When you see a topic that links your father and your health, you immediately think of DNA. In its simplest definition, DNA is the carrier of genetic information. So, if your father or mother is black, you are likely to be born black, unless there is something fishy. If your father suffers from diabetes, you are likely to develop diabetes unless you read our posts on divine health. That is DNA and it is quite different from the environmental factors.
Those factors determine that a father who imbibes alcohol will likely pass that to his children through the environment. That has nothing to do with DNA, just a “monkey-see-monkey-do” scenario. If you are abusive, your children will grow up abusive. It is not DNA. With this introduction, we can now go on to our topic on your father and your health. We are not describing how your father’s DNA passes genetic information to you. Rather, this is about what God says about how your life may be long in this world.
In the book of Exodus at chapter 20, God says we should honor our father and our mother. Because God knew that some fathers and mothers are not deserving of honor, He gives us the reason for the commandment. Yes, some parents are not worthy to be honored and I am sure you know a few such. God also knows them but He still says your father and your health are linked.
The Link Between Your Father And Your Health
God says if you honor your father and mother, your life will be long on earth. You already know that this entire series is so we can live long enough to fulfill God’s purpose. And here, we see God showing us the strategy for living long. What could be better than that God linked your father and your health? Simply give respect and obedience to your father and mother and you can be sure you will not die young.
A young man once made an interesting observation about that since some people live long even after disrespecting their parents. He said that such people may not suffer a shortened physical life but a shortened destiny. It is possible and if you find your destiny has been cut short, you may need to apologize to your father. We leave that entirely to you.
Meanwhile, we stay with our theme: the link between your father and your health is without exception. The other day, a lawyer tried to argue that there might be an exception to God’s clear commandment. I hope you know enough not to listen to lawyers. They can argue that a criminal is not guilty and get the felon acquitted. There is no exception to the commandments of God. They are not suggestions, they are laws.
However, we move on. If you honor your father and your mother, God says you will live long on this earth. And while there is no hard data linking premature death with disrespecting parents, we do have a few pointers. Two decades ago, death rates were going down in the developed nations, resulting from technological advances. And then suddenly, death rates reversed and started increasing in those same nations.
Death Rates In Advanced Nations
What happened to reverse the trend? In one nation in particular, life expectancy actually decreased. That means that, despite all the advances in medical care and technology, people were dying younger. Ouch! In the news on any given day, you read how so and so died at 36 or 28 of accidental this and that. It is happening more and more in those advanced nations where life expectancy is declining. Could these young people be a part of the younger cohort known to have no respect for their parents? Could that be why God, in His infinite wisdom linked your father and your health?
You see, the bible predicts “men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents. They will be unthankful unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good. This same cohort will be traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.
There are two important facts to take away from that bible passage. There is a time when a generation of young people will be disobedient to parents. And that time is the end time. Could the end time be imminent? The answer is there for all to see. One thing is clear: God was right to link your father and your health. Resect him and your mother if you want to live long enough to fulfill purpose.
To your health! Maranatha!
A jolted to reality! But what about those who have lost parents, are now parents and grandparents. How can they make amends?
There is nothing too difficult for God. We operate with the light we have and God respects that