“3When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, 4he taught me and said to me, ‘Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live.’” – Proverbs 4:3-4 (ESV)
Notice that the father here indicates that he received instruction from his father. This shows the son that the instruction is not in the spirit of “do as I say” but more in the spirit of “do as I do”. The father received from his father and is now passing that instruction on to his son in hopes of giving him what was needed, but also to pass on the wisdom from before.
Too often I feel as though we are going it alone in working to figure things out and understand. Why would we not go to those that know and have been successful to learn the way to success (not necessarily monetary success of course). Shouldn’t I go to those that have been through the difficulties and come out the other side with a better understanding. Shouldn’t I look to learn from them so that when the difficulties present themselves, I will be prepared to deal with them knowing that they have been beaten before.
“1Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, 2for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching.” – Proverbs 4:1-2 (ESV)
Notice above the proactive approach to teaching in the words of the father to the sons. He is advising them to be present in this moment of teaching to learn and gain valuable information. Notice what he is teaching “insight”, or knowledge of things that have already occurred or an approach that has proven to work already. This is from a father that knows and has already been there and wants his sons to know also. As the learner, it is important to note this willingness to give from the father to the sons. Too often there is a hoarding of knowledge with the idea that one now has something over others. This father is wanting to multiply his knowledge and give others the advantage he had.
This father knows a thing or two about living and wants to share what he knows with his sons. As the sons, they should be attentive and learn. I myself find it satisfying to learn from those that have experienced so that I will know and be able to navigate similar situations in the future, knowing that they have already been conquered and that if someone else has, I can and will also.
What opportunities have you had to learn from those that have already experienced? Were you attentive to their teachings? What if we used their knowledge and experience to grow and know that we too can get through things in life?
Trevor's Thoughts 