Generational!

Generational!

Proverbs 23:24 AMP

[24] ¶The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who sires a wise child will have joy in him.

These are the proverbs of the wisest man who ever lived, according to cyber God's own view of the life of Solomon. His life would be a reflection of the verse above. As we know, David was a man after God's own heart, but that did not mean that God permitted or approved all the actions that David took. The Bible records the many achievements of the man David, as well as many of his faults too, but one thing the bible accounts make clear is that God's standards are generational. He does not hold one generation to one standard and then hold a different generation to a lower or higher standard. He is called the same yesterday, today and forever for a reason, and it is because He does not change like shifting shadows. What he called sin in the days of Adam and Abraham are still so called in the days of Peter and Paul. That is consistency and predictability: attributes of God that emphasize His nature. 

As we consider the life and impact of David the father, it is not a wonder that Solomon the son made some good choices. He personally knew the God of his father David, and sought Him early to ask for wisdom for the work he had been given. Even the bible says that God loved the boy, and even sent His prophet to give him a name to reflect that love. We also know that the father laid some bad examples that the son also picked up, one of which was the love or lust for many women. I am not sure why power, position or privilege fill men with inordinate desires, but we see this play out across all generations of human activity. It is a word of caution to all who seek to make impact: actions have eternal ramifications. I do not get to claim that I live for myself alone. Life is about generational connection. David's actions got him an eternal kingship. Abraham too received eternal blessings due to his faith in God. 

We see the men of the bible pass on the fruits of their actions to their children, whether good or bad. If I am righteous by God's standards, I am leaving a good example for my children to emulate. My father's example is a seed that I may eat from, but I also get to lay down a good example for my own children too. My father may not have known God, but God expects me to lay a good example for my children to follow. This is one of the ways by which God perpetuates a Godly generation. His light in me becomes necessary inspiration and guidance to those who watch me. Can I truly say that God is evident in my life? There is joy to the man who is able to pass on the personal knowledge and experience of God to others. There is joy for the man who has invested time and resources in mentoring another person to walk in line with the will and mind of God. Does this describe me at the moment? God's time of favour is here.