There were many questions at the beginning of this proverb:  “What does it mean?”, “Is that what Spiritfire is?”, “It says ‘child’ and ‘old’, does that mean ‘middle-aged’ people will leave ‘the way they should go?’”  We spent some time trying to navigate these and others as we examined the seed of wisdom this proverb contained.

 

This proverb has been used over the years to calm the fears of generations of parents who do their best to raise their wayward children ‘in the way’ they should go.  As we have read and witnessed throughout this journey, there are many traps and pitfalls along the paths of this life.  Arming our kids with the discernment they’ll need to traverse these paths is key to gaining wisdom.  The warnings of traveling the path to Folly’s house have been quite clear for those who hear them.  Yes, it is the ‘hope’ and ‘goal’ of Spiritfire to help my children understand the paths, to know where they lead, and to hear what’s been done by Jesus to fulfill them beyond our ability to obey.  This is the Good News Jesus came to give us which makes the ‘old ways’ new, and gives us the hope to be made into new creations according to His work within us, 2 Corinthians 5:17.

 

When we began thinking about Jesus and how He fulfilled this proverb, we saw Him as a youth, Luke 2:40-52.  He was ‘filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was upon Him,’ verse 40.  The explanation Jesus gave to Mary and Joseph mapped out ‘the way He should go’.  It was for Him to be at His Father’s house, the focus, and definition of Wisdom’s house.  This journey led Him to many traps and pitfalls, beginning with Satan’s temptations, Matthew 4:1-11, to His time in the Garden of Gethsemane, Matthew 26:36-56.  We again see Psalm 91:11-12, the very verse Satan used to tempt Jesus with, to show us the battle that was truly being waged, verse. 53.  Though He prayed that this cup of wrath be taken from Him, Matthew 26:39, it was the way in which He was trained to go.  He fulfilled our salvation by not turning from it.