A Loss of Male Leadership? 

Isaiah 3:1 –7 

As the Lord has blessed the homeschooling movement, we see the fulfillment of Malachi 6:6.  God is turning the hearts of father’s back to the children.  The number of fathers who are on their knees seeking wisdom and guidance from God the Father encourages me.  They desire to know the scriptural pattern of male leadership, which is being the patriarch of their family. 

Patriarch, you say?  Yes, patriarchy is selfless, sacrificial leadership of the family.  The patriarch is not one who lords it over those he leads, as the feminist culture would have us believe, but a patriarch seeks to serve and guide those under his authority.  He takes his instructions from daily communion with his Lord. 

Who of us have had a role model such as this?  Many fathers in the previous generations were not godly patriarchs.  We must strive to be the role models for the next generation!  Historically, there were periods of time where God providentially placed men to transform their culture.  Men of the Old Testament such as Abraham, Joseph, David, Solomon, & Josiah.  Others such as Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Knox, Jonathan Edwards, George Washington and many, many more!  God seems to position groups of men within a specific period of time such as the Reformation or the development of our country.  But what about the many other decades and centuries?  Where is the godly leadership during those times?  I believe the answer is partially in Isaiah 3: 1-7.  This scripture reference gives us a further glimpse into this vacuum of male leadership. 

Isaiah is speaking out to the southern tribes of Judah just prior to their destruction.  He was proclaiming God’s judgement for the sins of the people.  Verse 2-4 tells us that God will remove all the mighty men, rulers and counselors from their midst.  All those who have the ability to lead are removed. The second judgement shown in Isaiah 3:6-7 is that God removes the desire to lead from men.  So, not only are able leaders removed, but those men that remain do not want to lead.  What happens as a result is that the women and youth step in to fill the vacuum.  A typical group of men are brought together and one is asked to lead devotions.  What happens?  The request becomes a hot potato!

            “Tom, why don’t you lead us?”

            “ No,” Tom replies, “Really, I don’t feel gifted.  Why don’t you give the teaching, Bill?”

            “No, I have nothing to offer,” Bill passes.  “Steve, how about you?”

On and on this can go.  Why?  The number one reason is that these men are not faithfully leading their own families in devotions.  I firmly believe that leading our own families in prayer and scripture reading is the “school” from which fathers obtain the abilities to later lead the church. 

Now what are we to do as fathers?  Just sit back and say, “Well, it’s Gods judgement, what can I do?”  Whether you believe that this vacuum of male leadership is God’s judgement or not, you have the responsibility to take the following steps:

1.       Get on your face before God and ask Him to forgive your sloth and ignorance.  Ask your family for forgiveness for not being the faithful leader you should be.  Ask you Heavenly Father to be your role model if you never had one.

2.       Make a commitment to search the scriptures for patterns of biblical leadership.

3.       Seek to understand and apply the principles of self-government in your own life.  Self-government is when we submit to the scriptural laws and precepts and the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all areas of our life.

4.       Begin to lead your family and serve them just as Christ modeled for us.  As you diligently seek to be the “patriarch” in your family, God may open doors to greater service outside the home. 

I truly believe that God is changing the hearts of fathers and that the “mite” that we offer will be multiplied.  Ask the Lord for a new vision for your family and then lead them as a true patriarch. 

May God bless you as you seek to do His will!