Proverbs for Life
Proverbs 10:1 – “The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.”
In the book of the Proverbs, a proverb is often presented in two lines, presenting a comparison or contrast. Proverbs 10:1 begins with the title for the many proverbs that follow – “The proverbs of Solomon.” Then it proceeds with a truth of contrast. Whereas a spiritually wise child will result in a glad parent, a spiritually foolish child will result in a grieving parent.
Proverbs 10:1 – “The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.”
In the book of the Proverbs, a proverb is often presented in two lines, presenting a comparison or contrast. Proverbs 10:1 begins with the title for the many proverbs that follow – “The proverbs of Solomon.” Then it proceeds with a truth of contrast. Whereas a spiritually wise child will result in a glad parent, a spiritually foolish child will result in a grieving parent.
Interpretation (Content)
Both lines of this proverb present the subject as a “son.” Although this word specifies the male gender, its application may be either to son or daughter. In addition, the word “son” is not age specific. It does not speak only concerning the years of childhood. Rather, it speaks concerning the relationship of an individual in relation to his or her parents, whether that individual is in the years of childhood or adulthood.
In addition, both lines of this proverb specify the relationship of this “son” to a parent. The first line specifies the relationship to the “father,” and the second line specifies the relationship to the “mother.” Herein the use of the “father” in one line and the “mother” in the other line is not intended to set these parental relationships in contrast. Rather, each of these two terms is representative of the parental relationship and may have application to either parental relationship. Yet the use of the singular “father” and “mother” in each line is intended to focus our attention upon each parent as an individual person with individual joys and sorrows.
The actual contrast of this proverb concerns the character of the “son” in each line and concerns the impact of that character upon his parents. First, the two lines of this proverb present a contrast in the spiritual character of the “son.” The first line of the proverb speaks of a spiritually wise “son.” The second line of the proverb speaks of a spiritually foolish “son.”
Second, the two lines of this proverb present the impact of that character upon the parents of the “son.” The first line of the proverb indicates that a spiritually wise “son” will make glad (gladden) his father (and mother). A spiritually wise “son,” through his character of spiritual wisdom, will be the cause of great joy and rejoicing in his father’s (and mother’s) heart. Yea, through his character of spiritual wisdom, he will continually cause such joy and rejoicing in his parent’s hearts; for the verb of this line (“maketh glad”) communicates an ongoing activity.
On the other hand, the second line of the proverb indicates that a spiritually foolish “son” will be a heavy weight of sorrow within the heart of his mother (and father). A spiritually foolish “son,” through the character of his spiritual foolishness, will become a great burden of grief that his mother (and father) will carry within all the time.
Integration (Context)
Yet what does it mean for a “son” (or daughter) to be spiritually wise or spiritually foolish in character? To some extent, the answer to this question may be answered through the further context of Proverbs 10.
1. A spiritually wise son or daughter will be diligent in work ethic, whereas a spiritually foolish son or daughter will be lazy in work ethic. Even so, Proverbs 10:5 states, “He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.”
2. A spiritually wise son or daughter will be submissive to God-given authority, whereas a spiritually foolish son or daughter will be selfish, self-exalting, scornful, and stubborn in relation to every one. Even so, Proverbs 10:8 states, “The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.”
3. A spiritually wise son or daughter will be discerning and edifying in speech, whereas a spiritually foolish son or daughter will be hasty and destructive in speech. Even so, Proverbs 10:13-14 states, “In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding. Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.” Again Proverbs 10:18-21 states, “He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool. In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.”
4. A spiritually wise son or daughter will be righteous and godly in behavior, whereas a spiritually foolish son or daughter will find pleasure in sin and worldliness. Even so, Proverbs 10:23 states, “It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.”
Instruction (Contact)
Thus, as sons and daughters, if we desire to bring joy unto the hearts of our parents, we must walk in spiritual wisdom, being diligent in our work ethic, being submissive to God-given authority, being discerning and edifying in our speech, and being righteous and godly in our behavior.
Furthermore, as parents, if we desire to experience joy through out children, we must faithfully train them up to be spiritually wise adults, training them to be diligent in their work ethic, to be submissive unto God-given authority, to be discerning and edifying in their speech, and to be righteous and godly in our behavior.
Finally, as the children of God, if we desire to bring joy unto the heart of our heavenly Father, we must walk before Him in spiritual wisdom, learning of Him and walking with Him.
Both lines of this proverb present the subject as a “son.” Although this word specifies the male gender, its application may be either to son or daughter. In addition, the word “son” is not age specific. It does not speak only concerning the years of childhood. Rather, it speaks concerning the relationship of an individual in relation to his or her parents, whether that individual is in the years of childhood or adulthood.
In addition, both lines of this proverb specify the relationship of this “son” to a parent. The first line specifies the relationship to the “father,” and the second line specifies the relationship to the “mother.” Herein the use of the “father” in one line and the “mother” in the other line is not intended to set these parental relationships in contrast. Rather, each of these two terms is representative of the parental relationship and may have application to either parental relationship. Yet the use of the singular “father” and “mother” in each line is intended to focus our attention upon each parent as an individual person with individual joys and sorrows.
The actual contrast of this proverb concerns the character of the “son” in each line and concerns the impact of that character upon his parents. First, the two lines of this proverb present a contrast in the spiritual character of the “son.” The first line of the proverb speaks of a spiritually wise “son.” The second line of the proverb speaks of a spiritually foolish “son.”
Second, the two lines of this proverb present the impact of that character upon the parents of the “son.” The first line of the proverb indicates that a spiritually wise “son” will make glad (gladden) his father (and mother). A spiritually wise “son,” through his character of spiritual wisdom, will be the cause of great joy and rejoicing in his father’s (and mother’s) heart. Yea, through his character of spiritual wisdom, he will continually cause such joy and rejoicing in his parent’s hearts; for the verb of this line (“maketh glad”) communicates an ongoing activity.
On the other hand, the second line of the proverb indicates that a spiritually foolish “son” will be a heavy weight of sorrow within the heart of his mother (and father). A spiritually foolish “son,” through the character of his spiritual foolishness, will become a great burden of grief that his mother (and father) will carry within all the time.
Integration (Context)
Yet what does it mean for a “son” (or daughter) to be spiritually wise or spiritually foolish in character? To some extent, the answer to this question may be answered through the further context of Proverbs 10.
1. A spiritually wise son or daughter will be diligent in work ethic, whereas a spiritually foolish son or daughter will be lazy in work ethic. Even so, Proverbs 10:5 states, “He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.”
2. A spiritually wise son or daughter will be submissive to God-given authority, whereas a spiritually foolish son or daughter will be selfish, self-exalting, scornful, and stubborn in relation to every one. Even so, Proverbs 10:8 states, “The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.”
3. A spiritually wise son or daughter will be discerning and edifying in speech, whereas a spiritually foolish son or daughter will be hasty and destructive in speech. Even so, Proverbs 10:13-14 states, “In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding. Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.” Again Proverbs 10:18-21 states, “He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool. In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.”
4. A spiritually wise son or daughter will be righteous and godly in behavior, whereas a spiritually foolish son or daughter will find pleasure in sin and worldliness. Even so, Proverbs 10:23 states, “It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.”
Instruction (Contact)
Thus, as sons and daughters, if we desire to bring joy unto the hearts of our parents, we must walk in spiritual wisdom, being diligent in our work ethic, being submissive to God-given authority, being discerning and edifying in our speech, and being righteous and godly in our behavior.
Furthermore, as parents, if we desire to experience joy through out children, we must faithfully train them up to be spiritually wise adults, training them to be diligent in their work ethic, to be submissive unto God-given authority, to be discerning and edifying in their speech, and to be righteous and godly in our behavior.
Finally, as the children of God, if we desire to bring joy unto the heart of our heavenly Father, we must walk before Him in spiritual wisdom, learning of Him and walking with Him.
Posted in Proverbs for Life, For the Sake of the Home