Family The House

Family

The House

In Hebrew the word family is bayith meaning house

The root word is banah which means to build

In the Old Testament the family was those of one household

This was not only the blood line

But the slaves and servants were all part of the family

The imagery of the family is that of a house

With the imagery of a house where are you at?

How would God’s architectural design help you?

How can you infuse those areas with love?

 

The House

In Hebrew the word family

is bayith meaning house.

The root word is banah

which means to build.

In the Old Testament the family

was those of one household.

This was not only the blood line

but the slaves and servants

were all part of the family.

The imagery of the family is that of a house.

Houses have to be built.

Houses need a foundation.

Houses give shelter.

Houses come in all sizes.

Houses have different architectural design.

Houses can be built in different locations.

Houses can be added on to.

Houses take on the character of the occupants.

Houses need maintenance.

Houses need cleaning.

You could change the word house to

family in this list and it would fit perfectly.

If you were to look at your

family as a house, what

would you most appreciate?

What areas of the house

needs attention now?

Are you just building the family? …

 Then your foundation and future

vision are most important.

Are you older and have

lots of family members? …

 Then you will see maintenance needs

and remodeling as your memories

remain and others take more responsibility.

What you bring into a house

greatly affects the house.

Sandy and I entertained large

groups, sometimes over 100 people.

This meant preparations to the house

as well as repairs and cleaning.

The life of some items in the house

needed attention sooner than normal.

 Shortly after Sandy and I got married

we got a dash hound named, Snooker.

Snooker was full of love and a

good dog when we were home.

But when we were gone…

 He pulled the stuffing out of the couch.

Pulled up the carpeting and T.P. the house.

We did not get rid of the dog,

but did have to lock

him up when we left.    

I am glad Sandy and I had 2 years

before Sarah, our first child, was born.

In those two years, we learned

to establish house etiquette.

Our children and those who

lived with us followed our lead.

Our lead was always a work for progress

as new challenges arose, but

the foundation stayed the same.

Our Heavenly Father was very

specific about building His House…

Whether it was Moses, Solomon, Ezekiel.

We, too, should be very specific

about building our family.

Lay a firm foundation of Jesus Christ.

Build by bringing out the finest,

strongest and most beautiful

aspects of each member.

Be disciplined.

 Be a house of discipline, so

chaos will not overcome order.

But most of all remember two things…

God the Father’s Family is glorious

in riches and strength because it is

“Rooted and established in love”.

Ephesians 3:14-21

Secondly…

Unless the LORD builds the house,

its builders labor in vain.

 Psalms 127

Make the Lord the Architect of your family.

With the imagery of a house, where are you at?

How would God’s architectural design help you?

 How can you infuse those areas with love?

Scripture Reading

Ephesians 3:14-21 NIV

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Psalm 127:1-128:1 NIV

Unless the LORD builds the house,

its builders labor in vain.

Unless the LORD watches over the city,

the watchmen stand guard in vain.

2 In vain you rise early

and stay up late,

toiling for food to eat —

for he grants sleep to those he loves.

3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD,

children a reward from him.

4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior

are sons born in one's youth.

5 Blessed is the man

whose quiver is full of them.

They will not be put to shame

when they contend with their enemies in the gate.