The Importance of Family as Shown Through the Book of Genesis - Guest Post from Author Marcia Goldlist

The Importance of Family as Shown 

Through the Book of Genesis

Whether you look at the Bible as a story book, a history book, or a book of laws –whether you believe that it was written by people or God – the Bible begins with the story of one family. We are given the lineage from Adam to Noah (10 generations) to Abraham (another 10 generations) and then we slow the story down to focus on Abraham, his son Isaac and his sons Esau and Jacob and Jacob's 12 sons.

This is definitely not a parenting book. You do not need a degree of any kind to find parenting mistakes throughout the Book of Genesis. (Although perhaps these mistakes were necessary at these times and places to guide the story in a specific direction.) It is clear that all the stories have at least one message that is the same: this is a family with a mission and with loyalties.

The Book of Genesis again and again points out that God made a commitment to Abraham to Isaac and to Jacob. It does not matter if you believe in God or not. Even if you just look at the Book of Genesis as stories with morals you can see that this is about a family which entered a commitment. They were promised certain things and they took on certain obligations. At times the family faltered. Some members did not follow through with their commitments and they are no longer associated with the longevity of this amazing family.

We are told that Noah was a righteous man. As a result he was picked by God, who could no longer tolerate the rest of Noah's generation, to save the existence of man and animals. We all know the story of the flood, but did you ever think about what Noah did to save others? Noah followed everything that God told him to do. He built the ark just as he was told and gathered the animals as instructed. But, that was it. He did not go out and try to change how other people acted. He did not try to convince anyone that the flood would kill them unless they changed their ways. Yes, he did what he was told. Yes, he followed God. But he did no more.

Contrast Noah to Abraham. Abraham went beyond doing what he was supposed to do. He reached out to others. Even three days after he performed on himself a circumcision he welcomed guests into his house. Abraham and his family accepted that they were different from other nations. Abraham and his descendants that followed his way of life are the core of the Book of Genesis. Anyone in the family who was intent on following the values of the family and making it part of their life quest, no matter how many mistakes they made, was part of this famous family and their inheritance.

One of the many lessons to be learned from the Book of Genesis is to realize the importance of family. Families can be more than a group of people related by blood. Family can be a group of people who believe in something and go out, not to proselytize or show off that they are better, but to be the best people that they can be; to go beyond what is needed. We can raise children who not only do their best and live up to their potential, but help others to do so as well. Your family may never be famous but they can be important among your friends and in your community.

Take inspiration from the most important family of all times. For an easy to read fun version of the Book of Genesis read Enjoying Genesis: The Bible in Rhyme. Enjoying Genesis contains all the content of the Book of Genesis but is all in rhyme! While you read it try to pick out the various ways this famous family was extraordinary and think of ways that you can make your family special. Try to:

·         Be clear in your values.

·         Make an effort to pass these values down.

·         Make an effort to show your children why these values are important.

·         Be a good role model for your family by following your values.

Your family is a little world which you control. From each of your children come many descendants. Take the opportunity to make your family a special family.

Meet Marcia Goldlist

Marcia Goldlist has an M.Ed. and a B.Ed. in religious education. Her passion has always been to make religious education meaningful and fun. Enjoying Genesis: The Bible in Rhyme has certainly achieved her objective by making the Book of Genesis enjoyable to all. Enjoying Genesis is available as an ebook and in paperback in both regular and large print. See is almost finished Enjoying Exodus: The Bible in Rhyme and plans to write other books from the Bible in rhyme as well. 

Marcia has also written a series of books which help people write greeting cards and toasts. Her Express Yourself in Rhyme books are also available as both ebooks and paperbacks. Birthday Cards & Toasts: Express Yourself in Rhyme contains over 110 rhymes so you are sure to find just the right words for any birthday celebrant. Cards & Toasts For Almost All Occasions: Express Yourself in Rhyme contains 180 rhymes in 20 main categories. Cards, Toasts & Notes For the Office: Express Yourself in Rhyme contains 100 rhymes to help make the workplace a more enjoyable place. The Big Book of Cards & Toasts For Almost All Occasions: Express Yourself in Rhyme is a money saving combination of the above three books so that you can have a full collection of over 390 rhymes in one book.

Connect with Marcia Goldlist

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