The day of the Lord draws near. The judgment which will end this present time of God’s long suffering approaches. The flood of wrath which will soon sweep over this earth, piles up like the held-back Jordan of old.
Worse than the fiery storm which overthrew the cities of the plain, gathers speedily. In view of this day, let us briefly trace some of the ways of God towards the families of His people in past times of special judgments.
The principle of “Thou and thy house” is not confined to our present gospel era, though, doubtless, it finds fresh force in this day of grace, and the privilege of “Thy house” is greater to us than it ever was to believers of the days of law, or of the still earlier times.
Noah, the preacher of righteousness, the foreteller of the old ungodly world’s overthrow, was not saved alone. The covenant was established with him only, but the blessing of salvation extended also to his family.
“Everything that is on the earth shall die; but thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons and thy wife, and thy son’s wives with thee” (Gen. 6:17-18).
Rahab, who perished not with disobedient, ungodly Jericho, was not saved alone; her prayer for her relatives was heard.
“Thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father’s household home unto thee.” (Josh. 2:16).
At the time of the exodus of Israel the “little ones” went out from captivity as well as the grown persons.
“We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons, and with our daughters” (Ex. 10:9). And in vain did the enemy seek to hold the families of God’s redeemed people.
Again, upon the eve of the destruction of the cities of the plain, the word came to Lot,
“Hast thou here any besides? Son-in-law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place, for we will destroy this place” (Gen. 19:12).
These gracious and encouraging testimonies should stir up our faith in this gospel-day, to lay firm hold upon the largeness of the word,
“Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:31).
“Bring them up in the nurture and admonitions of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).
“Thou shalt teach them (these words) diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest in the way, and when thou risest up.” (Deut. 6:6-7).