Fathers/Sons

We are all seeing turbulent conditions in the earth, and the nations of the earth. The same trying conditions that we see taking place in the bigger picture of earth are also being seen within the smallest unit of the picture, families. Households are under stress, and children, especially, are suffering the brunt of the upheavals facing today's world. Even before they are born, some children face an attack upon their lives. God, however, cares especially for children. Jesus, from His personal and direct knowledge of heaven, taught that the disregarding of children is in opposition to the mind of God: "Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven." (Mt. 18:10). We have seen increasing problems in our children, as we have chosen to remove from our societies the wisdom and Word of God in this important area. We have relied upon schools to play the major role in raising our children. However, the life-giving, life-changing, and life-guiding raising of a child begins and remains within a much smaller unit, as we will see. One of the themes that runs through this Sabbath's reading portion brings this truth to our families. We have read previously that Jacob and his whole household of 75 persons relocated to Egypt during a great famine, to live and thrive under the favor given to Jacob's son, Joseph, who had become a ruler in Egypt (see Gen. 46:1-7). Now, at this point in our Sabbath reading, Jacob has lived in Egypt for what will be the last 17 years of his life, and his life is about to end (Gen. 47:28). As Joseph knew that his father would not live much longer, he brought his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, who had been born in Egypt to an Egyptian mother, before Jacob for his blessing (Gen. 48:1-5). "Then Joseph brought them near him, and he (Jacob) kissed them and embraced them... So Joseph brought them from beside his knees, and he bowed down with his face toward the earth." (v. 10, 12). It was important to Joseph that his sons should have the paternal blessing of his father, Jacob. Interestingly, the blessing of Jacob over his two grandsons, was recorded in scripture as a blessing over his son, Joseph (v. 15-16). Jacob also prophesied over his own sons, from whom the twelve tribes of Israel would be named. His words over his sons before he died were of such importance that scripture says that the words also established what would come to pass in the last days (Gen. 49:1). In another portion of this sabbath's reading, King David told all of the leaders of Israel the things that would be established after his death. He also commanded the principles of God to His son, Solomon: "As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it. Then David gave his son Solomon the plans...for all that he had by the Spirit...of the house of God..." (1 Chron. 28:9-12). As the time came for David to die, he again called his son, Solomon, saying: "I go the way of all the earth; be strong therefore, and prove yourself a man. And keep the charge of the LORD your God to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn; that the LORD may fulfill His word which He spoke concerning me, saying, 'If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul,' He said, 'you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel." (1 Kings 2:1-4). We know that as Solomon aged, he was inspired by God to write the Book of Proverbs to guide his son (Prov. 1:8). Today, manhood is defined and practiced by the world in a way that can lead to destruction, but in this case, as David told his son to "prove yourself a man", it had everything to do with Solomon's relationship with God. While all members of a family have a special role in the raising of children, for instance, there is also "the law of your mother" (Prov. 1:8), there can be no denying that there is a special purpose established between a godly father and his son. Destinies are set before God. Blessings are passed that will affect future generations. Often, we have been negligent in revealing to fathers the God-given, life-impacting, destiny establishing words that are meant to pass from father to son. We have relegated fathers to the sidelines of broken families as a society, parsing out fathers' contact with sons (and daughters), to so many hours or days of the week, but it becomes evident that our children need their Spirit-filled, God-honoring fathers to guide them now more than ever. We have not understood the spiritual importance of the God-believing patriarch, not only in the life of his child, but, as we read of Jacob, even having an impact on the events of the last days. The father/son spiritual relationship is not limited to adult and child. Aged fathers still have the opportunity to share their walk with God with their adult children. Jesus gave us the example of His regard for His Father, and the fruit of that special relationship. His connection to His Father in heaven was so complete, that He would only say or do what He heard or saw His Father doing: "For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak." (Jn. 12:49-50). And: "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will." (Jn. 5:19-21). Jesus' whole purpose, words, and works, were based on the relationship He had with His Father, until He even revealed to us, "I and My Father are one." (Jn. 10:30). I do not want to criticize fathers of today at all, but to bring to our attention the tremendous importance they have as fathers in the kingdom of God, and in this world. Scripture, and specifically this Sabbath's reading, is pouring out the wisdom of God in this. Mothers and daughters have their special place in God's plan as well, which I would like to learn more about in the future, but this Sabbath's readings dealt with fathers and sons. There is a man I know, who is a man of faith. He travels to various parts of the country on types of spiritual journeys for spiritual purposes. When he goes on one of these travels, he always takes one of his sons with him. He did this even when they were very young. He was aware that what he was sharing with his son was more than a trip, or some "one-on-one time". He was filling his son with a knowledge of God, with a purpose, and a destiny. He allows his son to experience his father's way of life in God. I'm sure this father shares times of play with his sons as well, but he considers his sharing with his son of his own active life of faith has far greater importance. We will not always be in control of the choices our children will make as they grow, but if a child has had the experience and guidance of a godly father in his life, he has a rich treasure indeed, and the man he grows into may become the godly head of a family of his own, and a world-impacting spiritual blessing. Knowing the glory, beauty and power of the Spirit-filled father/son relationship, God has always desired this kind of relationship with each of us: "But as many as received Him (Jesus), to them He gave to right to become sons of God, to those who believe in His name...born not of blood, nor the will of the flesh, not of the will of man, but of God...For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus...For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God." (Jn. 1:12-13, Gal. 3:26, Rom. 8:19). If your earthly father never shared the ways of God with you, or if he was absent from your life, your heavenly Father is eager to begin a conversation with you, and you will never be the same. If you would like to learn more about being this kind of father, you can join me as I pray: "Heavenly Father, You gave us the powerful example of Your relationship with Your Son, Jesus. You have called all of us to have a Father/son relationship with You. Guide me by Your Holy Spirit to create this kind of relationship with my children, my sons. Let our families be examples of the manifestation of the Word and Spirit of God in this world. Let there be a difference made in the lives of our children, and in their children after them. Let hearts be healed, and lives changed as a result. I ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen."