Monday, January 14

Genesis 33 - 35

Jacob continues along his journey to meet his brother. He shows his bravado by putting the women and children at the front of the troop; hoping to gain sympathy (?) from the brother whom he has cheated.

Jacob is not the only one who can "pull a fast one" and his daughter is soon placed in the position of needing to be married - but not to one of whom Jacob approves. Jacob's sons take advantage of the love-sick suitor and wipe out the beau in what could best be spun as 'defending the family honor'. What a family!

Yet, God proves Himself to be faithful! In the midst of all this, Jacob is given a more suitable name. God changes 'the cheater' to 'the prince' and gives him the name Israel - prince of God.

The passage ends with the death of Jacob's beloved wife, Rachel. And yet in death there is life as the youngest member of Israel's tribe - a man destined to father a tribe himself - Benjamin is born.

No comments: