Order and Organization in the Church of God
How could the whole tragedy in Jacob’s family have been prevented - beginning with the restlessness of the daughter? Are we supplying our children and teenagers with productive, useful activities with which to occupy their energies - or do we too often just nonchalantly leave them for their “friends” to entertain? Do we simply assign chores to the teens - or do we actually provide them with some of that special companionship they crave by doing chores together instead - with the cheerful, animated spirit they relish?
How much time are we actually spending with our young? Are we blindly naive as to their exact whereabouts? By neglecting our families through preoccupation with our own work and the cares of this life - might we be laying the groundwork for poor associations and evil influences that can lure our youth into the snares of the enemy? Let us be sure that our families have the hedge of God’s protection so vitally needed in the wicked era in which we live. Might your family be tottering on the very brink of such a catastrophe as it struck the family of Jacob? Is it time for a serious family reformation in your home? Head off the peak of the crisis before it hits! Don’t wait any longer!
In Genesis 35:1-4 we read the details that, in response to the great crisis in Jacob’s family - when the patriarch realized that the characters of some of his children were way out of harmony with God’s will - the Lord spoke to him. The same Saviour who had heard Jacob’s prayer many years before - in the hour of the patriarch’s own personal distress, back when he was single - now heard this struggling servant once again. As a result, Jacob promptly directed his household to:
What were these idols? Do our young people today likewise have certain worldly idols that they are cherishing? Might they even have acquired them through our influence? Let us prayerfully search our heart to see what evils may have crept into our home life, whether it be poor choices of music, DVDs - whatever - and eliminate them immediately! Their influence is stronger among the youth than we may realize.
Have we become too lax in our dress and deportment - inadvertently adopting the styles of the world? It’s time to reexamine ourselves carefully in this regard. Clothing today is specifically designed to incite lust in both the wearer and the beholder. Don’t be ashamed to get back to God’s blueprint found in the Testimonies - avoid today’s dangers!
Has the altar of morning and evening worship become too rushed or hurried in your family - or worse yet, too often skipped altogether? How can we expect God to honor His promise of protection if we fail to do our part in keeping His hedge carefully maintained?
The amazing result of Jacob’s reformation was clearly seen. What a magnificent indication of God’s abundant mercy to the repentant!
Yes, we too can enjoy the same mercy experienced by Jacob. It is not too late for a family reformation. If we and our dear ones have suffered through a wrong course of action, it is still possible to redeem the time. Do not give up hope. Let us each solemnly beseech the Lord for wisdom and guidance in order that “our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace” (Psalm 144:12). This may require a higher level of vigilance and care, but surely the rewards are well worth it!