Whether we are conscious of it or not, we teach by example. We realize this in the greatest way when we see in our children and grandchildren the same patterns of behavior we ourselves exhibit. 

Abraham had a problem with deception, which was based on his fear of man. On two different recorded occasions, the great patriarch said that Sarah was his sister — when going to Egypt (Genesis 12:13) and Philistia (Genesis 20:2). Though it was technically true that Sarah was his half-sister (they had the same father), the more important truth was that Sarah was his wife. God had to intervene both times to be sure that Sarah did not become another man’s wife. This was not only important to maintain marital fidelity between Abraham and Sarah, but also to protect the promise that through Sarah, Messiah would come. Abraham neither honored Sarah, nor God, with his lies.

How tragic that we see Abraham’s deception playing out in the lives of his son and grandson — Jacob’s scheming to get Esau’s birthright, and later his blessing as well as Isaac’s making the same terrible choice to deceive the Philistines as his father did by using the “She’s my sister” line many years later! Though it was God’s will for Jacob to receive the birthright blessing, his deception caused him to be estranged from his parents and brother for many years. Though the results of deception were not readily apparent, undoubtedly, the Philistines did not necessarily trust Isaac. Not only did Abimelech ask Isaac to leave Philistia, he also asked for an agreement of peace. Again, God was not honored, nor glorified, through the deception of Jacob and Isaac.

May we rely upon the Holy Spirit to help us maintain character that will be worthy of imitation by our descendants. As we rely upon the Spirit, our actions and thoughts will honor and glorify God. Living this way may very well be the means by which our descendants will also honor and glorify God through their daily living.

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6, NIV11).

David W. Davis