Proverbs 15:5

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them about listening to correction:

Proverbs 15:5 (NASV)

A fool rejects his father’s discipline,

But he who regards reproof is sensible.

Proverbs 15:5 (NIV)

A fool spurns his father’s discipline,

but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

Most of us think our dads are out-of-date and out-of-tune to the things of the day.   At least at some point we believe that.   Perhaps as we approach the junior high years and high school pressures.    We tend to reject or spurn their insights and disciplines, choosing our own ways and our own devices.   We jump into paths the crowd are clearing and forsake the well-advised two-track dad told us to take.   We think wisdom comes from peers not parents and we follow the exciting not the examined.   If, on the other hand, we have the wisdom to follow their reproofs, we show sensibility and prudence.   For most children their fathers do get wiser with age.   The older the child gets the wiser the dad can become ... especially if they have their own children, now.   It shows exceptional wisdom to heed the instruction and discipline of a father, no matter the age ... of the father or the child.   God does not tell us in this proverb that "old" fathers should be listened to.  Nor does God say when WE ARE OLD we should listen to the instruction of a parent.   God so believes in the family rule and principles that He made one of His Ten Commandments, "Honor your father and your mother and it will be well with you."   As Paul later points out, this is first and only commandment with promise.   God believes that honor to fathers and mothers should be a step in the development of prudence and sensibility of the child.  Don't reject it or spurn it.  You do so at your own peril.