✨ The Call to Train Up a Child
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
— Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)
Training does not begin at the first step or first word it begins in the womb. Parents, families, and communities shape the atmosphere into which a child is born.
- A mother’s whispered prayers
- A father’s example of faithfulness
- The love, discipline, and tone of those around them
These form the child’s earliest “cradle.” Nurturing is not delayed until school years, it starts from conception. The nature and heart of parents deeply influence how a child grows to perceive God, themselves, and the world.
⚖️ The Sobering Example of Jehoiachin
“Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD.”
— 2 Chronicles 36:9 (KJV)
Eight years old. An age we often call innocent. Yet Jehoiachin did evil in the sight of the Lord.
This reveals something crucial: sin is not restrained by age. A child’s heart can bend toward rebellion if not guided by righteousness. The accounts in Jeremiah and 2 Kings echo the same truth—Jehoiachin’s downfall was not simply his youth, but the absence of godly shaping.
🔎 What Does It Mean to Do Evil in the Sight of the Lord?
In Scripture, “doing evil in the sight of the Lord” means:
- Turning from God’s commandments
- Embracing idolatry or pride
- Living in disobedience to His will
For a king, this meant corrupting a nation. For a child, it begins with unchecked habits, hardened attitudes, or ungodly influences. Jehoiachin’s short reign stands as a warning: innocence in age does not equal purity of heart.
🪴 The Lesson for Us Today
- Parenting begins with the heart. Who you are matters more than what you say.
- Training starts in the womb. Pray, sing psalms, and fill the home with the Word.
- Guard their influences. Friends, entertainment, and role models shape character.
- Acknowledge sin’s seriousness. Youth is no excuse for rebellion; God calls us to correct early.
🙏 Closing Reflection
The story of Jehoiachin is sobering but instructive. It reminds us:
- Leadership, obedience, and faith are shaped early.
- God calls us to intentional training, not passive parenting.
- What is sown in youth will bear fruit in adulthood.
May we nurture children whose lives shine with faithfulness, never repeating “evil in the sight of the Lord,” but becoming testimonies of His righteousness.
💭 Reflection Question:
How are you creating a godly atmosphere for the children in your life, whether as a parent, mentor, or member of your community?
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