Proverbs 13:22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. What so interesting as children? Children are pledges of mutual and hallowed affection. Love to children is the source of numberless and unutterable hopes and fears, and pains and pleasures. It is the emblem of Divine compassion. "As a father pitieth his children." If parents are affected by the condition of children, children are affected by the conduct of parents. We constantly see children, in ways innumerable, suffering for the vices of their ancestors. The fact is undeniable; and deism has to encounter the same difficulty with revelation. Religion is no more chargeable with it than the course of nature. On the other hand, goodness operates powerfully and beneficially in descent. In the text we have a godly father entailing blessings on his family. I. THE CHARACTER IN QUESTION IS A GOOD MAN. None are good perfectly; none are good naturally; some are saved, and God has begun a good work on them. This is the origin of the character; but what are the features of it? 1. In a good man we must have piety. 2. We must have sincerity. 3. We must have uniformity. 4. We must have benevolence and beneficence. II. SUCH A GOOD MAN MAY BE FOUND IN CONNECTED LIFE. His religion will improve all those views and feelings that tend to make him social and useful. The Scripture knows nothing of any pre-eminence attaching to celibacy. Though the subject is spoken of in reference to the man, the woman is by no means excluded. To a family, a good mother, no less than a good father, is an invaluable blessing. III. EXAMINE WHAT THE INHERITANCE IS which a good man leaves to his offspring. 1. It comprehends religious instructions. 2. Pious example. 3. It takes in believing prayers. 4. It consists of sanctified substance. 5. The death of a good man is another part of this inheritance. 6. God bears a regard to the descendants of His followers. (William Jay.) Parallel Verses KJV: A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. |
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