Scripture has numerous themes designed to shape our thinking. How we think about and care for children is one example, an important example at that.
Historic incidents of cruelty to children
Moses was born in Egypt into a situation where Pharaoh had commanded that all Israelite male babies be put to death (Ex 1.16-22). The purpose was clear: to diminish the numbers of Israelites.
Fast forward to the birth of Christ. Herod, acting in the same spirit as Pharaoh, ordered that males younger than 2 years of age in and around Bethlehem were to be put to death (Matt 2.16). The gospel writer quotes Jer 31.15; “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.” History indicates that, when Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem, according to Dr Alfred Edersheim, children, amongst others, were ‘piteously slaughtered’ to reduce his burden of removing them to Babylon. See my notes on Jer 40: www.biblenotes.org.uk/old-testament/Jeremiah/40/
Ancient cultures were well-known for mistreatment of children. In fact, Israel had set a standard far above that of ancient Gentile cultures. When Israel turned form God’s ways, one evidence was that she reverted to the introduction of child sacrifice, learned from the surrounding nations. 2 Kings 21.6 provides one example.
A better way!
Jesus Christ set an even higher standard. He did not merely criticise (whether implicitly or explicitly) common practice in Judea, He set a new standard, treating children as real people, with value and dignity.
The early Church, as it started to engage with Gentile cultures, followed this example. The Church council in Jerusalem referred to the common practice of exposure (infanticide); Acts 15.19-20. (Some Bible translations seem to obscure this!) See www.biblenotes.org.uk/new-testament/Acts/15/ with my comment: ‘We must conclude that, in this respect, the early Church stood apart from its host culture in relation to this practice.’
Christian catacombs are said to include the remains of children adopted by Christians, sometimes in large numbers – this is further evidence of Christians rescuing many who were discarded by others. Early Church history refers to this practice (e.g: Tertullian).
And Paul in 1 Cor 12.22 comments that those who seems to be weak are actually indispensable. Without over-thinking the wording here, we must conclude that children are, therefore, essential to the well-being of a local Church.