5682 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

Ps 68:6 See also Ge 1:26-27; Ge 2:23-24

God cares for the families of those who honour him

Ge 7:1 See also Ge 6:18 pp Dt 5:8-10; 2Sa 6:11; Jer 35:18-19; Jer 38:17-18

God judges families who disobey him

Ex 20:4-5 See also Nu 16:23-32; Dt 11:6; Jos 7:24-26; 1Sa 3:12-14; 2Sa 24:17

Families in Israel

The extended family was the basic social unit Ne 7:5 See also Lev 25:10; Lev 27:16; Nu 2:32; Nu 4:40

Family heads were community leaders Nu 36:1 See also Nu 1:4; Nu 31:26; 1Ki 8:1; 2Ch 1:2

Families had religious obligations Dt 12:7 See also Ex 12:22-23; Dt 12:11-12; 1Sa 1:21

Families were to teach their children God’s law Ps 78:5-7 See also Ge 18:19; Ex 12:26-27; Dt 4:9; Dt 6:6-7; Pr 1:8-9

The relationship between God and his people described in family metaphors

They are his family Gal 6:10 See also Am 3:1; Eph 3:15; 1Pe 4:17

They are his children Jn 1:12-13 See also Dt 14:1; Isa 63:16; Hos 11:1-4; Ro 8:15-17; Gal 4:4-7; Eph 1:5

They are brothers and sisters in God’s family Heb 2:11 See also Ps 22:22; Isa 8:17-18; Mt 12:50 pp Lk 8:21; Mk 3:31-34; Heb 2:12-17

The salvation of families

Ac 16:34 See also Ac 11:14; Ac 18:8; 1Co 1:16

Good family management as a qualification for church office

1Ti 3:4-5 See also 1Ti 3:12

Christians are to support their families

1Ti 5:8 See also 1Ti 5:4

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

Lk 9:59-60 pp Mt 8:21-22 See also Mk 3:31-34; Lk 9:61-62; Mt 10:34-38 pp Lk 12:51-53; Mic 7:6

See also