IRJ#21-QR
Loving One’s Offspring: The True Importance of Family
An interesting concept that lies in the bible is that of love. Love is not strewn about loosely in the bible and the first instance when it is used is when “[Isaac] took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her.” ( Gen. 24.67)
Before this, many men had wives and knew them but the author of the Bible had not said “loved” before this verse. The author writes love in this instance because he chooses to emphasize the relationship Isaac and Rebekah had with each other. It may be that Isaac is the chosen descendant of Abraham but it definitely shows that love resides between him and Rebekah.
A reason that love is not used frequently in the bible may be that many men only had wives for children. Being “fruitful” is an important thing throughout the bible and back then it may have been the main reason for marriage. Descendants and taking women were common things God suggested in his dreams to profits. As a covenant, he told Abraham that he and his family would be fruitful.
This wanting of offspring to be successfull remains in society today. When I asked my father what he wanted most in life he answered “All I want is for you to be successfull and lead a happy life.” As you can see, for centuries and centuries, the most important thing in society is loving your children.
I agree with you that loving one’s children has taken an important role in society. But, many other things remain just as important such as being aware of others. We overlook others too often because we pay too much attention to ourselves. Many times we act impetuously, only thinking about how our actions will affect ourselves.
The Bible may say that Isaac “loved” Rebekah, but this possesses no true meaning. Did he love her for the children she would bear him? Did he love her because of her beauty? Would Isaac give up everything for Rebekah? This motif occurs so many times in the Bible that it is difficult to detect genuine love and caring.
People who look to improve the well being of others receive more satisfaction than those searching to ameliorate their own lives. They grow proud of their good deeds, and this satisfaction motivates them to continue to act in morally correct ways. Since others can inspire us easily through their loving actions, we strive to emulate them.