Like Begets Like
Memorize: Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. – Matthew 7:17
Read: Ephesians 6:1-4 (KJV)
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
MESSAGE:
After God created the heavens and the earth, He established some laws and principles to guide their operations and determine the course of everything in creation. Some of these laws are stated specifically in the Bible while some are implied.
Humanity has identified some of these laws and has captured many of them as adages and proverbs such as: “Whatever goes up must come down”, ‘The wages of sin is death’, ‘Whatever you sow, you shall reap’, ‘Giver never lack’, ‘Like begets like’ and so on. These laws and principles are universal and quite consistent. Indeed, anything that goes up will surely come down, and like usually begets like in that children typically inherit the qualities and features of their ancestors. This principle is clearly defined in Mathew 7:17-18 as follows:
“17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.”
It is an established fact that a parent’s character is often replicated in his/her children. The Bible severally confirms this principle. However, this principle is not immutable because good fathers sometimes have bad children as seen in Eli’s case, and bad fathers may have good children. The Bible says God keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations (Deuteronomy 7:9).
All parents in general and Christian parents in particular should have a time of personal reflection today, to examine themselves and consider the implications of their behaviour and attitude on their children for generations to come. After this, they would need to make appropriate amendments. Live a life of total obedience to God from today, so your children can enjoy God’s blessings for generations to come (Psalm 112:1-2).
Prayer Point:
Father, please help me to leave a good inheritance for my children’s children, in the mighty name of Jesus.
Bible in One Year: Song of Solomon 1-8