Searching for Proverbs 10:1 meaning? Here’s a commentary on what the passage means, along with application and appropriate prayer.
Introduction
Before getting into the meaning of Proverbs 10:1, here’s different Bible translations:
King James Version
The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
American Standard Version
The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father; But a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
World English Bible version
The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.
Proverbs 10:1 Meaning & Commentary
All of us are a son or daughter in life – We all have earthly parents, otherwise, we would not be here today.
Now, our backgrounds may differ, and the relationships we have with our earthly mothers and fathers. Whatever our reality, there is a deep-seated desire inside us to make our parents “proud” in life. Now, if we switch this around, what emotions do you go through when your child does well and pleases you if you are a parent?
Likewise, what emotions do you go through when your child displeases you? As Christians, we know that God is our earthly father, as The Bible illustrates numerous times, such as in 2 Corinthians 6:18 – and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty (ESV).
Throughout scripture, we often see Jesus Christ referencing his relationship with his heavenly father – John 14:31 – but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father…..(ESV). It is evident that Jesus Christ loved His Father, and His heavenly Father loved him. The Bible declares that God The Father was well-pleased with Jesus Christ – Matthew 3:17 – and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”(ESV).
What is interesting to note is that this was before Jesus Christ had performed any recorded miracles! He simply had fellowship with His Father and was obedient in the seemingly insignificant day-to-day matters of life. You see, God The Father is more interested in who we are becoming, rather than what we are doing.
A person who loves God and walks in fellowship with him will want to please him and do His will, as we see from our example Jesus, yet again – John 6:38 – For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. So then, Jesus’ love for God The Father is what compelled him to do his will.
Application
What then is the practical application of Proverbs 10:1?
Firstly, fix your eyes on Jesus Christ, our great example whose love for God The Father should inspire us to pursue the same kind of walk with God. Know for certain that God’s love for you is unchanging, and simply receive it, through Jesus Christ – Isaiah 54:10 – For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you….(ESV).
Now, as we pursue God’s purpose for our lives and walk in Wisdom, we can rest assured that God will be well-pleased with us. Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge well. So then, as believers, we know God’s Word, his will and his desires for us.
We then have a responsibility to walk in Wisdom and live His Word out! Foolishness can be likened to the man who built his house on sand – Matthew 7:26-27 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash (ESV).
This is one acts foolishly – Someone hears the word of God but does not apply it to his life. Such as person will cause ruin to come to their lives, and thereby bring great sorrow to their father and mother, as well as to God himself! We need to focus on building our relationship with God and applying his Word in our lives. This will cause us to walk in Wisdom and be well-pleasing to our Father.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus, and I thank you for your Word which teaches me about right living. I ask that you help me to apply it to my life, so that I may be a wise son who builds my life upon The Rock, not like the son who builds his life on the sand.
In doing this, I know that I will be a good son and well-pleasing to you. I ask that you help me to apply your Word where it may be difficult to do so, as I desire to be counted as a good son or daughter in your Kingdom. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen!
