Today’s proverb contains the beautiful words from a parent to a child, wisdom from one generation to another. Too often young people scoff at the teachings of their elders. But Solomon reminds us that a father’s instruction and mother’s teaching are like garland to grace your head (NIV), flowers in your hair (ICB), and pendants (ESV) about your neck.

This echoes all the way back to Moses and the Ten Commandments:

Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
Exodus 20:12

A couple of thoughts:

Firstly, father and mother are listed. Raising children rightly requires instruction and correction from both. Both parents impart godly teaching and upbringing to their children. Both are valued. This is God’s perfect plan for parenting. Of course, not all families fit this, but we can all agree that this was God’s plan from the beginning.

Secondly and similarly, Solomon is assuming that we learned good things from our parents. That our parents loved the Lord and knew the law, and that there was or is mother and father to learn from. I know many people who would say this is their story. To them, I would say- go from here, from this day forward. This proverb is clearly from an older generation to the younger, teacher to student. Look around and pass wisdom and instruction/correction and teaching on to the next generation. Whether that is your own children or grandchildren, nieces or nephews or neighbors, we all are called to teach and tell the Good News. To tell our stories to the next generation.

And finally- if you know your Bible history- this proverb contains some irony coming from the man who wrote it. A good reminder that God’s children aren’t expected to be perfect, just forgiven, and that God will use you no matter your past mistakes. Solomon was a beloved king known to be the wisest of all in Israel’s history; however, it is recorded that he had 700 wives and 300 concubines. Did Solomon have a thousand children then? Or more? How in the world could he impart correction and instruction? Did he even know all of their names? Ugh.

The Bible records the names of only three of Solomon’s children; two daughters because of their marriages to his officials, and one son (his heir), who is not remembered well,

He [Rehoboam] did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the LORD.
2 Chronicles 12:14

Solomon is remembered for his wisdom. He is not remembered as a good father.

So maybe another lesson from this proverb- don’t preach it, live it. Solomon obviously missed out on imparting wisdom to his own son. He left his written wisdom for the rest of us but missed his son (and maybe a thousand other children). That’s sad.

The message here: listen to the teaching of the older generation, they do know some things. Don’t miss the chance. Hear the stories, listen to the wisdom of years lived before they are gone.

And then, turn around and do the same.

Youth can walk faster, but the elder knows the road ahead.

African Proverb

Heidi xoxo