Falther's Day 2007

My Dear Parishioners,

Greeting to you all on this the third Sunday in the month of June. Today is Father’s Day. It is a time when we pause to acknowledge, give thanks for and encourage the fathers of our Church, the Parish, the Federation and indeed the world. Today being the third Sunday in the month is that time when we have our Sunday morning Christian Education session. Since today is Father’s Day, I consider it a good time for us to pause and take a comprehensive look at the Biblical understanding of Father. In the Holy Bible the word father is used in some six (6) different ways as follows: the immediate male ancestor, the earliest leader/hero of the nation or tribe, in the expression “gathered to our fathers”, as an honourary title or term of respect, the originator or prototype of a class or condition and as a name for God. Today we will look at the first of these understanding:

The Immediate Male Ancestor: The father of the family demanded honour and obedience; on account of this he had to be respected and listened to and children who showed any kind of indifference to fathers were considered to be going along the path of destruction (Prov. 19:26; 30:11). The father had absolute authority within the home and over the family. In this respect he could sell his daughter as a slave (Exod. 21:7). A father was also to destroy members of his own family if they encouraged him to turn away from his faith in God (Deut. 13:6-10). The Law demanded that children honour their father and mother (Exod. 20:12; Deut. 5:16; Ecclus. 3:1-16). Disrespect of one’s father was not tolerated; death was the penalty for cursing a father or for striking him (Exod. 21:15, 17).

The authority, power and respect that the father is invested with in Biblical teaching carry with them awesome responsibilities: The father was responsible for leading the family in devotions and the observance of all important religious rites and ceremonies. It was a leadership that was carried out by example (Gen. 17:27). The father was the one who gave religious nurture to his children and provided for their physical safety (Deut. 1:31; Job 1:5; Hosea 11:1-3). He was the teacher of his sons and he was their glory (Prov. 1:8; 17:6). The father loves his children and rejoices over their uprightness (Ps. 103:13; Prov. 23:25)

All of the above teaches us that the Biblical understanding of fatherhood has quite a lot to do with giving leadership in the home and family; it is about offering children guidance, nurturing them in the faith and teaching them respect and obedience. All of this is done by example rather than by precept. Fathers in Biblical teachings were role models for their children. On this Father’s Day 2007, we pray for all fathers asking that our God strengthen them to live the Biblical standards of fatherhood. May you have a wonderful day filled with love, appreciation and affirmation! Let today inspire you to live your fatherhood according to the Biblical standards: teach your children to be responsible, respectful, loving and guide them by your own lifestyle into a living relationship with God.

Rev. Isaiah Phillip