Throughout the Pentateuch, children and teenagers are intentionally involved in God's world and work. They are not passive bystanders but active participants who join with their family and community in serving and worshiping the Lord.

Isaac is a wonderful example. There is no record of struggle or resistance in the dramatic scene as Abraham prepares to obey God in worship. Isaac was a willing sacrifice, inspired perhaps by his father's submission and devotion to the Lord. The young Isaac is the faith-filled embodiment of Romans 12:1-2.

Rejected by his father, Abraham, Ishmael wanders in the desert with his mother, Hagar. When the water runs out, the tears run down! God hears the child's cries, provides water, and assures his mother that her son has a future. God sees and hears the cries of His children, both young and old.

Barrenness, a theme whose cord connects Sarai, Rebekah, and Rachel, is woven throughout these formative biblical accounts to underscore the value of children in fulfilling God's vision for His people. Rachel finally gives birth to Joseph, whose dreams incur the wrath of his other siblings. God inspired his dreams as a teenager with an unseen twist that is unforgettable in the tapestry of biblical events.

Babies are to be cherished! Moses' destiny would not be drowned by fear and hatred. A princess rescued the child, who was later used by God to liberate a nation. We learn in this dramatic episode that every child has a purpose and, subsequently, that abortion is never politically correct.

If God values children in the foundational story of His people, so should we. Yes?