Bibledoorajar Considers the Disposal of Children

     I recently saw a report about families in India who give their daughters, some as young as eight or nine, in marriage to young boys. Some of these girls had be be carried into the wedding ceremony by their fathers as they cried out for their mothers. Needless to say, I was shocked and appalled by this practice. The children's lives were being molded by a social convention that has apparently gone on in India for many years.  One mother said that she too had married young and that her crying daughter would adjust. I'm sure that either adjustment or acceptance will be the case since the bride is expected to bear children just as soon as she reaches puberty. The only bright spot was the child couple would continue to live with boy's parents while they grew into their roles. At least I can be assured that they will be fed and clothed and I hope many mature into a happy marriage. This report underscores the importance of how parents dispose of their children. I certainly hope that Christian parents are doing all they can to dispose of their offspring in a way that will increase their furtherance in the kingdom of God.
     We begin the story of Rebecca with a father's desire to secure a good wife for his son. Abraham had been called out of his home land by the grace of God. In Canaan, he had achieved old age. He longed for his son Isaac to have a good wife as God had advised him that it would be through Isaac that His purposes would be continued. The future was at stake. He wanted a marriage that would
be open to God and one in which Isaac and his wife would be recipients of God's blessings.
     God, the Father, has also acted on behalf of His Son. He is securing and maturing a bride to be a suitable match for Him. She is being called to leave one kingdom for another. The Son prepares "many mansions" while He waits on the timing of the marriage, a decision reached only by the Father. Everyday, somewhere in the world, He calls for someone to agree to this wonderfully arranged relationship. He loves this "faraway bride" so much that He is helping us in our infirmities by giving us traits that we will need in our future life.

                                    "We are one in the bond of love,
                                     We are one in the bond of love,
                                     We have joined our spirits with the Spirit of God
                                     We are one in the bond of love."

                                                                   Otis Skillings