Gen 18:19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

 

Have you ever asked why of all the families of this earth, God chose the family of Abraham to be His chosen people? The answer is found in today’s text. God said of Abraham: “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment” (v.19). Abraham not only will follow God, he will “command” his children to do the same. God’s scheme of redeeming men needed a race that was faithful to Him. The word “command” is a strong word. It indicates authority. Abraham will not only teach his family the way of God, he will also command his household to follow in the ways of righteousness and truth. In today’s term, it means he will not allow his children any excuse to miss Sunday worship. A child may say: “I’m tired. I finished my project till 3 in the morning. I can’t go for worship.” Abraham will say: “No. You attend church. You come back after worship to catch up your sleep.” Another child may say: “I have exams tomorrow. I need to study.” Abraham will say: “No. You attend church and do your study when you come back.” Another child may say: “I have training this morning.” Abraham will say: “No. You will go for your training after worship.” Abraham leads his family in righteousness and truth. He does not let his children lead him. God chose Abraham because He knew Abraham would command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord. Abraham did not have the Bible to guide him. His unwritten Bible was the tradition he observed from his forefathers. Recall that when Isaac was going with his father to the mount of sacrifice, he noticed that, although the fire and wood were carried, they had no lamb for a burnt offering: “And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father…..Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” (Genesis 22:7). Isaac did not have the Bible. How did he know about the lamb required to offer a sacrifice to God? Obviously, when he was young and when he saw his father offering a sacrifice, he would be asking what he was doing. Abraham would explain it to him. This tradition passed on for generations until the Law was given where it was recorded down with greater details. What they knew about God, they passed it down orally to their children. God had talked to Abraham. Abraham just knew Jehovah is the only God he and his family should serve. He led them to the same God. Fathers, today you have the written word of God. Are you studying the Bible and teaching it to your children? Are you commanding your children to walk in the way of the Lord or are you giving them a choice? Many children of Christian parents go back to the world because of the lack of spiritual training at home. In many homes, there is no spiritual training given and no holy example set. Parents leave it to the church to impart religious knowledge to their children. Fathers, Sunday-school teaching should supplement, not replace, home training. The command to bring up faithful children is given to fathers and not to elders or preachers: “And, ye fathers, …. but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Fathers, are you commanding your children in the way of the Lord? Are you nurturing them in the admonition of the Lord? Abraham is an example for all fathers: LEAD your children in the way of the LORD!