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Once upon a time a certain Foreign Office dignitary was sent to represent the British Government in Egypt. He lived not too far from Khartoum, where there was a splendid statue of his life-long hero, the famous General Gordon, who was depicted in stone, seated commandingly on a large camel. The General had given his life for his country, and in the last century was treated with reverence and respect. Each week that he lived in Egypt the Civil Servant took his little boy with him to honour the memory of the great British hero. Each week father and son would stand before the statue in silent respect to the memory of the great man. This ritual continued and each week the father told his small son more of the great General Gordon's exploits.
There is no doubt that Gordon was a great Christian man and an inspirational leader. The day came when the Foreign Office ordered him back to Britain, and the man and his son went to the statue for the last time, and stood in silence honouring Gordon, as was their custom. As they came away, the lad said "Can I ask a question Dad?" "Of course my son, fire away". "Well, Dad, I've often wondered" said the boy "Who's that little chap on Gordon's back?"
No wonder Deuteronomy is so particular about the thoroughness we need in teaching our children about God.
In the future, when you son asks you, "What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the Lord our God has commanded you?" tell him
"We were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. ..." Deuteronomy 6:20-21
A Prayer:
Enable us Lord to teach our children of you and your ways by loving them and by listening to them, by our attitudes and values, by our controlled passions and kept promises, our honesty and justice, our worship, our prayers, our talk and our silence, and in taking nothing in them for granted.
Now read Ephesians 5:22 - 6:9 for the great untried Christian secret of mutually creative submission.
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