The father commanded a high position in the family of Old Testament times; his word was law. In addition the Hebrew word translated into English as husband actually means 'lord', 'master', 'owner', or 'possessor.' - Gen. 18:12; Hos. 2:16 - Because of his position, shared to some degree with his wife and a man expected to be treated as royalty by the rest of his family. The fifth commandment carries this idea of the importance of the parents one step further when it states, 'Honor your father and mother.' - Ex. 20:12 -

The word honor often refers to one's response to God. In other words, this commandment suggests that the parents should receive a recognition similar to that given to God. Along with the honor of the position as head of the family the father was expected to assume certain responsibilities. these responsibilities can be classified into three categories: Spiritual, Social and Economic.

First of all the father was responsible for the spiritual well being of the family as well as the individual members of the family. In the earliest ages the father functioned as the priest of his family and sacrificing on their behalf. - Gen 12:8; Job 1:5 - Later when a priesthood was established in Israel and the layman no longer functioned at an altar, the father's spiritual role was redeemed. He continued to be the religious leader in the home. This involved the training of the children in godliness. - Ex. 12:3, 26-27; Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:1-4 -

Socially the father's responsibility was to see that no one took advantage of any member of his family. Those who were not protected by a father were truly disadvantaged persons. The two most common categories of 'fatherless' people were widows and orphans. Four specific duties of a father toward his son as stated in the Old Testament writings were to have the son circumcised and to pass on his inheritance to his firstborn son; to find his son a wife and to teach him a trade.

Economically the father was to provide for the needs of the various members of his family. From time to time, however, a lazy person failed to provide for his family. Conscientious men sought to mock the lazy man and shaming him to do what was expected of him. - Prov. 6:6-11 - The apostle Paul rebuked those who considered themselves Christian but who did not look after the needs of their families.

The one who think only of pleasure is already dead while she is still alive; remind them of all this, too, so that their lives may be blameless. Anyone who does not look after his own relations especially if they are living with him, has rejected the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. - 1Tim. 5:6-8 -

From this background we can......................

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Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -