Download “In the World” for September 25, 2022 here.
FAMILY DISPUTE IN MODERN RUSSIA
The citizens of Russia have been told the invasion of Ukraine is a “special military operation” to liberate the people from fascist forces. But some Russians, including the grown daughters of a returning Russian paratrooper surnamed Grigoryev, know that the truth is much different. Their father returned from six months of fighting “a broken man,” which exacerbated an already sore subject of whether or not the war is justified. “He says he didn’t kill anyone” in the fighting, says one daughter, Elizaveta. “But war is a crime in and of itself,” says Anastasia, the other daughter. The conflict within the family became so intense last month that the daughters fled the home. It’s an example of how the invasion is tearing some Russian families apart.
FAMILY DISPUTE IN ANCIENT CANAAN
Through a sad series of events, two sons of Judah died before having children. Both in turn had been married to a woman named Tamar, and Judah promised to give his third son to her as a husband when he came of age. But the time came, and Judah did not keep his promise. Tamar felt she had to resort to deception to achieve justice—and children—from Judah. Nevertheless, God promised to bring about the Messiah through the line of Judah.
- What criteria, if any, must be met before you would consider a war to be justifiable?
- How can family disputes be solved well?
- Why did God promise to bring the Messiah through the line of Judah, despite Judah’s sins?
Additional Resources
These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.
- Music Video, Traditional: “Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart”
- Music Video, Multicultural: “He Reigns Forever”
- Music Video, Contemporary: “Christ Be All Around Me” by Anchor Hymns
- Guzik’s Commentary on Genesis 35, Genesis 38, and Genesis 49
- Clarke’s Commentary on Genesis 35
- Coffman’s Commentary on Genesis 38 and Genesis 49