Children: God’s Graciousness Revealed
Genesis 33:1-5
Jacob’s meeting with Esau must have seemed some what anticlimactic. Jacob had feared Esau was coming to kill him and attack his family. Instead Esau ran over and gave Jacob a big hug. The brothers shared a cry of joy over being reunited after twenty years. Looking beyond his brother Esau saw Jacob’s family approaching and asked about them. In his response Jacob shared his view of children and family, saying God had graciously given them to him. They were a gift from God, and I believe this is how we should still see children today.
According to Vine’s Bible Dictionary, this is the first use of the word gracious in the Old Testament. The Hebrew word used in Genesis 33:5 speaks of the idea of God extending favor which, according to Vine’s, is neither expected nor deserved. By blessing Jacob with children, the Lord allowed him to take part in the act of creation started at the beginning of time. He also gave Jacob the opportunity to take part in building the Kingdom of God. His children were a gift and Jacob humbly gave credit where credit was due.
As a gift from God, we know that every child is special in the eyes of the Lord, born according to His purpose for their lives. Unfortunately we live in a culture where the importance of human life has been forgotten and rejecting God’s gift has become an acceptable practice. Abortion and fathers who abandon their children are actions that snub God, turning back his hand of blessing. A society that actively rejects and degrades God’s gifts puts itself on the path to destruction. Only if we repent as a nation and choose God’s view of children will we avoid his judgment.
The true follower of Christ should see children (all children) as gifts from God, given because God is gracious. When we incorporate this kind of thinking into our world view our goals for being a parent, and for being a neighbor to children in our schools and in our communities, will be revolutionized. Today you have a chance to look at children through the eyes of God. Be prepared to act according to what you see.
P.S.
If children are a gift from God, are childless couples are cursed? In Jacob’s time this was the prevailing thought when a couple could not have a child. This is not true for New Testament believers. In Christ all curses are removed. To say not having a child is a curse is to say the sacrifice of Christ on the cross was not enough. For some, going childless is enough of a burden without making up curses. I do not think anyone can fully understand the mind of God in situations where he allows couples to go childless. But we have his promise that he has a plan and a purpose for all his children, including those who are not able to conceive children of their own.
See also: "Shaping Our View of Abortion."
See also: "Fatherlessness As Child Abuse?" at La Shawn Barber's Corner.
Jacob’s meeting with Esau must have seemed some what anticlimactic. Jacob had feared Esau was coming to kill him and attack his family. Instead Esau ran over and gave Jacob a big hug. The brothers shared a cry of joy over being reunited after twenty years. Looking beyond his brother Esau saw Jacob’s family approaching and asked about them. In his response Jacob shared his view of children and family, saying God had graciously given them to him. They were a gift from God, and I believe this is how we should still see children today.
According to Vine’s Bible Dictionary, this is the first use of the word gracious in the Old Testament. The Hebrew word used in Genesis 33:5 speaks of the idea of God extending favor which, according to Vine’s, is neither expected nor deserved. By blessing Jacob with children, the Lord allowed him to take part in the act of creation started at the beginning of time. He also gave Jacob the opportunity to take part in building the Kingdom of God. His children were a gift and Jacob humbly gave credit where credit was due.
As a gift from God, we know that every child is special in the eyes of the Lord, born according to His purpose for their lives. Unfortunately we live in a culture where the importance of human life has been forgotten and rejecting God’s gift has become an acceptable practice. Abortion and fathers who abandon their children are actions that snub God, turning back his hand of blessing. A society that actively rejects and degrades God’s gifts puts itself on the path to destruction. Only if we repent as a nation and choose God’s view of children will we avoid his judgment.
The true follower of Christ should see children (all children) as gifts from God, given because God is gracious. When we incorporate this kind of thinking into our world view our goals for being a parent, and for being a neighbor to children in our schools and in our communities, will be revolutionized. Today you have a chance to look at children through the eyes of God. Be prepared to act according to what you see.
P.S.
If children are a gift from God, are childless couples are cursed? In Jacob’s time this was the prevailing thought when a couple could not have a child. This is not true for New Testament believers. In Christ all curses are removed. To say not having a child is a curse is to say the sacrifice of Christ on the cross was not enough. For some, going childless is enough of a burden without making up curses. I do not think anyone can fully understand the mind of God in situations where he allows couples to go childless. But we have his promise that he has a plan and a purpose for all his children, including those who are not able to conceive children of their own.
See also: "Shaping Our View of Abortion."
See also: "Fatherlessness As Child Abuse?" at La Shawn Barber's Corner.
Labels: abortion, children, dad, fathers, God, love, mom, morality, parenting, youth
posted by Dennis | 10:30 AM
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