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Examples of Good and Bad Fathers in the Bible: Lessons for Modern Fathers – Viral Believer
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Examples of Good and Bad Fathers in the Bible: Lessons for Modern Fathers

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Introduction

Fathers play an essential role in the family structure. They provide emotional and financial support and guide their children in the ways of the Lord.

The Bible is full of examples of fathers, both good and bad. These examples offer us insight into the importance of fatherhood and the consequences of neglecting our responsibilities.

In this post, we will explore the examples of good and bad fathers in the Bible and draw lessons that modern fathers can learn from them.

We will examine the lives of Abraham, Joseph, and David, who are known for their faithfulness to God, love for their children, and guidance in the ways of the Lord. We will also look at the examples of Eli, Jacob, and Saul, who neglected their responsibilities as fathers, and the consequences they faced as a result.

As we explore these examples, we will compare the characteristics of good and bad fathers and draw lessons that modern fathers can apply in their own lives.

We will discuss the importance of a father’s relationship with God, the dangers of playing favorites among children, the need for discipline and guidance, and the importance of love, forgiveness, and compassion.

May this post serve as a reminder to fathers of their sacred responsibility and inspire them to strive for faithfulness, love, and guidance in their relationships with their children.

fathers in the Bible

Good Fathers in the Bible

Abraham

Abraham is often referred to as the father of faith. He had a close relationship with God, and this was reflected in his relationship with his son, Isaac. Abraham trusted God when He asked him to sacrifice Isaac, and his obedience was rewarded when God provided a ram for the sacrifice.

Abraham’s faithfulness to God and his love for his son make him an excellent example of a good father.

Abraham also demonstrated his love for his son, Ishmael, whom he had with Hagar. When God told Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away, Abraham obeyed but provided for them and prayed for Ishmael’s well-being.

Genesis 21:14-19 NKJV

So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water; and putting it on her shoulder, he gave it and the boy to Hagar, and sent her away. Then she departed and wandered in the Wilderness of Beersheba. And the water in the skin was used up, and she placed the boy under one of the shrubs. Then she went and sat down across from him at a distance of about a bowshot; for she said to herself, “Let me not see the death of the boy.” So she sat opposite him, and lifted her voice and wept. And God heard the voice of the lad. Then the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, “What ails you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad and hold him with your hand, for I will make him a great nation.”

Abraham’s love for both of his sons and his trust in God make him an excellent example of a good father.

Joseph

Joseph was a man of integrity and faith. He was sold into slavery by his own brothers but rose to become the second-in-command in Egypt. When he reunited with his brothers years later, he forgave them and provided for them and their families.

Joseph’s love and forgiveness towards his brothers make him an excellent example of a good father.

Joseph was also a loving and responsible father to his own sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. When Jacob, Joseph’s father, blessed his grandsons, he crossed his arms and gave the younger son, Ephraim, the greater blessing. Joseph objected, but Jacob insisted that it was God’s will.

Genesis 48:17-19 NKJV

Now when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him; so he took hold of his father’s hand to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. And Joseph said to his father, “Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.” But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great; but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations.”

Joseph accepted his father’s decision and loved both of his sons equally. He provided for them and their families and passed on his faith to them, as seen in his request to have his bones buried in the promised land.

Genesis 50:24-25 NKJV

And Joseph said to his brethren, “I am dying; but God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land to the land of which He swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” Then Joseph took an oath from the children of Israel, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.”

Joseph’s love, forgiveness, and faith make him an excellent example of a good father.

David

David was a man after God’s own heart. He had his flaws, but he loved God and was a good father to his son, Solomon. He instructed Solomon to follow God’s ways and to be a just and wise king.

1 Kings 2:2-3 NKJV

“I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn.”

David’s guidance and wisdom make him an excellent example of a good father.

David also had a son named Absalom, who rebelled against him and sought to take the throne. Despite Absalom’s rebellion, David loved him and wept when he died in battle.

2 Samuel 18:33 NKJV

Then the king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept. And as he went, he said thus: “O my son Absalom—my son, my son Absalom—if only I had died in your place! O Absalom my son, my son!”

David’s love and compassion toward his rebellious son make him an excellent example of a good father.

Bad Fathers in the Bible

Eli

Eli was a priest and judge in Israel, but he was a bad father. He failed to discipline his sons when they sinned, and this led to their deaths and the downfall of his family.

Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests, but they were corrupt and did not respect the Lord’s offerings. Eli rebuked them, but he did not take any action to stop them.

1 Samuel 2:23-24 NKJV

So he said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people. No, my sons! For it is not a good report that I hear. You make the Lord’s people transgress.”

God warned Eli about his sons’ sins and the consequences they would face, but Eli did not take action.

1 Samuel 3:13 NKJV

“For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them.”

Hophni and Phinehas died in battle, and Eli died upon hearing the news. Eli’s failure to discipline his sons and guide them in the ways of the Lord make him an example of a bad father.

Jacob

Jacob was the father of twelve sons, but he had a favorite, Joseph. His favoritism led to jealousy and hatred among his other sons, and they sold Joseph into slavery.

Jacob also played favorites among his wives, Rachel and Leah, which caused tension and competition between them.

Genesis 29:30-31 NKJV

“And he also loved Rachel more than Leah. And he served with Laban still another seven years. When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.”

Jacob’s favoritism and failure to love all his sons equally make him an example of a bad father.

King Saul

Saul was the first king of Israel, but he was a bad father to his son, Jonathan. Saul was jealous of David, and this led to anger and bitterness towards his own son, who was David’s friend and ally.

1 Samuel 20:30 NKJV

“Then Saul’s anger was aroused against Jonathan, and he said to him, ‘You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness?'”

Saul’s jealousy and anger towards his own son make him an example of a bad father.

Comparison of Good and Bad Fathers

Characteristics of Good Fathers

  • Faithful to God
  • Love and guide their children in the ways of the Lord
  • Provide for and protect their children
  • Show forgiveness and compassion towards their children
  • Discipline their children when necessary

Characteristics of Bad Fathers

  • Neglect to guide and discipline their children
  • Play favorites among their children
  • Allow jealousy and bitterness to affect their relationships with their children
  • Fail to show love, compassion, and forgiveness toward their children
  • Neglect their responsibilities as fathers

Lessons Learned

Importance of a Father’s Relationship with God

The examples of Abraham, Joseph, and David demonstrate the importance of a father’s relationship with God. These men were faithful to God and passed on their faith to their children.

Fathers should make it a priority to have a strong relationship with God, as this will impact their ability to guide their children in the ways of the Lord.

The Dangers of Favoritism

The example of Jacob shows us the dangers of playing favorites among children. Favoritism can lead to jealousy and bitterness, which can destroy relationships among family members. Fathers should strive to love all their children equally and avoid showing partiality.

The Need for Discipline and Guidance

The examples of Eli and Saul show us the importance of discipline and guidance. Fathers should discipline their children when necessary and guide them in the ways of the Lord. Neglecting this responsibility can have serious consequences for both the father and the child.

The Consequences of Neglecting Fatherhood

The examples of Eli and Saul also demonstrate the consequences of neglecting fatherhood. Eli’s failure to discipline his sons and Saul’s neglect of his relationship with his son led to their downfall. Fathers should take their responsibilities seriously and prioritize their relationship with their children.

The Importance of Love, Forgiveness, and Compassion

The examples of Joseph, David, and Abraham demonstrate the importance of love, forgiveness, and compassion toward our children. Fathers should show their children love and compassion, even when they make mistakes. They should be quick to forgive and provide for their children’s needs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Bible provides us with valuable examples of good and bad fathers that modern fathers can learn from. The examples of Abraham, Joseph, and David demonstrate the importance of a father’s relationship with God, love for their children, and guidance in the ways of the Lord.

The examples of Eli, Jacob, and Saul show us the dangers of neglecting our responsibilities as fathers and the consequences that can result.

As fathers, we must take our role seriously and prioritize our relationship with God and our children. We must strive to be faithful, loving, and responsible fathers who guide our children in the ways of the Lord. This requires discipline and guidance, as well as love, forgiveness, and compassion towards our children.

Let us remember the words of Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” As we raise our children, let us keep our eyes fixed on God and His word and seek to reflect His love and guidance in our relationships with our children.

May we be good fathers who honor God and bless our children with love and guidance, just as our Heavenly Father loves and guides us.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.