in their children if they were taught it when they were young, only to wonder if God abandoned them when it didn’t happen. However, this proverb is not a promise nor is that a good interpretation. It is about understanding and encouraging the interests and gifts of the child because these childhood passions will continue into old age. In other words, don’t force a music lover to be a baseball player.

Another proverb says, “Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.” Taken out of biblical context, it is easy to see why this proverb is rejected in many cultures because of rampant child abuse. However, in the time proverbs were written it was a warning to parents not to give in to any fear that discipline (meaning training to develop strength and self-control) would harm their child, just as God’s discipline is intended to make better people of those He trains. His Word never condones any kind of abuse.

Not all proverbs intend to confuse or mock God’s wisdom. Most of them clearly identify problems in human life and often suggest solutions. Even so, they need to be read in context of the entire Bible, not picked out as short sayings for life solutions or hung on the wall as a plaque for life. As the psalmist says, “My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre.” Wisdom and understanding come before heeding any pithy proverb.

GAZE INTO HIS GLORY. Many Bible teachers and theologians recommend reading a Proverb a day which covers all 31 in a month. Since these require the wisdom of God to be helpful, other Bible readings are a wise addition. The point is that I seek all the glory of God, not just the condensed sayings that embody a small aspect of my experience — as helpful as they are to give me something to think about and provoke new ways to behave. Wisdom and understanding are still primary, even when reading God’s ‘wisdom’ literature.

 

Go where grace entices you . . .

A proverb is a short saying that is generally true. It is not a promise or guarantee. Proverbs need some interpretation and careful thought. For instance, this one:

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

One interpretation of this proverb has brought grief to many parents. Their children grow up rebelling against what they have been taught and the parents blame themselves and might even lose their faith in God.

They didn’t realize this is a proverb about something else, not a guarantee for raising godly children. We do our best, but must remember that Adam and Eve had a perfect Parent, lived in a perfect environment, and they went astray despite those advantages!

A better interpretation of this proverb goes like this: Train up a child in the way of his natural skills and abilities, and when he is old, he will still be using them.

Most of us know that if a child loves music, parents should not force him to play football, or if a child is interested in science and bugs, do not insist that he becomes a wallpaper designer. Of course, some children have multi-talents and interests, but the point is that I ought to know enough about my children to encourage them in their interests and abilities, their natural ‘bent’ that makes them who they are.

This can go beyond the practical interests such as choosing a career or choosing hobbies and pastimes. The Bible speaks also of spiritual gifts. I’m thinking of the list in Romans 12 that uses language hinting these gifts are part of the way a person thinks, indicating the “way he should go.”

This is a big topic and impossible to fit into this post, but after considerable study in this area, I’ve concluded that much of my interests and abilities are related to my spiritual gifts. I’ve noticed the same in my children, and thankfully not too late in their lives to encourage them. For instance, one is gifted in teaching. Biblically, this gift is about being interested in many things and gathering information to help people think correctly about many topics. This child of ours was teaching computer skills to grades 1-3 when he was in grade 7. He didn’t become a teacher, but uses this gift in his job as a project manager. Also, he has never stopped helping people with their computer problems.

As an adult, he thoroughly researches everything. I’ve known a few others who do this and thought they were a bit obsessed, but because of Proverbs 22:6, I understand them better. The desire of their heart is to think rightly and help others think rightly. If they are Christians, this is expressed in solid Bible study so the truths of God are not only researched for personal benefit but to share with others.

Had I known about these God-given skills when they were young, I would have understood and trained my children with a stronger focus on this “way they should go.” However, God brought out their gifts anyway, and gave me a general idea to encourage them. All three know ‘the way they should go’ and that way has not changed throughout their lives.

My parents had less clue of this than I did, but they knew my interests and skill and encouraged me. My mother told me that if I was doing artistic things, I didn’t have to do much housework, just 1-2 short chores. My dad was machine-oriented, but he made sure that from a young age I always had a horse to ride. I still appreciate the freedom of their respect, particularly when I hear a parent say that their children’s interests are nonsense, or call their child weird in the way they think.

^^^^^^^

Jesus, this is still a practical truth. Knowing people are gifted in various ways helps me ask questions and discern their interests. I can encourage them to develop and use their gifts and follow their passions. Many have not had any training from their own parents and are blessed when told to ‘go for it’ by another adult. This also helps me focus; I am one of those easily distracted people because everything interests me, but unlike You, I cannot do all that catches my eye. You know the way I should go and keep nudging me in that direction — bringing great blessing and sense of purpose to my life!