Ideally, parents should model what their children should be and children should follow in their footsteps. When the father and mother provide a good model, that's not a problem. When father or mother provide a bad model, there is no question about what the children should do. What happens, however, when the father provides a mixed model? Well, that can be very confusing to a child. There's a case in the Old Testament of a father who did just that. The question is, what did his son do? The story is recorded in 2 Chronicles, chapter 27. So join me, if you will, in that very short chapter, and let's look at this interesting lesson. The question is, how did the son handle the situation when he was given a mixed example by his father? I'm going to start with chapter 27, verse 1, that tells us about a king's life. The second part of this chapter deals with his death. But the first part, actually, the chapter is divided into those two parts, his life and then his death. So we're going to start with his life. Jotham was 25 years old when he became king and he reigned 16 years in Jerusalem. Now, his father was Uzziah. This is Uzziah's son. The reign of Uzziah's son began in 750 BC, and hence it overlapped his father by about 11 years. One author has pointed out this fact is understandable in light of Uzziah's incapacity in the last years of his life, which we're told about in the previous chapter. Jotham also co-reigned with his son for four years, so that the reference to the length of reign as 16 years does not include that period. His dates as principal ruler were the 16-year period between 750 and 735 BC. Verse 2 says, and he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Uzziah had done, although he did not enter the temple of the Lord, but still the people acted corruptly. Jotham was a good king. He did not inappropriately violate the holy place that his father had done." In other words, he followed the good example of his father and not the bad. One author has said, his record was nearly blameless, but the people still were unfaithful to the Lord. Matter of fact, the last part of verse 2 says, the people still acted corruptly. The Hebrew word translated corruptly means corrupt, to destroy, to go to ruin, to decay. Spiritually, they were in a decaying state. So this king followed his father's example, except his father's sin. However, the high places were not removed and he does not appear to have been a reformer. He did little to prevent the people from acting corruptly So we're told in verse 2, he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, but the people acted corruptly. Verse 3 says, he built the upper gate of the house of the Lord, and he built extensively on the wall of Ophrol. His building projects included repairing the upper gate of the temple, and reconstructing a part of the wall that encompassed the old city of Jerusalem. Verse four says, moreover, he built cities in the mountain of Judah and the forest he built, fortresses and towers. Again, like his father, Uzziah, He enjoyed peace so that he was able to build and improve his capital and the surrounding cities. But verse 5 goes on to say, he also fought with the kings of the Ammonites and defeated them. And the people of Ammon gave him in that year, 100 talents of silver, 10,000 cores of wheat, 10,000 of barley. The people of Ammon paid this to him in the second and third year also." In other words, his neighbors to the east submitted to him and paid him tribute. Evidently, the Ammonites had sacked off, slacked off, I should say, in their payment of tribute, so he began to conquer them. They were required to pay, this text says, 100 talents of silver, which is quite a bit, by the way, it amounts to three tons, 10,000 cores of wheat, which is 62,000 bushels, and 10,000 of barley. This they did for three consecutive years, after which perhaps the burden was lessened. At any rate, this king strengthened, his strength lay in the fact that he considered the Lord in all that he did. So verse six says, so Jotham became mighty. because he prepared his way before the Lord his God." He became mighty, a Hebrew word which means to strengthen, prevail, be strong. So the author clearly states the reason that he became strong is he ordered his way, he conducted himself before the Lord his God. Verse 7 says, Now the rest of the acts of Jothan and all of his wars and ways and deeds are written in the book of Kings of Israel and Judah. Building projects and political success were two marks of the divine blessing on this king. The rest of his affairs could be found in the records of the kings of Israel and Judah, perhaps some of which were preserved in the books of 1st and 2nd Kings in our Bible. So this is his life. He had a father who gave him a mixed example and he basically followed the good and he didn't commit the one sin that his father had done. That's his life. In verses 1 to 7, we are given his life. The next couple of verses, which conclude the chapter, tell us of his death. He was 25 years old when he became king, and he reigned 16 years in Jerusalem. Now, this has already been pointed out, that when he was 25 years old, he became king of the southern kingdom. Notice he says he ruled in Jerusalem. So, this is actually a repetition of verse one. But the last verse says, so he rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of David, and then Ahaz, his son, reigned in his place. When he died, he was buried in Jerusalem and, naturally, his son took his place. Now, as I've pointed out, this is a very short chapter, the sum of which is simple. Jotham emulated his father's good example and eliminated his father's bad example. That's the lesson of these short nine verses. Here is a king who had a father who had a mixed model. He followed the good part and he avoided the bad. He emulated the good example and he eliminated the bad example. One author said, the record of his reign is intended as a model for what might have been He followed his father's good example. He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, verse two. He built like his father, verses three and four. He battled like his father, verse five. But he did not make the tragic mistake of his father, verse two. So a father's example is interesting in this case because it was a mixed model and his son followed the good and eliminated the bad. A father's example comes in three forms. It's either all good, all bad, or a combination of both. Whether or not they are aware of it, there's an old adage that says, like father, like son. That doesn't necessarily mean it's true in every case, but unfortunately, it's true in a lot of cases. Sons, of course, are responsible for their own conduct. They do not have to choose the example of their father, or they can pick and choose the part of the example of their father that they want to follow. This king wisely chose to emulate the good example of his father and eliminate the bad example of his father. Sons would be wise to follow in the footsteps of this wise king. What happens when a son does not have a father to follow? My mother and father were divorced when I was six years old. Consequently, I do not have an example of a father to follow. In those cases, some have a spiritual father whose example they can follow. In my case, the pastor who led me to Christ was an example that literally molded the rest of my life. In the first place, He was the most zealous, ardent, consistent soul winner I've ever known. No doubt my passion for evangelism came from the Spirit of God, but my spiritual father was a human example for me to follow. In the second place, he was a Bible teacher. Again, no doubt, the Holy Spirit gave me the spiritual gift of teaching and motivated me to teach the scripture in an expository fashion. But sitting under the ministry of my spiritual father was the human example that had an enormous impact on me personally. As a matter of fact, I've often pointed out that I became a Christian when I was 18 years old. I was about to graduate from high school. This pastor that I've just described led me to Christ and I, sitting under his ministry, felt I wanted to do what he was doing and the way he was teaching the scripture. And yet I was very obsessed with the gospel and leading people to Christ. So I went to school, college and seminary, and then spent 13 years traveling about the country as an evangelist. I was doing what my spiritual father did. And then I became a pastor and started teaching the Bible. like my father did. So, my point is simply this. Some sons have a father with a good model, and some sons have a father with a bad model, and some sons have a father with a mixed model, as the one in this passage, and some sons don't have a father. So what do you do in that case? Well, in my case, I found a spiritual father, or at least the Lord brought one along and literally impacted and molded the rest of my life. There's a biblical example of a spiritual son following a spiritual father. Paul opened his second letter to Timothy by saying, Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus. To Timothy, a beloved son, grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord. I just quoted from 2 Timothy 1, verses 1 and 2. Paul was Timothy's spiritual father. Timothy was his beloved spiritual son. So there's a case of a man who apparently didn't have a father, and had a spiritual father that became his model. Later in 2 Timothy, Paul says, and again I quote, but know this, that in the last days perilous times shall come, for men should be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemies, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headlong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. From such people turn away." That's a quotation from 2 Timothy chapter 3, verses 1 to 6. They're bad examples of what goes on in the world that no son or daughter should follow. Follow Paul's advice and from such bad examples, turn away. Still later in the same passage, Paul goes on to say, "'But you have carefully followed my doctrine, "'manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, "'love, perseverance, persecution, affliction, "'which happened to me at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. "'What persecutions I endured. "'And out of them all, the Lord delivered me.'" 2 Timothy 3.10. Notice that Timothy carefully followed Paul's teaching and manner of life, that is, what Paul said publicly and what he did privately. Timothy followed Paul's exhortation and Paul's example. Notice also that the specific qualities that Timothy carefully followed, purpose, faith, long-suffering, love, perseverance, enduring persecution, and affliction. If you do not have a biological father, or a spiritual father who provides an example for you to follow. Find a believer who has the qualities that Timothy found in Paul and follow that example. In the final analysis, the ultimate example is Jesus. Peter says, for to you we're called because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that you should follow in his steps," 1 Peter 2.21. In fact, Paul says, imitate me just as I also imitate Christ, 1 Corinthians 11.1. The two great godly virtues to emulate are righteousness and love. Using these terms or similar terms, These two virtues are mentioned throughout the scripture. The psalmist says, for your mercy is great above the heavens and your truth reaches to the clouds. Psalm 108 verse four. Here, God's mercy and truth are praised. As God's children, believers are to be godlike. Micah said, he has shown you, oh man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? But to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6, 8. Jesus said, woe to the scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites, you pay tithes and do all those kinds of things, but you neglect the weightier matters of the law, justice, mercy, and faith. These you ought to have done without leaving the others undone. Matthew 23, 23. Paul said, but speak truth in love and grow up in all things into him who is the head, Christ, Ephesians 4.15. Just speaking the truth is not the issue. Believers are to speak the truth in love. A lady once told Winston Churchill, you're drunk. Churchill replied, you're ugly, but I will wake up sober in the morning. Now that may be speaking the truth, but it's not speaking the truth in love. Churchill did not have her best interest in mind. It was a put down, not a build up, which is the meaning of edify. To have Christ-like maturity, believers must be righteous, Hebrews 5.13, and loving, Ephesians 4.15. Paul said, But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness, 1 Timothy 6.11. And flee also youthful lusts, but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, and those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart, 2 Timothy 2.22. When Paul summed up the spiritual qualities to be pursued, He mentions different attributes in these lists, but the two characteristics that are the same in both lists are righteousness and love. Now, what I've done is quote passage after passage to say that the qualities, the spiritual virtues that we are to emulate are basically righteousness and love. those were not manifested as an example in your father, then find another believer who manifest them. But the point is, those are the qualities we should develop in our lives. Find an example that will help you do that. Father, thank you for giving us your word and telling us the direction in which we should go. But Lord, thank you for giving us examples, sometimes our own parents, and certainly examples outside of the family, and for giving us the grace to do as Paul said, follow them even as they follow you. In Jesus' name, amen.