Most young adults give serious thoughts and make frantic efforts preparing for marriage without ever giving a thought to one of the most crucial reasons for man-woman relationships. Right from the outset, the creator God made a declaration on the first man and woman, Adam and Eve. Said he, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it." This order carries with it subsequent instructions to the man and wife later with details of expectations and instructions on what to do with such multiplying offspring.
After a long while of disappointments and failures of man and wife in fulfilling the expectations of God with respect to human behavior and reverence for God, he chose one Abraham whom he expressed confidence in that "he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just." As Abraham apparently fulfilled this expection, God gave more detailed instructions to his descendants, Israel, on how to ensure that their children keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just. Israel, hence, became a model for the nations of the world how to parent their children to become useful members of the society concerned. Any society that fails to copy Israel's model can only hope to continue the downward spiral of moral decadence and godlessness.
Speaking to parents in Israel through their leader, Moses, God said, "These Commandments I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children..." (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). He further directed them to be prepared to answer their children's enquiries about the reasons for the commands, stipulations and decrees the LORD God of Israel gave to them. Their answers will make reference to Israel's history of enslavement in Egypt and deliverance by God through mighty miracles, signs and wonders performed in judgment against Pharoah of Egypt and God's leading of Israel to Canaan, the promised land flowing with milk and honey.
Parents were thus to engage their children for a life-long relationship to themselves and to God the creator and mentoring. The purpose of God, the creator, is seen to be that parenting should be a life-long responsibility. Thus young adults should be instructed to prepare not only for marriage but also for parenting as well.
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