Family – A Good Place to Start
September 23, 2009
Daily Devotional, September 18th
Posted to Genesis 37:4 on Sep 14, 2009 at 02:43 PM
Genesis 37:4
His brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers; and so they hated him and could not speak to him on friendly terms.
“Family ties”
Thwack! The sound signaled trouble. With our parents gone, my sister and I had started a mashed potato fight instead of doing the dishes. Chasing her down the stairs with tinfoil box in hand, I was determined she wouldn’t win even though I was younger. The strains of victory died, however, when an unseen door met with her glasses. We were going to get it for sure.
Designed by God to give us a sense of our identity, family is one of the first places we discover what we like, what we’re good at, and how to relate to others. It’s also where we first experience conflict. Even in the strongest of families, we go through hurts that cause us to believe wrong things about ourselves.
In reading the story of Joseph, we often focus on what Joseph suffered because of his brothers’ jealousy. While this story is an important lesson in forgiveness (Genesis 50:20-21), it also demonstrates how family issues strike deep at the heart.
The firstborn of Jacob’s favorite wife (30:22-24), Joseph was the honored son, and his brothers knew it (v.4). It’s one thing to face a parent’s disapproval because you didn’t do your homework. Imagine feeling as if you’re a disappointment just because you were born to the wrong woman (v.2). Believing Jacob had rejected them in preferring Joseph, his brothers retaliated by stripping him of his coat and his dignity (vv.20-24).
From the beginning of creation, family relationships have been difficult (Genesis 4:8). Relational issues are inevitable. Working through the sin nature of man, the enemy pits family members against each other (Micah 7:6). Responding to the hurt by hurting others only continues the cycle. Putting our hearts in alignment with God’s, however, allows healing and restoration to begin (Luke 1:17). —Regina Franklin, Our Daily Journey
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Research has shown that most, if not all of the problems faced in marriage (and other relationships) stem from dysfunction and abuse that occurred before the age of nine. Families are where we learn how to form our worldviews and adaptations for how we function in relationships. God alone can transform and re-frame our history to turn it into “His story.” Redemption is from Him alone!! Praise His name! He gives it freely, lovingly and fully!