Fatherly Advice

by an Old Disciple

David is giving his solemn farewell to both his subjects and his son. To the latter, who was to be their leader he says, “My son, know thou the God of thy father...” (1 Chron. 28:9). There are other admonitions surrounding this godly father’s advice, such as, keeping God’s way, serving Him, etc. But the crux—the core—the center—the very heart of the whole matter is “know the Lord.” We’re told Solomon was “yet young and tender.” His father knew this was the best teaching time.

Over a period of years, Israel had lost sight of their Commander-in-chief, by allowing a copy of the commandments to blind them. The divine order is always the Lord, then His laws. In Paul’s day, the Jews were only left with a set of rules with rigidity. A relationship with reality, they knew nothing of.

Our day has become much like those described in Judges, “And their arose another generation...which knew not the Lord.”  They knew the external letter of the law—a list of do’s and don’ts but the Spirit of Life was a stranger to them.

I have lived to see the above happen in many groups and churches across our land. A generation of young people was raised on preaching that emphasized external taboos—“touch not, taste not, handle not.” But they never heard that they were to “know the Lord.” I need not tell the spiritual observer the results.

At the top of God’s list of commands and statutes in Deuteronomy is “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” He goes on to say that they were to teach this truth to their children. I wonder how many are doing this today in our homes, churches, and Christian institutions.

“Make not laws upon the saints where Christ hath made not any.” ~ Puritan Saying

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