Topical Encyclopedia
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 Examples1.
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 Examples1.
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 InsightsFamily 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 ApplicationFor 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 27:10When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
Topicalbible.orgIsaiah 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 therejection
of Joseph, and the final salvation of the wholefamily through him...
Christ Our High Priest.
... priest on earth, because the Aaronic priesthood was then in force, and He was not
of the Aaronicfamily.... It is an insult to God, because arejection of His Son...
"But they are Gods to Us," You Say. ...
... You despise, therefore, those whom you thus reject; for in yourrejection of them,
it... Thefamily deities you call Lares, you exercise a domestic authority over...
The Nobleman's Son.
... as in verse 44 by John, and in each case refers to therejection of Christ... exalted
claims of the boy who had grown up in the humble carpenter'sfamily, whom it...
Who are My Brethren?
... Every step in therejection of Christ is a step toward therejection of salvation...
of kindness and love, and He appreciated tender regard in thefamily relation....
Rejected in his Own Country
... From our Lord's own commentary upon theirrejection we learn to beware of... Nazareth
could not discern the divinity of "the carpenter," whosefamily lived quiet...
The Sedition of Corah and of the Multitude against Moses, and...
... From TheRejection Of That Generation To The Death Of Moses.... 2. Corah, a Hebrew of
principal account, both by hisfamily and by his wealth, one that was also...
Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... for whose comfort this sketch is made"far from her noblefamily and rich... it is not
the possession of riches that is praiseworthy but therejection of them...
The vision
... of the Jews should bring salvation to the Gentiles, and theirrejection should be...
sealed, the number twelve is a mark of the apostolicalfamily, which denotes...
The Eccentricity of Religion
... of a man's religion, indeed, is to be gauged by the degree of hisrejection by the...
His sake." It was the position of honour, as it were, in thefamily of God...
Resources
What does the Bible say about family? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about family conflict? | GotQuestions.orgHow does the Bible define a good Christian family? | GotQuestions.orgFamily: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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