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2 Chronicles 22
After the death of Jehoram we read that his youngest son, Ahaziah, was made king of Judah (his elder brothers having all been killed). Ahaziah followed in the ways of Ahab, his grandfather, and was close to his uncle, King Jehoram of Israel.
Jehoram and Ahaziah both went to war against Syria, and it was on visiting the wounded Jehoram at a later date that Ahaziah (and many of his relations) were killed by Jehu, who the LORD had appointed to execute judgement on the house of Ahab.
As soon as Ahaziah's mother heard that her son was dead she had all the remainder of the royal heirs of Judah killed and reigned over the land herself. Unknown to her Ahaziah's sister, Jehoshabeath, wife of Jehoida the priest, managed to hide one of her nephews in the temple for 6 years.
Today my attention was caught by verse 3: 'he (Ahaziah) also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab: for his mother was his counsellor to do wickedly'.
What an influence a mother can have on her children! In Ahaziah's case his mother encouraged him to follow wickedness, and it contributed to his downfall.
I have often wondered as I read through these accounts why it is that amongst a line of ungodly kings there is suddenly one that seeks the Lord - I wondered how they would know to follow the Lord if brought up in a heathen household. I have since wondered if this is due to the influence of their mother. For example, Hezekiah, a godly king, had a mother who was daughter of a godly priest, Zechariah. We also read of Uzziah, who sought the LORD all the days of Zechariah - although not a mother, he was influenced by an important role model.
This is a reminder to us of how we can influence our children, or young ones close to us, by our advice and example. 'Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it' is wisdom found in the Proverbs (22:6).
In Deuteronomy we are exhorted to love the Lord and his commandments and laws, 'and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up...' (6: 1-9).
In the New Testament we are further exhorted to bring up our children 'in the nurture and admonition of the Lord' (Ephesians 6: 4). My Study Bible suggests that this is meaning 'training' in spiritual education, and instruction of one's responsibilities and duties.
Although my husband and I don't have children I have wondered how a child can be taught the things of God without finding them irksome and boring. I well remember - and have heard the young ones say in my wider family - how boring Sundays and services seemed!
None of us can love the Lord without his love first drawing us to him, and it is the Holy Spirit which teaches us our need of him, but it seems so sad to me that our young ones view the worship and ways of God a chore, when it is God that gives them their very life and all that they have. (And are we any better than the children?!).
My parents taught us to pray to Jesus each night and when in need. They read the Bible to us twice a day and encouraged us to have our own readings. My earliest impressions include understanding from the children's hymn that Jesus is "...a Friend for little children, above the bright blue sky".
I recall my first real prayer when I came home from primary school, terrified that there would be another World War and my brothers and Father would have to go and fight. (We had been watching 'How we used to live'; a TV programme about the First World War). I couldn't sleep that night, and eventually went back downstairs crying. My Father kindly encouraged me to go back upstairs and tell Jesus, which kneeling by the side of my bed I did, and then climbed in and went to sleep.
How much we have to be thankful for when our parents have instilled in us the ways and doctrines of God at a young age, so that as we go through life we know where we should turn for help, and that we have a precious guidebook for life, the Bible.
In one of my favourite books, Hudson Taylor, we read how his Father endeavoured to teach his children to pray:
'From infancy, the little happenings of every day were made occasions for drawing near to God. Nothing was too trivial to interest Father and Mother, because the little folk were dear to them, and nothing was too small to bring to Him who loved them better still. If there was something to thank their parents for, or obtain help in, they would not wait until the end of the day to do so. And in the same way they learned to come 'without ceasing', with thanksgiving and prayer to their greater Father in heaven. It was just as natural for Amelia at three years old to say reverently, "O Lord, take away my naughty temper and give me a new heart," as to ask pardon of the mother she had grieved'...'
Interestingly, we also read how the children's happiest days were Sundays, it being a day when they associated having their mother to themselves in a way which household duties prevented during the week. As well as intending that day to be the happiest and most helpful to them each, after attending services,
'... she had ways and means of making that day different from all others and much to be desired. The nicest toys and picture-books belonged to Sunday, as well as the prettiest frocks and the cosy fire in the drawing-room because the piano was there. Mother's sweet voice made hymn-singing a delight. No talks were like her talks over the Bible, not to speak of Pilgrim's Progress, and other books that only appeared that day. Then she always had a basket of fruit for her little people in the afternoon. And just to see her looking so sweet and restful as she shared their enjoyments was not the least part of the happiness of the day.'
Perhaps, dear reader, you are a mother and feel to come far short of the example above, but may the Lord bless you in your efforts to bring up your children to follow his ways. May you see answers to your prayers for them and know his wisdom as you seek to guide them.
Woman cradling baby photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
Girls reading the Bible photo by Ben White on Unsplash
Woman and little girl photo by Jon Flobrant on Unsplash with thanks.
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