Then Esau said, “Let us take our journey; let us go, and I will go before you.” But Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are weak, and the flocks and herds which are nursing are with me. And if the men should drive them hard one day, all the flock will die. Please let my lord go on ahead before his servant. I will lead on slowly at a pace which the livestock that go before me, and the children, are able to endure, until I come to my lord in Seir.” Genesis 33: 12-14, NKJV.
Gracious God, as we begin our study today, we ask that You be the One who teach us; and open our eyes, to the realities that are found in Your Word. In the blessed name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen!
Yesterday, we dealt with the “weakness” of our children during certain periods of their lives. Today we are going to deal with the “pace” that “children are able to endure.” It is no small wonder that whenever God asks human agents to care for His people, He refers to them as shepherds. What is even more evident, is the fact that oftentimes He will prepare them for the job, by having them take care of sheep! Moses, David, Jacob, at some time in their lives, were shepherds. Let us listen to the very interesting conversation between the Savior and Peter, as Jesus was preparing the apostle for ministry:
“So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘ “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” ‘ He said to Him, ‘ “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” ‘ He said to him, ‘ “Feed My lambs.” ‘ He said to him again a second time, ‘ “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” ‘ He said to Him, ‘ “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” ‘ He said to him, ‘ “Tend My sheep.” ‘ He said to him the third time, ‘ “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” ‘ Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, ‘ “Do you love Me?” ‘ And he said to Him, ‘ “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” ‘ Jesus said to him, ‘ “Feed My sheep. . . . ” ‘ ” Not one time, but three times, came the instructions: “Feed the lambs.” “Tend the sheep.” “Feed the sheep.” Parents, I believe more of us need to assume the role of a shepherd, when caring for our children.
Jesus also referred to Himself, as “The Good Shepherd.” One of the characteristics of a shepherd that He mentions is sacrifice. The Good Shepherd will lay His life down for His sheep. In this passage the shepherd’s heart in Jacob, becomes evident as he responds to his brother Esau. Listen as he explains, in detail, his concern for the well-being of the flock as well as the little ones of his household: ” . . . I will lead on slowly at a pace which the livestock that go before me, and the children, are able to endure, until I come to my lord in Seir” (Emphasis provided).
It would do us well, as parents, to slow down our pace, during the childhood years of the little flock, that the Lord has lent to us. There will be sacrifices to be made. There may be a lot of activities outside of the home that we will need to lay aside during those years. Be willing to do so. Our children are small only once. Spend as much time as possible with them. Carry them in your arms as long as they will allow you to do so. They grow up so fast! Permit the Lord to bind their hearts to yours while they are still young. When they reach the teen years you will be glad you did! It is much easier to bond at five, than it is at fifteen!
As we rush along life’s journey, many of our children get left behind, or, they are driven too hard, and “die” along the way. Their hopes die before they have a chance to flourish. Many become discouraged from trying to live in an adult world while they are still children. Let us ask God to teach us how to “lead on slowly” enough to allow them to “keep up” with us. If we ask the Lord for wisdom to help us keep the right pace, He will provide it. If we take the time to learn how to do it, “it will be worth it all” when we see the results – at harvest time.
NOTE: These counsels are shared from a Biblical, not a clinical, perspective.