ESOCS Devotional 27 February 2023
TEXT: 1 SAMUEL 19:1-18
MEMORY VERSE: “And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, let not the king sin against his servant, against David: because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good.” 1 Samuel 19:4
Is it right for a child to disobey his or her father, as Jonathan did according to the story in our text? Does any culture support such? Did God not command children to honour (obey) their parents in order to live long on earth? (Exodus 20:12) So, why did Jonathan disobey?
Saul told his son, Jonathan, and his soldiers, to kill David (v 1) because of jealousy. But Jonathan disobeyed him, and spoke well of David before his father, reminding him how David risked his life in the Israel – Philistine war (vs 4-5).
A child’s duty is to be respectful, helpful, and obedient to his father (Ephesians 6:1-3); but not to follow commands or advice that violates God’s law. It is clearly a principle of Scripture that when a father instructs his child to break God’s law, the child should obey God rather than the father (man).
While it is instructive to have their children obey them, correspondingly, in Ephesians 6:4, the Bible warned fathers not to provoke their children to wrath, but to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. It is not just wrath (anger), but anything that will make them commit sin- disobedience, lies, pride, envy, immoral lifestyle, etc.
However, it should be noted that though there is a right reason to disobey, it should be done with wisdom- in a respectful manner as Jonathan did.
- So many people are in difficult situations that make them violate God’s law.
- May God deliver us from all temptations, in Jesus name.
FURTHER READING: Colossians 3:18-21
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
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ESOCS Devotional 27 February 2023
