The Importance of Godly Fathers

The Importance 0f Godly Fathers

Genesis 22:1-8 

            Isaac was born in answer to the prayer of a father’s heart.  Long years Abraham had waited for God to fulfill His promise.  Another son, Ishmael, had been sent away into the wilderness at God’s command.  Now God was requiring that Abraham offer Isaac as proof of his loyalty.

            There are many that point to this and other Biblical stories to criticize God.  How could a loving God command a man to take the life of his son?  But before we judge God to harshly, let us look at the reaction of His servant Abraham.  Not only did he set himself to do all that God asked, he arose early to begin the journey.  Abraham had three days to ponder God’s request and was obviously certain that God would keep His original promise – to fulfill His plan through Isaac (Gen. 22:5).

            It is interesting to note that God selected the place (future site of the Temple) and that He ultimately provided the sacrifice!  The Angel of the Lord, Creator and God, commanded Abraham to stay his hand and spare Isaac.  In the fullness of time, the Angel of God would come in the person of Yeshua-Jesus and offer Himself upon the altar for the forgiving of all sins!

            It is not my intention to spend much time with the story of Abraham and Isaac on Mt. Moriah; instead, I would rather examine the sort of relationship that could instill such faith in a son for his father and in a father for his God.

            Much is made of the love a mother has for her children – and rightly so – but all too often we ignore the importance of a father in the family relationship.  In the past 40 years, we have seen the illegitimacy rate climb from 7% to 36% and it is expected to reach 50% in the next three years!  Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society declared war on poverty by instituting a number of social welfare programs.  Unfortunately, most of these programs assumed that mothers were essential to a child’s welfare and neglected the importance of fathers.  Feminism declared war on the traditional family, proclaiming men of no importance after conception.  One author recently declared that men are entirely unnecessary.  Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg recently suggested that we do away with both Mother’s and Father’s Day.  She believes these traditional stereotypes of parenthood are dangerous.

I.                   God Intended That Men Lead Families

A.     Men have clearly defined roles

1.      Spiritually the head – providing the emotional and spiritual leadership needed for every member to please God

2.      Loving wife and children as the Lord loves His Church

B.     Women are to submit to the Godly authority of the husband

1.      Subordination is functional and not qualitative (Captains and mates)

2.      God loves husbands and wives equally and gives each essential duties

C.     The Biblical Model is under assault

1.      The anger generated by these statements demonstrates just how far away from God’s standard we have wandered

2.      “If the foundations be destroyed…” (Isaiah 11:2)

II.                Satan Attacks Families To Destroy the Church

A.     The destructive work is very nearly accomplished

B.     Children are growing up without both a mother and a father

C.     Marriage is no longer seen as necessary

Christian men and fathers have a great responsibility before God!  We are to set examples for our families and communities.  We must willingly accept the task(s) God has appointed us.