In Genesis 24-28 we find the story of Rebekah. A woman of Abraham’s family who was sought after to be the wife of his son Isaac. A woman called by God to be a part of the great plan to build His people. A woman who would resort to deceit and trickery to ensure her favorite son Jacob would be the recipient of his father’s blessing and inheritance. A woman who would pit her children against one another creating a rivalry that would be forever written in history.

In Genesis 29-35 we find another story. Laban, Rebekah’s brother, becomes the safe haven for Jacob. After the stolen blessing, Jacob must run for his life. Esau has demanded it as payment for the awful betrayal from Jacob and Rebekah. Yet we find in this story two sisters, Rachel and Leah. Both will fall victim to trickery and betrayal of their father. Both will live a life of rivalry and competition that would also reverberate across time and space, forever etched in the hearts and minds of all who read the story.

What we see here is the seed of betrayal, lies, trickery, and self-centeredness being planted. Over the course of each chapter we watch as it grows and matures. Hatred, hardened hearts, bitterness. It all dwells deep in our hearts, a black sinful notion that decays the softness and care. We watch as Rebekah made choices that caused her children to hate, compete, and despise one another. Even worse Laban would create such a toxic environment for his two daughters that there would be no peace for either of them as they were forced to share a husband. All because both parents wanted what they wanted and the price for it was their children. A price, they gladly paid without hesitation.

A generational chain that would move from Rebekah and Laban’s generation to Jacob and Rachel’s generation and even land its heavy hand upon Rachel’s son Joseph as he was sold by his brothers into slavery. A curse of sin, of jealousy, hatred, comparison and competition that would spoil minds and hearts.

It is without doubt there are an innumerable amount of people who can relate to these stories. They’ve watched the favoritism of their parents from child to child. They’ve experienced betrayal and hatred at the hands of their parents. So often the cycle continues. You will watch many of these children go on to create the same home they were raised in. Pitting their children against one another. It is but the way sin works. Sin creates more sin.

Yet, there is someone who can stop it in their tracks. God. If we but let him work and move and submit to him we can stop the generational overflow of sin, of hurt, of bitterness. We can end it and break free from the links each generation adds to create the chain that binds us to the very thing God wants to free us from. We do not have to let our hearts be full of bitterness, hate, hurt. We can have full hearts of love, grace and mercy. We can look at all those that hurt us and choose forgiveness and to show the love of Christ. We can be the Joseph’s of the world.

Genesis 37 starts the journey of Joseph. Rachel’s son, sold into slavery by his half-brothers who were Leah’s sons. A man who at the end of his story had every right to lean into his flesh and demand penance from his brothers. Yet, he chose God. Joseph leaned into his heavenly Father’s plans and purpose. He trusted God and chose mercy and forgiveness. Joseph let God break the chains and set him and his family free from the generational chains. Joseph found restoration and renewal in letting God lead the way and choosing forgiveness over vengeance.

Psalm 107:14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And broke their chains in pieces.
Isaiah 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
John 8:36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
These verses show us that God’s plan is not for us to be bound up by the links we pick up and add to the very chain we create for ourselves, our children, and our children’s children. God’s plan is to set you free. Free from sin, free from chains, free from death. We can shed the things that hold us back from God’s truth, love and peace. Satan wants you bound in darkness, blind, alone, dying a slow death of a victim. God wants you free with the ability to see, filled with love and living an eternal life of victory through Him.

My prayer for each person is that you find that freedom in Jesus. May you choose forgiveness even when it’s hard. May you learn to recognize the hurt and the pain but don’t let it hold you down. May you realize that while it did happen and it was unpleasant you have no control over the past and you cannot change it. You can choose to move forward with your hand in God’s hand. Letting Him lead you, letting His love flow through you to others even the ones that hurt you, letting his peace settle in your soul so deeply that nothing can upend it. May you learn to find your value, your purpose, and your strength in God so firmly no one can shake it. I pray each person finds healing and learns to let go of the yoke God never intended you to bear. Let Him set you free from the ties of generational chains as only living a Jesus filled life can do. With love always!