Topical Bible: Wicked Children with Regard to Parents: Bring Reproach on Them

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, the relationship between children and their parents is of paramount importance, with a strong emphasis on honor, obedience, and respect. However, when children act wickedly, they not only stray from these principles but also bring shame and reproach upon their parents. This theme is recurrent throughout the Scriptures, highlighting the societal and familial consequences of such behavior.

Proverbs and Wisdom Literature

The Book of Proverbs, a key source of wisdom literature in the Bible, frequently addresses the impact of a child's behavior on their parents. Proverbs 10:1 states, "A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother." This verse underscores the dichotomy between wisdom and folly, illustrating how a child's actions can either uplift or burden their parents.

Similarly, Proverbs 17:25 declares, "A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him." The use of the terms "grief" and "bitterness" conveys the deep emotional pain and public disgrace that parents endure due to the misconduct of their children.

The Law and Parental Authority

The Mosaic Law also addresses the issue of rebellious children, emphasizing the gravity of such behavior. Deuteronomy 21:18-21 outlines the procedure for dealing with a stubborn and rebellious son who refuses to obey his parents. The passage describes how the parents are to bring the son before the elders of the city, and if found guilty, the son is to be stoned to death. While this law may seem severe, it reflects the seriousness with which the community viewed the dishonor brought upon parents by a rebellious child.

New Testament Insights

The New Testament continues to affirm the importance of honoring one's parents. Ephesians 6:1-3 instructs, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother' (which is the first commandment with a promise), 'so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.'" This passage reiterates the commandment from the Old Testament, linking obedience to parental honor with divine blessing.

Cultural and Familial Implications

In biblical times, the family unit was the cornerstone of society, and the actions of children had far-reaching implications. A child's wickedness could tarnish the family's reputation, disrupt social harmony, and even affect the family's standing within the community. The biblical narrative often portrays the family as a reflection of God's covenant relationship with His people, and thus, the behavior of children was seen as a reflection of the family's spiritual health.

Examples from Scripture

Several biblical narratives illustrate the consequences of wicked children bringing reproach upon their parents. The account of Eli and his sons, Hophni and Phinehas, in 1 Samuel 2:12-17, serves as a poignant example. Eli's sons, who were priests, acted wickedly by desecrating the sacrifices and exploiting their position, ultimately leading to their downfall and bringing disgrace upon their father and the priesthood.

Another example is found in the account of Absalom, the son of King David. Absalom's rebellion against his father, as detailed in 2 Samuel 15-18, not only brought turmoil to David's household but also threatened the stability of the entire kingdom.

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on wicked children and their impact on parents is clear: such behavior is not only a personal failing but also a source of shame and reproach for the family. The Scriptures consistently call for children to honor and obey their parents, reflecting the broader divine order and the importance of maintaining familial and societal harmony.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 19:26
He that wastes his father, and chases away his mother, is a son that causes shame, and brings reproach.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

They Shall be Called the Children of God
... in regard of vision, but not in regard of union ... Reproach works for good to God's
children; it increases ... God lets the wicked dung his people with reproaches and ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/19 they shall be called.htm

Home-Education.
... think that education will unfit their children for industry ... They regard mental culture
as an enemy to both ... to keep the mind in ignorance lest it become wicked. ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xvi home-education.htm

The Lord's Day --The Worship of the Apostolic Church --Its ...
... by the husband, else were your children unclean, but ... put away from among yourselves
that wicked person." [223:6 ... be, that they continued to regard certain lusts ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter i the lords daythe.htm

Miscellaneous.
... Children will learn to be wicked of parents"of ... to parents." Where nowadays shall
we see children that are ... to their aged parents with that due regard to that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxix miscellaneous.htm

False Comforts for Sinners.
... had begun a good work in their children, he would ... tell him he should be thankful
in regard to the ... idea that he is poor, rather than wicked, unfortunate, rather ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xvii false comforts for.htm

Faustus Claims that the Manich??ans and not the Catholics are ...
... He will not be seen by the wicked; for "blessed ... in your service their wives, and
children, and households ... who teach such doctrines profess any regard for the ...
/.../faustus claims that the manichaeans.htm

Hebrews xi. 20-22
... Thou seest that what I said with regard to Abraham ... Seest thou that from the beginning
the wicked have enjoyed ... gave orders that all the male children should be ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxvi hebrews xi 20-22.htm

part ii
... would appear as the reasoning of children, or rather of ... yet more would be tractable,
and the wicked would be ... of our people's learning, if we regard the success ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/part ii.htm

Thou Shalt in any Wise Rebuke Thy Neighbor, and not Suffer Sin ...
... to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall ... habit of resisting their
consciences, as in regard to the ... Are you prepared to meet your children in the ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/thou shalt in any wise.htm

1 Timothy iv. 14-Nov
... not proper to teach a man not to be wicked, but to ... But since many who have children
choose [1231] the state of ... I mean the brain, we do not regard it, treating ...
/.../homily xiii 1 timothy iv.htm