Genesis 26-30: In the Word
Join us as we read through the book of Genesis.
Use these questions to help your weekday worship reading:
What does this passage say about God?
What does this passage say about humanity?
How does this passage fit into the bigger picture of the book so far?
What is strange, offensive, or challenging in this passage?
Based on this passage, what would God say is good or not good in my life?
Generational Sins
“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” is a phrase we often use to acknowledge similarities between generations. It is an apt phrase to use as we read Genesis 26-30 this week. Just as Abraham had lied about Sarah being his wife (twice!), Isaac, the promised covenant son from the union of Abraham and Sarah, follows the same pattern as his earthly father. Isaac lies about Rebekah and has to move from what otherwise was a land of peace (Genesis 26). The pattern of deceit in the family seems to persist from one generation to the next like a plague. Abraham lied, Isaac lied, and Jacob stole from and deceived his own brother and father (Genesis 27).
Many read Genesis and claim that it is too ancient, too primordial, too different for us to relate to. But, I trust as we are reading God’s word together, we are finding just the opposite to be the case. This ancient history we read isn’t too distinct or strange from our own experiences. Can any of us say we have never lied out of self-preservation? Can any of us say we have never lied out of attempts to improve our circumstances? Can any of us say we have never taken something we wanted, that was rightfully someone else's? Genesis isn’t too different, Genesis is often spot on the nose in describing and diagnosing humanity as filled with wicked hearts in our thoughts, words, and actions.
Jacob, who will eventually be renamed to Israel, leaves the land he grew up in to go and search out a wife more acceptable to his parents preferences (Genesis 27-28). While he was on the way Jacob has a strange encounter with God. God makes tremendous promises to Jacob. This encounter shows the enormity of God, that he rules and reigns over places that we may not expect. Jacob then makes a vow to give the Lord a tenth of all that God gives him. Throughout the rest of the Bible a “tithe” refers to 10%, be that crops, production, or belongings. For Jacob, he left his homeland with nothing, not even a pillow (28:11 says he slept on a rock!). Jacob left the rock with a faith that saw any material increase as a gift coming from God and desirous to give thanks back to God for what he would receive.
After this experience of incredible divine promise for blessing, Jacob continues his journey. The rest of these chapters share much in common with the previous chapters of Genesis. We read about more lies as Laben plays wedding-switch-a-roo with his daughters, and we read about Jacob’s new approach to life, diligent, hard work, and the blessing of God granting children.
Jealousy, bickering, deception, competition, and family infighting were not just ancient phenomena of the human experience. These are things you are I deal with, and in our sin, fall prey to throughout our lives. The good news of God’s grace is that despite our sin, God is able, and desirous to save us, make us new, and add us into his family of faith. Through faith in Jesus Christ we have a victory that overcomes sin, and guides us to live with thanks for the blessings - both materially and spiritually- that God bountifully gives to us.