The concept of broken families is a significant theme in the Bible, reflecting the consequences of sin, human frailty, and the need for divine intervention and redemption. Throughout Scripture, we see examples of families experiencing division, conflict, and separation, often as a result of disobedience to God's commandments or personal failings.

Biblical Examples of Broken Families

1. Adam and Eve: The first family experienced brokenness when Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). Their sin led to a curse upon the ground and introduced pain and suffering into the world, affecting their descendants. The first recorded act of violence in the Bible, Cain's murder of Abel, further illustrates the brokenness within the family (Genesis 4:8).

2. Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar: The family of Abraham faced division when Sarah, unable to bear children, gave her maidservant Hagar to Abraham to produce an heir. This decision led to jealousy and strife between Sarah and Hagar, resulting in Hagar's temporary expulsion (Genesis 16:1-6; 21:9-14).

3. Jacob and Esau: The relationship between Jacob and Esau was marked by deceit and rivalry. Jacob's deception to receive Isaac's blessing intended for Esau led to a long-standing enmity between the brothers (Genesis 27:41). Their eventual reconciliation (Genesis 33) highlights the potential for healing in broken families.

4. David and Absalom: King David's family experienced significant turmoil, particularly in his relationship with his son Absalom. Absalom's rebellion against David and his subsequent death brought great sorrow to David, illustrating the deep pain of familial discord (2 Samuel 15-18).

Causes of Family Brokenness

The Bible identifies several causes of broken families, including:

· Sin and Disobedience: Sin is the root cause of brokenness in families. Disobedience to God's commands often leads to division and strife, as seen in the accounts of Adam and Eve and David's family.

· Jealousy and Rivalry: Jealousy and rivalry can create significant rifts within families, as demonstrated in the relationships between Sarah and Hagar, and Jacob and Esau.

· Lack of Forgiveness: Unforgiveness can perpetuate brokenness, preventing reconciliation and healing. The Bible encourages forgiveness as a means to restore relationships (Ephesians 4:32).

Biblical Teachings on Family Restoration

The Bible offers guidance and hope for restoring broken families through principles such as love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Key teachings include:

· Love and Unity: The Bible emphasizes the importance of love and unity within the family. Ephesians 5:25 instructs husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church, while Colossians 3:14 encourages believers to "put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity."

· Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Forgiveness is essential for healing broken relationships. Jesus taught the importance of forgiveness in Matthew 6:14-15, stating, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."

· Parental Responsibility: Parents are called to raise their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). This responsibility includes teaching children about God's love and the importance of maintaining healthy relationships.

· Prayer and Dependence on God: Prayer is a powerful tool for seeking God's guidance and healing in broken families. James 5:16 encourages believers to pray for one another, highlighting the effectiveness of prayer in bringing about restoration.

Conclusion

While the Bible presents numerous examples of broken families, it also offers hope and guidance for healing and restoration. Through love, forgiveness, and reliance on God's grace, families can overcome division and experience reconciliation.Revelation 21:4
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Topicalbible.org

1 Peter 5:7
Casting all your care on him; for he cares for you.
Topicalbible.org

The Broken Fence
... and I feel greatly distressed because I know that very many Christian families neglect
it. ... of Protestantism, and my prayer is that these may not be broken down ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the broken fence.htm

1869-1870. Emigration of Families --A visitor's Impressions --The ...
... to Canada by Miss Macpherson, and were at first unavoidably placed in families residing
at ... Oh, broken was the prayer we prayed, Scarce could we raise the hymn ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter ii 1869-1870 emigration of.htm

Hillis -- God the Unwearied Guide
... Primarily, this glorious outburst was addrest to the exiles as heads of families.
The father's strength was broken and his children had been crusht and ground ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/hillis god the unwearied.htm

D. The Fourth Period. Ch. 9:1-50
... We must allow no broken fragments to be lost; some families could live on what other
families waste; then, too, the followers of Christ must learn a true ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/d the fourth period ch.htm

Letter xxxiii. (AD 396. )
... sought. You see how great and miserable is the calamity by which the peace
of Christian homes and families is broken. Husbands and ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter xxxiii a d 396.htm

The Life of Mr. John M'Clelland.
... that Mr. Guthrie should preach up the duty of religious exercise in families, and
that ... oath that he hath despised, and my covenant that he hath broken, even it ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr john 6.htm

The Sins of Communities Noted and Punished.
... Morals are as necessary to larger communities as to families, or individuals, alike ...
about an hundred and thirty years after "Ephraim was broken that he was not ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxix the sins of.htm

Chapter xliii
... They have not, however, consciously broken with their sin, nor has it actually been
overcome ... we may keep alive and not die, both we, and thou, and our families. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xliii.htm

The People's Christ
... Families, where certainly there is not a monopoly of intelligence or prudence, seems
to ... only bed was their fodder, and his slumbers were often broken by their ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the peoples christ.htm

How David Prevailed.
Broken Bread. <. ... Is it not true that the armies of the alien are robbing our
families and churches, plundering us of the results of years of toil? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/xxxiv how david prevailed.htm

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