Tag: Jacob

Blessings for the twelve sons of Israel

January 30, 2020

JACOB BLESSING HIS SONS

The blessings of Israel on Joseph’s sons are given in Genesis 48.  Manasseh and Ephraim are brought to their Grandfather to be blessed and he crosses his arms to give the blessing for the elder to the younger as he tricked his Father into doing with, he and Esau.  Jacob tells his son that any more children born to him will be counted as the sons of these two boys who become his own sons instead of their Father.  This increases the Israelite tribes to thirteen.  We will see the reason for this in Exodus.

The promises of God to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are passed to the next generations.  The land of Canaan is not all that is included.  Many nations will come from this line, including these two youngsters.

The blessings that Jacob gives to his sons are in chapter forty-nine of Genesis. Reuben, the oldest is strong, but will not excel. Levi and Simeon are violent and will be scattered throughout Israel. Judah will be a ruler. This is the clan that produces David and his heirs.

Zebulun will live by the sea. Issachar will submit to forced labor. Dan will provide justice. Gad will be attacked and defend himself. Asher will feed a King. Naphtali will have beautiful children.

God’s blessings will fall on Joseph. Benjamin is described as a wolf.

Just before Israel dies, he requests his sons to return him to Canaan and bury him where Abraham and Sarah are buried. He will not be the last to rest there.

We have reached the end of the first book of the Bible. The fiftieth chapter of Genesis sets the scene for Moses’ second book, Exodus.

Israel’s death brings up the problem of revenge by Joseph against his ten brothers.   After the burial of their father, the brothers believe their lives are in danger. They beg Joseph to spare their lives and make them his slaves. The second highest ruler in Egypt informs them that God planned this for good despite their evil intentions.

Joseph requested that his remains be taken to Canaan when the Israelites return home.  We leave The Beginnings to go to The Exit in two days.

Tomorrow we make a detour, to be chronological. Be ready for some riveting reading.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

Joseph and Israel

January 28, 2020

Joseph Kisses JacobJoseph stops at the beginning of Genesis 46 to sacrifice to the Lord.  Once again, the covenant with Abraham’s family is confirmed.  A promise is made to bring them from Egypt after their number has increased greatly.  Here is a reason Jehovah wanted the Israelites in Egypt.  They arrive in Goshen and Joseph greets his Father once more.

The Israelites represent themselves as shepherds to be allowed to live in the area that is one of the most fertile.  Pharaoh gives them the area they want.

The introduction of Jacob and five of his sons to Pharaoh is told in chapter forty-seven.   As planned before, they represented themselves as shepherds.  The best land in Goshen was set aside for them.

Working for his employer as he always has, he proceeds to secure all the money, property and people for the King of Egypt.  Even after the famine years, a fifth of all crops is paid to the Pharaoh.

Jacob makes Joseph promise to bury him in Canaan, not Egypt when he dies.  Tomorrow the blessings from Jacob.

What cost forgiveness?

January 27, 2020

In Genesis 43 verse 7 Judah tells his father that there is no use returning without Benjamin and Jacob asks why they even told the Egyptian about the youngest boy.  He questioned us closely was the reply.  Joseph wanted to know about the rest of the family.

They had delayed longer than they should have leaving Simeon in Egypt for this extended period.  The hope was probable that the famine would end soon, and another trip would not be needed.  They would not be aware of what Joseph and Pharaoh knew that the lean years would be seven in number.

The reception in Egypt is much different.  A luncheon is planned, and Simeon is returned to the Israelites.  As the Egyptian ruler leaves to go to his private chamber both the brothers and his servants must be curious as to the reason.  Israel’s sons were also perplexed by the fact they were seated in birth order without ages being discussed and the extra portions that were given to the youngest.  The revealing next.

Genesis 44 has Joseph playing the kind of tricks that his father is known for.  A silver cup is placed in Benjamin’s sack.  He wants to see what the other brothers will do to protect Israel’s favorite living son.  They deny that any of them would steal the cup.  When it is found, they return to the Pharaoh’s right-hand man.

Judah explains why they cannot return without the youngest.  The scene demonstrates to Joseph that at least Judah is willing to sacrifice himself rather than cause pain to their Father again.  He now knows what he hoped to learn and is ready to reveal himself.

Joseph clears everyone from the room but his brothers in Genesis 45.  He reveals his identity and when they finally believe him, the older men are terrified.  They know he could have them all executed.  What they haven’t realized is that they have been forgiven.

After a tearful reunion, he has the Israelites return to Canaan to bring the patriarch and their families to Egypt to save them from the five more years of famine that God revealed to Joseph.

Returning to their Father they have difficulty convincing him that Joseph is alive.  Finally, they get him to agree to move the family to the only land that can survive this extended famine.  Tomorrow the reunion of Father and Son.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

The Dreamer

January 25, 2020

Jacob and his family return to Bethel after God tells him to in Genesis chapter thirty-five. Jehovah once again reminds him that his new name is Israel and that he will produce nations and kings and populate this land as promised to his father and grandfather.

Rachel dies as her second son is born. The name she gives him is the son of my trouble while his father calls him Benjamin which means son of my right hand. This gives us the fathers of the twelve tribes of Israel.

The chapter ends with the death of Isaac and his burial by both of his sons. The path of this people group is beginning.

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Genesis 36 is another of those genealogies that can be boring reading.  Keep in mind that these are some of the people that will become enemies of the Israelites.  These are other kingdoms that came from Abraham and Isaac.  Verses 31 to 39 give a list of the kings.  These names will appear again as we get into Joshua, Judges, and other books.

We begin the story of Joseph in Genesis chapter 37 when we first read of his dreams.  As a younger brother even, I was smart enough not to tell my brothers something that would make them hate me.  It was probably this story that gave me that wisdom.

Both dreams indicate where Joseph will eventually be.  He will be a leader.  Currently, it seems unlikely.  When they can, they plot his death but settle for selling him as a slave.  The story that Israel believes about his death is better than admitting they sold him.  Tomorrow we read about his time with Potiphar.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

Dysfunctional family

January 23, 2020

Genesis 32 tells the story of Jacob’s preparation to meet his brother for the first time in years. He separates his wives and children into two groups. His preference for Rachel and Joseph is obvious.

After sending everyone and everything over the river, he spends the night alone in a battle with God. Many of us struggle with our faith. Direct combat with Jehovah is unusual. Jacob’s name is changed to Israel and he is injured in the turmoil. His fear is of his brother and how he will be greeted.

The story of Jacob and Esau’s reunion is told in the thirty-third chapter of Genesis. Esau is happy to see his brother.  Jacob does everything he can to regain his older brother’s trust. It seems this is not needed.

Israel (Jacob) is concerned that Esau is as sneaky as he has been. He does not want the help of his brother or his men. He even lies and says he will follow to Seir but turns to Sukkoth. He still has not changed his devious ways.

It is very unusual when a daughter is listed in the genealogies. In chapter 34 we discover why Dinah was mentioned. She is raped and Jacob’s sons continue the heritage of their father.

They agree to give her as a wife to her rapist, but only if all the men of the city are circumcised. Circumcision is part of the Israelite covenant with Jehovah. It started with Abraham and Isaac. It seems like a reasonable request.

Three days later the true reason is revealed when all the men are killed and all their possessions, women and children are seized. This seemed to be the plan that the Hivites had in mind for Jacob’s family. Were they wrong to exact such severe punishment on the entire city because of the action of one man?

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

When a woman can’t get pregnant

January 23, 2020

A question to ask about Genesis 30 is, “Does God determine whether a couple can or cannot have a child?” If He does, what criteria does He use?  I know it can’t be whether you will be a good parent or have a healthy marriage.

Twelve children are born into Jacob’s family through the four women.  Leah stays in the lead by number, but not by love.  One daughter is mentioned, and the rest are sons.  Only Joseph is by Rachel.  This will play a factor later.

The last of our selection tells how Jacob deceived his father-in-law and increased his flocks while decreasing Laban’s.  Human nature is very active in the soon to be the Hebrew nation.

If Jacob is to be the son that carries the promise of possessing the land Abraham and Isaac were promised Genesis 31 tells us that God instructs him to return.  The animosity between Laban and his men and his son-in-law has grown to a dangerous pitch.  In justifying the move to his wives God’s chosen one does not explain the reason why spotted and striped animals outnumbered light colors.

We are not told why Rachel stole her Father’s idols.  They may have been valuable, or it might be spite or sentimental value.  We don’t know.  Jacob makes a dangerous statement about killing the thief if there is one.  Rachel has learned from her Father and Husband and moves the stolen goods while the search is on.

When nothing is found a truce is arranged and the two go their own ways.  Laban refers not only to Jehovah as the God of Abraham but also of Naho, Abraham’s father who was the first to start for Canaan.  He is the common ancestor of the two clans.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

The trickster at work

January 23, 2020

The story of Jacob lying to his Father and his mother starting the whole situation is told in Genesis 27.  She is as deceptive as her youngest son.  The deceit pits the two sons against each other and results in her favorite child having to leave home.

Isaac must have been very gullible, or he would have trusted his ears and not the word of a liar.  He certainly would never have believed his wife and son would steal the blessing of Esau.  Esau is the ancestor of the Edomites who also becomes an enemy of Jacob’s family.  How you treat someone today can affect history.

Genesis 28 begins with Isaac blessing Jacob and sending him back to their family to find a proper wife.  Esau hears of this and realizes how he has displeased his parents.  He takes an Ishmaelite woman as a third wife.

Jacob dreams his first night on the road and sees angels traveling to and from Heaven.  God renews the promise that he made to Abraham and Isaac to make them a great people group.  Jacob named it Bethel and used the stone that was his pillow as a monument to the vision he had seen. He then makes what seems to be a bad statement.  If God will do all of these things that have been promised, he will make God his god.

This is what many of us do.  God must prove Himself and then we will worship Him.  What God wants is our obedient worship.  God will bless our faithfulness.  Who do we think we are to expect Jehovah to bless us before we follow Him?  And who am I to stop following Him, when he doesn’t do what I think He should?  Which one is really the ruler of the universe?

The joke is about to be on the jokester in Genesis 29, our reading for today.  Two interesting things are the procedure for watering the sheep at the well and the reason the stone was over the well.  What do you think?

Jacob met Rachel and waters her sheep ahead of the others.  This may not have made him one of their favorite people.  Rachel shows her gratitude and takes him to meet her father Laban.  He is warmly greeted and then he meets his match.

Rachel is beautiful and Jacob agrees to work seven years for her hand in marriage.  After the wedding ceremony at the end of the seven years, Jacob wakes up to discover he is married to the older, ugly sister.  Laban agrees to give him Rachel also after the marriage week in return for another seven years of work.  The agreement made Jacob gets two wives in two weeks.  The trickery is just beginning.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger