Sometimes providences [of God], like Hebrew letters, must be read backwards.
– John Flavel (1627–1691)
Tag / sovereignty
Judah: didn’t see that one coming…
Cover to Cover
Reading: Genesis 35:16-38:30
Focus: Genesis 38:1-26
The final chapters of Genesis focus upon the story of Joseph and the preservation of the growing tribes of Israel. One chapter that is often missed in the Joseph story, as it is not about Joseph himself, is the story of his elder brother, Judah. This particular event in Judah’s history is told after our introduction to the dreamer and betrayal into slavery by his brothers, in some ways, it seems a bit odd to include this story. However, the overall story is not about Joseph so much as it is a story of God’s plan of preservation of His Promise.
Jacob: competition of love…
Cover to Cover
Reading: Genesis 29:31-31:55
Focus: Genesis 29:31-30:24
In this account of the birth of Jacob’s first 11 sons, we find each son given name with meaning. Respective to the situation of their birth, each son was named accordingly. While the names are important, what stands out in this account of Jacob’s children is the situation which they are born into. Two sisters, Jacob’s wives—Leah and Rachel, compete for the love and affection of their husband (and you wonder why you would want more than one spouse?).
Jacob: chosen for rivalry
Cover to Cover
Reading: Genesis 24:1-25:34
Focus: Genesis 25:19-26
With the days of Abraham behind us, we move to the next generation of the Promise, Isaac and the birth of his sons, Jacob and Esau. One of the standout features of the story of Genesis, reflected in the birth account of Jacob and Esau, is its detail on the future. In this instance, it is the relationship of the brothers; as the brothers wrestled in the womb, Rebekah sought God for understanding:
Two nations are in your womb,
and two peoples from within you will be separated;
one people will be stronger than the other,
and the older will serve the younger.