1 Kings 16
2 Chronicles 17
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%2017&version=NASB
A close examination of these chapters offers insight into the influence wielded by parents on their children and by leaders on those under their authority.
The 16th chapter of 1 Kings spotlights the five rulers in the kingdom of Israel from 909-853 B.C. They were Baasha and his son Elah; Zimri; and Omni and his son Ahab. It helps to know that Baasha was preceded on the throne by his father Nadab and grandfather Jeroboam, both of whom had done evil in the sight of the Lord and caused their subjects to sin.
Through the prophet Jehu, God tells Baasha that He will consume his house because of his disgraceful reign, during which Baasha perpetuated the idol worship that had been practiced by his father and grandfather. Elah was no better when he assumed the throne. We're told he, like Baasha, provoked God to anger with idol worship.
It was Zimri, one of Elah's chariot commanders, who slayed Elah as well as all of Elah's male relatives and friends. But because of his conspiracy, Zimri reigned for a mere seven days before meeting a fiery death, and Omri, who had been an army commander, was made king. But did things get better? Hardly. Omri "did evil in the sight of the Lord and acted more wickedly than all who were before him." And after Omri died, his son Ahab "did evil in the sight of the Lord more than all who were before him.'' Do you see a pattern emerging? (It was Ahab, incidentally, who married Jezebel and advanced Baal worship into Israel.)
Contrast the quintet of 1 Kings 16 with the two men -- Asa and Jehoshaphat -- who reigned over Judah during this time. Jehoshaphat is the focus of 2 Chronicles 17, and we are told of the riches and honor that marked his life and how, because of the dread of the Lord that was upon them, none of the kingdoms surrounding Judah made war with Jehoshaphat.
Two keys to the makeup of Jehoshaphat are revealed. He followed God's commandments (2 Chronicles 17:4) and took great pride in the ways of the Lord (17:6). But this doesn't come as a surprise when we recall what was said of Jehoshaphat's father: Asa did what was right in the sight of the Lord (1 Kings 15:11) and was wholly devoted to the Lord all his days (1 Kings 15:14).
The first conclusion we can draw is this: There will be no greater influence on a person's life and values than his parents. The kings of Israel who provoked their people to sin and who left tarnished legacies were merely modeling the behavior they'd observed in their dads. And Jehoshaphat, who gave the Lord honor and glory, was mimicking -- for all of Judah to see -- the example set by his father.
Secondly, people in positions of leadership also can exert a powerful and lasting influence. Asa wasn't perfect (who is?) but his acknowledgment of the one true God reverberated to his people. Likewise, the sinfulness of the rulers in Judea trickled down (perhaps gushed would be better) into the lives of their followers. And when sinful patterns, formerly thought to be taboo, are established, they can not only become accepted but embraced. And from there, it's tough to turn back.
If Christians, whether we're parents now or aspire to be in the future, want our children to live lives pleasing to God, we must be aware that they will, as a rule, follow our lead and do as we do. This doesn't mean our behavior can ensure they'll never slip up -- despite godly parents, there are Christians who've had their share of stumbles -- but Solomon knew what he was talking about when he wrote (in Proverbs 22:6): "Train up a child in the way he should go. Even when he is old he will not depart from it.''
Today's guest post was submitted by Steve Schaeffer
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