Proverbs 5:23 He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray. All persons are born in a state of ignorance and darkness as to spiritual things; therefore all young persons need instruction. Good instruction in youth is God's appointed means to bring men to the saving knowledge of Himself, and the attainment of salvation. The neglect of early instruction and good education is the ruin of many a person in both worlds. They live viciously and die desperately; they pass from the errors and works of darkness to the place of utter and eternal darkness. They die without instruction, and go astray, and perish in their ignorance and folly. The time of youth is the most proper time in nature for good instructions; children are apt to catch at everything they hear, and to retain it and repeat it. Their faculties are fresh and vigorous, and they are void of those prejudices against truth and virtue which they are afterwards likely to take up. 1. Children cannot live as Christians if they know not the fundamentals of the Christian religion. A man can act no better than his principles dictate to him. 2. For want of being grounded in the essentials of Christian doctrine, young people are easily led into error or heresy. 3. These undisciplined persons usually prove ill members of the State, and the very pest of the neighbourhood in which they live. 4. These untaught people bring a reproach on our religion and the Church of Christ amongst us. 5. The God who made them will surely reject them at last. Then gaining efficiency in the religious education of our young people is supremely to be desired. (Josiah Woodward, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.WEB: He will die for lack of instruction. In the greatness of his folly, he will go astray. |
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