Train a child in the way he [or she] should go, and when he [or she] is old he [or she] will not turn from it. Proverbs 22: 6, NIV.
Dear God, it is such a privilege to remain in Your way, and to help others to do the same. As we meet in Your presence to study Your Word, please teach us how. This we ask in the blessed name of Jesus! Amen.
In my study of this text, the first point of interest that I found was the original reading of the text. In the Hebrew it would be more accurate to say, “Train up a child in his [her] way . . . “ This means that children are born disposed to go a certain way. I believe this way, includes their natural abilities, as well as their life choices. This is of utmost importance. It is so important, in my reckoning, that I consider it one of the causes for so many unhappy people in the world! Perhaps their way was not taken into consideration during their infancy and childhood. Oftentimes, children’s feelings are not considered very important. But they are!
When I was searching for some additional meanings of the word depart, I made some interesting discoveries. Among those of greatest interest were: to “turn off.“ That brought to my mind the act of going astray, which made me very sad. For a child to literally, go astray, that is, to “turn off” of the path of safety, the person who was accompanying the child, had to have taken his or her eyes off the child, for even a split second! I think of how swift my little grandson moves, and he is not even two years old! I could not think of taking my eyes off of him even for a short time, lest he stray into dangerous paths and hurt himself! May God help us to keep our eyes open before our treasures hurt themselves!
To “rebel.” I was surprised to find this meaning. Rebellion is very common during the early teen and adolescent years. As elder Charles Bradford once said: During the teenage years, parents tend to “become very silent.” I believe it is a time when we need all the heavenly wisdom available, in order not to “provoke our children to anger.” We tend to forget that when they ask for a reason, “Because I say so,” is neither an adequate nor a wise answer. They should be treated with respect if we expect them to respond in kind. Telling them often that we love them, unconditionally, is helpful in discouraging rebellion. Learning to listen with a sympathetic heart can help greatly!
I found the meaning to “quit,“ somewhat unusual. This also made me very sad. It made me think of someone who had become so overwhelmed with whatever was happening in his or her life, that they decided to throw in the towel! Perhaps they felt that no one understood what they were feeling, or, no one cared! Feeling alone, unloved, and misunderstood, is a lethal triad. No one should have to deal with such a combination of feelings, and certainly not in a Christian home!
“Enticed to fall away,” This is usually because of a rebellious heart. Enticed implies an invitation by someone, to do something. Invitations are most attractive if they offer us something that we want; something that we are lacking. We often say that everything that we want is to be found in Jesus. I believe that. I know that. I have proven that! But as Christians, how many of us adequately advertise that truth to others? What do they see in us, and in our experience, that they should want to “taste and see” for themselves? May we make serving Jesus so attractive, that no enticement will be strong enough to make them depart from the LORD.
To “follow other gods.” They are myriads of gods in our world – gods of our making. We make gods of our jobs, homes, cars, spouses, children, and the list could go on. But there is only one God that satisfies, because He created us with a place for Himself in our lives. If we allow Him to be lifted up, He will not only draw all people to Himself, but He will also keep them from departing.
“And when he [or she] is old he [or she] will not turn from it.” All of the above is to prevent our children from turning from their [God-given] way. The purpose of initiating our children in their way, is to encourage them not to turn away from it. If God made them with natural abilities, I am sure that these abilities, rightly guided and developed, will not lead the child away from God, but will most likely draw them close to God. The phrase “when he [or she] is old,” when spoken of an elderly person refers to the end of their lives. When that time comes, we want them to be found as close to the LORD as possible. So, by His grace, train them well!
NOTE: *Our word study is based on the Old Testament Dictionary in the in the Key Word Study Bible.