Throughout the Bible, we see how God designed the family to be the primary building block of the community of faith and society as a whole. The husband-wife and parent-child relationships are the two most vital human relationships, only becoming more important when we understand how each parallels our relationship with God.

It can be easy for us to look at the bigger picture of how God used this family – even through their adversity – to fulfill His promises and glorify Himself. That is certainly true, but at the same time, we need to step into this family’s pain with them. We must remember these were real people who were part of a real family, falling apart at the seams. We need to remember this because it is the reality for many families today – maybe even your own. We must remember God’s ideal for the family and what we might experience are often driven apart by sin – ours and/or others. But at the same time, we remember reconciliation is at the heart of the Gospel. Reconciliation between us and God, and between spouses, parents and children, and siblings in broken families.

• Where do you want God to bring healing and reconciliation in your family or in other close relationships?