A Family Pattern

(Proverbs 23:22 KJV)  Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.

There are a number of assumptions in this verse.  Those assumptions are consistent with the entire Bible.  One assumption is that a man will father a child and be around to raise it.  Men are not just studs.  We do not exist for the sole purpose of impregnating the female and then going on our way.  A child cannot listen unless we are around.  He should not listen unless we are trying to mold his character.

The second is that the father and mother will be married for life.  Mom is also still around.  She is “old” (2204).  They have grown old together.  In English the word is translated like an adjective.  In the Hebrew it is a verb.  She is old and getting older.  She got that way raising you and putting up with your father. 

So?  If you still have both parents, rejoice.  If you don’t, honor their memory.  If one was AWOL then trust the Lord to fill in the gaps for you.  You are not alone.