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| Character Journal No.22 | Loyalty |
The Character Journal is a monthly e-zine designed to help parents teach Biblical character qualities to their children. Each month a different character quality is presented with suggestions for Bible lessons and projects. The length of time you spend teaching these principles to your children each day is not nearly as important as your sincerity and consistency. Begin each time with a relevant hymn or chorus. Then take a verse, theme or story from the suggestions below as the basis for your daily "Bible Time" with your family. Give relevant application of the lesson to your family; and don't forget to ask your children the questions: Who? What? Where? Why? When? and How? Get each member of the family involved by assigning different verses to be read. Finally, conclude your time with family prayer.
Bible Verses Related to Loyalty
Spend an evening (or several) looking at just one of these verses at a time. Discuss with your family what each verse or story teaches about the character quality; and give vital application of how this quality can be applied to your family. Choose several verses to memorise together as a family during the month. Since the English word "loyalty" does not appear in the Authorised Version, we have included a list of verses which relate to this important character quality. For a more complete study, we suggest you use the Online Bible which you can download free of charge from our web site at http://www.hlm.org/html/files.htm.
NOTE: The black coloured text indicates the number attributed
to the Greek or Hebrew word in Strong's Concordance as well as a transliteration
of the word and its pronunciation. The blue text shows all of the
ways that the original word is translated in the Authorised Version. The number beside
each of the various words indicates the number of times it is translated in that way; and
the number at the end indicates the total number of times the original word appears in the
Bible. The red text gives a more technical definition of the
original word. In each case, the first time the original word
is used is listed first. For the sake of space, not all occurrences of the original word
is given but enough to show the various ways in which the word is used.
AV-covenant 264, league 17, confederacy 1, confederate 1, confederate + 01167 1; 284
- 1a) between men
- 1a1) treaty, alliance, league (man to man)
- 1a2) constitution, ordinance (monarch to subjects)
- 1a3) agreement, pledge (man to man)
- 1a4) alliance (of friendship)
- 1a5) alliance (of marriage)
- 1b) between God and man
- 1b1) alliance (of friendship)
- 1b2) covenant (divine ordinance with signs or pledges)
- 2a) covenant making
- 2b) covenant keeping
- 2c) covenant violation
1) to support, confirm, be faithful
- 1a) (Qal)
- 1a1) to support, confirm, be faithful, uphold, nourish
- 1a1a) foster-father (subst.)
- 1a1b) foster-mother, nurse
- 1a1c) pillars, supporters of the door
- 1b) (Niphal)
- 1b1) to be established, be faithful, be carried, make firm
- 1b1a) to be carried by a nurse
- 1b1b) made firm, sure, lasting
- 1b1c) confirmed, established, sure
- 1b1d) verified, confirmed
- 1b1e) reliable, faithful, trusty
- 1c) (Hiphil)
- 1c1) to stand firm, to trust, to be certain, to believe in
- 1c1a) stand firm
- 1c1b) trust, believe
1) sitting, sedentary
1) to make solid, make firm, strengthen, make strong
at Home
at Work/School
at Church
The "I Wills" of Loyalty
-Character First! Education Series 3
Loyalty of Canada Goose Parents
Canada geese traditionally build their nests and lay eggs in April. The female lays eggs over several days at the rate of one egg per day. Once five or so eggs have been laid, the mother goose begins incubating them. Because the eggs must be kept between 100.4°F and 101.3°F, she keeps them well-insulated and leaves the nest only for brief periods of time during the 28-day incubation.
One unfortunate spring in Alaska, an unseasonably late snowstorm struck. As the cold, fluffy flakes began to fall, dozens of geese snuggled their eggs tightly beneath their warm bodies. The snow continued to fall. Soon, the wind whipped up a terrible blizzard. Three feet of snow fell that day, completely burying the surrounding area. Yet the mother geese did not abandon their eggs.
Within a few days, the spring sunshine reappeared and began to melt the snow. But it was too late. Scores of dead Canada geese were discovered once the snow melted. They had suffocated under the snow rather than abandoning their eggs.
Loyalty of Canada Goose Families
The loyalty in Canada goose families is unusually strong. “Sagacity, wariness, strength, and fidelity,” commented one waterfowl expert (F. H. Kortright), “are characteristics of the Canada goose, which, collectively, are possessed in the same degree by no other bird. The Canada [goose] in many respects may serve as a model for man.” After the winter flock begins to disperse, single male Canada geese select one of the females and offer her protection. The female responds by following the male closely—if she is agreeable.
Once it is clear that the commitment is mutual, a “greeting ceremony” occurs. During this ceremony, the two geese sing together antiphonally with such unity of timing that their separate calls back and forth sound like one continuous call. Thus, the bond of loyalty is established, and the geese mate for life.
A nesting site is selected and eggs are laid. During the vulnerable incubation period, the mother goose will loyally defend the nest with her life. The father goose is equally loyal, defending a much broader territory to keep danger from approaching the nest site. Racoons and foxes are among the most dangerous predators of goose eggs and hatchlings.
Once the young are hatched, they quickly adapt to the water. They always follow their parents in a straight line—whether swimming across the lake or waddling along the shore. The parents watch out for large fish and snapping turtles, splashing violently to scare them away and protect their fledglings.
Canada Geese Celebrate Loyalty
If the father goose spots an intruder during the nesting period, he attacks fearlessly. A lengthy fight may follow, potentially involving both parents. It may be with broken wings and battle scars that the geese finally drive the attacker away, but they stand together at any cost.
Once peace is restored, the two geese meet together for what ornithologists call a “triumph ceremony.” Singing together as in their “greeting ceremony,” geese use the weathering of battle as a basis for renewing their bond of mutual loyalty.
Six Probing Questions
-Character Clues Game, IBLP
Why is loyalty so important?
God established working relationships with key people throughout history based on this quality. Every marriage must be built on this quality or it will not survive. Every leader looks for this quality as a primary qualification for those to whom he delegates responsibility.
Biblical concepts
The word "loyalty" is not contained in Scripture. The word faithfulness would at first appear to be the synonym. However, faithfulness and dependability relate to the work or service that a person performs, whereas loyalty involves a much deeper, long-term relationship. The Biblical terms that best describe loyalty are a blood covenant, a bondservant relationship, and marriage vows.
The Loyalty of a blood covenant
The Hebrew word "covenant" is "bereeth." It means "a cutting" and involves a compact made by passing between pieces of flesh. God illustrates this word in the covenant that He made with Abraham. In this and other covenants, there are many rich symbolisms that describe the depth and meaning of loyalty.
1. A covenant is made with those of like spirit. God said to Abraham, "I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect" (Genesis 17:1). Note: Jonathan made a blood covenant with David when his heart was knit together with him in love. (See I Samuel 18:1.)
2. A covenant requires an initiator who assumes the greater responsibility in maintaining the covenant. "I will make my covenant between me and thee" (Genesis 17:2).
3. A covenant involves a name change. "Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram" (Genesis 17:5). Note: A name change also occurs in a marriage as the wife takes on the husband’s name and in salvation as we take on Christ’s name.
4. The purpose of a covenant is to multiply benefits and fruitfulness. "I will make thee exceeding fruitful" (Genesis 17:6). Note: The same is true of physical children in a marriage covenant and spiritual children in the salvation covenant.
5. A covenant has relationships that last beyond the lifetime of the covenant makers. "Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations" (Genesis 17:9). Although the marriage does not continue after death, the relationships between the children and relatives do. Also, covenants with land continue with the land even under new ownership. The covenant of salvation continues beyond our lifetime. David honored his covenant with Jonathan after Jonathan died.
6. A covenant requires the shedding of blood. Every man child "must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh" (Genesis 17:13). When God made a covenant with Abraham, He took animals and divided them to walk between them to make a covenant. He also required circumcision as a part of the covenant. (See Genesis 15.)
Jonathan and David's covenant of loyalty
One of the most powerful examples of loyalty in Scripture is the friendship and covenant that Jonathan made with David. The symbolism of this covenant is also rich with meaning.
1. The oneness of spirit "And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul" (I Samuel 18:1).
2. Outer garments are exchanged in a covenant. "And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that [was] upon him, and gave it to David" (I Samuel 18:4). Note: In salvation, Christ provides our robes of righteousness in exchange for our filthy rags.
3. Weapons are given, which symbolizes that when danger comes the covenant makers will protect each other even to their own death. "...even to his sword, and to his bow,"
4. Belts are exchanged. The belt symbolizes the strength of a person and in a covenant they pledge this to the one with whom they make the covenant. In salvation, God’s strength is made available to us in exchange for our weakness. "...and to his girdle" (v4)
The loyalty of a bond servant The long-term relationship of loyalty is also illustrated in the Biblical provisions of a bondservant deciding that he loves his master and wants to continue serving him for the rest of his life. These provisions are given in Exodus 21:1–6 and Deuteronomy 15:16–17.1. The bondservant covenant is voluntary and based on love "And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free" (Exodus 21:5).
2. A covenant is confirmed legally "Then his master shall bring him unto the judges" (Exodus 21:6).
3. A public symbol is given to declare the new relationship. "He shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl; and he shall serve him for ever" (Exodus 21:6).
The covenant of loyalty between Ruth and Naomi The loyalty that Ruth had to her mother-in-law, Naomi, is one of the most inspiring stories throughout history. After Ruth’s husband died and hard times followed, Naomi told Ruth to return to her own people because there was nothing more she could do for her. Ruth’s famous response was "And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me" (Ruth 1:16–17). The loyalty of marriage vows Marriage is a blood covenant, not just a legal contract. All the rich symbolism of a Biblical blood covenant is contained in it. Beginning with the groom as the covenant initiator and therefore having the greater responsibility to maintain the marriage, the seriousness of marriage vows are emphasized in the following warning. "When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for [he hath] no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay" (Ecclesiastes 5:4–5). The loyalty of the communion table When Jesus established communion among His disciples, He was actually presenting it as a blood covenant. This is clear from the very words He used to describe it. "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Matthew 26:26–28)."The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?" (I Corinthians 10:16). The word "communion" is the Greek word "koinania" which is a deep and bonding fellowship with one another. This is consistent with the many commands of Scripture to love one another because we are all members of the same body.
When we show disloyalty to other believers, we violate the blood covenant that is made at the communion table and receive the condemnation that accompanies the violation of a blood covenant. "For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep" (I Corinthians 11:29–30).
-Character Council of Indiana, Inc.
LOYALTY is fidelity to a principle, home, institution, or country. We shall speak of it in the latter sense: loyalty to the old flag. As such, it is patriotism in practice. The patriotic citizen only is loyal to his country. The absence of this sentiment, in times of national peril, exposes one to indecision and cowardice, if not treason. Hence its great value and beauty. It is indispensable to good citizenship; indeed, there is no true manhood and womanhood without it. It is involved in the American idea of republican institutions. Loyalty makes them live.
Just now this subject is demanding attention throughout our land. The flag is flung to the breeze over schoolhouses, that American youth may not forget their allegiance to the government it represents. It is a beautiful spectacle to stir youthful hearts with loyalty to their native land, the stars and stripes floating over the temple of knowledge, wherein they are trained for usefulness and honor. It is a glad omen for them to hail it with speech, songs, and cheers.
Garibaldi, the great, grand, strong, pure, affectionate old hero, whose heart was set upon seeing his darling Italy free, independent, and happy, is an example of true loyalty. He was willing to endure hardships, persecution, starvation, and exile, to make his native land free. In his greatest troubles, his lofty spirit declared, "In times of trouble, I have never been disheartened, and have always found persons disposed to assist me." An exile in South America for fourteen years, and again in the United States three, his loyalty to his country's flag never wavered, and he continued to nurse the patriot's hope in his soul that Italy would yet be free; nor was his hope in vain. The war between Austria and Sardinia called him to the field again; and what glorious achievements await the irrepressible man! The bloody tyrant of Naples driven from his throne! Sicily delivered from oppression! Nine millions of subjects added to the dominions of a constitutional king, Victor Emanuel. All Italy one nation excepting alone the dominions of the pope and the province of Venetia. This was Garibaldi's work! " It was the magic of his name, the fire of his patriotism, and his genius for command, that wrought these marvels.''
Refusing all rewards for his services, and declining all public honors, he said to his countrymen:--
"I am a Christian, and I speak to Christians. I love and venerate the religion of Christ, because Christ came into the world to deliver humanity from slavery, for which God has not created it...Yours is the duty to educate the people. Educate them to be Christians; educate them to be Italian. Education gives liberty; education gives to the people the means and the power to secure and defend their own independence. On a strong and wholesome education of the people depends the liberty and greatness of Italy."
In like manner the loyalty of the great Magyar chief, M. Louis Kossuth, to his beloved Hungary, won the admiration of the world. Elected governor by a liberty-loving people, yet driven into exile, the Christian was ready to starve and die for his country.
When he was an exile in Turkey, and the government of the Sublime Forte promised him protection on condition that he would embrace Mohammedanism, his magnanimous spirit rose above the fear of imprisonment and torture, chains and death, and he replied: " Between death and shame, the choice can neither be dubious nor difficult. Governor of Hungary, and elected to the high place by the confidence of fifteen million of my countrymen, I know well what I owe to my country even in exile. Even as a private individual I have an honorable part to pursue. Though once the governor of a generous people, I leave no inheritance to my people· They shall, at least, bear an unsullied name. God's will be done! I am prepared to die!"
This true loyalty is charged with the spirit of martyrdom.
Illustrations of loyalty to American independence illumine the pages of history.
In the darkest hour of the Revolution, when it seemed as if the cause of the struggling colonies must be abandoned, Washington declared that, rather than surrender to the king, he "would retreat over every river and mountain in America." And, again, after his famous crossing of the Delaware, when he stood face to face with the Hessians, rising in his stirrups, and waving his sword above his head, he addressed his troops:--"There, boys!" pointing to the foe; "there are the enemies of your country. All I ask of you is to remember what you are about to fight for! March!" That was true loyalty.
When the brave General Wayne fell at the battle of Stony Point, at the head of his column, he promptly rose upon one knee, and cried out to his men: "March on! Carry me into the fort. If I die, I will die at the head of the column." It was not long after Captain James Lawrence was appointed commander of the "Chesapeake," that he fell mortally wounded in a fight with the British frigate "Shannon." With the seal of death upon his brow, he encouraged his faithful soldiers to fight on by his dying appeal, "Don't give up the ship!" Such is loyalty to the country and cause we love. "How sweet to die for one's country," exclaimed an ancient patriot, as his life went out in battle. It is a sentiment that dignifies manhood, without which a cluster of other virtues cannot exist.
-from Gaining Favor with God and Man by William M. Thayer
Often in bad weather attempts were made to keep him within doors, but by dismal howls he succeeded in making it known that this interference was not agreeable to him, and he was always allowed to have his way. At almost any time during the day he could be seen in or about the churchyard, and no matter how rough the night, nothing could induce him to forsake that hallowed spot, whose identity he so faithfully preserved.
www.greyfriarsbobby.co.uk
A wife who is 85% faithful to her husband is not faithful at all. There
is no such thing as part-time loyalty to Jesus Christ. It is all or nothing — Vance
Havner
True patriotism is not manifested in short, frenzied bursts of emotion. It is the
tranquil, steady dedication of a lifetime — Adlai Stevenson