The oxford English dictionary defines ‘home’ as a dwelling place, where one lives or resides. But the term can be taken to include all those that dwell together in a place – the man, the wife, children and all that dwell together in that home.
One of the institutions (if not the greatest) which God desires and delights in always is the home (Gen. 1:27 – 29). Raising a godly home is one of the paramount demands of God from every believer. This demand is for them to provide the much desired atmosphere for smaller units of His Church.
God is interested in the homes of His children. No wonder He states concerning Abraham: “Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him. For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him and they shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which He hath spoken of him” (Gen. 18:18 – 19).
For the purpose of clarity, the assignment will be approached from the angle of a building. This assignment as a builder of the home begins with the man finding a wife (Pro. 18:22) and the solemnization of the marriage signifies the laying of a good foundations for a godly family (Gen. 2:18, 21 – 24). Note however that the man can only be joined in marriage to a believing spouse (one that has given her life to Jesus Christ), otherwise the marriage becomes an unequal yoke contrary to God’s commandment (2 Cor. 6:15 – 16).
The arrival of children into the family is the fulfilment of one of God’s directives on fruitfulness (Gen. 1:27 – 28) and the manifestation of the strength with which to contend with the enemies at the gate (Ps. 127:3 – 5). As children are the heritage of the Lord, it becomes mandatory for them to be properly looked after in terms of upbringing (Pro. 13:24; 1 Tim. 3:4).
It is the duty of the man to love God first, followed by his wife and children and to spend quality time with them regularly, giving attention to them, sparing the time to listen to issues paramount to them or bothering them. No matter how demanding his job or ministry may be, his wife and children comes first. Also important is that he loves and threats with dignity and honour others who may be living with him – in-law(s), relation, steward, driver, or gateman among others and to teach them the ways of the Lord, for he is accountable to God concerning them for as long as they live under his roof. He should not be harsh towards any member of his household, though discipline and godly principles should be upheld, it should not be done under intimidation and fear.
Godly home is one where the principles of godliness as taught by God’s word are practiced. God has this to say – “And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children …. And thou shalt write them upon the post of thy house, and on thy gate” (Deut. 6:7 – 9). It is clear from the above that some of the essential tools required in the building and sustaining the godly home are the knowledge of God and His words; obedience to God’s word and walking in the light of His words. These tools can be likened to the structure and mortar for holding home firmly unto its foundation. Hence, the man must of necessity ensure that his home and indeed all members of his household submit themselves to the impartation of the knowledge of God, His statutes, directives and ways.
It is important that the man knows that he has been made an overseer or the representative of God in the home. In this respect his assignment in terms of spiritual, financial and material provision for the home is tremendous and which must be carried out promptly. Many men who are shirking in this responsibility are worse than an infidel says the Scriptures (1 Tim. 5:8).
The setting of the family ‘altar’ is a matter of great importance which cannot be compromised. As the high priest of the Most High God in the home, the man is expected to carry out regular services as required on the altar. The absence of a family altar in the home of a Christian is a serious rebellion and as it is written, the home becomes a dry land (Ps. 68:6). Hence, the man must ensure that not only himself but every member of the household is trained on the use of the family altar. The importance of ‘quiet time’ and its difference from the altar should also be articulated.
In the area of social relationship and character building, the man and members of his household are expected to demonstrate the knowledge and nature of God (be Christ-like) in their actions and interactions with other. The abject disregard of this aspect in the home of Eli, the high priest made his sons become sons of Belial and this eventually led to the total destruction of that family (1 Sam. 2:12, 31). In order to avoid every satanic onslaught on and the defeat of the home, the man must pursue with the desired courage the building of high moral and intellectual standard for his home.
God is interested in the ‘perpetual succession’ of the home. In other words God desires that the home being a smaller unit of the church continues forever in the same way as the church (the body of Christ) continues to exist. This unique position of the Christian home provides the much needed example of the ‘ideal’ home through which the purpose of God for man can be accomplished. Thus the man must be reminded of the need to constantly strive after the maintenance of the enabling environment conducive for God to operate.
So far, efforts have been made here to highlight some of the points essential for sound and enduring home. However, these points are inexhaustible but it is submitted that if the man puts these things in mind and seek to do them, he will neither be barren nor unfruitful, he will surely move on to make his calling and election sure (2 Pet. 1:8 – 10).
SHALOM.