The Value Of Early Training (Part 1)

by Dr. J.K.D. Johnston, of Musselburgh, Scotland | Category: The Value Of Early Training | Apr 1988

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6).

These inspired words of Solomon underline the importance of early training and there are many examples given in the Scriptures of the validity of this proverb. The early years of a child's life are impressionable years. Parents and workers among the young should not be unaware of the far-reaching effects of any instruction they give. Another old proverb says, "The sapling will bend, but - will the tree?"

The early training that Joseph received from his father Jacob in the vale of Hebron played a vital role in producing the nobility of character that was later seen in that young man's life. The fear of God was planted deep in his heart in those formative years, and he was able to maintain his integrity when temptation came his way. His instant reaction, therefore, when tempted was, "how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" (Gen. 39:9).

The parents of Moses, Amram and Jochebed, were a godly couple and in their breasts the lamp of faith burned brightly. The times in which they lived were difficult and the problems involved in rearing up children in such circumstances were great, but they were not deterred. In the overruling providence of God the child Moses was adopted by Pharaoh's daughter, but was handed back to his own mother to be nursed. The instruction he received from his mother in those early impressionable years remained with him. In later years he was "instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians; and he was mighty in his words and in his works" (Acts 7:22), but the impact on him of that early instruction was such that when he was nearly 40 years of age a crisis-point was reached in his life; he renounced the material advantages and status that were his in the Egyptian court and threw in his lot with his own people - the downtrodden slaves in the brickfields. The teaching that he had received at his mother's knee had convinced him that the purposes of God were associated with that people, and after carefully weighing up the pros and cons he made his choice. It was the action of a man of faith. The glories of Egypt were transient, the things of God were eternal (Heb. 11:24-26).

The nation of Israel were intrusted with the oracles of God and that gave them a unique advantage over all other peoples (Rom. 3:2). No other nation

had statutes and judgements so righteous as those contained in the law given to them (Deut. 4:8). That law regulated every aspect of their lives. Not only were they commanded to be diligent in their observance of those commandments but they were also to be diligent in teaching them to their children. The well-being of Israel and their continuance as the people of God depended upon this responsibility being faithfully carried out. The truths contained in the law were to be a topic for conversation throughout all their normal daily activities (Deut. 6:7).The word of God given to them was to be the most important thing in their lives.

The law given to Israel was a stage in the progressive revelation of God and of His purposes and has now been superseded by the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. The law and the prophets were until John, for the coming of Christ and the revelation of divine truth that He has brought to us places us in a position of greater responsibility and privilege. The same responsible attitude to divine revelation is required of us in our day. Not only have we to be diligent in our observance of what has been committed to us but we have to be diligent in passing on to others, particularly our children, what we have learned. One of Paul's final exhortations to Timothy was, "The things which thou hast heard from me the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. 2:2). Timothy was greatly indebted to Paul who had been a spiritual father to him and had instructed him deeply in the truth of God. But Paul was not the only one to whom Timothy was indebted for instruction in spiritual things. An invaluable foundation for Timothy's life of usefulness and service in the things of God had been laid in his earliest years by a godly mother and a godly grandmother, and Paul paid tribute to them for what they had done (2 Tim. 1:5). The name Timothy means "he who honours God" and doubtless his mother cherished the hope that he would live up to that name, but she did more than hope: she took steps to ensure that he was given the early training that would be conducive to that desired end. The Scriptures were probably used as the textbook in teaching Timothy the letters of the alphabet, and so in the early years of his life he acquired a knowledge of the Scriptures that were able to make him wise unto salvation (2 Tim. 3:15).

Some authorities give an alternative meaning "honoured of God" for the name Timothy, but there is a clear relationship between the two interpretations, as the principle declared to Eli sets out, for God says, "Them that honour Me I will honour" (1 Sam. 2:30).

Dr. J.K.D. Johnston, of Musselburgh, Scotland | Apr 1988
The Value Of Early Training