122. GEN 18:19. FAMILY WORSHIP

Gen_18:19. Family Worship

"For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him; and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment."’97Gen_18:19.

Let us consider the subject of family worship,

I. In the grounds and propriety of it

Many persons have thought themselves justified in neglecting it, on the ground of there being no express law and direction for it in the divine word. We think, however, that its propriety will be obviously manifest to the sincere and candid Christian, from the following considerations:

1 Is it not grounded on the laws of our nature?

God has stamped upon human nature the principle of parental regard and affection. Hence, parents feel pleasure in toiling to supply the wants of their offspring. He who neglects this does violence to his own nature, denies the faith, and is worse than an infidel. But are the minds, the precious souls of our children, of less value and importance than their bodies? Can it be supposed, that the cabinet is to absorb our care, and that the jewel is to be neglected? Is there to be no moral, no spiritual training, or instruction? We think, when the subject is viewed in this light, reasoning and argument are altogether unnecessary.

2. Have we not Scriptural precedents?

There is the very striking case of Abraham in the text, with God’s high approbation of it; the case of Job, Gen_1:5; of Joshua’97"As for me and my house," &c., Josh, Gen_24:15; of David, 2Sa_6:20; of Cornelius, Act_10:2, &c.

3. Is it not grounded on the absolute laws of propriety?

Have we not family sins to confess? Family mercies to acknowledge? Family deliverances to celebrate? Family blessings to seek? And can we consistently attend to all these obvious duties, and neglect family worship?

4. Are not those who neglect it reproved by the conduct of the heathen?

For it is well known that, in almost very classification of paganism, household worship has a prominent place. Scarcely a branch of idolatry without family altars and family gods. And shall the families who worship the true and living Jehovah not acknowledge, not worship, not bless God in their family capacity 1 We blush for such professing Christians, and fear the neglect has much to do with the bad state of the heart, rather than the imperfect knowledge of the mind. Let us consider,

II. What family worship should comprise.

1. The reading of the Holy Scriptures.

Deu_6:6-7, &c. Especially the Psa. s, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Gospels, and the Epistles of the New Testament. It should include,

2. Songs of holy praise.

This should never be neglected, unless there are none who can conduct it. And then, would it not be proper to read aloud some of the beautifully versified compositions of the sweet singer of Israel? Col_3:16; Psa_118:15.

3. The offering up of prayer and sup plication for ourselves, friends, church, and the world.

Let us consider,

III. The mode in which it should be conducted.

1. As to times and frequency.

Morning and evening if possible; at least, once a day.

2. The services should be short and varied.

So as not to tire and fatigue those younger branches of the family who cannot be expected to feel much interest in it. Great wisdom and care are necessary, or the summons to the family altar will always throw a gloom over the buoyant, joyous, minds of children. Perhaps ten minutes ought never to be exceeded, except where there are no children.

3. All the members of the family, if possible, should be present.

They are all God’s creatures, sinners, redeemed, stand in need of the divine favor, &c. Masters and servants, parents and children, are all alike precious to God.

4. It should be conducted with regularity and constancy.

Order is the law of heaven It should, also, be the law of every heaven-born family. Notice,

IV. The advantages which we may expect to derive from it.

We may reasonably expect,

1. An increase of family knowledge.

We cannot read and hear the divine word daily, without increasing in religious knowledge.

2. The general possession of family harmony.

There is nothing like the tree of family worship, for removing the bitterness of the waters of domestic strife. All unhallowed disputes and differences are best settled on the knees before God.

3. An exemption from family calamities and the enjoyment of family blessedness.

God’s fury is threatened upon the families who call not on his name Jer_10:25. But there are many great and blessed declarations to the families of the righteous; Psalms 128; Jer_31:1. Let us,

V. Reply to some objections made against family worship.

Many object,

1. For want of time.

This is a most thoughtless and unprincipled objection.

Not time to acknowledge God’97to bless him’97to seek his favor? David and Daniel found time; so do Jews and Mahomedans. Others object,

2. For want of ability.

You can read; and if you cannot pray extempore, you can read some of those excellent prayers written by good men for he aid of weakly or diffident Christians. Remember, however, God does not require fine services, but sincere, hearty ones. And some object, saying, it is,

3. Not essential.

We refer again to Jer_10:25. It does appear essential to family order, safety, comfort. It does appear essential to Christian consistency. It does appear indispensable to devotional benevolent minds.

Application

1. Press this duty upon pious fathers and mothers. 2. Let young Christians prize it, and improve it. 3. What is heaven, but one grand family, where worship is ever celebrated? "They rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come," &c.; Rev_4:8-11.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS