(Gen. 22: 1 – 19)
The Christian Child: Our first parents were fruitful and had two children Cain and Abel. It is true that God has a purpose for the creation of children and He has responsibilities for them as well and these include:
1. The Christian child is obedient: The Bible says in Eph. 6:1 “children, obey your parents in the Lord.” I believe this scripture refers not only to children but to everyone because we are all children. Everyone may not be a father; everyone may not be a mother but everyone is a child. Our obedience must be complete because incomplete obedience is disobedience. Isaac’s obedience was complete when his father Abraham attempted to offer him up as a sacrifice unto God.
2. The Christian child honors: To honor means to give respect, special esteem or reverence. As God’s children, we are expected to honor our parents, the elderly and indeed, all men (I Pet. 2:7). Isaac honored his father by allowing himself to be used as a sacrificial offering.
3. The Christian child is wise: In Prov. 5:1 the Bible says “My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding.” Wisdom is defined as the right application of knowledge. Isaac walked in wisdom before God and before his father Abraham. Daniel demonstrated the wisdom of God in Daniel 2 when the Nebuchadnezzar demanded an answer to his dream. The Bible says “Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard.” David walked in wisdom before king Saul when he served in the king’s palace.
4. The Christian child is a worshipper: Isaac worshipped God with his father Abraham. In Gen. 24:63, the Bible says “And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at eventide.” He was alone with God as he worshipped. David also was a great worshipper of God. He did so as he attended to his father’s sheep in the wilderness. God wants us to worship Him in spirit and in truth; God wants us to worship Him everywhere, and every time.
5. The Christian child prays: In Gen. 25:21, Isaac interceded (prayed) for his wife because she was barren and God answered his prayer. Daniel prayed to God when king Nebuchadnezzar threatened to kill him and his three friends and God answered their prayer. As God’s children, we should always pray and not faint (Luke 18:1).
6. The Christian child demonstrates excellence: To be excellent means to have exceptional ability. The Bible says in Daniel 6:3 that Daniel was preferred above the other presidents and princes because an excellent spirit was in him. He conducted the affairs of his with excellence and must we.