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Abraham’s Example as a Father, June 28
I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him,
and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that
the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.
Genesis 18:19
.
Of Abraham it is written that “he was called the Friend of God” (
James 2:23
),
“the father of all them that believe” (
Romans 4:11
). The testimony of God con-
cerning this faithful patriarch is “Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge,
my commandments, my statutes, and my laws” (
Genesis 26:5
).... It was a high
honor to which Abraham was called, that of being the father of the people who for
centuries were the guardians and preservers of the truth of God for the world—of
that people through whom all the nations of the earth should be blessed in the
advent of the promised Messiah.
But He who called the patriarch judged him worthy. It is God that speaks. He
who understands the thoughts afar off, and places the right estimate upon men,
says, “I know him.” There would be on the part of Abraham no betraying of the
truth for selfish purposes. He would keep the law and deal justly and righteously.
And he would not only fear the Lord himself, but would cultivate religion in his
home. He would instruct his family in righteousness. The law of God would be
the rule in his household.
Abraham’s household comprised more than a thousand souls. Those who were
led by his teachings to worship the one God found a home in his encampment; and
here, as in a school, they received such instruction as would prepare them to be
representatives of the true faith. Thus a great responsibility rested upon him. He
was training heads of families, and his methods of government would be carried
out in the households over which they should preside....
Abraham sought, by every means in his power, to guard the inmates of his
encampment against mingling with the heathen and witnessing their idolatrous
practices, for he knew that familiarity with evil would insensibly corrupt the
principles. The greatest care was exercised to shut out every form of false religion
and to impress the mind with the majesty and glory of the living God as the true
object of worship....
Abraham’s affection for his children and his household led him to guard their
religious faith, to impart to them a knowledge of the divine statutes, as the most
precious legacy he could transmit to them, and through them to the world. All
were taught that they were under the rule of the God of heaven. There was to be
no oppression on the part of parents, and no disobedience on the part of children.
God’s law had appointed to each his duties, and only in obedience to it could any
secure happiness or prosperity.—
Patriarchs and Prophets, 140-142
.
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