Rejoicing or sorrow

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

REJOICING OR SORROW

Prov 23:22-25

22 Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. 23 Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding. 24 The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him. 25 May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!

NIV

There is something to be said about the relationship adult children have with their parents. It would seem all too often the children see their parents as old as well as old fashion and without any wisdom. Sometimes they even develop a lack of respect for their parents thinking themselves to have a higher degree of understanding and wisdom then their parents. This saying has a lot to do with the relationship between parents and their adult children. The point is also made about parents rejoicing in the life of their children who live a righteous life. The key is the righteous life. If the child is not living respectfully toward the parents it would be difficult to rejoice. If the child is wise they will respect their parent, and the father can then delight in his child. However, we also see, even though the word mother is used to indicate both parents who sired their child, there is a sense of the relationship we have with God. Some have taught that God is both Father and mother. We cannot be sure if that bears any truth according to the scriptures, however the idea spoken here about the father, who gave us life, surely speaks of God. None of us would have life if it were not for God. He certainly rejoices and has great joy when we have become righteous in Christ. God delights when we are wise by accepting his provision for our salvation. He is surely pleased with us for seeking his wisdom, for pursuing truth, discipline and understanding. This could be all about us and God, but at the same time it also does speak to our earthly relationships as or with adult children. We may be the adult child or we may the old ones with adult children. But it does directly speak to the responsibility of the adult child toward the old parents. If the child or children do not respect, do not listen, but rather despise, then no joy, no rejoicing, no gladness, no delight is in the hearts of the parents. Perhaps all is left is sorrow and pain. Surely that must be the heart of God toward those who reject him as Father. Surely he still loves them, but has a heart filled with sorrow about them. This would also be the case of earthly parents. Always having a heart of love toward their children, but depending on how the children response toward their parents brings either rejoicing or sorrow.