Throughout most of Scripture, God has to remind his people, "Do not be afraid," often times it doesn't specifically say of what. Most angelic appearances start with this message, yet as I read Genesis and think about economic times God is not just laying down a blank statement about not fearing him. It's deeper than that.
 
God often identifies himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Why? This family experiences many hardships, some by their own hands, others because of external factors. Externally, they are far away from home and they know they are at mercy of the people inhabiting the land. They face drought, famine and war. When they lean on God, he provides for them and he blesses those around them. When they trust in their own craftiness, they become a plague on those people. Looking at God's promises to Abram, he and his family are supposed to be a blessing to others. We often interpret this as an external and visible blessing.
 
God's blessing is internal too. It's supposed to unite and bind together, not break apart. Much of the internal strife in the patriarchal family has to do with children. Not just producing children, but dealing with the marriages through which children are supposed to be born. Isaac and Jacob had a difficult time finding wives. Ishmael and Esau did not. True to Abram's behavior, Isaac's and Jacob's married life is less than perfect. In fact, its culturally abhorrent in our eyes. While the cultural taboos may separate us, we do have much in common. Favoritism.
 
We live in a society that likes to pick favorites. Whether its athletic, musical, visual, written or verbal skill, we find ourselves honoring one area over another. Isaac has a favorite son, Jacob a favorite wife. Playing favorites tears people apart, inside and out. God shows favor to the disenfranchised and the outcast, as well as the wealthy and talented. The temptation to pick one or the other is constantly before us. However, Jesus loved Zacchaeus as much as he loved the blind beggar on the street. We all have our favorite people to love. We find it easier, more enjoyable and less straining to show them love than others. Yet we cannot let this love become favoritism.
 
We often play favorites with those who are similar to us, or to those whose issues seem most apparent and easiest to fix. We fear those we consider others. We fear for economic, social, and political reasons. Do they mean us harm? What if they don't understand me? What if I do something wrong, will they cast me out? Fear overrides love. Love is a source of great strength, but fear eats away the body like cancer. God invites us to put our fears aside so we can bless, and not curse, those around us. Would you consider your fears this week and talk with God and someone about what may be holding you back? I can't guarentee immediate loss of fear, but opening up dark and hurting places eases the pain. And pain is a major cause of fear. 

Jacob Fackler