Lasso of Truth

Reflection on Genesis

I was just talking to my friend Tina at church.  We were talking about the Bible Study, and how funny it is that in three weeks we have only read 51 pages (according to my Bible.)  I am also currently reading a series of historic novels that are about 1000 pages each.  It takes me about 2 weeks to finish one.  So why does it take so long to read the Bible?  Is it just not as interesting as the novel?

This all goes back to the idea that the Bible is alive.  There is so much information, character building, historical fact, and most importantly, the nature of God, that you just can't zip through it the way you could a novel.  This novel I'm reading is really interesting.  It's full of adventure, history, romance and fun.  But it will not change my life.  It is not alive.  It has nothing to do with me or the way I live my life.  It isn't bringing me closer to God.

We are taking time to absorb the Scriptures as we read them.  We know that every word is there for a reason--to tell us something about God, his Will, and his Plan for the world.  We are striving to be not just in the Word, but to let the Word get into us.  The amazing thing is, God uses his Word to speak to each of us in a different way, according to where we are in life, and where we are in our spiritual growth.  There is not another book out there that can do that.

Has God been teaching you anything new about his Word?  Share with us!

Genesis 48-50

Here we are at the end of the book of Genesis.  Amazing all that was packed into it, huh!

Chapter 48 is an intimate exchange between Joseph and Jacob.  It seems odd that Jacob would claim Joseph's sons as his own, but I think he means that they will be blessed and receive an inheritance as if they were his own. This explains why later the tribes of Israel include Ephraim and Manasseh, but not Joseph.   In doing this, he is giving Joseph a double portion.

Verse 11 gives us another example of the abundant, impossible blessings of God.  I think that's the theme I'm taking with me this time through.

So, did any of you think that the blessing of the two boys seemed oddly familiar?  Once again God is switching the birth order, just like he did with Jacob and Esau, and Tamar's twins.  I think God likes to turn our earthly traditions upside-down.

Chapter 49 is full of interesting information as each of Jacob's sons receives a prophecy from their father.  I'm not going to go into each one extensively, but there are a few that stuck out to me.

Reuben's legacy was of a lack of self-control.  Seems odd, since he's the one who repeatedly tried to save Joseph.  But there was a tiny mention back in chapter 35 of a big mistake that Reuben made.  And Jacob heard of it.  He sure did!

Simeon's and Levi's legacy will be that of murderous anger because of their revenge on their sister's dishonor.  I thought it was interesting that he predicted that they would be scattered.  Later we'll find out that the Levites don't get their own land.  They will be the priests for the Israelites, and will be scattered among the rest of the tribes.

And of course, Judah's prophecy is that of royalty.  A King.  A Lion.

Chapter 50
I think it is so cool that Jacob was even mourned by the Egyptians. 

After Jacob's death, the brothers are worried that Joseph will now have his revenge on them.  But they had nothing to worry about. They had received true forgiveness.  Verse 20 is something that we can claim for ourselves.  A very powerful statement.   Who cares what the evil intents of man are?  If Joseph had concentrated on that, he would have been paralyzed by resentment and self pity.  We can LIVE by focusing on the GOOD (always good) intentions of God.

Before Joseph dies, his last words to the Israelites remind them that Egypt is not there home.  Don't get too comfortable here, because this is not the land that God has promised you.  He's got something better in mind.

So, we have completed the book of Genesis.  Is this anyone's first time to read a whole book of the Bible straight through?  It makes a difference, I think, in the understanding of the history.  You are also able to grasp an underlying theme in the book that you can remember later. For me, this time, it was the idea that God wants to bless us in ways that we can't imagine.  Impossible blessings.  Did any of you get something else?  Please share in the comments section!  I want to know how God is speaking to you through his living Word.

Next time:  Exodus.

Genesis 45-47

Chapter 45
I love that Joseph asked everyone to leave so that he could reveal himself to his brothers alone.  He knew they would be shocked and ashamed, and he didn't want to give them an audience.  Joseph is a rare find in a man.  He is strong, powerful and manly, but he's not afraid to show extreme emotion when it is appropriate.   He was mourning for what had been lost all those years, while rejoicing for what was being restored.

Can you imagine the looks on the brothers' faces when Joseph gets to the punchline?  I bet they were scared out of their minds.  This is another great example of God's forgiveness--for that is the only way he could have forgiven them.  We should never fool ourselves into thinking that we can't face God with what we've done.  He already knows.  Confronting it isn't going to make it worse--it's going to fix it.

Jacob's reaction to the good news struck me as odd at first, but it was as if his soul had never had rest until this moment.  There had been no closure, so he had never gotten through it. 

Chapter 46
Jacob is bringing a huge group into Egypt.  Seventy people!  He is well on his way to becoming his own nation. 

I would love to have seen the actual reunion between Joseph and Jacob.  He has changed so much.  He is a man now, but also a rich, powerful, Egyptian man!  The chariot was a nice touch.

It was wise of Joseph to prepare his family for some of the cultural differences they were about to face.  I don't really understand the comment about the shepherds, though.  Did the Egyptians have something against sheep?

Chapter 47
The Hebrews are immediately accepted into Pharaoh's land, and they are given jobs among the Egyptians.

At the end of the chapter we get another glimpse at how huge God's plan was here.  At the end of the famine, they were in control of all of the money.  They had all of the livestock. And now they have acquired all of the land surrounding Egypt, and have also taken its inhabitants as slaves!  Egypt is easily the most powerful nation in the world right now.  I mean, think back to what you know about Egypt...the Pharaohs, the pyramids, the wealth, the gold...all that was handed to them by God on a silver platter.  Through Joseph!  This kind of wealth could not have been possible if the Egyptians had waged war on the rest of the world, because in war, there is loss even for the victor.  The Egyptians didn't lose anything.

Knowing that all of this wealth and prosperity was brought to Egypt by Joseph, it is no wonder that his family was shown such hospitality.  Fame like that is not easily forgotten.  But it will be forgotten, eventually.

Next time:  (Monday) Genesis 48-50  We are at the end of Genesis!

Genesis 42-44

Chapter 42 starts out with a great quote from Jacob, "Why are you staring at one another?"  I guess he is the first in history to say, "Don't just stand there; do something!"

Obviously, Jacob is hesitant to send Benjamin on this trip, since he is all that's left of Rachel.  He just can't risk it.

When I first read the account of the meeting between the brothers, I thought Joseph might have been a little harsh with them.  Perhaps he had not fully forgiven them.  But then I remembered that he didn't know what we know.  He had no way of knowing whether his brothers have changed at all.  He doesn't know if the his father is still alive.  He might be afraid that they got rid of Benjamin the way they did him.  So in addition to testing their truthfulness, he wanted to see that his loved ones still lived.  It has been over ten years since Joseph was taken to Egypt.   No wonder they don't recognize him.

Obviously, in these years they have been haunted by what they did to Joseph.  They assume that this trouble is a direct result of it.  (And actually, they are right--but not in the way they think...)

It must have been difficult for the brothers, even thought they were now grown men, to hear their father refuse to send Benjamin to Egypt in order to save Simeon from prison.  He has never been able to love them equally.  He might also be suspicious of Joseph's disappearance. After all, they were the last ones to see him alive.

Chapter 43 - Notice that they ate through all of the Egyptian grain before they went back to Egypt--and Simeon was in prison that entire time.  Jacob is angry with them for even telling the official that they had another brother.  But dishonesty would have been devistating, since Joseph already knew.

I am moved by Joseph's reaction to seeing his baby brother.  It reminded me of the reunion of Jacob and Esau.  It must have been a huge relief to finally know that he was safe.  I think the description of the dinner is hilarious.  Can you imagine he astonished looks they must have been giving each other?  I would love to see that!

In chapter 44 Joseph tests his brothers again.  I think it was truly wise of Joseph to plant the cup in Benjamin's bag.  They could have abandoned him any number of ways, but they stood by him.  Through the years these men have had a true change of heart.  It is evident in the speech that Judah gives Joseph.  He is ready to lay down his life for his brother.  This is the same Judah who had the idea to sell Joseph to the Ishmaelites. We have to remember that God loved these men as much as he loved Joseph.  Maybe he allowed them to do this terrible thing, because the guilt of it would eventually pierce their hard hearts.  God wanted a relationship with them as much as he did with Joseph.  But their roadblocks (hatred, pain, neglect) were different than Joseph's (pride, arrogance) and so, they had to endure different trials to get past them.

Next time: Genesis 45-47

Can you believe how far we have come!?  Only six more chapters to go in Genesis!

Genesis 40-41

Don't you want to know what the cup bearer and the baker did that made Pharaoh so furious in chapter 40?  I have a possible scenario, but I'll save it for the end of the chapter. 

Okay, look with me at verse 8.  God has been preparing Joseph his whole life for this very moment.  The thought of that sends shivers through me.  What could He be preparing us for right now?  How will He use our own pasts to do great things for Him?

How tragic is the baker's reaction?  He is encouraged but the first interpretation, which brings him to share his own story.  But his doesn't end so happily.  It has occurred to me that these dreams had little to do with the men that actually dreamed them.  Yes, they were the subjects of the dreams, and yes, it was their futures that were predicted.  But there was no way for them to use this information. Nothing could be done for them at this point.  I believe that their dreams,and their placement in Joseph's custody, was solely to give Joseph a reputation.  And making sure that someone in Pharaoh's household knew about it.

Notice what day it was when the fates of the two men were decided. Pharaoh's birthday.  Strange way to celebrate.

Okay, so here's what could possibly have happened with the two prisoners.  This is purely speculation, but it helps me see them more easily as people, rather than characters:

One night, Pharaoh gets horribly sick after dinner one night.  He suspects that he might have been poisoned, but is not sure whether it was the food or drink, so he throws both into jail.  That way they can do him no further harm while he figures out who is responsible.  It takes a while to do the tests, but within a few days all of the test subjects who drank the wine are fine, but the guys who ate the bread are sick.  So he restores the innocent cupbearer, and hangs the baker.  On his birthday--to send a message to other would-be assassins. 

Chapter 41
We see more evidence that Joseph's time in prison has done more than strategic placement.  He is humble, only giving God the credit for his ability.

Verse 38 is where everything comes to a dramatic conclusion.  God has simultaneously saved Egypt by giving Pharaoh specific instructions for dealing with the famine, saved Joseph, empowered him to his final position, and fulfilled the dreams of Joseph's youth.  He also has proclaimed Himself as the One True God, and shown the magicians to be worthless.  Amazing.

The grain that they saved for the years of the famine was in abundance like the grains of the sea.  There was so much that they stopped measuring it, for it was beyond measure.  God loves to bless us beyond measure.

When Joseph was a kid back in Israel, he thought he had it all.  And all he had was a pretty jacket and his father's favor.  When he was in Potiphar's house, he thought he had fully arrived.  But Potiphar was just some rich guy, and Joseph was still only a slave.  God was thinking bigger.  God has plans for our lives that we can't even imagine from where we are right now.  Let's be careful to not hold onto our circumstances too tightly.  We should hold all we have up to God with open hands.  Sometimes he takes things away, but he might replace them with something much better.

Next time: Genesis 42-44

Genesis 38-39

Here is another Bible story to inspire the soap opera writers.  Chapter 38 tells the story of Tamar.  This story gives more support to my theory that God was very choosy about who was in Christ's lineage.  He wanted Judah.  He wanted Tamar.  Er didn't make the cut.  We don't know why, but he was killed by God without leaving a son behind.  Apparently Hebrew tradition was that the brother of the dead man would try to impregnate his widow in hopes of giving her a son that would take her late husband's name.  Seems strange now, but I think it was perfectly acceptable.  Well, Onan was just as bad (or worse) as his brother.  He didn't have any intention of leaving his brother an heir.  But instead of outright refusing, he insulted and shamed Tamar by sleeping with her anyway. And God killed him, too!

Can you imagine what the neighbors must have been saying?  What is this woman doing to these men?  And unfortunately, that's what Judah thought, too.  It never occurred to him that his own sons might be the problem.  So he sends her back in childless, rejected shame to her father's house.  He told her to wait there until his youngest son became old enough to marry, but he had no intention of giving him to her.

I wonder if Tamar told anyone about her plan.  Did her sister know what she was about to do?  I don't know.  But I would have told her she was crazy.  But God had seen how Tamar was mistreated and blessed her wisdom and shrewdness.  Even if the plan itself seems unbelievable.  So word gets around, as happens in a small town, that Tamar is pregnant.  Legally, she is still under the rule of Judah's authority, even though she is living with her own family.  He is actually going to burn her for bringing shame on the family!

Even though Judah was much to blame in this story, I think I see why he was allowed to live, while his sons weren't.  The key is in verse 26.  As soon as he realizes what she had done, and what he had done to her, he is repentant.  That is what God is looking for in us.  Not perfection, because He alone is righteous, but admittance that we are wrong and are turning away from our sin.

Just a word about Tamar's birth story.  Can you imagine this?  It is no small thing to give birth.  And yet somehow that little baby hand was the first to be seen.  Can you imagine the midwife's expression?  I bet there was a strong contraction, then the baby's hand, at which time the string is used to label the first born.  The contraction subsides, and the hand goes back in--not too out of the ordinary I guess.  But then with the next contraction, there is not a hand, but a head...and when the baby is fully born, no red string.   Maybe it fell off.  But then the second baby is born with the red string on it's wrist.  Amazing.   I can't stop telling my own birth stories, but I have a feeling this one went around the whole town!

Chapter 39 - Meanwhile, back in Egypt
In the time that Joseph has been in Egypt, he has become a man of integrity.  His success has not made him prideful, because he realizes that it could all be taken away.  His response to temptation is a great example to us.  Flee.

Although he was falsely accused, God knew the truth, and prospered him anyway.  God has great plans for this man.  He will make connections while in prison that he could never have made if he had remained in Potiphar's household.  He was already at the top there, and it looked like God was taking that all away from him.  But God was thinking BIGGER.  We should remember this in our own lives. 

Joseph's integrity was obvious to the jailer, because he doesn't even have to supervise him.  He is a God-appointed leader, and it shows even during personal trial.

Next time: Genesis 40-41

Genesis 34-37

Chapter 34 adds a bizarre twist to the story.  And it demonstrates the trouble that can be done when we carry the burden of vengeance ourselves.  The brothers had every right to be angry, but the way they went about their revenge was horrible.  They killed every male!  These guys were getting ready to make a full contract and merge with the Israelites into one nation.  Because the brothers let their tempers (and the pride, most likely) get out of control, the new nation of Israel now has few men to defend it, and too many women to effectively defend.  I honestly don't know what the right way would have been to deal with their sister's rape.  But this obviously wasn't it.  They didn't do this for their sister.  This was all about pride.  Maybe that's why God wants to keep the vengeance thing for Himself.

I am once again moved by the name change ceremony in chapter 35.  I have often wondered whether God knows us by our given name or if he has another name for us that he calls us.  And if it is my given name, which name is written in the book of life?  My maiden name or my married name?  In the grand scheme of things, of course, this doesn't matter.  But just an interesting thing to think about...

Also in this chapter, Rachel dies in childbirth, and Isaac dies and is buried by both sons, together.

Reading through Esau's bloodline (chapter 36) reminded me of something cool.  I didn't recognize many of the names, it reminded me that the Bible is a historical document.  I heard on the radio yesterday of a historian who traveled to Israel for the purpose of disproving the Bible archaeologically.  His conclusion was that the Bible is the most reliable historical document in existence.  Archaeology has never been able to even contradict the Bible's record.  In fact, the more discoveries that are made, the more reliable it proves to be. 

Chapter 37 - Joseph
When reading the story of Joseph's family history is quick succession like we have, his brother's jealousy doesn't seem all that incredible.  Of course they were jealous.  Look at their mothers and the lives they were forced into.  It is also not that hard to understand why they hated him.  He had worked as a spy for his dad, and tattled on his brothers in verse 2.  He is the youngest, except for Ben, and their father is blatant in his favoritism. 

I can't help but think that Joseph might should have kept the content of his dreams to himself--especially the second one.  Learn from your mistakes, boy!  But he does tell them, and they hate him all the more for it.

I don't know why Jacob was sending him to the field in verse 13.  Maybe it  was to check up on them and give him another report, or maybe he knew of the grumbling in the house, and he hoped they could spend some bonding time and smooth things over.  Either way, he could have benefited from leaving the blasted robe at home!  They saw him coming a mile away! Did any of you notice what they did right after they threw him into the pit?  They sat down together and had a meal.  They must have been very hardened against him to be able to picnic with him screaming and crying for his life. (Cuz we all know he wasn't the silent type, right?)

Then, of course, Judah makes a plan.  His plan will make them a little money, and they won't have to cover up a death.  "He is our brother after all."  Yeah.  And how about when they report back to their dad?  They are so blatant in their deception.  As if their father wouldn't recognize a coat like that.  They knew it was him from a distance.  This was revenge on Jacob, as well

It's hard to understand why God would let something like this happen to someone.  But first, we have to remember that God had Reuben ready to save him from being killed if they had decided to.  Another thing is, that we know it was God's purpose that Joseph should go to Egypt, and as we'll see, eventually be the savior of the whole nation of Israel.  He allowed his brothers to mistreat him--maybe to teach him a lesson in humility, but definitely to build his character and cement his reliance on God. 

We each have our own hardships to deal with--some milder than Joseph's and some much worse.  We have to trust that God allowed that pain in our lives to strengthen our bond with Him, and if we let him, he'll use that struggle to further the Kingdom. 

Next time:  Genesis 38-39

Genesis 30-33

At the beginning of chapter 30, we find Jacob and his two wives in the thick of their marital problems.  The sisters are keeping score in the childbirth count, and Leah is ahead by four.  Rachel is desperate, and resorts to desperate measures.  Does she really think that adding a third woman to Jacob's bed will lessen the jealousy problem?  Jacob, on the other hand, doesn't seem to mind much.

This story is so sad.  I think that verse 8 says it all. They are holding so tight to the desire for Jacob's affection.  To be great in the eyes of other women.  They are constantly scrambling, scratching, wrestling.  Trying to get a foothold.  There is no rest.  I wish they could have found contentment--to stand back from their situation and say, "I don't have to live like this."

I looked up mandrakes, mentioned in verse 14.  It seems that they were the root of a plant, containing a hallucinogen and thought to aid in contraception. It looks like the sisters are still relying on pagan methods.  Notice in verse 15 that Leah is under the impression that she was wronged in the wedding debacle.  She must have expected Jacob to be content to settle for a wife that he didn't want.  Jacob has obviously surrendered all authority in this multi-marriage.  The women run everything--and they are consumed with the baby-race.  It is no wonder that the brothers will grow up with no respect for each other.

In verse 32 Laban and Jacob strike up another deal, but this time Jacob is ready.  He is promised the spotted sheep and goats, so he sets them aside for himself.  Then, when the white flocks mate, all of their babies are spotted as well!  (Except for the weaker sheep.  They are having pure white babies for Laban to keep.)  I am amazed at this provision by God.  I love it when He shows his blessing in impossible ways.

Chapter 31 So, Laban isn't too excited that Jacob is suddenly prospering apart from him.   Laban was only in this relationship for what it would gain him.  He was no friend of Jacob.  I'm glad to see in verse 4 that Jacob asks his wives how they feel about leaving.  Considering that it is their father, it was wise to make sure that they were willing to leave him secretly.  Thankfully, they are in full support.

I've always wondered why Rachel would steal the idols.  Did she think that they would help them in their escape?  Was she afraid they would help her father catch them?  Was it purely for their monetary value?  I think it could be any of those, but it indicates that Rachel was not ready to fully trust God with their safety.  In fact, it was the stolen gods that made Laban pursue them!  But God kept them safe in spite of her lack of faith.

It amazes me to think that Jacob was living under Laban's thumb for twenty years!  It is no wonder that Abraham had been so careful to keep Isaac from that place.  Imagine how much simpler Jacob's life would have been if they could have sent a servant to Laban to pick one woman and bring her back.  But Jacob couldn't afford the luxury of waiting at home for his bride.  Maybe this was God's way of both preserving his life and teaching him the consequences of deceitfulness.  God's plans are so thorough and complex!

In Chapter 32 we get to see a little of how Jacob has changed in the last 20 years.  He goes to God with a humble and repentant heart, pleading for his life.  Jacob's wrestling match is a mystery to me.  I don't know who the God-man is--perhaps the pre-incarnate Christ?  But how could Jacob overpower him?  What was the meaning of it?

Lets linger on the reunion between Jacob and Esau.  We don't know what Esau has been through in these last 20 years, but obviously his life has changed.  Even if he had not harbored ill will toward Jacob, he could have easily stayed home, accepted Jacob's peace offering, and sent word that he was over it.  But he comes in person to welcome him.  And he brings 400 men to help.  Jacob was afraid that he would be met with strife--even war!  But he was met with a parade and celebration.  Esau didn't even need the gifts that Jacob brought. 

I am amazed by Esau's capacity to forgive.  Jacob wronged him more than once, and hurt him deeply enough that revenge would have been warranted.  But that's essentially what forgiveness is.  It is never deserved by the recipient.  Sometimes we forget that in Christ we are fully redeemed.  We think that we have screwed up so badly that our relationship with God can never be restored.  But when we go to him with a repentant heart, he welcomes us just like Esau did.  He ran to him, embraced him, fell on his neck and kissed him.  And they wept together.   God won't say, "I can't believe what you did.  You hurt me, and now you are going to pay for it."  No, he says, "I'm so glad you have finally come back home."

Next time:  Genesis 34-37

Genesis 27-29

I'm sure that most of us have read, or at least heard this story before.  It reads like a Greek tragedy, and even more tragic--it's true.

Chapter 27
Okay, did anyone else laugh a verse 11?  I'm sorry, but for some reason Jacob's frantic declaration got me tickled. Okay, we'll get started for real now.

I am really not sure that Jacob wanted to go along with his mother's scheme at first.  Throughout their conversation, there are several moments when he seems to be hit with a pang of conscience.  In verse 12 he seems concerned that his father will see him as deceitful, but was not all that worried about committing the actual deception.  Righteousness does not depend on whether or not we are caught!  Look at the way Rebekah takes control of him when he voices his doubts in the plan.  She says, "Listen to me...Listen to my voice."  Soothing him in that motherly way, yet leading him astray.  Shh!  Don't worry about the consequences.  I'll take care of all that.  You just do what I tell you.  I'm looking out for your best interests.  Of course I am I'm your mom.  The Enemy is cunning.

There were so many chances in Jacob's encounter with his father that he could have done what was right.  His father asks him over and over. Are you sure you are Esau?  And time after time, Jacob lies.  Maybe he felt like he had gone too far, that he was trapped.  Beyond the point of no return.  Sin has a way of making us feel that way.  Praise God that it isn't true!

And suddenly, all is not well in the household.  Esau becomes murderous and revengeful.  Honestly, how did they think it would turn out?  So Rebekah has to think of yet another scheme to get Jacob out of the house.  Remember, back in chapter 24, how careful Abraham was not to let Isaac go back to his country to find a wife?  And now Rebekah has pushed him into a corner.  It's his only place to turn.  But look how she turns on Jacob..."until your brother's anger subsides, and he forgets what you did to him.(verse 45)"  Will she take NO CREDIT for this mess?!  Maybe she has even deceived herself.

In verse 46 Rebekah covers the whole thing up.  She goes to Isaac, seemingly innocent of the whole scene, and changes the subject.  She twists everything so that Isaac thinks it was his idea to send Jacob away.  Rebekah has become a crafty and dangerous woman.

In the beginning of Chapter 28, Esau has lost everything and is grasping for straws.  He goes and marries yet another woman, this time one he thinks will gain his parents' approval.  Sad.

Here we see Jacob's first awesome vision of God's plan for him.  In verse 14 God promises that through him all the families of the earth will be blessed.  Another Jesus clue.

Now, the beginning of Chapter 29 is one of my favorite parts of scripture.  Jacob is instantly smitten by Rachel.  In verse 10 he flexes his muscles a little bit--maybe to show off.  And then in verse 11 it says that he kisses her, lifting his voice and weeping.  This girl seems to be having an extreme emotional effect on him--and coupled with recent events, he has reached the end of his rope.  He stays with them for an entire month before he ever declares intention.  And by the end of that month, he is in love with her.

This is the most romantic verse in the Bible, in my opinion.  It actually played a pretty big role in my courtship with Donnie.  Genesis 29:20 "So Jacob served seven years for Rachel and they seemed only a few days because of his love for her."  Whew!  That is soooo romantic.  Donnie and I had been dating a while, when we decided to take a break.  For a year.  Just to be sure that we were right for each other.  In fact, in that year we learned that we were not right for each other, but while we were apart, God did miraculous works in both of us that brought us back together, this time under His Will.  Donnie knew before I did.  I told him that we could think about dating when I finished reading through the bible. The whole thing.  He said, "How long will that be?"  I didn't answer him, but gave him this reference: Genesis 29:20.  It didn't take us (quite) seven years to get back together, but I needed to know that he was willing to wait if it did.  He showed me that he was.  (Just yesterday we were telling someone that we had been married for five years.  I jokingly said that it seemed like a lifetime.  But at the same moment, he looked at me and said that it seemed like a day.  Sigh.)  So, I guess it makes sense that this story means so much to me.

But the Bible isn't a fairy tail.

Remember Laban?  I'm guessing he and his sister, Rebekah had an interesting childhood.  They can't get enough of the scheming.  I have often wondered why Leah would go along with this.  Did she believe that she was ugly and unlikely to marry otherwise?  Did her father threaten her?  And where was Rachel on their wedding night?  Leah gets seven days of honeymoon and then Jacob marries her sister.  Rachel never gets the chance to have her husband to herself.  These girls are in for a lifetime of jealousy, hurt, and insecurity.  Just so her father could use Jacob as an indentured servant.

I found the names of Leah's sons really interesting.  Each one reflects her currant emotional state.  With the first three she is still wallowing in shame and self-pity.  By the arrival of the 4th child, she is ready to praise the Lord!  We all have made decisions that we wish we could take back.  But if our lives are going to mean something to the Kingdom, we have to accept Forgiveness, and LIVE.  Stop looking at your feet, and look up!

Remember that Christ is called the Lion of Judah?  It's from this boy's line that Christ will be born.  I wonder why God chose Leah and not Rachel.  And I wonder if her change in focus had anything to do with which son He chose.  This is just speculation, of course, but still something to think about.

Next time: Genesis 30-33

Genesis 24-26

I was so excited to get to this chapter.  Isaac and Rebekah's love story is so cool!  (Not everything in Genesis is heavy and burdensome!)  But before we get to her, let's look at the plan that Abraham had for his beloved son.  Notice in verse 6, and again in verse 8, how serious Abraham was about not letting Isaac go to the place himself.  I don't know why, but I am pretty sure it is relevant.  God is beginning a whole new nation through Isaac, and to let him go back would be to risk the influence of Abraham's pre-covenant family.  (And judging from what will happen very soon to Jacob, I'm thinking this was a wise forethought.)

In verse 10 we learn that the servant (un-named, but pivotal in his role--let's call him Jeeves for just for today.) took ten camels with him.  I don't know why, but when I have visualized this in the past, I imagined Jeeves alone--almost like a spy on a mission.  But camels are huge.  This was no inconspicuous parade.  Now I'm thinking it was more like the one in Aladdin.  He was bringing a treasure back for Isaac.  In verse 14 we find out a little about why Abraham chose Jeeves for this task.  The man sought God's will. And in his prayer he is bold.  I'm not sure that I have every prayed anything quite this specific, but this guy was looking for a sign that would leave nothing to interpretation.  One of my favorite prayers when I am trying to make a decision is, "Lord, make it obvious."  And he usually does. 

Just a quick note on the introduction of Rebekah.  God knows us and blesses us in all different ways.  In fact, it says that God had blessed Abraham in every way.  It says here in verse 16 that Rebekah was very beautiful.  God knew Isaac.  He knew his sensibilities, and picked Rebekah out for him.  So cool.  So, Rebekah turns out to be the one.  In fact, she does exactly what Jeeves had prayed that she would.  And drawing for ten camels cannot have been an easy task.  And they drank until they were finished.  How much does a camel drink, anyway?

The lesson that I'm really going to center on today is not actually about Isaac and Rebekah.  It's Good Old Jeeves.  This guy is truly amazing. When he finds out that God has answered his prayer (to the letter!) he bows low and worships the Lord.  He is so bold in his faith!  And then we are introduced to Laban.  If Laban ever had an ounce of character, it sure isn't recorded in this Book.  The second he meets the stranger, his eye is on the treasure.  He invites Jeeves in, gives him the royal treatment...I wonder if any of this is sincere.  Or was he just trying to get on his good side?

But Jeeves doesn't fall for it.  He won't even eat, tired and hungry as he probably is, until he has said what he came to say.  He doesn't let Laban's flattery affect him at all.  And what Jeeves says is amazing to me.  He isn't timid in his faith.  He isn't even tactful.  He tells them exactly why he is there, and that he believes it is the work of the Lord.  This is someone who truly believes that God is in control.  I probably would have held something back, maybe not tell them my whole story...just in case it didn't work out.  But this guy is a true servant of God.  And then he worships boldly again.

There is a slight hiccup in the plan in verse 55.  For some reason Laban and his mother try to stall Rebekah's departure.  Maybe it was an intimidation tactic, to see if they could take back control.  I'm not sure.   But once again Jeeves is ready.  he reminds them that he is not just working for some rich cousin, here.  This is God's mission, and I'd suggest you let me get on with it.  How can you be intimidated when you work for the Creator?!

We are going to look at the next two chapters, but before we do, lets take a moment to reflect on the character of "Jeeves" for a moment.  Interesting how a man of such a lowly state could be so integral in God's plan.  He was unafraid.  He was not intimidated.  He was faithful.  He was purposeful.  He was honest.  He was a SERVANT.  We should all strive to be more like him.

The end of chapter 24 reminds us of a very important role that wives play.  Our men have a lot of emotional stress to deal with, and are not really equipped to deal with it the way that women are.  It must have been quite a  while after Sarah's death that Rebekah came onto the scene.  But only then does it say that he was comforted.

Chapter 25.  Did you know that Abraham had more sons?  I don't remember reading that before.  Isaac and Rebekah were much different than the generation before.  Rebekah is also barren, but instead of taking it into their own hands, they pray to the Lord.  They have a relationship with God.

Chapter 26.  Isn't it kind of tragic that Isaac and Rebekah make the same mistake that his parents did?  Why would he be afraid of being killed if God had just promised to prosper him?  BELIEVE GOD!  Thankfully, Abimelech does learn from his mistakes, and he doesn't fall for it this time.  He gives them his protection, and even gives them their own land.

Now, remember.  The reason that Isaac and Rebekah were on the move was that there was a famine.  They needed to go somewhere that had food.  Everyone was going to Egypt, but God told them to go to Gerar.  And notice how God rewards their obedience:  Verse 12.  Now Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold.  And the Lord blessed him.  This was in the middle of a famine!  That's a pretty amazing return.  He trusted God, and God made impossible blessings for him!  Let's step back and give God the chance to show His glory through our lives.

Next time:  Genesis 27-29  (This is simultaneously my favorite and least favorite story in the Bible.)