Love, and the world

Scripture promotes the love of family, home and country and contains many examples of such love.

Parental love

Aspects of parental love

Proverbs 13:24; Ephesians 6:4 See also Deuteronomy 6:7; 2 Corinthians 12:14; Colossians 3:21; 1 Timothy 3:4; 2 Timothy 3:15

He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.

Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Examples of maternal love

Genesis 21:16 Hagar; Exodus 2:3 Moses' mother; Judges 5:28; 1 Samuel 2:19 Hannah; 2 Samuel 21:10; 1 Kings 3:26, 1 Kings 17:18; 2 Kings 4:20, 2 Kings 4:27; Matthew 15:22 parallel Mark 7:26; Luke 2:48, Luke 7:12–13 the widow of Nain; John 19:25

Examples of paternal love

Genesis 22:2 Abraham; Genesis 31:28, Genesis 37:35, Genesis 42:38; 2 Samuel 12:16, 2 Samuel 13:39; Mark 5:23 parallel Luke 8:41–42 Jairus

Love for parents

Exodus 20:12; 1 Timothy 5:4 See also Genesis 46:29 Joseph; Leviticus 19:3; Judges 11:36; 1 Samuel 22:3 David; 1 Kings 19:20 Elisha; Jeremiah 35:8; Matthew 15:4 parallel Mark 7:10; Luke 2:51; John 19:26–27; Ephesians 6:1; Colossians 3:20

Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.

Other instances of family love

Genesis 34:7, Genesis 45:14–15 Joseph and his brothers; Ruth 1:16–17; 2 Samuel 13:22; Esther 2:7, Esther 2:11

Love of home and country

Examples of love of home

Genesis 31:30, Genesis 49:29, Genesis 50:25; Numbers 10:30; Ruth 1:6; 2 Samuel 10:12, 2 Samuel 19:37, 2 Samuel 23:15; Nehemiah 4:14

Exhortations to patriotism

Psalm 122:6, Psalm 137:5–6 See also 2 Samuel 1:20; Esther 4:8; Jeremiah 51:50

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you prosper.

If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand cease to function. May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not exalt Jerusalem as my greatest joy!

Examples of patriotism

1 Samuel 17:26, 1 Samuel 27:8–10; Nehemiah 1:3–4, Nehemiah 2:5; Esther 8:6; Psalm 137:1; Jeremiah 51:51; Romans 9:3