Category Archives: Family

Family, Speaking

A Genealogy? Right In The Middle Of The Action?

Have you ever wondered why genealogy was important to God? It shows up periodically in varying detail in different places in scripture. In Exodus 6, we see Moses and Aaron struggling and discouraged because of the reaction of the Israelites when things are not going well for them. Pharaoh just made the tasks of the Hebrews harder by demanding they find their own straw to make the bricks to build for him. The people were discouraged and quite frankly not excited about following Moses at this point.

God spoke to Moses and Aaron and reinforced that they were to lead the Hebrew people, regardless of the reaction of the people. At this point Moses (Moses is the author of Exodus), inserts a genealogy of the “Heads of Israel”. Why?

Exodus 6:10-27

   10Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 11“Go, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the sons of Israel go out of his land.” 12But Moses spoke before the LORD, saying, “Behold, the sons of Israel have not listened to me; how then will Pharaoh listen to me, for I am unskilled in speech?” 13Then the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, and gave them a charge to the sons of Israel and to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt.

The Heads of Israel

      14These are the heads of their fathers’ households. The sons of Reuben, Israel’s firstborn: Hanoch and Pallu, Hezron and Carmi; these are the families of Reuben. 15The sons of Simeon: Jemuel and Jamin and Ohad and Jachin and Zohar and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman; these are the families of Simeon. 16These are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations: Gershon and Kohath and Merari; and the length of Levi’s life was one hundred and thirty-seven years. 17The sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei, according to their families. 18The sons of Kohath: Amram and Izhar and Hebron and Uzziel; and the length of Kohath’s life was one hundred and thirty-three years. 19The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their generations. 20Amram married his father’s sister Jochebed, and she bore him Aaron and Moses; and the length of Amram’s life was one hundred and thirty-seven years. 21The sons of Izhar: Korah and Nepheg and Zichri. 22The sons of Uzziel: Mishael and Elzaphan and Sithri. 23Aaron married Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab, the sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 24The sons of Korah: Assir and Elkanah and Abiasaph; these are the families of the Korahites. 25Aaron’s son Eleazar married one of the daughters of Putiel, and she bore him Phinehas. These are the heads of the fathers’ households of the Levites according to their families. 26It was the same Aaron and Moses to whom the LORD said, “Bring out the sons of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their hosts.” 27They were the ones who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt about bringing out the sons of Israel from Egypt; it was the same Moses and Aaron.

There are a few observations we can make about this insertion of a genealogy and I am sure if you choose to study it in more detail on your own, you could learn even more.

Moses and Aaron were not outsiders, though they may have been viewed that way at the time. God raised up leaders from within the Hebrew people. Moses’ and Aaron’s genealogy is a great reminder.

God consistently emphasizes the importance of family. Family is a very important social structure for God’s people and should continue to be viewed that way today. We should not lightly abandon the family structure in favor of turning our children over to strangers and government to raise. God never intended that.

Prayerfully reflect on how important the family structure is to the Lord. Are there relationships in your family that need a change? Begin with prayer for all involved, together if practical. Then focus on praying for God’s help to change you so that you reflect the love of Christ through your actions and behaviors. Willfully choose how you react to situations that are tough… control your tongue, focus on gentle answers that turn away wrath, and even consider overlooking real or perceived transgressions that come against you. There is a lot of wisdom toward this end in Proverbs. Seek it and live it and your life will certainly be better for it.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Marriage, Obeying God

You Want Me To Follow All The Instructions?

Think of the last time you bought an item with the words “some assembly required” on the box. Was it a bicycle? a play kitchen for your kids? maybe a large Lincoln Logs set? Think of one that was complicated to put together. They provided an instruction manual, right? Did you use it? I sure do. I may be able to figure out how to put things together, but it sure goes easier and comes together more quickly and with less damage and rework when I follow the manual. What is more, I follow the full instructions. I do not just pick and choose which instructions to follow and which ones not to and then expect everything to come out just right. I follow all of the instructions for best results.

So why is it that so many people try to pick and choose which parts of the Bible they want to accept and use to guide their actions and attitudes? God provided the Bible to us to be able to have great insight into God and how He relates to His people. It provides great insight into how we should live our lives. It is like the instruction manual that helps us put together that complicated Lego set. Things usually don’t work out right if you only follow part of the directions. (You are not supposed to run out of or have extra pieces.)

God’s revelation through the Bible may also be compared to the map that shows us how to get through a mine field (a field with bombs hidden below the surface that blow up if you step on them). Would you choose to “wing it” through a mine field rather than follow the map? Would you pick and choose which parts of the map you believe? Would you base which parts you use based on your opinion or that of others about where the mines might be or stick to the map provided by the one who already knows where all the mines actually are?

The Bible is not a “pick list” where we choose which parts we “believe” and which we do not. We either submit to God fully or we do not. We either trust Him or we do not.

The similar consideration should be given for studying and applying what God reveals to us about marriage in Ephesians 5.

Ephesians 5

Marriage Like Christ and the Church

      22Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

      25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. 28So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30because we are members of His body. 31FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. 32This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 33Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.

Now… for those of you who are getting upset because you do not like what the scripture says, take a moment to pause and reflect. First, consciously strip away what people have told you about this scripture and have told you about the role of husband and wife and try to come into it as a blank slate, just reading what God reveals rather than what others say He does.

God calls husbands to lead, love, and if necessary die for their wives. So too, they should live for their wives. They are called to rejoice in their wives as if they are truly one in body and spirit. They are to be to their wives as Jesus was to the church. Who would take exception to this?

God calls wives to an equally important role, but a different role. Keep in mind that God designed us and He has that in mind when He guides us on our roles. Wives submit to and respect your husbands. Our culture wants to convince women that submitting to their husband is somehow demeaning. I argue it is not. Both men and women are made in God’s image. Which sports team has two coaches with the same role and responsibility and authority for the team? Which organization has two leaders with the same roles, responsibilities and authority? Which army has such a structure? None. Because it does not work. There must be a chain of command. Even in the U.S. Senate there is a tie breaker set up in case votes fall 50 for and 50 against. So why is it demeaning only when God says it about the roles of husband and wife in marriage but not in every other situation where it is necessary?

Now think of these two roles working together with both doing as they are commanded by God. The husband will dwell with understanding and love for his wife and give her full consideration for her desires and needs. They can engage and discuss. Ultimately, he is to consider her equally as if she is his own body and spirit as they are one. At times, he is called to die to self and give her preference to care for her as Christ died for the church. He is under authority to God and thus stays on the right path to lead the family.

The model God lays out works and works really well! Typically, problems come in not with God’s plan, but with the way people fail to execute it properly.

For those who are married, think about where you and your spouse may fall short of God’s plan for you in His commands for your marriage. Focus first on changing your own behavior and then perhaps engage in further discussion with your spouse. Show your spouse how it works through your actions and how you treat them. When they see the change in you and ask… then you share God’s plan with them from Ephesians.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Family, Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Grace / Forgiveness, Grace / Patience, Revenge

Peace Through Patience, Wisdom, and Forgiveness

Joseph demonstrates an amazing amount of patience, wisdom, and forgiveness in managing his meeting with his brothers when they return to Egypt with Benjamin. It was emotionally a stirring moment for Joseph to see Benjamin again… so much so that he had to leave to gather control of his emotional response. Further, he continues to not let on to his brothers who he is, even as they fulfill again the dreams given to him by God in his youth by bowing down before him.

Joseph desires to test his brothers to see if they have changed from their evil ways so long ago when they sold him into slavery. He avoids the emotional response of revenge to just hurt them. He avoids even rejoicing publically at seeing Benjamin. He avoids what must have been temptation to gloat or boast in the fulfillment of the dreams he shared with them so long ago. Instead, Joseph demonstrates wisdom and patience in continuing in a very intentional way to manage the reunion with his brothers. He seeks to test them.

Genesis 43:16-34

Joseph Sees Benjamin

      16When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to his house steward, “Bring the men into the house, and slay an animal and make ready; for the men are to dine with me at noon.” 17So the man did as Joseph said, and brought the men to Joseph’s house. 18Now the men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph’s house; and they said, “It is because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time that we are being brought in, that he may seek occasion against us and fall upon us, and take us for slaves with our donkeys.” 19So they came near to Joseph’s house steward, and spoke to him at the entrance of the house, 20and said, “Oh, my lord, we indeed came down the first time to buy food, 21and it came about when we came to the lodging place, that we opened our sacks, and behold, each man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full. So we have brought it back in our hand. 22“We have also brought down other money in our hand to buy food; we do not know who put our money in our sacks.” 23He said, “Be at ease, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them. 24Then the man brought the men into Joseph’s house and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their donkeys fodder. 25So they prepared the present for Joseph’s coming at noon; for they had heard that they were to eat a meal there.

      26When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the present which was in their hand and bowed to the ground before him. 27Then he asked them about their welfare, and said, “Is your old father well, of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” 28They said, “Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.” They bowed down in homage. 29As he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, he said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me?” And he said, “May God be gracious to you, my son.” 30Joseph hurried out for he was deeply stirred over his brother, and he sought a place to weep; and he entered his chamber and wept there. 31Then he washed his face and came out; and he controlled himself and said, “Serve the meal.” 32So they served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians could not eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is loathsome to the Egyptians. 33Now they were seated before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth, and the men looked at one another in astonishment. 34He took portions to them from his own table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. So they feasted and drank freely with him.

It is often tempting to respond just based on our emotions to every situation that presents itself. However, this is not always the best course. We should take care to be intentional and thoughtful in how we respond to situations such as the one Joseph encounters in Genesis 43. Measure our response with patience, wisdom, and forgiveness.

More and more I come to realize as well the value of pausing to seek God on specific situations in my life. He cares about the details of our lives as a father cares for his children! The more I am able to avoid quick, almost instinctive responses… the more thoughtfully and prayerfully I consider key decisions… the more I am able to live consistently with God’s word. I pray God gives me the patience, wisdom, and forgiveness that Joseph demonstrated in dealing with being reunited with his family after much tragedy and hurt in his past.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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Family, Parenting, Prayer, Suffering / Adversity

Rather Than Accept Defeat, Seek God

We know from reading the documented history of Jacob in Genesis, that Jacob had grown in relationship with the Lord over many years. He experienced many trials and had many victories with God’s help. However, with regards to his family and sons in particular, he seems to encounter defeat over and over again. Note how he responds to the news of Simeon’s captivity. He is upset… he did care for Simeon. He mourns also the loss of Joseph and fears for the loss of Benjamin. It is totally understandable that in this difficult situation he is hesitant to send Benjamin. However, he is living defeated, and giving up Simeon to protect Benjamin.

What is most apparent, by its absence, is that Jacob does not come before God regarding Simeon and ask for guidance and help. He does not seek the Lord on how to proceed. He just reacts in a way to choose his youngest and favored son over one of his older sons, Simeon. This is the manner of parenting which has plagued Jacob’s family and resulted in much jealousy and discord within the family.

Genesis 42:29-38

Simeon Is Held Hostage

      29When they came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan, they told him all that had happened to them, saying, 30“The man, the lord of the land, spoke harshly with us, and took us for spies of the country. 31“But we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we are not spies. 32‘We are twelve brothers, sons of our father; one is no longer alive, and the youngest is with our father today in the land of Canaan.’ 33“The man, the lord of the land, said to us, ‘By this I will know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me and take grain for the famine of your households, and go. 34‘But bring your youngest brother to me that I may know that you are not spies, but honest men. I will give your brother to you, and you may trade in the land.’”

      35Now it came about as they were emptying their sacks, that behold, every man’s bundle of money was in his sack; and when they and their father saw their bundles of money, they were dismayed. 36Their father Jacob said to them, “You have bereaved me of my children: Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more, and you would take Benjamin; all these things are against me.” 37Then Reuben spoke to his father, saying, “You may put my two sons to death if I do not bring him back to you; put him in my care, and I will return him to you.” 38But Jacob said, “My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he alone is left. If harm should befall him on the journey you are taking, then you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.”

We should take heed of the lesson within this scripture. When we face suffering and adversity, turn humbly toward God and pray for His help and guidance. Pray for Him to lead us… and be patient and learn to listen for His response. Rather than accept defeat, seek God.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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Anger (unrighteous anger), Envy / Jealousy / Coveting, Family, Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Grace / Forgiveness, Suffering / Adversity

Joseph’s Brothers Sell Him Into Slavery

We continue to see the build up of envy and resulting anger toward Joseph from his brothers as his father, Israel (formerly known as Jacob), sends Joseph to check on his older brothers. We already saw earlier in Genesis 37 that Joseph’s brothers resent him for the obvious favoritism Israel bestowed upon him and for the dreams Joseph had received from God that showed his family bowing down to him. There is no evidence in scripture that Israel ever tried to deal with this growing divide in his family. Instead, Joseph is sent out, wearing his fine tunic, and will face much difficulty and suffering at the hands of his brothers.

Genesis37:12-36

      12Then his brothers went to pasture their father’s flock in Shechem. 13Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock in Shechem? Come, and I will send you to them.” And he said to him, “I will go.” 14Then he said to him, “Go now and see about the welfare of your brothers and the welfare of the flock, and bring word back to me.” So he sent him from the valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.

      15A man found him, and behold, he was wandering in the field; and the man asked him, “What are you looking for?” 16He said, “I am looking for my brothers; please tell me where they are pasturing the flock.” 17Then the man said, “They have moved from here; for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan.

The Plot against Joseph

      18When they saw him from a distance and before he came close to them, they plotted against him to put him to death. 19They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer! 20“Now then, come and let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits; and we will say, ‘A wild beast devoured him.’ Then let us see what will become of his dreams!” 21But Reuben heard this and rescued him out of their hands and said, “Let us not take his life.” 22Reuben further said to them, “Shed no blood. Throw him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but do not lay hands on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hands, to restore him to his father. 23So it came about, when Joseph reached his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his tunic, the varicolored tunic that was on him; 24and they took him and threw him into the pit. Now the pit was empty, without any water in it.

      25Then they sat down to eat a meal. And as they raised their eyes and looked, behold, a caravan of Ishmaelites was coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing aromatic gum and balm and myrrh, on their way to bring them down to Egypt. 26Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it for us to kill our brother and cover up his blood? 27“Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. 28Then some Midianite traders passed by, so they pulled him up and lifted Joseph out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. Thus they brought Joseph into Egypt.

      29Now Reuben returned to the pit, and behold, Joseph was not in the pit; so he tore his garments. 30He returned to his brothers and said, “The boy is not there; as for me, where am I to go?” 31So they took Joseph’s tunic, and slaughtered a male goat and dipped the tunic in the blood; 32and they sent the varicolored tunic and brought it to their father and said, “We found this; please examine it to see whether it is your son’s tunic or not.” 33Then he examined it and said, “It is my son’s tunic. A wild beast has devoured him; Joseph has surely been torn to pieces!” 34So Jacob tore his clothes, and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days. 35Then all his sons and all his daughters arose to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. And he said, “Surely I will go down to Sheol in mourning for my son.” So his father wept for him. 36Meanwhile, the Midianites sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, Pharaoh’s officer, the captain of the bodyguard.

Joseph’s brothers allow themselves to be driven to such anger by their jealousy that the even contemplate murdering him. This from the same group of brothers that ruthlessly sought revenge for their sister when she was mistreated. They had family loyalty in them… but allowed themselves to be blinded by jealousy against Joseph.

Reuben intervenes to prevent Joseph’s murder, but really does not take on the other brothers directly to speak against doing evil to Joseph. He tries to influence the situation but does not take it on and protect Joseph boldly. When he is not around, the others sell Joseph into slavery.

There is much deception within the family and much self-induced suffering.

Many of us today think that broken families are a new thing… that prior generations were more godly. Sometimes that is true and sometimes it is not. There is one thing for sure… division within families is not a new issue.

I urge you to pursue first the kingdom of God, including forgiveness, grace, mercy within your own family. Stand together for God rather than dividing within the family for earthly matters. Seek God together in prayer. Openly address conflict within your family rather than avoid it. Avoid favoritism at all costs.

Know that when we live by God’s rules, even broken families can be reconciled. We will see Joseph demonstrate this powerfully as we continue to follow the record of his life in Genesis. God restores the family, but only after Joseph’s brothers genuinely repent and Joseph demonstrates forgiveness on a level characteristic of a mature relationship with God.  He let’s go of bitterness and refuses to seek revenge when he has the power to get it. He returns good for evil. We should do the same.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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Envy / Jealousy / Coveting, Family, Hearing from God, Parenting, Prophecy

Jacob’s Struggles As A Dad Hurt His Children

Jacob struggled as a husband, father, and leader of his family. He walked with God, but struggled in the area of family leadership. He had multiple wives, concubines, and even children through his wives’ maid servants. He mirrored the parenting mistakes of his parents by clearly identifying favorites within his wives and within his children. He created a fractured and broken family that was divided against itself rather than united together as a powerful force to support one another.

Genesis 37:1-11 records this leadership failure of Jacob and the impact it had on the next generation, his sons. Not only did Jacob magnify the problem of favoritism through things like Joseph’s special coat and putting Joseph in a position of responsibility over his older brothers, but the scripture gives no evidence of him helping coach or advise Joseph on how to handle this difficult and tricky situation. Joseph, as a youth, lacks wisdom of years and openly and enthusiastically shares his dreams with his brothers… fueling their jealousy even more.

      1Now Jacob lived in the land where his father had sojourned, in the land of Canaan. 2These are the records of the generations of Jacob.  Joseph, when seventeen years of age, was pasturing the flock with his brothers while he was still a youth, along with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives. And Joseph brought back a bad report about them to their father. 3Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons, because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a varicolored tunic. 4His brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers; and so they hated him and could not speak to him on friendly terms.

      5Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. 6He said to them, “Please listen to this dream which I have had; 7for behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and lo, my sheaf rose up and also stood erect; and behold, your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to my sheaf.” 8Then his brothers said to him, “Are you actually going to reign over us? Or are you really going to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.

      9Now he had still another dream, and related it to his brothers, and said, “Lo, I have had still another dream; and behold, the sun and the moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” 10He related it to his father and to his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have had? Shall I and your mother and your brothers actually come to bow ourselves down before you to the ground?” 11His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.

Verse 11 indicates that Jacob put credibility in the possibility that the dreams were from God especially when the dream was repeated. Jacob knew that God speaks in this way. There is no indication however that Jacob discusses the dreams and the possibility that they are from God with Joseph’s brothers. Nor is there any indication that he coaches Joseph in how to communicate on this topic with already hostile and jealous brothers.

Joseph’s brothers, left on their own, clearly understand the dream and hate Joseph even more for it. Ultimately they will be moved toward selling Joseph into slavery in an attempt to be rid of him and lie to their father that he died.

God, however, in His majesty, will not be stopped by the deceitful plotting of men.  His promises and prophecy is always true. God even uses the wrongful actions of the jealous brothers to lead to the fulfillment of all He has planned for Joseph.

For all of us that now have or came from broken families, take heart… be encouraged… God can heal the brokenness and even use it to His glory! As we continue through the life of Joseph documented in Genesis we will see Joseph living a righteous life according to God’s values and see him overcome hurt and pain without bitterness. God uses him in a glorious way and even restores the family despite all the brokenness they have experienced!

All things are possible when we seek after the kingdom of God. Pray for wisdom in your family relationships, pray that God would help all involved forgive one another as we wish to be forgiven by Him. Pray above all for God’s will to be done in your life and that of your family!

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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Adultery / Sex Outside Marriage, Blessed, Can God Use Me?, Consequences of Sin, Family, Hearing from God, Obeying God, Prophecy

God Can Use Us Even Though We Make Many Mistakes

Are you living your life without making mistakes?  Do you have it all figured out? If you answered yes, than… quite frankly… you are wrong. None except Jesus Himself live the perfect life.  Even among those of us who wholeheartedly seek after and submit to God, we can only do our best and ask God for His help to live according to His commands. For those of you who answered “no”… the good news is that God can use us even though we make mistakes.

Let us explore two sides of Jacob’s life in Genesis 35:9-22. Jacob has such a personal relationship with God, that God continually appears to him and communicates important things and Jacob receives this instruction and follows it. God tells Jacob once again that he will now be called Israel and again reinforces the promise and prophecy that many nations shall come from him.

However we see also, that even this great moment for Jacob in the presence of God is experienced in the midst of his continuing family struggles for which he seems to be at a loss to be able to solve in order to more effectively lead his family.  We learned in Genesis 34 and earlier in Genesis 35 that Jacob settled and remained in an ungodly land. His daughter was raped, his sons used treachery and deceit to kill many as punishment to the one who mistreated their sister, and as his household packs up to leave, Jacob finds idols and foreign gods among them. They were not pure, not holy (set apart for God’s use), but rather had blended with the pagans around them to some extent.

Jacob Is Named Israel

      9Then God appeared to Jacob again when he came from Paddan-aram, and He blessed him.

10God said to him,
“Your name is Jacob;
You shall no longer be called Jacob,
But Israel shall be your name.”
Thus He called him Israel.

11God also said to him,
“I am God Almighty;
Be fruitful and multiply;
A nation and a company of nations shall come from you,
And kings shall come forth from you.

      12“The land which I gave to Abraham and Isaac,
I will give it to you,
And I will give the land to your descendants after you.”

13Then God went up from him in the place where He had spoken with him. 14Jacob set up a pillar in the place where He had spoken with him, a pillar of stone, and he poured out a drink offering on it; he also poured oil on it. 15So Jacob named the place where God had spoken with him, Bethel.

      16Then they journeyed from Bethel; and when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and she suffered severe labor. 17When she was in severe labor the midwife said to her, “Do not fear, for now you have another son.” 18It came about as her soul was departing (for she died), that she named him Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin. 19So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). 20Jacob set up a pillar over her grave; that is the pillar of Rachel’s grave to this day. 21Then Israel journeyed on and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.

      22It came about while Israel was dwelling in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine, and Israel heard of it.

We see Jacob again hit hard by family trouble in verse 22, when his eldest son has sex with Jacob’s concubine. This was a huge disgrace for all involved. I am sure Reuben thought “no one will know”… but that is rarely the case among people when we sin… and God always knows. Of course, we could also have quite a discussion on why Jacob even had concubines… this is not consistent with God’s plan for marriage. From the beginning, with Adam and Eve, God intended it to be one man and one woman in marriage… no extra wives, no concubines.

Studying earlier points in Jacob’s life, we see that leading his family to honor God in their daily lives and relationships is not a new struggle for Jacob. In fact his wives struggled badly when they married him, competing with one another rather than showing love within his household. Ultimately this jealousy resulted in his failure by sleeping with their maid servants all in pursuit of sons. Go back further and we see where he had to run away from home to get away from an angry brother who wanted to kill him, after Jacob deceived his aging father to receive a blessing which Isaac intended for Esau. It goes even further back… Isaac and Rebekah chose favorites in their family, each openly loving one son more than the other.

Suffice it to say, that Jacob did not have every aspect of his life together and going well. So what is my point? Why do I point this failure of Jacob’s out?

First, we can all take heart and be encouraged that God can use us, can have intimate relationship with us, even when our lives are not entirely in order. We must, however, be submitted to God, as Jacob was. We can not be in open rebellion to God, intentionally disregarding His commands in how we are to live.

Secondly, even when we are walking with God in our lives and hearing from Him, we should take heed to purify ourselves, our family, our household. Consciously choose to submit to God and to follow His ways. Study the Bible and apply what it teaches to your lives. Change your ways to be set apart for God rather than to blend with the ungodly around you. There are consequences to leaving sin in our lives. Consider the mess that Jacob’s family experienced. It was not “God punishing them”, but rather it was natural consequences for not living God’s way. God tells us how to live, but we must choose to do so or live with the consequences.

Do not be complacent just because you have a relationship with God but rather use that relationship as a strong foundation to transform your life and that of your family to reflect God’s values and God’s will in every aspect of your life. Seeking to change our lives to live according to God’s instructions is not a one time adjustment, but rather a difficult and intentional journey that will last the rest of our lives.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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Character of God, Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Family, Hearing from God, Holy / Set Apart, Idols / False Gods, Obeying God, Thankfulness, Traditions / Holidays

Let Your Family Be Set Apart For God’s Purpose

We join Jacob and his family as they follow God’s instruction to move to Bethel in Genesis 35:1-8. Jacob had previously settled and remained among ungodly people. In His daughter, Dinah, was raped and then the man who did so came and asked for her in marriage as if his behavior was normal.  Jacob’s sons responded violently in Genesis 34. Now Jacob feared the people of the land would be hostile to him.

Jacob Moves to Bethel

      1Then God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel and live there, and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.” 2So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods which are among you, and purify yourselves and change your garments; 3and let us arise and go up to Bethel, and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.” 4So they gave to Jacob all the foreign gods which they had and the rings which were in their ears, and Jacob hid them under the oak which was near Shechem.

      5As they journeyed, there was a great terror upon the cities which were around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob. 6So Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him. 7He built an altar there, and called the place El-bethel, because there God had revealed Himself to him when he fled from his brother. 8Now Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died, and she was buried below Bethel under the oak; it was named Allon-bacuth.

God personally replied to Jacob in his time of distress. God provided specific directions and Jacob, to his credit, obeyed. Jacob built an altar to show he was thankful to God. However we also see evidence of Jacob’s failure as head of his household.

2So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods which are among you, and purify yourselves and change your garments

Jacob not only settled and remained among the pagans, putting his family at physical risk as we saw in Genesis 34, but he further had allowed his household to blend with the pagans putting them at spiritual risk. He did not keep them set apart for God, or holy. He was aware, or became aware, that they had foreign gods among them and needed purification. Why had he not taken notice and addressed this earlier? Why only now that they were leaving? Why only after Dinah had been raped?

We don’t know for sure, but I suspect that we are all at risk of rationalizing and accepting pagan practices that dishonor God. It starts by making excuses to accept that they are not bad or “not all bad”. Perhaps they seem “fun”. Then we may start to participate in some way. Then our household just starts to accept them. God does not want us to make excuses and rationalize why the pagan practices of the ungodly can be considered acceptable. He wants us to remain holy… set apart for His service and purpose.

We see insight into the character of God in this scripture as well. Despite his mistakes, Jacob was a man of faith and obeyed God’s direct instructions when he heard them. God protected Jacob and delivered his family to Bethel. God does not give up on us because we make mistakes. So long as we wholeheartedly seek Him and submit to Him, He will remain with us. What a merciful and loving God! Praise God for His patience in our weakness. However, as with Jacob’s family, we still face consequences for our mistakes.

Are there any idols or worldly activities that you are accepting in your family? Idols are not always statues, but may be other things like sports, money, fame, traditions, or other things we place in importance before God. Most of us immediately say we don’t do that, but look closely at how you spend our time, money, and talent. Is God really first? or do you just fit Him in once a week for church?

Separate from idols, false gods, and close relationships with ungodly people. Pray God would reveal to you what you need to purge from your family’s life now. Don’t wait until something bad happens as did to Dinah in Genesis 34. The decisions you make today may affect generations in your household to come.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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Adultery / Sex Outside Marriage, Children, Consequences of Sin, Holy / Set Apart, Parenting, Wickedness / Evil

Living Amongst Ungodly People Carries Great Risk

We continue with Jacob as he has settled his family in Shechem. He has grown in his relationship with God over many years, but the people of the land in which he settled did not know or fear God. Living amongst the ungodly carries risk and requires intentional safeguards to protect your family. We see in Genesis 34:1-31 where Jacob’s family experiences this the hard way.

      1Now Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to visit the daughters of the land. 2When Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her, he took her and lay with her by force. 3He was deeply attracted to Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the girl and spoke tenderly to her. 4So Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying, “Get me this young girl for a wife.” 5Now Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter; but his sons were with his livestock in the field, so Jacob kept silent until they came in. 6Then Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob to speak with him. 7Now the sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard it; and the men were grieved, and they were very angry because he had done a disgraceful thing in Israel by lying with Jacob’s daughter, for such a thing ought not to be done.

      8But Hamor spoke with them, saying, “The soul of my son Shechem longs for your daughter; please give her to him in marriage. 9“Intermarry with us; give your daughters to us and take our daughters for yourselves. 10“Thus you shall live with us, and the land shall be open before you; live and trade in it and acquire property in it.” 11Shechem also said to her father and to her brothers, “If I find favor in your sight, then I will give whatever you say to me. 12“Ask me ever so much bridal payment and gift, and I will give according as you say to me; but give me the girl in marriage.”

      13But Jacob’s sons answered Shechem and his father Hamor with deceit, because he had defiled Dinah their sister. 14They said to them, “We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised, for that would be a disgrace to us. 15“Only on this condition will we consent to you: if you will become like us, in that every male of you be circumcised, 16then we will give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters for ourselves, and we will live with you and become one people. 17“But if you will not listen to us to be circumcised, then we will take our daughter and go.”

      18Now their words seemed reasonable to Hamor and Shechem, Hamor’s son. 19The young man did not delay to do the thing, because he was delighted with Jacob’s daughter. Now he was more respected than all the household of his father. 20So Hamor and his son Shechem came to the gate of their city and spoke to the men of their city, saying, 21“These men are friendly with us; therefore let them live in the land and trade in it, for behold, the land is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters in marriage, and give our daughters to them. 22“Only on this condition will the men consent to us to live with us, to become one people: that every male among us be circumcised as they are circumcised. 23“Will not their livestock and their property and all their animals be ours? Only let us consent to them, and they will live with us.” 24All who went out of the gate of his city listened to Hamor and to his son Shechem, and every male was circumcised, all who went out of the gate of his city.

      25Now it came about on the third day, when they were in pain, that two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, each took his sword and came upon the city unawares, and killed every male. 26They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah from Shechem’s house, and went forth. 27Jacob’s sons came upon the slain and looted the city, because they had defiled their sister. 28They took their flocks and their herds and their donkeys, and that which was in the city and that which was in the field; 29and they captured and looted all their wealth and all their little ones and their wives, even all that was in the houses. 30Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me by making me odious among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites; and my men being few in number, they will gather together against me and attack me and I will be destroyed, I and my household.” 31But they said, “Should he treat our sister as a harlot?”

You can clearly have a lively debate around the way in which Jacob’s sons responded. I am not endorsing their response, but they were right that the situation was not acceptable… that marrying Dinah to an ungodly man who remained unrepentant for his actions of raping her… and then intermarrying and blending their family with other ungodly people would be a big mistake. Ultimately we will see in Genesis 35 that Jacob and his family move away from this land to another at God’s instruction.

We are left to wonder… could this whole event have been prevented if Jacob would have shown greater wisdom in choosing where to settle, whether to remain there after he saw what the people were like, or perhaps prepared his children more effectively to recognize the risk and consequences of socializing and blending with these ungodly people. Only after much pain and suffering does Jacob finally determine that he needs to move his family.

We can likely infer from the text that Dinah did not seek permission from her father or brothers before going to “visit the daughters of the land”. Having reviewed several commentaries on this scripture at BibleHub.com, it may be reasonable to assume Dinah was between 12-16 years old. Knowing the land was ungodly, it seems unlikely that Jacob would send her out without guard or escort. We can also clearly see from scripture that her brothers were very protective of her. Likely Dinah sneaked out without permission to go see what the local culture was like and to watch and learn about the women of the land.

Dinah, like most girls or young women, was safest amongst a loving family. Her curiosity to socialize with the pagans around her and learn their ways led her out of safety into harm, ultimately putting her whole family at risk.

Much of the world pushes for multiculturalism, for blending many cultures together as if it is a virtue. It is not. God wants us to be pure and holy, set apart for God, living according to His word and rejecting other wrong ways of living. To invite blending and socializing with those who do not know God… who reject God or worship false gods… is a big mistake and carries great risk. Whether it is a direct violent act that my occur, as with Dinah, or just taking focus away from doing things God’s ways and instead doing things like the ungodly do… the damage can be significant. Often efforts to blend cultures basically teach children that all ways are fine, and they do not need to do things the right way… God’s way. This ultimately separates them from God.

Today in the US and much of Europe, many push for mass immigration of those who reject Judeo-Christian values and come with such a violence in the name of their religion that they refuse to assimilate, but rather commit many acts of violence on others. They have no respect for those who do not share their false religion. God wants us to be separate from them in order to be holy and set apart for God.

The United States of America was founded as a nation with Christian values by Christians seeking to worship the true God freely. Continuous blending with non believers has not been a strength, but rather a source of degradation of the moral character of the nation over hundreds of years. Our nation is more and more unrecognizable for its proper application of Christian values. It is truly a blend of ungodly customs and culture even among many who profess to be Christian. As a nation, we have forgotten what it really means to follow Christ by submitting our lives to Him.

Many cry out for the need to socialize, randomly, your children with others in public schools and other forums. God never wanted us to be so careless with our children. Instead, carefully choose to whom, to what, and in what controlled situations you expose your children to those you do not know well. Most in our nation do not live according to what the Bible teaches and seem to feel compelled to pull others away from Biblical truth toward popular cultural so as to feel comfortable living that way themselves.

Children are a great gift. Take good care of them and protect them. Teach them why you expose them or protect them from certain things. Make sure you have open communication to help them understand more than the rules but also the reasons and possible consequences. Do not keep them in an imaginary world in which you tell them everyone is nice and good and nothing bad happens. It is not true and it sets them up to make poor decisions and to be hurt. We can only speculate, but perhaps Dinah would have made a better decision if she understood more clearly and bluntly what the risks were of seeking to “visit” a pagan culture of people who have no fear of God.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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Family

HFJ News: Focuses Ministries – Families

We are continuing our weekly Friday extra post of “HFJ News” which is intended to introduce our Christian community to different parts of the website that many find useful.  Links are provided for your convenience or you can just visit the site directly at HearingFromJesus.org and look around on your own.

This week we are highlighting a few Christian ministries that are focused on supporting Christian families. These ministries are devoted to helping real Christian families apply God’s truth in their lives and relationships in our fallen world. There is great depth and many resources available. Please check them out!

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Focused Ministries – Families

  • Doing Family Right, at www.DoingFamilyRight.com, exists to help people improve their most important relationships in life in a God-honoring way.
  • Family Life, at www.familylife.com, is committed to helping people know and apply the biblical blueprints for maintaining a God-honoring marriage and raising children to become responsible adults.
  • Focus On the Family provides relevant Christian advice on marriage, parenting, etc. Practical resources for every age. Click the following link to go straight to section for parenting.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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