Proverbs 4:1-2

“Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction,

    and be attentive, that you may gain insight,

for I give you good precepts;

    do not forsake my teaching.”

Proverbs 4:1-2 ESV

The goal here is to gain insight. Thus, the father implores the son to hear his father’s instructions and not forsake his teaching. The reason he can plead with his son in this way is the father’s commitment. Note the commitment: “for I give you good precepts.”

As parents we have certain expectations of our children, one of which is that they listen to us. By listen, I mean to actually listen to what we are saying, but also to do what we ask them to do. In the normal family “power structure” that is the expected flow. But that is not what the father is saying here. He’s not saying, “I’m your dad, so listen to me.” He’s saying, “Listen to me because I give you good precepts.”

How often do we think through the precepts we give our kids? Do we simply expect our kids to listen because we are the parents? Or, are we expecting them to listen because we have good precepts for them? There is a difference.

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