Speaking from experience, 'Children, obey your parents' is a Biblical commandment every child growing up in a Christian household knows. Parents, teachers, and pastors repeat this to us often, and now, I'm on the other end of it. I'm the one telling children God expects them to obey their parents.
Did you know we never actually outgrow this commandment? You see, it's not just for children.
My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother. Prov. 1:8
You might say, 'Aha! See, it says son, as in a child.' Well, then what to you do about verse 5?
A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.
Regardless of your age, you will always be the son or daughter of your parents, and a wise man will heed wise instruction.
Heed means to pay attention to.
In more modern terms, you should always hear and ponder their advice.
Your parents won't always be right. They are human after all, but you won't know if their counsel is wise unless you listen to it and think about it.
I've found myself acting like a teenager at times. Angry and annoyed when my parents instruct me. It's not because they are wrong. They aren't even speaking in a cruel or condescending tone. In fact, they have always been kind, gentle. Even entreating me respectfully as an adult.
So, why does it grate so much?
Because I know they are spot on, and the so-called gown-up me hates hearing my parents tell me what I know I ought to be doing. Which is ironically rather childish!
As I remind my children, even adults need to learn stuff and listen. We don't get it right all the time. A wise man will hear and heed, no matter who is speaking (even if it's your kid!).
It doesn't matter how old you get or how much you know, you'll always need to hear and heed the wise counsel of your parents.
Image created by Dienece Darling in canva
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