On Being Parents and Meeting a Genie (only better!)

The assessment of the commandment to "Honour your father and your mother," as recorded in Exodus 20: 12 seen through the lens of 2 Kings 13: 2, 6, 11, "He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin, but walked in them" (verse 11), explains the clause that appears in its rendition in Ephesians 6: 1, "Children, obey your parents IN THE LORD, for this is right."  It's not just obedience that is right, but obedience "in the Lord."

Those granted the privilege of parenthood are strongly admonished in verse 4 of Ephesians 6, "And you fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord."

The nurturing of a young one, whether in the home or in the Church, is not just what you do, but what you don't do as well. When, for example, work (even the Lord's work) takes you away for long hours (days/weeks) from those under your care, you have less impact on the habits they are likely to develop (especially from television). Parents must take responsibility for those crude habits formed from the evil influence of television and music that children are exposed to in the home, and even outside the home in some cases. Childrearing is a full-time engagement.

The last part of the chapter features an interesting exchange between the dying Elisha, and the faithless Jehoash, king of Israel.  In a fashion of capture in fairy-tales Elisha (the genie) grants Jehoash what really appears to be an open cheque of blessings – wishes if you please.  “Strike the ground,” Elisha told Jehoash.  He does; but only three times.  Perhaps he didn’t understand the implications of the command, but had he really been connect to God, he would have.  And so as Elisha said, “you should have struck it five or six times;” he did it only thrice and that meant he would completely crush a life-long enemy.  Do we stop short in striking the Devil out of our lives; are our repentances half-hearted?  Perhaps that’s why many of us still struggle for years with the same sin(s), or why our lives seem void of significant successes.

So let's get it straight, God is way better than a genie.  In fact there really is no comparison.  But get this, life and the things to sustain it are gifts from God; anything extra comes only in response to our asking Him, "According to your faith, be it unto you." Matt. 9: 29. "He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully." 2 Cor 9: 6.  If you want three wishes, then three wishes it is; if five, five. If you want death, then death it is; if life, life.

Father in Heaven, we choose life this morning, not just for the sake of living, but that we can live for Your glory, praise and honour.  Be exalted in our lives, be exalted in all the earth we pray, in Jesus' name, amen.

The Litmus of Sarcasm: 2 Kings 10 (RBHW)

Especially based on the first letter written by Jehu, I'd title this chapter, "The Litmus of Sarcasm"

At the risk of appearing trivial, and to appear as if I have a bone to pick I'll ask a question that will take us down an unexpected path perhaps. But is this where so many of our womenfolk learned this ploy of setting verbal traps for their menfolk? I’ve seen it happen so often where when a woman feels threatened by another, she would go down a route of “complimenting” her “rival” in the presence of her mate – just to see what he will say. And MERCY if you’re not forthright, as a man, in affirming her (your wife/special friend) at that point. Better yet, it would be most helpful if you could also articulate why it would be less than a good deal to be with the “threat.” Sometimes the male may not even get an opportunity to raise a defence; he’s just attacked, because a potential rival just walked by.

Rationale for this behaviour

Sometimes this happens because of the history between the two persons.

It could be that it happened to a friend, and she just wants to make sure about her situation.

This could also be baggage from a previous relationship, where her mate cheated constantly.

What do you do as a man?

If you’re guilty, quit cheating. Easier said than done, but with God it is possible.

If you’re innocent, just understand that she needs reassurance – give it lavishly; don’t judge her, just love her anyway. A good thing would be to also not wait on her to ask for reassurance, give it even when she doesn’t ask. When you’re apart, talk as often as is possible (given the constraints of work, etc).

Ladies:

Don’t be nagging – dripping water can drive a good man insane. Don’t drive him away, especially if he’s innocent.

Don’t make accusations on assumptions. Mind you, if you have uncertainties you must seek answers. Just be civil about it.

Relationships are more than dollars and cents, but that is an important dimension. Make sure that, as far as possible, you enjoy a certain level of independence, which means that you don’t have to take “crap” from any man.

Do not allow any man’s disrespect of you to cause you to lose self-respect. Know your qualities, know your value, do not be reduced by anyone.

I’m a firm believer that reconciliation is the result of the union of forgiveness and repentance. Be willing to forgive, but know that true reconciliation can only occur when he truly repents. Look for fruit, meet for repentance.

When all this is said and done, there is the relationship with God that must be considered. Our freedom of choice is His gift to us. And even though it gives us the right to choose our preferred way, it doesn’t mean that any choice that we make is RIGHT. There are those who often misunderstand that the defence of ones right to make certain moral choices, does not translate into support of the actual choices that that one does make. For we all must know that we are accountable to God for the use of this particular faculty. So it is good advice to remember that, “There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof is the way of death.” Don’t be misled by this idea of freedom; every choice brings a consequence.

Father in Heaven, our desire today is to choose, much like those elders and leaders in Samaria who chose to side with Jehu, to cast our support on Your side in this Great Controversy. We do it, not out of fear of dying, but out of love for You. This we pledge in Jesus’ name, amen.

To read or listen to 2 Kings 10 and read other related blogs click here.

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The Floating Axe, Angels and Friendship: 2 Kings 6 (RBHW)

Today's chapter is one filled with drama and suspense (especially as it got to the end). I'm reminded of the days when I watched a lot of television (soap operas), when you just couldn't wait for the next day. With the Bible, who needs television; this is so much better/edifying! That said... to the lessons gleaned.

1. The floating axe head reassures me that any tool/skill/talent that I dedicate to the advancing of God's cause is protected by Him. And even if there are mishaps; things will be restored in accordance to His divine will. It may be that our efforts and the influence of our Church has sunk into the murky depths of modern traditions; our God is able allow us to walk on top of this muddy water.

2. I remember someone drawing my attention years ago to Revelation 12 where we're told that the Dragon drew one third of the stars from heaven when he fell. Effectively then, Heaven lost one third of it angelic population. That means two thirds of them are left. What’s the ratio here? 2:1 in favour of Heaven. So to every one demon the Devil will send at us, God can deploy two angels. So no surprise with Elisha's proverbial statement, "...Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." Verse 16. 1 John 4:4 echoes this sentiment, "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."

3. And were it not for the extremity of the famine, where even persons who are not sworn enemies had a fallout (as we learned from the woman who complained to the king about the forfeiture of a deal made with another woman concerning eating their children), this principle would have worked perfectly: The best way to get rid of your enemy is to make a friend of him/her, "So the bands of Syrian raiders came no more into the land of Israel." This was after; instead of being killed they were feted by the Israelites. Friendship evangelism is still one of the most effective ways of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

To read or listen to 2 Kings 6 and read other blogs, clickhere.