One Man’s Family

“Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake.” Genesis 12:13

September 29, 2022

A family culture is made up of many things. Good habits can characterize a family unit, such as established truth telling, good communication, loyalty, hospitality, genuine affection. But even the best of families can spawn bad habits, sinful patterns that get transmitted from one generation to the next. Abraham was a man of faith, but he faltered. He told Sarah, his wife, to lie to Pharaoh about her relationship to Abraham. Being his half-sister, it was a half-truth, but nevertheless a lie. “Tell him you are my sister.” That was a lie. Sarah was a good looking woman and Abraham did not want to run the risk of being killed. Later we find Sarah lying to angels (Gen. 18:15). Lying became a habit in Abraham’s family. His son, Isaac, lied about his marriage (Gen. 26:7). Jacob, Abraham’s grandson deceived his father, Isaac, (Gen. 27:12). Jacob’s sons lied about their brother, Joseph (Gen. 37). Yes, God’s sovereignty protected the Messianic seed through Abraham, but the sinful pattern to lie to solve problems was a blemish on God’s people. We cannot stop our sinful natures from passing along sinful choices. A chain of sinful behavior in one particular area can be practiced for at least four generations. What family sin patterns are being passed on to our children and future generations? This can be seen in the abuse of alcohol, marital infidelity, anger, a hurtful tongue. Intergenerational chain sinning can be stopped. We must examine ourselves. Identify sinful patterns hiding in the family tree and seek God to replace them with godly habits. H

A time to pray: “O God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, what sinful ways are being overlooked in our family? Give me the grace to prune the family tree of that which dishonors you.”