“The father of a righteous child has great joy;
a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.”
Proverbs 23:24 (NIV)
Many writers have written about the fathers in the Bible, but just because someone is a father in a Bible story, doesn’t mean they are the best example of a father. I have my own selection of the following four fathers, who are my own favorites.
Jacob-The grieving father:
Joseph’s multi colored coat has been the subject of musicals, plays and children’s books, but what about Jacob, his father and all he went through. After Joseph was thrown by his brothers into a cistern and left to die, they lied to their father, saying that Joseph was killed by a wild animal. For two decades, Jacob believed the lie that his son Joseph was dead, until seeing him years later in Egypt. For whatever reasons a father grieves over a child, Jacob is a relatable example of a heartbroken father sustained by God throughout his years of grieving.
Father of the Prodigal-The merciful father:
Another father in scripture who stands out to me is the father of the prodigal son. He was the epitome of mercy and forgiveness. He never dwelled on his son’s sins of the past, but only looked for him to return home one day. His eyes were on the horizon, looking for that day when his son returned, so that he could shower him with mercy. May God bring every prodigal son or daughter home to their father who waits for them with a heart of mercy.
Jairus-The hope filled father:
Jairus put all his hope and faith in Jesus, trusting that even if He didn’t heal his daughter, He could still raise her to life from the dead. The hope filled father keeps hope against all hope, that nothing is impossible, despite negative news or a tragic prognosis. May God instill the hope of Jairus in every father to keep believing for a miracle of healing or a resurrection of spiritual life in their son or daughter.
Joseph, father of Jesus-The Faith filled father:
Joseph, the father of Jesus had greater trust and faith in God than anyone else in the Old or New Testament put together. Joseph stood against the mainstream, to follow God’s leading even when it was counter cultural for his time.
He obeyed God by marrying Mary, who was already pregnant. By faith he obeyed God and moved his family to Egypt, which wasn’t a comfortable place for a religious Jewish family to live. By faith, Joseph did all the odd things that God asked of him, but his faith was best lived out in fathering Jesus with love, wisdom and faith, as the amazing father and husband that he was.
Some fathers today may be grieving as Jacob did over a child. Others may have the same heart of mercy for a returning son or daughter, forgetting the past, as the father of the prodigal did. Many fathers have the steadfast faith of Joseph, to obey God even when it is counter cultural. Fathers of faith are men who pursue God’s values and wisdom before all else.
Lord, bless all fathers today whether they are living here or in heaven, giving them great joy over their sons and daughters this Father’s Day.
Happy Father’s Day to all your special fathers !
