Series: Inspired
Proverbs 6:20-22 ESV
Wise King Solomon wrote most of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, some Psalms, and Song of Solomon. Proverbs 6 is attributed to Solomon.
In Proverbs 6:20-22 we are told, “My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching.
Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck.
When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.”
Wise words. Keep your father’s commandment. Forsake not your Mother.
The funny thing about aging is that the older I get, the more I wish I could remember things I was told as a child.
My da loved scripture.
I did not get his raggedy old Bible when he passed away and I don’t believe my Mother has it either. I do not know who claimed it, but if I would have had a choice it would be my most prized possession of everything he owned.
That’s because he spent more time reading that Bible than anything else.
For most of his adult life (40 years) he read that Bible every day, several times a day.
He believed it was the Word of God given to people who listened well.
In Seminary we studied holdings of old or original text books or even fragments. We even had the opportunity to see fragments of text that were part of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Most date back to the 3rd Century B.C.E. to the 2nd Century A.D. and the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in 11 caves near Qumran.
The first manuscripts were found by a shepherd boy in 1947. Other manuscripts were found in the 1950’s to 1960’s in the caves.
Even before I saw the manuscripts I believed scripture was ancient and God breathed.
Scripture was written by those who were Inspired by God to write.
I believed that even as a young child.
Today’s scripture in Proverbs 6 was written by Solomon, but he wrote words he was inspired to write.
When Solomon wrote, “keep your father’s commandment” and “forsake not your mother’s teaching” he was referring to honoring the words of father and mother. Many believe the reference is pointing to purity of the heart and body. In other words, keep God close to your heart and remember the words you were taught as a child. I was taught the writers were inspired to write.
Because my da held the Word of God close to his heart, and he quoted it often as an example, the father’s commandment makes perfect sense to me. I knew by the time I was old enough to have my own Bible Book that it was a very special book unlike any other book.
Binding the inspired Word of God on my heart was a very real ‘thing’ in my house growing up and it became a very real thing to my children.
Now let’s get to the heart of the inspiration part, because in my estimation that’s where the rubber meets the road.
Even if you did not grow up with a Bible in your home, or have really never studied a Bible a lot, the truth about God speaking to you through scripture is real.
Even if you do not really believe it’s true…it’s real.
Even if you are a skeptic, it’s real and that’s because the inspiration and validity of scripture is not your responsibility.
The ball is in God’s court.
If you are extremely skeptical, that’s okay.
Find a Bible.
It does not matter what version you find.
The Bible can be old or new.
You can choose to read from the Old or the New Testament.
Here’s what I suggest. Sit in a comfortable position. Some people say you need to sit straight with your feet on the ground. I do not. Sit, or lie down any way you choose. Open the Bible. Ask God to direct you to a scripture.
Then listen or pay attention to the nudge to read some portion of scripture.
Pay attention to a still small voice from within.
Some people hear and are led to a specific book and place. Others have a feeling. Remember that God speaks in myriad of ways and every person is different.
Just listen.
Then read the words you are led to read.
Tie them around your neck.
Take those words with you wherever you walk.
Hold them in your heart and listen.
Let the Spirit of the Almighty God lead you, watch over you, and guide you.
Let God hold you.
Spiritual Practice: Listen
Listen for the still small voice in scripture.
In God, Deborah