We are to give our attention to the importance of family unity so that we can have peace in ourselves. The Lord has taught us the sacredness of marriage and the responsibility of parents to care for and nurture their children. Family separation is rarely promoted in the Bible, and when it occurs, it often arises as a result of difficult circumstances, such as migration, persecution, or warfare.
One notable example of family separation in the Bible is the story of Joseph and his brothers. Due to jealousy and betrayal, Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, leading to years of separation from his father and younger brother Benjamin. Eventually, through God’s providence, the family was reunited and reconciled.
Jesus stresses the importance of valuing family relationships. He encourages people to love and honor their parents and to maintain strong family ties. However, Jesus also acknowledges that following Him may lead to divisions within families, as some may reject His teachings.
While the Bible acknowledges that family separation may occur in the face of challenging circumstances, it consistently emphasizes the significance of family unity and reconciliation. It encourages us to prioritize and support our families, showing love, forgiveness, and compassion in times of adversity, with the hope of restoration and reunification whenever possible.
Matthew 19:29
“And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life”
Luke 12:53
“The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law”
1 Timothy 5:8
“But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel”
Exodus 20:12
“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee”
Deuteronomy 6:7
“And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up”
Proverbs 22:6
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it”
1 Corinthians 7:14
“For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy”
1 Timothy 3:4
“One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity”
Ephesians 6:4
“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord”
Proverbs 6:20
“My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother”
Genesis 33:5
“And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant”
Proverbs 17:6
“Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers”
Psalm 127:3
“Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord : and the fruit of the womb is his reward”
Proverbs 31:15
“She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens”
Psalm 113:9
“He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord”
Deuteronomy 4:9
“Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons”
Colossians 3:20
“Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord”
2 Timothy 1:5
“When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also”
Proverbs 15:20
“A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother”
Proverbs 23:22
“Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old”
Proverbs 20:20
“Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness”
Genesis 12:3
“And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed”
Joshua 24:15
“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord , choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”
1 Kings 8:19
“Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name”
Ruth 4:15
“And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him”
Isaiah 49:15
“Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee”
Jeremiah 31:15
“Thus saith the Lord ; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not”
Malachi 2:15
“And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth”
Matthew 10:21
“And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death”
Mark 7:10
“For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death”
Luke 14:26
“If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple”
Luke 21:16
“And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death”
Romans 9:3
“For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh”
Romans 16:13
“Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine”
2 Corinthians 6:18
“And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty”
Galatians 1:19
“But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother”
Ephesians 5:21
“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God”
1 Timothy 5:4
“But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God”
Hebrews 12:7
“If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?”
James 2:15
“If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food”
