“As a wise father, Solomon gives instruction to his son. God never intended young people to be independent of their parents. He provides ‘the father’s commandment’ and ‘the law of the mother,’ as a lamp to guide the path of the child, because sinful nature is bound to follow a destructive course in the pursuit of self-gratification. Once, again, Solomon illustrates the danger of following a self-seeking course with the lure of the evil woman-not because there were no other sins to which the foolishness of youth might lead-but because these seductions of the flesh best represent the proneness of the heart to stray from faithfulness to God.
The relationship between parents and children, like that between husband and wife, is a reflection of man’s relationship to God. The commandments of God, like those of earthly parents, are designed to protect His children from their natural tendency to follow the sensual desires of the flesh, resulting ultimately in their destruction. The value of heeding God’s counsel and taking hold of His instruction is tied to a long-term perspective: ‘that you may be wise in your latter end’ (Pro. 19:20).
The natural bent of the heart is to seek immediate gratification without considering the long-term consequences, but God would have His people to ‘consider the latter end’ and realize the value of humble submission to His commands. ‘There are many devices in a man’s heart,’ says Solomon- no lack of imaginations and purposes designed to satisfy his desire for personal fulfillment -but ‘the counsel of the Lord-that will stand’ (Pro. 19:21).
In worship, as in every other area of life, the imaginations in the heart of men constantly seek expression in order to gain a sense of personal fulfillment. To follow them is to surrender to the lure of spiritual adultery, which brings with it many consequences. Not the least of these is the kindling of God’s wrath, for the offense given to Him by our unfaithfulness. Far better to subdue the raging appetite for short-term gratification, recognize the protective design of God’s commandments, and hold fast to the counsel of the Lord, which stands forever.” (Comin, 198-199)
