Family Life Under Fire
- CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD
- May 21
- 8 min read
Updated: Sep 22
In this age of technology and creative inventions every instrument comes with its own manual. You would not expect the washing machine manual to tell you how to operate the stove. Yet it is funny how humans will coin their own subject definitions and by-pass biblical definitions. Have you ever thought about the technicalities of the term - family? Have you sought to learn how Almighty God outlined the concept of family? What is the real definition of a family? Today we have applied our definition of family just as we have applied our definitions to numerous terms and we are trying to use every other manual to operate a family except the one sent to us by God.
To understand God’s family life plan, we look at the biblical record of God’s acts of creation. When He created non- human living things for example cattle, whales and birds, He created males and females. Yet when Adam was created his female companion was not made at the same time. Genesis 2:18 tells us that, God said, It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him.” Verse 20 tells us that Adam named all the animals but there was not a help-meet for him. God made a woman and gave her to Adam and he named her, Eve. Humans were designed differently from animals because they were made in the image and likeness of God and were made to worship God.
Did you know that it was a descendant of Cain who corrupted the family pattern that God had put in place? Let us read Genesis 4:19 And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. Lamech admitted that he was an evil man; let us read his comment in verses 23 and 24, and Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.
24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
God has never consented to do with a marital relationship that does not constitute one biologically born man and a biologically born female.
Many persons will try to refute the act of creation because they do not believe the Bible, however, we are going to present the Bible as a record of God's words. I believe it, because it was written by inspired men of God. The Bible is also called the word of God and Jesus is the Word. This points out the link between the written word and the Spiritual word.
When Adam saw Eve he said, “this is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh and she shall be called woman because she was taken out of a man. The Scriptures said that they were both naked and they were comfortable with each other and with God. This was the beginning of the sacred covenant called marriage. Yes, it was God who instituted marriage and performed the first marriage ceremony. After this ceremony these words were said, “therefore shall a man leave his father and mother and shall cleave unto his wife and they shall be one flesh.” (Genesis chapter 2 verse 24) God also gave them a great command; he told them to be fruitful and to multiply. God was depending on them to populate the Earth that He had created for their enjoyment.
God designed marriage and the family for His special purpose. The husband and wife are one flesh. What is the meaning of one flesh? One flesh means unity of purpose and no place for a second partner. The male and female couple were prepared by God for child bearing and child rearing. Adam and Eve were the first parents. They and their children were the first family.
Within the family the parents have full responsibility for their children’s education. As a parent you can decided what you want your children to learn. If you listen carefully to policy changes taking place in many countries you will know that parental rights are being removed out of the jurisdiction of parents and children are being given much autonomy which is leading them to destruction. In this present society where content contrary to godliness is being taught it is the parents’ responsibility to oversee their children’s education. However, daily it is becoming more evident that through laws, parents are being stripped of their authority and some are giving up this authority because they are ill-equipped for parenting.
Based on what was said earlier we summarise a family as man, woman and children. However, as earth became more populated there are those who constituted an extended family; persons such as grandparents.
The family is very important to God and that is why the devil and his agents are doing everything possible to destroy the family. A godly family reflects God’s character. The concept of family put in place at creation is the masterpiece of creation. The family members ought to be those who give honour and praise to the Most High God. God put children in families to be nurtured and reared in the will of God. Jesus, Himself was placed in a family here on earth. In this family He was guided and nurtured in righteousness.
Let us briefly examine a few family issues written in the Scriptures; from these we will understand the value God had placed on maintaining a good family relationship.
Abram and Sarai were a childless couple and God had promised that they would be parents in their old age. Sarai was very doubtful because of her age so she decided to help the Lord. She persuaded her husband to have sexual relationship with her maid. In those days it was a cultural practice but it was not a godly practice. You might be wondering that since it was not a godly practice how did a couple such as Abram and Sarai get involved in such act. Although they had been called by God, they still held a little of what they were leaving behind. At the time that they had done this God had not yet given them their change of name. it was after this that they were renamed Abraham and Sarah.
The woman whom Sarai had given to her husband was Hagar. When Hagar got pregnant, she began to despise Sarai who in turn complained to Abram. Sarai also dealt with Hagar in a manner that caused her to run away from home. The angel of the Lord met her and told her to return home and that she should subject herself to Sarai. Notice that she was not instructed to only return home but that she should return and submit to the mistress of the home; the woman who is the wife, the only one whom God recognised as Abram’s partner. The instruction given to Hagar was enough for her to know what is her true position and to drive out any idea that she could displace Sarai.
Abraham had only one wife and if it had not been for his wife’s instruction, he would not have been involved with two women at one time. It was after the death of Sarah that he took Keturah. In total Abraham got eight sons but only the one borne by his wife, Sarah was recognised by God as the child of the covenant promise. Abraham took good care of his sons and provided for them but what belonged to Isaac could not be shared with any other child. God’s handling of the issue in Abram’s household showed how He emphasise the family holding together and not be destroyed by outsiders.
When you think about Moses what comes to your mind? I am sure that there is even one thing that you will remember about him. Have you thought about his wife?
When Moses ran away from Egypt, he went to Sudan which is referred to as Ethiopia in the Bible. It was there that he met his wife Zipporah who was the daughter of a Midian priest. The Midianites were offspring of Abraham and his second wife Keturah. When the Israelites were released from Egyptian bondage and were on their way to the Promised Land an altercation developed between Moses, Aaron and Miriam. The three of them were siblings and the bone of contention was Moses’ wife. It is sad that they had this disagreement because it is recorded in Micah 6 verse 4 that God said that He had sent Moses, Aaron and Miriam to take the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
Numbers chapter 12 records the altercation and how God dealt with it. In the heat of their argument against Moses, Miriam and Aaron said, “Hath God indeed spoken only to Moses? Hath He not spoken also by us? This was enough to incite God’s anger against them because first they were trying to split up a family and secondly, they were showing evidence of covetousness and undermining Moses’ authority. How did God react to their wrongdoing?
God defended Moses by telling everyone that He had authorised Moses and they ought to respect him. God was angry and He unleased His anger on the antagonists. It seems as if Miriam was the chief antagonist and her punishment was that she became a leper and had to remain in this state for seven days. You may be wondering what was Aaron’s punishment. God could not have afflicted Aaron with leprosy because he would have become unclean and be unable to minister before God on behalf of the people. Miriam did not have such responsibilities and so that was her payment for inciting mischief. In addition, she being older than her brothers died first. She never got the opportunity to enter Canaan. So, what happened to Aaron? Aaron did not enter Canaan; he died after Miriam.
It is wrong for persons to try to sow discord in the marriage or family life of others. If you cannot offer encouraging words then it is best that you do not speak. Do not do anything to cause division. Remember that God places a high value on the family which follows His pattern.
What happened to David when he interfered in Uriah’s family life? In his attempt to cover his sins he sent an innocent man to death. Due to his sins, he suffered much tribulations. His entire house collapsed around him. Within his house, brother raped sister, brother murdered brother and the icing on the cake was him running from his son, Absolom who wanted to kill him and take the throne. David suffered terribly because he had destroyed a family. He regretted his actions and fervently prayed and begged God to forgive him. God forgave him but he had to pay for his sins. Remember that no sin goes unpunished.
It is not that your family has to be perfect before God will use you. Abraham, Moses, Noah and others were not perfect but God was able to use them for His purpose because they were available to Him. The family patterned by God ought to be a platform for God to reach others in the world.
Do you know why societies are daily becoming more crime stricken? It is because families are failing. Instead of being strong in the Lord families are going farther and farther away from God; even those families which are Christian in word are becoming pagans in nature because of the doctrines which they adhere to.
We can agree that most families today are not patterned after God’s blueprint. Many years ago, families began with marriage, today we do as we desire and most persons shun marriage. Many families might not have the proper foundation but if parents are willing to fulfil God’s purpose, it possible for the foundation to be rebuilt.
Take a careful look at your family; how can you improve your family life? Have you been a good steward in this area? Whatever the shortcomings our God can repair all breaches as long as you present the broken pieces to Him.
Remember God’s desire is that the home be a haven, a place that you can resort to when you need comfort. You should never allow an intruder to destroy the sanctity of your home. An intruder is any person who disrupts the stability of your home and plays with your emotions. Do you desire a loving and happy family - Let Jesus be at the centre of your home.
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