Family Rejection
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Family rejection is a theme that appears throughout the Bible, reflecting the complexities and challenges of familial relationships. It often serves as a backdrop for demonstrating faith, perseverance, and the fulfillment of God's purposes. The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who faced rejection from their family members, yet remained steadfast in their faith and calling.

Old Testament Examples

1. Joseph: One of the most notable instances of family rejection is the account of Joseph, the son of Jacob. Joseph's brothers were envious of him due to their father's favoritism and Joseph's prophetic dreams. This envy led them to sell Joseph into slavery. Despite this rejection, Joseph rose to prominence in Egypt and eventually reconciled with his family, demonstrating God's sovereignty and the power of forgiveness (Genesis 37:4, 28; Genesis 50:20).

2. David: Before becoming king, David experienced rejection from his own family. When the prophet Samuel visited Jesse's house to anoint the next king of Israel, David was initially overlooked by his father and brothers. Despite this, God chose David, emphasizing that divine selection is not based on human judgment (1 Samuel 16:10-13).

3. Jephthah: Jephthah, a judge of Israel, was rejected by his half-brothers because he was the son of a different mother. They drove him away to prevent him from sharing in the family inheritance. However, when Israel faced a crisis, they turned to Jephthah for leadership, illustrating how God can use those who have been cast aside (Judges 11:1-11).

New Testament Examples

1. Jesus: Jesus Himself experienced rejection from His family. His brothers did not believe in Him during His early ministry (John 7:5). Additionally, when Jesus returned to His hometown of Nazareth, He was rejected by those who knew Him from childhood, fulfilling the adage that "a prophet is not without honor except in his own town" (Mark 6:4).

2. Paul: The Apostle Paul faced rejection from his Jewish brethren after his conversion to Christianity. His new faith and mission to the Gentiles led to estrangement and persecution from those who once considered him a leader among them (Acts 9:23-25; 2 Corinthians 11:24-26).

Theological Insights

Family rejection in the Bible often serves as a test of faith and character. It highlights the tension between earthly relationships and divine calling. Believers are reminded that allegiance to God may sometimes lead to division within families, as Jesus taught: "For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’" (Matthew 10:35).

Despite the pain of rejection, the Bible assures believers of God's unfailing love and acceptance. Psalm 27:10 states, "Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me." This verse underscores the promise that God's love transcends human rejection.

Practical Application

For Christians facing family rejection, the Bible offers both comfort and guidance. It encourages believers to remain faithful to their calling, to forgive those who reject them, and to trust in God's ultimate plan. The accounts of Joseph, David, and others serve as reminders that God can use rejection to fulfill His purposes and bring about reconciliation and restoration.
Topical Bible Verses
Psalm 27:10
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
Topicalbible.org

Isaiah 49:15
Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yes, they may forget, yet will I not forget you.
Topicalbible.org

Library

Acts VII
... the circumstances which brought the people down into Egypt, in order that the rejection
of Joseph, and the final salvation of the whole family through him ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts vii.htm

Christ Our High Priest.
... priest on earth, because the Aaronic priesthood was then in force, and He was not
of the Aaronic family. ... It is an insult to God, because a rejection of His Son ...
/.../xi christ our high priest.htm

"But they are Gods to Us," You Say. ...
... You despise, therefore, those whom you thus reject; for in your rejection of them,
it ... The family deities you call Lares, you exercise a domestic authority over ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter xiii but they are.htm

The Nobleman's Son.
... as in verse 44 by John, and in each case refers to the rejection of Christ ... exalted
claims of the boy who had grown up in the humble carpenter's family, whom it ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the noblemans son.htm

Who are My Brethren?
... Every step in the rejection of Christ is a step toward the rejection of salvation ...
of kindness and love, and He appreciated tender regard in the family relation. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 33 who are my.htm

Rejected in his Own Country
... From our Lord's own commentary upon their rejection we learn to beware of ... Nazareth
could not discern the divinity of "the carpenter," whose family lived quiet ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 6 1-6 rejected in his.htm

The Sedition of Corah and of the Multitude against Moses, and ...
... From The Rejection Of That Generation To The Death Of Moses. ... 2. Corah, a Hebrew of
principal account, both by his family and by his wealth, one that was also ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 the sedition of.htm

Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... for whose comfort this sketch is made"far from her noble family and rich ... it is not
the possession of riches that is praiseworthy but the rejection of them ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm

The vision
... of the Jews should bring salvation to the Gentiles, and their rejection should be ...
sealed, the number twelve is a mark of the apostolical family, which denotes ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the vision .htm

The Eccentricity of Religion
... of a man's religion, indeed, is to be gauged by the degree of his rejection by the ...
His sake." It was the position of honour, as it were, in the family of God ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/drummond/the ideal life/the eccentricity of religion.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about family? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about family conflict? | GotQuestions.org

How does the Bible define a good Christian family? | GotQuestions.org

Family: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Family

Family and Friends

Family and Work

Family Conflict

Family Inheritance

Family Leader

Family Love

Family of Saints: Be Duly Regulated

Family of Saints: Blessed

Family of Saints: Deceivers and Liars should be Removed From

Family of Saints: Live in Mutual Forbearance

Family of Saints: Live in Unity

Family of Saints: Punishment of Irreligious

Family of Saints: Rejoice Together Before God

Family of Saints: should be Taught God's Word

Family of Saints: Warned Against Departing from God

Family of Saints: Worship God Together

Family Planning

Family Rejection

Family Relationship

Family Relationships

Family Unity

Family: Good: Abraham

Family: Good: Cornelius

Family: Good: Crispus

Family: Good: David

Family: Good: Jacob

Family: Good: Jailor of Philippi

Family: Good: Job

Family: Good: Joshua

Family: Good: Lazarus of Bethany

Family: Good: Lois

Family: Good: Lydia

Family: Government of

Family: Infelicity In

Family: Infelicity in Ahasuerus, on Account of Vashti's Refusing to Appear Before his Drunken Courtiers

Family: Infelicity in David and Michal

Family: Infelicity in Elkanah, on Account of Bigamic Feuds

Family: Infelicity in Moses and Zipporah

Family: Infelicity In of Abraham, on Account of Hagar

Family: Infelicity In of Isaac, on Account of the Disagreement Between Jacob and Esau

Family: Infelicity In of Jacob, the Bigamic Jealousy Between Leah and Rachel

Family: Instituted

Family: Persian, Domestic Customs

Family: Religion of The

Related Terms

Family's (1 Occurrence)

Zerahites (5 Occurrences)

Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)

Kohathite (18 Occurrences)

Kohathites (18 Occurrences)

Kohath (30 Occurrences)

Mushite (2 Occurrences)

Mahlite (2 Occurrences)

Mushites (2 Occurrences)

Mahlites (2 Occurrences)

Priesthood (30 Occurrences)

Perez (19 Occurrences)

Beriah (10 Occurrences)

Bela (14 Occurrences)

Merari (38 Occurrences)

Belonged (105 Occurrences)

Begot (119 Occurrences)

Begat (112 Occurrences)

Zarhite (4 Occurrences)

Zarhites (4 Occurrences)

Zerahite (4 Occurrences)

Zer'ahites (2 Occurrences)

Korahite (3 Occurrences)

Korathites (1 Occurrence)

Korathite (1 Occurrence)

Ko'rahites (6 Occurrences)

Merar'i (32 Occurrences)

Merarite (8 Occurrences)

Beri'ah (10 Occurrences)

Brushed (2 Occurrences)

Amram (14 Occurrences)

Sparrow (4 Occurrences)

Children

Birthright (10 Occurrences)

Shemaiah (40 Occurrences)

Clan (96 Occurrences)

Zephonites (1 Occurrence)

Zelophehad (9 Occurrences)

Brother (402 Occurrences)

Malefactor (2 Occurrences)

Meremoth (6 Occurrences)

Primogeniture

Pictured (26 Occurrences)

Phaath

Bittern (4 Occurrences)

Beriites (1 Occurrence)

Becher (4 Occurrences)

Amramite (2 Occurrences)

Ahiramite (1 Occurrence)

Amramites (2 Occurrences)

Smaller (16 Occurrences)

Shim'e-ites (2 Occurrences)

Shuthelah (4 Occurrences)

Servant's (29 Occurrences)

Shimeites (2 Occurrences)

Clans (120 Occurrences)

Bedchamber (6 Occurrences)

Zerah (22 Occurrences)

Stock (16 Occurrences)

Korahites (7 Occurrences)

Kinsman (29 Occurrences)

Annas (4 Occurrences)

Bedstead (1 Occurrence)

Purity (16 Occurrences)

Adoption (5 Occurrences)

Maccabaeus

Zephonite (1 Occurrence)

Zabdi (17 Occurrences)

Zacharias (11 Occurrences)

Zorah (10 Occurrences)

Ze'phonites (1 Occurrence)

Zephon (5 Occurrences)

Zeb'ulun (41 Occurrences)

Kindred (41 Occurrences)

Kish (18 Occurrences)

Brethren (528 Occurrences)

Merar'ites (3 Occurrences)

Makir (17 Occurrences)

Merarites (7 Occurrences)

Family Records
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