Father’s Day

Hebrews 11: The Patriarch’s & Spiritual Fatherhood

I’m not writing all this as a neighborhood scold to shame you. I’m writing as a father to you, my children. I love you and want you to grow up well, not spoiled. There are a lot of people around who can’t wait to tell you what you’ve done wrong, but there aren’t many fathers willing to take the time and effort to help you grow up. It was as Jesus helped me proclaim God’s Message to you that I became your father. I’m not, you know, asking you to do anything I’m not already doing myself.

(1 Corinthians 4:14-16 – The Message)

*In general, ‘biblical manhood’ is demonstrated by listening to God’s voice with implicit obedience sustained by confidence regardless of short term outcomes (Heb.11:1-2; 13-16).  

Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old gained approval… All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen and welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country which they left, they would have the opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.

Hebrews 11:1-22 identifies several characteristics of spiritual fatherhood. No matter what our particular life circumstances, we can all become ‘spiritual fathers’ as we walk with God.

• Sacrificer
• Seeker
• Prepper
• Trailblazer
• Blesser
• Wrestler
• Forgiver

Read: Hebrews 11:1-22

Pray: Each Patriarch has an outstanding characteristic (sacrificer, seeker etc.).  Pray you will grow up toward these particular traits of a spiritual father in the gospel for the benefit of others and to please your Heavenly Father.  If you ask,  The Heavenly Father will give you the Holy Spirit to be your source of grace and knowledge (Luke 11:13).

Share: Find one other person you can personally share this devotion with in a meaningful way.

ABEL (v4): Sacrificer-  Spiritual fathers give their best. They understand the value of the blood of Jesus as the high cost of God’s grace to secure our eternal redemption & salvation.  They point others to Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

ENOCH (vv5-6): Seeker-  Spiritual father’s diligently seek God and His reward. They walk with their feet on the ground in protest to the wickedness of their generation. However, they are uniquely focused on ‘other-wordly’ realities.  Heaven has the upper-hand of influence in the way they conduct their affairs.

NOAH (v7):  Prepper-  Spiritual fathers warn their family and their generation about the coming judgment of God.  However, they build into their family an enduring faith in God no matter how bad things are getting.

ABRAHAM (vv8-12;17-19): Trailblazer-  Spiritual fathers do not need to know to GO! They break the sinful patterns of their family’s tradition & idolatry  and strike out into unchartered territory. 

Isaac (v20): Blesser-  Spiritual fathers speak blessing not cursing into the lives of their children.  Like Isaac, they dig wells (Gen.26) of blessing to bring life and growth to those around them.

Jacob (v21): Wrestler-  Spiritual fathers wrestle with God, with their sinful nature (Rom.7)  and with spiritual wickedness (Eph.6). They are engaged in honest prayer and worship while embracing their weakness.  Fathers understand weakness surrendered to God in humble obedience is the true nature of Worship.

Oil Painting ‘Frederick Taubes,Jacob Wrestling With The Angel,1944

Joseph (v22):  Forgiver-  Spiritual fathers release forgiveness from their heart (deep in their bones) to those who have mistreated them.  They have insight into the sovereign goodness of God that triumphs over all evil. 

Joseph Recognized by His Brothers (1863 painting by Léon Pierre Urbain Bourgeois)