God's Family Government
By Clarence Santee
God has given plain and explicit directions in regard to family government; and it is evident that it is not to be maintained upon the same basis that it would have been if sin had never entered. Here is where some have erred. To begin with the human race, we will go back to Gen. 1:26-28: “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion,” etc. The “them” referred to whoever was comprehended in the term “man.” By reading further, it is evident that this term referred to both male and female: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” This is a repetition in substance of the preceding verse. “Let us make man . . . let them have dominion.” “So God created man . . . male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, . . . have dominion.” Then follows the enumeration of the same list given in the twenty-sixth verse. This proves that the “them” refers to both male and female, and is embraced in the term “man.” There is no hint of superiority in this language. All was exact equality. This is made more clear from Gen. 3:16, where it is plainly stated that authority was given as a consequence of sin. From this we see that God’s plan for the family relation was exact equality between husband and wife. See also Gen. 5:2: “Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam.” It is impossible for two powers to be equal, yet one have the governing power. Equality calls only for counsel, mutual co-operation. Until sin entered, it must have been “the counsel of peace.” Then where came the government of the home? Was it in the mutual correction of the child? Let us see the relation sustained between parent and child. In Mal. 3:7 God says, “Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them.” Then if we went from God in the days of our fathers, it must have been in our fathers. They built up an inheritance of sin, and we have received it. Then, “Like parent, like child” is, in a sense, true. If this be so with wicked parents, it must have been so with righteous parents. The first perceptions of the child would then have been appreciation. As it gained a knowledge of the use of its hands, it would have delighted in helpfulness. In the lack of knowledge, strength, and experience, it might have delayed more than assisted, yet the persistent effort would have been to aid others, and show helpfulness. It could not have been corrected for wrongdoing, as a wrong deed would have been through mistake. It would have taken more severe punishment to compel to do wrong than it now does to compel one who loves the wrong to do right. It could then have been said, “From the days of your fathers” ye have kept mine ordinances. Where, then, could there have been government? — It would have been in counsel, pleasant instruction, and happy accord. Yet, with all this freedom there would have been the most absolute government. Why? — Love would have impelled. They could not do otherwise. The law of love was in the heart. It was their life. But, one will say, “If so, then there would have been no need for instruction.” God has never endowed the faculty of mechanical right doing separate from the controlling power of the mind. Angels do right as the mind comprehends right. “Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in12 True love will not lead a parent to pass by the defects of the children, when it is evident that these defects will lead them to eternal ruin. This is fatal indulgence. I copy from a Reform School Magazine the following: “If a child be allowed to have its own way, it will like it and not cry; but in after years its parents, in sorrow for their leniency, may shed the most bitter tears.” Parents make the mistake, and it is one that leads them to mistaken ideas of the advisability of positive restraint and correction, of mingling scolding, criticising, and faultfinding, with their effort. This will harden and discourage a well-meaning child. The counsel of God to such is, “Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.” Col. 3:21. In God’s ideal home there is helpful and acceptable counsel and assistance in cultivating the natural tendencies of the heart, and thus developing the broadest basis of enjoyable individual liberty with both parents and children. When the new element came in, God so provided that the evil might be held in check, and finally, by his Spirit’s aid, be crucified. It must die, or its victim will die or will. “For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be.” “Evil doers shall be cut off.” “The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.”