Adoption. What a beautiful concept. And it was God’s idea! It is how God chose to create a family for Himself to be the object of His eternal love and affection (Ephesians 1:5; Romans 8:15). In fact, all throughout history, God has woven adoption into His divine plan.
Consider Esther: A young Jewish girl was taken into exile along with her family to Babylon where she was adopted by her elder cousin Mordecai who, “had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.” (Esther 2:7). This girl would become Queen Esther whom God used to facilitate the deliverance of her people. While an evil advisor was hell-bent on exterminating them, Ether’s wise adopted father challenged her with these famous words,
“And who knows if perhaps you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)
How about Moses: Born at a time when the Pharaoh of Egypt, fearing a rebellion, put to death all newborn Israelite boys. But baby Moses escaped when he was adopted by the Pharaoh’s own daughter. In time, God would use Moses to deliver the entire nation of Israel from slavery.
“The cry of the people of Israel has reached me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them. Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.” (Exodus 3:9-10)
And Jesus! Even Jesus was adopted! When Joseph learned Mary was pregnant (and knew the child wasn’t his), he hoped to spare her a scandal and planned to call off the engagement. But God came to Joseph in a dream.
“As Joseph considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. ‘Joseph, son of David,’ the angel said, ‘do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’” (Matthew 1:20-21)
And so Joseph took Mary as his wife.
Long before time began, God planned a rescue mission. And throughout history, He has weaved adoption into His salvation story.
“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.” (Galatians 4:4-7)
Praise our Lord for His kindness and goodness and that He chooses to adopt us into His loving embrace!
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