Text: Prov 3:1-4 ESV 1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, 2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. 3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Prov 3:1-4 ESV A FAVOR IN THE SIGHT OF GOD AND MAN Here, a father is charging his son not to forget his teaching. The term and setting of this tradition is established in Deuteronomy 6, where the Lord commanded the fathers in Israel to teach His commandments diligently to their children The teaching here is ‘torah’[law] which refer hardly to anything but the law of Moses. One author even said that the torah [law] may refer to the five books of Moses[Pentateuch]. Also, this has allusion to Ex 20:12, wherein children are commanded to honor their father and mother. What should the parents teach the children to do but that which is in accordance to the law, is it not? Children should be obedient to the law. Practically, parents are to diligently to teach the scriptures to their children. Obedience leads to right living. And generally, right living will often result to ‘long life and peace’, with few exceptions. Although living to old age is not guaranteed for all Christians, the believer who avoids the harmful effects of sinful habits is far more likely to enjoy a long life along with peace of heart and mind. Disobedience, rebellion and indulgence in sin have their own sad consequences. Whatever one sows, he reaps. Sowing righteousness will reap righteousness. Whereas, sowing corruption will reap corruption. It’s a known fact also that most countries where the Christian witness is more evident, they are blessed economically and materially. Sociology traces this to the ‘Protestant ethic’, the view that a person's duty and responsibility is to achieve success through hard work and thrift. This attitude is motivated by a strong conviction to a personal God, who he is accountable unto. Moreover, obedience is coming from the heart. ‘Steadfast love and faithfulness’ should be in the heart. His well being should not make him neither conceited nor hypocritical. Even Jesus said, “ If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”[John 14:15] As written in the heart, obedience touches our affections. Such life of obedience and compassion is favorable towards God and man. This brings to mind Jesus who grew in wisdom, stature , in favor of God and man.[Luke 2:52] Christian character blesses and beautifies human personality. ------------------------- Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram