by Mark Mayberry
Synopsis: Genesis, the book of beginnings, records God's dealings with the Patriarchs. In many ways, they were heroes of faith, but we also observe failures in their family relationships. Let us learn from both.
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). While the patriarchs provide many positive examples, we may also learn from their shortcomings.
Placing the man in Eden, the Lord God assigned Adam the responsibility of cultivating and keeping the garden (Gen. 2:8-25, esp. vv. 8, 15). He was also assigned the task of naming the beasts and birds (vv. 19-20). By all recorded measures, Adam fulfilled these physical responsibilities. There is no suggestion that he was a sluggard; rather, he appears to have been a hard worker, responsible and trustworthy—all admirable qualities (Prov. 6:6-11; 27:23-24).
However, all was not perfect in paradise: danger lurked in the garden. Exploiting the unique and greatest blessing bestowed upon mankind (i.e., his reasoning ability and freedom of will), the serpent enticed Eve. Maligning the commandment and character of God, and appealing to her appetites, the serpent enticed Eve through the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (Gen. 3:1-7; cf. 1 John 2:15-17).
Reflecting upon this account of the fall, we must ask, "What's wrong with this picture?" Where was Adam? Why did he acquiesce? The fall represents a breakdown in the home. We observe role reversal: Adam failed to exercise spiritual leadership, and Eve did not manifest proper submission (Eph. 5:22-33; 1 Pet. 3:1-7).
Like any powerful opponent, Satan tries to neutralize our strengths and exploit our weaknesses. He looks for the weak link. Bypassing Adam and accosting Eve, the serpent successfully deceived the woman: "it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression" (1 Tim. 2:9-15, esp. v. 14).
After their sin was exposed, Adam and Eve both attempted to shift the blame. The man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate." The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." However, both faced the dire consequences of their disobedience and rebellion (Gen. 3:8-24). Their descendants still feel the effects of this failure (Rom. 5:12-14).
Evidencing obedient faith, Noah constructed the ark according to God's commandment, thus condemning the disobedient antediluvian world, and becoming an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith (Heb. 11:7). He found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; he walked with God. Noah was obedient: "Thus Noah did; according to all that God had commanded him, so he did" (Gen. 6:1-22, esp. vs. 22).
However, after the flood, Noah became drunk, and acted in an undignified manner. This failure impacted others, bringing a curse upon future descendants (Gen. 9:20–27).
When God called Abraham, he obeyed, leaving Ur for Canaan, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, looking for the city with enduring foundations, whose architect and builder is God (Heb. 11:8-10; cf. Rev. 21:10-14). Sarah was granted the ability to conceive a child, even beyond the time of fertility because she considered God faithful; therefore, aged Abraham became the father of innumerable descendants (Heb. 11:11-12; cf. Gen. 17:15-19; 18:9-15; 21:1-3).
All these lived by faith, and died in faith; despite not receiving the promises, they anticipated their eventual realization, because they desired a better country, that is, a heavenly one (Heb. 11:13-16). Additionally, when God tested Abraham's faith, by commanding him to offer up Isaac, Abraham readily obeyed (Heb. 11:17-19; cf. Gen. 22:1-19; James 2:21-24). Paul uses Abraham as an example of one whose faith was in God, not in self (Rom. 4:1-8).
Conversely, when a famine forced Abram to sojourn in Egypt, he asked Sarai, his wife, to say that she was his sister (Gen. 12:10-20). This unchivalrous and shameful half-lie was later repeated (Gen. 20:1-18), even after Abraham had been victorious in the war of the kings, in which he demonstrated military prowess (Gen. 14:1-16). A forfeiture of spiritual leadership occurred again when Abram yielded to Sarai's suggestion that she obtain children through Hagar, the Egyptian handmaid (Gen. 16:1-16).
While Abraham's strong faith was handed down to his descendants (Gen. 18:19), so also were his shortcomings: Abraham's failure of faith was echoed in the life of his son, Isaac (Gen. 26:6-11). Despite these momentary failures, Abraham is a hero of faith, an encouragement, and example to all generations: "So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer" (Gal. 3:6-9).
When God tested Abraham's faith, young Isaac not only witnessed his father's reaction, but also was a participant in the unfolding drama (Gen. 22:1-19; cf. Heb. 11:17-19). When Isaac was old, and his eyesight diminished, faith was demonstrated in blessing his sons, Jacob and Esau (Gen. 27:2-4; cf. Heb. 11:20). Although the beauty of the occasion was marred by deception, the outcome only served to ratify the sovereign choice previously made by God: "Two nations are in your womb; and two peoples will be separated from your body; and one people shall be stronger than the other; and the older shall serve the younger" (Gen. 27:27-29, 39-40; cf. 25:19-26).
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). Unfortunately, favoritism marred this home's happiness: Isaac loved Esau while Rebekah loved Jacob (Gen. 25:27-28). 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 flames of anger and frustration (Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21).
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). These character flaws combined 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., the double-portion belonging to the firstborn (Gen. 25:29-34; cf. Heb. 12:14-17).
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).
Jacob gradually learned to rely upon God, beginning with his experience at Bethel (Gen. 28:10-22). 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).
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).
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). There was no greater injury that selfish and short-sighted Laban could inflict upon his daughters: through the jealousy that resulted from a violation of the Edenic pattern for marriage, they suffered a lifetime of unhappiness (Gen. 29:31-30:24; cf. Exod. 20:4-6).
The lives of Adam and Jesus had opposite effects, one bringing death, one promising life: Adam's transgression brought condemnation and the curse of death; however, justification and the blessing of life were made possible through Jesus' obedient life and perfect sacrifice (Rom. 5:12-17; 1 Cor. 15:20-22, 42-49).
The lives of Noah and Abraham are noble examples of faith, but they also provide a warning. Let us walk by faith. Let us recognize our responsibility of obeying God's commandments. Let us respect the pattern that God established for the home, involving headship and submission, and not reverse or repudiate these roles. Let us avoid momentary lapses that may carry long-lasting consequences.
The families of Isaac and Jacob also teach much-needed lessons: 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 the Lord, with all our heart, and acting accordingly.
Author Bio: Mark and Sherelyn have labored with the Adoue Street church of Christ in Alvin, TX since 1998, where he serves as the evangelist and an elder. The church website is ascoc.org. His Bible study website is markmayberry.net. He can be reached at mark@truthpublications.com.