Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
This passage of scripture teaches us of the importance of cultivating a submissive attitude in ourselves as parents, so that the same disposition will most likely be displayed in our offspring. In the above passage, Abraham was given a command by God, to leave the comforts of his home town, complete with friends and family, to go to a place that he would be shown after having left. And in implicit obedience to the word of The Lord, he obeyed quickly, for he went immediately to the nearest u-haul center to rent a trailer, and began packing. Now it is worthy of note that his final destination was not given up front, so he was not even able to set his GPS to a specific location, yet he packed and hit the road anyway.
This submissive mode of thought and action when cultivated by parents, generally tends to be duplicated in their children, because they see in their mom and dad a willingness to be led by the Spirit of God, and so, in the minds of the children there is born a similar disposition to yield to the requirements of both God and man, as was later manifested in Isaac when the word of The Lord came down to Abraham, for him to offer his son as a living sacrifice. At this point Isaac could have disobeyed on so-called logical grounds, for he could have concluded that God could never have given his dad such a rare command. Furthermore, God did not speak directly to Isaac, so he must rely solely on the word of his dad, hoping that he was still in his right mind. But Isaac willingly obeyed and cooperated in his own death sentence by helping his father to prepare his own altar of sacrifice. Let's read:
Genesis 22:7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? 9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. 10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
At the appointed place they built the altar and laid the wood upon it. Then, with trembling voice, Abraham unfolded to his son the divine message. It was with terror and amazement that Isaac learned his fate, but he offered no resistance. He could have escaped his doom, had he chosen to do so; the grief-stricken old man, exhausted with the struggle of those three terrible days, could not have opposed the will of the vigorous youth. But Isaac had been trained from childhood to ready, trusting obedience, and as the purpose of God was opened before him, he yielded a willing submission. He was a sharer in Abraham’s faith, and he felt that he was honored in being called to give his life as an offering to God. He tenderly seeks to lighten the father’s grief, and encourages his nerveless hands to bind the cords that confine him to the altar.
And now the last words of love are spoken, the last tears are shed, the last embrace is given. The father lifts the knife to slay his son, when suddenly his arm is stayed. An angel of God calls to the patriarch out of heaven, “Abraham, Abraham!” He quickly answers, “Here am I,” And again the voice is heard, “Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from Me.” [Patriarchs and prophets pp. 152 & 153.]
Parents are not expect their children to grow up to be submissive to God or man, if in the parent's life the same submissive mode of thought and action is not seen on a consistent basis. Furthermore, if parents actively cultivate an independent, rebellious spirit, then guess what, the kids are most likely to re-enact what they have seen, and in their own experiences the very same results will be made manifest in an unwillingness to submit to God in the marriage institution, where God ordained the man to be the head of the family. The very same disposition to go out on a limb, and to do things irregardless of the wishes or concerns of each other will certainly be manifested, and the sure results in divorces and separations will be the sad lot of many, if earnest repentance and change is not instituted.
Let us therefore as parents be certain to cultivate a submissive disposition to God and man, as it pertains especially to those whom God have placed in authority, whether it be in the church, or in the secular realm, for the principle is the same, and it is a fact that practice makes perfect. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which reiterates this sacred truth, for it was an unsubmissive spirit in the person of lucifer that caused the first war in heaven, and God is not going to take any person with the same disposition to heaven, under any circumstances. Let's read:
Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!