What Would Your Father Say: Part 2

There are so many ways and products to help make you look young.  Our culture centers on youthfulness and how to stay looking young.  In essence, our culture wants longer lives, but apparently that is not a new desire.  When God spoke the commandments to the people of Israel from Mt. Sinai, one of them was, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12, ESV).  The land that had been promised to the Israelites was that flowing with milk and honey (Exodus 3:8).  It was one of those places that once you got there you would never want to leave.  When they arrived there, though, they would have to leave at some point because death would take them if some other outside force did not.  How could they insure they would be able to enjoy the promise for many years?  It all comes down to obedience.

The wise father understood how to have a longer life as well, “Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many. I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble. Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life. Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on” (Proverbs 4:10-15).  He goes on to explain that the wicked thrive on making people stumble and cannot sleep unless they do so.  The righteous ought to be lights in a dark world (Proverbs 4:10-19).  Are we being the lights a dark world needs?

You can forget about any product or exercise regime to try and stay young.  If you want to lengthen your years, the proverb principle is simple, obey your parents.  This principle still holds true today.  Paul reminded us of this “command with a promise” in Ephesians 6:1-3.  It is refreshing to hear someone talk good about you behind your back, when really you could hear what they said.  If God was talking to someone about you, what would He say?  Hopefully He would say, “That is one of my most obedient children, he will have a long life.”