1. My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
2. For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
One of the aspects of obedience that many overlook is that it has benefits in this life. Too often the primary reasons we give for obeying is, “It is the right thing to do,” or “Because I said so.” These are not the kind of reasons given in this proverb. The reasons given for obeying, not just outwardly, but from the heart, are things that everyone desires: length of days, long life and peace. This theme is repeated throughout the Book of Proverbs
“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding . . . Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.” (Proverbs 3:13,16-18)Look at this list: happiness, long life, riches, honor, pleasant experiences and peace. These are things that even the wicked desire and seek and often people like us criticize and condemn them for it. But if obedience is the way for the wicked to get the very things they desire, why don’t they obey? - Because they don’t believe it. They believe these benefits come by the exercise of power. The odd thing is that often we don’t believe it either, and this is revealed when we are embarrassed to express any desire for riches and honor. But the Book of Proverbs is not embarrassed to identify these things as desirable and even use them as incentives for doing the right thing. We should too. This is an important way to encourage our children to do the right thing and to encourage them in building a Family Legacy. An enduring Family Legacy is one of those benefits of obedience that is experienced in this life.
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