KEEP YOUR ARROWS SHARP

 

Thursday, June 8, 2023

 

KEEP YOUR ARROWS SHARP

 

Prov 22:6

6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

 

Ps 127:3-5

3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

 

          In the news is the ridiculous argument as to who is responsible for training children. Government, particularly schools, contend contentiously that it has become their sole right to guide and govern future voters and citizens. More surprising than this shocking view is how we arrived at it.

 

          Rosie the riveter, pressed into the work force by grim necessity, left an enormous vacuum in the home. Other social pressures gradually molded children into what we see today. Solomon addressed the importance of training children at least twice. He first put forth a true principle when he said we must “train up” a child. Here we have one Hebrew word chanak which literally means “to narrow.”

We can easily see that parenting is the narrowing of opportunities until a child makes wise and appropriate choices.

 

          Solomon expands his view by pointing out that children are “an heritage” of the Lord. Little miracles who become mighty treasures. They are like arrows in the hand of the archer who sharpens them and aims them purposefully. Properly prepared, these will be able to “speak with enemies at the gate.” I see this as diplomacy backed by controlled power.

 

          Indeed, children will see more clearly, walk farther, and accomplish more than their parents. We dare not abandon their training (narrowing) to others.  

 

Deut 6:6-7

6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

 

Almighty God, please help us retake the citadel which enslaves our children. AMEN