Families are in a mess today. What is a remedy for such messes? And who could do that? I am trying to answer this from the Bible here. In the times before the priestly laws were given to Moses, fathers in the families acted like priests. We see Abraham performing sacrifices as the head of the family, and so were the patriarchs of those times. Job who dates back to the patriarchal days acted as a family priest too (Job 1:5). So also we find Jacob who functioned as a family priest.
Jacob's Priesthood
Jacob's Priesthood
From the beginning he proved the meaning of his name- ‘a deceiver’. He gave the Lord a vow at Bethel, when he ran away empty handed from his parent’s place to escape from his brother’s fury (Genesis 28:20-22). Jacob was not in fellowship with God for a long time after his ‘Bethel’ experience. He got married to "wives" and ended up into a lot of problems. This was because he strayed away from God’s order for marriage which has always been “one Adam and one Eve” and not any other! Jacob became the father of twelve boys and one girl. He accumulated a lot of wealth too and he left his father-in-law’s place as a ‘seemingly’ blessed man!
Now this family which was out of God’s order had problems of all sorts. There was favoritism in the treatment of the wives and children of Jacob. His wives were deceitful and cunning. Rachael, one of his wives even stole her own father’s idols! His sons took revenge of the situation when their sister, Dinah was raped. They murdered, stole and looted. Jacob began to sense trouble now! (34:30). It was then the word of God came to this family. God reminded Jacob of Bethel and his fleeing story from Esau (35:1.) Jacob now does a good thing: he executes his responsibility as a family priest and made the family get rid of their idols and sins. The family obeyed to his word and built an altar at Bethel and named it ‘El Bethel’ and acknowledged the true God. The family then enjoyed peace and no enemies pursued them (35:5)
Earlier at Peniel, Jacob had a personal encounter with God and got his status changed from a deceiver. His name changed to be Israel thereafter (32:22-32). No wonder, the twelve sons of Israel became the twelve tribes of the nation which came out of this family later. Kings and priests were born out of this family. The Saviour of the world, Jesus was born in flesh in this line. And, the renowned Apostle Paul was born in this family too.
One thing though: because Jacob did not do his family altar regularly, he struggled with family issues even after the family's "El-Bethel" experience like: Reuben, his eldest son had a relationship with his father’s concubine.His older sons plotted to do away with Joseph, his younger son.
One thing though: because Jacob did not do his family altar regularly, he struggled with family issues even after the family's "El-Bethel" experience like: Reuben, his eldest son had a relationship with his father’s concubine.His older sons plotted to do away with Joseph, his younger son.
Job's Priesthood
Family priesthood and revivals has to be a 'regular' custom as it was in the case of Job. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts. This was Job's regular custom. (Job 1:5 [NIV]) , Though he lost them all in a day to death, the truth we learn is that when Job got all of his blessings doubled. He did not lose his children at all because in eternity their count was doubled! (ten earlier and ten later).
Priestess!
A typical family priest could be even a mother or a grandmother like in the case of Timothy, where his mom and grand-mom took a lead (2 Timothy 1:5, 3:14-15). He/She should have an influence to bring about a spiritual revival in the family.A ‘regular’ altar following the model of Job is needed. This would require parents/grand parents praying ‘regularly’ for their children and with their children. A family that prays together stays together! Any amount of mess in a family life can be set right for all those who heed to the Word of God!
Family priesthood and revivals has to be a 'regular' custom as it was in the case of Job. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts. This was Job's regular custom. (Job 1:5 [NIV]) , Though he lost them all in a day to death, the truth we learn is that when Job got all of his blessings doubled. He did not lose his children at all because in eternity their count was doubled! (ten earlier and ten later).
Priestess!
A typical family priest could be even a mother or a grandmother like in the case of Timothy, where his mom and grand-mom took a lead (2 Timothy 1:5, 3:14-15). He/She should have an influence to bring about a spiritual revival in the family.A ‘regular’ altar following the model of Job is needed. This would require parents/grand parents praying ‘regularly’ for their children and with their children. A family that prays together stays together! Any amount of mess in a family life can be set right for all those who heed to the Word of God!
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