Dysfunctional Families Lessons from Genesis

Introduction If our homes are built upon the foundation of God’s word, they will flourish and succeed; if not, they will wither and fail (Ps. 127:1-5). What is the key to domestic happiness? Fear the Lord and walk in His ways (Ps. 128:1-6)

Introduction While the patriarchs provide many positive examples, we may also learn from their shortcomings.

The Home of Isaac At the age of forty, Isaac took Rebekah as his wife, but she was subsequently barren. After Isaac prayed for his wife, she conceived, and gave birth to twins: Esau and Jacob (Gen. 25:19-26).

Favoritism Unfortunately, favoritism marred this home’s happiness: Isaac loved Esau while Rebekah loved Jacob (Gen. 25:27-28).

Favoritism Partiality will corrupt a court of law (Deut. 1:17), distorting the very concept of justice (Prov. 24:23-26; 28:21-23). Such behavior also destroys the harmony that should prevail in our homes, stoking the the flames of anger and frustration (Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21).

Combined Character Flaws As is the case with us all, each member of the family had strengths and weaknesses. The oldest child is described as a profane man, i.e., one who did not value things of value. The youngest child evidenced a grasping nature from his mother’s womb, and was thus named Jacob (i.e., one who takes by the heel or supplants).

Combined Character Flaws These character flaws combine on one fateful occasion when Esau came home famished, and Jacob (having cooked stew), offered his brother a bowl of stew in exchange for the birthright, i.e., double- portion belonging to the firstborn (Gen. 25:29-34; cf. Heb. 12:14-17).

Deception Years later, these flaws of character and conduct are again manifested when Rebekah conspires with Jacob to deceive her husband, Isaac, and deprive her son, Esau, of receiving his father’s primary and prophetic blessing (Gen. 27:1-46).

The Home of Jacob After fleeing from Esau, Jacob came to Paddan-aram, where he quickly fell in love with a beautiful maiden named Rachel. Agreeing with her father, Laban, to labor seven years for her hand, the years passed quickly: “They seemed to him but a few days because of his love for her” (Gen. 29:1-20, esp. v. 20).

The Home of Jacob However, after the nuptial celebrations were complete, Jacob found himself on the receiving end of deception: Laban pawned off Leah, whose eyes were weak, upon the unsuspecting groom, who was then forced to labor another seven years for the hand of his beloved Rachel (Gen. 29:21-30).

The Home of Jacob Jacob met his match in Laban, the father-in-law being more manipulative than the son-in-law. In the end, Jacob complained, “Your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times,” but found comfort in the fact that “God did not allow him to hurt me” (Gen. 31:7).

The Home of Jacob Yet, there was no greater injury that selfish and short-sighted Laban could cause to his daughters: through the jealousy that resulted from a violation of the Edenic pattern for marriage, they suffered a life-time of unhappiness (Gen. 29:31-30:24; cf. Exod. 20:4-6).

Conclusion Avoiding the sin of favoritism, let us do all things without partiality. Manifesting undivided affection, let us remain fully committed to our marital companion, loving them, and also the Lord, with all our heart.