Obstinate Youth

A fool despiseth his father's instruction, but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. --Proverbs 15:5

Alas! we cannot wonder at this folly. Remember the birth of the fool, "as a wild ass's colt" (Job 11:12), despising discipline and restraint. Yet subjection to parents is the law of nature, recognized by the most uncivilized nations. Much more is it the law of God. The authority of parents is the authority of God. 'The wayward resistance of the ungodly will be fearfully scourged.' (1 Sam. 2:22-25.) And even the Christian penitent has felt the smart of the rod to the end of life. If example would put this folly to shame, do we not read of the One child, able to teach, yea to command, his parents, who yet exhibited the lovely pattern of filial subjection? But pride must be broken down, and the "clothing of humility" worn (1 Pet. 5:5), before the child will see that his parents know better than himself, and that to count their word law--to "bear the yoke in his youth" (Lam. 3:27),--and to regard reproof, is the path of prudence (Proverbs 15:31-32; 19:20), no less than of honour. (Proverbs 13:18.) Solomon's wisdom, though the special gift of God, was doubtless connected with his filial regard to his father's instruction. (1 Chron. 22:11-13; 28:9,20.) Will those, who despise their earthly father's instruction, listen to their Heavenly Father? How surely therefore will this untractable spirit exclude from the Kingdom of God!

-- Charles Bridges, Proverbs, 1846