The “do not” is perfectly clear, because it literally means, “do not provoke your children to anger so they begin to seethe with resentment and irritation.” The New English Bible captures the idea very well: “You fathers, again, must not goad your children to resentment.” The directness and simplicity of this “do not” invites us to do some honest thinking about the ways we goad our children to exasperation.
Near the top of most lists has to be criticism.The Minister John Hughes gives us a moral story: “ Every year when our family decorates our Christmas tree and I place a tiny red-and-green glassbeaded wreath on the tree, I think of the little boy who gave it to me when I coached soccer. His sarcastic, demeaning father would run up and down the field belittling his boy with words like “chicken” and “woman.” He was the only parent I ever told to be quiet or leave the field. I wonder sometimes how that boy, now a man,has fared.” I also hope, and trust it turned out well.
Winston Churchill had such a father in Lord Randolph Churchill. He did not like the looks of Winston, he did not like his voice, he did not like to be in the same room with his son. He never complimented him — only criticized him. His biographers excerpt young Winston’s letters begging both parents for his father’s attention: “I would rather have been apprenticed as a bricklayer’s mate . . . it would have been natural . . . and I should have got to know my father. . . .” a sad story indeed, but God’s grace and help is sufficient, and the end of it all, we had in Winston Churchill; one of the greatest world leaders, may be we could have even had a greater Churchill, who knows!
TO HIM WHO IS ABLE TO DO ALL THINGS; ETERNAL GOD, BE THE GLORY NOW AND FOREVER.
References:
The Living Bible
Discipline of a Godly Man( Book by Kent Hughes)
Evangelist Eric Musa:
(My message continuously: If you are not saved: Believe, accept, receive and confess Christ Jesus as your Lord and Saviour and be filled with the Holy Spirit, as it is written; “NOW is the acceptable time, TODAY is the day of SALVATION.- 2 Cor 6:2”. For prayers, devotion, and to support the ministry contact Evangelist on +254722157300 ( Email: EMEA.ericmusa@gmail.com). Remember, God Loves you and I unconditionally, perfectly and always: SHALOM
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