Adoption
I have always loved reading about verses on our adoption as children of God. One reason is it shows God's infinite love for us, reaching out to us and claiming us has His. But on a much more personal note, I was adopted by my father. I will never forget the day my dad asked me if he could be my dad, it's one of the best moments in my life. Lately, I've been going over what Paul meant when he said we are being adopted as sons and daughters. What did an adoption process look like in Biblical times? Who were considered adoptable people? So for the first time I think ever, I did non-school related research!
The first thing I looked for was who were considered adoptable people? In most cultures of the day people adopted for two reasons; 1) They had no children of their own and 2) The couples were very old and needed more people to help with tending land properties, and such. In Jewish culture and most others, not having children was a black mark against you, it was commonly considered that you must have sinned against the gods, or God, and were being punished. Many times, Jewish men would take a slave women and make a child with her. That child would then be the "heir" to the family fortune even if they weren't a true heir. Some families adopted grown people (mostly slaves) into their family for just an act of goodwill. In return for serving the family, the slave would then be freed and might even receive a portion of land but was in no way considered a true heir. Their freedom was their reward.
When an adoption was made in the Old Testament times, it was done by simple verbal declaration and witnesses to prove it, writing wasn't really common yet. The father would have to declare that the child or adult was from then on his son. Then the new "son" would have to declare that the father was now his father. That makes a lot of God's interaction with Abraham, Moses, Noah, etc more sensible. He told them numerous times and in many different ways, Leviticus 23:12 (NIV), "I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people." Jeremiah 30:22(NIV) "So you will be my people, and I will be your God." So an adoption will little more than a covenant between two parties. Now it was contingent upon the "son" agreeing to the adoption. Examples of this pepper the Old Testament especially, Hosea 8:2 (NIV), Israel cries out to me, 'Our God, we acknowledge you!' 2 Samuel 22:32 (NIV), For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? An important thing to note is that these verbal adoptions could be nullified through another declaration by either party, knowing that I wonder how many of the "adoptions" were based on fear instead of love?
Even though the word adoption was a Greek word, there are a couple reasons why Paul used the word adoption in his writings. 1) He was writing to Gentiles, the Romans and Greeks spoke mostly Greek and it was the main writing language of the known world. 2) By using the Greek word, hiuothesia, Paul adds to the concept of traditional Jewish adoption. The word hiuothesia, literally means "To place as a son," which in that day meant that child was entirely taken in by the new family. Every right and responsibility of that family was given along with inheritance that only true sons get. Here's the best part, to be adopted in this fashion was irreversible! This form of adoption was permanent, no heated declaration by either party could take that away. By using this form of the word adoption, Paul is stating that God's acceptance of us into His family was complete and irreversible. Kind of takes Galations 4:5 (TPT), Yet all of this was so that he would redeem and set free all those held hostage to the written law so that we would receive our freedom and a full legal adoption as his children, to a whole new level!
As a person who has been adopted by an earthly father, I get the concept of accepting a new identity, with a new last name and new (part) family. I was and still am thrilled by the fact that someone wanted to be my dad. I find it (almost) funny that I struggle to accept this same extension of love from my Heavenly father. But realizing that God extends His irrevocable adoption to us and invites to us to become one of His family, that He wants us to be in His family, is mind-blowing to me! Each time I begin to wonder about whether I am allowed a place in the family; like a good Father, He shows me again and again that I am His daughter, entitled to every part of the family!
The first thing I looked for was who were considered adoptable people? In most cultures of the day people adopted for two reasons; 1) They had no children of their own and 2) The couples were very old and needed more people to help with tending land properties, and such. In Jewish culture and most others, not having children was a black mark against you, it was commonly considered that you must have sinned against the gods, or God, and were being punished. Many times, Jewish men would take a slave women and make a child with her. That child would then be the "heir" to the family fortune even if they weren't a true heir. Some families adopted grown people (mostly slaves) into their family for just an act of goodwill. In return for serving the family, the slave would then be freed and might even receive a portion of land but was in no way considered a true heir. Their freedom was their reward.
When an adoption was made in the Old Testament times, it was done by simple verbal declaration and witnesses to prove it, writing wasn't really common yet. The father would have to declare that the child or adult was from then on his son. Then the new "son" would have to declare that the father was now his father. That makes a lot of God's interaction with Abraham, Moses, Noah, etc more sensible. He told them numerous times and in many different ways, Leviticus 23:12 (NIV), "I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people." Jeremiah 30:22(NIV) "So you will be my people, and I will be your God." So an adoption will little more than a covenant between two parties. Now it was contingent upon the "son" agreeing to the adoption. Examples of this pepper the Old Testament especially, Hosea 8:2 (NIV), Israel cries out to me, 'Our God, we acknowledge you!' 2 Samuel 22:32 (NIV), For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? An important thing to note is that these verbal adoptions could be nullified through another declaration by either party, knowing that I wonder how many of the "adoptions" were based on fear instead of love?
Even though the word adoption was a Greek word, there are a couple reasons why Paul used the word adoption in his writings. 1) He was writing to Gentiles, the Romans and Greeks spoke mostly Greek and it was the main writing language of the known world. 2) By using the Greek word, hiuothesia, Paul adds to the concept of traditional Jewish adoption. The word hiuothesia, literally means "To place as a son," which in that day meant that child was entirely taken in by the new family. Every right and responsibility of that family was given along with inheritance that only true sons get. Here's the best part, to be adopted in this fashion was irreversible! This form of adoption was permanent, no heated declaration by either party could take that away. By using this form of the word adoption, Paul is stating that God's acceptance of us into His family was complete and irreversible. Kind of takes Galations 4:5 (TPT), Yet all of this was so that he would redeem and set free all those held hostage to the written law so that we would receive our freedom and a full legal adoption as his children, to a whole new level!
As a person who has been adopted by an earthly father, I get the concept of accepting a new identity, with a new last name and new (part) family. I was and still am thrilled by the fact that someone wanted to be my dad. I find it (almost) funny that I struggle to accept this same extension of love from my Heavenly father. But realizing that God extends His irrevocable adoption to us and invites to us to become one of His family, that He wants us to be in His family, is mind-blowing to me! Each time I begin to wonder about whether I am allowed a place in the family; like a good Father, He shows me again and again that I am His daughter, entitled to every part of the family!
That was beautifully written great job !!!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
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