The Everlasting Covenant

The Nature of Right Commandments

We may be sure that the commands of Abraham to his children and his household were not harsh and arbitrary. We shall understand them better if we consider the nature of the commandments of God. They “are not grievous.” ¹ “His commandment is life everlasting.” ² They are living, in that they carry with them the fulfillment of that which they require. He who thinks to follow the example of Abraham in commanding his family, by harsh, arbitrary rules, and by acting the part of a stern judge, or a tyrant, making threats of what he will do if his commands are not obeyed, and enforcing his commands, not in the spirit of love, because they are right, but because he is stronger than his children, and has them in his power, has much need to learn of the God of Abraham. “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath; but bring them up in the nature and admonition of the Lord.” ³ A command that does not involve instruction, help, and training, is but a dead letter. EVCO 54.2

At the same time we may be sure that the commands of Abraham were not like Eli’s, weak and querulous reproofs to his wicked and worthless sons: “Why do ye such things? For I hear of your evil dealings by all this people. Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear.” ⁴ Judgment came upon Eli and his house, “because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.” ¹ Abraham transmitted a blessing to all eternity, because the commands which he gave to his children had restraining power. EVCO 54.3