As Arrows
As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
Psalms 127:4
* Vs. 4. As arrows. “Well doth David call children "arrows"; for if they be
well bred, they shoot at their parents' enemies; and if they be evil bred,
they shoot at their parents“. --Henry Smith. 1560-1591.
Each child will, in the process of time, be a defense and support to the
family, as arrows in the quiver of a skilful and strong archer; the more he
has, the more enemies he may slay. Children are compared to "arrows".
“We know that sticks are not by nature arrows; they do not grow so, but they
are made so; by nature they are knotty and rugged, but by art they are made
smooth and handsome. So children by nature are rugged and untoward, but by
education are refined and reformed, made pliable to the divine will and
pleasure.”--George Swinnock, 1627-1673.
Let us notice some things about arrows.
1. Arrows are kept close to the hunter or mighty man;
Children need their parents to be close in their lives
Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Psalm 128:3
2. Arrows are kept sharp;
What kind of things are we teaching our children for real life.
Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know
understanding. Proverbs 4:1
3. Arrows have feathers on them to help stabilize flight;
Correction will help our children have a stable flight in life.
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4
4. Arrows have to be aimed in the right direction;
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
Conclusion: The mighty man here in this section of scripture, could be only be mighty because of what was past down to him. What are we passing on to our children?