CHILDREN AT WORK

There are in the Scriptures instances of children who were actively helping the testimony of God in various ways. This would apply of course more to the older children although it is not always easy to tell the ages of these young ones. Amongst girls we have an example in Miriam, about twelve years old, who had the task of keeping vigil over her younger brother, later called Moses, when he was put into an ark by the sedge of the river. It appears to have been her own idea to keep watch in this way, and she was thus able to arrange for the child to be protected in dangerous times.

As for boys, we are told that Samuel served in ways taught him by the priest. One of his regular tasks was to open the doors of the temple-house so that persons might enter and worship God. From these beginnings, whilst still quite young, he was entrusted with a message from God to His unresponsive people. Oh, that more children would grow up to seek God and receive His word, causing others to do so, especially now that He has been made known in and through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Josiah, who became king at the age of eight years, was active, as he grew up, in things that were right in the sight of Jehovah, his God. In this he is a wonderful example for young and old. As a reward he was led into further secrets of God's mind and he caused the temple to be restored. That building was a material one made of stone; God's house now is "not made with hands" but consists of believers having His Spirit and serving Him in love. Do you desire to do so?

J.C.Evershed