Reading this scripture, I wondered...
Illustration
Reading this scripture, I wondered what fathers are teaching their sons these days: prepare for a position, carry on the family tradition, protect the family name, be macho?
David charged Solomon, "Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his ordinances, and his testimonies." The first part of this charge smacks of "machoism." And, remembering the time of this writing, it probably was. Nowadays, however, it would depend upon what each father means by strong and showing oneself a man; because, in recent years, men have come to understand that tough and tender are not necessarily mutually exclusive attributes. However, this position is often debated. The latter part of David's charge is clear, of more significance, and stands on its own merit -- "Keep the charge of the Lord."
We all would do well to remember that David was blessed by God, not because of his strength -- his strength often failed; nor because of his manliness -- his manliness often entrapped him; but for his faithfulness to God in service to those in his charge.
David charged Solomon, "Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his ordinances, and his testimonies." The first part of this charge smacks of "machoism." And, remembering the time of this writing, it probably was. Nowadays, however, it would depend upon what each father means by strong and showing oneself a man; because, in recent years, men have come to understand that tough and tender are not necessarily mutually exclusive attributes. However, this position is often debated. The latter part of David's charge is clear, of more significance, and stands on its own merit -- "Keep the charge of the Lord."
We all would do well to remember that David was blessed by God, not because of his strength -- his strength often failed; nor because of his manliness -- his manliness often entrapped him; but for his faithfulness to God in service to those in his charge.
