We’ve been talking about mothers of the Bible recently, anticipating Mother’s Day, but did you know that it’s traditional in Japan to have a Children’s Day as well? We think this is an excellent idea.
On Kauai, May 5, Children’s Day is celebrated with Koinobori, those beautiful Japanese koi carp flags.
Since we do think that children should be honored with their own day too, it inspired us to research what the Bible says about children, & not surprisingly there is quite a bit.
Of course we have the first children born to woman, Cain & Able, but there is much more. Also in Genesis, 33:5 we find a very small story about Jacob & his brother Esau & Jacob’s regard for women & children:
Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. “Who are these with you?” he asked. Jacob answered, “They are the children God has graciously given your servant.”
In Psalms 8:2 we are told how important it is to listen to & have the approval of our children:
Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.
Proverbs 22:6 advises us:
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
And we know how true this is. A good foundation in the Lord will serve a child for all the days of his life.
And advice to obey your mother in Proverbs 1:8-9:
8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.9 They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.
Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
