Proverbs 23:22 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
Four more commands to children: [1] Hearken unto your father. To hearken means to listen attentively, to receive instruction, to obey wise counsel, and to remain teachable. The father is not presented merely as a biological parent but as a God-appointed source of guidance and instruction. Throughout Proverbs, the repeated call to hear emphasises that wisdom begins with a teachable spirit. Many troubles in life can be avoided when children learn from the experience and godly counsel of their parents rather than insisting on learning every lesson through painful experience. [2] Do not despise your parents. To despise means to treat with contempt, to disregard, dishonour, neglect, or to view as unimportant. This command is especially significant because ageing often brings physical weakness, memory decline, dependence upon others, and limitations that were not present in younger years. The temptation is to dismiss the counsel of elderly parents or to view them as burdens rather than blessings. Scripture commands the opposite and expects children to honour ageing parents, care for them, respect them, and value the wisdom gained through years of experience. A person’s character is often revealed by how they treat elderly parents who can no longer repay their kindness.
Living the Word 