Gen 38

What an interesting chapter, much like the chapter with Dinah, this one involves Judah and Tamar. Judah, the fourth son in the lineage of Jacob, and the next in line to receive favor from his father after the eldest three severely disappointed him. His first son who was married to Tamar, died after the Lord struck him down due to his evilness which left the second one, Onan, to fulfill the brother's obligation to have offspring which would not be credited to him. He decided that since the offspring would be his - he practice birth control which was also wicked in the eyes of the Lord and he was struck down as well. The next in line was Shelah but given the past history of the other two, Tamar decided to live with her father. In the meantime, Judah's wife died. Tamar goes out of her widow's garb to get dressed up and lo and behold, she and Judah hook up. She decided that until she got her payment for her services she was going to get Judah's seal, cord and staff. She gets pregnant and ultimately charged with prostitution to which it is revealed to Judah that it was he who did the dirty deed and was not put to death as charged. The tale of twins is again replayed here as two sons, Perez and Zerah  were born with Perez who was supposed to come out second came out first. I guess the ultimate significance was the establishment of Perez who would be the recorded lineage to Jesus.

Looking forward to this weekend  and getting stuff done before T-giving. Weather looks decent for the weekend.

Praise for today: Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name. Ps 97:12

Gen 35:12-36

This begins the journey of Joseph towards fulfilling his dream but it was frought with danger, subtefuge and ultimately suffering towards the character building aspect of his life. Joseph started out as Jacob's eyes and ears and went out to meet his brothers in Dothan. When they saw him, they plotted to kill him but was thwarted by Reuben who either felt responsible to him or who wanted Joseph to pass on his birthright back to him. Ultimately his intent was to show his worthiness to Jacob by saving and securing Joseph. Judah was the one who concocted the scheme to sell him to the Ishmaelites who were passing through without Reuben's knowledge. Without Joseph, Reuben had to come up with a plan to reveal Joseph's demise and thus brought the famous coat with a dead goat's blood on it to put the legacy of Joseph behind him and them and hopefully secure his father's birthright and blessing. Jacob was so distraught that he could not be comforted by his family and mourned for his favorite son. Meanwhile, Joseph is sold to Potiphar by the Midianites.

One has to think why the detail and why him? This becomes the greatest and the most detailed story of perserverance and integrity that is recorded in the Bible. It is also a story of redemption and fulfilled promises.

Yesterday's events were sombering and sobering as 3 collegues were let go. Prayers go out to them and their families as they reconstruct their lives out of this dismal economy. Hard to say if this is it... Let's hope so.

Praise for today: Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him; let the upright in heart praise him! Ps 64:10

Gen 37: 1-11

It seems that there are times that the Bible whizzes through history and merely glosses over time but as Phillip Yancey said "Genesis slows down when it gets to Joseph, and it shows God working behind the scenes". With Reuben, as the oldest, in line for the birthright but severely disappointing Jacob in c.35, the birthright was given to Joseph, the firstborn of Rachel. This was indicated by the special coat of many colors that was given to him by Jacob. This overstated the love of Jacob to Joseph and in turn created resentment and hatred between siblings. While he was blessed by Jacob and by God, he didn't really endear himself to his brothers and his parents by stating his dream that they will all bow down to him one day as ruler over them. Still while Jacob protested, he pondered it in his heart since he knew that God does work in mysterious and miraculous ways.

Long but enjoyable day with a dinner in Philly @ Capital Grill - excellent food and am glad it wasn't on my dime. Got back late 10ish so decided to bag the gym today.

Praise for today: The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Ps 28: 8

Gen 36

The listing of Esau's descendants were placed in this book to show how God did bless him despite not being the chosen one. The lines that came from Esau were extensive and showed how they banded together to forge a nation that was successful and thriving in the world's eye but still not under the banner of God and thus would be under the sword of Jacob's lineage. Esau married away from the house of Abraham and the writer reminds us of that with Esau's first two wives. Because he married "away", he could never carry the lineage of Isaac. He would be known forever as the father of the Edomites.

The situation at work in my eyes is getting a lot more terse. With review time comes the reassessment of the future. Seems like comp will get cut and how severely is always a question. It's been a while since we have adjusted our workforce and in the eyes of many, that could be troubling as it was in 2009. Still my hope is in the Lord and I'll live it one day at a time.

Praise for today: As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. Ps 18:30

Gen 35: 16-29

The 12 tribes of Jacob would now be complete but it would cost the life of Rachel who would die during childbirth. Benjamin was Rachel's son borne "out of sorrow" but would be Jacob's son "born out of his right hand". Since the term "right hand" was used, he would receive the blessing. It  seems like Reuben was to be the one that would want it so he slept with one of Jacob's wives and because of that Joseph was given the birthright over the others. The chapter ends with the death and burial of Isaac as the two brothers who were reconciled buried their 180 year old father together.

Tiring weekend with a lot of stuff done around the house. Nice to see all that came this past Saturday. Back to the gym this morning.

Praise for today: Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved. Ps. 80:5

Gen 35: 1-15

God finally told Jacob to settle in Bethel (house of God) and then to build an altar as a reminder of who was with him during his fleeing from Esau. I guess after the actions of Simeon and Levi, safety was a primary concern and they overstayed their welcome. Jacob obviously embraced the change and new direction and commanded them to "get holy" before this trip. God's protection came in v. 5 which allowed them safe passage. It was noted of Deborah's death who was Rebekah's nurse and her burial at a place called Allon Bacuth ("oak of weeping"). Even before the Levitical law was given, certain offerings (drink) was done and oil was used to signify cleansing and healing.

So now Jacob has come full circle, decades later, from the place in c 28 where he first encountered the famous ladder dream. The road to and from had given him the perspective that ultimately God was in control. Who says you can't go back home again?

Short day today and hopefully will get home early. Looking forward to the weekend and seeing everyone.

Praise for today: Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? Ps 113: 5-6

Gen 34

The violation of Dinah and the subsequent action of Simeon and Levi was one that would change the landscape of the relationship between the 12 tribes and the surrounding nations forever. Shechem's action were repulsive and his attitude towards Dinah and Hamar's request for intermarriages would be dealt with in a way that led to the death of all the males in the Hivite tribe. Not only were content in "righting the wrong" they took the next step and looted the city where their sister had be defiled and carried off all the wealth and all of their women and children as plunder. While their motives of revenge could be justified, Jacob in v.30 foretold of the troubles that would occur in their future.

From the commentary:

God had promised to make Jacob’s descendants into a great nation. But Jacob did not want that nation to be a wicked nation. So, Jacob needed to teach his sons about God (Genesis 35:1-15). Nobody in the story was innocent. Dinah went out to visit those people. That was a dangerous thing to do. Hamor and Shechem did something wrong to her. And they were not honest with Jacob’s family about it. Hamor and Shechem were not honest with their own people either. Jacob probably should have done more about Dinah’s situation. But he was perhaps more worried about his own safety among his neighbours. But the behaviour of Simeon and Levi was terrible. The brothers punished the men in Shechem too severely. They were cruel. It is clear that people in Jacob’s family were bitter and angry. And they were behaving like people who did not know God.

Oh well, back to work for a day and a half. Hopefully, today will be non-eventful (ha!). Wishing my cuz, Elaine a great birthday!

Praise for today: For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Ps 57:10