- God’s peace/reconciliation for Jacob with Esau - Last week—Andy’s emphasis on what it takes to find reconciliation—excellent!

Genesis 36-38—Jacob & Sons: Problems in the 1st Family Genesis-Exodus—Foundations Matter… Chris Bruynzeel, Campus Pastor The Bridge Moorpark—June 16, 2013

 The Story rolls on…to the next generation - End of Isaac—35:27 - “End” of Esau—36 - Joseph begins to take a more central role

Introduction Our families—so different than each others’ Our kids—within each of our families—so different (though same parents) Beauty of God’s design—creativity, life on knees, life of beauty Beauty of God’s design in family of God— each important, each different (1Cor 12; Rom 14)  Catching up in a timeline: - God’s protection over Jacob: …20yrs under Laban, then fleeing; …reunion with Esau; …retaliation from allies of Shechem (after revenge of sons on Dinah’s rape) - God’s provision for Jacob—wives, sons, wealth

…but…must not miss:

impact of Jacob’s shortcomings in life of his family God’s sovereign direction despite sins of brothers—to answer question “why Egypt?” sin of Judah with Tamar in chp38

Want to touch on a portion mentioned last week… and what we can learn about God, His ways, fresh starts, recommitments, and our families I.

Jacob Dedicates His Family—35:1-15 Is it ever too late to start fresh & lead your family towards God?

A. In the story…

Context

 Jacob loved one wife more than other—favoritism  Dinah raped by local prince, deception & brutal revenge of sons, city pillaged  Jacob’s lack of authority over sons?  Jacob more concerned over personal safety/retaliation than honor of daughter?  Jacob—life of “in my distress”—fear of Esau, of Laban, of retaliation by Shechem’s allies

God’s patience, mercy, and grace stands out as Jacob’s life unfolds. Story changes in chp35…but, has Jacob changed? Jacob’s 4th mtg with God—35:1-15  Hears & responds in complete obedience— go, build an altar 10yrs AFTER being in the land—quit procrastinating—being near Shechem, not fulfilling vows, not returning to family/Isaac further south, allowed for Dinah’s rape &

further downward spiral of sons (seems to be the environment his spiritual laziness has created)  Acts as Priest over family—1st time it seems  Put off idols Sons being corrupted by nearness to Canaanites, by spiritual laziness of father, by sinful favoritism with home Laban’s household gods Shechem booty Buried under same tree (so it seems) as later scene when Joshua (chp24) called out Israel to rededicate themselves to choose to serve/worship God alone  Put on Purity Purify hearts—dedicate themselves, their commitment/purpose/identity as God’s family, in God’s plans Purify garments—outward action to signify the change  Worship—fulfilled vow Message to Jacob & sons—you are not in the land to be a powerful family/clan with wealth—here as part of a declaration of worship—God of earth, of universe is

carrying forward His plan to bring blessing to nations Jacob—distracted by worldly, forgetting heavenly

book have come together. The primeval blessing of mankind was renewed through the promise of a royal offspring and the gift of the land.” … the covenant with Abraham was the means through which God’s original blessing would again be channeled to all humankind.”1

God reaffirms covenant in response to Jacob’s obedience. Reminds of His plan not just for Jacob, but to bless mankind through this family. God’s blessing of Jacob when his dedication was complete illustrates God’s response to those who fully obey Him. “The importance of God’s words to Jacob in vv. 11–12 cannot be overemphasized. First, God’s words ‘be fruitful and increase in number’ recalled clearly the primeval blessing of Creation (1:28) and hence showed God to be still ‘at work’ in bringing about the blessing to all mankind through Jacob. Second, for the first time since 17:16 (‘kings of peoples will come from her’), the mention is made of royalty (‘kings,’ v. 11) in the promised line. Third, the promise of the land, first given to Abraham and then to Isaac, was renewed here with Jacob (v. 12). Thus within these brief words several major themes of the

B. In our families…  Never too late to respond in obedience!  Never too late to demonstrate to our family a hear of repentance and renewal of commitment to serve God, walk towards God, worship God  Can’t save family—but can lead them towards God in actions, in words, in changed life over time—by consistent example  Can’t give up—despite on-going consequences due to our own actions & example; due to their own sinful choices; due to the temptations of world & Satan’s schemes Constable, T. (2003). Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Ge 17:1). Galaxie Software. —(513 513. Sailhamer, The Pentateuch . . ., p. 157, 177.) 1

 What are our family’s “gods”/idols/culture’s impact that we need to shed/put off?  How can we purify & prepare to walk towards God in worship—to remember God is our covenant God who wants more than 1.5hrs on Sunday?  Dad’s—what do our kids see in our schedule as to our priority for God (devotions, church, small group)—our schedule reflects our priorities.  Parents—what do our conversations reveal about the role of God in how we parent, how we help kids interpret life? “How can you best honor & represent Jesus in your situation?” God’s pushing Jacob to remember & fulfill vow…and…Jacob’s response is challenging, but encouraging nonetheless!

Before moving on to Joseph…let’s jump forward to address briefly chp38

II.

Judah and Tamar—chp38 What’s the point of this story?  Levirate marriage—other cultures, next son helps firstborn son’s line continue—but, in Israel/Ab’s line, added significance, added responsibility & accountability to God: redemption of nations.  Judah—acclimatized to Canaan - Married a Canaanite - Goes to festival—not simple fair, but drunkenness, etc - Goes after a prostitute (associated with worship of gods of fertility/worship) - Cared little for symbols of family & leadership (Esau attitude?) - Hypocrite’s actions—blamed Tamar for death of unrighteous sons; didn’t fulfill his vow to her; “burn her” as response to her pregnancy  Changed Judah(?)—recognized Tamar’s right motivation to continue line— confronted by his sinfulness  Perez—continued the theme of older serving the younger - Future line of Messiah

- Tamar—Gentile, scandal, line of Jesus— God redeems, God’s plan for the nations to be “brought in” (ie Rahab the prostitute later) - Matt 1:3—genealogy of Jesus  Influence of Canaan—Why Egpyt?!! - 4th generation becoming more like Canaanites - God “saved” Israel through sins of sons by taking Joseph to Egypt to preserve nation.

This story happened sometime after Joseph had been sold to show the spiritual status of sons…why it happens here (seems out of place, but chronological) Let’s get to Joseph—the central character for the rest of Genesis. So What? God moving His story forward, using imperfect people to carry His plan to bless the nations forward—demonstrating His grace & mercy & patience.

Parent’s… o Never too late to recommit to God o Never too late to lead towards God o Never give up o Can’t save but can pray & show by example—Prov 22:6 is not a promise (genre of wisdom); 1Cor 7:14—unique covering in godly family and opportunity to be around the Gospel in word and life—so to perhaps follow God themselves