A priest is someone that takes the place of the people before God, and the people before God. He is a prophet, a teacher of the word of God and an intercessor. Apart from Aaronic Priesthood, we saw that Moses stood not only as a prophet before the people of Israel, but also as a Priest who stood on behalf f the people reminding the LORD that this people were the people He redeemed by His power and might. He persuaded God not to destroy them or if He must destroy them, He should delete his name from the book of life. In this way, Moses was acting also as s spiritual father to Israel whom he was covering through prayer before God so that God’s anger would not fall upon them.
Jesus as Our Chief Priest did far greater things for us that He laid down His life for us to save us from the punishment of our sins. Day and night, He stands before God on our behalf presenting His Blood on our behalf as our atonement and for the full benefit of our inheritance. In this same way, it is written that Job was always standing between God and his children offering sacrifices on behalf of his children, in case they had sinned against God in any way. He was doing this even when his children did not know he was covering them in prayers and also making sacrifices on their behalf in case they have sinned.
When Solomon was made king over Israel and as the one the LORD has chosen to build His Temple, David understood the load of responsibility over his son, how Solomon would stay in God’s favor and rule the people righteously and also keep the dynasty forever as the LORD promised David. He stood before God on behalf of Solomon and also before the people. We could hear His heart when He said to the people: …Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God (1 Chronicles 29:1 (KJV).
In David we see the father’s heart, his compassion towards his son and his desire to see that his son pleases God: to walk in His Ways. After raising funds and the materials for the LORD’s House, and also after blessing the LORD, he prayed for Solomon. And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for the which I have made provision (1 Chronicles 29:19 (KJV)
He further instructed Solomon:
And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it (1 Chronicles 28:9-10 (KJV)
I as a parent have deep compassion for my children’s soul. In my private times, at times, I cry out to God to have mercy upon my children especially my son because of his situation. The word of God says that as a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear Him. It is then natural that a father has compassion on his children both on the natural and on the spiritual. A devoted father will not want to see God’s anger fall upon his children or that his children perish in hell forever. So through consistent instructions of the word of God as we see David doing with Solomon, through prayers (always standing in the gap for the children before God especially when their ways are contrary to God), they continue to release the favor of God over their children’s lives. They also continue to release divine provision over them especially when they cannot supply their children’s needs. As a parent, it was not easy for me to put my children through University even when their tuition and expenses are far beyond me. I entered into prayers on their behalf for divine provision and God faithfully took care of all their expenses through ways far beyond my comprehension. When one of them was entering a school with tuition and expenses over $30,000 per annum. I did not try to discourage her especially as I saw her pressing forward without looking back. Marvelously, the LORD took care of it all just as He promised me.
David understood that his son Solomon was a Youth, so he undertook for him to raise fund and materials. That was not enough, He instructed him in the ways of the LORD in order to continue walking in the LORD’S favor and also prayed consistently for him. We see ore of David’s prayers for Solomon in Psalm 73. Before his death, he knew that through his consistent prayers for Solomon, he would succeed as a king.
You may not be alive later in life to see what will become of your children, but your daily prayers and consistent instructions of the word of God will cover them even later in life. You can order their lives through your prayers for them and also drawing them consistently unto the altars of God both in sharing the word, in breaking of the Bread in communion with the LORD, in instructions of the word of God. We shall not forget about the physical provisions which you can fully accomplish through intercessions thus releasing the hands of God over their lives.
Such a father will pass out of this life fulfilled that he has left a good legacy which the children will carry over to their own children. The way you trained is the way they will go. Solomon therefore instructed children over and over to heed the instruction of their father and mother.
Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding (Proverbs 4:1)
My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck (Proverbs 1:8-9)
My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: (Proverbs 6:20-23 (KJV)
Paul also encouraging the Thessalonian brethren made such reference:
As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12).
For more on the role of a father and mother in the family, some of my books will be a great resource. E-books available in amazon.com:
Revisiting the foundation of Marriage: Divine Principles for embracing a successful marriage (Chapter 7: Divine Role Play in Marriage).
How Do We Invest in our children?
Foundation Laid in Prayers
Divine Principles for Raising godly children