And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
American culture glorifies, almost deifies, the idea of a child growing up, becoming independent, and going in a direction different from his or her parents. To make our own way, in American mentality, is the ideal. Our system trains children early to become independent of parents. We send them young to a school filled with teachers who think differently than the parents. The parents develop life habits that do not include the children. The children develop dependencies upon friends, leaders, and peer groups that hold more sway than their parents ever could. Even if the parents become concerned and try to teach their kids a different course, what no one considers is that the child knows survival depends, not on what the parents teach, but on what the people they spend the bulk of their time with practice.
It seems to me that the Bible teaches something quite opposite. The Bible teaches that it is a curse for the child’s heart to be turned from the father and the father’s from his children. I know the Bible teaches that a man and wife are to leave their parents and cleave to one another. I also know that the book of Zechariah tells the Jews not to be like their fathers. But these things must be taken in balance with the whole teaching of the Word of God.
As Moses led the children of Israel out of slavery in Egypt[1] and as the prophetic Elijah would point the way to Christ,[2] the blessing of God on a people is discovered when the whole family has a heart for God, who is our eternal Father.
#FamilyInFaith #BiblicalParenting #GodlyHeritage #TurnHeartsToGod #StrengthenFamilyBonds
Reclaiming Biblical Family Values: The Clash Between Culture and Scripture
[1] Malachi 4:4 (KJV)
Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.
[2] Malachi 4:5 (KJV)
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
Call to Action
What steps can you take today to strengthen the bond within your family and align more closely with biblical teachings?
Spend dedicated time in prayer and Bible study with your family each week to nurture a shared faith and strengthen your bond.
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