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Turning the Hearts of the Fathers to the Children
October 26, 2019

During the recent fall Holy Days, we’ve been studying the Kingdom of God, the return of Jesus Christ and of God the Father here on earth and looking at this future time as a time of extreme happiness. There’s one prophecy that shows there is this very remote possibility that that might not even happen. In addition to this Bible study is a companion sermon available as an audio file and transcript. We are told before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD Elijah the prophet will be sent who will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to their fathers. If this doesn't happen, we are also told God will bring a curse, transliterated from the Hebrew as cherum, meaning utter destruction.

Malachi 4:1-6
For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts. Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

Many people explain Proverbs 22:6 as the basis for teaching the Bible, God’s way of life to children. Their concept is if you teach children the truth, when they are old, they will not depart from it. I have been studying the Bible for decades. I’ve seen people come and go in the faith, and I can tell you, you can train a child about the Bible, you can help them learn, and at the end, children will leave the faith under certain circumstances, especially when the adults are oppressive and hypocritical in their teaching and interpretation of the Bible.

Proverbs 22:6-16
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail. He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease. He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend. The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor. The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets. The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein. Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

There are many sound principles Proverbs 22 gives us. Some will look at verse fifteen and have reason to use physical force to teach Biblical principles. Some parents look at verse fifteen as a reason why they should spank their children, and spank their children, and spank their children. There are many different ways how a child may be taught, and if your first reaction is to go to physical violence, I would be very concerned about that, because you may not be equating the physical violence to anything that is of meaningful value to the child. If by spanking your child the child only gathers that you are a mean, hateful person, and you are a mean, hateful person because that is what God teaches you, you have done nothing great for your child. You have done great harm to your child.

Psalm 127:1-5
Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Our children should bring us great happiness and should be a source of pride and strength in our life. As our children are a source of pride and strength in our life, we must always be reflective and remember Malachi four and verse six. We know there will be this Elijah the prophet coming before the great and dreadful day of the LORD. We know that he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest God come and smite the earth with utter destruction.

A note to children: Some adults will sadly use their position of authority and oppress people. This oppression can range from bullying to abuse, and abuse can be emotional and mental abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse. All of these need to be investigated by law enforcement, even if the person abusing you is a relative, a friend of the family, a priest, or any other person who you see as in charge. If you don't feel safe talking with an adult in your circle of faith, please reach out to a teacher or school counselor. Let them know what is happening because nobody wants to see you be the victim of abuse.

All verses are from the King James Version.
This site provided by Tom Laign. To all who may believe differently, I also extend peace and love.
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