I’m sure we are all aware of how the institution of the family is under threat these days. It’s a disgrace how people live. Many people live together without bothering to get married. Many people have children without getting married. Children end up being raised by single parents, which leads to all manner of social problems.

Some of these problems happen because people make sinful decisions. But some family problems happen through the providence of God. Some families experience the untimely death of a spouse, and the family has to carry on without that person.

Deut 25:5-10 provides some details about what to do in a very particular set of circumstances. A family tragedy has happened; a married man dies before he has had the chance to have any children. The man leaves a childless widow behind. What is to become of her? Moses tells Israel what to do in such circumstances.

Obviously, we are not Israel, and the directions given to us here do not pertain to us directly. However, underlying these directions are timeless principles that pertain to our families. We may not practice levirate marriage, but we can see the values here that help maintain and strengthen families.

Family life ought to be a high priority for us. We should be focused on maintaining and strengthening our family relationships.