“Each generation goes further than the generation preceding it because it stands on the shoulders of that generation. You will have opportunities beyond anything that we’ve ever seen.”
We live in a world in which everything that exists must have a creator. Humanity is God’s handiwork; we are not self-existent or self-made. In God’s original plan, Adam and Eve, our first parents, were created as seed bearers to multiply and recreate their kind on the earth. Through them, the human race has been extended over time, generation after generation. Thus, as we delve deeper into our theme, Shifting Generations, we will pay special attention to seed bearers through whom generations are furthered in the course of history.
While the role of seed-bearing is shared by both males and females, we find often in Scripture that the role of ‘fathers’ is emphasized a lot. The term father or abba is often used to describe a male parent, adoptive or stepfather or father-in-law. It also describes a male ancestor, progenitor, originator or founder of a race, family, movement, institutions (like churches), establishments (corporate organizations) or nations. While these descriptions are true, the term ‘father’ can be descriptive of a woman who plays similar roles too. So, in this context, the term ‘father’ is not restricted to the male gender.
Seed bearers are originators who bring something into existence. They are also stewards and custodians with a responsibility to provide care for, defend and safeguard the well-being of the seeds, ideas, groups, or establishment they birth. They are called as watchmen to look out for the welfare of families and groups, warning of impending danger and watching for the fulfillment of promises and prophecies. They are also called to keep the gates of their domains from unlawful access. They are authorized to determine who or what is permitted or forbidden access.
Within the family setting, a father or mother is called to provide spiritual leadership. They are to provide instruction in God’s ways and establish divine order in the home. It is only when parents do not live up to this task that God bypasses them and uses obedient children to fulfill this all-important role. Such was the case of Eli and Samuel, and we see from Eli’s response in the text below that he had become apathetic in his role as a father.
Now the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.”
Then the LORD said to Samuel: “Behold, I will do something in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle.
In that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end.
For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not [b]restrain them.
And therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.”
So Samuel lay down until [c]morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel was afraid to tell Eli the vision.
Another means seed bearers secure blessings for posterity is through intercession or intervention in acts that can hinder blessings. In this regard, Job stands out in how he took interest in the affairs of his children and offered burnt offerings to consecrate them. Not only did he foreshadow and invoke the intercessory benefits of Christ’s redemptive sacrifice, he also set an example and instilled the habit of sacrificial giving in his children. Through his offerings and sacrifices, he opened major portals of financial blessing and breakthrough for his posterity.
And seven sons and three daughters were born to him.
And his sons would go and feast in their houses, each on his appointed day, and would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.
So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did regularly.
Job 1:2 & 4-5, NKJV
In the Christendom today, the place of spiritual fathers and mothers is emphasized greatly, but sometimes to the neglect of biological parents. It is true that the former play an essential role of the ministers of God in our knowledge of God, development in spiritual things and love for Jesus and His church. However, they are not called to substitute biological parents in their God-given assignment. I have often asked people, ‘if you had Abraham or Job as your biological parent, which other spiritual father would you run after?’ These men functioned effectively in their walk with God and influenced their families and descendants so well that they became a model for spiritual parenthood. This is the level God is calling us to occupy too.
You may not be able to boast of perfect parents but whoever you were blessed to have as parents or guardians must have contributed to nurture you, teach you, provide for you, correct and discipline you. While they may not always set good examples, they probably aimed to be worthy models for those behind them. There are sad examples of parents and progenitors who abandon their families to pursue their own pleasures or abuse them for their personal comfort or profits. Some never recover from mistakes and errors they made early in life and as they have settled for something less or drifted away from their families. Today, the younger generations are bearing the brunt of their absence.
Whatever your experience has been with regards to parenting, you can write your own script for the coming generations. Now is your time to step in the role of a seed bearer and chart a blazing trail for posterity. It is a blessing if you are privileged to carry on the baton from visionary parents who lay a good foundation for the future. But for those who don’t seem to have a good launching point, we must realize that the shortcomings of our predecessors offer lessons on choices and actions we can avoid to escape the pitfalls they encountered.
To do this effectively, we must eschew certain errors that have become rampant in our day. ‘ Honour your father and mother’
is the first commandment that relates to human relation and one that is accompanied with a blessing (see Exodus 20:12, Ephesians 6:2). Yet, the cardinal sin of this generation is dishonour. Many blatantly insult and despise elders and leaders. Like Ham, we expose the nakedness (or weaknesses) of our leaders (Genesis 9:23-25). We are unable to submit to learn from them or obey their instructions. In pride, we usurp their status and authority like Absalom (see 2 Samuel 15:1-6) and rebel against them. We fail to give them their due respect or credits. Even worse, we conspire against their leadership and incite others to do same through our sharp criticisms and complaints. Sadly, we fail to realize these acts are seeds that will sprout to undermine our own leadership and make us unfruitful when our time of influence comes. The stories of Aaron and Miriam in Numbers 12 and that of Korah in Numbers 16 stand as a warning for us.
Beloved, it takes grace to fulfill the mandate of a seed bearer. The huge responsibility and influence they wield on the future alone makes them a target of the enemy of our souls. Like we see in the story of Job, Satan finds every avenue to attack the welfare and wellbeing of their partners, children, and marriage. He finds means to deflate their morale with diverse setbacks and financial challenges just as Paul laments in his letter to the church in Corinth. As we see from Samson’s life, at times, the enemy exploits sinful desires and preferences to trap them in addictions and habits that destroy their key relationships and sap the love of God from their lives. In the end, some fail in their ministry and calling.
We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it.
I believe we do posterity a great disservice if we fail to support the seed bearers in our lives to succeed. Like Aaron and Hur did for Moses, we can hold up in their areas of struggle and weakness. Through our prayers, encouraging words, material and financial support, giving and obedience, we can help our predecessors win their battles, finish their race, and secure victories as a memorial for posterity. As we sow such seeds into their lives, we shall also reap similar benefits in our calling as seed bearers for coming generations. Further, through reading and documenting, we can glean and preserve wisdom from their experiences for posterity.
So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill.
As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage.
Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset.
As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.
I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare.
All the others care only for themselves…
Shifting generations for the better starts with our response to the seed bearers who paved way for our existence. There’s much we can apply to yourself as the seed bearers in our generation too. I am convinced that we will finish this 40-day journey thoroughly equipped to position our posterity for a far worthier and greater legacy by the grace and anointing of God.