In the midst of our fast-paced and open lives, moral fallibility rarely stems from big decisions that are realized from the start. More often than not, they are born out of small omissions that are left unchecked: conversations that feel safe, attention that is taken for granted, or private messages that start out as small talk. Many people never intend to go too far, but forget that unchecked steps sooner or later lose their way. When old advice is deemed irrelevant, people start walking without signposts.
The teaching of Proverbs 6:20-35 speaks right into this space of carelessness. It begins with the typical greeting, "O my son," a relational expression that emphasizes that this advice is born out of concern. The teacher of wisdom reminds us that the father's commandments and the mother's teachings are to be kept, anchored in the heart and hung around the neck. In the tradition of ancient Israel, family education was seen as very important; listening to and keeping the teachings of parents was synonymous with receiving wisdom itself. In fact, the commands and teachings of parents were equated with the commands and teachings of God, as described in the Torah.
The teaching is described as having a tangible function: guiding when walking, guarding when lying down, and greeting when getting up. Through the message line of verse 23, the teacher of wisdom explains why, “For the commandment is a lamp, and the precept is a light, and the reproof is the way of life.” A lamp and a light help one to see the way, avoid danger, and not stumble. Educating rebuke is not punishment, but rather a means of formation towards a full life.
Specifically, this teaching serves as protection from the dangers of adultery. The teacher of wisdom emphasized that the fall often stems from a heart that is left captivated and eyes that are unguarded. Adultery is portrayed not just as a moral offense, but as an act that ruins lives, bringing shame, suffering, and even death. Unlike theft which can still be atoned for, the wounds of adultery leave a disgrace that is difficult to erase.
Friends of the Bible, today's devotional invites us to take care of the wisdom we have received. Living in the light is not a life without temptation, but a life that is willing to be constantly guarded. When commandments become lamps and teachings become light, people are enabled to walk the path of life. A path that brings wholeness, constancy, and true peace.
