Who Kept the Instructions?

For Tuesday, June 17, 2005
Proverbs 10:17

Whoever keeps instruction is a path to life
but whoever abandons correction leads astray

One of the great blessings of life in covenant with God is that each generation trains and nurtures the next. We're not set loose in the world to make our own way, but receive the instruction and teaching of those who have gone before us, and have committed themselves to following God.

Sanctification proceeds within an individuals life, as he lives out more and more the definitive death and break with sin he has received by faith. But as he does so, he also can instruct his children from a position of progressive sanctification. In this way generations and nations may receive the promises of discipleship and sanctification in a way analogous to that of individuals.

But we model our rebellions and downfalls to the subsequent generations as well. None keep God's instruction pure, and generations will be led astray in some ways, though perhaps not others.

Jesus, though, learned from not only his sinful mother and adopted father, but from his heavenly Father. He modeled his life on the instruction he received though the scriptures, observing the work his Father had wrought in Israel as much as he observed Joseph working at his carpentry. He fulfilled them faithfully as none had ever fulfilled them before. In so doing, he becomes a path of life for his disciples who have received his teaching along with his whole way of life. As he learned obedience though the things he suffered, we fix our eyes on him, the author and finisher of our faith.

(translation from Bruce Waltke Book Of Proverbs: Chapters 1-15 (NICOT))