THY CHILDREN … OLIVE PLANTS

We now have a family situation presented; something precious to God in His word. The psalmist presents us with a contented man, enjoying the fruit of his labour, surrounded by his wife and children, witnessing the ‘good of Jerusalem’ and living to see his grandchildren. The cause of all this blessing: fearing the Lord and walking in His ways.

We must always remember that blessing in the Old Testa­ment is often demonstrated in material prosperity, whereas in the New Testament some of God’s greatest servants know little of worldly goods but are spiritually fruitful. That fruitfulness is seen firstly in Christ-like features in our lives. It may also result in spiritual achievements for Him. These results can include the effect we have on our families, although we must also stress God’s sovereignty in these matters. Many good parents in scrip­ture had bad offspring, such as Solomon with Rehoboam and Samuel with his sons. Other parents produced both godly and ungodly children in the same household, such as Isaac and Rebekah and, of course, Adam and Eve.

However, our home life can have great influences on our family’s spiritual welfare. The blessed man ‘fears’ the Lord. This reverence and subjection should make similar respect for him more probable in the home. His wife is more likely to fulfil her role, which is ‘in the very heart of your house’ NKJV. Her ‘vine’-like features are more likely to spread to the children, producing the features of the evergreen ‘olive plant’. Not only does the man ‘fear the Lord’ but he also ‘walks in his ways’. This godly example may also have great impact on the family. God always looks for those in leadership, whether in the fam­ily or the local church, to demonstrate rather than demand His requirements; one has said ‘an ounce of example is worth a ton of preaching’. What example do we set and what do we desire most for our children, secular or spiritual success? Our priorities should always reflect that nothing we acquire in this life can be taken to heaven with us; except our children! May this solemn realization impact our family lives.