Households

In this offering, we shall come to a common understanding of what household meant in Old and New Testament times and what it should mean for us today. We have already mentioned that it was God who instituted the family, when He gave Adam a companion, from whom offspring were born. It is in and through Father God that we believe in the sanctity of family and hold family as dear, unto the Heart of Father God. We must never ever forget that when God Incarnate came to dwell upon the earth, in human clay, He placed Himself in a family. He chose a father, named Joseph, who was of the house and lineage of David. Luke 2: 4b. Human family is precious to God.

Now, we curiously revisit some known Bible passages and receive other new ones, all giving valuable and sound words on family. Please note that for this time of sharing, we shall be referring to family as house, or household.  

When God was about to destroy the people whom He had created, because of their recurring wickedness and unrepentance, His Heart was to save Noah, for Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. Genesis 6: 9b. Take full note also that God was not intending to save Noah alone, but His entire house. And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark: for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. Genesis 7: 1. It is clear that God did not just want to save Noah, but Noah’s household. God honours family.

When God was about to destroy Sodom, because of their unrepentance and stubborn wickedness, He thought to share His Mind with Abraham. This is God’s testimony of Abraham. For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. Genesis 18: 19. Here again, we note God’s deep care and respect for Abraham’s faith and faithfulness and includes Abraham’s family in his blessings.    

These words of wisdom not known by many and certainly not preached and taught to us as priority, must not ever be overlooked or despised. He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart. Proverbs 11: 29. Crystal clear for us is that just as a man’s family or household is blessed by God, because of that man’s obedience to God, likewise, a man’s household is cursed by God, because of that man’s disobedience to God. May God save us from bringing trouble to our households. 

When Paul and Silas were asked by the Philippian jailer about what he had to do to be saved, this is what they told him. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your household. Acts 16: 31.  Clearly, salvation is received and known by the head of the household, along with the household. We believe and know that this is also true of Crispus, the synagogue ruler. Paul is in Corinth where, urged by the Holy Spirit, he is in the synagogue, zealously preaching that Jesus is the Christ. However, many a Jew will hear none of him. When they begin to become blasphemous and troublesome, Paul dramatically leaves the synagogue, the house of God, and begins worshipping in the house of Justus, a believer. We are told that, Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house. Acts 18: 8a. Indeed Crispus and all his household believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, and were all saved. 

Many things have been said about households or families, thus far, nevertheless, one stunning, yet solemn fact is that households can be saved through one person’s obedience. Noah’s household was saved on account of Noah’s obedience. Abraham’s nephew Lot, was rescued, because of Abraham’s faith and obedience to God. Cornelius’ family all were saved, because he was a devout man who believed.

There are scores more examples of households being saved because of one person’s obedience. Albeit, our endeavour is to go to a very familiar and well-loved salvation story and how it relates to us all, as people belonging to the family of God. I’m referring to Rahab and her household, and how they were saved from the wrath of destruction by Sovereign God.