by Robert J. Kurz, M.A. Counseling

In Isaiah chapter 46 God speaks to Israel and states, “I have made you, and I will carry you.”  The Lord
was willing to accept His fatherly responsibility from the cradle to the grave, due to the fact that He was
the Creator. There would never be a time when He was not attempting to train, care for, and influence
His children. He proclaimed this despite the fact that Israel often was disobedient and unteachable.
Earlier in his book, Isaiah recorded the words of the Lord. “I have nourished and brought up children,
and they have rebelled against Me.”

The Lord’s love for Israel, and His constant care for them, is an example to every father today. When
a man fathers a child, he must assume responsibilities for more than providing tangible needs. Most
fathers work very hard to take care of physical, emotional, intellectual and financial needs in the lives
of their children. Some work more than one job to ensure that all needs are met. The importance of
providing for such things cannot be questioned. However, there is one need that is far more
important than those listed above. That is the need for spiritual understanding.

Fathers, who present a spiritual vision to their children, will positively influence how well they do as
adults. Proverbs 29:18 declares, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Individual children are
perishing in our society because their fathers are not influencing them with spiritual priorities. Consider
the following true story of how two men influenced their children, and the generations that followed them:

Max Jukes lived in New York in the first half of the 18th century. He did not believe in Christ, or in
Christian training. He refused to take his children to church, even when they asked to go. The impact
of his lifestyle regarding Christianity has been traced through his lineage. He has had 1,026
descendants. Three hundred of them were sent to prison for an average of 13 years; 190 were
public prostitutes; 680 were admitted alcoholics. They made no contribution to society, and made
no attempts to live for God.

Jonathan Edwards lived in the same state, at the same time as Max Jukes. They had the same
opportunities. Edwards loved the Lord and saw that his children were in church every Sunday, as he
served the Lord to the best of his ability. He has had 929 descendants. Of these, 430 were ministers;
75 authored good books; 5 were elected to the United States Congress, and 2 to the Senate; one was
Vice President of his nation. They contributed immeasurably to the quality of life in their society, as well
as influencing others with the gospel of Christ.

It would be beneficial for fathers today to ponder both the influence they have on their own children, but
also on the lives of future generations. One writer suggested that, “Everyone home schools; the real
question is, what is your curriculum?” As Father’s Day approaches, let’s remember, “A good man
leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.” What are you leaving for your children that will last
into eternity? Will the future generation bearing your name look more like Max Jukes or Jonathan
Edwards?