Father’s Day is on Sunday June 15th. It’s a special day of the year that we celebrate fatherhood. In the Kingdom of God, Fatherhood is very important. In fact, the role of the father has been an important position since the days of ancient Israel. Fathers were highly regarded and were the primary dominant role in patriarch society. Today, despite carnal influences, the role of the father in the Kingdom of God continues to be a ministry and a privilege in which the father’s role is a leader, protector, provider, teacher, priest, and prophet.
Ancient Jewish Father Responsibility to His Children
In ancient Israel the father was primarily responsible for the four following things: 1. bringing his son into covenant relationship with God through circumcision on the eighth day after birth, 2. teaching his children the Word of God, 3. choosing a mate and 4, teaching his son a trade. It was said by Jewish fathers that a man that didn’t teach his son a trade was teaching him to be a thief. Jesus’ trade was carpentry. Paul’s trade was making tents. Each were trained by their earthly fathers to master a trade to help support themselves and possibly a family. The father played prominent role by establishing his family’s covenant relationship with God and establishing his family's identity. He also played a crucial role in teaching his daughter how a man must provide for her and treat her. He also taught his son how to be a godly example and man of God.
Fourteen Principles of Fatherhood in the Kingdom
Jacob/Israel Blessing His 12 Sons
1. The father is a priest of his home. and prays for his wife and children. He goes to God as an intercessor on behalf of his household (John 17:1, Ephesians 6:18). In Job 1:5, Job offered sacrifices in behalf of his sons and interceded for them in case they sinned against God.
2. A father must teach his family the difference between holy and the unholy, to not be conformed to ways of the world and to avoid ungodly influences (Leviticus 10:8-11; Judges 14:3; Proverbs 13:20; Proverbs 28:7; 1 John 2:15-17 ).
3. A father and grandfather should lay hands on his children or grandchildren and pray a blessing of the Lord over each child’s life (Genesis 48:11-22, Genesis 49).
4. As a teacher, a father must instill the Word of God inside the house and make sure his children are disciplined in the study of the Word and prayer as a vital part of their children’s spiritual training for the Kingdom ( Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Proverbs 22:6).
5. A father should teach his children to be obedient and know how to discipline his children when they do wrong. This ensures that bad behavior won’t be repeated or become a habit in the life of his children ( Proverbs 13:24, Proverbs 23:14; Hebrews 12:5-10).
6. When a father corrects his children, it must be done in love and not with harshness and bitterness that would provoke his children to bitterness and hatred. A father should never show favoritism of one child over the other. This can cause possible division within the home. A father also needs to make sure that he spends quality time with his children so that they won’t resent him for not giving them some time ( Ephesians 6:4 ; Colossians 3:21).
7. A father should dedicate his children to the Lord at a early age( Luke 2:22).
8. A father should inquire of the Lord a prophetic word for all his children and then speak prophetically into their live. Without prophetic revelation our children will perish (Proverbs 29:18). A father is the prophet of his household. The father should speak into his children’s life concerning future occupation and ministry purpose in the Kingdom of God ( Genesis 49; Luke 1:10-17, Luke 1:59-79).
9. A father needs to teach his family to serve and love God as well as keep his commandments with their whole heart. He must teach his family that serving the Lord is trans-generational. Also, salvation is a trans-generational promise to all family members that continue in the Word and follow Jesus. A father needs to teach his children this. The blessings of the Lord can be trans-generational also to those that obey and keep the Word of God. They must stress to their children that they need to pass on the need of salvation from generation to generation ( Genesis 26:3-5; Exodus 6:3; Joshua 24:15; Acts 2:39).
10. A father who is just and walks integrity, his children are blessed after him (Proverbs 20:7).
11. Fathers should teach and steer his children away from all sexual immorality encouraging them to keep their chastity (Proverbs 5:1-23, Proverbs 29:3).
12. A good father that gives his substance unto the Lord, works diligently, and invest and saves his money leaves an inheritance to his children’s children (Proverbs 13:22).
13. A father should teach his children that God loves them and has specific purpose for their life (Luke 1:13-17; Romans 8:29-30; 1 Peter 1:3-9).
14. Father should instruct his children the importance of being born again (John 3:5; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:17).
When the hearts of men are turned towards their children and they walk in the divine calling and principles of fatherhood, they avoid being smitten with a curse upon the earth (Malachi 4:6). In today’s time much of the social ills of children could be avoided, if godly fatherhood/parenting was in place.
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