This is a sermon that was given on May 10, 2020. The service was the first one conducted in our church sanctuary after pandemic restrictions had been partially lifted. Several attendees "attended" the service by remaining in the parking lot and listening via FM radio in their individual vehicles. The sermon theme was related to the celebration of Mother's Day and was based on Proverbs 1:8.
Written Excerpts:
Proverbs 1:8 (NKJV) My son, hear the instruction of
your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother;
Proverbs 1:8 (MSG) Pay close attention, friend, to what your
father tells you; never forget what you learned at your mother's knee.
Introduction:
Well, sometimes it is a challenge to come up with a new Bible text and
sermon on special occasions such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or other
holidays. It certainly isn’t required that the message be related to the special
occasion, but since most of us are thinking about it anyway it is usually a
good thing to take advantage of that fact and use it to emphasize important
truths and lessons from God’s Word.
As I was trying to decide what to speak about today I came across this
passage in Proverbs which I have read dozens of times. But it seemed to grab my
attention – particularly the phrase, “the law of your mother.” I immediately thought of some phrases that seemed to relate: “Boy, mom
really laid down the law today.” “What mom says is law around here.” I'm quite sure that Solomon’s meaning in verse 8 goes a little deeper
than this.
So, what is he really saying when he advises “do not forsake the law of
your mother?” Here are some of the insights shared in commentaries about the verse’s
meaning:
Allen P. Ross, Expositor's Bible Commentary, Revised – The disciple is exhorted to heed parental
guidance. Youths are in the greatest need of admonition—the passions are
strong, self-confidence is growing, and group acceptance is important—but the
experience of real life has not yet tempered them. “My son,” the customary form
of address for a disciple, derives from the idea that parents are responsible
for moral instruction (4:3-4; cf. Dt 6:7). Here the disciple is to respond (šemaʿ;
“Listen” [NIV], with the attitude of “taking heed to”) to “discipline” (mûsār;
“instruction,” NIV), which is normally the father’s responsibility (except in
Pr. 31:1, where it is the warning of the mother – Pr. 31:1 (NKJV)
The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him).
The son is also to follow his “mother’s teaching.” Tôrâ (“teaching”
[NIV]) may be cognate to a verb meaning “to point, direct” (cf. BDB, 434-35),
so that the idea of teaching can be illustrated as pointing in the right
direction (see Ge 46:28).
Derek Kidner, Tyndale Old
Testament Commentaries – This ‘law’ (tôrâ) is a wide term which includes
commands… but is not confined to them: basically it means direction, and its
aim here is to foster wise habits of thought and action (in the ‘heart’ and in
the ‘fingers’, 7:3 Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your
heart.) which, so far from enslaving a person, will equip him to find his way
through life with sureness (3:23; 4:12) and honour (1:9; 4:8, 9).
Kidner, Tyndale Old Testament
Commentaries – Prov. 3:1. tôrâ, the word for law (AV, RV), fundamentally means
‘direction’; cf. RSV: teaching. Where it occurs unqualified (28:9; 29:18) it is
clearly the divine law (it is also the Jewish term for the Pentateuch); but my
law, ‘thy mother’s law’ (1:8), etc., refer to the present maxims and to the home
teachings, based indeed on the law, but not identical with it.
Based on these comments regarding the words in this verse and their
meanings, let us take a little while to apply them to our lives.
I. Mother’s
law is based on THE Law.
The commentaries pointed out the fact that
the word for “law” is “torah.” There are places in the Proverbs, and
certainly all through the OT, where the word is “unqualified” and therefore
would be referring to God’s law, or more specifically the Pentateuch (Gen –
Deut; “The law of Moses.”)
For example: Pr. 28:9 (NKJV)
One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is
an abomination.
Pr. 29:18 (NKJV) Where there
is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who
keeps the law.
However, when the word “law” is qualified
e.g. “my law,” “your mother’s law,” or “your father’s law,” then it is
referring to the instruction, teaching, and precepts of the one giving it. As Dr. Kidner says, the law of your mother
or law of your father is indeed based on THE Law, “but not identical with it.”
What does that mean? Well, one thing it
means is that parents (in this case, mothers) are responsible for teaching
their children basic principles and precepts that are necessary for living life
in a manner that is wholesome, honorable and productive. A child, left to himself/herself, will not
turn out fine. It is our responsibility to teach them, train them, and
discipline them.
Another thing it means is that we need to
have the Word of God (divine law) as the primary basis for our “law,” or
instruction. Why?
1 – It keeps us grounded in truth. When
we’re teaching our children fundamental principles for living life, we want it
to be based in truth. When our children are formulating their values and principles
for life, it can’t be simply based on our opinions (although opinions
inevitably come into the picture). They need the foundation of God’s truth.
2 – Our children need to know we expect them
to obey us because we obey God. And, when they disobey us, they disobey God.
3 – All that a mom teaches her child needs
to have a long-term and high goal for him/her. When “mom’s law” is grounded in
God’s law, then even menial chores she requires have a wholesome and even godly
outcome that is desired.
She doesn’t require certain chores to be
done and, done in a thorough manner, just because she’s too tired or lazy to do
them herself. No! She teaches them and requires them so the
child will not grow up to be lazy and selfish and irresponsible – all things
that God’s Word denounces.
II. Mother’s
law provides wisdom and protection.
We understand that the book of Proverbs is
exactly that – a collection of individual proverbs. As such, single verses
often stand alone and are not necessarily connected to what came before or what
follows. However, I do believe that the verses
following 8 & 9 have relevance to our text, because they offer some more
specific instructions and directions regarding how youth should respond to
invitations to evil.
When mom “lays down the law” it isn’t just
so she can “hear herself talk,” as my mom used to say! Mom doesn’t offer direction, instruction and
requirements just so she can feel important. She doesn’t enforce boundaries in her
children’s lives just because she gets her “thrills” by being strict.
No! She’s trying her best to protect her
children from making stupid and even evil choices that will lead them down a
road of heartache, ruin and destruction.
III. Mother’s
law is a blessed gift.
Pr. 1:9 (NKJV) For they will
be a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck.
Ross, Expositor's Bible Commentary,
Revised – As a result of
heeding instruction in the law, the disciple receives a special promise.
“Grace,” the charm that teaching brings to the disciple, refers to those
qualities that make him agreeable. The metaphor compares these qualities to an
attractive wreath worn around the head.
Obedience will also improve the disciple, as
the metaphor of the neck pendant speaks of adorning the life. The one who loses
the rough edges through disciplined training will present a pleasing presence
to the world (McKane, 268).
Adam Clarke's Commentary – … filial respect and obedience will be as
ornamental to thee as crowns, diadems, and golden chains and pearls are to others.
Political dignity has been distinguished in
many nations by a chain of gold about the neck. Solomon seems here to intimate,
… that the surest way of coming to distinguished eminence, in civil matters, is
to act according to the principles of true wisdom, proceeding from the fear of
God.
I couldn’t help but think of the stark
contrast that could be taken from this verse. On the one hand you could think of “chains
about your neck,” as a metaphor we often hear that implies bondage and slavery.
i.e. your mother’s law is terribly restrictive and it’s like being in bondage.
– “Why do we have to live like we have a chain around our neck?” But, the actual meaning is a drastic
contrast. Rather than being a chain of bondage, it is an ornament. It is
something beautiful; it’s like rare jewelry.
What a gift! What a blessing to have all her
instruction and teaching produce a life that is full of grace!
IV. Mother’s
law can be followed or foolishly forsaken.
Pr. 1:7 (NKJV) The fear of
the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom
and instruction.
Dr. Wayne Evans, a friend of ours who is a minister in North Canton,
OH had a short message on Facebook for today that was based on this same
passage of Scripture. This final point I gleaned from his message.
In verse 7, Solomon is making a couple of
observations. 1 – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. 2 – Those
who are foolish despise, reject, or abandon wisdom and instruction. Immediately following those observations, he
issues the appeal in verse 8, “Listen to your father’s instruction and do not
forsake your mother’s teaching.”
But, the choice is yours. Not everyone
chooses to fear the Lord and to listen to the godly instruction of their
parents. If you’re a parent with adult children, you
know that you cannot coerce your children to make the right choices. I know there are broken-hearted mothers who
weep and lose sleep over the child(ren) who have foolishly forsaken the
biblical teaching and wisdom their parents earnestly sought to give. They know in their hearts that there is
sorrow, and heartache ahead for those children if they do not turn around and
come back to God.
The good news is, they can still make it
“back home.” God lovingly entreats everyone to turn around and come back. He
offers forgiveness and transformation from all of the corruption and baggage
that Satan may have cluttered up their lives with.
Conclusion:
I want to finish by simply reminding us how sacred,
how needed and how appreciated is “the law of your mother.” I assume that I speak for most of us today.
we’ve lived long enough to know that our moms had a lot more wisdom and insight
than what we gave them credit for! I want to publicly express my appreciation,
and the appreciation of us all, for all moms who are truly endeavoring to pass
godly wisdom and character to the following generations.
The title of our closing song
today is, “He Leadeth Me.” The message of this song is not only appropriate for
every mom who recognizes her need for the guidance and wisdom of God to carry
out her responsibilities, but it is appropriate for all of us as we are
reminded that God leads us often through the godly counsel and teaching of our
mothers who have been listening to the Lord.
Closing Song: He Leadeth Me
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