The Thoughts of Wesley son of Cornelius

In the last few weeks, funerals and a wedding have brought families together. And along with these mini-reunions comes the most important question: “Now how are we related?” Discussion of this question inevitably follows. Everyone has a story about how they met distant relatives at past funerals or weddings. On the side, discussion arises about odd and screwed up family ties. Many of these confusing family connections originate from divorce, remarriage, and more divorce. We come to the conclusion that the modern family is so messed up. Is there any hope? Can God use such families? Yes, and he did.

“He [Jacob] had a dream … and he [the LORD] said, ‘… Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.’” (Genesis 28:12, 13b, 14 NIV)

“Then the man said, ‘Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel…’” (Genesis 32:28)

Jacob (maybe better, Ya’akov) had a messed up family. Jacob’s great grandfather Terah was a pagan. Jacob’s grandfather Abraham had a sexual relationship with his wife’s maidservant. To make matters worse, it was his grandmother Sarah who set up the relationship. Sarah finally gave birth to a son, Isaac, Jacob’s father. But Isaac loved Jacob’s twin brother Esau, while Isaac’s wife Rebekah loved Jacob. Sounds like a soap opera. But through all this mess God kept his promise that Israel would be his chosen people.