Introduction
“There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard” (Eccl. 9:14-1614There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: 15Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. 16Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. (Ecclesiastes 9:14‑16)).
God’s Wisdom Preserves God’s Institutions
The family is one of God’s institutions being violently opposed by Satan. Morally it is like a little city under attack by a great king a wicked, unrelenting tyrant. His attacks against the assembly, which Christ loved and gave Himself for, and against the individual children of God are also unabating. And knowing his time is short, they are increasingly severe. “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come” (2 Tim. 3:11This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2 Timothy 3:1)).
Satan well knows that happy Christian marriages and godly Christian families have a tremendous impact for good on what, perhaps, he hates most in this world Christ’s assembly. Strong marriages and families strengthen, bear fruit and multiply it, while weak, disorderly ones are a cause of discouragement and disorder. We must realize, however, the strength to oppose these great bulwarks is not to be found in ourselves but from “He that is in you.”
The moral qualifications for spiritual leaders mentioned in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 are striking, clearly showing how important is the condition of their families. “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife... one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church [assembly] of God?)” (1 Tim. 3:2,4-52A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; (1 Timothy 3:2)
4One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) (1 Timothy 3:4‑5)).
Further, in Titus 2 The elder sisters are enjoined to teach the younger women “to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” What solemn issues rest on the well-being of Christian families!
Using God’s Provisions
Our God has made divine provision for us, giving principles by which we may be preserved in our marriages, families and the assembly. It is only through the wisdom of the poor wise man (a lovely picture of our blessed Lord Jesus Christ despised by this world, yet the only answer to its great and eternal needs) that this preservation may be found.
Embracing, obeying and holding fast the wisdom of God’s precious Word is the key Christian families (and marriages, too) need to survive and thrive in the face of Satan’s horrendous attacks. May the spirit of Jeremiah be ours: “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart” (Jer. 15:1616Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts. (Jeremiah 15:16)).
Principles of God’s Preservation
Though the Christian family is the focal point of the following meditation, the precious principles gleaned from God’s Word are applicable and appropriate for the assembly, our marriages and individual lives too.
A Journey Through Nehemiah
Dear parents, let’s take a “walk” through the book of Nehemiah and observe one who is a lovely Old Testament picture of the Apostle Paul and of Timothy. As a spiritual father, Paul was willing to “spend and be spent” for the blessing of his spiritual children (2 Cor. 12:1515And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. (2 Corinthians 12:15)), while Timothy cared “with genuine feeling” how the saints were getting on (Phil. 2:2020For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. (Philippians 2:20) JND).
In the divine record of Nehemiah’s day we will find morally similar circumstances to those difficulties and attacks which beset Christian homes your home and family today. We also will see how Nehemiah—just one “poor wise man”—stood in the gap, and by his faith, love and spiritual energy rose up to repair Jerusalem (a moral picture of the Christian home)—engaging and encouraging others in the rebuilding of its walls and gates. His “labor of love” resulted in great blessing for God’s dear people.
Be assured that in your home you also may apply daily in dependence on the Lord these same divine principles, defending your beloved family against attack from the enemy. If used in faith and the fear of God, they will strengthen your family and, ultimately, the assembly. And will there not then be joy as the “days of heaven upon the earth” in your home? Yes! God delights to reward faith (even though weak) and obedience. “Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour” (Matt. 15:2828Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. (Matthew 15:28)).
Beginning the Journey
In our journey we will continually observe two themes: (1) the individual faith of Nehemiah and (2) the unrelenting attacks of the enemy seeking to destroy what Nehemiah and his followers rebuilt.
We also will see demonstrated in Nehemiah’s individual life four important principles exercised constantly as he built: (1) intense interest in the welfare of others, (2) individual exercise of heart to serve others, (3) inexhaustible love for others, and (4) intimate identification with the conditions that characterized others’ lives.
Parents desiring to protect their beloved children and home from the persistent attacks of the enemy must have these same four motives, faithfully using them in holy fear and dependence upon God.
Ed.
Ed. Note
We intend, Lord willing, to continue this series in future issues of the Christian Shepherd. May our loving Father be pleased to bless it to each. We also recommend other writings on the home and family by various authors which are available from Bible Truth Publishers (Addison, Illinois, U.S.A.) and Bibles and Publications (Montreal, Quebec, Canada), as well as other bookrooms.