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 taken and raised up by 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!
Adoption: some call it “Plan B” but I see “God’s Plan.”
Unplanned pregnancies have occurred since the beginning of time. Many women, like myself, made a poor choice that cannot be undone – but God is gracious to forgive. If you or someone you love has suffered the heartache of abortion, my Bible study, Worthy of Love: A Journey of Hope and Healing After Abortion, is more than a Bible study. It’s a journey of hope – and a promise of healing.
“From the first chapter, this book touched me deeply . . . It is so beautifully written and Shadia intimately connects to others with her redeeming story. I am forever grateful for this study and the healing it has brought to my life. Shadia shows with scripture how much God loves us and that our true identity is in Him, not the choices we have made.” – Amazon review
You may also like my Bible study, HAGAR: Rediscovering the God Who Sees Me, based upon the “unplanned” pregnancy experienced by an Egyptian slave-girl, Hagar, whom God blesses with His presence and purpose! Watch promo video.
Shadia is a passionate Bible teacher, award-winning author and speaker who has a heart for seeing lives transformed by the power of God’s Word. She holds a master’s in biblical and theological studies from Western Seminary and is author of several books and Bible studies.
Esther was NOT adopted. She was raised by family and her heritage and name remained intact.
Moses was relinquished by his mother only under threat of death. Through that horrific crisis, God made of way for Moses to be nursed by his mother until he went to the palace for his education. When he reached adulthood, he rejected the riches of Pharoah and his “better life” and eventually returned to his roots.
Jesus may have been raised by an earthly father, but he knew his heavenly father as well. More importantly, he was never removed from his mother. God sent His son through a young, unwed teenager of meager means. If that happened today, Mary would be encouraged to “make an adoption plan” and surrender Jesus to strangers.
Let me give a few more examples:
When the prostitutes baby died and she tried to steal another prostitute’s baby, Solomon rightly judged that the woman who was willing to surrender her child to save him was the TRUE mother and returned the child to her.
Hannah prayed for a son and God opened her womb. He didn’t grant her someone else’s child. Samuel stayed with his mother until he was weaned and then went to live in the Temple with Eli. Eli raised Samuel, but did not adopt him, change his name, or deprive him of his heritage. Samuel knew who his family was.
God had promised Sarah that she would have a child. She doubted God’s timing and promise and took matters into her own hands, offering her hand maiden to her husband. Once Sarah had her own baby, she grew so resentful toward Hagar and Ishmael that she had them sent away.
The Adoption the Paul is talking about is a SPIRITUAL adoption, not a physical one. Adoption at that time was done when ADULT MALES were adopted by rich families to leave an inheritance. Paul is saying that we are similarly adopted and share in Christ’s inheritance. This has nothing to do with separating infants from their families. There are entire chapters and passages of scripture devoted to blood lines and heritage. Infant adoption IS NOT biblical!
Thank you, Jackie, for your comments. You have a wonderful grasp of the literal aspect of adoption in biblical times. However, like all Scripture, many major themes in God’s Word include both a literal and figurative meaning.
While the stories I shared are not literal, legal adoptions, they nonetheless capture God’s heart for the beautiful truths underlying adoption, such as love and protection, as well as – and most importantly- God’s sovereignty.
These stories help us to remind us of God’s sovereignty in the affairs of mankind and human history. Each story reveals God’s hand in the events and the wonderful purposes unfolding according to His will.
I love Psalm 139:16, which reminds us, “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” The Hebrew Word “formed” is not passive, it actually means formed with a purpose. What a beautiful reminder! God orchestrated the lives of Moses and Esther (and of course Jesus, Who is God Himself) – each was raised by a non-biological parent, for a season, according to God’s own sovereign plan and will to accomplish His wonderful purposes.
““… I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’”
(Isaiah 46:9-10 ESV)
Bless you, Jackie. I hope this helps shed some light on where I am coming from.
In Christ’s love,
Shadia
Hi Shadia. I really like your explanation. It makes me wanting to adopt more and more. Unfortunately, my husband is not ready. What should I do with this burden of wanting to adopt and my spouse does not? Is this burden from God or just my fantasy of having another child to be my daughter s sister?
Blessings, Ramy. Thank you for writing. God often places burdens on our hearts, but as you shared, sometimes we are uncertain as to exactly how to respond. Adoption is a huge commitment and Unless/until God burdens the heart of your husband to take this step with you, you may want to pray about other ways you can minister to children in need of a permanent home in the meantime, such as volunteering and/or supporting ministries that are involved in foster care or serving underprivileged families or even volunteering at your local life-affirming pregnancy care clinic. These are just a few examples. In the meantime, pray for your husband and for God to make His will clear to both of you and give you unity. At the same time, we know that God’s heart is drawn to the hurting and vulnerable, especially children (James 1:27). Offering to serve these children or participate or offer support to ministries that do serve these children is something you can do right now. Ask God to guide you in the next step and see where God leads you. May He guide you and your husband on the wonderful path He has carved out just for you – and for His great glory!