29/11/2023
29th November
The future begins in the family
By Rev Leinamau Manrongoana- Vanuatu
Bible Reading: Proverbs 13:1, 24 and 14: 3
The book of Proverbs introduces itself as: The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel (1:1). What is a proverbs? In Pasifika, a proverb is understood to be ‘a short wise saying’ that explains something – ‘when a tree is young, one can straighten it, but when it is old, it cannot be straightened.’ However, one can also find comparisons to other biblical books, warnings, normal daily life issues, with advice and encouragement for our life today.
Proverbs 13:1, reminds us again of parental guidance through instruction, which we see a pattern of it in some parts of proverbs. The familiar theme is verbal communication. The wise child loves discipline, but the scoffer or the mocker, does not listen or accept rebuke or correction. We all have experience this type of advice or warning from our parents or elders when growing up. When parents communicate well with their children while young, their fresh and soft minds and hearts can be easily corrected and they learn to say ‘sorry’ or ‘thank you’ or ‘please’ which show character and the attitude of willing to forgive and be forgiven. But it also relates to problems that need to be sorted out now, and not later, for time flies and many times, we leave them for so long, it becomes harder to solve. For this verse is not only for the child to admit its mistakes – it also applies to the father, mother, siblings and other family members. It is all about being honest, humble and admitting one’s mistakes or owning up to what was done wrongly and be willing and humble to correct it. With today’s technology in life, it is becoming very hard for verbal communication to be heard and obeyed. A father could almost text a mother to bring him a glass of water, even though they are sitting at the same table looking at their phones. And that does greater damage to their children who follow suit – Proverbs 22:6 says ‘Train up a child in the way he/she should go and when they are old, they cannot depart from it.’
Verse 24, is part of the wisdom sayings – ‘Those who love their children, discipline them.’ Many times the word discipline is often thought of as a ‘rod’ or ‘stick’ or ‘broom’ or something hard that can give pain to the child to make them listen and obey, but again, words were given with a voice to talk gently but firmly with little ones to start teaching them with love, patience, gentleness, kindness and care. The use of ‘sticks’ or other objects have often turned into abuse. Since schools have been banned from using corporal punishment – the question is, how do the children learn to listen and obey? What can we creatively teach and guide them as parents to help them to listen and obey?
In Proverbs 14:1, opens with a contrast between the wise woman and the foolish one. The former builds her house – like the wise woman in Proverbs 31 – but the latter tears hers down… with her own hands. We are again reminded of the words in Proverbs 9:1 ‘Wisdom has built her house.’ Or when we think of Matthew 24 of the wise man build his house upon the rock … and the rain came tumbling down … but the house on the rock stood fast! It all comes back to the home and how we teach and train our little ones with our natural creative ways (5 senses and common sense) that God has blessed us with, as parents and teachers and carers to safeguard our children and communicate well with them, training the next generation of future godly fathers and mothers for Pasifika.
Prayer: Heavenly Father and Mother of Wisdom, Thank you for allowing us the ability to think, see, hear, talk, smell, feel and use our common sense, to be able to live life to its fullness. Help us build our lives with your wisdom according to your plan and purpose. Bless our homes and give us the courage and creativity to discipline in the right way when the need arises. Bless us to be humble and repentant when we do wrong. Help us to be filled with humility and love in order to reconcile and stay close to you always. Amen.
