Text: Genesis 49:1-7
Memory text:
“Let your father and your mother be glad, And let her who bore you rejoice.”
Proverbs 23:25 NKJV
It’s often said that, “The greatest gift you can give your parents is a life that makes them proud, not one that brings them tears.” One day, a parent was invited by our school management over a serious misconduct of her son. Having left the principal’s office with a heavy burden, the parent came in with her son to see me. It was an emotion laden experience as this parent wept bitterly. Obviously, that wasn’t the first time, as she lamented and said, “Sir, it’s shameful. Why should I, in the whole school, always be invited for disgraceful conducts of my son?” In the midst of this, I turned to the boy and said, “How do you feel seeing your mother in these bitter tears?”
According to our text, rather than receiving the blessing of the firstborn, Reuben received a curse from his father. Reuben had defiled his father’s bed, which was a most dishonourable thing and the most shameful thing in Israel. Rather than joy, Reuben brought shame to his father; instead of honour, he brought dishonour. It was such a serious shame that Jacob never forgot. Maybe Reuben didn’t realize the magnitude of the disgrace he brought to his father, or he probably had forgotten or he thought it had passed already. Can you sow shame and expect to reap honour?
Every time you cause shame for your parents, you are sowing a seed, which will surely come back sooner or later. What are you doing today that is causing shame for your parents, or that is causing people to question your parents’ integrity? Is it your dressing, your relationships, or your shady business?
Also, Simeon and Levi, in their anger, deceit and without their parents’ permission, went out and massacred the people of Shechem, for the rape of Dinah, their sister. They brought trouble, fears, and tears to Jacob (Gen 34:30). The curse Jacob pronounced on the duo reveals the agony they would have caused him at that time. A grandfather once told me how he wept in his heart when his daughter accused him wrongly and spoke to him insultingly.
Friends, if your parents wiped your tears when you were young and helpless, why would you cause them tears in their old age and in their helplessness? Like someone said, “A child’s disrespect is a wound to a parent’s heart—be the reason for their smile, not their sorrow.”
Prayer points
1. Father, let me never attract any silent parental curse on myself by causing my parents’ sorrow or trouble in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, open my eyes to areas where I have brought sorrow to my parents in the past, or I am causing sorrow now and help me to correct them in Jesus’ name.
Today’s declarations
1. I will not only honour my parents with words but with actions that bring them joy, not sorrow.
2. I will surely reap every seed of joy and honour I sow in the lives of my parents and the elderly.
Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng