We could go to many places in the bible for an example of a GODLY FATHER. One example, without a doubt, is Joshua.
At the age of 110, he summoned the leaders of Israel to Shechem for a farewell address. He charged them to OBEY the LORD who had fought for them and given them an INHERITANCE. He warned them of the danger of losing their beliefs saying, “Choose YOU this day WHOM you will serve….” He reinforced his appeal with the power of a good example. “AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD.”
There are a lot of things we could say about Joshua but, for the sake of space, I want to mention JUST TWO—two QUALITIES that he possessed that ALL FATHERS would do well to COPY.
The first quality was that he was the Priest of the home. He ACCEPTED his RESPONSIBILITY for the SPIRITUAL LIFE of his family. He SPOKE for his family; he DECLARED their intent.
(1) A priest cannot function unless he is in CLOSE CONTACT with God.
(2) According to the Bible, the family was designed to be the BASIC EDUCATIONAL UNIT. It is the FATHER’S DUTY, then, to MAKE SURE his children know how to be saved and how to walk in the ways of the Lord.
(3) The greatest thing a FATHER can PASS ON to his CHILDREN is the love of God. We all know that LOVE BEGETS LOVE. In chapter 3, verse 11, Joshua urges Israel to make the love of God THEIR SPECIAL AIM.
(4) Joshua, the warrior, has become a man of peace.
The family will usually follow the parent, especially the FATHER. Someone has said, “A boy loves his MOTHER, but will follow his FATHER.” As PRIEST of the HOME, the godly father is also a MAN OF PRAYER. He goes to God OFTEN on behalf of his FAMILY, asking for WISDOM and COURAGE for HIMSELF, and PROTECTION for his WIFE and CHILDREN.
The SECOND QUALITY that Joshua possessed is that he had a plan for the family; being PRIEST of the FAMILY is NOT ENOUGH. The godly father must also have a PLAN for the SPIRITUAL LIFE of his loved ones. Joshua said, “…we will serve the Lord.” We must strive with God’s help for FAMILY UNITY. When Joshua spoke, his voice rang with the sound of UNITY—“me and my house.” There was TOGETHERNESS. I believe that the reason that UNITY was there was due to his GODLY CHARACTER as his example. His FAITH was GENUINE, AUTHENTIC and, as a result, his family said, in essence, “Whatever you say, dad, we will agree.”
When MARRIAGE VOWS are kept and the COUPLE is DEVOTED both to the Lord and to EACH OTHER, there is no more powerful statement of FAMILY UNITY.
When the family is UNITED, it will ENDURE the trials that come its way. Joshua pressed a godly determination to PERSEVERE with his family. He was prepared to stand alone with his family, if necessary.
This wouldn’t be the first time he stood apart. 65 years earlier, at Kadesh-Barnea, he and Caleb had given the minority report to Moses on the Promised Land. This godly determination must extend into the devotional life of the family. Joshua was determined at least to establish a SPIRITUAL OASIS with his family.
Dads, may you be blessed and favored by Father God in all you do for your family. Christ is counting on you.
Pastor Ron
Happy Fourth of July!