S) "14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. 15 He will eat curds and honey at the time He knows enough to refuse evil and choose good. 16 For before the boy will know enough to refuse evil and choose good, the land whose two kings you dread will be forsaken."
Isaiah 7:14-16 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Isaiah 7
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Isaiah 7
O) The first thing, is that I couldn't highlight vv.15-16, while sort of ignoring v.14, which is a prophecy about Mary and Jesus. Really that means, aside from anything else that could be gleaned from vv.15-16, I must also remember that they too are actually about Jesus. Now, what really drew me to these, are that this is one of the passages used to support the concept of an "age of accountability" with children. Few people disagree about the fate of babies that die (even the current pope dismissed the notion of limbo, although I think he still allows the doctrine of purgatory). It gets a little trickier when a child is, say, thirteen. I mean, being a "minor" or an "adult" is a very modern concept, not really found in the Bible. Few would argue that a thirty year old man should not be held accountable for his sins. But, there is a crossing line. Somewhere along the way, a boy becomes accountable to his sins. In traditional Judaism, a boy becomes a man at thirteen (bar mitzvah, or a bat mitzvah for girls), but even that is somewhat arbitrary. Certainly, people hit puberty at all sorts of ages. Even before those traditional markers, there seems to be a turning point for kids, and I think it can be a pretty wide range between each individual. So, that's where a passage like this comes into play. When a boy gets to a time that he knows to refuse evil and choose good, that is the age of accountability. There is a point when a child is able, almost suddenly, to internalize their decisions. The mistakes they make seem more deliberate, almost premeditated sometimes. The choices they make not to sin are more deliberate and calculated as well. Before that age (whatever it is for the individual), it's harder for me to think God might hold his sins against him.
A) Fatherhood certainly gave me a deeper look at this. When my oldest daughter was eight years old, she gave her heart to Jesus. Immediately, we could see a difference in her demeanor, but it also meant a turning point in parenting. Most of the early teaching we did with her was more factual and prescriptive. Jesus was born at Christmas. Jesus loves You. Jesus died on a cross for You. Jesus rose again. We can go to heaven. Lessons like this. When she crossed that line, though, our instruction and discipline matured with her. We talked more about why God hates a lying tongue, and why truth sets us free. As my son approaches a similar age (right now), I am watching him closely, looking for those signs that he knows to refuse evil and choose good. He is entering the time that the gospel becomes real. Because of that, I am praying for him every day, that his heart would be softened, his eyes and ears opened, that he would accept the truth of God's grace and mercy. This is the same plan and expectation I have for my other daughter. I know that teaching the gospel to my kids is always prudent and powerful, but as they approach this age, there is a special readiness they have. I need to be ready with them. As they mature as kids, I need to mature as a parent.
A) Fatherhood certainly gave me a deeper look at this. When my oldest daughter was eight years old, she gave her heart to Jesus. Immediately, we could see a difference in her demeanor, but it also meant a turning point in parenting. Most of the early teaching we did with her was more factual and prescriptive. Jesus was born at Christmas. Jesus loves You. Jesus died on a cross for You. Jesus rose again. We can go to heaven. Lessons like this. When she crossed that line, though, our instruction and discipline matured with her. We talked more about why God hates a lying tongue, and why truth sets us free. As my son approaches a similar age (right now), I am watching him closely, looking for those signs that he knows to refuse evil and choose good. He is entering the time that the gospel becomes real. Because of that, I am praying for him every day, that his heart would be softened, his eyes and ears opened, that he would accept the truth of God's grace and mercy. This is the same plan and expectation I have for my other daughter. I know that teaching the gospel to my kids is always prudent and powerful, but as they approach this age, there is a special readiness they have. I need to be ready with them. As they mature as kids, I need to mature as a parent.
P) Father, Your name is great and Your love is amazing. You are completely holy, in Your love and mercy and compassion and patience and righteousness. I feel a heavy responsibility, holding the gospel in one hand and my child's hand in the other. I know that Your grace must be at work in them also, but I have faith it is. I know You are already doing Your part, or already have done it. I want to be sure I am also doing my part. Help me to teach my children well, that when they are older they will not depart from what is right. Open their eyes and ears, to know and understand You and Your ways. Soften their hearts, Lord, the way only You can through the working of the Holy Spirit. I pray that my love for You pales in comparison to their love for You. Help me to be a great example to Ella, as she has already crossed that line and given herself to You. Help me to be a great example to Caleb, as he walks that line and looks across. Help me to be a great example to Kaia, as she comes to that line. In my kids, You deserve all glory, honor, praise, and thanksgiving. In Jesus's name I pray, amen.
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