Proverbs 1:8, 9 My son, hear the instruction of your father, and forsake not the law of your mother: The wise teacher here commends to us the excellency of the filial spirit. And it is worthy of notice that he exhorts the young to be obedient to their mother as well as mindful of the counsels of their father. We think of - I. THE DUTY OF FILIAL PIETY, based upon and arising from: 1. The relation itself. It is enough that our parents are our parents, and that we are their offspring. On that simple ground it behoves us to listen and to obey. 2. The fact that they have expended on us far more than any other beings. Who shall measure the thought, the anxiety, the solicitude, the prayers, the labours, the sacrifices, which they have cheerfully devoted to us? 3. The fact that it is the will of God that we should render such filial honour (Exodus 20:12; Leviticus 19:3; Deuteronomy 5:16; Ephesians 6:2). II. THE BEAUTY OF FILIAL PIETY. "They shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck" (ver. 9). Youth, especially young manhood, is apt to think that there is something unbecoming, ungraceful if not disgraceful, in rendering filial obedience; it is apt to imagine that there is something admirable in breaking away, in even early years, from parental guidance, and establishing an independence of judgment and action. In truth, there is nothing more offensive, nothing morally uglier, than such premature assertiveness. On the other hand, nothing is more comely, nothing more attractive, nothing more intrinsically beautiful, than filial devotedness. It has all the best elements of spiritual excellency: (1) humility, a lowly view of ourselves; (2) responsiveness to strong and tender love; (3) the recognition of real worth, of the claims of age and wisdom; (4) cheerful acceptance of the ordination of nature, and acquiescence in the will of God. Those who illustrate the duty of filial piety live in the admiration of the wise, and walk in the sunshine of the smile of the Supreme. - C. Parallel Verses KJV: My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:WEB: My son, listen to your father's instruction, and don't forsake your mother's teaching: |
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