What does the Bible say about children returning home?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that God graciously receives and restores those who return to Him, giving hope to wandering children and comfort to those who long for them. In Luke 15:17-24, the father welcomes his repentant son with compassion, showing the joy of God toward sinners who come home in faith. Jeremiah 31:17 promises hope for the future, while Isaiah 49:17-18 portrays God gathering His children and vindicating His people. Isaiah 61:1-11 celebrates the Lord’s healing, freedom, and restoration through His anointed Savior. Believers may therefore pray earnestly, trust God’s covenant mercy, and receive returning loved ones with truth, forgiveness, and humble joy.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Jeremiah 31:17
There is hope for your latter end, says Yahweh; and [your] children shall come again to their own border.
- Luke 15:17-24
[17] But when he came to himself he said, 'How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough to spare, and I'm dying with hunger! [18] I will get up and go to my father, and will tell him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight. [19] I am no more worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants."' [20] "He arose, and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. [21] The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' [22] "But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe, and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. [23] Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat, and celebrate; [24] for this, my son, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.' They began to celebrate.
- Isaiah 61:1-11
[1] The Spirit of the Lord Yahweh is on me; because Yahweh has anointed me to preach good news to the humble; he has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening [of the prison] to those who are bound; [2] to proclaim the year of Yahweh's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; [3] to appoint to those who mourn in Zion, to give to them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Yahweh, that he may be glorified. [4] They shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. [5] Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and foreigners shall be your plowmen and your vine-dressers. [6] But you shall be named the priests of Yahweh; men shall call you the ministers of our God: you shall eat the wealth of the nations, and in their glory shall you boast yourselves. [7] Instead of your shame [you shall have] double; and instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess double; everlasting joy shall be to them. [8] For I, Yahweh, love justice, I hate robbery with iniquity; and I will give them their recompense in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. [9] Their seed shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which Yahweh has blessed. [10] I will greatly rejoice in Yahweh, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. [11] For as the earth brings forth its bud, and as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord Yahweh will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
- Isaiah 49:25
But thus says Yahweh, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered; for I will contend with him who contends with you, and I will save your children.
- Isaiah 49:17-18
[17] Your children make haste; your destroyers and those who made you waste shall go forth from you. [18] Lift up your eyes round about, and see: all these gather themselves together, and come to you. As I live, says Yahweh, you shall surely clothe you with them all as with an ornament, and gird yourself with them, like a bride.
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