Coattails. We’re accustomed to the use of this term with reference to political influence. A popular president, for example, can endorse others in his party and help them get elected. Favor enjoyed by the one can be lent to others.

How about coattails of the righteous? Are there instances in the Bible where God grants favor to a person on account of some other person’s righteous and holy life? Yes, quite a few!

Isaac is one case in point. God told him, “I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky. I will give your offspring all these lands, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed by your offspring, because Abraham listened to Me and kept My mandate, My commands, My statutes, and My instructions.” ^{Gen 26:4}  Here’s another to Isaac: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your offspring because of My servant Abraham.” ^{Gen 26:24}

And then there’s Lot. Once Abraham interceded with God for favor toward his nephew Lot who was a resident in the doomed city of Sodom. “So it was that when God destroyed the cities of the plain, He remembered Abraham and brought Lot out of the middle of the upheaval when He demolished the cities where Lot had lived.” ^{Gen 19:29} Lot was rescued on account of Abraham.

What message might there be for us in this? I think we find tucked into these and many other instances of “coattails of the righteous” an implicit invitation to win God’s favor and blessing for those in our spheres of influence (children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces, close friends and associates) by our own circumspect, righteous living, along with intercession.

Who in your life, then, might God be desiring to favor, bless, or rescue on account of your careful, godly walk with Him? Let’s be all-in with Him on this!