Rebelling Against the Father

Father's Day has recently come and gone.  America doesn't know what a father is or what father's are for and it shows in how we treat our fathers.  But the way we treat our fathers is a direct result of how the fathers in America have abdicated, rebelled and exploited their children.

But rebellion to fathers does not occur only when fathers first rebel.  Our heavenly Father was and is a perfect father to Israel and yet - 

Isaiah 1:2 (NKJV)

² Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! For the Lord has spoken: “I have nourished and brought up children, And they have rebelled against Me;

What happened in the Garden has been repeated over and over again.  Adam represents us well and we prove it again and again.  Israel as a nation has done just that as Isaiah records the lament of the Father.

As imperfect fathers, we of course must first take responsibility for the rebellions of our children if such rebellions occur.  We must take responsibility for the sins of our children when such sins occur.  And we learn about taking responsibility from our heavenly Father for Whom there can be brought no charge of responsibility due to His own neglect or sin.  We, therefore, should show forth responsibility for the state of our families even more so - and follow in the steps of the Father in how we then go forth to redeem, restore, and reconcile.