As a father, I would like to share some thoughts I have enjoyed in meditating on the first four verses of Isaiah 42. These verses are quoted again in Matthew 12:18-21 where the Spirit of God directly applies them to the Lord Jesus Christ. God, speaking through Isaiah, shares His delight in His Son, the One who, in meekness and grace, effects the blessing of His people.
But in meditating a little on the joy of God the Father in His Son, my thoughts have turned to my role as father in my family. While there is a primary interpretation to a Scripture passage, there is also room for varied applications of that passage, which the Holy Spirit can make according to our needs and at any point in time.
“Thy commandment is exceeding broad” (Psa. 119:96). “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable . . . for instruction . . . that the man of God may be perfect [mature or full-grown], thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
A Father’s Support and Delight
“Behold My servant, whom I uphold; Mine elect, in whom My soul delighteth” (Isa. 42:1). Isn’t it wonderful to be called God’s servant? He uses that word “My” to inseparably link us with Him. Who else would we rather have to give us our instructions and directions? What more perfect, loving or gracious Master could we find?
Then, too, He upholds us. Not only is He the source of our assignments, but He also supports and sustains us as we attempt to carry out those tasks. “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deut. 33:27).
Next, He assures us that He delights in us. Now that would be a rather bold assertion to make about us who were wretched sinners, both by our nature and by our actions, if He did not confirm the truth of it elsewhere in the Word of God. But He says He chose “us in Him [Christ] before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:4). The Lord Jesus says, “The Father Himself loveth you” (John 16:27). One of my favorite hymns contains the following two stanzas:
So nigh, so very nigh to God,
I cannot nearer be;
For in the person of His Son,
I am as near as He.
So dear, so very dear to God,
More dear I cannot be;
The love wherewith He loves the Son,
Such is His love to me
(Little Flock Hymnbook, Appendix #27)
“I have put My Spirit upon him” (vs. 1). Not only does God encourage us by drawing us close to Himself and describing how He views us, because we have believed on His beloved Son, but He also reminds us of the infinite resource of power given us for the task at hand—the Holy Spirit.
Every true believer has the Holy Spirit living in him, and John’s Gospel describes the various functions that He fulfills for us. He helps us remember (John 14:26), He teaches us (vs. 26), He guides us into all truth (ch. 16:13) and He points our attention to Christ (ch. 15:26). These are all principles that we need as fathers, at both the spiritual level and the natural level of dealing with the daily affairs of our families.
A Father’s Decisions
“He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles” (vs. 1). These special privileges—being God’s servants and possessing the constant, unfailing resource of His Spirit—are true of us at every moment. But how do they benefit us fathers? By our bringing forth judgment. I want to apply the word “judgment” in the sense of forming a decision, including the thought of discernment.
How often we feel unable to properly judge and decide the multitude of situations that arise in a day. Left to ourselves, we’d be wholly inadequate. But the wonderful message is that we’re not left to ourselves! We can, in the fear of the Lord, make proper judgments as we learn to sense and lean on the Holy Spirit’s leading.
A Father’s Discipline - Tender and Firm
“He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street” (vs. 2). In applying this passage to our role as fathers, we now have several details of daily living to consider. First, there’s our voice. Do our children respond with loving obedience the first time we speak to them, or is it only after we’ve repeated the request or command several times, each time getting louder, more forceful and more threatening? Our children will respond to whatever pattern we condition them to. We can train them to obey the first time instead of the fifth—with the quiet, soft voice instead of shouting and threats—if we show them through loving, consistent discipline that that is what we expect.
“A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench” (vs. 3). Second, there’s a need for balance. On the one hand, “a bruised reed” would suggest our children when they’re hurting and helpless; on the other, the “smoking flax” might refer to those times when they are feeling the heat of the Lord’s working with them about something in their lives that needs correction. With the former, we want to use extra care so that we don’t “break” them, but rather give them all the tender sympathy and compassion that they so crave at a time of pain and hurt, whether it be physical or emotional. With the latter, we need to exercise patience and restraint lest any of our words or actions “quench” or lessen or hinder the effect of the Lord’s hand in their hearts and lives.
A Father’s Guidance - the Word of God
“He shall bring forth judgment unto truth” (vs. 3). Third, what is the basis for the judgments that we are constantly called to form with regard to our children? Do we always go back to the Word of God to see what He would show us about each and every situation we face? Are our judgments according to truth—based solely on that solid foundation of absolutes that is only found in the Word of God—or do we rely on our own opinions as well as those of others around us to decide how we should deal with our children in a given situation? Proverbs 3:5-6 is a good motto for every aspect of life: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”
A Father’s Faithfulness
“He shall not fail [or, faint] nor be discouraged [or, be in haste], till he have set judgment in the earth” (vs. 4). Fourth, aren’t we tempted at times to give up? The task of guiding our households and rearing our children sometimes seems so overwhelming that we faint beneath the load and feel like quitting entirely. But it’s at times like this that our God especially stands by us and encourages us with, “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Gal. 6:9). Don’t give up! All the arduous toil of the present will be more than recompensed when we hear the Lord say, as we enter the Father’s house in heaven, “Well done, good and faithful servant . . . enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matt. 25:23).
Fifth, acting in haste is generally not wise when it comes to our fathering responsibilities. There may be times when we have no choice but to make a quick decision. However, often “haste makes waste” and we later regret not having allowed more time to carefully consider a matter or to let a situation manifest itself more clearly and completely before forming a judgment about it. The words of the Lord Jesus are, “In your patience possess ye your souls” (Luke 21:19).
A Father’s Patience
“The isles shall wait for his law” (vs. 4). Perhaps we can understand this phrase in a broad sense and apply it to the results that we will see with our children. As we seek, with God’s help and grace, to fulfill our duties as fathers according to God’s order and instructions, our children will “wait for [our] law.” In other words, they will wait for instruction and direction from us. They will lean on our guidance and help. They will respond with loving support and obedience. Does this seem too idealistic or unattainable? Let’s not forget what the Lord Jesus said: “Without Me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). But let’s also remember the beautiful complement to this verse: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13). Keep looking up—to Christ—for wisdom and help.
D. R. Macy