Edward’s QT

Summary: Moses says that captive women taken as wives must not be treated as slaves. The son of an unloved wife who is firstborn must be given the double share of inheritance due to him. He commanded that a stubborn, disobedient and rebellious son be stoned by the community.

Question: How did I treat my rebellious son?

Of my children, my son showed the most musical talent. He was a gifted pianist and singer. In his last year of high school, one of the foremost piano teachers in the country heard my son play at a concert. The teacher was a retired music professor but said he would come out of retirement to teach my son. You can imagine the pride his parents felt.

 Here was their son’s career in the making. If he didn’t become a concert pianist, he at least would have the qualifications and reputation to become a piano teacher. You can then imagine our shock when he turned down the offer of a potential music career.

When we asked why, he said he wanted to get a degree in Recreation Studies, which is learning to set up programs for people in recreation centers. His decision led to huge arguments in our house. His mother and I wanted him to pursue a music career and develop his God-given talents. Many harsh words were exchanged.

 I berated my son for his lack of vision and poor choice. I don’t recall any calm, sensitive and loving discussions. His free and independent choice was an afront and insult to me. My wife and I had trained all our children to be independent.

 Although we succeeded in that, we were not prepared for what I still feel was a misguided and rebellious choice of life by my son. We did not behave well. Basically, we stoned him like those in today’s passage.

My son already had part-time jobs and had saved his money. He could pay for his university as well as rent an apartment with like-minded friends. He was living proof of our teaching and training for independence. But anger was now the atmosphere around us. For fifteen years I had no relationship with him until I woke up and apologized repeatedly until, by God’s grace, we effected a reconciliation.

Although we don’t talk about that time, I wonder if our argument affected his faith. At church, he was a choir member and a soloist. Like many college kids, he left the church. He never returned, eventually falling into New Age spirituality, which he won’t let me talk to him about. He doesn’t play piano any more but he’s the director of a volunteer a cappella group of male singers, a kind of secular choir. Interestingly, part of their repertoire is religious songs.

 I have hope that maybe God’s music may bring him back to the Lord.

I, too, ran away from music at the same time as my son did. I stopped playing guitar and refused to sing, saying I couldn’t carry a tune. I avoided learning basic music. Last week one of our pastors asked me to sing “The Goodness of God” with one of the church kids. My wife is my singing coach, drilling me in the song. I pray I’ll be able to give a credible rendering of it when the time comes.

Application: Learn the song as a deeper repentance for stoning my son.

Prayer: Lord have mercy on my stoney heart. Forgive me for being the truly rebellious one while I blame others for my problems. Let me open my heart to your love so that I can love others as you truly wish.