In the Bible story, children hold a significant place. The Bible teaches us about many topics related to the child. The theme of children in the Bible is rightly relevant to us.
At first sight, we must not lose from God that a child is a gift, a gift from God. As the following biblical passages so aptly illustrate: ” The child is first and foremost a gift from God:” Who are you here? Esau asks his brother Jacob. These are the children God has given to your servant.” (Genesis 33: 5). And having a posterity is seen as a sign of divine blessing: ” Behold, it is an inheritance of the Lord that sons, a reward that the fruit of the womb ” (Psalms 127: 3).
What about God and children? How does the Bible define relationships between parents and children? What are the known and striking stories of children in the Bible? These are the questions that will be covered in this article about children in the Bible.
I – / God and Children in the Bible
” God created man in his image, he created him in the image of God, he created man and woman. God blessed them, and said, Be fruitful … ” Genesis 1: 27-28. Even after the sin of Adam and Eve, God did not take away this blessing: procreation to mankind. And it is always with the help of God that a child is born. As could be expressed by the first woman created by God, Eve: “… I have formed a man with the help of the Lord. ” (Genesis 4: 1)
Indeed, it is God who trains children in the womb of the woman. As the following verse points out: ” It was you who formed my loins, who wove me in my mother’s womb. ” (Psalms 139: 13). Also, God knows children even before they are born. We read rightly in Jeremiah 1: 5 ” Before I had formed you in the womb of your mother, I knew you, and before you came out of her womb, I had consecrated you, I had established the prophet of the nations. ” So spoke the LORD to the prophet Jeremiah.
God loves children; he cares a lot about children. He manifests this love by caring for orphans (Deuteronomy 10:18 / Hosea 14: 3 / James 1:27). God through Jesus Christ showed sympathy, compassion, affection for children (Luke 18: 15-17).
In his love for children, God wanting their good and happiness; He establishes relationships between parents and children…
II – Relations Between Parents and Children in the Bible
Speaking of children in the Bible about the relationships that must exist between parents and children, God taught the duties of parents to children and vice versa.
A – / The Duties of Parents to Children in the Bible
1. Give a name to the children at birth.
The Human Rights Rights of Children derive mainly from the Bible. Indeed, the Bible teaches that parents must name children at birth (Genesis 21: 3).
2. Parents must take care of the physical needs of their children.
It is the mother’s duty to breastfeed (1 Samuel 1: 22-24). They must give them food, clothing, etc. until they become adults and independent.
3. To educate children according to the way of the Lord.
The work of education is necessary because ” the child is only an imperfect being.” Moreover, he participates from birth in the universal malice (Psalms 51: 7). Therefore, it is noted that children in the Bible must be educated by parents. And the Bible shows us how to teach a child.
In the Old Testament, it is taught: the child must be severely educated. ” Madness is linked to the heart of the child; the whip of discipline will drive him away from him ” (Proverbs 22:15). Discipline in the upbringing of a child is an active method that translates true paternal love, for ” he who spares his staff hates his son, but he who loves it strives to correct it ” (Proverbs 13:24). ). God does not do otherwise: ” The Lord punishes him whom he loves, like a father the child he cherishes ” (Proverbs 3:12, repeated in Hebrews 12: 5-6).
Children, of course, must be educated, but above all in the way of the Lord. From which it is written, ” Teach the child according to the way he is to follow; And when he is old, he will not turn away from it. ” (Proverbs 22: 6). And in the turn of the Apostle Paul to address the fathers: “And you fathers, do not provoke your children, but lift them up by correcting them and instructing them according to the Lord. ” (Ephesians 6: 4).
However, education to the child is successful when it is under the guarantor of love, compassion, sympathy. Parents must have compassion for their children. In other words, give them an education based on respect for their child. Consider this nature of God: “As a father cares for his children …” (Psalms 103: 13). We invite you to consult other verses related to parent education in the parents’ duty to children. (see Colossians 3:21, Proverbs 29:15, Deuteronomy 6: 6-7, Deuteronomy 4: 9, Proverbs 13 : 13-14, Proverbs 19:18, Psalms 78: 3-4, Leviticus 19:29, Proverbs 23: 13-14).
4. Parents must prepare an inheritance for their children.
“… It is not, in fact, for children to amass for their children, but for parents for their children. ” (2 Corinthians 12:14) It is the parents’ duty to the children to prepare for their future. This can be achieved by educating the child, maintaining a savings account for the future of the child, providing the means and conditions necessary for the child’s development and future well-being.
B – / Children’s Duties to Parents
1. Children must obey their parents.
” My son, keep the precepts of your father and do not reject the teaching of your mother. ” (Proverbs 6: 20). The child must obey his parents, according to the Lord, for this is right (Ephesians 6: 1, Colossians 3:20).
Even in the old age of their parent, children must respect them. Therefore, it is said, ” Hear your father, he who begot you and do not despise your mother when she is old. ” Proverbs 23:22.
Read the following verses: Proverbs 1: 8-9; Proverbs 3: 1-2; Colossians 3:20.
2. Children must honor their parents.
About children in the Bible, it is taught that they must be a pride to their parent. Children must, therefore, honor their parents (Exodus 20:12, Leviticus 19: 3). To honor one’s parents as children are also to behave in society in such a way as to give joy to the heart of the parents. As it is: ” My son, if your heart is wise, My heart will be in joy; My bowels will be moved with gladness, and your lips will say what is right. ” (Proverbs 23: 15-16).
3. Children must take care of their parents.
When we become adults, we have to take care of our parents. The children in the Bible, are asked to learn above all to exercise piety towards their own family, and to give back to their parents what they have received from them; for this is pleasing to God (1 Timothy 5: 4).
III – / Children in the Bible and Their Characters
Children in the Bible have also played important roles, held great responsibilities, and their behavior can be an inspiration or example for the world today.
1 Samuel 3: The story of the child Samuel. From a young age, he had learned to have an intimate relationship with the Lord and began to serve God in the temple.
1 Samuel 17: When God used the child David to deliver his people from the hands of the Philistines.
2 Kings 5: 1-4: The story of the Israelite girl captive in Syria, serving Naaman. She bore witness of the power, of the mercy of Jehovah.
2 Kings 11: 4-12, 21: Joash became King at the age of seven.
2 Kings 22: 1-2: Josiah became King at the age of 8. He was among the kings faithful to God in the Bible. He made reforms in the relationship between his people and God (read 2 Chronicles 34).
Conclusion on Children in the Bible
Children in the Bible show that God does not accept anyone. Age was not a criterion for God because he worked with adults as much as it did with children. God did not only help the elderly but also the children. Children in the Bible also show God’s love for children. He cares about their education, their well-being. Children have value in the eyes of God.