“A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke” (Proverbs 13:1).
Being a godly father is not for a weak or timid man. The divine expectation of every man who had begotten a child is to bring his offspring up in the training and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4). As the perfect father, Jehovah knows that this training and admonition requires the essential tools of teaching, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness which He provided for His children (2 Tim. 3:16). In this proverb, Solomon emphasizes two of the essential duties every father is to be carrying out.
- Instruction. The best instructional methods for a father are his words and his example. A conversation about integrity, work ethic, kindness, godly values, and a multitude of other essential components of righteous living are supremely profitable when there is a clear and consistent personal example for a child to refer to. Your words may be confusing on occasion, but your example never is (even when it contradicts what you say). A wise son will pay close and careful attention to this instruction. He will seek to implement his father’s words and imitate his father’s righteous example.
- Reproof. Raising offspring which become productive and responsible adults does not happen accidentally. When a standard of righteous behavior has been violated, the misconduct must be addressed and corrected. Raising an irresponsible child because of parental fear that confronting misconduct is unloving, may damage self-esteem, or any of the other nauseating excuses is a gross dereliction of your paternal duty. Man up. A wise son will hear and heed his father’s loving rebuke; a scoffer, sadly, will not.
