FAMILY LIFE AND RELATIONSHIP --- PART 5

FAMILY ACTIVITIES
Mealtimes were strictly family times. It is doubtful whether a meal comparable to a breakfast was eaten, and a farmer would probably have a light lunch in the fields. The mother prepared the main meal of the day, and it would be eaten in the early evening. Although the variety of food available was limited, its preparation was time-consuming. Feast times were periods of great religious significance and were also the days when family members participated in the symbolic rituals of their faith. Among the Israelites, several kinds of food were fundamental to their religious ritual. Special meals moulded together the sense of family unity and the national religion. YHVH designed the family for unity - a place where all its members could draw strength from one another. Daylight played an important part in daily habits. Although oil lamps were readily available in later periods, it was customary to rise with the sun and go to bed relatively soon after dark. The wife would probably be up before sunrise and might continue her labour after dark.

IN NEW TESTAMENT TIMES
By New Testament times, those who followed the sophisticated styles of Greece and Rome inherited an easier life and a more elegant one, too. Despite that, the status of many family members did not necessarily change. Wealthier families had more slaves, and the children were more likely to have a formal education. Therefore, they did not have as many family chores. Even in Roman times, however, the father still had a legal right to accept or reject his child. The status of women improved in the New Testament period. People respected a Roman matron, and she exerted a strong influence over her husband. Greek women were sequestered in a particular section of the house. In contrast, a Roman woman managed and supervised tasks in any part of her home. She helped her husband in business, had her own place in theatres, games, and religious festivals, and sometimes managed her own property. Yeshua’s attitude toward women helped them to enjoy new status and influence in the early believers church.

FAMILY TROUBLES

FAVORITISM DESTROYS FAMILY UNITY.
Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day he gave Joseph a special gift-a beautiful robe. -- Genesis 37:3 In Joseph’s Day, everyone had a robe or cloak. Robes were used to warm oneself, to bundle up belongings for a trip, to wrap babies in, to sit on, or even to serve as security for a loan. Most robes were knee length, short sleeved, and plain. In contrast, Joseph’s robe was probably of the kind worn by royalty-long sleeved, ankle length, and colourful. The robe became a symbol of Jacob’s favouritism toward Joseph, and it aggravated the already strained relations between Joseph and his brothers. Favouritism in families may be unavoidable, but its divisive effects should be minimized. Parents may not be able to change their feelings toward a favourite child, but they can change their actions toward the others.

CHILDREN OFTEN BEAR THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR PARENTS’ SINS.
I show this unfailing love to many thousands by forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. Even so I do not leave sin unpunished, but I punish the children for the sins of their parents to the third and fourth generations. -- Exodus 34:7. Why would sins affect grandchildren and great-grandchildren? This is no arbitrary punishment. Children still suffer for the sins of their parents. Consider child abuse or alcoholism, for example. While these sins are obvious, sins like selfishness and greed can be passed along as well. The dire consequences of sin are not limited to the individual family member. Be careful not to treat sin casually but repent and turn from it. The sin may cause you little pain now, but it could sting in a most tender area of your life later-your children and grandchildren.

FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES MUST BE A PRIORITY FOR CHRISTIANS.
For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of YHVH’s Church? -- 1 Timothy 3:5. Believers and volunteers sometimes make the mistake of thinking their work is so important that they are justified in ignoring their families. Spiritual leadership, however, must begin at home. If a man is not willing to care for, discipline, and teach his children, he is not qualified to lead the Church. Don’t allow your volunteer activities to detract from your family responsibilities.

FAMILY TRIUMPHS

WHAT ACTIONS MOST STRENGTHEN FAMILY UNITY?

RETELLING STORIES OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS BUILDS UP THE FAMILY.
You will be able to tell wonderful stories to your children and grandchildren about the marvellous things I am doing among the Egyptians to prove that I am Adonai Elohim. -- Exodus 10:2 YHVH told Moses that his miraculous experiences with Pharaoh should be retold to his descendants. What stories Moses had to tell! Living out one of the greatest dramas in biblical history, he witnessed events few people would ever see. It is important to tell our children about YHVH’s work in our past and to help them see what he is doing right now. What are the turning points in your life where YHVH intervened? What is YHVH doing for you now? Your stories will form the foundations of your children’s belief in YHVH.

CONSISTENT LIVING MAKES THE DEEPEST IMPRESSION ON CHILDREN.
And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these Commands I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are away on a journey, when you are lying down and when you are getting up again. -- Deuteronomy 6:6-7. This passage provides the central theme of Deuteronomy. It sets a pattern that helps us relate the Word of YHVH to our daily lives. We are to love YHVH, think constantly about His Commandments, teach His Commandments to our children, and live each day by the guidelines in His Word. YHVH emphasized the importance of parents teaching the Bible to their children. The church and believer schools cannot be used to escape from this responsibility. The Bible provides so many opportunities for object lessons and practical teaching that it would be a shame to study it only one day a week. Eternal truths are most effectively learned in the loving environment of a Elohim-fearing home.