Lord’s Day, Vol. 9 No. 41
- Three Children Brought Up in the Fear of the Lord
(1) Three Children Brought Up in the Fear of the Lord
Two truths from the proverbs forms an appropriate guide to begin this children’s day exhortation of three children who were brought up in the fear of the Lord.
Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
The first two biblical characters are from the Old Testament Isaac and Daniel and the third from the New Testament is Timothy.
(1) Isaac
Isaac was the son that God gave to Abraham and Sarah in their old age. Abraham was a hundred years old when Isaac was born (Genesis 21:5). It is written in Genesis 18:19, God said “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD…” This is a significant statement that testified that Abraham as a father took seriously the responsibility of bringing up his children, in particular Isaac, God’s chosen seed, in the fear of the Lord.
Matthew Henry aptly observed “As a very bright part of Abraham’s character and example. He not only prayed with his family, but he taught them as a man of knowledge, nay, he commanded them as a man in authority, and was prophet and king, as well as priest, in his own house…he was very careful to teach and rule them well. Those that expect family blessings must make conscience of family duty.”
The quiet spirit of a God-fearing disposition in the character of Isaac can be observed in the account when God commanded Abraham to offer Isaac as a burnt offering in Mount Moriah (Genesis 22:2). Isaac was bound by Abraham and laid on the altar of sacrifice. He did not struggle nor did he run away, in both father and son, there was that quiet confidence in God that He will work out the best way for them. Their duty, at the moment of testing, was to obey His command and experience His blessings. Indeed, the Lord tested their faith and they were found faithful. Isaac was the appointed heir to Abraham. He had the responsibility of passing that faith to the next generation having been taught well by his father Abraham.
(2) Daniel
The second bible character brought up in the fear of the Lord is Daniel. Daniel 1:8 recorded that “Daniel purposed in his heart that he will not defile himself with the king’s meat, nor his portion of the king’s meat, nor the wine with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not
defile himself.” Daniel feared God at a young age as captive in Babylon. The well-known chorus depicted the outstanding character of Daniel. “Dare to be a Daniel! Dare to stand alone; dare to have a purpose firm; dare to make it known.” Daniel stands out as an example of true loyalty and devotion to God. God honoured Daniel’s faith and those of his friends for at the end of ten days of testing, their countenance appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat (Daniel 1:15).
Daniel was brought up in the fear of the Lord. Although it was not recorded in scripture how Daniel’s parents brought him out, but it can be observed from Daniel’s life that he feared God. He also developed the habit of unceasing prayer that testified to his godly upbringing.
(3) Timothy
The third biblical character brought up in the fear of the Lord is Timothy. Paul recorded in 2 Timothy 1:5 as a tribute to faithful mothers. The genuine and sincere faith, literally means without hypocrisy, according to the scriptures, was taught by grandmother Lois and mother Eunice to Timothy. It is recorded by Paul of Timothy’s childhood in 2 Timothy 3:15 “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
There is no better guide for the training of a child than the Holy Scriptures. It is testified in this verse that it made Timothy wise unto salvation. Truly the teaching in Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it,” holds true for Timothy who was to be used mightily by the Apostle Paul to pastor the church at Ephesus. The life of both Lois and Eunice exemplified the Word of God and they passed the faith to their children and grandchildren.
Timothy was thus trained in the Scriptures at a
young age which made him wise unto salvation in Jesus Christ. Although Timothy’s father was in unbelief, commented Alexander Whyte “the faith of the grandmother and the mother became all the more unfeigned, and prayerful, and importunate. The blot they had all three had such a hand in bringing upon their innocent child, lay so heavy on the heart of his mother and his grandmother that they could take no rest till they had seen that blot more than removed by the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost.” There is no greater privilege of parents than in bringing their own children to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. The salutation was for Lois and Eunice for being faithful in teaching young Timothy who later become very useful to the Lord.
In conclusion, God used the family, in particular, the parents (Abraham in the case of Isaac, and Lois and Eunice for Timothy, Daniel’s parents unspoken in Scripture but showed strong evidence of godly training from young) as the channel of teaching their children to impart the knowledge of God and salvation in Christ Jesus. This is an encouragement and an admonition for parents and also Sunday school teachers to fulfil, by God’s grace, the role of teaching children that they may grow up to be useful instruments for God’s honour and glory (Proverbs 22:6).”
Secondly, the basis for training of children is the Holy Scriptures for all three were well-versed in God’s Word and therefore know God’s will and walk therein (Proverbs 9:10).
(2) First Love Gift from Overseas Listener
A love gift of US$700 was received for the first time from a listener from USA on 26 September 2021 through the “Gift” option in the church’s Sermon Audio Page at www.sermonaudio.com/blessedhope. All praise and glory to our great God. Amen.
Yours lovingly,
Pastor Lek Aik Wee