by Jeremy Paschall
Over the years, our ideas about our fathers change a lot. While admittedly, at my young age, I have not yet come full-circle as many of you have, I can see a metamorphosis of my own perspective on my own father. Someone has composed the following list, illustrating the way that our view changes throughout one’s lifetime:
At age 4, “My daddy can do anything.”
At age 7, “My dad knows a lot, a whole lot.”
At age 8, “My father doesn’t quite know everything.”
At age 12, “Oh well, naturally Father doesn’t know everything.”
At age 14, “Dad? Hopelessly old-fashioned.”
At age 21, “Oh, that man is out-of-date. What did you expect?”
At age 25, “He knows a little bit about it, but not much.”
At age 30, “Must find out what Dad thinks about it.”
At age 35, “Have a little patience, let’s get Dad’s thoughts first.”
At age 40, “What would Dad have thought about it?”
At age 50, “My father knew literally everything.”
At age 60, “I wish I could talk it over with Dad one more time.”
While human frailty, ignorance, and pride often prevent us from manifesting a proper respect for our dads (particularly in our youth), there can be little doubt regarding the Biblically-sanctioned perspective on fatherhood. Fathers, especially those who rear their children to be God-fearing and obedient, are to be highly prized by their children:
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:1-3)
Whether it is Father’s Day or the dead of winter, whether your father is 25 years old or 100 years old, whether you are two years old or 50 years old – there is a certain level of respect for fathers that is expected of those who are children of God.
But while there are expectations of children concerning their fathers, there are also Biblical expectations of fathers concerning their children. Consider the responsibilities detailed in this portion of the Mosaic Law:
“Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
While the Law of Moses has been replaced by a new covenant in Christ, these responsibilities remain a central part of God’s will for fathers:
“Fathers, do not provoke you children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)
If there are to be godly children, there must be godly fathers. May God help us as children to cultivate in our hearts proper respect for our fathers, and may God help every father to cultivate in his heart a desire to rear children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord