Apr. 12 – Genesis 35:1-29: Israel Shall Be Your Name

Apr. 19 – Genesis 36:1-43: Esau is Edom

Apr. 26 – Genesis 37:1-36: Joseph had a Dream

May 3 – Genesis 38:1-30: When Judah  was Comforted

May 10 – Genesis 39:1-23: The Lord was with Him

May 17 – Genesis 40:1-41:57: Interpretations Belong to God

May 24 – Genesis 42:1-38: Joseph Remembered the Dreams

May 31 – Guest Preacher: Carter Crenshaw

            

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.” – Deuteronomy 7:9

         

When I took a counseling class in seminary, we spent a lot of time discussing how to help folks process the many issues that might arise from their “families of origin.” We learned how, despite how things may look on the outside, every family has its issues. Therefore, we all carry baggage from the time we spent growing up in our nuclear families – some of us more than others. 

         

But we also all carry some incredible blessings that come from our families. We must remember that the family is God’s idea. When it is working right, a family can be a glimpse of heaven – a safe environment where all are lovingly nurtured and exist in a mutually beneficial system. Authority is exercised with selfless care. Love is unconditional. Vulnerability is the norm. The support and loving care of our families is an incredible gift of God’s grace that shapes our trajectory towards his divine purposes for our lives. 

 

In our sermon texts for the rest of April and into May, we’re going to see how the most famous family in history passed on both brokenness and blessing down the line. Thus far in the foundational book of Genesis, we’ve seen how God has been forming a special family for himself – a covenant people who would be set apart in order to crush the serpent and his destructive desires for the world and, instead, to bring hope and healing to the nations. 

        

Sometimes the first members of this family are referred to as the “patriarchs” referring to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But if you read the texts, you realize there are many, many more vital figures in this family’s story (how about Sarah, Rebekah, and Leah and Rachel to begin with?). We’ve seen already how both the patriarchs, their wives, their offspring, and their various relatives have all missed the mark when it comes to God’s plan. Abraham acted fearfully. Lot chose selfishly. His wife looked back on their worldly life. Sarah made her own plan over and against God’s plan. Isaac and Rebekah played favorites. Jacob was a serial cheater. Esau sought instant gratification. Leah and Rachel resented each other and reduced their own children to pawns in a petty competition. 

         

And yet, throughout every up and down, God’s purposes prevail. He continues to fulfill every promise he has made to this family. He has shown them steadfast love that will not let go, despite their many failures. He has graciously provided land, offspring, and most importantly, his divine blessing that follows them as they learn to follow Him. We will see that, in spite of humanity’s fallen nature and tendency towards sin, the Lord continues to work in and through his chosen people to further His redemptive goals for creation.

        

 It may be a bold claim to say that Abraham’s offspring become “the most famous family in history.” But as we understand the unfolding drama of Scripture, we see that the sovereign Lord God is doing something bigger than we could imagine through this special family. Yes, He would indeed prosper and protect this people as they inherit the land and set up a Kingdom outpost in Judea. But despite their many blessings, their brokenness would continue to drag them back towards the serpent’s agenda. Until one day when a singularly unique Offspring of Abraham’s would arrive and change everything. The story of Abraham and his family is really the origin story of Jesus. 

         

My prayer is that, as we follow the narrative of God’s covenant people, from Isaac to Jacob to Judah and Joseph, from Canaan to Egypt and back again, we would recognize God’s greater purposes at work. The gospel of Jesus has its roots firmly planted in Genesis. Let’s recognize the brokenness in our families of origin as well as in our current families and then let’s pursue the blessing that overcomes all of it and brings us into an unshakeable hope. Grateful to be on this journey with you all. 

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Grace and peace,