Family Matters

Family is complected

For most of us family is a good thing, we have our parents, we like them, even when they ask us to do the cores around the house, but most often we are in good relationships with our family.

However many of us struggle with the topic of family. We may not have a great relationship with our family and struggle to have a real connection.

Here is an example of a Complicated Family Dynamic.

Last week we talked about the family of Joseph, and his brothers, how their troubled relationship lead to greater things. In the same way we are going to look at the relationship between two brothers who broke their family and how it work out for Gods glory.

Josephs grandfather, was named Issac. and Issac had two sons; Esau and Jacob. Esau was the first born and Jacob was next. When they were born Jacob was holding onto Esau's heal. So he was named “Jacob” which means deceiver or heel grabber.

The dubious meaning of the name “Jacob” was suspicious at best. Historically, the name “Jacob,” meaning “one who supplants” (“grabs the heel of”), was given for the seizure of his twin brother’s heel at birth (see comments on 25:26). If there were any ambiguity about the disrepute of the name “Jacob,” Esau rendered his verdict in no uncertain terms: “Isn’t he rightly named Jacob [yaʿăqōb]? He has deceived me [wayyaʿqĕbēnî] these two times” (27:36).

Kenneth A. Mathews

So the nature of Jacob was based off his name which meant heal grabber or sounded like deceiver. this “prophecy” in his name was fulfilled by Jacob when he took Esau's birth right, and then later blessing from his father.

Genesis 27:34–38 “When Esau heard his father’s words, he let out a loud and bitter cry. “Oh my father, what about me? Bless me, too!” he begged. But Isaac said, “Your brother was here, and he tricked me. He has taken away your blessing.” Esau exclaimed, “No wonder his name is Jacob, for now he has cheated me twice. First he took my rights as the firstborn, and now he has stolen my blessing. Oh, haven’t you saved even one blessing for me?” Isaac said to Esau, “I have made Jacob your master and have declared that all his brothers will be his servants. I have guaranteed him an abundance of grain and wine—what is left for me to give you, my son?” Esau pleaded, “But do you have only one blessing? Oh my father, bless me, too!” Then Esau broke down and wept.”

Matthew 13:53-58

Matthew 13:53–58 NLT

When Jesus had finished telling these stories and illustrations, he left that part of the country. He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. When he taught there in the synagogue, everyone was amazed and said, “Where does he get this wisdom and the power to do miracles?” Then they scoffed, “He’s just the carpenter’s son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers—James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. All his sisters live right here among us. Where did he learn all these things?” And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family.” And so he did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief.

John 7:1-9

John 7:1–9 NLT

After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death. But soon it was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters, and Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles! You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!” For even his brothers didn’t believe in him. Jesus replied, “Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime. The world can’t hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil. You go on. I’m not going to this festival, because my time has not yet come.” After saying these things, Jesus remained in Galilee.

Mark 6:1-6

Mark 6:1–6 NLT

Jesus left that part of the country and returned with his disciples to Nazareth, his hometown. The next Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. They asked, “Where did he get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?” Then they scoffed, “He’s just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.” They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.” And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then Jesus went from village to village, teaching the people.

How can God use our family.

God still uses our family to make us better, Esau and Jacob eventually reconciled with each other after they both were able to acknowledge their own shortcomings and grow to be better people.

God used Jacob to become the father of an entire nation. His sons became the 12 tribes of Israel. Jacob was an imperfect man. The family of Israel also fought with Esau descendants this would remind the family of Israel that they are to honor the family and structure what God has placed in our lives. yes the relationship between the two brothers was repaired later in life and they were able to benefit from each other.

Even the family of Jesus was used to show glory to God. after they ridiculed him he still used them as examples as how difficult it can be to minister to people, but we will later see how Jesus mother and siblings are able to dedicate their life to following him and the mission of God.

we are to do the same Love our family even when it is difficult and then let God use their impact to work for his glory.