Whenever a family is gathered together, there is always one acquaintance who will suggest that you look just like your parents or siblings. Meanwhile, mannerisms develop at an early age which often emulate or mimic one of your parents. Subsequently, as you grow older, you may see a quality or trait that you despise vowing to never pass this down to your own children. Unfortunately, the sins of the father are passed down to children, Exodus 34:7, proving the old adage like father like son.
Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram [b]went down into Egypt to live temporarily, for the famine in the land was oppressive (intense and grievous). 11 And when he was about to enter into Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, I know that you are beautiful to behold. 12 So when the Egyptians see you, they will say, This is his wife; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. 13 Say, I beg of you, that you are [c]my sister, so that it may go well with me for your sake and my life will be spared because of you. 14 And when Abram came into Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. 15 The princes of Pharaoh also saw her and commended her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into Pharaoh’s house [harem], Genesis 12:10-15.
As for my life, my father played IAA football in college, playing both ways as a defensive end and tight end. Unfortunately, my five foot 100-pound frame wasn’t a good fit for football. However, I excelled in baseball, running, golf and sand volleyball. Meanwhile, I turned down an offer to play professional ultimate frisbee after graduating college which would have conflicted with my new job. In the end, my father passed down to me the discipline and work ethic to succeed in life.
So Isaac stayed in Gerar. 7 And the men of the place asked him about his wife, and he said, She is my sister; for he was afraid to say, She is my wife—[thinking], Lest the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah, because she is attractive and is beautiful to look upon, Genesis 26:6-7.
In the case of Isaac, Abraham passed on the generational sin of lying to his son and grandchildren. However, based upon the crops and herd that Isaac developed during his time living with the Philistines, Abraham passed on the trait of hard work as well. Perhaps, this is a good life lesson for soon to be fathers, working out their flaws and imperfections before becoming a dad, Philippians 2:12. Any child gets a mixed bag, the good with the bad. Therefore, confess your sins and pray for a spiritual transformation so that generational sins will cease now.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 