As their fathers taught them…
Jeremiah 8.18 – 9.1-26
Jeremiah had a hard job. God had called him and appointed him as a prophet to the southern kingdom of Judah. Jeremiah had fears—of being too young and not knowing what to say. God promised to be with him and give him the words to say. No excuses-it was time to go and fulfill the ministry God had set before him.
Jeremiah did have reason to fear. Judah was far from the Lord and he knew it. They worshipped false idols, lived openly in all kinds of sin, had a reputation of deceit and trickery, persistently chose to rebel against God’s law…and it was Jeremiah’s job to call them out. Do you think they wanted to hear what he had to say? Nope. Did this grieve the Lord? Yes. They were choosing to live in unrepentant sin—and His righteousness demanded justice. Judgement was coming.
“The Lord said, “Because they have forsaken My law which I set before them, and have not obeyed My voice and walked according to it, but have walked after the stubbornness of their hearts and after the Baals, as their fathers taught them. Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, “behold, I will feed them, this people with wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink. I will scatter them among the nations and I will send the sword after them until I have annihilated them.” Jeremiah 9.13-16
Did you catch that? As their fathers taught them. That literally takes my breath away. The state of rebellion in Judah was directly linked to what they were taught by their parents. And the judgement they were facing (that did indeed come when Jeremiah’s warnings were not heeded), was ominous. There was no escape. And it was final.
Parents, make no mistake. As you live and go about your life, you are daily communicating messages to your children about what you value and hold in highest esteem. Is it Jesus? I would encourage you to take a long, hard look. What does your schedule say about what you prioritize? What do you spend your time, money, and resources on? What do your entertainment choices have to say about your family values? If your children were asked, what would they say is most important to you?
Our idols—just like the idols of the parents of the children of Judah—are deadly threats to the souls of our children. We must be aware of them, call them what they are, repent of them, and seek the Lord’s forgiveness. We must model this humility and desperation for Jesus before our children.
The world would have our children (and us) chase after worldly things—great educations, power, wealth and grow to be moral and functional citizens of society. But these things don’t last. Let the legacy we leave be to set our sights on eternal things—especially in our parenting. Let us be intentional with the moments we have with our children. May the words of Christ flow off our tongue as we work, play, teach, discipline, and grow together as a family.
Our children are the greatest responsibility the Lord entrusts to us. They are His—made in His image, for His glory, and for His purpose. They are made for a relationship with Him. When they are grown, may God say of them…
“They have loved and followed My law which was set before them, and have obeyed my voice
and walked according to it, and have walked in humility with hearts seeking to know and follow me and
have not followed after idols, as their fathers taught them, and in them I am well pleased.”
Friends, this is the end-goal of discipleship. Children who know and faithfully follow the God who created them. Children who have been raised up to carry on the Gospel message, until the Lord returns. It won’t happen by accident.
Closing thoughts:
- Ask your child(ren) what they think your family values most?
- In personal reflection, are they right? Do you see how they reached their conclusion?
- What do you see as the main obstacle to spiritual growth within your family?
- What one step can you take this week to be more consistent/faithful in discipleship?
Parent-Led Discipleship Part 1: Discipleship in Your Home
Parent-Led Discipleship Part 3: Intentional Moments of Discipleship