In The Red Letters

What does Proverbs 22:6 mean?  In my KJV Bible it states: Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.  The difference between English and `Ibriy, pronounced ib-ree' (Hebrew) often amazes me.  In `Ibriy (Hebrew) the verse states: (read right to left) ×àÚ Üàâè âÜ-äÙ ÓèÛÕ ÒÝ ÛÙ-ÙÖçÙß ÜÐ-ÙáÕè ÞÞàÔ - Dedicate (chanak as in Chanukah) to the youth on the bidding of the way of him even that as he is growing old he shall not withdraw (turn aside) from it.  One difference, in `Ibriy it actually instructs us to dedicate (train up) a child in "his way."

Most of us, when we read Prov 22:6, think it teaches us that if we train up our children in the ways of Elohim (God), i.e. accepting Yeshua (Jesus) as their Savior, living a Godly moral life, etc. that when they are adults they will automatically live a "good Christian" life.   That's partially true, we are to teach them of Yahweh (the LORD), His Way, His Word and how He wants them to live, but that is not exactly what the verse teaches us as we see from the original text.  Some examples of this not being the case is evident by some notorious people from past and present.  Charles Darwin (chieftain in evilution teaching in our public school system), Karl Marx founder of Communism, Alice Cooper (Rock musician who took his name from a witch), Marilyn Manson (Satanic musician), and others.  And look at the behavior of many children being raised in "Christian" homes.  Many are just as pagan and sexually active as, well, pagans.

I've discovered, over the last sixteen years of diligently seeking Yahweh's help in prayer for raising my own two children, that He has been doing what the verse states.  Since He has done it in me, I know many of you have learned the same thing from Him.  Even though I had no idea until a few months ago how this verse is written in `Ibriy.  I had been trying to raise them according to the typical Christian doctrine as stated above, but knew in my soul there was more to raising His children then what I at the time knew the verse to mean.  I know Elohim (God) created each and everyone of us for a particular reason.  He created us, them, for something unique.  I also knew it was my responsibility, and privilege, to search out the matter (Pro 25:2).

So what does it mean to train them up in their way?  Well, as my daughter Sara so often states when I ask her what a verse means, "exactly what it says."  This verse teaches us to dedicate our children in their way.  As in what has Elohim put inside of them which He wants to come out, what they were made for.  Allow me to share a small portion of my experience with my own two daughters.

First, my gifted honored firstborn, Kyni bat Elyon (daughter of the Most High God).  I've know since she was about three that she was created to be a comforter, through words, actions and song.  It is something she has always naturally done.  Like most children, she has showed different levels of rebellion (how about them teen years - :|), both to us her parents, and to Elohim.  I knew that this, if left unchecked, would harden her heart.  The result would be her being of no heavenly good to others in comforting them in a holy way.  Remember, the gifts and calling of Elohim are without repentance (Rom 11:29).  He doesn't take it back, but He does desire we use them for His glory, not carnally in a hellish selfish way.  It's up to us to observe them,  ask-seek-and knock, so we know what "their way" is.  For this reason I've gotten onto her rather quickly throughout her life to help her prevent her heart from hardening.  To her it has seemed as though I'm stricter on her than on her younger sister.  I'm not denying that either.  We tend to be more strict on the firstborn.  Our "learning" child.  As they grow, we grow.  But the foundational reason has been to dedicate her to Adonai (the Lord) in her way, her gifting, her calling, placed in her by Him.  She's almost an adult now, legally she is, and I can see the seeds of prayer growing into fruition in her.  Now it's up to her to be responsible with the gifts and calling Elohim has placed inside of her.  She is blessed with a voice to match the gifting of her spirit, to worship Eloheynu (our God).  Though she gets very nervous singing publicly we have tried to encourage her over the years to focus on Who she is singing too, not the humans listening.  She's getting there.  One day she'll be there.  I know the foundation is laid, which will stand as she "grows old."

With Sara, my gifted princess from El Hay (The Living God) I've had to do the same thing as far as prayer.  Sara was created for an entirely different reason than her sister.  It has been very difficult for me balancing between not quenching her bold attitude, which she will need in life for her calling, and letting her "get away" with too much.  Plus, she's the baby.  Not a baby, but the baby, growing into a lovely young woman.  Sara will have to stand, no matter what others think, say, or feel, in obedience to her calling.  But she, like us all, has a rebellious attitude which could ruin her if allowed to go too far.  She too has been blessed with a wonderful voice, so Kyni tells me-she won't sing for me :( but I believe it.  She also has taught herself to play piano wonderfully, can learn any instrument she gets her hands on, and is incredibly artistic.  But, all these gifts in her will not glorify Yahweh (the LORD), if she is not trained in the importance of them and putting them to use throughout her daily life.  It's up to us, her parents, to mine these treasures.  We still have a couple of years together with her.  I see the seeds of prayer growing in her as well.

It's up to each parent, especially us fathers, to seek out Elohim on behalf of our children.  To learn of our children, discover what it is they are gifted with, and then mine baby mine.  Bring out the gold.  They truly were made for a reason.  If we help them grow in their way, they will walk in their way well into their old age.  In doing so they will walk in His Way, The Way.  Something I try to keep in mind is this;  I'm not only raising them as children, but as adults, as wives, as mothers and eventually grandmothers.  I'm not as nearly concerned with their now as I am with their entire lives.  What will be our response at the Judgement Seat of Messiah on how we raised His children if we don't do our part in bringing out the gold He's planted inside them.

All this needs to be done, without leaving the other undone.  It is still our responsibility to also teach them of Yahweh's love (Yochanan - John 3:16) for them,  To KNOW Yeshua, and grow in their relationship with Him.  Knowing the Word of Yahweh and following it's precepts.  What an awesome honor it is to make Talmidim (Disciples) of Messiah out of our own children.  So train them up parents, in their way, in His way, in The Way.  Dig deep, plant deep, the seeds will always remain.  Elohim will continue to build upon it... well into their old age.