FATHER’S DAY MESSAGE
(Genesis 35:1-5)
By Pastor H Thangchinkhup
Pastor on this auspicious day delivered his message centering on the importance of father in a family. Taking an example of Jacob who lay down alter for his family, he draws three important points:
1. Father is the recipient of God’s message (Genesis 35:1)
Father received the word of God through which he guides his family. In this bible verse, God spoke to Jacob and instructed him to go to Bethel and build alter there. Likewise, instruction comes from God and through this instruction father is to guide the family according to the will of God.
2. Father’s love for his wife and children (Genesis 35:2,3)
Looking around the daily happenings around us, we have witnessed tragedies where father makes enemy of his son, husband killing wife. These tragedies are no longer perceived as something that is abnormal but accepted as the normal. These acts are not what God expected of us. The father is expected by God to lead his family in alter and this job is solely given him and not any other family members. However, if we look at v.2,3 there are works needed to be done by the family members. They are to rid themselves of any foreign god and make cleanse themselves for God’s glory.
3. Wife and children are to take heed to the word of father and obey him (Genesis 35:4)
When Jacob with the word he received from God led his family, the family members obey his instruction without any question. They rid themselves of their ornaments and other foreign gods and make themselves holy for God.
Pastor in summarizing his message says that, leading a God fearing Christian family needs the cooperation all members of the family. God has assigned specific task to be carried out by each members of the family. The father is expected to listen to God’s word and through which he is to lead the family. Family members should accept that father is anointed by God to lead the family and any word of God that flows through him should be obeyed. Through and only in this way alone a family alter worthy of acceptance by God can be offered.
