A Father’s Legacy
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God [is] one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of hy house, and on thy gates.”
Mark 12:29-30 “And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments [is], Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all hy mind, and with all thy strength: this [is] the first commandment.”
Why Father’s Day? We all could agree that Mother’s Day is a good idea. Mothers are renown for their love and their vital role in shaping a child’s life from the cradle to the grave cannot be debated or denied. But why Father’s Day? How did it come into existence?
It is perhaps appropriate that two concerned and caring mothers had much to do with bringing Father’s Day into existence. Jane Adams wrote in 1911, “Poor fathers have been left out in the cold. He doesn’t get much recognition. It would be a good thing if he had a day that would mean recognition of him.”
Some claim Father’s day was originated by Sonora Louise Dodd of Spokane, Washington in 1910. She said her father was a “kind and loving man” who kept their family of six children together when her mother died. After listening to a sermon extolling the virtues of mothers, Mrs. Dodd suggested to the pastor that such a day of recognition should also be set aside for fathers. He presented the idea to the local ministers in his area who then set aside the third Sunday in June for such a purpose. Sixty-two years later President Richard Nixon signed a bill into law designating Father’s Day as a national American holiday.
When we read the passages shared today, it is clear that God the Father and Jesus the Son also took the role of fatherhood very seriously. In the context of the culture of both these passages, the burden and blessing of passing our spiritual heritage down to our children and future generations is placed squarely upon the shoulders of Godly fathers.
When Moses was ready to depart the scene God spoke through him to renew the covenant that He had originally made, “See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, [and that] ye shall not prolong [your] days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it. I call heaven and earth
to record this day against you, [that] I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:” (Deut. 30:15-19)
In this the Lord makes it abundantly clear that the blessings of a spiritual heritage can be passed on through faithful fathers generation after generation. But He also makes it amply clear that the sins of neglecting ones spiritual responsibility as a father may also have an increasing negative effect upon succeeding generations. I think that on Fathers Day it would be appropriate to ask the fathers of our community and nation this question, “If you, as a father, were to pass from this mortal scene today, what legacy would you leave your children?” A father’s answer to this thought provoking question would obviously say a great deal about his life’s focus and the importance he placed upon spiritual priorities in his life.
Some fathers might honestly feel that financial security and a monetary inheritance should be at the top of the list of the legacies that would leave their children. Does not our culture seem to say that the pinnacle of success is reached if a person suddenly comes into a great financial fortune that he in turn can share with his family and friends? Especially, if he can set his children and grandchildren up financially for life?
Other fathers may sincerely feel that giving their children a top secular education or the best preparation for a vocation would be the greatest heritage they could pass along to them. Leaving a son a family farm, a business or even a professional tradition such as career in medicine or law might occupy the prime place on some father’s list of great inheritances to pass along to their children. I’ve mentioned before one particular father who very sincerely told me years ago that his greatest ambition as a father was to buy his son his first legal beer at the local pub when he came of age and thereby teach him the basics of the tradition of “pub mateship.”
I read this story a few years ago: “On February 19, 1979, a small plane crashed into Ontario Park in the San Gabriel Mountains in Southern California. The passengers included the pilot, a young woman, a barrister and his eleven year old son. The pilot and attorney were killed in the crash. The boy later said he knew his father was dead when he couldn’t wake him up. After huddling in the snow for eleven hours, the boy and the young woman decided they had to go down the slippery mountain or freeze to death. Shortly after they began their descent, the young woman fell 100 meters to her death. The boy was lost and alone on the mountain. Bones were fractured in both hands and he was bloody and bruised all over. His father lay dead a few meters up the slope.
What could an eleven year old boy do? The boy did not give up. He slid most of the way down the mountain on the seat of his pants, grasping a stick to slow his slide in his broken hands. About 5:00 pm he was found near a village at the foot of the mountain. He was rushed to a hospital, wet, exhausted and covered with mud and blood, but still very much alive. Before his release from the hospital there was a news conference.
They asked him, “How did you find the courage and strength to keep going through all your injuries and
pain? Did you not feel like quitting? How did such a small boy survive such an ordeal?” His simple answer was, “My Dad taught me to never give up!” What of legacy life to leave a son.” But we who are Bible believers do not guess or speculate the best sort of legacy to leave our children. We have it outlined so clearly here in the Word of God that if we ignore it, we will do so to our peril on the day of judgment.
A FATHER SHOULD LEAVE A LEGACY OF LOVING THE LORD.
Jesus settled the subject when He simply said, “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this [is] the first commandment.” What a tremendous heritage to pass along to ones children. A real, vibrant and living love for the God of this universe and His Son, Jesus Christ.
It is not enough to simply say we love someone. Real love is a living and active expression of the deepest emotions of ones heart. This is surely true of God’s love for us. Paul’s statement in his letter to the Roman Church sums it up beautifully, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Ro. 5:8) This and many other similar statements make it crystal clear that the act of giving His only begotten Son for the sins of man confirmed the love the Father of this universe had for those creatures made in His image.
Billions of words could have been written about the Creator’s potential, theoretical and abstract love for His creatures. But without the giving of His Son these words would have been empty and vain; as a sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. It is also clear that this act was the act of a Father that not only loved His only begotten Son beyond measure, but Who acted to shed His love abroad to all those who were to be His eternal sons. It was the ultimate expression of the ultimate eternal love of an eternal loving Father. It reflects the very essence of the central role of real fatherhood. “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God . . .” (I John3:1)
This is surely true with our love for the Lord. How can we convincingly say we love Him, if we will not obey His commandments and do the things that He says? “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me:. . . .” (John 14:21) “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” (I John 5:3)
How can we convincingly say we love Him, if we do not long for His presence
and yearn to meet with Him and worship and praise Him as often as possible with those He has loved eternally? How can we convincingly say we love Him, if we do not love the legacy of every Word our heavenly Father has left us? How can we say we love Him if we do not give our utmost for the Highest? How can we fathers convincingly say we love Him unless we act sacrificially to practically bequeath His eternal Word as our primary legacy to the next generation and generations to come?
This process should begin at the mother’s breast and at the father’s hand. God tells us that it should begin in a child’s very earliest days, “Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? [them that are] weaned from the milk, [and] drawn from the breasts. For precept [must be] upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, [and] there a little: . . “ (Isa. 28:9-10)
The process of weaning in the context of the Jewish culture of that day was well known. The child’s palate was to be touched with food that had been made soft and digestible by the mother. The creation of a taste for it was the responsibility of the parents. All this clearly has a spiritual meaning for those fathers who wish to obey His command to, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Prov. 22:6) “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4)
To rear a child in the knowledge of the Lord is to give him or her the greatest legacy of all. To give a child Christ as Saviour is the greatest gift of all. The value of such a gift is beyond the comprehension of the mind of mortal man. Its eternal significance far exceeds verbal abilities. “Thanks [be] unto God for his unspeakable gift.” (II Cor. 9:15)
A FATHER SHOULD LEAVE A LEGACY OF REVERING THE WORD OF GOD. These verses reflect a real respect and reverence for the Word of God. It is obvious the Word of God was to be central in the life of all the families of Israel. It was to be the cornerstone of their community life as well. There was to be a constant focus upon the Word. The Word was to be hidden in their hearts that they might not sin against. (Psalm 119:9-12) The Word was to be forever before their eyes, lighting their path as they walked in a sinful world. (Psalm 119:105, 130)
In this passage it is clear that as the head of the house and the leader of the family the Godly father was to be the primary personal repository of the Word and had the ultimate responsibility of being the spiritual leader and teacher of the household. Other scriptures and Jewish history and orthodox practice confirm that this responsibility was normally taken very seriously by the fathers of Israel. It was their responsibility to see that their sons in particular studied and mastered the teachings of the Word as given by God before they were recognized as responsible men.
God has not repealed nor altered this basic principle of His law as given to His people in His Old Covenant. His New Testament places this awesome responsibility squarely upon the shoulders of Christian fathers today. Every father needs and should desire the Word for his family as much as the Hebrew father did. “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” (I Pet. 2:2) The contemporary culture in many churches seems to indicate otherwise. It seems that many fathers have easily and willingly abdicated this responsibility. Even churches seem to accept that mothers are primarily responsible for the spiritual training of children.
Godly mothers lead many families to church to study about and worship the Lord God. They also seem to comprise an overwhelming majority of Sunday School teachers as well. We thank God for their dedication. But this does not excuse fathers for their neglect nor relieve them of their primary responsibility. In order to carry out this responsibility, fathers need to first be students of the Word themselves. It is obvious we cannot give that which we do not possess nor impart truths we have not first understood and placed into
practice in our own lives. “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” (II Tim. 2:2) “Study to shew thyself approved
unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (II Tim. 2:!5)
Perhaps it would be good if fathers revisited a few old and timeless illustrations and apply them to the matter. It has been proven that building lighthouses along dangerous coasts is a more effective way of preventing shipwreck and saving lives than coast guard stations to rescue those who have been shipwrecked upon dangerous shoals and rocks. There is also an old story about the town built upon the top of a tall and precipitous cliff. For years children would wander off and fall down the cliff face and be severely injured or killed. Finally a town meeting was called to look into the matter. One father suggested the town build and man first aid station at the bottom of the cliff to care for those who were injured. Another father suggested that a tall fence be erected on the edge of the cliff; preventing any child from falling over the cliff.
The lessons are clear. We need fathers who will stand in the gap and make up the hedge by giving the Word of God to their family. Bill Gothard in his character building and leadership manuals for Christian fathers gives these ten scriptural convictions every father must have and then teach to his family in order to protect them from destructive influences:
1. God alone is sovereign and the Bible is His inspired Word and the final authority for my live.
2. My purpose in life is to seek God with my whole heart and to build my goals around His priorities.
3. My body is the living temple of God and must not be defiled by the lusts of the world.
4. My church must teach the foundational truths of the Bible and reinforce my basic convictions.
5. My children and grandchildren belong to God and it is my responsibility to teach them Scriptural principles, Godly character and basic convictions. 6. My activities should never weaken the Scriptural convictions of another Christian.
7. My marriage is a lifelong commitment to God and to my marriage partner. 8. My money is a trust from God and must be earned and managed according to Christian principles.
9. My words must be in harmony with God’s Word, especially when reproving and restoring a Christian brother.
10. My affections must be set on things above and not on things in the earth.
The father who really reveres and respects the Word will confirm it by both word and deed. It is clear that merely reading and even reciting the Word is not enough. John tells us the Word should be read, understood and obeyed or placed into action, “Blessed [is] he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time [is] at hand.” James reminds us that a professed faith that is not confirmed by Godly deeds motivated by love, is a faith that does not really exist.
Fathers need to leave a legacy that demonstrates abundant life can only be found in the joy of living for the Lord. When he rests from his labor his works should follow him and all should know the joy of the Lord was his strength. A father should leave no doubt about the real purpose and focus of his life in the eyes of the world around him or in the minds of those he loves.
(Matt. 6:24, 33, Phil. 1:21, Gal. 2:20)
A FATHER SHOULD LEAVE A LEGACY OF POSITIVE SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP. This scripture leaves no doubt that God has ordained that fathers are to be the spiritual leaders of their families. God confirms this in the New Testament. (Eph. 5:25-6:4) The Bible speaks of training up a child in the way he should go. (Prov. 22:6) I understand the original language implied giving purpose and direction to the life of a child; much like the gardener would train a vine or a branch to grow in a certain manner on a
rigid stake or trellis.
The language of the scripture makes the active leadership responsibility of fathers amply clear. In his leadership role, the father must impress and shape the child’s spiritual appetite. He should be a militant and pro-active combatant in the battle for the minds of his children and the children of this world. Constant personal participation and application is implied. “The gates,” Fathers and elders of Israel sat in the gates of the Jewish city to make responsible decisions about family and community life. “Tie them on your hands,” indicates every action should be tested. “Bind them on your forehead,” perhaps pictures every thought and decision being tried by the Word of God. “Door frames of your house,” implies a father’s responsibility to ensure all his household knows and obeys the Word.
That Joshua had learned this lesson well is reflected in his words of farewell to Israel, “... but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15b) It is obvious in the historical context that this great man of God was speaking of the legacy he was soon to leave his family, nation and the world.
The greatest and most effective lessons of life are learned early as a child looks to his father or mother as an example. Psychologists, sociologists, politicians and religious leaders agree that in our day of divorce, single parents and dysfunctional families, children desperately need positive male role models. We are constantly reminded that many fathers have fled the family scene and abandoned their responsibility. Of course, it is true that our so-called Family Courts have made divorce easy. Our Family Law and welfare system seems to encourage family disintegration. It seems that even caring fathers sometimes become discouraged and despairing in their quest for justice and equal parental rights.
The system often seems so anti-father and discriminatory. Sections of the press that strive for objectivity have given evidence and commented upon the fact that the whole system often seems to be dominated by radical feminists. But this gives no excuse for a father to turn his back upon his children or abandon his responsibility. The following poetic thought speaks to the awesome responsibility of spiritual leadership thrust upon fathers:
“I took a piece of plastic clay and idly fashioned it one day.
And as my fingers pressed it, still it moved and yielded to my will.
I came again when days were past, the bit of clay was hard at last. The form I gave it still it bore, and I could fashion it no more I took a piece of living clay, and gently pressed it day by day.
And molded with my power and art, a young child’s soft and yielding heart. I came again when years had gone, it was a man I looked upon. He still that early impression bore, and I could fashion him no more!”
In case it may seem are focusing too much on negative examples, let us accentuate the positive ones. The Old Testament not only gives us the words of Moses and Joshua on the subject, but the examples of such great fathers of the faith as Abraham, Issac, Jacob and Job as well. Two examples in the New Testament are outstanding as well. Have you ever considered what a great thing occurred when the Philippian Jailer was saved through the preaching and testimonies of Paul and Silas and a miraculous earthquake? But another great thing occurred when the Jailer was able to lead his family and whole household to be saved and follow the Lord in baptism and form a nucleus of a New Testament Church in Philipi. Consider also the example of Cornelius who had such a great desire to know the way of eternal life that God intervened to overcome the ethnic prejudice of Peter and the apostles. This Godly father was also able to see his family saved and follow him to the waters of scriptural baptism!
A FATHER SHOULD LEAVE OF LEGACY OF FOCUS UPON HIS FAMILY. The legacy of a loving, obedient and family focused father involves some practical things we fathers often forget or find difficult. The greatest gift of all to our families is our time and attention. This includes personal participation and involvement in their lives. It should involve sharing ourselves and experiences and the teaching of character, responsibility, self-reliance and ultimately independence. Lessons are best taught by example.
The legacy of a loving father can be reinforced by constant reassurance of our unconditional love and acceptance. Even such obvious and important things as touching, hugging, pats upon the back, do not come easy for some fathers.
Fathers have a ministry of encouragement. Words have power to do good or evil, to build up or tear down, to encourage or discourage. The old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me,” is one of the greatest lies to ever fall from the lips of man. Such simple words as, “I love you,” or “Good work!” or “You did a good job,” or “I’m really proud of you,” should spring often to the lips of a loving father.
Paul summed up the whole matter when he said in effect, “God doesn’t need that which is yours - but he wants you!” So it is with our children. One of the great lessons of love in the Old Testament is Abraham’s willingness to give his son Issac to Jehovah. The greatest lesson of all human history is God’s willingness to give His only begotten Son as a complete sacrifice for our sins. As I indicated last Sunday, the greatest gift a father can give his child is to show that child the way to God and eternal life through Jesus Christ and the greatest blessing God can give a parent is to save that child eternally. Beyond this, one of the greatest gifts we can offer God is the life of a child reared in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. One of the greatest blessings He can give us is to use that child or call that child into His service.
