After God had decided that He was going to destroy the city of Sodom, He said of Abraham, “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; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him” (Gen. 18:19). God knew of the faithfulness of Abraham and the influence that he would have on the future generations of his offspring. Although the immediate context of this passage speaks of the remnant of the faithful Jews that would rise up to serve the Lord, the principle spoken here is the perfect example of proper leadership in the home. In the passage under consideration (Gen.18:19), God reveals to the reader three things about this godly father and his children.

For I know him... God truly knows those that follow him. For Paul wrote, “For if any man love God, the same is known of him” (1 Cor.8:3). This type of love is demonstrated by keeping the commandments of God (John 14:15). Abraham truly loved God because he was willing to do what God had commanded in order to continue in the relationship with God that he had come to know. The Hebrew’s writer penned, “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out not knowing whither he went” (Heb.11:8). How beautiful it would be if all fathers were known of God. That they would be willing to do all of what God says because of their love for Him and wanting to be known of Him. This would set a valuable example for the child to follow. There are so many men today who are more willing to be known of men rather than of God. These men will not be known of the Lord (Matt.7:23).

That he will command his children and his household after him... Since the creation of mankind, God has commanded that husbands and fathers rule their household in a godly way (Gen. 3:16). This is a constant theme throughout all scripture (Eph.5:23-25; 6:1-4). To take on the responsibility of a father means to command one’s children to follow God. Moses instructed the house of Israel to diligently teach the commandments of the Lord to their children (Deut.6:7-9). Diligently carries with it the idea of consistency. Fathers should be constantly (i.e. in every walk of life) striving to teach their children about the dangers of sin and the consequences thereof. The inspired apostle Paul instructed fathers to, “provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph.6:4). Paul is stressing that it is the father’s responsibility to impress upon the mind of a child the word of God. The father is to teach and correct the child (Pro.13:24). This is to be done in love, with patience, and without harshness. God knew that Abraham would command his children to do the right things in life and leave an influence of good for the generations to come.

And they shall keep the way of the Lord... Households without the strong leadership of a father are at a serious disadvantage. One only has to closely examine our society to see that is the case. Children are constantly being brought up without fathers teaching them the ways of God and they are left making choices in life that do not include God. God knew that Abraham would teach his children right. They would be well trained to make the best choices in life. But, unfortunately not all in Abraham’s time would follow the way of the Lord. Only a few would continue in the ways of Abraham’s teaching. The same is true today. Although Solomon said, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Pro.22:6), the one being taught is still a free moral agent and is free to live the life he chooses. He must remember that if he chooses to live a way other than the way of God, he will suffer the punishment that comes with such a way life. Without a father in his leadership role a child is less likely to know the right way to go.