What is Father to you?
Historically, Father has symbolized authority, dominance, privilege. From the beginning men and women have lived under a curse God put on all humanity because of Adam and Eve’s disobedience. This disobedience resulted in female subjection to male dominance. However, God always wanted better for His children so sent His own Son, Jesus, to demonstrate His will for fathers to be servants, not a ruler, one who sacrifices, gives their all, puts others first, and loves even to death.
The King of Babylon, King Ahasuerus was a perfect example of abuse and control by his divorcing his wife because of her disobedience. All his advisors insisted he not tolerate her bad, influential behavior because they believed all wives would from her example find their husbands contemptible because of their misogynistic ways. They too might disobey their husbands!
What did Queen Vashti do that was deserving of divorce? She did not honor her husband. She refused to be a trophy displayed to all the King’s drinking buddies, to be gawked at and admired as the Kings best “Possession”. She would not come when the King demanded! Yes. She was a trophy wife! Thus, she was no longer worthy to be Queen and was banished from the King’s presence. Esther 1:10-21
Thus, the King’s advisors decreed that every man should rule in his own house. Esther 1:20
Has much changed in in 4,000 years? Has humanity realized that male dominance is part of the curse put on Adam and Eve? Not really, but some students of the Word of God have learned how to submit one to another in love and are free from the original curse! Yes, there are loving fathers and husbands, respectful wives and children in Christian families walking in heaven on earth!
The Bible says we’ve been freed from the curse, the law of sin and death and no weapon formed against us shall prosper; we are to love one another, submit to one another, and obey one another.
But Christ rescued us from the Law’s curse, when he became a curse in our place. This is because the Scriptures say anyone who is nailed to a tree is under a curse AND because of what Jesus Christ has done for us, the blessing promised to Abraham was taken to the Gentiles. This happened so that by faith we would be given the promised Holy Spirit. Galatians 3:13-14
The second most important commandment says: ‘Love others as much as you love yourself.’ No other commandment is more important than these.” Mark 12:31 …submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Ephesians 5:21
What is Father to you? Oppression? Freedom? Love and acceptance?
What is a husband to you? Shackles, demands, controlling OR servant, partner, love?
How we perceive our father seems to set the stage for the man we choose as a husband. If we do not see our own fathers as loving, giving, and sacrificial, then we will always accept less than Gods best for us!
If your Father was harsh, cruel, and demanding, then you need to come to know our Father God’s heart and love, and how much He sacrificed for us through his Son Jesus’ example of taking our punishment for sin by dying on the cross in our place.
Jesus showed the ultimate love by taking our sin and shame with him to the grave if we will believe in him as Savior and Lord!
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16-17
Knowing Christ as your savior will help you recognize the love of God for you and the plans he has for you that are to prosper you, to give you a hope and a future, and that you would be in health as your soul prospers.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 John 1:2
Therefore, I appeal to you today, Beloved, come deeper and know the father’s heart for you!! He loves you; He loves you so much He gave His very, very best and it is His desire to give you the kingdom!
Confess your sins, repent and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Then, read God’s Word the Bible and listen to God’s love letters; His instructions on how to live a victorious greatly blessed life! Be free from the curse!
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10
Rev. Irene Webster