Biblical history is largely family history

The story of Cain and Abel is a horrifying story precisely because it involves the violent killing of one's own brother. It is a particularly terrifying story because it strikes at the very foundation of society, the family. When family ties are violated, all relationships are strained.

The story of Cain and Abel is a cautionary tale, a dramatic reminder of the evil that lurks in human hearts. The story's flip side reminds us how basic and important it is that family members love and respect each other. When these qualities are lacking, the family becomes dysfunctional, fails its God intended purpose.

No wonder the Bible is so interested in promoting healthy family life. In fact, biblical history is largely family history.

For example:

• The disrespect of Noah's sons for their father is shown to be potentially disastrous.
• And Abraham, the father of God's family, is portrayed as a sensitive father of an extended family.

When a decision has to be made about the division of the land to which God has led them, Abraham unselfishly gives his nephew, Lot, the freedom to choose the more attractive territory.

Abraham's sensitive treatment of his wife, Sarah, is exemplary, even if at times it strikes us as strange, since it is so "patriarchal."

We do get the idea in Scripture that the authority of parents is vitally important. After all, someone has to be the adult at home and act in ways that genuinely serve the family's welfare. This task tends to fall on the parents.

So it is not surprising that the first commandment dealing with human relationships is the fourth: " Honour your father and mother."

Honour was a highly prized value in ancient society. It was both a sacred and a civic duty to honour one's parents, to respect them and to do nothing to bring shame on the family. (Which is not to deny how serious it is when some parents cruelly and destructively abuse their authority.)

The letter to the Colossians gives beautiful expression to the principles that contribute to healthy and happy family life. "Put on, then. heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another….And over all these, put on love, that is, the bond of perfection,"

If wives are urged to be supportive towards their husbands, husbands are urged to love their wives, to help them realise their full potential as human beings. And children are told to obey their fathers, but fathers are warned not to abuse their authority:

"Fathers, do not provoke your children, so that they may not become discouraged" (Colossians 3:12-14, 18-21).

- Father John J. Castelot is a Scripture scholar, author, teacher and lecturer.

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