FATHERS & KNOWLEDGE (PT. 8)
Gen. 3:8-9 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as He was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. (9) But the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’
As we continue to pursue the Father’s will for men, this remains a valid question. If there was ever a time when men need to know where they are, it is now. Today’s culture is challenging men’s identity, purpose, authority, and his value. In short, our current culture is on a mission to redefine the role of men. The word culture is defined as: “the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group.” Put another way, this word represents “the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations.”
One of the subtle tendencies of one generation is its failure to discern the impact it has on the next generation. This responsibility is paramount for men since they carry the weight of covering their families. God gave the first man, Adam, this responsibility in Eden. “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” (Gen. 2:15) Every man is responsible for his garden. In short, this is called covering. Men are responsible to cover and take care of their families. This was Adam’s role, and it remains men’s primary responsibility today. The devastating consequences of men’s failure to cover their families continues to increase. Anything uncovered is exposed!
John Piper, in his book: What’s the difference? Manhood and Womanhood Defined According to the Bible, asks the questions: “Where are the men with a moral vision for their families, a zeal for the house of the Lord, a magnificent commitment to the advancement of the kingdom, an articulate dream for the mission of the church and a tenderhearted tenacity to make it real?” (pg. 68) God’s will for men has not changed. Men must be made aware of their God-given responsibility, and then ensure that the generations following them carry this revelation forward to their children (sons especially). This requires a revelation of divine knowledge. God has not changed His mind. He still wills for men to lead in their homes with the understanding that their families represent their earthly kingdoms.
If a son is to grow up to be a man, he must have a father who serves as an authentic example of manhood. The relationship between a father and his son was always meant to reflect the relationship between God, our heavenly father, and Jesus Christ, His son. This is the divine pattern established from the beginning. It remains God’s intent for men today. There is another question God asked a son, this time Cain, the son of Adam: “Then the Lord said to Cain, Where is your brother, Abel?” (Gen. 4:9) If this question was important to God, how more important could it be if God has asked: “Where is your son?”