“WHEN thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thine house, if any man fall from thence.” Deut. 22 :8.
God’s people of old were instructed to use every precaution in the building of their houses, making them safe for any who chanced to stay there. The flatroofed houses of those times made fences round the house-tops very necessary. It was God Who inspired Moses to give this law of safety to His people. Someone has fitly said, “God knew, as man has learned since, that it is better to build a fence at the top of a precipice than provide an ambulance at the foot.”
We generally regard the above command as applying merely to builders of houses, but there is a much deeper and much more important lesson to be drawn from it. Bible truths are like diamonds and goodly pearls. Their value is not revealed at the first glance. Only after close study, their magnificent richness comes to view. The text we have quoted is no exception to this rule. Beautiful truths of life shine out from what otherwise seems to be but a commonplace “Safety First” measure of a past age.
The words “house” and “home” are often used synonymously. There is, nevertheless, a deeper meaning to the word “home.” It means “a house with a soul.” Our text applies not only to houses, but also to homes. We do not all build houses for our little ones, but we do make a home, and a sacred re sponsibility rests upon us as home builders. Our homes many times lack the necessary means of protection for those who dwell there. “Children are an heritage of the Lord.” Psa. 127 :3. He has given them to us to train for Him and He will hold us responsible for them. He will say to us what He said to the leaders in Israel long ago, “Where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?” Jer. 13 :20.
God expects home-builders to make battlements for their roofs. The following is a plan of a suggestive fortification, consisting of four corner-stones fitly joined together.
The order in which these battlements are suggested does not indicate the pre-eminence of one above another. Neither is it the necessary order in which they must he erected. Space does not permit more than a few remarks on these bulwarks of safety.
1. Love is naturally the first corner-stone. Unfortunately love is absent from many homes. Even kindness is a rare guest in some families. The cold atmosphere of such homes drives the children from the parents at an early age. “When there’s love at home” the children and parents will be closely drawn together. Truly love is the means by which “He shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers.”
2. One of the sins of to-day, foretold by prophecy, is disobedience to parents. The blame for this lies not so much with the children as with the parents. Obedience should be taught to the children early in life. Let us build this battlement also in our homes. Careful instruction, showing the result of disobedience, and the blessings and promises to those who obey, will help the young minds when they are tempted to go their own way.
3. In God’s plan the home is a miniature church, with Father as its priest. And in Father’s place Mother is the priestess. Family Worship one battlement that must not be missing in a Christian home. It is a mighty fortification against the difficulties and temptations that come our way. It is worth while to take time for family worship. It helps to impress upon the minds of the children the fact that we are created to worship our Lord and Maker. They will in this way find worship at church and prayer meeting more necessary.
4. Another of the fortifications must be Private Prayer. Our youth must be taught to seek the Lord in private. This will lead them to call upon Him in times of need when they are away from the family prayer circle.
5. The battlement of Bible Study must be made a strong corner-stone. This is of paramount importance. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” Luke 4:4, last part. A portion of Scripture should be read and studied daily.
6. In these days the very air we breathe seems to be charged with deadly germs. Happy are they who know something of the principles of health. Home-builders must not forget the battlement of Healthful Living. If we and our children are to be preserved blameless in spirit, soul, and body until the coming of the Lord, we must co-operate with the Divine.
7. Let us also: build the battlement of Living the Truth. It is a terrible fact that many have brought blood upon their homes because of their inconsistencies. Children and youth are conscientiously critical. They are quick to notice these things. They abhor sham. “If ever there were any, then my mother and father arc Christians,” was the remark a young man made during a conversation about Christian living, and although he did not then profess Jesus Christ, it was only a short while before he joined his parents in following the way of truth.
8. Lastly, we would suggest the battlement of Reverence for all holy things. What have the children seen in your house? Is the holy Sabbath regarded with due reverence? Luther stated a great truth in his catechism. Commenting on the Sabbath commandment, he said that to reverence the Sabbath and keep it holy included going to church and listening-to the Word of God. We would add that we should study it in the Sabbath-school as well. Much depends on how we begin and how we close the Sabbath.
Doubtless many other things will come to our minds as we think about this question. Let us do all we can to save our children and young people in these perilous times. “How shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me ?” Gen. 44 :34.
BY G. A. LINDSAY
