THE EXCEPTION 
“No rule is so general which admits not some exception” - Robert Burton (1577-1640).

A case in point: Some years ago, at Drew Theological Seminary, Dr. Samuel F. Upham lay dying; friends and relatives were gathered about the bed. The question arose whether he was still living or not. Someone advised, “Feel his feet. No one ever died with warm feet.” Dr. Upham opened an eye and said, “John Hus did” (burned at the stake, if I recall). These were Upham’s last words, words which pointed out an exception to the rule afore mentioned.

There are some wonderfully distilled rules for living in the book of Proverbs. They seem to cover the spectrum of developing friendships, dealing with sexuality, making a living, having a happy family life, responding to poverty, and on and on. Wise rules. Good rules. True rules.

Unfortunately, I have seen some good parents who have beaten themselves to death over Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” In this proverb, the stress seems to be on parental duty and opportunity. One must not neglect the formative years, the years when the twig might easily be bent. The neglect of parental training at this time cannot be made up in any other way, so seize the moment. Teach. Correct. Discipline. Set an example “in the way he should go.”

Such training brings good results as the child matures. “When he is old he will not depart from it.” That’s the rule! Both wisdom and experience so testify.

John Phillips observes, “This verse is not a promise. The proverb enshrines a principle, but it is not a blanket guarantee that every child raised in a Christian home will eventually be saved. The book of Proverbs sets before us guidelines and general rules rather than unconditional promises. Those who take Proverbs 22:6 to be an unqualified promise may well be disappointed.” 

John Gipson