Manhood and Responsibility
We have previously noticed that God gave Adam specific responsibilities (Gen. 2:15-1715And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. 16And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Genesis 2:15‑17)). He was to represent God as head over creation (image), morally carrying out his responsibilities in a manner glorifying to God (likeness). But Adam failed—failed to guard Eden against the entrance of the serpent, failed to guard his wife from the serpent’s guile, failed in obedience to God’s command bringing the consequences of untold sorrow, sin and death into the world (Gen. 3:1616Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. (Genesis 3:16)).
Responsibility’s Resource
In James 4:66But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. (James 4:6) we learn that God gives “more grace” to the humble. Every divine provision and grace that a Christian man needs to take his place of responsibility to God is available in infinite supply.
Irresponsibility’s Results
While not seeking to dwell on failure, we know that “many things as have been written before have been written for our instruction” (Rom. 15:44For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. (Romans 15:4) JND). So we find in the lives of the patriarchs those times when even they failed to act as men responsible to God. May we learn from their record.
Responsibility for Self-Control
After the flood, man (in Noah) was made responsible to govern the purged world for God’s glory. Governing requires self-control. We read in Genesis 9:2020And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard: (Genesis 9:20) that “Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard.”
In Genesis 4:22And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. (Genesis 4:2), we find the first man born in this world (Cain) also labored as “a husbandman” (Gen. 4:22And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. (Genesis 4:2) JND). The occupation that engaged both Cain and Noah may have been right in itself, but both failed to exercise self-control in responsibility to God as they pursued their chosen labor.
Cain was overcome first by pride, then anger, and finally violence horrible results of the sin of self-will and the lack of self-control!
Noah, responsible to govern in the new world, was overcome by intemperance. Though God has not told us why Noah chose to be a husbandman, we do learn the sad results of his lack of self-control. He “drank... wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent” (Gen. 9:2121And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent. (Genesis 9:21)).
What devastation results in marriages and families, as well as in the realms of employment and recreation, when husbands and fathers do not exercise manly self-control. Equally disastrous are the results of men—brethren in the assembly who do not conduct themselves among their brethren with self-control.
Peter exhorts us to be diligent in adding to our “faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge” (2 Peter 1:55And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; (2 Peter 1:5)). Another has said that virtue is moral courage. Both are closely connected, and for manhood, both moral courage and self-control are vital. It is interesting to note that the root of the Greek word “virtue” (“arte”) comes from a word signifying “male.” Brothers desiring to act as men must constantly seek grace to exercise self-control in every area of their life.
Responsibility in Marriage
What an infinite contrast with our Lord Jesus Christ! He died bearing the full weight and responsibility for the sin of that which He loved. “Christ... loved the church, and gave Himself for it” (Eph. 5:2525Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (Ephesians 5:25)).
Abraham’s actions put Sarah at the mercy of the world. How often do men allow their wives to be adversely affected by the world because they will not bear responsibility of being saviour of the body.
Husbands! Being the saviour of your body—your wife (“bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh”)—will require your daily, prayerful exercise and care!
Responsibility for Fidelity
Responsibility to Defend
Unlike Abraham, Jacob is often seen as an example of failure rather than faith. But there is a special moment in his life when his actions shine as one of the supreme examples of bearing responsibility in defending his family.
Coming back after twenty-one years of hard toil with Laban’s flocks, word comes to Jacob that his brother Esau, who earlier had planned to kill him, was coming with four hundred men to meet him (Gen. 32:66And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him. (Genesis 32:6)). We can surely understand the dear patriarch’s fear.
Reverting to his normal character, Jacob schemes to deal with a supposedly angry Esau, hoping at best to spare some of his family. First, flocks are sent as gifts, then his wives, concubines and children are divided into groups, his most loved Rachel and Joseph in the very back hoping that if slaughter came, at least they might escape (Gen. 33:1212And he said, Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before thee. (Genesis 33:12)).
But then Jacob acts in the finest and highest dignity of manhood. There’s no Abrahamor Isaac-like denial of his wife now. We read in Genesis 33:33And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. (Genesis 33:3) the majestic account of one who is bearing, as a man, full responsibility for the defense and safety of his family. “He passed over before them.” What dignity! What courage! What love! Jacob went to meet Esau in front of his family. He says, as it were, “If the sword of Esau my brother is to fall, it will have to fall on me first.” Here is a man acting in full responsibility, standing in the forefront to defend his family.
May God grant Christian men to take the lead, guarding their wives and children against the attacks—spiritual and moral—of this evil world.
Responsibility to Nurture Confidence
In this frenzied age, dads are under great pressure from the world. Often at the most inconvenient time a child comes with some insignificant problem. But, dads, don’t ever act annoyed at these interruptions! Exercise self-control and patience! Never let your first words be, “I’m busy now,” or, “Go ask Mom.” Such responses will quickly destroy the confidence and security your child has in you.
Mom may indeed be better equipped to handle the problem, and it’s not wrong to send the child to her. But first spend time showing interest in whatever concerns your child. If you fail to do this, your children will very soon learn not to bother you at all, and a critical bridge of confidence and trust will have been broken down one that you may never again be able to rebuild. Dads, be especially mindful of this with your beloved daughters! Spend time with them individually and frequently.
Jacob’s daughter Dinah “went out to see the daughters of the land” (Gen. 34:11And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land. (Genesis 34:1)). The result was that she was defiled and lost her purity. Did she yearn for the world’s companionship because she, perhaps, felt her father didn’t have time for her?
Dads! Spend much time with your children!
Ed. (series to be continued)