Mar
19
Teach The Children
March 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Another spiritual matter drawn to my attention is certainly highly relevant for these present times in which we are living. Following the days of Moses and Joshua something really sad happened. The people rebelled against God and His Word and His ways.
Now, the main reason for rebellion is sin, but the Bible gives us some interesting specific insights as to what went wrong at that particular period in the peoples’ lives.
This should be a warning to every family.
Moses and Joshua were real men living in challenging circumstances, which tested their character and leadership. Moses and Joshua reminded the people over and over again of the laws of God, recalling the miracles God had done, and fathers were commanded to teach the children these things.
In the book of Judges, we read that the people served the Lord God all the days of Joshua. But tragically, when Joshua and his generation – who saw what God had done – died, the children of the new generation rebelled against the Lord.
The reason for this rebellion was simply because the fathers did not teach and train their children as God had commanded. These principles are carried through into the New Testament
God as a loving caring compassionate concerned Heavenly Father passes these responsibilities and duties onto earthly fathers. That is just the way God designed it.
We frequently used to hear the phrase ‘juvenile delinquents’ – not very helpful – because on investigating the situation, one often discovered the problem was a delinquent father.
This should stand as a warning to all fathers today. The need to teach and train their children in the ways of God. It is a high calling, and involves many practical aspects, such as giving and spending time, and taking and making time to listen.
Fathers are important in the eyes of God.
Remember that God was a Father before He was a Saviour!
Sandy Shaw
Sandy Shaw is Pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship, Chaplain at Inverness Prison, and Nairn Academy, and serves on The Children’s Panel in Scotland, and has travelled extensively over these past years teaching, speaking, in America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, making 12 visits to Israel conducting Tours and Pilgrimages, and most recently in Uganda and Kenya, ministering at Pastors and Leaders Seminars, in the poor areas surrounding Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.
He broadcasts regularly on WSHO radio out of New Orleans, and writes a weekly commentary at http://www.studylight.org entitled “Word from Scotland” on various biblical themes, as well as a weekly newspaper column.
His M.A. and B.D. degrees are from The University of Edinburgh, and he continues to run and exercise regularly to maintain a level of physical fitness.
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