The Word Was Made Flesh
A study from the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy, with annotations by Cherie Shelor
In the first part of this series, we spoke of the blessings achieved when children cleave closely to their parents, spending time together as a unit as much as possible, at least until the children develop into the level of physical and mental maturity reached at about 20 years of age. This understanding was substantiated by both biblical and scientific evidence.
“We are numbered with Israel. All the instruction given to the Israelites of old concerning the education and training of their children, all the promises of blessing through obedience, are for us.”1 To sit back and expect others to carry out your sacred, parental responsibility in this regard is a terrible injustice.
“God had commanded the Hebrews to teach their children His requirements and to make them acquainted with all His dealings with their fathers. This was one of the special duties of every parent - one that was not to be delegated to another. In the place of stranger lips the loving hearts of the father and mother were to give instruction to their children. Thoughts of God were to be associated with all the events of daily life.”2Deuteronomy 11:19 instructs, “Ye shall teach [God’s laws] your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” Obviously, this continuous kind of instruction can most effectively be given by parents who invest significant quality time with their children.
“The family circle is the school in which the child receives its first and most enduring lessons. Hence parents should be much at home. By precept and example, they should teach their children the love and the fear of God; teach them to be intelligent, social, affectionate, to cultivate habits of industry, economy, and self-denial. By giving their children love, sympathy, and encouragement at home, parents may provide for them a safe and welcome retreat from many of the world’s temptations.”3
“The parents and children form a family firm, and whenever possible they should be kept together.”4
“There are Christian parents who do not discern that Satan is working cunningly to catch unwary souls. Unless fathers and mothers become converted, unless they prayerfully consider the home duties which they have to perform, which it is sinful negligence to leave undone, unless they work strenuously at every point to outgeneral the enemy, their hearts will be pierced with many sorrows, for their children will be a disgrace to them and to the church. . . .
“With what care parents should guard their children from careless, loose, demoralizing habits! Fathers and mothers, do you realize the importance of the responsibility resting on you? Do you allow your children to associate with other children without being present to know what kind of education they are receiving? Do not allow them to be alone with other children. Give them your special care. Every evening know where they are and what they are doing.”5
When we place our children alone and unsupervised among other children their age, we are making it very easy for the influence of the enemy of souls to take advantage of their inexperience. They become easily swayed by peer pressure as the common tendency of this era is to undermine all forms of authority (beginning with parents - and then extending outward also to the wider sphere).
“Examples of rebellion against parental and divine authority are ever before the youth; many form attachments for infidels and unbelievers, and cast in their lot with the enemies of God.”6
May the Lord help us to reform in this area and keep our priorities straight! Let us realize that the time is now for us to make a decision. Whom will we follow: the idols and traditions of the world or the principles of truth? We may have to give up something - our plush house, that fancy “dream” car, a lucrative, super-absorbing job, whatever - in order to carry out this task more thoroughly. But are not the souls of our children and family more valuable than those material things?
As Advent believers, we are well aware that we are living in the Day of Judgment. What is God’s plan for His people in these end times? What further evidence do we have from Scripture that our children should be with us - especially in the solemn age in which we are living? Jesus is in the Most Holy Place in the heavenly sanctuary, continuing His work of intercession. We are living in the antitypical Day of Atonement. What then is required of us? We read in Joel chapter 2:p> “Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet” (verses 15, 16). (Notice that the children and babes are here included as part of the picture, not divorced from it as a separate unit.) Consider God’s counsel to Israel: “While the judgments of God were falling upon the land of Egypt, the Lord directed the Israelites not only to keep their children within their houses, but to bring in even their cattle from the fields. . . . “As the Israelites kept their children within their houses during the time when the judgments of God were in the land of Egypt, so in this time of peril we are to keep our children separate and distinct from the world. We are to teach them that the commandments of God mean much more than we realize. Those who keep them will not imitate the practices of the transgressors of God’s law.”7
Brethren and sisters, we are instructed to have our family by our side. Our children should be with us as we are working, playing, learning, studying, and worshipping. Has our silver become dross and our wine mixed with water? (Isaiah 1:22). Have we compromised our purity? Where does the concept of division/separation within the family get its roots? From none other than the enemy of God - Satan himself. It began in the Garden of Eden and, tragically, it is practiced by the fallen churches of today. Are we not imitating the “beast”? Inexperienced children are left alone amid the influences of strangers. We must guard against this evil and realize that our children are precious gifts given to us by the Creator to love, protect, and establish in the word of God.
We as parents are given a divine commission.
“Here is your work, parents, to develop the characters of your children in harmony with the precepts of the Word of God. This work should come first, for eternal interests are here involved. The character building of your children is of more importance than the cultivation of your farms, more essential than the building of houses to live in, or of prosecuting any manner of business or trade.
“Neither the church school nor the college affords the opportunities for establishing a child’s character building upon the right foundation that are afforded in the home.
“Those who do not make the crooked character straight in this life can have no part in the future immortal life. Oh, how important it is for the youth to keep straight. Parents act an important part in this matter. On them rests the sacred responsibility of training their children for God. To them has been given the work of helping their little ones form characters which will gain for them entrance into the courts above.
“Parents, for Christ’s sake do not blunder in your most important work, that of molding the characters of your children for time and for eternity. An error on your part in neglect of faithful instruction, or in the indulgence of that unwise affection which blinds your eyes to their defects and prevents you from giving them proper restraint, will prove their ruin. Your course may give a wrong direction to all their future career. You determine for them what they will be and what they will do for Christ, for men, and for their own souls.”8
“To parents who have begun their training wrong, I would say, Do not despair. You need to be soundly converted to God. You need the true spirit of obedience to the Word of God. You must make decided reforms in your own customs and practices. . . . A ‘Thus saith the Lord’ should guide you in all your plans of education. . . .
“Repent before God for your neglected work as home missionaries.”9
There has been no other time in history when a society has been so agnostic toward the family. Satan has deceived us into thinking that we must be divided in order to conquer. This is error. Jesus made it clear that if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. God has called us who are living at the close of time to be ready and watching. Let us as individuals assemble our families together. As the body of believers, let us return to the “old paths” (Jeremiah 6:16), the original plan of God. We shall be asked one day soon, “Where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock” (Jeremiah 13:20). Let us be ready and able to look to the Lord unashamedly and say, “Here, Lord! Here is the beautiful flock you entrusted to me!”