Dysfunctional Families in Genesis
January 10, 2011
Dear Friends,
It is hard to read through the book of Genesis without being struck at how many of patriarchs were from what we might term dysfunctional families. It is clear that the Divine author makes no attempt to sanitize these families. As a matter of fact, it seems quite the opposite. Of all the details of their lives that could be presented, these oddities seem to be emphasized. Let’s take a quick inventory: Incest: Abraham, Lot. Lying: Jacob, Isaac, 10 sons of Jacob. Drunkeness: Noah, Lot. Plotting Murder: 10 sons of Jacob. Stealing: Jacob, Rachel. Polygamy: Abraham, Jacob. If this sort of family story were on TV, we would probably shake our heads at the decline in morals in modern culture.
It begs the question “Why does God present these men in this fashion?”
1. It’s factual.
Because the Bible is presenting fact and not myth, it paints a realistic picture, not some fairy-tale picture of perfect men with perfect families. It shows these men as they really were – warts and all. Most cultures turn their heroes in to myth possessing outlandish abilities and little, if any, flaws. The men in Genesis are almost too normal and therefore too real. This is one of the many ways we know that this is true.
2. It’s exhortive.
If the Bible were full of men like Jesus, which is the say perfect, imagine the consternation of reading such an account in comparison to our own lives. We would be demoralized at our utter inability to come anywhere close to the standard that was set. Yet, as we look at men of faith like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, we can appreciate and admire their faith, but at the same time, we can see that they, like us, were mortal, sinful men. These men appear to cry from the pages of the Bible like Paul and Barnabas in Lystra “We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God.” (Acts 14:15 NIV)
Beyond looking at ourselves, these accounts also exhort us about the circumstances surrounding us. Our families, our ecclesias and our friends may not always be the shining examples of faith and good works that they should be. Rather than let these things beyond our control get us down, let us seek to rise above the circumstances that surround us and remember the words of Jesus: “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” (Rev. 3:11 KJV)
3. It teaches us about forgiveness.
Sometimes you will hear it suggested that the God of the Old Testament is presented very differently than in the New Testament. While I understand the sentiment, it does not appear that way to me personally. To me, God screams mercy and forgiveness from the pages of the Old Testament and in no place is it more apparent than with the patriarchs.
Many among us would not countenance the likes of a Noah, a Lot or even an Abraham in one of our ecclesias. We would leave skid marks to toss these dysfunctional people out on their ears. Yet, not only does God retain these people, he has set them up as models for faith. This is not to say that we have an “anything goes” model for ecclesial discipline, but we need to take into account the whole counsel of God and not emphasize laxity over discipline or vice versa. Families and ecclesias become dysfunctional when they misapply the principles inherent in discipline or forgiveness.
4. It teaches us about faith and righteousness.
These men were not accounted righteous because they were righteous; they were “accounted” righteous because they had faith. In other words, perfect men were not declared to be perfect. Imperfect men were declared to be perfect because they believed what God said. Men of faith are men of action. If you are human and you act, you are going to make mistakes – some small and some gargantuan. God clearly condemns those who do not act on their “faith” (or “dead faith”). At the same time, God seems to make big allowances for those who are acting on their faith, but sinning in the process.
Sometimes I smile to myself when I think about how we become part of Abraham’s dysfunctional family when we are baptized (see Gal. 3:-27-29). I smile because I know when I look at that family through their portrayal in Genesis, I can see how I fit.
Have a great week,
Comments»
No comments yet.