What runs in your family? We know we share genetic traits with our family. Now family systems thinkers are focusing on epigenetics. This word describes the traits we inherited because of family patterns. If we grow up in a family where humility is treasured, we may be inclined toward humility. This also works with negative traits.
Isaac lied and said that Rebekah was his sister to protect his own life. It’s like déjà vu all over again! Isaac’s father, Abraham did the same thing. This may be a cultural or family pattern. In both cases, God protected their wives, and the families ended up becoming wealthier. But if lying runs in a family, eventually it causes problems.
Later, Abimelech saw Isaac caressing Rebekah and called him to account. “Why did you lie?” he asked. “I was afraid you would kill me,” Isaac answered. Notice that this passage is not prescriptive. It would do no good for us to tell our wives to say they are our sisters. We are not predestined to continue bad family patterns. Most of us come from a long line of liars. But today, we can choose to tell the truth. Do we trust God enough to tell the truth? What if we chose to depend completely on God? Let’s try it and see.
