Parenting by the Book
STUDY 105
Text: Proverbs 14
29 June 2003
Dear Parents,
THE IMAGERY OF HOUSES AND TENTS
A powerful lesson was taught using the simple imagery of houses and tents. This imagery may be connected to the lessons we have been studying thus far.
The house of the wicked will be overthrown,
But the tent of the upright will flourish.Proverbs 14:11
The topic of the wicked in contrast to the upright is not a new topic. Let us consider how this text may be applied.
THE SEEMING SUCCESS OF THE WICKED
The wicked seems to have succeeded in life. He has acquired enough to build himself “a house”. This may not just be a reference to his domicile. It may even be a reference to the “empire” he has built. The means by which he built his “house” was “wickedness”. He seems set for life. He is virtually invulnerable.
On the other hand, the upright appears not to have done as well. In contrast he only has a tent. He has to content himself with the simpler things of life.
However, as life unfolds, the wicked gets his just desserts. The house that he has built, all his wealth, his empire – they are all overthrown perhaps by another person more wicked than he is.
THE REAL SUCCESS OF THE UPRIGHT
What about the humbler man who lives in a tent? He may not have much for he only has a tent to call his own. But no one threatens to overthrow him. He is able to live out his life in peace. In comparison, he is obviously the more successful of the two.
WICKED SOMETIMES APPEARS TO BE RIGHT
Wickedness disguises itself in many forms. It may even suggest itself as being “right” to the man. The naïve and unsuspecting may revert to wicked activities thinking that the ends justify the means. The way that seemed right ultimately leads to death.
REAL LIFE EXAMPLES
There are many real life examples of the truth of the Scriptures. Financial empires have been built and then overthrown. People who appear to have been successful commit suicide. Their lives are reported as “messy”. What went wrong? Lessons like that are not difficult to cite. They are reported regularly in the local media. These lessons should be taught to our children, so that they would not be tempted to choose the wrong paths. They demonstrate the truth of the Scriptures. Let us spare no effort to teach our children how to build their own personal value system based on the Scriptures.
Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie