Depending upon your point of view, planet earth's first family was either Adam and Eve or a part of a prehistoric group of people who lived more than 300,000 years ago. If you hold to the prehistoric view, then it is also suggested that families began because of the infant's need of care and the mother's ability to nurse the child.

Concerning more modern times we read, "The family in western culture developed from the traditions of the ancient Hebrews and other patriarchal societies." The World Book Encyclopedia, 1984, volume 7, page 25. Simply stated, we find the evidence of the beginnings of families in the Bible. It was the direct leading of God that gave the ancient Hebrews their family values.

Certainly, the family has to have been be part of the Creator's master plan. It is through the family that necessary and important information about life and living is passed on from parents to children, from generation to generation. And, a part of that information that is passed on is called culture.

Culture, for the most part, is something that exists only in human families. It is knowledge that is learned and shared through the family unit. Indeed, the most distinguishing thing that separates man from animals is culture. People develop beliefs, values and attitudes and pass these on through their families. For instance, the Mc Donald's restaurant chain sells billions and billions of beef patties worldwide. However, in India, where Hindus believe that animals have souls, the cow is their most sacred animal (hence the term "holy cow"). The idea of eating beef, by devout Hindus, is unthinkable. It's a part of their culture.

Other examples include eating dogs, horses and even bats! On the other hand, some people are even vegetarians and eat no meat at all. Around the planet, human beings are physically very much the same, but culturally they are quite different, depending upon what has been passed down through the family unit. It seems obvious that the family is an important part of God's Creation. The evidence seems very clear that God invented the family. It is a special gift to the human race through which we can pass on our beliefs, attitudes and values. The existence of the family unit even in the most primitive societies is just another example of God's wisdom for the betterment of mankind. Unfortunately, the system doesn't always work as well as intended. There are weak links in the chain as the following poem illustrates.

THREE MONKEYS IN A COCONUT TREE
Three monkeys sat in a coconut tree discussing things as they're said to be.
Said one to the other, now listen you two, there's a certain rumor that can't be true. They say humans were descended from our noble race.*
The very idea is a shocking disgrace.
Never did a monkey desert his wife, starve her babies and ruin her life.
And never did a mother turn into a joker that neglects her babies and plays video poker.
And another thing, you'll never see---is a monkey building a fence around a coconut tree.
We wouldn't even think of letting the coconuts go to waste, forbidding all other monkeys even a taste.
Here's another thing a monkey won't do, he won't go out at night , get drunk and carouse and fight.
They call all this pleasure, and make a big fuss. They've descended from something, said the monkey, but not from us! Adapted

* Actually, evolutionists content that humans descend from primates in general, not specifically monkeys.

Blessings in your study of God's Word!

Marvin Hunt

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Blessings!
Marvin Hunt

Http://www.biblehistory.com

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