Fathers 

By Lyn Kost

December 2022

For the Word of the Month for December, Bonnie asked me to share one of my words from this year’s Shepherd’s Rod. Before I share though, I thought to add something as a pre-side note that is not necessarily related, but humorously enough, fits and introduces the topic. Each year Bonnie and I seek out what God is saying for the upcoming year. For her and I the processes are usually a bit different. Her approach always seems to come with ease. Mine almost always feels like the olive going through the press, over and over. We almost never discuss what we have gotten with each other until we are done writing it out. I am always amazed at how in synch the words fit together. We don’t write the same way or get the same visions or words but they all match. For me each word feels almost like a birthing, and so when the book is finally in our hands I feel like a proud parent. Each year I marvel at what a great potential there is set before us and how this year has the best set of words that I have ever received. Having said all of that, I again feel that surge of delight in what is being brought before us to take ahold of. I feel like this is some of the best that I have ever gotten and am ecstatic about the opportunities ahead. With that, I would like to share with you what I heard about Fathers.

Fathers

Babies are filled with milk, while youth are satisfied with honey. Young men rest after meat, but what fills the fathers?

Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up in your midst, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people.” (Exodus 33:3)

Exodus 33:3 says that in their condition the children of Israel had not yet even been born in God. What does this mean?

Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. (1 Peter 2:1-3)

Called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,” of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time, you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:10-14)

1 Peter 2:1-3 and Hebrews 5:12-13 describe babies as needing the unfiltered foundations of being right with God.

And the house of Israel called its name Manna. And it was like white coriander seed, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey. (Exodus 16:31)

The youth are satisfied with honey, or with Manna. In other words, we could say that a youth is no longer satisfied by just receiving just basic teaching on being right with God but are filled with God’s answer when they themselves ask, “What is it?”, “What does this mean?”.

“Therefore, say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “You eat meat with blood, you lift up your eyes toward your idols, and shed blood. Should you then possess the land? (Ezekiel 33:25)

Hebrews 5:13-14 describes meat as belonging to those who are of full age, meaning they have exercised their godly senses to discern good and evil, and unlike those in Ezekiel 33:25 they have chosen to eat it God’s way and may possess the land. We could say in this verse that true fathers have grown to possess the land.

True fathers, in fact, are a nearer completion of God’s full work manifested on earth, or a clearer representation of the Father in heaven. A father designates (Genesis 35:18), produces (Psalm 2:7), instructs (Proverbs 1:8), recounts (Psalm 78:3), defends (Psalm 82:3), forgives (Psalm 103:13), blesses (Genesis 27:34), and bequests (Genesis 31:14) to their children. I could fill a few pages with more defining features of a father, but these will do.

And so it was, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name Ben-Oni; but his father called him Benjamin. (Genesis 35:18)

“I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. (Psalm 2:7)

My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother (Proverbs 1:8)

Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. (Psalm 78:3)

Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy. (Psalm 82:3)

As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him. (Psalm 103:13)

When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with an exceedingly great and bitter cry, and said to his father, “Bless me—me also, O my father!” (Genesis 27:34)

Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, “Is there still any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house? (Genesis 31:14)

The most interesting feature of a father I have found is in 1 John 2:12-14. It seems a very puzzling set of verses. The children know their Father and that their sins are forgiven. Young men are busy being strong, getting the Word of God to abide in them and then overcoming the wicked one. Fathers have the same exact thing said twice, “Because you have known Him Who is from the beginning”. The progression of characters being addressed even seems cryptic.

I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, because you have known the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one. (1 John 2:12-14)

Like Jesus saying “Verily, verily”, this attribute is being specifically pointed out. We could say this has two witnesses giving the same exact report. Fathers know Him Who is from the beginning. Look again at the progression and you’ll see that knowing Him who is from the beginning is hidden in each of the others addressed as well. Fathers finish through as they begin.

Babies are smooth to the touch, while youth are rougher with scrapes and smudges. Young men have the appearance of adulthood in many ways, but in those same ways it is only scruff. What distinguishes the fathers is a wrinkled face with a brand-new heart, a roughened complexion that has been washed and made presentable, and one with a full beard that can embrace his brothers and neighbors.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing— Life forevermore. (Psalm 133:1-3)

end of transcript

I believe that we are about to see the true fathers begin to appear, and those who think that they are fathers being challenged to step up. 

To order the 2023 Shepherd’s Rod click on the link below

Shepherd’s Rod 2023