|
The fathers in the Old Testament serve
as a warning to modern dads about the impact of a parent’s example. Many
godly men were fatherhood failures, and their children paid a hefty price.
Jacob’s sons mimicked his conniving and manipulative behavior. King David
neglected discipline and, as a result, several of his sons were involved in
despicable activities. His heir, Solomon, was an equally poor father, whose
son joined a rebellion against the king.
In spite of their faith, Jacob, David, and Solomon provided a negative role
model for their children. Unfortunately, biblical examples of poor fathers
outnumber the good. But the gospels mention a man whose sons reflect well on
their dad’s parenting skills. No specific details are given to describe how
Zebedee brought up the disciples James and John, but he is significant
because he did what many Christians try to do today: raise God-following
children. Zebedee’s training prepared his sons for a life of intimate
fellowship with the Messiah. It’s a reasonable assumption that he modeled
discipline, respect for authority, and persistence, because his sons
demonstrated those traits while following Jesus Christ.
|
|