“For I know him [Abraham] that he will command his children and his household after him.” Genesis 18:19
“I [Jacob] will lead on softly, according as the ... children be able.” Genesis 33:14
I love the stories in Genesis. The people teach us in multi-faceted ways. We know who was lazy, who was shy, who was a bully and who was deceitful! Right in the first book of the Bible, we find examples of godly child-rearing. God often teaches us by giving us parallel truths. We need balance, and the Bible has it. There are times when we must “command” (Gen. 18:19). One incident may require the answer, “Mom says no to that; no argument.” A few hours later we may find ourselves having to “lead softly” (Gen. 33:14) with an hour-long gentle discussion about something else. Our children will resent it if we hand out nothing but commands, but may take advantage if it is all softness on our part in discipline. It takes continual looking up for guidance to the One whose ear is always open to our prayer.