What Does The Bible Say About Adopting A Child? By definition or in meaningful words, adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting of another, usually a child, from that person’s biological or parents or legal parents. 1 Timothy 5:8 says, “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” The Bible encourages and commands parents to take responsibility for providing for their relatives and households. Sadly, we are in a world where stories of mothers, fathers, and parents as a whole maltreating and/or killing their children for one reason to another are alarming. In fact, child abandonment is not something that is strange in this world. We regularly hear stories of some women/mothers giving birth and abandoning their children. Some of these children end up dying while others are rescued.
Pertaining to all these, giving up children for adoption can be a loving alternative for those parents who may, for several reasons, be unable to care for their own children. Many couples who have not been able to have children of their own see adoption as a blessing. Adoption is, for some couples, a godly calling to multiply their impact as parents by expanding their family with children who are not biologically their own. Notice that adoption is spoken of favorably throughout Scripture. God’s adoption of mankind through Christ is the heart of the Gospel.
Galatians 4:4-8 says, “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, …“
What Does The Bible Say About Adopting A Child?
What Does Scripture Say About Adoption?
The most meaningful, strongest, and deepest foundation of adoption is located not in the act of humans adopting humans, but in God adopting humans. God’s act of adopting humans through Christ is at the heart of the Gospel. In fact, Galatians 4:4-8 is as central a Gospel statement as there is: “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.“
In addition to using the concept of adoption to explain how He saved us or how we became part of His family, the Lord God makes use of the language of New Birth in Jesus Christ. John 1:9-13 says, “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” Amazingly, the Lord God chose to speak of us as adopted as well as children by a new birth through Christ.
Where is Adoption first mentioned in the Bible?
The first time we clearly read about adoption in the Bible is in Exodus 2. Fascinatingly, Israel’s great leader, Moses who brought them out of captivity and into the Promised Land was adopted. Before his birth, a wicked and evil Pharaoh decreed that all Jewish male children who were born should be thrown into the Nile River. Think about the number of children that were killed. Many innocent lives were taken before they were able to even have a chance at life. Behold, Moses was born into a world where being a male baby was a dangerous thing. God’s solution to this killing in the case of Moses was adoption. Moses was hidden on the riverbed and risked dying. It’s amazing how our sovereign and loving God orchestrated it so he would be saved. Moses was rescued by Pharaoh’s daughter and lived in the palace (Exodus 2:5-10; Acts 7:21).
Adoption in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible
In the New Testament, several Apostles of Christ make use of the term “adoption” to describe our salvation or right to belong to God’s Family and as such be called children of God in Christ. Galatians 4:4-5 says, “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.” In the Old Testament, the word “adoption” does not appear. The legal aspects of adoption were not outlined in the Jewish Law, but it was likely practiced; as observed in the life of Moses and also in the story of Esther (Esther 2:7). Notice that adoption in the Bible incorporates both a legal aspect and a spiritual aspect. Legally, it’s simply having a new family. Spiritually, it’s a beautiful picture of our Salvation.
Adoption Stories in the Bible (Who was Adopted in the Bible?)
As previously mentioned, the story of Moses is the very first time where adoption is clearly portrayed in the Bible. Nonetheless, in the Old Testament, we see other examples of adoption. Esther who became queen was adopted by her uncle (Esther 2:7), Mordecai. Another example is that of the children of Israel. On several occasions, the Lord God refers to Himself as their “Father” (Isaiah 1:2; Hosea 11:1). And today, He is a Father to all those who come to Him through Christ. In the New Testament, we find an amazing example of Adoption. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was adopted by Joseph. Notice that Mary’s husband, Joseph, was not Jesus’ true Father but the Holy Spirit was (Matthew 1:18). Knowing this, Joseph still took Jesus in as his own. What an example of adoption we have here!
What does the Bible say about Adoption and Orphans?
Before the world was created or from the very beginning, adoption was in God’s plan. And as such, the Lord God has had a lot to say about adoption. Let’s take a look at a few Biblical verses in order to understand what God is saying about Orphans and Adoption:
1) God is a Father to the Fatherless and He Cares for Lonely Children (Psalm 68:5-6)
Psalm 68:5-6 says, “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.“
2) God Defends the Fatherless (Deuteronomy 10:18)
Deuteronomy 10:18 says, “He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing.“
3) God Commands us to Care for Orphans (James 1:27)
James 1:27 says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.“
4) Welcoming and Caring for Children is Welcoming and Caring for Jesus Christ (Matthew 18:5)
Matthew 18:5 says, “And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.“
5) Participating in Orphan Care is a Christian Duty (Isaiah 1:17)
Isaiah 1:17 says, “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.“
6) It’s a Christian duty to stand for the rights of the silent, weak, and vulnerable in society (Proverbs 31:8)
Proverbs 31:8 says, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.“
7) Adoption is the heart of the Holy Gospel (Ephesians 1:5)
Ephesians 1:5 says, “He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.“
8) The Lord God watches over Orphans (Psalm 146:9)
Psalm 146:9 says, “The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.“
9) It’s our Christian duty to Love and Care for one another (Matthew 25:40)
Matthew 25:40 says, “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’“
John 15:12 says, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
Mark 12:30-31 says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
10) Through Jesus Christ we are made Children of God (Galatians 4:4-5)
Galatians 4:4-5 says, “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.”
John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Matthew 12:50 says, “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
Biblical Facts from Adoption Stories in the Bible
1) Moses in the Biblical Book of Exodus was Adopted (Exodus 2)
Although adoption may be hard, it may turn out to be the best choice for you and your child. Notice that this was the case with Moses and his parents. Moses was born at a time when Pharaoh had ordered the killing of every Hebrew son. Fearful for her son’s life, Jochebed hid him in a basket made of reeds and left him on the riverbed, knowing that the Pharaoh’s daughter came to bathe there. As hoped, Pharaoh’s daughter found the baby when she came to wash at the river. She took the baby into her family to raise him as her own, giving him the name Moses. Later on, Moses grew up to be Israel’s leader and a faithful servant of God.
Moses is most commonly known for leading the Exodus of the Israelites out of captivity in Egypt and across the Red Sea after which he received the famous Ten (10) Commandments from God. From the tale or Biblical account of Moses, we clearly observe that even though Jochebed’s decision was not easy, she knew and clearly understood what the best choice was for her beloved son. Thanks to her brave decision, Moses grew up to serve the Lord God and his people as an important leader and prophet.
2) Esther’s Transformation from Orphan to Queen (Esther 2)
There are situations in which adoption can give your child his or her best chance as was the case with Esther. Sadly, it so happen that tragedy struck Esther at an early age. Following the death of both parents, she became an orphan. Luckily for Esther, her cousin, Mordecai, lovingly invited her into his family through adoption. This very act gave her a new chance at life. Later on, she got married to the king who was enchanted by her beauty.
However, following a disagreement with Mordecai, the king decided to not only kill Mordecai but also, the entire Jewish community. At this point, Esther who was the queen was forced to bravely plead with her husband, the king, to spare her people. She clearly knew that going before the king without invitation might mean losing her own life. But, after pleading for the safety of the Jewish people, the king gave her a listening ear and removed the death sentence. We see in this story how the Lord God was able to work through Esther and bring deliverance to the Jewish people. Notice that all of these would have likely not been possible if it were not for Mordecai. If it were not for the love of her adopted parents, Esther would not have been given a fair chance and could not have freed her people.
3) Joseph Accepted Jesus as his own (Matthew 1)
The godly and/or right adoptive parents would love and treat your child as their own as was the case with Jesus. They will teach your child the ways of God in line with Deuteronomy 11:18-19: “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” In Matthew 1:18, Jesus Christ was born from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary. Notice that even though Jesus was not his son, Joseph, a godly man, adopted Jesus as if He was his own.
Joseph together with Mary raised Jesus Christ and became part of the story that changed the whole world. In Joseph’s obedience and faithfulness to the Lord God, he cared for, supported, protected, and loved baby Jesus just as a natural father would do for his own. When king Herod wanted to kill baby Jesus, Joseph and Mary protected Him by fleeing with Him to Egypt. This incredible example shows the extent to which a godly adoptive parent loves an adopted child as their own.
4) The Lord God Adopts us into His Spiritual Family (Ephesians 1:5)
Behold, the Bible is the greatest story of adoption! Ephesians 1:5 says, “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great delight.” Brethren, the Gospel is the story of adoption. As Christians, we are all adopted into God’s spiritual family as His children. Through Christ, we are welcomed with love into God’s family. The Bible clearly makes use of the term “adoption” to portray what God has done for us through Jesus Christ.
What Does The Bible Say About Adopting A Child?
Ephesians 1:5 – “He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,”
James 1:27 – “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”
Matthew 18:5 – “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me,“
Galatians