Reading: Proverbs 6:12-22

Phase One of God’s counsel and command:

“My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother” (20).

For Phase Two we have verse 22 telling the child to develop a strong, secure bond with that commandment and that law.

Then in verse 21 I see Phase Three — three of the benefits:

“When thou goest, it shall lead thee.”

A person in motion should always have his guidance system fuctioning well and dependably. The parents’ commandments and laws provide that.

“When thou sleepest, it shall keep thee.”

A sleeping person needs extra protection for he cannot provide it for himself. The parents’ laws and commandments provide that.

“And when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.”

We all need communion and companionship. We all need something good on which to think. We all need trustworthy input and counsel. We all need parents’ godly laws and commandments.

Dad (eg, me), are you listening to these verses?!

Children, are you?

from Proverbs 6:14

A little bit more from Proverbs 6: Parental Direction and Rules

Reading: Proverbs 6:1-11

“My son, if thou be surety for thy friend…” (1).

Disclaimer: My thoughts from this verse fragment are quite out of context.

I want to stand behind my friends.

When they need help or support or encouragement, I want to stand for them surely and steadily.

When nobody else seems to trust them or appreciate them, I want to be to them as Barnabas was to Saul. Saul had arrived in Jerusalem, having been converted and having escaped from Damascus. But when he tried to join up with the disciples there, they were all afraid of him, refusing to believe his conversion.

Now what?

He needed a friend to stand behind him and stand for him. He needed a friend to put his own reputation on the line for him.

But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how… (Acts 9:27).

In a good way, Barnabas was being a cosigner for Saul. Saul’s credit just wasn’t good enough. But Barnabas’ was. So Barnabas put his own good name on the line for Saul.

I want that kind of friends. (In fact, I could use a Barnabas about right now.)

And I want to be that kind of friend. (In fact, is there someone who could use a Barnabas about right now?)

from Proverbs 6:3

A little bit more from Proverbs 6: Be a Wise Learner