Matthew 1-2 | How to Be the Best Possible Dad

The father of any family holds a premier position in the home. He’s to be a provider and protector. He’s to love his wife as Christ loved the church and train his children in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

Most importantly, he is to model to his children the character of the heavenly Father. As he does so, his children learn of God’s character and faithfulness, and it makes it easier for them to trust God and surrender their lives to Him.

NO ONE’S PERFECT

Every father makes mistakes. Even here, a good dad will model repentance and seek forgiveness. This too will train his children. Most of the dads I know want to do a good job in their task, even though they know they cannot do it perfectly.

How can we be the best possible father to our families and a watching world?

LISTEN CAREFULLY and OBEYING INSTANTLY

The story of Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father, is given to us in Matthew 1-2. We don’t know a great deal about him except what he did for his wife and son. Three times in these two chapters there is a similar occurrence.

And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus. (Matthew 1:24-25)

Now when they (the wise men) had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.” So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. (Matthew 2:13-14)

But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said, “Get up, take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel; for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.” So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. (Matthew 2:20-21)

Joseph was in a position to hear what God was saying regarding the leadership of his family. He listened attentively. He knew that God was the ultimate Head of his home. And then, when he received instructions, he instantly obeyed with unquestioning obedience. He got up and went even if it was uncomfortable or unreasonable to the human mind.

Notice what Joseph’s obedience provided. He protected his wife; he protected his son, and he provided a perfect environment for growth. What Joseph did put the Child in a position for the promises of God to be fulfilled in Him, for it was prophesied that Jesus would come out of Egypt and be called a Nazarene. Joseph fulfilled his role simply, but wonderfully.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

If God has entrusted you with His children, you should adopt the same lifestyle as Joseph. Listen carefully—through God’s Word and prayer and the promptings of the Holy Spirit—and obey God’s instructions instantly.

Your name may never be well known, but you may be used to raise those who make a mighty mark for the Kingdom of God!

Father, help me to listen carefully to You. Let me not question Your directives for my family, but when I have received them, let me instantly obey. Help me to “Get up and go” when directed by Your Spirit to provide for my family precisely what You know they need