A Minute With The Bible Aired during August, 1999 "And the man knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man with the help of Jehovah. And again she bare his brother Abel" (Genesis 4:1-2). While husband and wife existed before this time, now there is a family. The births of these two sons make the first family upon the earth. Since that time, the Lord has placed "the solitary in families" (Psalm 68:6). Marriage is the oldest institution of God; the family is the result of marriage. All of mankind at birth become part of a family, whether a family after God's order or a substitute for what God ordained. It is the one institution that demonstrates the commonness of humanity. It has existed from Eden; it exists today, even though some may seek to destroy it. Through every trial, through every adversity, through every disaster, it stands as an institution for all of mankind, a result of the creation of God.
"Noah was a righteous man, and perfect in his generations; Noah walked with God. And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth"(Genesis 6:9-10). Since the creation of the first family, the human race had deteriorated into such a state that his "thoughts was only evil continually." And yet, there lived a righteous man who followed the ways of the Lord. Because of his trust in God and keeping the commands of God, his family would be spared as Jehovah determined to destroy the rest of the human race. What the world of today needs, badly, are families whose foundations are built upon righteousness. Such families would shine forth as a beacon to guide thepresent and future generations in the paths of truth and right. Righteousness spared Noah and his family. Would your family have been spared in the flood?
"And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth; and he was subject unto them..."(Luke 2:51). This statement is about Jesus Christ. The family had gone to the feast of the Passover to worship and serve God. Jesus, at twelve years of age, tarried in Jerusalem and was hearing and questioning the teachers of the Jews when his parents found him. It was only fitting that the family into which the Son of God was physically born serve Jehovah and carry out his commands. Every family needs to be interested in the spiritual welfare of its members, as well as concerned for physical needs. The earthly family of Christ placed the spiritual above the physical. What an example for families at the present. Many problems could be solved and heartaches avoided if every family would seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness first.
"Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always"(Acts 10:1-2). Cornelius was a Gentile. Yet, he was interested in serving God "with all his house." This Gentile family would afford the occasion for Peter and the apostles to be convicted that both Jew and Gentile were subjects of the gospel. Peter would speak the truth of God to this family and when they were convicted, "...he commanded them(the family) to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ"(Acts 10:48). The religion of Christ is not a family religion but must be the religion of the family if all of the family would be acceptable to Jehovah. The example of Cornelius and his family should teach each of us the importance of guiding one's family in the paths of righteousness.
"Wives be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children, that they be not discouraged"(Colossians 3:18-21). The inspired apostle Paul is giving directions on how to have a family that is pleasing to God. Since the family is made up of relationships(relatives), he is laying down principles that make for a happy family. Much misery exists in families of today who do not follow Paul's instructions. Proper treatment and respect of each family member will contribute to an environment of peace and happiness. Ignoring the instructions of the word of God will lead to much unhappiness within the home. I would urge each of you to take a look at your own family and take the steps to make your home a house of happiness.July, 1999 September, 1999 October, 1999 November, 1999 December, 1999 January, 2000 June, 2000 July, 2000 August, 2000 September, 2000 October, 2000 November, 2000 December, 2000 January, 2001 February, 2001 March, 2001 April, 2001 May, 2001 June, 2001 July, 2001 August, 2001 September, 2001 October, 2001 November, 2001 December, 2001 January, 2002 February, 2002 March, 2002 April, 2002 May, 2002