PICTURE PERFECT FAMILIES

Family gatherings often include a photo session, when certain members or the entire family pose for a portrait. The objective is to get everyone in focus with a smile on their face for the perfect picture. However, there’s always someone who’s difficult to photograph.

- The flaws in a photo reflect the imperfection of families

- Perhaps there’s someone who is the “black sheep” of the family

- Families are riddled with division, drugs and destitution

- Church families are no different as members are divided

But then Jesus said, For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. Matthew 10:35-36

- If we are to be like Christ we must expect the conflicts he faced

We will be hated by the world Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. Matthew 24:9-10

- He was rejected by religious people, (John 1:11)

- Betrayed by a friend, (Luke 22:48)

- Alienated from his nation as they cried “crucify him” (John 19:15)

In our text we find an example of how the perfect picture had been flawed among the twelve sons of Israel, as Joseph was rejected by his brethren.

Text: Genesis 37:23-36

I. The PERFECT PICTURE is FLAWED when… FAMILIES FAIL to CO-EXIST

Genesis 37:23 And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him;

- filled with envy his brothers separated themselves from Joseph

- jealousy is the root cause of many relational conflicts

- the gifted individual is isolated from all the others

- the result is the rejection of that family member

- disowning family or cutting fellowship with that membrer

- they are ignored or shunned publicly

- you may act like you “don’t know them”

- churches are split likewise as members go elsewhere

Genesis 37:24 And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.

- his brethren took control of his personal freedom

- controlling behavior is detrimental to spiritual growth

- bondage is the exclusion of personal freedom

… for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 2 Corinthians 3:6

- They deprived him of food and water

Where envy reigns pity is banished, and humanity itself is forgotten. Henry

Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy? Proverbs 27:4

- Jealousy will drive men to extreme measures of separation

II. The PERFECT PICTURE is FLAWED when… FAMILIES FAIL to be CONVICTED

Genesis 37:25 And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead

with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.

- while he hungered and thirsted they ate

They felt no remorse of conscience for the sin; if they had, it would have spoiled their appetite for their meat, and the relish of it. Henry

- separation clouds the vision of ministry for the body of Christ

Where there is no vision, the people perish Proverbs 29:18

- quality family time among family members is neglected

- there is an absence of encouragement from family members

- "We never do anything as a family"

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16

- “the family that prays together stays together”

Genesis 37:26 žAnd Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?

- it would ease their conscience if they spared his life

They thought that if he were sold for a slave he would never be a lord, if sold into Egypt he would never be their lord; yet all this was working towards it. Henry

- tolerating inappropriate treatment of others corrupts integrity

Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

1 Corinthians 15:33

- you will ignore the spiritual needs of others

- you will fail to object to their unacceptable treatment

- rather than defend the innocent you “look the other way”

Genesis 37:27 Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.

- His brothers all agreed to compromise

- fear of repercussion may lead to remorse but not repentance

- fear to express feelings of hurt caused by family

- afraid of rejection by other family members

- fear of reprisals with shrewd or harsh behavior

- lack of faith in God to help resolve conflicts

Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14

III. The PERFECT PICTURE is FLAWED when… FAMILIES FAIL to be CONVERTED

Genesis 37:28 žThen there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.

- They took the opportunity to profit from the Midianite merchants

- family strife is often fed by selfish greed

- behind the scenes the operations are for personal gain

- like the one who betrayed Jesus who was a thief

- Joseph was sold for twenty pieces of silver, Jesus for thirty

- He was rejected by his brethren and sold as a slave

- Jesus was despised, rejected of men

- A man of sorrow acquainted with grief and suffering

Genesis 37:29 And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes.

- The absence of the brothers shows they had no remorse

- Hatred and bitterness has caused many a family to fail

- Only one brother cared enough to return

- He tore his clothes which was an act of repentance

- Without godly sorrow there can be no repentance

Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed

to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye

might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of… 2 Corinthians 7:9-10

- Families must learn to forgive to find peace

Genesis 37:30 And he returned unto his brethren, and said, The child is not; and I, whither shall I go?

- He intervened so they would not kill him

- His plan was to return help him out and go to his father

- Families need direction to resolve conflicts

- Where could I go… but to the LORD!

- The Lord is our refuge and our strength

The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Psalm 9:9

- Jewish Homes illustrate the picture perfect family.

Edersheim gives a real picture of a Jewish home. Within, everything was quite peculiar. At the outset, the rite of circumcision separated the Jew from the nations around, and dedicated him to God. Private prayer, morning and evening, hallowed daily life, and family religion pervaded the home. Before every meal they washed and prayed; after it they “gave thanks.” Besides, there were what may be designated as specially family feasts. The return of the Sabbath sanctified the week of labor. It was to be welcomed as a king, or with songs as a bridegroom; and each household observed it as a season of sacred rest and of joy. As the head of the house returned on the Sabbath-eve from the synagogue to his home, he found it festively adorned, the Sabbath lamp brightly burning, and the table spread with the richest each household could afford. But first he blessed each child with the blessing of Israel. And next evening, when the Sabbath light faded out, he made solemn “separation” between the hallowed day and the working week, and so commenced his labor once more in the name of the Lord. Nor were the stranger, the poor, the widow, or the fatherless forgotten. How fully they were provided for, how each shared in what was to be considered not a burden but a privilege, and with what delicacy relief was administered — for all Israel were brethren, and fellow-citizens of their Jerusalem — those know best who have closely studied Jewish life, its ordinances and practices.

- As a family we must resolve conflicts with one another

- As a family we must restore rejected members

- As a family we must remain spiritually active

- As a family we must recognize unacceptable treatment

- As a family we must reinstate good communication

- As a family we must respect one another

- As a family we must relinquish controlling behavior

- As a family we must return to Christ our Savior