Proverbs 17:6 says, “Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.” Indeed, but with this crown comes responsibility. God commanded Israel to teach their children and their children’s children. “Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes saw, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life; but make them known unto thy children and thy children’s children; the day that thou stoodest before Jehovah thy God in Horeb, when Jehovah said unto me, Assemble me the people, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children” (Deuteronomy 4:9-10).
Over and over again, the law emphasized this responsibility (Deuteronomy 6:6ff; 20ff; Deuteronomy 31:9-13, etc.). The Passover observance was to be a means of reminding their children of God’s great works (Exodus 12:24ff). The twelve stones that Joshua set up in Gilgal as a memorial of God’s parting the Jordan River, thus enabling the people to enter the promised land, (Joshua 4:20ff) were to remind them of the great things God had done for Israel. To teach these great lessons they must talk with their children, as well as teach them by example. Yet, we read in Judges 2:10, “And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, that knew not Jehovah, nor yet the work which He had wrought for Israel.”
It is disturbing when children and grandchildren of faithful brethren never obey the gospel or, as soon as they are away from their parents’ rule, forsake the Lord. This weighs heavy on my mind, especially because I am a parent, and now a grandparent, who above everything else I want for my family, wants them to love and serve God all their lives. I want to be able to provide for them the physical necessities of life, but if they forsake the Lord, surely I must examine myself to see if I did everything I should to provide for them spiritually (Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4; Matthew 16:26).
During a recent conversation with my son-in-law, as I looked into the precious face of Kaitlyn (our granddaughter), I asked, “Doesn’t it become easy now to answer the question, ‘What would you give to protect and provide for one so precious?”’ He quickly and correctly responded, “Whatever it takes!” Indeed, most would be willing to sacrifice their lives in a moment for their children, but are we willing to sacrifice the time necessary to teach them and set before them a lifetime of consistent examples?
Paul described Timothy as one of “unfeigned faith…, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice” (2 Timothy 1:5). It was the faithfulness of his mother and grandmother, who taught him the Scriptures from the time that he was a “babe,” that he became “wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15). This is not to suggest that one who was not reared by a godly family cannot become a Christian, but it certainly would be more difficult. However, I am persuaded that one reason why we may be losing our young people to the world is that parents (and grandparents) are failing in their responsibility to consistently train unto godliness “FROM A BABE.”
The apostle Paul, who considered himself Timothy’s spiritual father, gave him specific instructions and warnings to prevent him from casting aside his faith:
· Be godly (1 Timothy 4:7-8), devout, and sincere, rather than just going through the motions.
· Trust in God (1 Timothy 4:10).
· Be a faithful example to others in all areas of life (1 Timothy 4:12).
· Be completely dedicated, as opposed to serving half-heartedly (1 Timothy 4:13-15).
· Take heed to thyself and the doctrine; that is, practice what you believe and preach (1 Timothy 4:16).
· Flee sin and follow after righteousness (1 Timothy 6:11).
· Keep the commandments until the day of the Lord (1 Timothy 6:14).
· Do not be ashamed of your faith, nor the gospel; be bold (2 Timothy 1:8,11-14).
· Be diligent (2 Timothy 2:15).
Today’s children (and grandchildren) need to hear and give heed to these things. Dangers are ever present. It is possible for our children to believe certain things, just because Mom and Dad believe them, instead of having individual conviction that must be “learned” of God (John 6:44-45) through knowledge of the Scriptures. Too many are not converted to Christ, or else are in error, simply because they choose to carry on the “family religion.”
It is easy to take faithfulness for granted if we assume that just because our grandparents and parents were faithful, we are too. Please note the individuality of faithfulness. “… the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him” (Ezekiel 18:20).
Some fail to personally study God’s Word. Christians, from the beginning, must “long for the spiritual milk…” (1 Peter 2:2), so they may grow in faith. We may admit our lack of Bible knowledge and hunger and thirst to obtain it; but some may think they already “know” all they need to know without personal study. Parents can become lax and not diligent in providing proper spiritual training (Cf. Ephesians 6:1-4). The “do as I say, not as I do” approach does not influence our children to serve God.
Israel failed to properly teach its children, and the next generation did not “know Jehovah, nor yet the work which he had wrought for Israel.” Therefore, they did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah. We ARE teaching our children, both verbally and by example, but WHAT are we teaching them?
I will not exchange this birthright for a mess of pottage called social position, or business or professional reputation, or a paycheck. An hour of concern today may save heartache tomorrow. The house will wait, the dishes will wait, the new room can wait, but children won’t wait… May I know that no other career is so precious, no other work so rewarding, no other task too urgent. May I not defer it nor neglect it, but by thy Spirit accept it gladly, joyously, and by Thy grace realize that the time is short and my time is now. For children WON’T wait.”
2 Corinthians 6.1: We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2: (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
Ephesians 6.4: And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.