Judges 13:2 And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not. 3 And the angel of the Lord appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son. 4 Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing: 8 Then Manoah intreated the Lord, and said, O my Lord, let the man of God which thou didst send come again unto us, and teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born. 12 And Manoah said, Now let thy words come to pass. How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him?
In this experience of Manoah and his wife, we have the essentials for godly parenting on display, in that the very first thing that they did was to ask the Lord how they should raise the son that was to be born unto them. The Bible teaches us that if we acknowledge God in all our ways, he will direct our paths in the right direction, and this is exactly what Manoah and his wife did. However, it is important for us to understand, that even though diligent efforts are made to raise children in the right way, some of them do not always follow on in the ways of God, yet this fact should not be a deterrent in implementing the instructions given in God's word.
Later on in life, Samson, the child of Manoah and his wife, chose to go contrary to what he was taught in early childhood, and again we see the godly efforts being made by his parents to direct his feet in the path of righteousness. When Samson had engaged the affections of a young woman who was not affiliated with God in any way, his father and mother did the right thing in raising an objection, in the hope that his conscience would be aroused. They did not remain silent as many modern parents often do, in order not to cross paths with their children, but they rather brought the word of God to bear in the warnings and entreaties then given, and in this they both did very nobly. Let's read:
Judges 14:1 And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines. 3 Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.
The correct method of raising children is further outlined in the scriptures, and thus it behooves all parents to avail ourselves of the information that has been written for our instruction. Let's read:
Deuteronomy 6:6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
Children are the heritage of the Lord, and they should be raised according to the biblical standards. As Christians we should not consult the secular world for wisdom in training our children, nor should we adopt some of the ungodly methods now in use, for some of them are productive of very great evils. One of the great issues at debate in our time is how needed discipline should be administered, and in this matter the difference between the secular view and the biblical view is as far as the east is from the west.
Discipline is now viewed in many quarters as a form of abuse, whereas the scriptures teach that it is the duty of parents to instruct and correct their offspring whenever it becomes necessary. This sacred obligation is enjoined in the following verses of scripture. Let's read:
Proverbs 3:11 My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: 12 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
And also to the children, the instruction to co-orporate with their parents in their upbringing is given, for it is a duty that devolves on both parents and children alike. Let's read:
Proverbs 6:20 My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: 21 Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. 22 When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. 23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
Mothers and parents who are now saddled with the responsibility of raising their little ones, can always find the needed help and instruction at the feet of Jesus. We all know that in our day and age, with the many different opposing elements tugging at our children, it is not an easy task to raise a well ordered family. Yet the grace of God is promised to all mothers and fathers who diligently seek God's face for wisdom, guidance, and discretion in the upbringing of their children.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture that should encourage us to be faithful in the midst of opposing circumstances, and if we trust in God at all times, our efforts will be rewarded in due season. Let's read:
Isaiah 49:25 But thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.
May we learn to trust in God, and to all those mothers who are trying their best to raise their children for the kingdom of God, we say "Happy mother's day". God bless!