Through the Bible in 2012

Readings:

Genesis 28
Genesis 29
Genesis 30

Comments:

My head is spinning as I read these chapters! Such drama! Such deceit! Odd customs! Sexual tension!

Last week, on a television sit-com, it appeared as if a pre-school age child was saying a very naughty word. The word was bleeped and her mouth was pixilated, but it was obvious what word the writers wanted the audience to think the girl was saying. In reality, the actress was saying “fudge.” Predictably, some people were upset saying this shouldn’t be shown during prime time when children may be watching! Predictably some Christians were upset at the kind of programming being shown on network television. While agreeing, there are some things that can go too far, I did not think this situation was one of them. And as I read today’s chapters from the Bible, I have to wonder what some Christians make of the situations we see our ancestors in the faith getting themselves into! A father who lies to his future son-in-law by saying he can marry his youngest daughter. When the time comes, the father deceives him by giving him the older daughter. After discovering the deceit and confronting the father, the father offers the man both the older daughter and the younger daughter. So between Leah and Rachel and their two servants, Jacob has twelve children who become the “twelve tribes of Israel.” The promise of being blessed and being a blessing and being the father of many is passed from Abraham to Isaac and to Jacob. Don’t forget that Jacob’s nickname could very well be “Grabber” as he is a deceiver and one who “grabs” things that are not his to grab! In his father-in-law, Jacob meets his match, however!

Saints of the Bible? Heroes of the faith? How in the world can it be that God is going to work through Jacob and his children? But that is exactly what God does! And if God can work through them, then surely God can work through us! We may not appear to be as bad as some of these characters, but truthfully, we are not angels either. We will hear Paul say to us in the New Testament, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Tomorrow’s Readings:

Genesis 31
Genesis 32
Genesis 33