Proverbs 23:24-25 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.
Earlier in Proverbs, we read: “A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother” (10:1). Wisdom blesses not only the individual but also everyone connected with him.
‘Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.’ This verse broadens the promise to include both parents. Fathers and mothers invest years of love, sacrifice, instruction, discipline, and prayer into their children. Nothing repays those efforts more than seeing their children choose the path of righteousness.
The phrase “she that bare thee” reminds children never to forget the love, suffering, and sacrifice of their mother. Her joy is not found primarily in her child’s accomplishments but in his godly character. Parents cannot control every decision their children make, but they have the privilege and responsibility of bringing joy to those who raised them through lives marked by wisdom and obedience.
Throughout Proverbs, Scripture repeatedly contrasts two kinds of children: [1] The wise child brings joy, receives instruction, walks in righteousness, honours parents, fears the Lord, and lives wisely. [2] The foolish child rejects correction, pursues sinful pleasures, dishonours parents, brings sorrow, lives carelessly, and suffers unnecessary consequences. Every son and daughter ultimately chooses which source they will become – joy or grief.
To be continued…

