THE WISE SON/THE FOOLISH SON

Proverbs 13:1-25

A choice is defined; an act of selecting or making a decision when faced with

two or more possibilities: the choice between good and evil.  So each day of life you and I choose between good and evil, at some point, most have established a value system that is in our minds and hearts, and we are not going to consider taking something that does not belong to us.  But do you really hold to that, what about the pens or postage notes from work?  Yes, I’ve been there with the rationale that it’s for work and yet we take and use it for personal business. It seems to come back to choices, let’s begin with the first verse; “A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.”  Early in life, a child makes a choice, do I trust my parents to guide me in the way I should go, or do I choose to believe I can make better decisions, becoming a mocker, not a wise son.

The wise son in this example learns to guard his mouth and his thoughts and to obey his dad and also his Father in heaven.  But the other son the mocker brings harm to himself by the words that come from his mouth.  The wise son is diligent in his work, but the foolish son is a slacker.  The righteous son has made a choice not to lie, but the foolish son sees it as a tool to get what he wants.  The honest person will go to battle for a person of integrity, not so the mocker; he finds ways to support those who sin.

A son who responds to his father’s discipline will not be arrogant and will be open to the counsel of others.  The wise son is willing to give a day’s work for a day’s pay, and he chooses to save as he is blessed by having it multiply.  Do not have contempt for instructions or the penalty will be significant, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded. 

A wise son knows wealth obtained by fraud will fly off like a bird, but labor will multiply wealth.  That is why he welcomes instruction and is rewarded for doing what is required of him.  A wise man uses knowledge but not a foolish man he displays his stupidity.  The wise man understands poverty and disgrace are not far from a man who does not learn from discipline.

A foolish man sees no value in turning from evil, but a wise man has an understanding of what its endgame is; death.  One who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will only suffer harm.  A righteous man desires to leave an inheritance to his grandchildren, not of only wealth but also of integrity.  A wise dad will discipline his children in love but will make sure that the discipline fits the offense.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice