The strength of the Hebrew people is found in their families and specifically their children. Abraham’s promise from God to number his children as the stars of the sky and as the sand of the sea was ingrained into their heritage. Equivocally ingrained was the Shama, which cries out for Israel to hear how the Lord God is one and they are to love Him with their heart, soul, and might. These words were to be taught to their children in every aspect of their lives (See Deuteronomy 6:4-9).
Now fast forward to Psalm 127:3-5a.
Behold, children are a gift of the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them;
Most attribute these words to the wisdom of Solomon although it is possible that David wrote these lyrics. But, for the purpose of these thoughts let’s just assume that Solomon did write it since it really does not matter because the point is the same.
Children truly are a gift from the Lord. Solomon understood the blessings of building a house but he also understood that a home was more than bricks and mortar. Solomon calls on all to understand that children are a blessing. God provides these little gifts not as a burden but as a favor for us to perhaps receive the slightest understanding of God’s love for us. How he sees us as a blessing. Sadly, though, Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3) but we only know explicitly of only one son as his descendent and successor and perhaps two daughters (1 Kings 11:43, 4:11, 15). Perhaps, Solomon struggled to fully understand much about this gift and reward that comes from children. By the end of his life, both figuratively and literally, Solomon’s home was left in ruin. His heart was turned away from God (1 Kings 11:4).
Now fast forward to Matthew 19:14.
But Jesus said, “ Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Jesus loves the little children and He wanted and still wants them to be close to him. For the short time, parents have to raise their children we need to be focused on getting them as close to Jesus as possible. They are a gift the Lord is giving to us, loaning to us, and our job is to take that gift and give it back to the Lord. We are to give our children back to God by teaching them to love Him with everything they are.
I love you,
Alex
P.S. Happy birthday to my little girl, Rachel, who turns 14 today!
I love you,
Daddy