Families, Families…

WED., DEC. 4, 1996, 8:50 AM
OFFICE, PULLIAM

One of the political slogans often used in the campaign just completed was Family Values. Those who are Christian conservatives were foremost in invoking this necessity, almost as a mantra. You have just about completed the story of Jacob, Joseph, and the rest of the family, an interesting, strange panorama of family values.

This part of the family story begins with Jacob and his mother, Rebekah, stealing the blessing from father Isaac, which should have been Esau’s, his brother. It was a custom that the oldest son should receive the supreme blessing, but also a custom that once a blessing was given, even as a result of chicanery, it could not be taken back and rebestowed where it should have been. So one family value took precedence over the other. Why? Even I don’t know.

Then Jacob goes for a wife, and he is tricked by his uncle Loban, finally marrying two of his cousins, Rachel and Leah. From them and a servant girl or two, come 12 sons. Jacob becomes Israel, and these sons become the leaders of the 12 tribes of Israel.

Joseph is the favorite son, so he is sold into slavery by his brothers. But he becomes prominent in Egypt and eventually saves the lives of his father, mother and brothers during 7 lean years of grain. Then at the end of his life, Jacob, reverses the blessing of his two grandsons (of Joseph), continuing to flaunt the family value of that time.

As you consider the details, it isn’t a clear-cut picture of positive family values, by your culture’s standards. Is it better for women to be strong and assertive, with quite a lot of divorce, or for women to be submissive and keep the family together? Should one son be favored (and more favorably blessed) than another… or others? Should a man’s children be considered his, rather than their mother’s? It was a different time, but the story is one of conflicting values, values being challenged, and values prevailing. Like now??

You are now 70 years old. Your grandparents are long dead. Now your Mother has joined her sister, brother, and their parents over on this side. How long will it be before your Father joins your Mother and his brothers and parents? I won’t tell you, but it could follow either of your scenarios. You have outlived one of your sons, but you don’t expect to outlive any of the others. Lenore lives on beyond her Father and one of her brothers… plus son, Peter, also. Her Mother? For such a spirit-filled younger woman she curiously hangs on to earth life beyond what you would expect. Some good servants of Mine, in portions of their lives, are a bit “embarrassed” by their behaviors in the elder years. But they’re usually forgiven.

You actually are a part of several families. Obviously you have a wife, Lenore, and 4 living sons. Three of these have produced 13 grandchildren, and any of these may or may not offer you great grandchildren. This is traditional family, plus your sister and her family. Lenore’s siblings and their families, your Dad and Mabel.

Then there is the church family… that of the Presbyterian Church of which you are members, the larger Presbyterian Church, and all other Christian groups. Then there is a wider spiritual family, those with experiences somewhat like yours, most of whom are personally unknown to you… the mystic family.

There are the graduates of your program here, several of which are as much sons and daughters as your own actual sons. Others in your field are like unto family… as are some from college or even Long Beach days.

Family members can cross racial lines, with Stephen and Patrick being examples. Yet it is not easy to cross class lines, particularly when this also involves race and ethnicity. Remember that 485 story.