Family, significance of

God created the family and is deeply concerned for its welfare. Scripture uses family metaphors to describe the relationship between God and his people.

God created the family

Psalm 68:6 See also Genesis 1:26–27, Genesis 2:23–24

God settles the lonely in families; He leads the prisoners out to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a sun-scorched land.

God cares for the families of those who honour him

Genesis 7:1 See also Genesis 6:18 parallel Deuteronomy 5:8–10; 2 Samuel 6:11; Jeremiah 35:18–19, Jeremiah 38:17–18

Then the LORD said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and all your family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.

God judges families who disobey him

Exodus 20:4–5 See also Numbers 16:23–32; Deuteronomy 11:6; Joshua 7:24–26; 1 Samuel 3:12–14; 2 Samuel 24:17

You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,

Families in Israel

The extended family was the basic social unit

Nehemiah 7:5 See also Leviticus 25:10, Leviticus 27:16; Numbers 2:32, Numbers 4:40

Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials, and the people to be enrolled by genealogy. I found the genealogical register of those who had first returned, and I found the following written in it:

Family heads were community leaders

Numbers 36:1 See also Numbers 1:4, Numbers 31:26; 1 Kings 8:1; 2 Chronicles 1:2

Now the family heads of the clan of Gilead son of Machir son of Manasseh, one of the clans of Joseph, approached Moses and the leaders who were the heads of the Israelite families and addressed them,

Families had religious obligations

Deuteronomy 12:7 See also Exodus 12:22–23; Deuteronomy 12:11–12; 1 Samuel 1:21

There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your households shall eat and rejoice in all you do, because the LORD your God has blessed you.

Families were to teach their children God's law

Psalm 78:5–7 See also Genesis 18:19; Exodus 12:26–27; Deuteronomy 4:9, Deuteronomy 6:6–7; Proverbs 1:8–9

For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the coming generation would know them— even children yet to be born— to arise and tell their own children that they should put their confidence in God, not forgetting His works, but keeping His commandments.

The relationship between God and his people described in family metaphors

They are his family

Galatians 6:10 See also Amos 3:1; Ephesians 3:15; 1 Peter 4:17

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.

They are his children

John 1:12–13 See also Deuteronomy 14:1; Isaiah 63:16; Hosea 11:1–4; Romans 8:15–17; Galatians 4:4–7; Ephesians 1:5

But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God — children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God.

They are brothers and sisters in God's family

Hebrews 2:11 See also Psalm 22:22; Isaiah 8:17–18; Matthew 12:50 parallel Luke 8:21; Mark 3:31–34; Hebrews 2:12–17

For both the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.

The salvation of families

Acts 16:34 See also Acts 11:14, Acts 18:8; 1 Corinthians 1:16

Then he brought them into his home and set a meal before them. So he and all his household rejoiced that they had come to believe in God.

Good family management as a qualification for church office

1 Timothy 3:4–5 See also 1 Timothy 3:12

An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity. For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God?

Christians are to support their families

1 Timothy 5:8 See also 1 Timothy 5:4

If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

The urgent demands of the kingdom of God should take priority over family responsibilities

Luke 9:59–60 parallel Matthew 8:21–22 See also Mark 3:31–34; Luke 9:61–62; Matthew 10:34–38 parallel Luke 12:51–53; Micah 7:6

Then He said to another man, “Follow Me.” The man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead. You, however, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”