• Never Work For Your Relatives: Lessons from Genesis 30-31

    June 8, 2025

    In the summers of 1977 and 1978, I was offered a job to work for my cousin driving a combine during wheat harvest. Running two combines it took about three-and-a-half to four weeks to harvest the wheat. The first summer, my cousin said that he would pay me $25 a day to drive a combine. At 16 years old, I enjoyed driving the combine so I didn’t think much of it at the time. The next summer he gave me a rais; $30 a day. Again, I loved driving the combine so I didn’t complain. 

    However, it was an itchy, dirty job. The days were at least 12 hours with some going beyond 16 hours, harvesting from 7:30 AM to 1:00 AM the following morning. Then to drive home, shower, and sleep, and be back to the field by 6:30 AM, to refuel and service the combine. At $30 a day divided by 16 hours, I was working about $1.88 an hour. That was well below the minimum wage which was $2.30 an hour. Even working at my dad’s garage, I was making $2.00 an hour. 

    Harvest field of wheat with a combine and wheat harvester at work.

    Did I feel that I was being ripped off? At the time, not really. I trusted my cousin was being fair with me. But, my dad said to me that he felt our cousins were taking advantage of me. Did we drive out to the field and start carrying our picket signs in protest to the  unfair wage? No! We did not. But, my dad taught me a lesson about how it’s not wise to work for your relatives. A lesson that I have never forgotten. 

    Do I carry any ill will toward my family? No! I wouldn’t trade those memories for the world and would probably do it all again. However, the lesson still remains in my mind especially as we study Genesis 31:1-7 (NKJV):

    1 Now Jacob heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying “Jacob has taken away all that was our father’s, and from what was our father’s he has acquired all this wealth.” 2 And Jacob saw the countenance of Laban, and indeed it was not favorable toward him as before. 3 Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be with you.” 

    4 So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field, to his flock, 5 and said to them, “I see your father’s countenance, that it is not favorable toward me as before; but the God of my father has been with me. 6 And you know that with all my might I have served your father. 7 Yet your father has deceived me and changed my wages ten times, but God did not allow him to hurt me. 

    It seems that this was a case of love at first sight. When Jacob first met Rachel, he kissed her, and then he wept (Genesis 29:11). It didn’t matter that she was his first cousin. God didn’t address the issues of incest until much later. Jacob went to Rachel, he wanted her and was willing to work for her father in order to marry her. However, Rachel’s father, Laban, deceived Jacob and when the time came for Jacob to marry Rachel, Laban substituted his daughter Leah instead. After unknowingly having intercourse with her, Jacob discovered it was not Rachel and returned to Laban saying “why have you deceived me?”

    Laban agreed to give Rachel to Jacob on the basis that he would work for him for another seven years (Genesis 29:25-27). However, as time passes and Jacob has almost finished his agreement, Laban begins to realize that Jacob is making him a lot of money so he contracts Jacob to work even longer. 

    The original agreement was (Genesis 30:31-33, NKJV): 

    31 So he [Laban] said, “what shall I give you?”

    And Jacob said, “You shall not give me anything. If you will do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep your flocks: 32 Let me pass through all your flock today, removing from there all the speckled and spotted sheep, and all the brown ones among the lamps, and the spotted and speckled among the goats; and these shall be my wages. 33 So my righteousness will answer for me in time to come, when the subject of my wages comes before you: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the lamps, will be considered stolen, if it is with me.”

    It is evident that God blessed Jacob. Because, over time Jacob’s flocks turned out to be strong, and well fed compared to Laban’s flocks. Therefore, Laban’s other sons became involved in sharing their complaints (Genesis 31). The sons felt that Jacob was robbing them of the inheritance they’d receive from their father. Realizing the hostility, Jacob decides to leave, especially after God told him: 

    3 Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your father and grandfather and to your relatives there, and I will be with you.” (Genesis 31:3, NLT)
    Jacob Urging Leah and Rachel to Flee from Laban (1638) Pieter Symonsz Potter (Dutch, 1597–1652)
    Jacob Urging Leah and Rachel to Flee from Laban (1638)
    Pieter Symonsz Potter (Dutch, 1597–1652)

    At this time, Jacob felt he did not owe Laban anything. In fact, his own complain was: 

    6 You know how hard I have worked for your father, 7 but he has cheated me, changing my wages ten times. But God has not allowed him to do me any harm. (Genesis 31:6-7, NLT)

    “Cheated me,” is a strong phrase; “deceived” isn’t much better. But the point is, Jacob is telling his wife that her father took advantage of him. Whereas, depending on who you talk to, Laban or his sons, the question might be: who took advantage of who? 

    Then, Rachel and Leah list their own complaints (Genesis 31: 14-16, NLT): 

    14 Rachel and Leah responded, “That’s fine with us! We won’t inherit any of our father’s wealth anyway. 15 He has reduced our rights to those of foreign women. And after he sold us, he wasted the money you paid him for us. 16 All the wealth God has given you from our father legally belongs to us and our children. So go ahead and do whatever God has told you.”

    The women have their own reasons for their hostilities. With their belief that the Bible is based on a “patriarchal paradigm,” most women were considered lesser than men, with little of their own rights. Examining ancient culture, this is quite evident and true. It is certainly not an idea that is built upon righteousness, nor does it indicate any of God’s love being lost to women.

    Continuing with the story, Jacob and his family head off without telling Laban. When Laban catches up to them, he also airs his own complaint (Genesis 31:25-29, NLT): 

     25 Laban caught up with Jacob as he was camped in the hill country of Gilead, and he set up his camp not far from Jacob’s. 26 “What do you mean by deceiving me like this?” Laban demanded. “How dare you drag my daughters away like prisoners of war? 27 Why did you slip away secretly? Why did you deceive me? And why did you say you wanted to leave? I would have given you a farewell feast, with singing and music, accompanied by tambourines and harps. 28 Why didn’t you let me kiss my daughters and grandchildren and tell them good-bye? You have acted very foolishly! 29 I could destroy you, but the God of your father appeared to me last night and warned me, ‘Leave Jacob alone!’

    Based on what we know about Laban, it is pretty unlikely he would have thrown a farewell feast for his daughters and Jacob. Especially since we know that Laban was deceptive, it’s likely that he would have come up with another scheme. Additionally, Laban’s hostility toward them, reminding Jacob, “I could destroy you!” Yet, there’s one slight problem, or rather one big problem. A big God. An Almighty God. Who warns Laban, “leave Jacob alone!” The lesson here: It’s always good to have God on your side. 

    What do we learn from the challenges these families faced? From the story of Jacob and Laban, we gain insight into human relationships, ethics, perseverance, and God’s providence. 

    We learn patience and perseverance. Jacob worked for Laban for 20 years. Seven years for Rachel, another seven for Leah, and six more years for livestock. Despite the deceit and unfair treatment, Jacob persevered. This teaches us that achieving our goals often requires enduring difficult circumstances and remaining steadfast. 

    We learn the consequences of deception. Both Jacob and Laban engaged in deceptive practices. Jacob deceived his father, Isaac, to receive the blessing meant for Esau, and Laban deceived Jacob by giving him Leah instead of Rachel. These actions led to complicated family dynamics and strained relationships. 

    We learn God’s sovereignty and faithfulness. Despite the human flaws and deceptive actions, God’s plan continued to unfold. God promised to bless Jacob and was faithful to that promise, even when Jacob faced difficulties. This teaches us that God’s plans are sovereign, and His faithfulness endures despite human failures. It reassures us that God can bring about good from our circumstances and remains in control even when things seem chaotic. 

    We learn how to work diligently and ethically. Jacob worked diligently for Laban, even when he was treated unfairly. This underscores the value of working hard and maintaining a strong work ethic, regardless of how others treat us. It also reminds us to trust that God sees out efforts and will reward us in His timing. 

    We learn how to set boundaries. Eventually, Jaco realized that he needed to separate from Laban to fulfill God’s plan for his life. He took his family and possessions and left. This teaches us the importance of setting boundaries in relationships, especially when those relationships are harmful or exploitative. It is crucial to recognize when it is time to move on for our well-being and to follow God’s direction for our lives. 

    We learn how to resolve conflict. The story also highlights the importance of resolving conflicts. Jacob and Laban eventually made a covenant to part ways peacefully (Genesis 31:44-54). This shows the importance of addressing conflicts directly and finding a resolution that allows both parties to move forward without lingering animosity. 

    We learn to have faith in God. When leaving Laban, Jacob prayed and relied on God to protect him from Laban’s potential retaliation. This teaches us the importance of placing our faith and dependence on God, especially when facing uncertain or challenging situations. 

    We learn God’s blessings amidst challenges. Jacob prospered greatly. This illustrates that God’s blessings can come even in challenging circumstances. It encourages us to remain faithful and trust that God can and will bless us, sometimes in unexpected ways. 

    You might wonder “what if?” What if Jacob had not worked for his father-in-law? What if he had just gracefully asked for his daughter’s hand in marriage? Would there have been a better relationship between these two men, eventually? We know that within the family, the human family as well as the family of God that there are oftentimes conflict. Conflicts occur with people collaborating with people. Our communion with God can be a place for resolving conflicts. When we worship with others, we come together to remember our Lord Jesus Christ. Being reminded that no conflict should keep us from him, as he also instructed us to love one another. 

    Sermon Title: Why You Should Never Work For Your Relatives | Sermon: June 2, 2024, Shubert Christian Church, Shubert, NE

  • Where is God? Jacob’s Journey in Genesis 28

    June 1, 2025

    We continue with Jacob’s story after leaving off with the dispute over a birthright with his older brother, Esau (first born son of Issac). Having a birthright would mean obtaining the highest position in the family, and receiving a much larger portion of inheritance, including land. However, as we remember from the last chapter, Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for the low price of a bowl of stew. 

    To claim the birthright, Jacob and his mother managed to deceive Isaac into offering this blessing to Jacob. When Esau came forward to receive his birthright, he became intensely angry. Isaac also grieved when discovering that he had been deceived and blessed the wrong son. 

    Upon researching this text and its interpretation from the Jewish point of view, Rabbi Joseph Telushkin notes at least two problems. 1) Rabbi Telushkin states “the Torah never explains why a blessing given under false pretenses cannot be reassigned to its proper recipient,” and 2) Jacob lied to his father. We have to wonder, how did Jacob get away with deceiving his father? And, if ever there is a point where one is expected to respect their dying parent, especially an honorable Patriarch like Jacob, at what point has his sin ever been made justifiable?

    From this point, we move back into the text, Genesis 28:10-11 (NRSV):

    10 Jacob left Beersheba and went toward Haran. 11 He came to a certain place and stayed there for the night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place. 

    All of this happened while Jacob was fleeing from his brother Esau. His journey to Haron is believed to have been over 400 miles. As he gets started, about 50 miles from home, he has this dream, Genesis 28:12-15 (NRSV):

    12 And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 And the LORD stood beside him and said, “I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring; 14 and your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your offspring. 15 Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” 
    Image: “Jacobs Ladder” (1655) Rembrandt van Rijn

    Jacob has an encounter with God. First, one might wonder from this text, why did God choose him? If this was a man who was clearly guilty of deceiving his father, why would God choose such a man to reveal himself to? However, if we look toward the New Testament, one is able to see that God doesn’t always reveal himself to those whom we should judge as the best of God’s creation. If we ask why God would choose Jacob, we should also ask why God chose Paul to be an Apostle. 

    When looking at this encounter between God and Jacob, we can see that Jacob is not being judged for his former sins. Instead, God offers future blessings to a man who has stolen blessings. God gives Jacob undeserved recognition in saying, “all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you.” But the best promise, God says, “know that I am with you…for I will not leave you.”

    Many of us have been like Jacob. Our life’s journey has taken us to some places where our behaviors have bordered on the unethical. Some might call this guilt-ridden, leaving us to wonder, where is God? And, if God is out there, why would he have anything to do with me? 

    To some point, it is easy to understand why some people are agnostic when it comes to faith. Some may even admit that they believe in God but just don’t think God would have anything to do with them; sort of like God is on vacation, taking a break after creating the world. It is difficult for people to acknowledge that God is working in their personal life at this very moment. For some, it’s easy to be content with our life and live with very little awareness of the existence of God. Yet, it isn’t until our lives encounter a tragedy, say the death of a loved one or a sudden terminal illness, that we drop down to our knees in prayer frantically searching, asking “God, where are you?!”

    This can be especially frustrating when we hear stories of Jacob and his direct encounter with God. We look at Jacob’s past and we wonder why he was allowed to become a famous biblical leader. We will never understand the kind of justice or injustice done by this story but what we do know is that God revealed Himself to Jacob, which assures us that God is capable of being present with the sinful. 

    Many people today assume God will have nothing to do with them because they are not perfect enough to have fellowship with Him. Yet, what we learn from this story of Jacob is that the idea couldn’t be further from the truth. From this one story and the many that follow, we see example after example of how God has chosen to have company with many men and women who’ve lived sinful lifestyles. 

    When we think about God’s willingness to be in company, and have communion with sinners, we ought to know that whatever spiritual state many of us may find ourselves in, God is always with us. There are reminders throughout the Old Testament where God says, “I am the LORD, the God of Abraham,” or “the God of Israel,” or “the God of your fathers.” This is even continued by Jesus in the New Testament, that even Jesus’ name, Emmanuel, means “God with us.” 

    In continuing with Jacob’s story, Genesis 28:16-19 (NRSV):

    16 Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place--and I did not know it!” 17 And he was afraid, and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” 
    18 So Jacob rose early in the morning, and he took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. 19 He called that place Bethel.

    After Jacob awoke from his dream, he set up a pillar, and named the place Bethel. The name Bethel may have two meanings, 1) the house of God, and 2) the gate of heaven. This helps support the idea that whenever God is, it is holy. Therefore, if God is present with us, then we can continue to acknowledge “surely the LORD is in this place. How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” 

    To conclude, in times of trouble and heartache, many of us ask “Where is God?” Jesus said in the closing words of Matthew’s gospel, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28.20b, NIV). Where is God? God is with you. He is with you today. He will be with you tomorrow. God will never leave you.

    Sermon Title: Where is God?  Sermon Date: July 18, 1999, First Christian Church, Paradise, California

  • The Betrayal of Esau: A Tale of Inheritance and Deception in Genesis 25-27

    May 25, 2025

    As we begin Genesis 25, we meet Esau and his brother Jacob, sons of Isaac (son of Abraham) and Rebekah. Esau and Jacob were twins with Esau the first born and Jacob following right after. As they grew, they had very different interests. Esau was a skilled hunter and farmer and Jacob “was a mild man, dwelling in tents” (Genesis 25:27). While it’s typically not common for parents to have favorites among their children, this was not the case for Esau and Jacob. Instead, Esau was the favorite of Isaac, which meant that Isaac had given Esau his birthright whereas Jacob was the favorite of Rebekah but received nothing. This birthright is expanded more in Genesis 25:29-34 (NKJV): 

    29 Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary. 30 And Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.” Therefore his name was called Edom. 31 But Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright as of this day.” 32 And Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?” 33 Then Jacob said, “Swear to me as of this day.” 
    So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

    Esau despised his birthright and considered the responsibilities and honors unimportant and uninteresting. Unsurprisingly, he would sell his birthright to his brother over bread and stew. A formal oath solidified the agreement, “Jacob said, ‘swear to me as of this day.’ So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob” (Genesis 25:33). Esau took what God considered sacred and made it common. He was more concerned about his temporary and material needs and gave them priority over his rights as the firstborn son and responsibilities as heir; a blessing of the Abrahamic covenant. This isn’t the only place in the Bible that references Esau’s lack of commitment. Hebrews 12:16 says:

    16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 

    Esau abandoned his birthright but that’s not all. Esau also chose wives–Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite–who were outside the tribe his parents approved of. Whether they were “wild women,” we do not know but knowing from Hebrews that Esau was a “profane person and a fornicator having women he was not married to,” little is left to the imagination. 

    As we fast forward, Isaac was getting old, he was nearly 180 years old and was blind. He called out to his favorite son, Esau, and asked him to go hunting to bring back “savory” food.  His wife Rebekah was standing nearby and devised a plan for Jacob to slaughter some goats, she would cook the food, and Jacob would take it to his father, posing as Esau. The only problem, Esau was a hairy man and Jacob was not. So, Rebekah went out and stole clothes from Esau and placed goat skins on Jacob where his father would likely want to feel, in order to fool him into believing that Jacob was Esau.

    Image Source: Hendrick ter Brugghen – Web Gallery of Art, Public Domain

    Jacob, disguised as Esau, went and gave food to his father. Isaac was amazed that his favorite son found the game so quickly to which Jacob replied, “God provided.” Isaac was suspicious and asked Jacob to come near him. He felt Jacob’s phony costume and said, “Your voice sounds like Jacob but you feel like Esau. Are you really my son Esau?” Jacob lied and replied, “I am.” 

    Jacob passed the inspection. Isaac was convinced Jacob was Esau. He felt like Esau and his clothes smelled like Esau. So, Isaac blessed Jacob instead of Esau. Isaac said,

    28 Therefore may God give you 
    Of the dew of heaven, 
    Of the fatness of the earth, 
    And plenty of grain and wine. 
    29 Let peoples serve you, 
    And nations bow down to you. 
    Be master over your brethren, 
    And let your mother’s sons bow down to you. 
    Cursed be everyone who curses you, 
    And blessed be those who bless you!” (Genesis 25:28-29)

    This was likely a one-time deal. There was no going back now. Jacob was blessed with the highest blessing. Sometime later, Esau comes home and prepares his game, cooks it, and brings it to his father. Isaac, having just eaten, says he is full and realizes he was deceived. Esau is heartbroken and weeps, which eventually turns to rage. He says, “Blee me, O my father!” Genesis 25:39-40 (NKJV) says:

    39 Then Isaac his father answered and said to him: 
    “Behold, your dwelling shall be of the fatness of the earth, 
    And of the dew of heaven from above. 
    40 By your sword you shall live, 
    And you shall serve your brother
    And it shall come to pass, when you become restless, 
    That you shall break his yoke from your neck.”

    As a result, Esau vowed he would kill his brother, Jacob. As an expert hunter, he could do just that. We’ve seen this story play out before with Cain and Abel. As God chose Abel over Cain, God chose Jacob over Esau.

    There are multiple cheaters in this story. Rebekah conspired to deceive and cheat her husband, Isaac. Jacob cheated his brother out of a blessing. Esau cheated by marrying foreign women and living a reckless life. Unfortunately, we know people like this in our lives today. We’ve heard these stories. We see examples of these stories in popular media like The Bachelor, Survivor, and many others. This level of suffering entertains us but deep down, there is more to be said about deceit than the humor of a reality TV show. For Jacob, this meant that his mother sent him away, 450 miles away to be exact, to save him from being killed by his brother. Who knew you could find such entertainment in the Bible?

    Title: “Your Cheating Heart” | Service Date: October 16, 2015, First Christian Church, Hiawatha, Kansas

  • The Origin of Love (Genesis 22)

    May 18, 2025

    Many people are familiar with the story of Abraham and Isaac. Genesis 22:1-5: 

    1 Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. 5 And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.” 

    It sometimes horrifies us to think how God could require human sacrifice. Yet, the point of this story is to show God testing Abraham’s faith and loyalty; nothing more. Genesis 6-12:

    6 So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together. 7 But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 

    8 And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together. 9 Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an alter there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the alter; upon the wood. 10 And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” So he said, “Here I am.” 

    12 And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” 

    "Abraham and Isaac before the Sacrifice" 1644 painting by Jan Victors
    Image Source: “Abraham and Isaac before the Sacrifice” 1644 painting by Jan Victors

    We may never know if God would have allowed Abraham to follow through and kill his son, Isaac. Fortunately, we have the privilege of knowing how this story ends. 

    One of the areas of focus for this story is looking at what the Bible has to say about love and where it originated. In today’s society, we throw around the word “love” rather loosely. It is not so much a Christianized idea and because of this, love can often be associated with “tolerance,” “affirmation,” and “acceptance.” Even within the walls of progressive Christianity, there is a connection with a worldview of love. This makes us wonder; Where did love originate?

    William McDonald, author and former president of Emmaus Bible College, stated “the first occurrence of a word in the Bible often sets the pattern for its usage throughout Scripture.” The Hebrew word for “love,” אָהַב (˒âhab, aw-hab,) was first used in Genesis 22:2: 

    2 Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Issac, whom you love…

    We know from reading Genesis 21 that Isaac was almost a miracle child for Abraham and Sarah, because of their older age. There was likely a lot of hope for them that through their offspring, their lineage would continue. Therefore, we are left wondering why God would require Abraham to give up his only son when He knew how important this child was to them. And, on top of that, let’s not forget the request to kill Isaac.

    Within the context of defining love, we look at Abraham’s love for his child. Warren Wiersbe, author of With the Word Bible Commentary, explains that this was a test of love: 

    Abraham loved his son, but he loved God more. Isaac was God’s gift to Abraham, but the gift had to become a sacrifice to God. If the gift becomes more important than the Giver, it becomes an idol.   

    We have no evidence that Abraham told God outright, “I love you,” but we know from this text that Abraham passed the test which proved to God, through action and obedience, that God meant more to him than anything. He may have ever realized that if it were not for God, he wouldn’t have Isaac. Furthermore, his actions exemplify the love that a parent has for their children. Later in Genesis 25, we see Isaac with his children, Esau and Jacob. 

    27 So the boys grew. And Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, but Jacob was a mild man, dwelling in tents. 28 And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. 

    As parents, we rarely show favoritism to our children. However, Isaac showed favoritism toward Esau, the older twin brother of Jacob. We see this continue to Genesis 27: 

    1 Now it came to pass when Isaac was old and his eyes were so dim that he could not see, that he called Esau his older son and said to him, “My Son.” And he answered him, “Here I am.” 2 Then he said, “Behold now, I am old. I do not know the day of my death. 3 Now therefore, please take your weapons, your quiver, and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me. 4 And make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die.” 

    The same word “love” is used in this scripture but its meaning is different. We all have a favorite food that we love. It might be apple pie, chocolate cake, or cookies. If you don’t have a sweet tooth, maybe you love mashed potatoes, turkey, and green bean casserole. Whatever it is, most of us have a love for food. Even in the Bible, we find that people had a love for certain foods. 

    Jan Van Kessel. "Fruit and Vegetable Market with a Young Fruit Seller." Between 1650 and 1660.
    Image Source: Jan Van Kessel. “Fruit and Vegetable Market with a Young Fruit Seller.” Between 1650 and 1660.

    Another kind of love is romantic or sexual love. We see an example of this in Genesis 29:30 (NKJV):   

    30 Then Jacob also went in to Rachel, and he also loved Rachel more than Leah. And he served with Laban still another seven years.

    This time, love is interpreted to mean love between two people. In this example, we are given a biblical model of romance and sexual love between a man and a woman. This kind of love is one of God’s greatest gifts to humanity. In today’s society, many try to minimize the significance of this blessing by forcing the acceptance of other types of sexual and romantic love upon us. Unfortunately, this has been one of the reasons romantic and sexual love are often disregarded with couples refusing to commit to the marriage vows or even breaking marriage vows in time. 

    Looking at the origin of love is an exciting journey. God allowed humankind to develop feelings of certain things. All these various kinds of love, whether it be romantic love or love for certain foods, it was all placed within the boundaries that always put God first. Even for Abraham, it was to put God first. Some might even read Genesis and say that love toward God was implied, but that’s not always explained. Jumping into the book of Exodus 20:4-6, we see an example of this (NKJV): 

    4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

    We see another example of loving God in Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (NKJV): 

    4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

    While there are many other examples of loving God throughout the Bible, another example, this time stated by our Lord Jesus Christ, is in Mark 12:28-30 and Matthew 22:34-40. Matthew 12:28-30 reads: 

    28 Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?” 29  Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.

    The origin of love is encompassed within the boundaries of the Kingdom of God. Its purpose is to love God and to put God first. By doing this, we can be sure that everything else will fall into place. When the world tries to redefine the meaning of love and sexuality the results will always end in heartache. Even for those who indulge in the love of food, it still brings all kinds of problems, including health issues, obesity, addiction, etc. However, the biggest difference with food is that we need food to survive. I don’t think God intended for us to not have a favorite food, but food cannot become one’s God. 

    People can love their families and should love their families. But people who do not love God do not always know how to love their families. Or to turn it around, people who do not love their families cannot love God. This is not to say that people do not get hurt by their families, and sometimes we have to forgive people but remain distant. And in many cases, we have to love people at a distance.

    The Bible has something to say about love in just about every book. Sometimes, people struggle with studying their Bible because they think they need to read the book starting with Genesis, all the way through. It can be really helpful and rewarding to do a word study, and in this case, take a word (like love) and identify where and how that word is used in the Bible. One can gain a great deal of spiritual understanding just by reviewing that word and seeing how it repeats itself, what different versions of the word are used, and how it unfolds through the scriptures. Love is certainly a gift from God and true love is from God. We can seek out love throughout the Bible and every time we find God, we will also find love.  

    Title: Formerly “The Origin of Love” | Sermon: October 8, 2023, Shubert Christian Church, Shubert, Nebraska

  • Does Everlasting Still Mean Everlasting?

    May 4, 2025

    In Hebrew, the word for everlasting is עֹלָם˓ôlâm, o-lawm’ which  means eternity, forever future, or a time unending.   So when God makes a promise to Abraham in Genesis 17, is this promise good for eternity? Or was God exaggerating? Genesis 17:1-2 reads

    1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.  2 And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” 

    Does everlasting still mean everlasting? In today’s society, we could say the Jews and the nation of Israel are God’s people. Many people have tried to remove the Jews from having any claim to a covenant with God. The nation of Israel and the bloodline of the Jewish people still make the Jews descendants of Abraham. Yet, the focus of this chapter is on the term “everlasting” and does everlasting still mean everlasting for today’s society?

    "Clouds" by Thomas Cole, 1838.
    Image: “Clouds” by Thomas Cole, 1838.

    Abram surely knew that God, The Almighty God (El Shaddai), was the creator of the universe and therefore had no limitations to power or strength. In Genesis 17: 1, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God;” (NKJV).

    As God made promises to Abram, Abram must have realized that God was serious. His immediate response was that he fell on his face before God. He was showing God respect and indicating his unworthiness to be in the presence of God. To which God replies in Genesis 17:3-6: 

    3 Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying: 4 “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. 5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you.

    God said Abram was “blameless” which meant for him to maintain his integrity, to walk before God obeying God. His reward was that God would multiply him exceedingly. God continues in Genesis 17:7-8:

    7 And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. 8 Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”

    Then, God changes Abram’s name. The name Abram means “high father,” and his new name, Abraham, meant “father of a multitude.” We also learn later in Genesis 17:16 that Sarai also receives a new name; Sarah, the “mother of nations.” And, every time their names are spoken, it is a reminder of the promises of God’s covenant. This covenant was not just a covenant that would be terminated upon the death of the recipients. This covenant was now an “everlasting covenant”; an eternal covenant, a covenant without end. 

    Whenever one reads the books of the Old Testament one gets the idea that the story plot is about God’s people coming to God, turning away from God, coming back to God, and then rejecting God. The Israelites (known as the Hebrew children) also known as the Jews have a hot and cold relationship with the Almighty. They reject the Almighty and in return; the Almighty rejects them. 

    Because they are God’s chosen people, God is always there to welcome them back into the fold. Therefore, this nation shouldn’t be discounted from the Biblical message. Our nation, the United States of America, should support Israel. If our nation turns away from Israel, God will certainly turn away from us. Yet, the most troubling part is there are millions of people in this nation that turned away from God already; they simply no longer care. 

    Those practicing the Jewish faith today likely feel they are well-connected to God. Whereas, people of our faith, our Christian faith believe that since the Jews rejected Jesus Christ, they lost their rights to be considered as the people of God; the true chosen people of God. There’s that little problem again about the “everlasting covenant.” Does everlasting still mean everlasting? Hosea 4:1, 6-7 (NKJV) explains:

    4 Hear the word of the Lord, 
You children of Israel, 
For the Lord brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: 
“There is no truth or mercy
Or knowledge of God in the land.
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge,
I also will reject you from being priest for Me;
Because you have forgotten the law of your God,
I also will forget your children.
7 “The more you increased,
The more they sinned against me; 
I will change their glory into shame. 

    It is clear that God, through the prophet, is addressing Israel. Without including a lengthy portion of Hosea 4, Hosea 4:1 clarifies that it is addressing Israel, and 4:6 details how God is rejecting his people. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” (Hosea 4:6) clearly emphasizes that if you do not know something, then you are vulnerable to being destroyed.

    An example of this could be like flying an airplane. Imagine you’re traveling on a commercial jet at an altitude of 35,000 feet when the pilot suddenly hands you the controls. They tell you to just “fly the plane.” Of course, most of you’d likely reply, “But I don’t know how to fly the plane!” But the pilot does not rescind the command and instead replies, “Just fly the plane!” Then, the pilot puts on a parachute,  opens the door, and jumps out. 

    You were told to fly the plane and now you are left flying the plane. What do you think the results will be? It’s pretty likely you are going to crash the plane, and while there are cases where people survive plane crashes, this is likely not going to be one of those cases. The point here is you lack the knowledge for how to fly a plane and therefore are destroyed for your lack of knowledge. 

    Of course, the knowledge implied is the “knowledge of God.” In Hosea 4:7, “the more they increased, the more they sinned against me.” Some would assume that because the people of Israel sinned against God, God is saying to them “Okay, the deal is off, you are no longer my people.” But God does not say this. God is a merciful God who is long-suffering. He is a God who is ready to forgive when people sin. The only real problem between Christianity and today’s Judaism is that today’s Jews do not accept Jesus Christ as the Messiah; the Savior. What becomes problematic is, how can one be saved without a savior. The answer, one cannot! At the same time, Jews claim they do not accept Jesus Christ…yet. 

    We still cannot rule out the possibility that God may give his people a special opportunity, a last-ditch opportunity to acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord. Whether or not they reject Jesus, the covenant of God still stands. The covenant is everlasting and is good for all future generations. 

    Which brings another question, how much land will be claimed? Genesis 17:8 says “All the land of Canaan.” If you look up a map of Canaan, and go back to about 2000 BC, how much of this land is given to God’s people? 

    Looking at this from the perspective of the twenty-first century, as of 2024, Hamas is working toward destroying Israel. We hear about the Gaza Strip and wonder, when will the Hamas and Israel stop fighting? Only time will tell. However, under the promise of the everlasting covenant, if Israel truly returns to God, then Israel should have a claim to the land of Canaan. This could include the Gaza Strip, possibly parts of Saudi Arabia, and a large portion of Jordan. There are a lot of other complications here. There are cultural differences, religious differences, political differences; all kinds of complex issues to give reason for fighting a war. 

    At the end of the day, it’s best to be on the side of God. The God who is eternal and gives eternal covenants. Eternal life is a promise that is every bit as good as a covenant. As Israel claims the rights to their land, through our Savior Jesus Christ, we claim our rights to eternal life. There is a land that is being prepared for us, and it will be glorious. 

    Title: Does Everlasting Still Mean Everlasting? | Sermon: April 28, 2024, Shubert Christian Church, Shubert, Nebraska

  • Abraham's Parting from the Family of Lot Jan Victors 1655

    The Risks of Faith: Exploring Abraham’s Journey as a Biblical Patriarch

    April 28, 2025

    One of the major characters in the Bible that many would call a patriarch is Abram, better known as Abraham. Like many Bible characters who lived before the time of King David (before 1040 BC), it is hard to know much about these patriarchs. We not only lack what is referred to as reliable historical information but there also isn’t any archaeological evidence that proves the existence of Abraham. Along with Moses, we believe that Abraham lived because the Bible tells us so, in Genesis 12 (NKJV): 

    1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and though shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. 

    Genesis 12 begins a new division in the book of Genesis. The first eleven chapters are called “primeval history.” These chapters convey the story of the first years of the world’s existence and are usually divided into three main parts: the creation and fall of humankind (chapters 1-6); the Flood (chapters 6-9); and the Flood to Abraham (chapters 9-11). The last chapters of Genesis are known as “patriarchal history.” Pastor Bob Deffinbaugh writes:

    While the effect of man’s sin has become increasingly widespread, the fulfillment of the promise of God in Genesis 3:15 has become more selective. The Redeemer was to come from the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15), the from the descendants of Seth, then Noah, and now Abraham (Genesis 12:2-3). 

    Theologically, Genesis chapter 12 is one of the key Old Testament passages, for it contains what has been called the Abrahamic Covenant. This covenant is the thread which ties the rest of the Old Testament together. It is critical to a correct understanding of Bible prophecy.

    Rabbi Joseph Telushkin also has an interesting observation about Abraham and writes: 

    The Torah nowhere explains why God chooses Abraham for this mission, though Jewish tradition claims it is because he is the first monotheist since the time of Noah. A Jewish legend teaches that Abraham’s father, Terakh, owned an idol shop. One day, while his father was away and Abraham was in charge of the store, he smashed all the idols but the biggest with an ax, and then put the ax in the remaining idol’s hand. To his outraged father’s question as to what had happened, Abraham explained that the large idol became upset at the other idols and destroyed them. 

    “You know these idols can’t move,” Terakh shouted.

    “If they can’t save themselves,” Abraham answered, “then we are superior to them. So why should we worship them?” 

    Because this rabbinic tale is taught to almost all children in Jewish schools, many Jews mistakenly believe that it is in the Torah itself.

    As we continue reviewing the text, Yahweh speaks to Abram, and his words are: 

    1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. (NIV)

    What does it mean for Abram to leave his country? In some ways, we can imagine what it would be like telling a young man or woman, “Now is the time for you to go and pursue a college education.” Depending on what field of study one chooses, and how badly one wants to leave their parents, some students might pick a college several states away. 

    But Abram is not a young man going off to college. He is 75 years old. This is a different culture compared to what we know. 75-year-old people are usually not thinking about leaving home, unless, of course, it is a nursing home. Many 75-year-olds we know are enjoying a peaceful lifestyle living in their retirement communities, not thinking of taking off and leaving their family behind. Yet, here we have Abram faced with this task, as Yahweh continues:

    2 I shall make a great nation, I shall bless you and make your name famous; you are to be a blessing! 3 I shall bless those who bless you, and shall curse those who curse you, and all clans on earth will bless themselves by you. (NIV)
    Abraham's Parting from the Family of Lot Jan Victors 1655
    Abraham’s Parting from the Family of Lot Jan Victors 1655

    Abram surely knew that what was promised to him was not going to be something that he would live to see in its entirety or even his lifetime. But it did not matter because the promise was enough for Abram to step out and obey. Abram was willing to take that risk. 

    How are we doing when it comes to taking risks? Our culture teaches us that once we’ve reached 75 it’s time to settle down, not get up and start out on a whole new journey. But the Christian faith is a new journey. Nowhere in the Bible does it mention “retired Christians.” Yet some have that attitude. 

    Some may try to justify being a retired Christian. They might stop being involved in church activities or not participate in the gospel message. But the Bible doesn’t give a pass. Christians continue to live by faith and take risks as they are led by God. 

    Abram took a risk by leaving his homeland to journey off into unfamiliar territory. Jesus Christ also took many risks, as he continued to preach the message and help the sick while going to Jerusalem where he’d be crucified. Let’s consider modeling our lives after Abram (and Jesus) who are risk takers. Let each of us ask ourselves; what risks does God have for me to take today? 

    Title: Taking a Risk | Sermon: February 28, 1999 First Christian Church, LaJunta, Colorado

    Sources:

    • Bob Deffinbaugh. May 12, 2004. “12. The Call of Abram (Genesis 11:31-12:9).” Bible.org.
    • Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, Jewish Literacy (New York:  William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1991, 30.

  • Exploring the Significance of Noah and the Ark in Genesis 6-12

    April 6, 2025

    One of the more difficult stories in the Old Testament for people to accept as factual is the story of Noah and the Ark. In Genesis 6:5-8 (NKJV): 

    5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man as great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 So the LORD said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them. 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

    Think about it. You have one man, one family, one large boat, two of every animal, and a rainstorm that causes the entire world to flood. It rains for forty days and forty nights. Most of us have seen it rain for several days in a row, maybe even forty days, and have never seen enough flooding to destroy the earth. 

    Some of the more modern Bible scholars have written the story off as merely an example of a Jewish fable. On the other hand, there have been rumors for the past four decades that someone has found Noah’s Ark, some even say on Mt. Ararat. Theories have been explained to show how the ark was once on top of the mountain, which is believed to be a volcano. The volcano erupted around a thousand years ago and carried the ark down through a flow of lava. 

    Most recently, archaeologists believe they have discovered the final location on Turkey’s Mount Ararat through soil samples which reveal human activity and marine materials during the time of the flood (dating around 5500 to 3000 BC). Yet, many researchers disagree and even disagree on the extent of the flood saying that “those events naturally made their way into the world’s oral and written lore.” Andrew A. Snelling, a geologist and Director of Research for Answers in Genesis says, “We do not expect the Ark to have survived and been available to find after 4,350 years.” 

    While such theories continue to exist, there is no credible archaeology done to prove that Noah’s Ark exists. However, there are people who desperately want to find it. Christians and Jews would most certainly rejoice if Noah’s Ark were found. 

    As a Bible story, we accept Noah and the Ark on faith, believing that because it is in the Bible, it has to be true. This story is not told in the form of a historical lesson. It’s an example of God’s salvific act. We are not left standing on the sidelines wondering why God, who is an all-loving God, would carry out this horrendous act of destroying His creation. Instead, we should be grieved as God was grieved seeing His creation only desiring to perform evil acts. This here is an example in the history of humanity where God’s heart was broken. 

    In Genesis 6:13-14, God proposes a plan: 

    13 And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14 “Make yourself an ark…”

    The Bible gives the description and measurements in “cubits.” Modern comparisons describe the ark as being about half the size of an ocean liner, the Queen Elizabeth (which is about double the size of the Titanic), and about 450 feet long. Imagine if you took one of each animal from the face of the earth and placed it aboard the Queen Elizabeth. This glorious ship would still not be large enough to hold all the a animals. So, again, there are always people waiting to dispute what the Bible claims. 

    The Hebrew word, tebah (teebayh) is translated as “ark” from the Latin word “arca.” This translation is often debated, as well as the shape of the ark. Most Bible scholars agree the ark was shaped more like a chest or box-shaped but others believe it to be more of a “floating palace.” Clyde Francisco, a Bible scholar, says “it was certainly not built for sailing but for surviving.” What’s important to note is that there is value in seeing that God had a specific vehicle in mind by which to save Noah, his family, and the birds and animals. God could have placed them all on a raft, and yet still God could have saved them. 

    The fact is, this event occurred over 4,000 years ago. We do not have a methodology for a reconstruction of how this might have occurred. Some people feel comfortable writing this story off as fiction. But, if one reduces this story to be only a Jewish myth or fable, then does one really believe in God? 

    God does not seem the least concerned about coming forward to prove His ark existed. One can choose to believe or not believe. The basic synopsis stands: Noah was told to build an ark. Using this ark, God would establish his covenant with Noah. We now see a greater purpose to the Noah and the Ark story. It’s not only about a man, his family, some animals, and a flood. It is about God’s righteous judgment passed against all that is evil. It is about God’s wondrous grace given to save that which is good. And, with this, God was not merely saving a few people aboard an ark. He was saving a multitude of generations of people to follow. 

    In the Dickson study Bible, The New Analytical Bible (1973), Dickson states “Noah is the last member of the Sethite line of the Antediluvian Age. From Seth to Noah, nine members of that line are given. The race is to be all but obliterated, but it is not only preserved but also the Messianic line. It is of special interest that the preservation of the race is in the line of the Messiah, hence the history of a Savior will be fulfilled in the historical line that has been selected.”.

    Luke’s gospel traces the genealogy of Jesus all the way back through Noah in Noah 3:36-38 (NIV): 

    36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, 37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel, the son of Kenan, 38 the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

    In short, we see God’s plan of salvation extends to multiple generations–not limited to one. If people today were to take away the story of Noah and the Ark, then one is destroying one of the basic roots of God’s salvation plan. Furthermore, to not believe in Noah and the Ark is to not believe in God’s plan of salvation. Still, there is another reason we review this story. It’s to remind us that Noah and the Ark symbolize new beginnings. 

    Noah obeyed God. He built the ark. People probably laughed at him, “Hey, look at that old man, Noah, up there building an ark. Want us to come up and show you how to build a real boat, Noah?…Hey, Noah, where’s the flood…That’s quite the house you are building up there, Noah. You planning on having more kids? You’re crazy Noah!”

    Noah built the ark. He did everything God asked him to do. He loaded up the animals and his family. God shut the door and turned on the rain. It rained and rained. And all those people who had no vehicles for survival sank. They all drowned. 

    The rain stopped, but the waters continued to cover the earth for 150 days. Image by now, everyone was probably getting cabin fever. I mean, “Get those sheep over there some deodorant!” Noah started sending birds out to find land. Then, imagine the day when Noah and his family first stepped out of the ark. It is like an undiscovered country, a whole new world. It was a new beginning. A new opportunity to begin again. 

    Title: Noah and the Ark | Sermon: January 5, 2003, First Christian Church (Paradise, California)

  • Uncovering the Dysfunction: A Deep Dive into the Family Dynamics of Genesis 3-5

    April 4, 2025

    Not a day goes by in America where the political parties accuse each other of violating ethics. Some of the most common examples from today are the Republicans accusing Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, of using his father’s position for personal gain when conducting business deals in Ukraine and China. The Republicans frequently accuse Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State and Democratic presidential nominee, of misusing classified information in her private email server. 

    Of course, the Democrats aren’t off the hook either. The Democrats have criticized former President Donald Trump for various things ranging from conflicts of interest in business deals to mixing personal financial interests with presidential duties. Additionally, the Democrats have accused the Trump administration for a variety of ethical rules, including conflicts of interest, misuse of resources, and more. 

    The blame game isn’t just a part of our political government, it’s played in every area of society. From medical professionals denying they prescribed the wrong treatment, a teacher giving out answers for standardized tests, and even in the church, where they deny the responsibility for driving away a family; or even worse, driving someone away from the Kingdom of God. 

    With Adam vs. Eve or Adam and Eve vs. The Serpent, God held all parties accountable. In Genesis 3:8-9 (NIV), we read:

    8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, "Where are you?"

    This gives us an indication of what God’s judgment is like. If Adam would have said, “Father I have sinned,” or Eve would have said, “Father, I have sinned against you,” we might wonder how God may have responded. 

    Of course, the Serpent in the story was not going to admit it had sinned. But knowing who the Serpent is (from Revelation 20:2), he has a long history of being incapable of repenting. Still, God held all parties accountable and therefore, Adam and Eve were driven out of the garden (v. 24). 

    In Genesis 4, we learn that Adam and Eve went on to produce a family. (Genesis 4:1-2, NIV):

    Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, "With the help of the Lord, I have brought forth a man." 2 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel.

    They may have had high hopes for making a new start in life. Yet, the life they had come to be adjusted to would drastically change. Their sons, Cain and Abel, had grown up. Abel was a shepherd. Cain was a farmer. But something between them happened, we don’t know, and if we were to operate under today’s court system, we would have no evidence to prove that Cain was an abused child, which drove him to murder his brother. 

    Some might blame God for being too favorable towards Abel. But, it is difficult for us to judge God, because God had an awareness of the intentions of Cain’s heart–something we never have. We never know what lies within a person’s heart. Nevertheless, Cain was filled with a passion to commit murder. So, he schemed against his brother, Abel, luring him out to a field: 

    8 Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. 

    If they’d lived in the 20th century, the newspapers would have headlined:

     “Man Kills His Own Brother In a Violent Attack

     Parents Are Baffled at One Son Dead, The Other a Murderer”

    It was reported that sometime in the late afternoon, a father, Adam, went out to the fields to look for his sons. To his horror, he discovered his younger son lying out in the field, dead, lying in a pool of blood, and suffering from severe internal injuries. Going back to his local village, he reported the crime and discovered that his other son was in custody being tried for murder:

    Genesis 4:9 (NIV) “Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is your brother Abel?’ / ‘I don’t know,’ he replied. ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?”

    Unlike his parents, when God confronted Cain, he didn’t cry out to God and say, “Oh Father, please have mercy upon me! I don’t know what came over me.” Instead, it was more of a smug statement, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” 

    There seems to be no Scriptural evidence at this point as to if Cain was truly sorry for the sins he committed. Again, under our laws, he would probably be given life without parole or possibly placed on death row. And while some may feel our God is unmerciful; God sentenced Cain to be banished from his homeland:  

    11 Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.” 13 Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is more than I can bear. 14 Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” (Genesis 4:11-14, NIV)

    Like Adam and Eve were thrown out of their home in the Garden, Cain was driven away from his home. And the lives of his family members remained changed forever. Adam, Eve, Cain, and Abel, were the people of God. God created his people in his own image (Genesis 1:27). Whereas today, we are God’s people. We are his creation. Yet, are we just as dysfunctional? 

    Maybe some of us have come from dysfunctional families. Those are families who have damaged their own members in some way. And then, once we have been damaged, at what point do we gain the ability to function again? 

    Some churches are like dysfunctional families. In particular, some have had drastic events that occur that cause a great amount of damage, and the damage continues to build on itself. Or, the problem may be there has been one person, or a small handful of people, who have operated under the spirit of Cain. They begin to develop a fit of jealousy that drives them to sin. Maybe not murder in the physical sense but certainly murder in the spiritual sense. And, then following the murder, they still will not own up that they have done any wrongdoing. They smooth it out and sweep any evidence under the rug. 

    We might wonder, how does one move on? Adam and Eve were able to move on. They had another child, Seth (Genesis 5:3-8): 

    3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth. 4 After Seth was born, Adam lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. 5 Altogether, Adam lived a total of 930 years, and then he died.
    6 When Seth had lived 105 years, he became the father of Enosh. 7 After he became the father of Enosh, Seth lived 807 years and had other sons and daughters. 8 Altogether, Seth lived a total of 912 years, and then he died.

    There is always the hope of a new beginning. This hope has certainly kept the church alive and going for the past 2,000 years. If you know anything about church history, you must know that there have been many battles, and many disputes down through the ages. Furthermore, God has worked through and will continue to work through many people who have come from dysfunctional families. Each of us must commit our own life–that we are not going to be dysfunctional. And, that we will allow God’s Spirit to function in us and through us. 

    Title: A Dysfunctional Family | Sermon: January 5, 1997 / First Christian Church, LaJunta, Colorado