God Promises to Bless The Family

Psalms 127:3-128:3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. 4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. 5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate. Psalm 128:1 Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways. 2 You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. 3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table.  
 
IT is likely the majority of people in the world, and perhaps the majority of people in the church, would find this “family-oriented” scripture somewhat amusing. Large families seem to be far in the past. Some countries have even passed laws restricting family size.
   And are fathers really important to a family? For more than 40 years, we have heard that a man is a non-essential to his children’s lives. And shouldn’t children be allowed to choose what is right for them? Who needs a family with a father, mother and children – with a man who loves his wife and loves his children?
   God wants you to know that the world needs the family. After all, God created the family unit his image. Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
   In God’s image families are to create families and rule the earth with God’s wisdom and purpose. A strong family is necessary to build a strong community. A strong community becomes a strong nation that enjoys its relationship with the LORD God.
   The first sin broke the bond between Eve and God and broke the bond between Eve and Acam: Genesis 3:11 And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” 12 The man said, “The woman you put here with me – she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” And then the decline spiraled downward into Cain’s murder of his brother Abel.
   The Bible’s history is one of broken bonds within families. Death and destruction resulted from sons killing fathers and brothers killing brothers. It seems God is continually repairing the damage families caused Israel.
   In modern times, the family’s decline has led to the communities becoming neighborhoods of violence. Schools have lost control. Churches are neutralized and considered ineffective to guide people toward a purposeful life.
   God’s family picture, though, is one of blessings and plenty. All who walk in his ways will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table. Why wouldn’t people want this?
   Yes, it’s true not all are called to be fathers and mothers. But most of us are. This is God’s design. Let’s pray the young and future generations fear God and rebuild the crucial stone in the kingdom’s foundation.