“Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother is a child who brings shame and disgrace.”
The word robs means to violently entreat. In this use it actually means to violently or abusivly persuade or force their father to give up his resources to the point where it takes a physical toll on him. This passage is also telling us that their mother (and father) are ashamed to be seen with them or even known as their parent in public. That is one ugly description. My kids have let me know that they are not making plans for their future based on an inheritance from me. I appreciate that position as they look to build financially for their futures. It’s probably smart too. They have heard me say that I hope my last check is to the IRS and it bounces. I don’t really but I do love my children working diligently. They all have respectable careers and I’m very proud of them. I know their mom in “that great cloud of witnesses” is proud of them as well. We are all called as part of the family of God to live lives that respect our elders, treat them with dignity and care and bless the kingdom by our presence to the point where fellow believers are grateful we are a part of it. We are also to live in such a way that our father in heaven is blessed by our presence in his family. The inheritance we have with him is beyond belief, but unlike the son in this verse, we don’t have to shame it or wrestle it out of him. He literally sent his one and only son to die on the cross so that we could receive it freely. Unbelievable. Today live as though you understand what a great inheritance awaits you and make your earthly and kingdom families proud. #BeTheEdge
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,” Hebrews 12:1 NIV
