How does our family’s story affect our lives today? Scientists are studying epigenetics to see how our family’s behavior affects our own health and life choices. For example, families that migrated to the U.S. from Ireland during the Potato Famine may have a tendency to eat and metabolize food differently than people who came from unlimited food resources. The theory is that even the way the body stores reserves may have to do with generations before. Maybe my dad’s German ancestry is affecting my inexplicable love for German candies. Also, like Bart Brooks who lived in the 1700’s and carried Poke Green seeds to Tennessee, I really like to eat greens. Epigenetics or genetics? I wonder.
What did Isaac get from his father Abraham besides a lot of wealth? In this chapter we see that both fear and faith ran in Isaac’s family. On the one hand, just like his dad, Isaac lied about his wife being his sister. He was afraid the locals would kill him to marry his beautiful bride. Had Isaac heard about Abraham doing the same thing? The results were similar. God protected Rebekah and ultimately blessed Isaac. The Bible paints portraits of our heroes “warts and all.” My friend says, “God can hit a straight lick with a crooked stick.”
As he did for Abraham, God also came to Isaac personally and promised him numerous descendants. Isaac chose to respond to God’s blessings and promises by building an altar and worshiping God. Of course, the scriptures give examples of kids who did not act on their spiritual heritage. Godly parents sometimes reared ungodly kids (Samuel comes to mind). On the other hand, Manasseh a wicked king of Judah was a descendant of David and also an ancestor of godly king Josiah. There are no guarantees.
God does not have any grandchildren. Our hope is that those who come behind us will see that we love God and follow in our footsteps. Perhaps, more is caught than taught. Isaac saw his dad love God for a lifetime. This gives me hope. If we love and serve God well today, we may be sure somebody, related or unrelated, is watching. Our prayer is that each in turn will choose to know and follow Christ. Thankfully, the final chapters in each of our stories have not yet been written. May all who come behind us find us faithful. Perhaps something we do today will someday help them personalize their faith. May our devotion to Christ have direct and indirect impact on generations who may never hear about us but come to know our God.
