A Lamp's Light

"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. For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life, to preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress" (Proverbs 6:22-24).

The threefold benefit of the father's commandments are laid out in today's passage. The promise is given regarding the guidance, protection, and instruction provided by his teaching. The result of embracing the teaching of the father is that one is led in the right direction while active, protected while at rest, and instructed while alert and listening.

All of this comes from the illumination of truth. The commands of God, delivered through one's parents, are a lamp for one's journey. Even when we are corrected by God's Word, we are not to shrink back. We are told that "reproofs of discipline" are the way of life.

Again, the warning to listen, discern, and obey instruction is tied to sexual purity. The illuminating truth offered by the father is contrasted by the "smooth tongue" of the adulteress. It once again comes down to which voice we choose to listen. One voice leads to life and the other to destruction. One voice is a voice of "light" while the other is of darkness. We must choose carefully which voice we listen to every moment of every day.