"My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart." Prov. 3.1 (NIV)

This scripture is one of the many tattoos on David Beckham's well inked body. It would seem unusual for such a celebrity to sport such a scripture, even if he is known to be the father of three sons. However further investigation reveals that his maternal grandfather was indeed Jewish and David has been quoted as saying that he is 'half Jewish' (Wikipedia) and Wikipedia also quotes him in his autobiography as saying that he had "probably had more contact with Judaism than with any other religion".

Fathers and sons play their part in the Old Testament from Adam's sons Cain, Abel and Seth. Faithful fathers and sons like Abraham and Isaac. It features fathers with bad sons such as Eli and Samuel, contrasting fathers and sons such as Isaac with Esau and Jacob and fathers of many sons such as Jacob and King David.

But it is interesting to reflect on the contrast between the relationship between Isaac and his favourite son Esau, and Rebekah and her favoured son Jacob, how Rebekah was able to nurture Jacob in the ways of God and to have respect to his plans and purposes.

But Proverbs 3 is really talking about the Heavenly Father and his sons, which includes those of the nation of Israel to 21st Century sons and daughters. Verse 6 in Proverbs 3 bears this out when it says "In all yours ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths" (NKJV). The message is to follow our Heavenly Father's wise laws and teachings and to keep them close to our hearts and endeavor to live them day by day.

It's in the heart where such thoughts can be nurtured, like Rebekah nurtured her favourite son. It says in verse 5 of the same chapter that we should trust in our Heavenly Father with all our heart. The greatest commandment also tells us that we should love the Lord our God with all our heart.

However at this present time many people do not have respect to God's teachings. Therefore we rejoice in the New Covenant when the time will come that God will write his teachings in mankind's hearts and minds (Jer. 31.33-34 & Heb. 8.10-11).

NAC