A mediator is one who stands between two people. For example, it is said of Jesus that he is the mediator between God and humans, meaning that access to God is conditioned by him. Speaking of mediators between a person and their destiny in the context of establishment in glory is to highlight the influence that certain people have in the lives of others.

Thus, by mediators, understand those who help others gain access to the inheritance destined for them. These mediators are not necessarily the holders of this inheritance, but through their contribution, they can grant you access to your glorious inheritance. I can liken them to notaries. The notary is not the author of the inheritance of an heir but shows the heir the content of their inheritance and helps them to possess it. Here, we will learn about the role of fathers, mothers, and mentors.

The Role of Fathers

We come from different backgrounds, and our stories are not identical. Some come from noble families, others from modest ones. Through the culture of hard work, some manage to push back the barriers their fathers could not overcome. But as there is an end to everything, one who has built their wealth through sacrifices must leave the posthumous management of their assets to their descendants.

Regarding inheritance, the law allows the establishment of a will. Respecting the will can be easy or difficult. This varies from one culture to another, from one country to another. Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, in one of his books, spoke of ten types of fathers we can have.

The father, indeed, is the reference point of a movement, the founder of an ideology. The father is the progenitor of a child, the primary author of a work. The author of the pregnancy that brought you into the world is your father. The one who raised you or educated you is your father. The one who led you to accept Christ is your father. The one who raised you in faith is your father. You can have as many fathers as possible. Because of their position as sources, there is an attitude to adopt towards fathers.

What Attitude to Have Towards Fathers?

“Honor your father… it is the first commandment with a promise.” Ephesians 6:2.

One of the most powerful keys to accessing your glory is the key of honor. It is a commandment, the first principle prerequisite to activating anything in your life. What does this mean? It means that if you give your tithes, your offerings, and everything you want, you are certainly creating an account for your prosperity, but the activation of this account is the law of honor because it is the first commandment with a promise.

As long as you do not prioritize the law of honor, you risk living a life of frustration. How do I know this? The story of Jacob’s sons demonstrates it. Reuben, who was the firstborn, found himself without his birthright. God is not a philanthropist. Our God is a God of principles. Study with me the story of Reuben.

Reuben and Esau: The Portrait of Two Elders Deprived of Their Glory

“Reuben, you are my firstborn, my strength, and the first fruits of my vigor, excelling in dignity and excelling in power. Unstable as water, you shall not excel because you went up to your father’s bed; then you defiled it—he went up to my couch!” Genesis 49:3-4.

In most families around the world, the golden rule is that the eldest son is the father’s primary heir. The eldest benefit from what is called the birthright or preeminence. They are in a prime position during significant events. They can even act as a vice-father or a delegated father. Thus, they occasionally assume the functions of a father. But curiously, Reuben was deprived of it. What happened for Jacob not to bless his eldest? Reuben was deprived of his glory because he dishonored his father.

“While Israel lived in that land, Reuben went and lay with Bilhah, his father’s concubine; and Israel heard of it.” Genesis 35:22.

A son who discovers or exposes his father’s nakedness dishonors his father. By lying with Bilhah, Reuben had committed a double offense: he dishonored both his father and the mother of his brothers Dan and Naphtali. That’s why Jacob deprived him of the blessing.

Nakedness is the secret part of a man or a woman. It is what constitutes their dignity, their honor. Our natural nakedness hides stains we would not like to expose to everyone; it hides stigmas from the banditry of our childhood. For a father, nakedness can be weaknesses he would not want to expose. Your father might indulge excessively in wine without others knowing, it is not for you to reveal this flaw.

Your father in faith might be someone whose weaknesses you discovered due to the grace he gave you to come close to him. But that should not be an opportunity to bring them to the knowledge of the entire community to the point of tarnishing his image. If it happens that he is defamed following the secret information you revealed, do not think that it is simply due to his lack of wisdom and that he should have refrained from acting as he did; you will also be responsible. Concerning Jesus, everyone knows that he was destined for the shame of the cross, but the Bible says: woe to him through whom it comes.

You certainly know the story of Noah’s drunkenness, which led to the curse of his son who mentioned it in one of his conversations. Throughout your life, you must adopt an attitude that honors your father or fathers. You must honor them so that blessings come from their mouths. The men of the Old Testament were aware of the power of a father’s words. Jacob did everything to be blessed by his father Isaac. Fathers have the power to bless or curse. This is evident from the story of Isaac’s sons. Jacob and Esau did not quarrel over material possessions. They sought the positive declarations of their father, the blessing.

“Then his father Isaac said to him, ‘Come near and kiss me, my son.’ So he came near and kissed him; and Isaac smelled the smell of his garments and blessed him and said, ‘See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field that the Lord has blessed! May God give you of the dew of heaven and of the fatness of the earth and plenty of grain and wine. Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be everyone who blesses you!’ As soon as Isaac had finished blessing him, and Jacob had scarcely gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, Esau his brother came in from his hunting. He also prepared a delicious meal and brought it to his father. And he said to his father, ‘Let my father arise and eat of his son’s game, that you may bless me.’ His father Isaac said to him, ‘Who are you?’ He answered, ‘I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.’ Then Isaac trembled very violently and said, ‘Who was it then that hunted game and brought it to me, and I ate it all before you came, and I have blessed him? Yes, and he shall be blessed.’ As soon as Esau heard the words of his father, he cried out with an exceedingly great and bitter cry and said to his father, ‘Bless me, even me also, O my father!’ But he said, ‘Your brother came deceitfully, and he has taken away your blessing.’ Esau said, ‘Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me these two times. He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing.’ Then he said, ‘Have you not reserved a blessing for me?’ Isaac answered and said to Esau, ‘Behold, I have made him lord over you and all his brothers I have given to him for servants, and with grain and wine I have sustained him. What then can I do for you, my son?’ Esau said to his father, ‘Have you but one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, O my father.’ And Esau lifted up his voice and wept.” Genesis 27:26-38.

Of the two parents, while the father has the monopoly of the blessing, the mother can give you the secrets to accessing glory…

This text is an excerpt from the book “Being Established in Glory” written by Tony-Branly NZIKOU.

We invite you to read the following article “The Role of Mothers.”