Dysfunctionality

 DEVOTION

GENESIS

DYSFUNCTIONALITY

Gen 37:1-4

37:1 Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan. 2 This is the account of Jacob. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly ornamented robe for him. 4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.

NIV

Are we still observing another example of a dysfunctional family? First, Joseph needs to do better than bringing a bad report about his brothers or rather his half-brothers because they had different mothers. Nevertheless, we do not think Joseph should have snitched or perhaps even fabricated a bad story about the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, who for all practical purposes were members of the twelve sons, or tribes of Israel. Then we see that Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, showing favoritism to Joseph by making him a coat of many colors, or a richly ornamented robe. It is a good thing for us that God does not show favoritism as he has first offered his son on the cross for everyone. Jesus, not showing favoritism, sent the Holy Spirit to all who accepted him as their Lord and Savior, which is free for anyone who responds to the convicting power of the Spirit and comes to saving faith. So for all who believe, we all have the Holy Spirit within us, without favoritism, equally given to each believer. Of course, it is up to each believer whether they yield completely to the Spirit, or if they quench Him in some way. Yet, the Spirit does not show favoritism as he freely gives to all who receive him all his fruit and gifts, just as the Father gives without favoritism all his armor so we can fight the evil around us and win. Then we see this hatred of the brothers, because of their jealousy due to the favoritism of their father toward Joseph and they could not say one kind word to him. Surely, the church is not like that, having jealousy to the point of not having a kind word to say to that person who seems to have more than we do. For one we all have eternal life, equally sharing in the inheritance of God. Secondly, we all have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, equally receiving his work in us, manifesting his fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, and self-control. Again, is it possible some might hold him back, quenching him, so they refuse to be kind, patient, or good toward others? We think it is good to realize that we all have the same Father, and we are all born from above, therefore we are truly fully brothers and sisters, the same family, that on all accounts should never have a reason to be dysfunctional.