Jonathan Edwards was one of early America’s greatest preachers. His devotion to prayer and Bible study remains unparalleled, his biographer recording that he usually spent 13 hours a day studying the word, an hour talking with his wife and 11 kids, and prayed a prayer of blessing over each child, every day. When Edwards had been dead 150 years, a researcher compared 1200 descendants of Edwards to 1200 descendants of a criminal named Max Jukes. How do you think that turned out?
Jukes’ legacy: 7 murderers, 60 thieves, 190 prostitutes, 150 other convicts, 310 paupers, 440 alcoholics, and 300 who died before old age.
Edwards’ legacy: 1 US Vice President, 3 US senators, 3 governors, 3 mayors, 30 judges, 1 law school dean, 1 med school dean, 13 college presidents, 60 doctors, 65 professors, 75 military officers, 100 lawyers, 100 preachers, 80 public office holders, 285 college graduates.
There is a FIVE GENERATION RULE: the way you parent your children will influence the next FIVE generations!
That is why I am intrigued by the family tree. It is amazing to see the patterns of blessings across generations. I don’t know who will come after you, but those who have come before create a family tree almost as rich as that of Jonathan Edwards.
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6.
“In your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” Genesis 22:18.
“Because you have done what is right in My sight…, your sons shall sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation.” 2 Kings 10:30.
God, help us remember that our thoughts today become actions tomorrow, then habits, then destiny, until finally they shape our legacy for generations to come. May our lives be built on your word and your truth. Help us love your word and study it more. Forgive us: we are lazy. Motivate us to do the work of Bible study and prayer.
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