A Father’s Love
by Joe R. Price
God described Israel as His child in Hosea 11:1-4, “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son. As they called them, so they went from them; They sacrificed to the Baals, and burned incense to carved images. I taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by their arms; But they did not know that I healed them. I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love, and I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. I stooped and fed them” (NKJV).
A father guides and teaches his children (11:1-3). “I taught Ephraim to walk.” In love, God called Israel out of Egypt, guiding His son to freedom. Fathers teach their children, from their formative years to maturity and beyond, with the guidance of wisdom and understanding. “My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you” (Proverbs 3:1-2 NKJV). “My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:20-23 NKJV). Israel did not always and immediately follow the guidance of God, their Father. In fact, Israel often turned away from its Father and served idols (Hosea 11:2). Children are quite similar. They do not always and immediately follow their father’s instruction and guidance. But, just as God sent His servants the prophets to Israel to call the nation to repentance and back to His law, fathers must repeatedly teach and guide their children, even when they disobey. Do not lose heart when your child does not immediately follow your guidance. Keep training and calling your child to walk in the way of truth. That’s a father’s love.
A father nurtures his children (11:3-4). “I taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by their arms …” God embraced Israel and nurtured His child, even as a father must cultivate his relationship with his children. Give your children your time and attention. Take them in your arms and draw them to you with gentle cords of love. By doing so you begin to know your children in a way that helps you address their problems and burdens. God healed and sustained Israel in times of distress, just as every father wishes to do for his own children. With strength and tenderness, a father engenders his child’s trust and reliance by developing his bond with his child. That’s a father’s love.
A father corrects his children (Hosea 11:5-9). God did not ignore His child’s transgressions. When He punished Israel His heart churned within Him. “How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I set you like Zeboiim? My heart churns within Me; My sympathy is stirred” (Hosea 11:8; cf. Amos 4:6-12). Yet, He applied the punishment with love, not with the terror of fierce anger. “I will not execute the fierceness of My anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim. For I am God, and not man, The Holy One in your midst; And I will not come with terror” (Hosea 11:9; cf. Hebrews 12:6). When you must correct your child, do not do it with hot anger. Your goal is to correct the child’s behavior, not provoke him to bitterness against you. “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged” (Colossians 3:21; cf. Hebrews 12:10-11). Fathers apply corrective discipline when their children sin. That’s a father’s love.
An Ungodly Father’s Example
Author unknown
A father sat in his easy chair reading his Sunday morning newspaper. Suddenly he turned to his little boy and said, “Now, son, put that funny paper down, and get ready for Bible class.” The little fellow said, “Daddy, aren’t you going with me?” “No,” he said, “I’m not going with you, but I want you to hurry up and get ready.” After a few minutes the little fellow said, “Daddy, did you go to Bible classes when you were a little boy like me?” “Certainly I did; I went every Sunday.” “Well,” said the little fellow, “I bet it won’t do me any good either.”
Husbands and Fathers
by Dale C. Flowers
“What the world needs now is fathers who dare to discipline in accordance with the will of God. The world needs men who control and are not controlled by their children. The world needs men who have the confidence and dignity to build confidence and dignity in their children. Being a father is a man’s job and boys need not apply. And even a man will find the road crooked, rough, and often dark. Let him be man enough to bend his knee and lift his heart and hands to God for wisdom, guidance, and strength which only God can give.”