Parental Guidance

Ezra 10:1-12

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” (Eph 6:1-3). This passage of Scripture was engrained in my mind at an early age. By the age of ten, I could recite these verses from memory with ease. In my younger days, I often wondered why my parents focused so much time training my siblings and I on committing this passage, and others relating to obedience, to memory. My father and mother understood the importance of obedience to God, and the dangers of disobedience, and were wise enough to help their children develop an understanding of godly principles, through their biblical rearing.

When we obeyed our parents, I can safely assume it brought peace and a sense of joy and comfort to their hearts, as they witnessed their efforts have a positive effect in our lives. Unfortunately, raising seven children in the 80’s was far from a cakewalk. I can also imagine my mom and dad wanting to pull their hair out, during times when we were too much to deal with. Being our parents, and leaders of the home, we were expected to follow and respect their orders and commands, but there were many times when we did the opposite of what we were told, in order to satisfy our selfish wills. We were raised to live different from the world, and not mingle with behaviors and activities that were contrary to God’s Word. This same message was given to the children of Israel in our text, by Ezra the priest. God had already warned His people to keep themselves pure and undefiled from the ways and customs of the pagan people who dwelled in the land they would soon enter, but while some took heed to God’s word, others had different agendas.

Throughout the time of the judges, Israelite men had married heathen women, and then adopted their religious practices. God knew the dangers of mixing the holy with the profane, and told Ezra to warn the people to remain holy. As always, the people rebelled, and willingly mingled with the heathen nation. In the same way my parents probably showed frustration at the disobedience of myself and my siblings, Ezra the priest heard what the people had done, then tore his clothes and plucked out his hair and beard. If that wasn’t enough to show his frustration and disappointment, Ezra sat astonished all day, until the evening sacrifice. At the evening sacrifice, the priest fell on his knees, spread out his hands unto the Lord, and prayed.

Ezra’s sincere prayer gives a great perspective on sin, because he recognized how serious it is, how it affects others, and how God would spare an undeserving nation, if they would only repent. Eventually, the congregation of those who turned away from the Lord, confessed their sins, and were forgiven.

Forget-Me-Not

Deuteronomy 29:1-6

After experiencing the many wonderful blessings of the Lord in our lives, how do we so easily fall back into sin and the errors of our past? With each trial and struggle the Father brings us through, our faith should be strengthened, and trust in God’s sovereignty amplified to greater levels, but how do we give in to temptation, after witnessing miracles, healings, and wonders in our very own lives? If you took a brief moment to think of all the things God has provided for you, or kept you from, you’d go from counting on your fingers and toes, to writing them down on paper.

Contrary to how the world portrays God to be, He is indeed in favor of righteous indignation, but desires to bless those who willfully obey His commandments. Unfortunately, humans have a tendency to enjoy blessings for a moment, then revert back to their former way of thinking. This harmful cycle of living was prevalent amongst the children of Israel in Scripture. During times of good and plenty, they somehow allowed themselves to get caught up in idol worship and riotous living. The Israelites were reminded of the time when God delivered them from Pharoah’s oppression in Egypt, in addition to how for 40 years, their clothes and shoes never wore out, nor did they have to work for food. God took care of His chosen people, yet they still found time to murmur and complain. How much was enough? I mean, how much did God have to do, to keep their attention on serving Him?

The people of ancient times may not have had the technology or distractions we have today, but it’s evident their eras were littered with ungodly things to block them from serving God. But, despite the inevitable traps and snares set before them, God provided ways for His people to prosper, and do well in the earth. As in the past, God daily loads the people of today with benefits, the likes of which cannot be replicated by human strength or intellect. Who in the earth has ever created anything God didn’t bring into existence? God gives us the breath of life, and a sound mind to fulfill our daily duties. While we may not all become rich, wealthy, and famous, God gives every man what he needs to fulfill their assignment in the earth.

Appreciate the blessings of God, whether you consider them great or small, and don’t allow yourself to easily forget how wonderful He is to you every day. Keep your heart, mind, and eyes fixed on the Lord, so that when temptation comes to pull you away, you’ll keep a firm stance on holy and righteous living.

Don’t Forget

Luke 24:5-10

“The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.” (Luke 9:22). “Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.” (Luke 9:44). “Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that were written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.” (Luke 18:31-33).

On multiple occasions, Jesus warned His followers of the horrible things that were destined to happen to Him. He made mention that He would be rejected by those who were supposed to support Him, beaten, mocked, bruised, scourged, and even put to death. But, He never left out the most fascinating of all prophecy; He would rise again, after death!

Our text references the tail end of Jesus’ brief, yet impactful ministry, and also rings some very alarming bells. Following His death, Jesus was taken from the cross and placed in Joseph’s unused tomb. Days following the Savior’s death, the women who had followed Jesus and witnessed His burial, had prepared spices and ointments to use on the body of their loving teacher, while the disciples were keeping themselves out of sight. Ding! Ding! Ding! Helloooooo! Did these folk forget what Jesus had told them, time and time again? Apparently so. But, how could they be in the very presence of Jesus, witness miracles done by His hand, yet forget the most important message He ever told them; “and the third day, He shall rise again.” What purpose was there to prepare spices and ointments, if the Son of man would rise from the tomb? Why hide yourselves from those who were responsible for the death of Jesus, if you knew He would be dead only three days? The disciples and those who followed after Jesus weren’t distracted by Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or any other media source, but were fully focused on the prophetic events that took place during their time. I can understand if they were with Jesus during the 21st century, when men are so easily beguiled, but there was hardly anything happening to take their focus off Jesus’ words (that’s just my opinion).

How could they so easily forget that Jesus would rise again? Maybe they thought it was a fairytale, or that Jesus meant something else, or they possibly just didn’t believe. For this reason, God already had a someone in place to remind the people, His Son was indeed raised from the dead. Do you believe what the Bible teaches, or do take in some parts, and disbelieve others? All verses of Scripture are interconnected, and the root of every text is Jesus. The Words of God were written for our instruction, whether we think they are fairytale or not, but despite what we believe, all Scripture will soon be fulfilled.