A Family Legacy that Loves Life

Proverbs 13:
2. A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

We have all heard this idiom, but is it true? It is not true in the sense used in this proverb. Your words can make a mess out of your life – they can be the catalyst that causes the stones to fly – or they can be the means for good.

Look at this absolutely wonderful statement from Peter.

“For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.” (1 Peter 3:10-11)

Look at the incentive that Peter sets before us, “love life and see good days.” Doesn’t everyone want that? Here’s how you get it.

“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9)

Now this fruit of our mouth is not just returning good for good, but also good for evil. Our response must always be good, no matter what we are receiving. Now our proverb indicates that those who transgress with their mouth got the opposite results. Why is this true? It is true because we live in a moral universe.

“For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?” (1 Peter 3:12-13)

This is the essence of faith – trusting God and believing his promises. “But wait,” you say, “I see lots of bad things happening to good people and the wicked doing very well for themselves. Where is God and his promises?” Peter addresses this objection and acknowledges that it can happen, but its not the rule.

“But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.” (1 Peter 3:14-16)

Peter even concludes his recognition of our occasional suffering with words of hope, “that they may be ashamed.” Our faithfulness is the means that the Holy Spirit uses to turn their hearts. And this is what it is all about. We also became ashamed when we realized that our evil caused another to suffer. It’s not too much to ask us to endure.

“For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” (1 Peter 3:17-18)

And this is what a Family Legacy is all about – fulfillling our calling and inheriting a blessing.

“Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:9)

A Family Legacy’s Grace of Goodness

Proverbs 12:
2. A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.

The description good man immediately caught my eye and I was reminded of Jesus’ interaction with the Rich Young Ruler.

“And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” (Matthew 19:16-17)

I have heard more than one sermon on this text as an argument that we should call no one good. Also, I have been corrected by others (who have used this as a proof text) when I have called someone good. Has anyone else had this experience? But what do we do with this proverb? Is the good man commended here an impossibility? Does this contradict what Jesus was saying? I don’t think so. Look carefully at what Jesus is being asked, “what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” It becomes obvious that this young man is asking a question about merit. How can I earn eternal life? Jesus’ response sort of goes like this (paraphrasing):

“Since you framed your question in the context of merit, the answer is: everyone fails! You see, in terms of merit, only God qualifies. Now why was it that you called me good? By the way, since you think eternal life can be earned, how are you doing at keeping the commandments?”

The Rich Young Ruler was trying to establish his own righteousness apart from faith. This was a common problem of the Jews.

“For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” (Romans 10:3-4)

The Rich Young Ruler claims to have kept all the commandments from his youth, but he suspects that more is required. Jesus agrees that more is required and gives him one more commandment.

“The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.” (Matthew 19:20-21)

This commandment directed the young man to faith in Jesus – the one thing he lacked – and was very similar to this commandment.

“And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.” (1 John 3:23)

Now this directive from Jesus was not unique to this Rich Young Ruler. Jesus had made the same request of another (probably) rich man and he obeyed without question.

“And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.” (Matthew 9:9)

Matthew was a tax collector, like Zacchaeus, and most likely was also rich.

“And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.” (Luke 19:2)

Matthew left everything and followed Jesus immediately and it looks like all the other disciples did the same thing.

So, when the topic is merit, goodness is impossible among us fallen creatures. But in another context, the context of grace, goodness is possible.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:22-25)

What we are seeking to cultivate in a Family Legacy is the goodness that comes from grace, not from merit.

The Role of Humility in a Family Legacy

Proverbs 11:
2. When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

The contrast here between pride and lowliness or humility is the difference between one who trusts in his own resources and one who trusts in God. This same theme is stated over and over again throughout the Scriptures using different illustrations. One example would be widows.

“Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.” (1 Timothy 5:5)

This widow is identified in the context as someone who has no family – no one at all to care for her – and therefore must trust in God because she has absolutely no resources of her own. This is also why children are used to illustrate this.

“And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:2-4)

Some think that children are used as an example here because they are innocent or they are examples of faith. No, it’s because they are without any resources and dependent and must look to someone else to supply their needs and so exercise faith in another in this way, just like the widow. Now it becomes easier to see why Jesus spoke of the rich as he did.

“For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” (Luke 18:25-27)

The rich tend to trust in and depend on their resources. They also are tempted to compromise their principles if their resources are jeopardized. It is a trap and they are vulnerable. But feeling self-sufficient is not a necessary condition of the rich. Abraham and Job both were very rich (Bill Gates kind of rich) and they are both held up to us in the Scriptures as examples of faith. On the other hand children and widows can be models of wickedness. The examples are intended to communicate this kind of attitude.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)

Being poor in spirit is an attitude of dependence on God. Both Abraham and Job were poor in spirit, even though they were rich. Those who are materially poor are destitute and therefore are presented as a visible illustration of that dependence.

“And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.” (Luke 6:20)

These are synoptic texts and say the same thing – the attitude of dependence is that which is blessed, not the condition of poverty.

This attitude of dependence is essential for the success of your Family Legacy. Did you notice how often this attitude is connected with the Kingdom of God? Linking your Family Legacy to the certain success of the God’s Kingdom will require the cultivation of this attitude of dependence.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)

A Family Legacy Through Sacrificial Service

Proverbs 10:
2. Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.

One highly regarded commentator, who will remain unnamed, says about this proverb:

“The most substantial earthly treasures profit nothing.”

And then he gives these two proof texts.

“Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” (Proverbs 23:4-5)

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:” (Matthew 6:19)

Now, of course, the proof texts he gives are absolutely true, but do they support the conclusion he draws? I don’t think so. We have already noticed this can be said about the advantages of wisdom.

“Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness” (Proverbs 8:18)

Now I would have thought that all legitimate blessings flowing from wisdom could be considered profitable. Or what about this?

“The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.” (Proverbs 10:22)

These verses could be multiplied over and over in both the Old and the New Testament. Can you see how this commentator’s statement actually slanders God? If riches are not profitable, then when God gives them to us they are also valueless. There is no reason for us to thank God for them, because they really are worth nothing – if we were to follow this commentator’s reasoning.

Thankfully there are other ways to interpret this proverb. The contrast being emphasized is between wickedness and righteous. Wickedness is so vain and empty that no amount of money added to it can make its value measure up to righteousness. Conclusion: never sacrifice your integrity and righteousness for money. It’s not worth it.

But what about this commentator’s proof texts? They are both saying the same thing – where are your priorities? If your priority and focus is to be rich, then you are inviting all kinds of temptations and snares. But if your priority is the kingdom of God and his glory through wise sacrificial service to others, then – BINGO! . . .

“The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.” (Proverbs 10:22)

Sacrificial service to others in the service of God and his kingdom is the stuff of which a lasting Family Legacy is made.

Family Legacy Blessings Through Faithfulness

Proverbs 9:
3. She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
4. Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
5. Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
6. Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

Yesterday in chapter 8 we noticed that Wisdom cries out in the public forum. How does she do that? First, she calls out in the creation.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.” (Psalm 19:1-3)

Wisdom speaks in a language that everyone understands, and she speaks so clearly that no one has an excuse for not understanding.

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” (Romans 1:18-20)

But Wisdom also speaks to everyone through the law because the “work of the law,” the conscience, is written on everyone’s heart.

“For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)” (Romans 2:14-15)

How do we know this is true? – Because we observe that people approve what is right and condemn what is wrong – at least in the actions of others. But how do people respond when they themselves do the things that they condemn others for doing? When that happens their conscience shouts to them the goodness of God. How does it do that?

“And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Romans 2:3-4)

An historical example of these principles in operation is when the prophet Nathan confronted King David about his sin with Bathsheba.

“And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him. And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man.” (2 Samuel 12:1-7a)

Notice how Nathan did not teach David any moral principle he didn’t already know. All he did was present a situation that David was ready to quickly condemn and then revealed that he was talking about him. David’s later repentance is recorded in Psalm 51 and it is obvious in that Psalm that it is God’s goodness toward David that brought that repentance.

How can this possibly have any thing to do with building a Family Legacy? Consider this. Wisdom is offering to the simple a bountiful and sumptuous table filled with good things as analogous to getting the good life and understanding. There is no threatening in this context. Sometimes in our attempt to bring up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord we choose the path of provoking them to wrath out of a fear of being permissive, i.e., “The floggings will continue until the attitude improves.” Wisdom’s approach, at least in this context, is to encourage with the promise of blessings through faithfulness.

A Do-It-Yourself Family Legacy – Not!

Proverbs 8:
1. Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
2. She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
3. She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
4. Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.

This is an interesting personification of Wisdom. What is the proverb trying to say by it? I think it is this – Wisdom is not hard to find. It is very public. It can be found everywhere and in everything. This description of Wisdom is very similar to how Moses describes the Law.

“For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;” (Deuteronomy 30:11-15)

Now the similarity is not that Moses is personifying the Law. He is not. The similarity is that like Wisdom the Law is near us. Moses is describing people who speak something like this: “I love the Law so much I would climb the highest mountain or travel around the world to get it.” This person thinks that the proverb we read on February 2nd . . .

“If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;” (Proverbs 2:4)

. . . means that he must perform some kind of heroic “I’ll do it myself” work to gain Wisdom. But it doesn’t mean that at all. It means that we must deny ourselves and submit in faith to God. The entire creation shouts this to us every day just like Wisdom does in our proverb. Then why don’t we do it? – Because of our nature. We are like Pogo said in 1971 (in a different context).

"We have met the enemy and he is us"

When God presents to us his creation, or Wisdom, or the Law, or even the Gospel, our sinful response often is, “Thanks God, but I will do it myself,” or, “Thanks for the tip, God, I can take it from here.” Wrong response. It’s not that the response doesn’t require us to do something, it does. But the required response is faith and faithfulness, not, “I’ll do it myself.” This is the context of Paul’ statement of the Gospel when he quotes the above Deuteronomy text.

“But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;” (Romans 10:6-8)

See the Deuteronomy text really is talking about faith, and to remove all doubt Paul goes on to write this familiar text.

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” (Romans 10:9-11)

So after all this meandering what does this proverb have to do with building a Family Legacy? Simply this. Wisdom, which is so essential for building a Family Legacy is right there shouting at you and calling to you, just like the creation, the law and the Gospel. And it is not calling you to heroic-do-it-your-selfism, but to a faithful embrace of, submission to and obedience to Jesus Christ in his Word.

The Family Legacy’s Protective Wisdom

Proverbs 7:
4. Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:
5. That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.

In these two verses we have the contrast of two kinds of women. The first is a close relative like ones own sister. This woman, because she is of ones own kind and kindred, appeals to our kindness and natural affection. We protect her person and her honor. We value her presence and promote her wellbeing. It is interesting that wisdom is not here compared to ones wife. Why is that? Most likely it is because the person being exhorted and cautioned is not married, but single. He can’t relate to the affections associated with marriage in his own experience, but he does have relatives that he cherishes.

The second woman is just the opposite. He doesn’t really know her. She is a stranger to him but for some reason she has taken an interest in him. She speaks to him. She flatters him. She makes him feel important and increases his sense of self worth, if for no other reason that she notices him. What would his sister or other close relative say if she observed what was happening? She would become indignant and alarmed and warn him against the designs of such a woman. She sees what is going on and the danger to which he seems to be oblivious. How would he respond to his sister/kinswoman’s counsel? This proverb means nothing to the person who does not value and honor his sister. To such, to compare his sister with wisdom would cause him to say, “Huh?” This proverb assumes a natural affection and bond within the family. But there is something else going on here. While it is necessary it is not sufficient to hate and avoid evil, because our fallen nature is prone to feel an attraction even to those things that we hate.

“For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.” (Romans 7:15-20)

If we don’t recognize this battle within us, and our own vulnerabilities, then we are self-deceived. What is necessary is for us to also desire and value that which is good, hence the comparison with ones own sister. This is where a robust Family Legacy that is committed to the Kingdom of God comes in. Your family looks out for your wellbeing and watches your back and you know it and value it and you do the same for them.

A Family Legacy and Self-Government

Proverbs 6:
6. Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
7. Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
8. Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

Here is an interesting admonition. We have already noted in two places (Proverbs 12:1 and 30:2) that a man is considered to be like an animal when he acts without reasonable thought. Here we have the sluggard who not only doesn’t think, he also doesn’t act. The way he lives is worse than the animals and so he is sent to them to learn the importance of acting!

Now we all know that ants don’t think or plan or draw conclusions based on the weather patterns they observe. God created them to do what they do by instinct. Yet the fact that they do them, and their actions are the means for their survival, is an important lesson for us because we can observe and learn and plan. Actions have consequences.

Another interesting observation is that ants are organized into colonies where there is a division of labor, yet they are not directed by a guide, overseer or ruler. Here we are to learn, not that it would be good for us to operate on the basis of instinct, but rather that we need to learn to work on the basis of self-government.

"Men, in a word, must necessarily be controlled either by a power within them or by a power without them; either by the Word of God or by the strong arm of man; either by the Bible or by the bayonet." [Robert Winthrop, Speaker of the U. S. House]

It is not just that we need to show initiative, but that we need to learn to show initiative in doing the right thing. This self-government and self-direction is not only a learned discipline, but it proceeds from a heart and mind directed by God’s Word. This is the parents’ role in building a Family Legacy.

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)

This nurture and admonition of children is for the purpose of maturing them into adults whose self-government is directed by faith in and obedience to the Word of God. This is the stuff of which enduring Family Legacies are made.

A Family Legacy of Discretion

Proverbs 5:
1. My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:
2. That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.

The word discretion [mezimmah], as used here, carries the meaning of “being in charge of ones own decision making, taking responsibility, not impulsive,” such as in: “The decision was left to his own discretion.” In some places this same Hebrew word carries the meaning of evil devices.

“He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous [mezimmah] person.” (Proverbs 24:8)

The word as used in the context of our proverb today does not allow for these negative implications and Webster’s 1828 Dictionary provides a helpful definition of discretion.

“Prudence, or knowledge and prudence; that discernment which enables a person to judge critically of what is correct and proper, united with caution; nice discernment and judgment, directed by circumspection, and primarily regarding one’s own conduct.”

And where does this discernment of good and evil come from? It comes from the Word of God.

“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:12-14)

It is interesting that discernment is so closely connected with maturity, and this is exactly what we are trying to achieve in our Family Legacy, a next generation does not think and act like children, but like mature men and women.

A Multi-Generational Family Legacy

Proverbs 4:
1. Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
2. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
3. For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
4. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.

Isn’t this a beautiful picture of multi-generational instruction? Isn’t this what an enduring Family Legacy is all about – passing wisdom on from one generation to the next? And because it is wisdom being passed on, all the benefits that attend wisdom go with it! Now it may be true that your father did not leave you a legacy of wisdom, but that doesn’t need to stop you from starting now! Perhaps in your distant past there was faithful instruction, but it was totally gone by the time of your father. Do not despair. Hezekiah’s father, Ahaz was a wicked king and yet Hezekiah could reach back to his fore fathers, David and Solomon and resurrect righteousness.

“Now . . . Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah . . . Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign . . . And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did. He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it . . . He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses. And the LORD was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth:” (2 Kings 18:1-7a)

Notice that is was not really David and Solomon to which Hezekiah returned, but rather to faith in the LORD God. This is why you can do it too, from whatever moral condition you find yourself and your family, by faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to his commands, because through the power of his resurrection he makes all things new.

Family Legacy – A Benefit in this Life

Proverbs 3:
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.

A Family Legacy’s Principle of Success

Proverbs 2:
3. Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4. If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5. Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
6. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

These verses are intended to communicate to us the exceeding value of knowledge, understanding and wisdom by comparing it to silver and hidden treasures. This silver and hidden treasure is considered to be so desirable that is to be sought after and searched for. This is not easy to gather low hanging fruit, but rather requires blood, toil, sweat and tears to obtain. But what if a person is so “spiritual” that they do not value silver and hid treasure and would not waste a minute of their time pursuing or preserving either one? To them that’s crass materialism. Well, if they think that, then it would seem that “spiritual” person could not understand what these verses are talking about. If one doesn’t value silver and hidden treasures, how can one value that for which they are the point of comparison?

Think about it. If you are mining silver from the ground, or searching for another kind of hidden treasure, it will take resources, planning, sacrifice, focus, risk and perseverance to be successful. A similar effort is required for obtaining wisdom. You have to apply yourself to the effort. But an interesting thing happens along the way. You find out that your efforts, while necessary, are not sufficient. True wisdom is a gift from God and it begins with the fear of the Lord.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.” (Psalm 111:10)

Do you see how the fear of God and understanding is closely related to obeying his commandments?

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” (Ecclesiates 12:13-14)

And the New Testament says the same thing.

“And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.” (1 John 3:23)

Here is where ones pursuit of an enduring Family Legacy must begin. The message of the Book of Proverbs is that all success in life flows from this principle.

Wisdom – A Family Legacy for Our Children

Proverbs 1:
1. The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
2. To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
3. To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
4. To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

What a wonderful thing to be able to get instruction from one of the wisest men in the world!

“Behold, I [God] have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee [Solomon] a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.” (1 Kings 3:12)

And wisdom is the stuff that makes an enduring Family Legacy. Listen to David’s focused desires for Solomon.

“Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying, I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man; And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself: That the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.” (1 Kings 2:1-4)

“And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.” (1 Chronicles 28:9)

What beautiful counsel from a dying father to his son! And this book of wise proverbs is for us so that we can do the same thing in passing on wisdom to our children for the establishment of an enduring Family Legacy.

The Mother’s Role in a Family Legacy

Proverbs 31:
1. The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
2. What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

Who is this king Lemuel and who is his queen mother? No one knows for sure but the majority of the speculation is that it is Solomon. Solomon did go by more than one name.

“And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him. And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.” (2 Samuel 12:24-25)

Jedidiah means “beloved of the Lord.” It is speculated that Lemuel, which means “for God,” was an endearing childhood nickname used by his mother, Bathsheba. If all this is true (and we don’t know) then several observations can be made. The first observation is that there can be forgiveness and restoration after adultery. Everyone knows the sinful circumstances surrounding Bathsheba becoming David’s wife. Yet she did become his wife and there was repentance and God blessed the union. The queen mother’s reference to her vow is, I think, a reference to her marriage vows and shows her commitment to them. Second, the fact that she calls her son Lemuel, whether it was Solomon or not, indicates that this mother was raising her son “for God.” This is all the more significant if it is Bathsheba and Solomon because it indicates that with repentance, faith towards God and a commitment to obey him, even relationships that began with the sin of adultery can be reclaimed for God to build a Family Legacy.

“ . . . But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:” (Romans 5:20b)

However, those of you who think you can manipulate God through the use of perceived loopholes of grace, do not think, “I need a new wife. God will forgive me and we can have a new beginning.” God has this to say about those who say:

“. . . ‘Let us do evil, that good may come?’ whose damnation is just.” (Romans 3:8)

But even if this is not Solomon and Bathsheba the conclusion still holds. And we can also note how this text underscores the importance of mothers bringing up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. It is not just the father’s task.

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)

Building a Family Legacy is a joint effort between husband and wife. They both are important. But what if the mother is alone in this task either as a single mother or due to a husband “missing in action?” There is still hope and we find the example of this faithfulness and hope in Timothy’s mother.

“When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” (2 Tim 1:5)

“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. “ (2 Tim 3:15-17)

This is what building a Family Legacy is all about – raising men (and women) of God, thoroughly furnished unto every good work.

A Family Legacy Out of the Depths

Proverbs 30:
1. The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,
2. Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man.
3. I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.

The last two chapters of the Book of Proverbs are considered to be appendices because they are wise sayings by someone other than Solomon. Who are Agur, Ithiel and Ucal? No one knows, but we are presented with an instructor, Agur, teaching his two students, even if we don’t know their precise relationship. The surprising thing is that the instructor claims to have no wisdom or knowledge or understanding. But this is what qualifies one to be a teacher! What could he possibly mean? In fact, he compares himself to brute beasts, implying that he is not capable of being instructed either. This beastliness was discussed somewhat in Proverbs 12:1. We seem (to me) to have a situation where a teacher, even a wise man, has been brought low. Perhaps he has been made aware of his own moral failures before the face of a holy God, like Isaiah.

“Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.” (Isaiah 6:5)

Or perhaps he has been brought low by distressing circumstances, and struggles to understand God’s ways and purposes, like Job. Here is how God responds to Job’s questioning spirit.

"Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.” (Job 38:1-4)

God goes on for another 65 verses asking Job these “who do you think you are?” and "what do you know?” kinds of questions (very similar to Proverbs 30:4) and finally concludes with this.

“Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.” (Job 40:2)

And Job answers in a manner similar to Isaiah.

“Then Job answered the LORD, and said, Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.” (Job 40:3-5)

There are times when we are brought low due to our sins or circumstances or both, and we are emptied of any sense of our value or worth or that we have anything to show for our time spent on earth. All our hopes and dreams are shattered and the world is crumbling down around us. When that happens we have to do what Agur, Isaiah, Job and David did.

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” (the text is similar in Psalm 42:5,11 and 43:5)

Many of the Psalms are written this way. The Psalmist begins with distress and complaints and through the process of his praying by the end of the Psalm he is strengthened in his faith and hope in God.

And this is how this helps us in building a Family Legacy. Perhaps you think that none of what has been written on this blog for the past month applies to you. You feel your Family Legacy has been destroyed even to the point that everyone close to you hates you. Do not despair! There still can be a Family Legacy for you. Hope in God! He is the God of covenant promises, of hope and of new beginnings, because he is the God of resurrection. He brings life back from the dead by the work of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.

“I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” (Psalm 27:13)

Believe it and act on that belief!

The Family Legacy and Reproof

Proverbs 29:
1. He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

Here is a good verse for a hell-fire and brimstone preacher, and the examples of the hardened neck and the resultant destruction are many in Scripture. Imagine those outside Noah’s ark, struggling to get in when the waters began to rise, but unable to do so because the door was shut. Or Pharaoh, who with each successive plague, did not repent, but hardened his heart until he was finally drowned in the Red Sea. Or Ahab killed by an arrow drawn at a venture, or Judas Iscariot, who “went to his own place.” Many preachers might like to use these as examples that support this saying:

“The floggings will continue until the attitude improves.”

But I would like to go in a different direction – a direction described by this verse.

“Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Romans 2:4)

In reality it is the realization and hope of God’s goodness that brings repentance.

There is the story about a Methodist church in the early 19th century whose minister died and they requested of the Bishop a hell-fire and brimstone preacher to replace him. So he sent them one, but he only lasted nine months and left. So the Bishop sent them a second hell-fire and brimstone preacher and in even less time he was asked to leave. So the Bishop sent them a third hell-fire and brimstone preacher and he stayed there 30 years. In the Bishop’s later life he was conversing with one of the older parishioners, and he asked, “Why did you reject the first two preachers but not the third? They were all hell-fire and brimstone preachers.” “Well,” replied the parishioner, “The third preacher preached as though he didn’t want us to go there.”

A striking illustration in Scripture of how the realization and hope of God’s goodness brings repentance is found in the story of Jonah. Jonah ran away from God’s command to preach against Nineveh, was swallowed by a fish, coughed up on shore and then decided to obey God and go to Nineveh and preach against it.

“And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.” (Jonah 3:4)

Where is the grace in this preaching? Jonah says in 40 days you will be toast, no ifs, ands or buts. But how did Nineveh respond?

“So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. And [the king proclaimed], Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water: But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.” (Jonah 3:5,7-8)

Now what made the people of Nineveh think that all this would change anything about Jonah’s prophetic preaching? This is what they thought.

“Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?” (Jonah 3:9)

Even though there is no record of grace in Jonah’s preaching, the people of Nineveh dared to believe that God was merciful and compassionate and they responded accordingly with this result.

“And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.” (Jonah 3:10)

It is a remarkable thing that the people of Nineveh responded with an expectation of God’s mercy, but many today who name the name of Christ think hard thoughts against God.

So what does this have to do with a Family Legacy? Much every way. The point is not to give license to ministers to preach graceless sermons, but rather to encourage all of us to see God’s grace and goodness in everything.

“Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;” (Deuteronomy 7:9)

God is the God of Family Legacies to 1000 generations. Embrace it, labor for it and dare to believe that God will bless you with it.

Building a Lion-Hearted Family Legacy

Proverbs 28:
1. The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

The story goes that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle claimed he once sent five or so important people a telegram reading "ALL IS DISCOVERED - FLEE AT ONCE." According to Doyle, they all fled the country by the end of the week. [I have not been able to verify the truth of this story. A similar story is attributed to Mark Twain. If anyone can help confirm this, please let me know.]

The above story, even if not true, is funny and illustrates at least the first half of this proverb. This is what happens when the conscience brings guilt to people by applying the work of the law written on their heart.

“For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)” (Romans 2:14-15)

Now it is important to note a distinction. All men have "the work of the law” written on their hearts – which we call the conscience. But some have more – they have the law written in their heart.” There is an importance difference.

“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:” (Hebrews 8:10)

These are those who have been joined to Jesus Christ by faith. Now are these who have the law written in their heart the same as the righteous in the last half of the proverb? Unfortunately – No. How can that be? It happens because not everyone who has been joined to Jesus Christ by faith always lives with a clear conscience and blameless life. Does this mean that we have to attain sinless perfection to be the righteousness and have the resultant boldness described in this proverb? No. The simplest way to describe what is required is found here.

“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:5-11)

Now you can see that the person who is joined to Jesus Christ by faith has much that needs to be added to that faith for him to attain the righteousness, assurance and boldness described in this proverb. And this is a perfect process outlined and goal identified for every one to pursue in building a thriving, robust and lion-hearted Family Legacy.

The Family Legacy and Mortality

Proverbs 27:
1. Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

An insightful variation of this verse goes like this.

“It is better to boast when you are taking your armor off, than when you are putting it on.”

The insight is not that in some circumstances it is okay to boast but rather that boasting always has the future in view. Even when one boasts about past exploits, it is always with the intent of, "Watch what I'll do next." "Has beens" don't boast in this sense, they reminisce - "those were the days."

James quotes this verse in his letter and provides a helpful application and commentary.

“Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.” (James 4:13-14)

There are three important points to be discussed here. The first one is boasting. This is a person who is full of himself. He feels invincible, in total control and that nothing can go wrong or stop with his plans. His thinking makes him arrogant and this attitude is at the root of all boasting.

The second important point is the future. This is what he boasts about, what he will do in the future. Many people, to caution themselves about boasting about their knowledge of the future will, add this phrase to what they say, “If the Lord will, I will do this or that . . .” They seem to think that they will be doing something tomorrow. They plan A, but if that is not in God’s will then they will do something else - whatever God plans. But the real emphasis in this verse is a little different. It is, “If the Lord will, I will live . . .” The emphasis is on whether there will be a tomorrow for them at all, not on what they will be doing. The person speaking assumes he will be alive. God says he assumes too much.

The third point is that we are mortal and life is uncertain and brief. The older you get the shorter 70 to 80 years seems to be. We will all die and we do not know when. It is important for us to always be aware of this.

“It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.” (Ecclesiastes 7:2)

This is especially important for young people who tend to be blissfully unaware of their own mortality and therefore do foolish things.

“Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.” (Ecclesiastes 11:9)

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” (Hebrews 9:27)

Now the point of this proverb is not to be morbid, but to be realistic. This realism should produce thankfulness and rejoicing in every day and all the gifts that God gives us.

“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)

This proverb becomes a wake-up call for building a Family Legacy. We will not live forever, in fact our lives are very short. Therefore we need to be diligent in raising our children to carry on a Family Legacy whose priority is the building the kingdom of God.

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)

A Family Legacy is an Honorable Reward

Proverbs 26:
1. As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.

After the Great Noahic Flood God gave this promise to Noah and set the rainbow in the sky as a token of his covenant.

“While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” (Genesis 8:22)

We all notice that snow in summer and rain in the fall is uncommon and not what we expect. Because of the regularity of the seasons we plan our work around them and the productivity of our crops depends on hot sunny summers with rain at the right time and dryness in the fall so that crops can be harvested. Deviations from these cycles tend to reduce the crop yield. It is detrimental to our prosperity.

It is very similar with the fool. We don’t expect him to be honored. Also, a fool can be detrimental to our prosperity. If we want a job done well we don’t ask a fool to do it.

“The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.” (Ecclesiates 10:15)

It is a painful and exhausting experience to depend on a fool to complete a task when he is clueless.

As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.” (Proverbs 10:26)

But more and more we see this kind of incompetence everywhere, even in high places. When people who have accomplished nothing exceptional are given honor, or worse, when they receive the honor through fraud, everyone scornfully notices the inappropriateness. This misappropriation of honor is partly due to a false view of self-image and self-esteem that teaches we should be rewarded just because we exist. The Scripture does teach the principle of rejoicing in ones self, but it is based on proving ones own work.

“For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.” (Galatians 6:3-4)

When we honor foolishness we cause the foolish to think they’re hot stuff and we get more of the kind of behavior we reward.

On the other hand some people think the humble approach is to not desire rewards, but one of the important characteristics of faith is that it pursues and expects a reward.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

In fact, God would be unrighteous if he did not reward us.

“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” (Hebrews 6:10)

Now many people get confused and think that if God rewards us according to our works then we must earn and merit those rewards. No, that is not true. While there is a relationship between our rewards and our faithfulness in what we do, that relationship is not one of merit. Whatever rewards we receive are a gracious gift from God.

“For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” (1 Corinthians 4:7)

Therefore while we strive and sweat and work and we can rejoice in our work, yet the glory goes to God who is working in and through us.

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13)

And how does this apply to a Family Legacy? Simply this. A Family Legacy is an honorable thing, but it is the result of the application of wisdom and diligence with perseverance carried forward by hope and the expectation of reward.

A Family Legacy Stands on Wisdom’s Shoulders

Proverbs 25:
1. These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

Here is what appears to be only a historical statement. Can we gain any insight from it concerning an enduring Family Legacy? Yes we can. Hezekiah was a descendent of Solomon. Solomon’s proverbs were part of his legacy to Hezekiah, but many of these proverbs, beginning in this chapter, were not made available to the people until almost 300 years later under Hezekiah. In fact, Hezekiah was responsible for a major reformation in Judah after his wicked father, Ahaz, died.

“Now . . . Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah . . . Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign . . . And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did. He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it . . . He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses. And the LORD was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth:” (2 Kings 18:1-7a)

Hezekiah’s reformation was based on restoring and obeying the Word of God. This is why it was important to him to make these proverbs of Solomon known. Perhaps you have heard that a midget can see farther than a giant when he stands on the shoulders of the giant. Even so we can see farther than our fathers when we stand on their shoulders. But what do we do when our fathers are not godly, as in Hezekiah’s case? We must stand on the word of God like Hezekiah. But what do we do when we have a godly father like David? We must still stand on the word of God and not our father’s wisdom. Here is what David himself said.

“I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.” (Psalm 119:99)

Does this mean David disregarded the teaching of his father and teachers? No. But if they were wise teachers they directed him to God’s word, just like Solomon did.

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

So here is the foundation for a continuing Family Legacy. We must stand on the shoulders of God’s Wisdom, His Word.