Taking Responsibility

Book of Genesis is the beginning of all. Beginning of creation, marriage and also beginning of lies, deceit and murder. We encounter all sorts of stories that we hear today in the book of Genesis. One prominent reason for this is shirking of responsibility by individuals who were called to do that. Specially we see elder sons not committing to building the family or taking responsibility and that caused big issues.

It started from Cain. After murdering Abel,- "The LORD asked Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" "I don't know," he answered. "Am I supposed to take care of my brother?"(Gen 4:9)

This cycle then continues when Ishmael mocks Isaac and he is sent out of the house.

“Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.”(Gen 21:10)

Esau continued the narrative by marrying hittite women who were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah.

"When Esau was forty years old, he married Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and also Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite.  They were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah."(Gen 26:34-35)

And as a result he lost his blessings to Jacob.

Rebekah then sends Jacob to get married to any of her family members .

"Then Rebekah said to Isaac, “I’m disgusted with living because of these Hittite women. If Jacob takes a wife from among the women of this land, from Hittite women like these, my life will not be worth living.”(Gen 27:46)

Reuben violated every boundary by sleeping with his father's concubine.

"While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard of it. "(Gen 35:22)

Jacob then remembers this as he gives his final blessing and prophecy regarding his sons

“Reuben, you are my firstborn,

    my might, the first sign of my strength,

    excelling in honor, excelling in power.

Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel,

    for you went up onto your father’s bed,

    onto my couch and defiled it." (Gen 49:3-4)

In this context when we read the story of the Prodigal Son(as we call it), we understand the responsibility which was bestowed on the elder son. It all boils down to taking responsibility.

When we chase money, fame and worldly pleasures forgetting our responsibilities- we are making things complicated for us and our generations.

Take responsibility of whom God has entrusted you with- rely on the Lord's provision and He will honor you.