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Parenting by the Book

Proverbs   Study
Study 251

STUDY 251

Text: Proverbs 20
16 April 2006

Dear Parents,

GLORY AND SPLENDOUR
The words “glory” and “splendour” are virtually synonyms in the following text.

The glory of young men is their strength,
And the splendour of old men is their gray head.

Proverbs 20:29

1. A delicate balance

The young and the old have different things to glory in. It would be a tragic mistake to fail to distinguish the difference between the two.

2. Strength as glory

a) Natural strength

The text focuses on the natural strength that youth possesses. Children do not possess this strength. Older people do not possess the same measure of strength as the young.

b) The exuberance of youth

It is always amazing to see how the young seem to possess boundless energy. The next time we look at the young, instead of wishing that they would be more sedate, we must learn to glory in the strength that God has endowed young people.

3. Gray head

This phrase is a reference to those who have reached fullness of age and maturity. In order to appreciate this text better, it would be good to consider other texts.

The silver-haired head is a crown of glory,
If it is found in the way of righteousness.

Proverbs 16:31

He asked life from You,
And You gave it to him-
Length of days forever and ever.

Psalm 21:4

a) Age as a general blessing from God

The length of life that one possesses must never be despised. It is one of the indications of the Lord’s blessings.

b) Age – as a specific blessing from God

The text from Psalm 21 suggests that long life is an answer from God to prayers offered. If so, then long life must not be taken for granted at all.

The gray headed are to be seen as “splendour” or “glory”!

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie

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