Examples of Family Problems in the Bible (Genesis 22-28)

In what is arguably one of the most famous stories in the Bible, we find God tests Abraham to confirm his loyalty ultimately lies with God and not the blessings God gifted him on earth.

(As an aside, my study Bible puts it so eloquently: “Satan tempts us (1 Cor. 7:5) in order to make us fall; God tests us in order to confirm our faith (Ex. 20:20) or prove our commitment (Dt 8:2).”)

Isaac as a child…

As a child, Isaac is set apart. His father already sent away his first son and concubine, he is near revered because of the hope that was associated with his birth for 100 years of Abraham’s life, his father had other sons after Sarah died and proceeded to send them away as well, strict instructions were given to only find a wife of specific heritage, and promises were offered that all of his wealth would be given to Isaac.

Our world throws around the word ‘entitled’ like it’s candy. But can you imagine the level of superiority a boy would have growing up in an environment like that? It plays out soon and with future generations….

Isaac as a man…

If you’ve ever heard someone say, “It’s a God thing”, the story of Rebekah coming to be Isaac’s wife falls into that category of those ‘things’. It is quite amazing to see God’s hand leading and confirming the entire situation. What is sweet, is that once married, the role of wife as a helper is confirmed. Isaac was comforted after his mother had passed because of Rebekah.

Then we journey on to what seems like two stories we already read (Gen. 12:10-20 and 20:1-18).

1. A pretty wife.
2. There’s a famine (in one prior story).
3. The Lord directs him to another country.
4. Men are interested in her.
5. He is afraid he will be murdered because of how beautiful she is.
6. He claimed she was his sister.
7. The leader (Pharoah/Abimilech) finds out, is angry, directly confronts him, and sends him away.
8. Wealth follows (first in essentially the form of a dowry, second in healthy crops and wells during the famine).

Well, yeesh, if that isn’t generational I don’t know what is?! If nothing else, our choices are our own, but for goodness sake, let’s see the past and learn from it so we don’t make the same choices. If there is a history of sin or poor choices, let that stop with you and your (future) family. End it now, you are in control of your choices and how you raise your family and will answer to God for the decisions you made.

The deception…

Similar to Sarah, his poor wife had to endure 20 years of barrenness, what a hard season that must have been. We see that once she has been blessed with twins: Isaac picks a favorite child and she picks a favorite child.

If that isn’t a breeding ground for disaster I don’t know what is…. As such, Rebekah is actually the ringleader behind Jacob deceiving his father (her husband). The story already sheds light on wealth being a determining factor in the excitement her family displayed in light of her upcoming marriage to Isaac. They were impressed by the prestige, jewelry, and inheritance (that her future husband would be left). (Later, we will see Laban’s deception with regard to Jacob and how money plays a part.)

Jumping back to her pregnancy, we find she is told by the Lord that the older will serve the younger (25:23). While speculating is not a good thing, we can see her family history might have played an influence on why she loved Jacob.

Rebekah waited til Esau had gone hunting to coerce Jacob that the time was right to steal the blessing. Sorry, but can you imagine being raised in a household where your Mother is trying to help you steal from your sibling and lie to your Father? Then she lies to her husband to spare Jacob and send him away. What a home life that must have been….

There are SO many examples of family problems in the Bible. Comfort yourself in that amidst some problems, there is hope for everyone to have a right relationship with God. Also, that the sins and mistakes of the past do not need to continue on through the generations. How you choose to stop those will likely look different depending on what they are. Discipline and holy living should trump your loyalty to family. Please, never (EVER) lose sight of the fact that everyone:

• needs prayer for their hearts to be aligned with Christ,
• will all experience judgment,
• through Christ, has the power to change,
• may not change (or submit to God’s authority),
• should be offered forgiveness in your heart (not necessarily in person, depending on your circumstances),
• may not be reconciled with you on earth (depending on your circumstances), and
• should be viewed through a lens looking Heavenward; that their hearts should be of upmost concern to you.

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