God works through families: a devotion on family 

From the Africa Study Bible introduction to the Book of Genesis:

Overview and Story: Family and tribal history are an essential part of African life. The human plot to build the Tower of Babel shows that people’s attempt to connect with God fails because they wished to exalt their own reputation and place. God has a different way to rebuild the relationship, His choice of the family of Abraham.

God called Abraham to leave his land and his people in Ur (in modern Iraq) and go to a place he did not know. God promised him blessings, land, and descendants. Abraham was not perfect, but he obeyed God. His faith and obedience to the faithful God eventually led to the founding of the nation of Israel through his descendants well after the end of Genesis. The stories of Abraham’s son Isaac, his grandson Jacob, and their families are very much like stories of many families today. Their stories are filled with internal conflicts, marital problems, jealousy, envy, and lies. Yet, each time they got to the edge, God preserved the family in fulfillment of His promises. Genesis ends with the story of Joseph who was sold into slavery by his brothers. God used their evil plan to save the entire family through Joseph who gained favour and prominence in Egypt. 

What Genesis Teaches Us: We can trust God who created the universe and every living being to handle the concerns of our lives. Over and over again we see God intervening in a hopeless situation—childlessness, famine, war, imprisonment—and transforming those situations. We just need to trust and obey Him. Only God writes the final story.

The genealogies in Genesis should remind us about the value God places on families in His divine plan. Families are under attack. As part of God’s family, Christians should take seriously the task of building godly families through which God works for His own glory.

Today:

Look back on the history of your family. Observe how God might be using your family to bless others. Thank God for His grace in using even difficult times to bring Himself glory. Recommit yourself to being an example of faith in your family, and set aside a specific time in your devotions to pray for family members.