The Family: the Final Act of Creation
Introduction. On the seventh day of creation, as His final act God made the family. God made Adam first on that sixth day and, for a portion of it, He allowed Adam to be alone. What God already knew, Adam soon realized. “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." When Adam awoke, He saw the truth of what had been done and expressed it: “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. (Gen. 2:20-24).
God created them “male and female” and gave them a ‘one flesh' relationship so they could become “a father and mother.” The emotions that tie this relationship together are the most tender and pleasant known to man. This ‘natural affection' forms the most important bonds of life and when joined to full submission to God's directions leads to the greatest of blessings.
The love, devotion, and commitment that a man and a woman are capable of giving to each other form the foundation of the family unit. Children raised here are greatly blessed. With a ‘worthy woman' for a mother (Pr. 31:28) and a father who ‘knows how to take care of his own household,' we have the home as God would have it. God also revealed His own desires: “And why one? He was seeking godly offspring.” (Mal.2:15). It was His will that each child be born into a united home where loving parents would protect, guide and care for them leading to godliness.
The exact same eternal spirit God created in Adam and Eve “in His image and likeness” exists in every child. When “the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it.” (Eccl. 12:7), God wants to give eternal life to that spirit. He “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1Tim. 2:4). He created the family to help make that possible. Thus, parenting is a stewardship from God. That tiny infant carried in the arms of his mother is a potential godly soul. As a stewardship, God has placed us over our children for the purpose of guiding them to Him. Because we know that “godly offspring” is the goal of our stewardship, and we also know “it is required in stewards that one be found faithful,” (1Cor. 4:2), we need to give careful consideration to God’s expectations.
In the parable of mina (pounds), God made clear that all are stewards in the kingdom of heaven and on the last day, we will give an account (Lk. 19:11-24). That accounting will include our lives, our time, our money and our opportunities. Among these will be how we raised our children, because they are not really ours, but only under our care. After we have completed our task, they will live on either to serve God as godly offspring or to “go out from the presence of the Lord” as Cain (Gen. 4:16).
Truly parenting is one of the gravest obligations we take upon ourselves. Because God has placed an eternal spirit in the heart of each infant, He watches expectantly for us to do all within our power to help them become His servants. Jesus warned that “everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more,” (Lk. 12:48). Since children are among the greatest things entrusted to their care, “much is required” and of those parents “they will ask the more.” From this we learn that even parents are not exempt from Jesus’ warning: “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.” (Mk. 9:42-43). Being drowned in such a manner brings a sense of fear and dread. The respect and awe of accepting this stewardship will end in “well done good and faithful servant” if we have given it our best. But if we take it lightly we might find the very end Jesus warned against.
Parents must work diligently in the early youth of their children (≈ 2-12 years old), laying the foundation of faith in God and an understanding and respect for God’s word. It is in these early years that the stirring stories of our forefathers are made known to them. We explain prayer, consecration and purity. We teach them about worship and awe and reverence to God. Parents also carefully watch for character flaws that would plague them and seek to “nip them in the bud.” As they enter adolescence (≈ 13-19), comes the time for application and training. The teenage years are a time of grave danger to our children. They must be guided and led to “know to refuse the evil and choose the good.” (Isa. 7:15)
At the disaster when the twelve spies returned from spying out Canaan, God decreed of those who were “from twenty years old and upward,” “I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’” But of those who were under the age of twenty He said: “Moreover your little ones and your children, who you say will be victims, who today have no knowledge of good and evil, they shall go in there; to them I will give it, and they shall possess it.” (Deut. 1:39; Num. 14:29-31; Ps. 95:11). This reveals that the age of accountability can extend even up to the age of 19. This gives parents many years to form and guide their character and lead them to “Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” (1Th. 5:21-22).
Each child must be carefully assessed from the time of birth to determine the strengths and weaknesses they will carry with them throughout their life. Godly parents are in a unique position both in heredity and environment, and have greater insights into what their own children struggle with and what they will need to conquer them. What parents have learned in their own struggles can be passed down. Parenting is similar to a relay race run at the track. As each is passed the baton, the previous runner gives them a lead to work from or a deficit to overcome. So also can parents be with their children.
After proving her own strength and self-control, the Shulamite woman was asked how others could can train up others to become like her.
Some children from youth are like a wall, with their convictions intact and strong. Other children who are followers and easily influenced are like doors. Each must be raised with these thoughts in mind.
The effort, energy and commitment God expects parents to put into this endeavor makes clear that parenting is a work of service. Truly parents must have the mind of Christ as they “esteem others better than himself” in their dealings with their children. The stewardship of Christians in all relationships is: “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Phil 2:3-4). God expects no less of parents as they look at the interests of their children:
There are two clear mandates here. The first is summed up by Paul to Timothy and each parent would be wise to heed it: “Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” (1Tim. 4:15-16). This is also the stewardship of parents. The second is God’s definition of “diligent teaching”. Parents must never stop “talking of them.” They speak of God’s word and God’s will every at opportunity. “When you sit in your house, walk by the way, lie down, and rise up.” Finally, as a “sign on the hand,” “frontlets to the eyes,” and seen on “the doorposts and gates.” Never should parents miss an opportunity to make applications, give wisdom, and use every success and failure of others as an example to help our child gain wisdom.
Conclusion. The greatest single thing we can bring to our role as parents is humility and a sense of awe, reverence and gratitude to God for the opportunity. We have an amazing opportunity to help return their spirit to God who gave it intact, whole and saved.
God created them “male and female” and gave them a ‘one flesh' relationship so they could become “a father and mother.” The emotions that tie this relationship together are the most tender and pleasant known to man. This ‘natural affection' forms the most important bonds of life and when joined to full submission to God's directions leads to the greatest of blessings.
The love, devotion, and commitment that a man and a woman are capable of giving to each other form the foundation of the family unit. Children raised here are greatly blessed. With a ‘worthy woman' for a mother (Pr. 31:28) and a father who ‘knows how to take care of his own household,' we have the home as God would have it. God also revealed His own desires: “And why one? He was seeking godly offspring.” (Mal.2:15). It was His will that each child be born into a united home where loving parents would protect, guide and care for them leading to godliness.
The exact same eternal spirit God created in Adam and Eve “in His image and likeness” exists in every child. When “the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it.” (Eccl. 12:7), God wants to give eternal life to that spirit. He “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1Tim. 2:4). He created the family to help make that possible. Thus, parenting is a stewardship from God. That tiny infant carried in the arms of his mother is a potential godly soul. As a stewardship, God has placed us over our children for the purpose of guiding them to Him. Because we know that “godly offspring” is the goal of our stewardship, and we also know “it is required in stewards that one be found faithful,” (1Cor. 4:2), we need to give careful consideration to God’s expectations.
In the parable of mina (pounds), God made clear that all are stewards in the kingdom of heaven and on the last day, we will give an account (Lk. 19:11-24). That accounting will include our lives, our time, our money and our opportunities. Among these will be how we raised our children, because they are not really ours, but only under our care. After we have completed our task, they will live on either to serve God as godly offspring or to “go out from the presence of the Lord” as Cain (Gen. 4:16).
Truly parenting is one of the gravest obligations we take upon ourselves. Because God has placed an eternal spirit in the heart of each infant, He watches expectantly for us to do all within our power to help them become His servants. Jesus warned that “everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more,” (Lk. 12:48). Since children are among the greatest things entrusted to their care, “much is required” and of those parents “they will ask the more.” From this we learn that even parents are not exempt from Jesus’ warning: “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.” (Mk. 9:42-43). Being drowned in such a manner brings a sense of fear and dread. The respect and awe of accepting this stewardship will end in “well done good and faithful servant” if we have given it our best. But if we take it lightly we might find the very end Jesus warned against.
Parents must work diligently in the early youth of their children (≈ 2-12 years old), laying the foundation of faith in God and an understanding and respect for God’s word. It is in these early years that the stirring stories of our forefathers are made known to them. We explain prayer, consecration and purity. We teach them about worship and awe and reverence to God. Parents also carefully watch for character flaws that would plague them and seek to “nip them in the bud.” As they enter adolescence (≈ 13-19), comes the time for application and training. The teenage years are a time of grave danger to our children. They must be guided and led to “know to refuse the evil and choose the good.” (Isa. 7:15)
At the disaster when the twelve spies returned from spying out Canaan, God decreed of those who were “from twenty years old and upward,” “I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’” But of those who were under the age of twenty He said: “Moreover your little ones and your children, who you say will be victims, who today have no knowledge of good and evil, they shall go in there; to them I will give it, and they shall possess it.” (Deut. 1:39; Num. 14:29-31; Ps. 95:11). This reveals that the age of accountability can extend even up to the age of 19. This gives parents many years to form and guide their character and lead them to “Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” (1Th. 5:21-22).
Each child must be carefully assessed from the time of birth to determine the strengths and weaknesses they will carry with them throughout their life. Godly parents are in a unique position both in heredity and environment, and have greater insights into what their own children struggle with and what they will need to conquer them. What parents have learned in their own struggles can be passed down. Parenting is similar to a relay race run at the track. As each is passed the baton, the previous runner gives them a lead to work from or a deficit to overcome. So also can parents be with their children.
After proving her own strength and self-control, the Shulamite woman was asked how others could can train up others to become like her.
- We have a little sister, And she has no breasts. What shall we do for our sister In the day when she is spoken for? 9 If she is a wall, We will build upon her A battlement of silver; And if she is a door, We will enclose her With boards of cedar. (Song 8:8-9)
Some children from youth are like a wall, with their convictions intact and strong. Other children who are followers and easily influenced are like doors. Each must be raised with these thoughts in mind.
The effort, energy and commitment God expects parents to put into this endeavor makes clear that parenting is a work of service. Truly parents must have the mind of Christ as they “esteem others better than himself” in their dealings with their children. The stewardship of Christians in all relationships is: “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Phil 2:3-4). God expects no less of parents as they look at the interests of their children:
- “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 “You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (Deut. 6:1-9)
There are two clear mandates here. The first is summed up by Paul to Timothy and each parent would be wise to heed it: “Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” (1Tim. 4:15-16). This is also the stewardship of parents. The second is God’s definition of “diligent teaching”. Parents must never stop “talking of them.” They speak of God’s word and God’s will every at opportunity. “When you sit in your house, walk by the way, lie down, and rise up.” Finally, as a “sign on the hand,” “frontlets to the eyes,” and seen on “the doorposts and gates.” Never should parents miss an opportunity to make applications, give wisdom, and use every success and failure of others as an example to help our child gain wisdom.
Conclusion. The greatest single thing we can bring to our role as parents is humility and a sense of awe, reverence and gratitude to God for the opportunity. We have an amazing opportunity to help return their spirit to God who gave it intact, whole and saved.