#DailyDevotion Better Raise Your Children In The Knowledge Of The Lord Jesus
September 17th
Read 2 Chr 36:1–23
2Ch 36:13-17 He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God. He stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD, the God of Israel. (14) All the officers of the priests and the people likewise were exceedingly unfaithful, following all the abominations of the nations. And they polluted the house of the LORD that he had made holy in Jerusalem. (15) The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent persistently to them by his messengers, because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place. (16) But they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising his words and scoffing at his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD rose against his people, until there was no remedy. (17) Therefore he brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who killed their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary and had no compassion on young man or virgin, old man or aged. He gave them all into his hand.
In quick succession after Josiah’s death, from 609-586 B.C. the kings of Judah are set up, deposed and disposed. They do not follow the example of Josiah who worshipped the Lord. The pervert the temple of the Lord and desecrate it with foreign idols. It is really sad.
What is even more sad is the names of the Kings and how they completely did not fulfill them. Israelites, being children of God, had the Lord as part of their name, even as our children receive their fathers last name. Jehoahaz, the Lord seized, no, not the Lord but Neco, king of Egypt seized him and brought him to Egypt. Eliakim, God of raising, changed to Jehoiakim, the Lord will raised, is raised to the throne by Neco, king of Egypt. Jehoiachin, the Lord with established, is struck down by king Nebuchanezzer. Finally Zedekiah, righteousness of the Lord, is wicked before the true King of Israel, the Lord, and is found having no righteousness of his own, nor does he possess the righteousness of the Lord by faith.
What curse falls upon us parents if we do not raise up our children in the knowledge of Christ and let them find their own way and make their own decisions. What way will they choose but their own if they are not instructed in the way of Jesus. True, we can force no one to believe indeed only the Holy Spirit through the Word of God, particularly the Gospel Word of God, the free forgiveness of sins on account of Jesus can make someone believe. But it is incumbent upon us parents to train up our children in the Christian faith at home and at Church. In private devotions, in Sunday sermons in Church services and in Sunday School or Church schools we are to educate them in the Word of the Lord. Without that, they will simply turn to the way of the devil like the kings of Israel and Judah and the people who were led by them.
But we have been given this good land where we are free to teach our children the Christian faith: How we are sinners deserving death and hell. How the Father in heaven loves us and sent his son Jesus to suffer the punishment of death and hell for us on the cross. How He freely gives us this forgiveness, life, and righteousness purely out of his grace and love for Jesus’ sake. How we can always be absolutely certain that we are saved when we look to the work of Jesus and know that his work is absolutely complete and ours. Well you won’t get that in the National Enquirer, the TV networks, or any sitcom, drama, or hallmark movie. You get that in His Church.
Lord Jesus Christ, you have placed us into the Father’s family and name through holy baptism. Grant us your Holy Spirit always that we may live up to an in that name unto eternal life. Amen.