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A Father's Heritage
Today is Father's Day and being a father isn't easy. Not much in our culture encourages fathers to be good family leaders. It is not on TV because it doesn't make for good comedy. It's a lot funnier to see a “doofus” dad who is the object of every joke. A father's job is to develop character in his children. Fathers you do this without even trying. The question is, what kind of character will they have?
The story of Abraham and Isaac is one of the oldest father and son relationship in the Bible. Abraham was a great man and did many great things. God used him however, Abraham was far from perfect, yet he was God's man. Many events in Isaac's life show a father's influence.
Paul tells us what it means to be a 'good daddy.' Here's how the Message says it: With each of you we were like a father with his child, holding your hand, whispering encouragement, showing you step-by-step how to live well before God, who called us into his own kingdom, into this delightful life. (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12)
Being a good dad involves some handholding, some whispered encouragement, and some systematic teaching. Dads, if you'll pay the price to become the man you can be, it will be easier for your sons and daughter to pick up your strength and sidestep your weaknesses.
A FATHER’S HERITAGE
1 Thessalonians 2:11-12
A father's job is to develop character in the lives of his children.
Many events in Isaac's life show his father Abraham's influence.
1. Make Sure You Give Them Something to Continue
The LORD appeared to Isaac and said, "Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live. 3 Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham. 4 I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, Gen 26:2-4 NIV
God started something in Abraham that continued in Isaac's life because Abraham was faithful to God.
Fathers, make sure that like Abraham your life begins a heritage of faith and obedience.
2. Be Aware and Help Them Be Aware Of Your Character Flaws
So Isaac stayed in Gerar. When the men who lived there asked Isaac about his wife, Rebekkah, he said, "She is my sister." He was afraid to say, "She is my wife." He thought, they will kill me to get her, because she is so beautiful." Gen 26:6-7
Both Abraham and Isaac were wrong to make their wives vulnerable to prevent putting themselves at risk.
They were not perfect but God used them.
Be wise enough to recognize and transparent enough to admit your faults.
3. Make Sure They See You Do Things Right
Then Isaac built an altar there and worshiped the Lord. Gen 26:25 NLT
Isaac built an altar because he had seen and heard about his father doing it many times before.
Give your sons and your daughters’ opportunity to see your faith in action with hands-on examples to follow.
With each of you we were like a father with his child, holding your hand, whispering encouragement, showing you step-by-step how to live well before God, who called us into his own kingdom, into this delightful life. 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 The Message
Being a good dad involves some handholding, whispered encouragement, and systematic teaching.
