Proverbs 6:20 “My son, keep your father’s command, And do not forsake the law of your mother.”
Proverbs is a book that appeals multiple times in multiple ways for the reader to acquire wisdom and to, oh, don’t miss this, APPLY the wisdom one acquires. Here in Proverbs 6:20, the appeal goes to the son to KEEP the father’s command and to NOT FORSAKE the law of the mother. With a positive appeal, to keep, and a negative appeal, do not forsake, the reader is INSTRUCTED to take action with God’s Word.
As we study the Word of God, we find that it provides lots of information on lots of topics. However, we must not approach our Bibles as an academic book. We must approach the Word of God as an instruction manual for bringing about TRANSFORMATION, and the transformation happens when there is APPLICATION of the instructions.
As I pondered this devotional, I could not help but recall how much Jesus stressed the application of the Word. When He finished His sermon on the mount, He gave a comparison to be considered in regards to the listener’s response. He said that the one who heard and DID what was taught was a wise man, and the one who heard and didn’t do what was taught was a fool. I don’t know about you, but that is a hard-hitting close to a sermon.
James will write that we are to be DOERS of the Word, not just hearers.
Along with Proverbs 6:20, you will find the appeal to KEEP God’s Word 10 other times, with some of the verses giving the ADVANTAGES of KEEPING God’s Word. For instance:
Proverbs 4:13 Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life.
Proverbs 7:2 Keep my commands and live, and my law as the apple of your eye.
Proverbs 8:32 “Now therefore, listen to me, my children, For blessed are those who keep my ways.
Along with the appeal to not forsake the instructions, Proverbs 4:6 tells the advantages as it appeals, “Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you.”
A thought on that last statement – what you keep keeps you!
Notice what happens when one forsakes the law from Proverbs 28:4 as it reveals “Those who forsake the law praise the wicked…. Hmmm
Read God’s Word! Remember God’s Word! Obey God’s Word!
Continue Strong in acquiring and Applying the Word,
And remember to daily DATE the Word