The accounts of the kings in the Old Testament, particularly in 1 and 2 Kings and 1 and 2 Chronicles, offer a compelling parallel to the responsibilities of a father leading his household in faith. Several kings of Judah, such as Asa (1 Kings 15:9-24; 2 Chronicles 14-16), Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 17-20), Joash (2 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 24), Amaziah (2 Kings 14:1-6; 2 Chronicles 25:1-4), Azariah (Uzziah) (2 Kings 15:1-4; 2 Chronicles 26:1-4), and Jotham (2 Kings 15:32-35; 2 Chronicles 27:1-2), are described as doing “what was right in the sight of the Lord,” yet many of them failed to remove the high places—locations where idolatrous worship and pagan practices persisted. This inconsistency in their leadership provides a lens through which we can examine a father’s role in guiding his family spiritually while allowing certain influences, akin to modern entertainment, to persist unchecked.
The Kings and the High Places
The high places were elevated sites often associated with pagan worship, where altars, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles were used to honor false gods (1 Kings 14:23; 2 Kings 17:9-11). Even kings who were faithful in many respects—reforming temple worship, upholding the law, or defeating enemies—often tolerated these high places. For example:
• Asa removed many idols and instituted reforms but did not remove the high places (1 Kings 15:14; 2 Chronicles 15:17).
• Jehoshaphat followed God’s commands and strengthened Judah’s faith, yet “the high places were not taken away, and the people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places” (2 Kings 22:43; 2 Chronicles 20:33).
• Jotham did what was right, but “the people still followed corrupt practices” at the high places (2 Chronicles 27:2).
This failure to fully eradicate these sites reflects a partial obedience. The kings’ tolerance of the high places allowed syncretism—a blending of true worship with pagan practices—undermining their reforms and leaving room for spiritual corruption. The text implies that their leadership, while commendable in many areas, was incomplete because they permitted competing influences to coexist with devotion to God.
The Father’s Responsibility in the Home
A father who seeks to serve God in raising his family and guiding his wife bears a similar responsibility to lead with spiritual vigilance. Just as the kings were tasked with upholding exclusive worship of Yahweh, a father is called to foster a household environment that honors God in all aspects of life (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Ephesians 6:4). However, allowing unchecked influences—such as certain types of television, internet content, reading material, or music—can parallel the kings’ failure to remove the high places. These modern “high places” may introduce values, ideologies, or behaviors contrary to biblical principles, subtly eroding the family’s spiritual foundation.
For example:
• Television and Internet Content: Shows or online platforms that glorify immorality, violence, or materialism can desensitize family members to sin, much like the high places facilitated idolatry. A father might diligently teach biblical values but undermine his efforts by permitting content that normalizes worldviews opposed to God’s standards (Philippians 4:8).
• Music and Reading Material: Lyrics or books that promote rebellion, sensuality, or secular philosophies can function as modern altars, competing for the family’s affections and loyalties. Allowing these without discernment mirrors the kings’ leniency toward pagan worship sites.
• Entertainment Choices: Unfiltered entertainment, even if seemingly harmless, can distract from spiritual priorities or introduce moral ambiguity, akin to the people’s offerings at the high places despite the kings’ reforms.
The Correlation: Partial Obedience and Its Consequences
The correlation lies in the danger of partial obedience. The kings’ failure to remove the high places reflected a compromise—doing much that was right but stopping short of total fidelity to God’s command to eliminate all idolatry (Exodus 20:3-5; Deuteronomy 12:2-3). Similarly, a father who earnestly seeks to lead his family in faith but does not guard against harmful cultural influences risks creating a syncretistic environment. This can lead to:
• Mixed Messages: Just as the high places sent a mixed message about worship, allowing questionable entertainment can confuse children about what aligns with God’s will, weakening their moral and spiritual convictions.
• Gradual Drift: The high places contributed to Judah’s eventual spiritual decline (2 Kings 17:7-18). Likewise, unchecked media can gradually desensitize a family to sin, leading to compromised values over time.
• Undermined Authority: The kings’ tolerance of high places diminished their spiritual authority. A father’s failure to set boundaries may erode his ability to guide his family effectively, as children or a spouse may question his commitment to biblical standards.
The Father’s Call to Vigilant Leadership
To avoid the mistakes of these kings, a father must exercise discernment and authority in the home, actively guarding against influences that compete with God’s truth. This involves:
• Setting Clear Boundaries: Just as the high places should have been destroyed, a father should prohibit or carefully filter entertainment that contradicts biblical values (Colossians 3:16-17). For example, evaluating content for its moral and ideological impact and discussing these choices with the family.
• Modeling Consistency: The kings’ partial obedience weakened their legacy. A father must model full commitment to God in both personal and family life, ensuring his actions align with his teachings (1 Corinthians 11:1).
• Fostering God-Centered Alternatives: Replacing harmful entertainment with edifying options—such as wholesome media, family devotions, or activities that glorify God—parallels what the kings could have done by redirecting worship from high places to the temple.
• Engaging Actively: Rather than passively allowing cultural influences, a father should engage with his family’s media consumption, discussing its implications and teaching discernment (Proverbs 22:6).
Biblical Encouragement
Scripture calls fathers to lead with courage and conviction, much like the kings were called to uphold God’s covenant. Joshua’s declaration, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15), exemplifies the resolve needed to eliminate modern “high places.” While no father is perfect, striving for wholehearted devotion—removing competing influences and fostering a God-honoring home—reflects the full obedience God desires.
In summary, the kings’ failure to remove the high places serves as a cautionary tale for fathers today. A father’s concerted effort to serve God is commendable, but neglecting to guard against harmful entertainment can undermine his spiritual leadership, allowing worldly influences to take root. By actively discerning and limiting such influences, a father can lead his family in a way that fully honors God, avoiding the pitfalls of partial obedience.
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