Daily Devotional | Our Family Story

My daughter often asks me to tell her stories at night when I put her to bed. She wants to know about things that happened when I was a child and the history of our family. These stories are deeply formative. They give her a sense of place and belonging.

Joseph’s wife was an Egyptian from a high-ranking priestly family (Gen. 41:45). Joseph himself was one of the highest ranked government officials in Egypt. He could have raised his children as Egyptians and provided them with all the benefits of an elite Egyptian upbringing. Yet, he gave them Hebrew names. In Genesis 48, he has them adopted as sons of Jacob.

As Jacob was nearing death, Joseph brought his two sons to be blessed by Jacob. Jacob told these boys a story about their family. Jacob recounted the story of when God appeared to him and promised, “I am going to make you fruitful and increase your numbers. I will make you a community of peoples, and I will give you this land as an everlasting possession to your descendants after you” (v. 4). There was no more formative story for Jacob’s family than the promise that God had given to him and to his fathers Isaac and Abraham before him. Joseph’s sons became a part of this story as the blessing was passed on to them. Jacob prayed that they would be called “by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac” (v. 16).

As followers of Jesus, we too have a family story. We have been rescued from our slavery to sin and forgiven by God (Rom. 6:1–14). We have been adopted into God’s family as His sons and daughters (Rom. 8:14–17). We have a new citizenship in heaven (Phil. 3:20). And one day, we will be raised with Christ and reign with Him (1 Cor. 15:20–28)!

Go Deeper

What is your family story? How has it shaped your faith? Remember, that your most important identity is found in Christ!

Pray with Us: As we study the family stories in Genesis, we lift up our own families in prayer. Lord Jesus, You see the many needs we face. Give us faith, wisdom, and perseverance so we can be a blessing to all generations.

BY Ryan Cook

Dr. Ryan Cook has taught at Moody Bible Institute since 2012. He earned his bachelor of arts in Bible and Theology from Moody and his master of arts in Old Testament from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. He has worked in Christian education and served as a pastor in Michigan for seven years. During his time as a professor at Moody, he earned his doctorate from Asbury Theological Seminary. He now lives with his wife, Ashley, and their three children in the Chicagoland area.