A Tale of Two Fathers (6/13/11)

Shalom,

Please begin by reading Josh 7:13-26.

We'll begin with the story of two very similar men. They were alike as any two men could be. They had grown up in a good home and were taught a decent work ethic. They were brothers who married a pair of sisters. They were farmers with property adjoining one another. They were even saved at the same tent revival meeting when they were in their early twenties.

When they began attending their local church, they asked the pastor how they should support it, what kind of giving should they do. They were told the biblical pattern was to tithe of their full income, to give that as their firstfruits unto their Lord. This is where the similarities ended. One brother began obediently tithing, but the other one rejected the concept as old-fashioned.

The impact these choices had on the two men and their families was dramatic. The father who agreed to tithe became an active participant in the local church, and eventually saw each of his four children go into some kind of active Christian ministry. The other brother found himself at odds with the leaders of the local church on a regular basis, evidencing a critical spirit. His children didn't remain faithful to the church or their Lord, one even committed suicide.

Fathers have primary responsibility for making choices in the family. For example, the father's choice of an occupation is more likely to determine where the family will find a home. His income is more often the decider of the lifestyle his family maintains. His interests often become the interests of the family. This isn't a chauvinistic position, it's just the way things normally work. Yes, there are families where this doesn't play out exactly, and yes there are too many families without a father present in the home.

The results of a father's choices can be clearly seen in the lives of Joshua and Achan. We don't know a lot about Joshua as a father, but we do know quite a bit about him as a man. And how a father functions as a man is usually a good indicator of how he functions as a father. Achan's character flaws are on full display in this passage from Joshua. He emerged as the reason for Israel's first defeat in the conquest of the Promised Land. Joshua lingered in the presence of Yahweh whenever he could. Achan longed for earthly stuff.

Achan and his family survived the years in the wilderness. They saw many miracles, eating of the manna and drinking the miraculously obtained water from the rock. They experienced the miracle of crossing the Jordan River on dry ground in spite of it being at flood stage. Achan was one of the Israelites marching around the walls of Jericho and saw them come tumbling down when everyone shouted.

It was at this point that his family troubles began. Achan charged in with the other soldiers to destroy the city and hand it over to Yahweh. He had obeyed and performed well in all areas except one. Joshua had relayed Yahweh's command that all the silver and gold and articles of bronze and iron were to be put into the treasury of the Tabernacle. But when Achan saw among the plunder a beautiful Babylonian robe, a wedge of gold, and 200 shekels of silver - he took them for himself.

Notice the pattern of Achan's wrong choices. First he said, "I saw them." Wrong choices often begin with a wrong-thinking look. Satan works to make sin extremely attractive. He often tricks us into thinking it's even innocent and harmless. He shows us the glamor and sophistication, but never the end results which are always death and destruction. But we must also never forget that he can't tempt us unless we have some evil thoughts of our own to begin with. Next Achan said, "I coveted them." Often our desires get us into trouble. The longer we look at a thing, the more it captivates our attention, dominates our thinking, and intensifies our desires.

Lastly he said, "I hid them." When you have to be a sneak, beware, you're on dangerous ground. If taking the items was a good thing to do, why did he then hide them? From that time on Achan was most likely a miserable man. His conscience no doubt plagued him. He must have been terrified as the tribes and clans and families were called to pass in front of Joshua and each time the one he was connceted to was chosen by lot. Num 32:23 warns us, "you may be sure your sin will find you out." We can't hide our sin from Yahweh or from our families. At home the masks fall off and we're eventually known for what and who we really are.

Consider the terrible and awful results of Achan's sin. It led to a military defeat, as the little city of Ai put the Israelite army to flight. It resulted in the death of 36 of his fellow soldiers, some of whom may have been his family or friends. It also ended up destroying his family. They were put to death with him. That's what sin does to a family. It leads to death and destruction. Sin hurts our churches, our families, and our friends.

Joshua made the really important choices for his family, the spiritual decisions. Serving as the spokesman for his family he said, "As for me and my household, we will serve Yahweh" (Josh 24 15). It's a blessing when a father leads his family rather than driving them. He says, "Follow me as I follow Jesus." He teaches by example as well as by setting standards. He doesn't just say, "Do it," but says, "watch me do it." Statistics show that in families where the father is an active Christian and takes his children to worship services, they are much more likely to become and remain solid Christians themselves.

Joshua had learned to stand alone if necessary. Ten of the twelve Israelite spies sent into Canaan came back with negative reports. They said the cities were walled and well-fortified and that the inhabitants of the land were giants. Joshua joined Caleb in proclaiming a positive report. They said, "We can do it. Our God will help us" (Deut 1:29-30). He knew that Yahweh was able to accomplish what he promised. And Joshua and Caleb were the only spies to go back into the land when it was time to conquer it.

Joshua had also learned to take and obey orders. Moses counted on Joshua to lead the army of Israel into battle. Each time he followed orders he came back with a victory. He was prepared to follow Yahweh regardless of what others were doing. Think of the faith and confidence his resolve instilled in his family and in the soldiers who fought under him. They knew he walked close to Yahweh and was completely committed to his Lord's purposes. His obedience stands out in definite contrast to Achan's disobedience. What Joshua did brought some of the greatest blessing to Israel ever. He led the people to a place of life and hope.

Fathers, and all parents, one of our greatest tasks is to help our children make right choices. Nothing else will affect the outcome of their lives more dramatically. Here are some helpful hints, some guidelines that can richly bless you and your children.

1) Teach your children to learn to stand alone at times. Model this kind of behavior, show them the blessing of standing with your Lord and God. Let them see how our Father is pleased with us when we stand rightly committed to his ways and purposes. Let them see your solid character displayed in godly actions.

2) Help them choose the right kind of friends. It is always easier to stand among friends who share similiar convictions and beliefs. It is also easier to avoid youthful excesses when your friends are also working to avoid them.

3) Help them take the long look before acting. Convince your children that the consequences of sin are far worse than the temporary pleasures that may come from pursuing and catching their ungodly longings. At appropriate times share lessons you learned the hard way in your earlier years. It may help them know why you care so much that they make right choices.

4) Teach your children about Yahweh-honoring money handling and the value of honest hard work. Don't give your kids everything they want. It doesn't make your life, or theirs, easier. Make them work for things. You'll be teaching them one of life's most important lessons if you persist. And you'll be helping them to become responsible adults.

Choices, how dramatically they affect the quality of our lives. And these choices touch so many other people. Just as the choices of our parents and grandparents affect us today, so our choices will affect our children and grandchildren. The most important choice any of us can make is to live for Jesus, to make him both our Savior and Lord. Show them how to be faithful servants of Jesus Messiah Master, obediently answering his call to build his Kingdom.

What about your decision, Dad, Mom? It not only afftects you, but your whole family. They're looking at you, observing everything and making life choices. They're most likely to copy your way of living. Is that a good thing? Will you say with Joshua, "As for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh!" The other choices will bring heartache. Choose life over death, that's Yahweh's desire for all of us.

Blessings & Peace, Mike