Genesis 21:8: “So the child grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.”

October 6th, 2022 by Pastor Ed in devotional

Abraham waited until the baby was about 3 years old to wean him to solid food. He threw a party because it was a great and happy day. At 103 years old, Abraham must have been quite a sight dancing around. He was dedicated to and delighted over the son that God had been promising him for more than 25 years. The book of Hebrews says, “after [Abraham] had patiently endured, he obtained the promise” (6:15). After all those years, the promised son was finally given to this “friend of God.” God knew that this man would be faithful in teaching his son the critical things of life. God had said back in Genesis 18:19:

For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.

That is an interesting phrase stuck in the middle of this verse: “that they keep the way of the LORD.” And Abraham did wean his son on to meat, and not just milk, in many areas. He taught his son about the meat of life, how to think, strategies, what tests to apply to solve problems, and how to find answers to life’s questions.

We are also required to teach our children to “keep the way of the LORD.” We are to teach them how to think through the issues of life. All the why questions that seem to keep coming endlessly when we are doing a good job. Critical things like the effects of recreational drugs, premarital sex, alcohol abuse, porn, etc. Our kids are blank pieces of paper that God has given us to write “the way of the LORD” on. They will not be able to get that from the world around them, from TV, movies, or newspapers. We are to develop our kids by teaching them how to think critically, not just give them parental edicts. Of course this goes beyond our own children too. Maybe you don’t have kids of your own. No problem, grab any kid that will listen to you and teach them. Do people around you know why you say what you do and why you act the way you do?

“LORD, help us to be transparent with others about You this day.”