Topical Bible: Children: Anxiety of the Jews For

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In the biblical narrative, the Jewish people often displayed a profound concern for the welfare and future of their children. This anxiety is rooted in the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where children are seen as a blessing and a continuation of God's promises to His people.

Biblical Context

The anxiety for children among the Jews is evident throughout the Old Testament. The patriarchs, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, were deeply concerned about their offspring, as they were the bearers of God's covenant. In Genesis 15:2-3, Abraham expresses his concern to God about being childless, highlighting the importance of having descendants to inherit God's promises: "But Abram replied, 'Lord GOD, what can You give me, since I remain childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?'"

The Mosaic Law also reflects this concern, emphasizing the importance of teaching children about God's commandments and the history of Israel. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 instructs, "These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

Historical Examples

Throughout Israel's history, the anxiety for children is seen in various narratives. During the Babylonian exile, the Jews were particularly anxious about the future of their children in a foreign land. Psalm 137:3-4 captures this sentiment: "For there our captors requested a song; our tormentors demanded songs of joy: 'Sing us a song of Zion.' How can we sing a song of the LORD in a foreign land?"

The return from exile brought renewed hope and concern for the next generation. The prophet Malachi addresses the importance of family and the role of children in God's plan, emphasizing the need for faithfulness in marriage to produce godly offspring (Malachi 2:15).

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, Jewish anxiety for children continues, as seen in the ministry of Jesus. Parents often brought their children to Jesus for blessing and healing, reflecting their concern for their well-being. In Mark 10:13-16, Jesus welcomes the children, saying, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."

The early Christian community, rooted in Jewish tradition, also emphasized the importance of raising children in the faith. Ephesians 6:4 advises, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

Cultural and Theological Significance

The anxiety of the Jews for their children is deeply intertwined with their identity as God's chosen people. Children are seen as a heritage from the Lord (Psalm 127:3), and their upbringing is crucial for the continuation of faith and tradition. This concern is not merely cultural but theological, as it reflects the ongoing relationship between God and His people through successive generations.

The Jewish anxiety for children underscores the importance of family, education, and faithfulness to God's commandments. It serves as a reminder of the responsibility to nurture and guide the next generation in the ways of the Lord, ensuring the perpetuation of His covenantal promises.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 30:1
And when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said to Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 1:5,8
But to Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Song of the Three Children
... lesson; and because some of the old Jews held that ... been called 'The Song of the Three
Children;' for child ... him"had no manner of doubt or anxiety whatsoever as ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/the good news of god/sermon iv the song of.htm

Whether Christ's Birth was Made Known in a Becoming Order?
... country was to the east of the country of the Jews. ... for the time being desisted from
his anxiety to slay ... two years old, but also the younger children, would be ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christs birth was made.htm

The Restoration of the Jews.
... kept in a continual state of anxiety and terror ... The Jews were, however, all eager
to return ... multitude of families"men, women, and children together"burdened ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter ix the restoration of.htm

The Faith of Little Children.
... seriously thought of religion, was in intense anxiety and despair ... Other children
were added to the family, and one ... some of the gospel meetings for Jews, and was ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/the faith of little children.htm

The Holy Spirit Guiding the Believer into a Life as a Son.
... law concerning which Peter said to the Jews of his ... the bondage of rules and free
from the anxiety that we shall not go wrong, a life as children whose Father ...
/.../torrey/the person and work of the holy spirit/chapter xiv the holy spirit.htm

The Passover visit
... were present from all countries where the Jews were scattered ... And when their anxiety
was relieved, they had not ... respects was like that of other children, and it ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 8 the passover visit.htm

The Boy of Nazareth.
... of people went from all parts of the Jews' country, and ... thought He was walking with
the other children, or with ... the long, steep road full of fear and anxiety. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter iv the boy of.htm

Though Many Other Widows came Near to Judith in virtue...
... And for this reason it was not the people of the Jews but Jael who ... who is lost, regular
work, the care of the house, anxiety for children, frequently ward ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter viii though many other.htm

Matt. xxi. 12, 13
... this is a heavier charge against the Jews, that when ... able to publish the gospel,
the children anticipate them, and remove all their anxiety, teaching them ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxvii matt xxi 12.htm

The General Epistle of James
... that the brethren of our Lord were children of St. ... and so reassure the "myriads"
of Christian Jews who were ... we cannot help observing how well this anxiety of St ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xx the general epistle.htm