These stories give me hope in a backhanded way. The story of Jacob's family puts many of the family's imperfections on display. For example, the Bible says that Jacob favored one of his sons, Joseph, over the others. That is an intolerable way for parents to lead. It pits one child against the others. It contributes to dissention and bitterness among family members.
For another example, Jacob fails to teach modesty to his sons, so that when Joseph has dreams of grandeur he describes them again and again. If, after recalling his first dream (Genesis 37:7), he had been instructed in modesty, then perhaps Joseph would have been more circumspect than to tell about his second dream (Genesis 37:9).
And it is just plain reckless for Jacob to send Joseph away from home to the grazing fields where Joseph's brothers are looking after the family's flocks (Genesis 37:14). They hate Joseph already. They would not cooperate with his fact-finding mission, and as it turns out, they will do almost anything to get rid of him (Genesis 37:19, 27).
Here is the backhanded encouragement: Since God has used an imperfect family such as Jacob's to work out God's plans in the past, then perhaps God can use my imperfect family in order to further God's purposes now.
Lord God, use me in spite of my faults, please!
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