Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
Hear and receive instruction is the call to a son, and responding in this way brings many years of life. The instruction reflects careful teaching received from a father that laid the foundation for virtuous character. The call opens teaching about two paths, the way of wisdom and the path of the wicked. The path of the just, or way of wisdom, is as shining light that shines more and more unto the perfect day, while the way of the wicked is as darkness where they do not know what they stumble over.
Hearing and receiving the sayings means obedience, and such obedience is the highest honor a child can give to parents. In principle this is another version of the fifth commandment, since honoring parents is shown by obeying them. Since God is the Father of all, the call also means honoring God by obeying Him and giving Him the honor due His name. Obedience is better than sacrifice and brings blessing and long life, while refusal to obey brings a curse, for entering into life requires keeping the commandments. Honoring God by obedience includes keeping His Sabbath on the seventh day and honoring Him with substance by bringing tithes and offerings into His courts.
The call applies to heeding reproof and choosing wisdom as the path of life, while refusing instruction and breaking God's spiritual laws leads to spiritual disease and death. The promise of long life applies to the health benefits of heeding the laws given through Moses, including dietary precepts. The chapter containing the verse gives guidance to prepare children for adolescence, helping them understand physical development and guarding them from dangers arising from ignorance. As part of the book's practical moral instruction, the verse is especially valuable for young people to memorize, calling the son to listen to and accept instruction.
Hear and receive instruction is the call to a son, and responding in this way brings many years of life. The instruction reflects careful teaching received from a father that laid the foundation for virtuous character. The call opens teaching about two paths, the way of wisdom and the path of the wicked. The path of the just, or way of wisdom, is as shining light that shines more and more unto the perfect day, while the way of the wicked is as darkness where they do not know what they stumble over.
Hearing and receiving the sayings means obedience, and such obedience is the highest honor a child can give to parents. In principle this is another version of the fifth commandment, since honoring parents is shown by obeying them. Since God is the Father of all, the call also means honoring God by obeying Him and giving Him the honor due His name. Obedience is better than sacrifice and brings blessing and long life, while refusal to obey brings a curse, for entering into life requires keeping the commandments. Honoring God by obedience includes keeping His Sabbath on the seventh day and honoring Him with substance by bringing tithes and offerings into His courts.
The call applies to heeding reproof and choosing wisdom as the path of life, while refusing instruction and breaking God's spiritual laws leads to spiritual disease and death. The promise of long life applies to the health benefits of heeding the laws given through Moses, including dietary precepts. The chapter containing the verse gives guidance to prepare children for adolescence, helping them understand physical development and guarding them from dangers arising from ignorance. As part of the book's practical moral instruction, the verse is especially valuable for young people to memorize, calling the son to listen to and accept instruction.