In our time many men, like King Ahab in the
1 Kings 21.1-10 Reading, have abdicated their role and responsibilities as
protectors of the family inheritance. My generation matured in the 60’s when
women were struggling for equal treatment as employees. Since then there has
been a lot of male authority bashing as the excesses of male physical and
sexual abuse have been exposed. The Lectionary Bible Readings help us
understand the role and responsibilities of Jewish and Christian men as
fathers.
1.
The “vineyard” is a metaphor for spiritual life
A vineyard is a complex living creation
that requires constant nourishment and protection – just like a human life and
particularly like human spiritual life.
·
Continued effort is required to
work the soil, plant, water, weed for healthy growth
o
Bible Study, prayer, acts of
love
·
Hedge or watchtower is required
for protection from birds, insects & thieves
o
Self-examination, Confession
·
Value is added which is
impossible to cost
·
World is like a vineyard, God
like the keeper
Story is about trading or selling the
family and personal spiritual inheritance for something of much less worth
2.
Naboth shows self-sacrificial love – protects
Naboth rejects what on the surface appears
to be a fair offer – monetary value or alternative land. But this is a
deception and not a good deal at all:
·
Vineyard represents all his
family had worked for generations -
spiritual attachment
·
Alternative land would not be
as well cared for – would have to be developed all over
·
Alternative land would not have
family connection – end of connection, memory
·
Intangible value cannot be
replaced
·
Naboth rejects offer probably
knowing there would be repercussions
·
Jesus models the same
self-sacrificial love on the Cross
·
Jesus is also our Father – He
and the Father are one – “I have a father” (song)
3. Abandoning
inheritance has consequences
Ahab, like many men, abandoned his inheritance
as a Jewish man:
·
Failed to uphold the law –
Coveted vineyard
·
Abdicated husband / father authority
to wife
·
Failed to protect wife and
family – all died violent deaths as prophesied
We
live in a time when many men and fathers have lost their place. The Readings
challenge men (fathers) to earn, recover and protect their spiritual
inheritance by:
·
Knowing their place in families
as ‘men of God’ - demonstrating self-sacrificial love
o
Men of God know God
personally
o
Men of God cover their
families with a covenant of protection and love
o
Men of God demonstrate their
love of God with self-sacrificial love
o
Men of God give up their
lives to protect and nurture their families
·
Knowing their spiritual authority
and responsibilities through Bible Study
o
Male authority has to be earned
o
Based on spiritual knowledge and
relationship to God – not gender
o
Male authority is based on acceptance
of responsibility
We live in a challenging time when many men
are re-discovering their God-given role and responsibilities. We all need to
give thanks for this and pray for men who are still struggling to find
their inheritance as men of God
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