Genesis 18:19

"For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of Jehovah, to do righteousness and justice; to the end that Jehovah may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him."

We consider this one of the most important verses in the Bible, because it reveals a key reason why Abraham was chosen to be the head of the select people chosen to perpetuate the name and worship of God upon earth, at the time when the advancing twilight of paganism was descending upon mankind, and which would soon reach the blackness of midnight. That reason was the ability of Abraham to "command his children after him." Some of the more recent versions obscure this; and the version we are using is not too clear. Note:

"For I know him, that he will command his children after him ..." (KJV). "For I know him that he will command his children, and his household ... " (Douay). "I have chosen him that he may charge his children, and his household ..." (RSV). "I have chosen him in order that he may command his sons and his descendants ..." (the Good News Bible).

That the first two of the above versions contradict the other two is obvious, and we do not hesitate to register a preference for the first two. Although we are not familiar with the textual arguments leading to the change in the later versions, it is a safe conjecture that the prevailing reasons were theological; and that is exactly the basis of the reasons for rejecting such changes. God did not choose Abraham so that he might (maybe) command his children after him, but because he knew that he "would be able to do it." That is an ability sadly lacking among the Gentiles even yet, and, sadly enough, lacking in the vast majority of mankind. That God had correctly evaluated this particular ability of Abraham is seen in the cohesiveness and perpetuity of Jewish traditions, even yet, through the instrument of the Jewish family. All people should thank God for this ability of Abraham, for he had the power to perpetuate the name and worship of Almighty God upon the earth through the long, long midnight of Gentile paganism.