#110 Your Resume Genesis 41

Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, "the dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do: The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads are seven years; the dreams are one. And the seven thin and ugly cows which came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty heads blighted by the east wind are seven years of famine. This is the thing which I have spoken to Pharaoh. God  has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do. Indeed seven years of plenty will come throughout all the land of Egypt; but after them seven years of famine will arise, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine will deplete the land. So the plenty will not be known in the land because of the famine following, for it will be very severe. And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. "Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years. And let them gather all the food of those good years that are coming, and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and per them keep food in the cities. Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land may not perish during the famine. Genesis 41: 25-36 NKJV

It would be easy to write this off as a resume, but again Joseph gives credit to God for the interpretation. So many come preaching doom and gloom, but never offer the plan of hope. I know men who pride themselves on pointing out what's wrong, but much more valuable, to me, is the one who works on the solution. Joseph tells the Egyptians of a horrible famine, so horrible, that the seven years of plenty preceding will be forgotten. At this point most men would have laid claim to being the oracle, or claimed to be gifted. Joseph could have set himself apart even more, with a little more politicking and self promotion. He could have made a great show of it, but he says it is not in me, God has shown Pharaoh. Instead of self promotion, he has shown himself faithful in the small. He is qualified to lead because he has served in extraordinary fashion; he has given credit where credit is due. Joseph lives as unto the Lord and that life becomes his resume. Pharaoh has not seen all the works of Joseph, and he does not know his heart, but Joseph has referenced God and God has become his reference. It is a solid resume.

5You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. 6Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.… 1Peter 5:5-7a

#109 Who Is Wise Among You Genesis 41

After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile, and behold, there came up out of the Nile seven cows attractive and plump, and they fed in the reed grass. And behold, seven other cows, ugly and thin, came up out of the Nile after them, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile. And the ugly, thin cows ate up the seven attractive, plump cows. And Pharaoh awoke. And he fell asleep and dreamed a second time. And behold, seven ears of grain, plump and good, were growing on one stalk. And behold, after them sprouted seven ears, thin and blighted by the east wind. And the thin ears swallowed up the seven plump, full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream. So in the morning his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was none who could interpret them to Pharaoh. Then the chief cup-bearer said to Pharaoh, "I remember my offenses today. When Pharaoh was angry with his servants and put me and the chief baker in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, we dreamed on the same night, he and I, each having a dream with its own interpretation. a young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. When we told him, he interpreted our dreams to us, giving an interpretation to each man according to his dream. And as he interpreted to us, so it came about. I was restored to my office, and the baker was hanged." Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they quickly brought him out of the pit. And when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came in before Pharaoh. and Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it." Joseph answered Pharaoh, "it is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer." Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "behold, in my dream I was standing  on the banks of the Nile. Seven cows, plump and attractive, came up out of the Nile and fed in the reed grass. Seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and thin, such as I had never seen in all the land of Egypt. And the thin, ugly cows ate up the first seven plump cows, but when they had eaten them no one would have known that they had eaten them, for they were still as ugly as at the beginning. Then I awoke. I also saw in my dream seven ears growing on one stalk, full and good. Seven ears, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprouted after them, and the thin ears swallowed up the seven good ears. And I told it to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me." Genesis 41:1-24 ESV

This world belongs to God, and yet we fight over its resources, and elevate those things which He has provided over that which was made in His image. Like vultures, we wait at the beds of those who are leaving, ready to stake our claim upon their estate. In the strength of our youth, we despise the weak, and in the times of plenty we look down upon the poor. How humble are the servants that he speaks through- a slave, who is now a prisoner- who now stands before the Pharaoh. A young Hebrew boy, a son of Israel ,will now be the vessel through which God will bless an entire kingdom. He will be remembered  now ,because those, whose occupation it is to tell fortunes, will not be able to interpret Pharaoh's dreams. Joseph will deny the power to do so as being his own. He will credit the giver of all things.

The story of Joseph has left scars upon my own ego. In the fullness of life, in times of great plenty, we esteem ourselves the author's of such. The man of great intellect, prides himself the skeptic, he is too smart for God. The rich man has no need of God, for what is there, in his mind, that money cannot buy. The strong and the healthy despise the crying out of the weak. "He's afraid, so he calls out to God. She's sick and dying, and so she finds religion." Anyone who believes is mocked by the world as weak, and yet in this weakness, the weak can see that no one is strong, that no one is wise. They turn to the One who humbled himself, and He guides them through the famine. He fills their stores in eternity.   

#108 Don't Forget Me Genesis 40

Some time after this, the cup-bearer of the king of Egypt and his baker committed an offense against their lord the king of Egypt. and Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cup-bearer and the chief baker, and he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined. The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be with them, and he attended them. They continued for some time in custody. And one night they both dreamed-the cup-bearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison-each his own dream, and each dream with its own interpretation. When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were troubled. So he asked Pharaoh's officers who were with him in custody in his master's house, "why are your faces downcast today?" They said to him, "we have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them." And Joseph said to them, "do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me."So the chief cup-bearer told his dream to Joseph and said to him, "in my dream there was a vine before me, and on the vine there were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and the clusters ripened into grapes. Pharaoh's cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup and placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand. Then Joseph said to him, "this is the interpretation: the three branches are three days. In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office, and you shall place Pharaoh's cup in his hand as formerly, when you were his cup-bearer. Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house. For I was indeed stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit." When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was favorable, he said to Joseph, "I also had a dream: there were three cake baskets on my head, and in the uppermost basket there were all sorts of baked food for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating out of the basket on my head." And Joseph answered and said, "this is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days. In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head-from you!-and hang you on a tree. And the birds will eat the flesh from you." On the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, he made a feast for all his servants and lifted up the head of the chief cup-bearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. He restored the chief cup-bearer to his position, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand. But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. Yet the chief cup-bearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him. Genesis 40 ESV 

He is the son of Israel. His father wrestled with God and prevailed, and one day God's seed would come and stand accused by Israel. He, Who was without sin, would be tried as a heretic, accused of having a demon and lifted up before all men. Joseph is in prison for a crime he did not commit. Even so, he is a blessing and takes concern in the sadness of his fellow inmates. Two of the men in his care have had dreams, to which they long for the interpretation, yet "there is no one to interpret them." It is apparently a part of their culture, and a position held and practiced, by what I would compare to mediums, for lack of better reference. Joseph states, "do not interpretations belong to God?" He hears the dreams of both men and now, as the messenger, he declares the good news to one, and the ill fate of the other. He ask that the cup-bearer remember him, for Joseph wants out of this prison, and he has not by action earned the sentence. He cannot see clear the reason for his being here, yet remember, he has also had a dream.

"If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, 'let us go after other gods'-which you have not known- 'and let us serve them,' you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. you shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him, and keep his commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him. But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has spoken in order to turn you away from the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of bondage, to entice you from the way in which the Lord your God commanded you to walk. So you shall put away evil from your midst." Deuteronomy 13: 1-5 NKJV

The above passage opens a whole new study, but I will utilize it only in reference here and then dig much deeper at a later time.

Men may forget us, but Joseph can only be kept in prison as long as God allows. The Father may forsake the Son, but only for that moment when He takes upon him that which he did not do. The wages of sin is death after all, but God is a just God and so He who knew no sin could not be held by it. Therefore in death, He Who did not earn the sentence of it, must surely be released unto life.

…17And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written, 18"THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, 19TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD."…  Luke 4: 17-19

#107 Are You Free? Genesis 39

So it was, when his master heard the words which his wife spoke to him, saying, "your servant did to me after this manner," that his anger was aroused. Then Joseph's master took him and put him into prison, a place where the king's prisoners were confined. And he was there in prison. But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper  of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph's authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper. Genesis 39:19-23 NKJV

I have not done any extensive, historical research on the laws of Egypt at this time, so it is difficult to say whether Potiphar could have killed Joseph, in the case of attempted adultery or rape, with only one witness. It does say he was angry and it is hard to believe that a man in his position could not take the life of a Hebrew slave. There are tones of prejudice toward Joseph's heritage, at least from Potiphar's wife, and later in Joseph's story. She is pushing for hostility, and appealing to her husband's pride. Joseph has served him well though, and even if he is angry, Potiphar does not kill him, and this may not be because of the law. He may have doubts to the testimony of his own wife, and sending him to jail may be an act of mercy. Either way, it is where God will next be glorified by His servant. 

Joseph said to them, "do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. Genesis 50: 19-21 NKJV

Even in prison, God is with Joseph and again he receives favor. He is given charge of all the prisoners and with complete trust. 

Acts 16:25-34King James Version (KJV)

25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.

27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.

29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,

30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

We think ourselves free men, but it is here in the prison's of man's so called justice, that Joseph, Paul and Silas show their keepers to be the prisoners and their masters to be the slaves. It is he, who the Son sets free, that shall be free indeed. 

#106 Captive while Free Genesis 39

Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. And after a time his master's wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, "lie with me." But he refused and said to his master's wife, "behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except yourself, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God? And as she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not listen to her, to lie beside her or to be with her. But one day, when he went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house was there in the house, she caught him by his garment, saying, "lie with me." But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house. And as soon as she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled out of the house, she called to the men of her household and said to them, "see, he has brought among us a Hebrew to laugh at us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. And as soon as he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried out, he left his garment beside me and fled and got out of the house." Then she laid up his garment by her until his master came home, and she told him the same story, saying, "the Hebrew servant, whom you have brought among us, came in to me to laugh at me. But as soon as I lifted up my boice and cried, he left his garment beside me and fled out of the house." Genesis 39: 7-18 ESV

Alexander MacLaren, in a sermon entitled “Faith Tested and Crowned,” distinguished between being tempted and being tested or tried.  He said that “the former word conveys the idea of appealing to the worst part of man, with the wish that he may yield and do the wrong.  The latter means an appeal to the better part of man, with the desire that he should stand. Temptation says, ‘Do this pleasant thing; do not be hindered by the fact that it is wrong.’  Trial or proving says, ‘Do this right and noble thing; do not be hindered by the fact that it is painful.’ The one is a sweet, beguiling [enticing] melody, breathing soft indulgence and relaxation over the soul; the other is a pealing trumpet-call to high achievements.”

            Every hardship of life holds the possibility of being a temptation and a trial. By resisting all suggestions we know are wrong and accepting all circumstances as opportunities for growth, we cooperate with the Holy Spirit in His sanctifying work in us. We move toward that desired goal of being “perfect and entire, lacking nothing” (James 1:4). – D.J.D.

Joseph's situation is not ideal and there is that thing in all of us that could justify, for ourselves, an ethic, based upon the current circumstance. The invitations are there: his brothers sold him into slavery, Joseph's response is to serve his master as unto God, to rise to the occasion. 

His master elevates him to the head of the house, he could grasp hold, as many do, to that which invites us to see ourselves more highly than we ought. "Look what I have accomplished, look what I have done." Joseph knows what he has done, and could in secret entertain more, but unlike his brother Judah, Joseph serves the God who sees. He remains an open book and when temptation calls, he refuses to listen. 

There is still temptation, even in the act of refusing the one it is easy for men to trust in the righteousness that is not by faith. I use to pat myself on the back for a great number of things that I did not do, and as the list grew smaller with time and practice, the more I prized these few things. It is not until very recently in my life, that I viewed myself as a hypocrite, and as I search for the Author's intent I also ask Him to reveal to me my own. I should like to run like Joseph, and refuse to dance. I should no longer be satisfied with the view from the ledge, but glorify the One Who would lead me to higher ground. 

Hebrews 4:15New International Version (NIV)

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

…12Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. 13No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. ! Corinthians 10:12&13

#105 Lord With, Lord Willing Genesis 39

Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had, in house and field. So he left all that he had in Joseph's charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate. Genesis 39:1-6 ESV

We return to the story of Joseph, and though he is a captive in the house of Potiphar, the passage also notes that he becomes a successful man. Potiphar is the captain of Pharaoh's guard, and so a man of much responsibility. He sees that the Lord is with Joseph, and  he elevates him to overseer of all his house. A man who is in charge of other men, and responsible for those most powerful in his kingdom, must consider Joseph the greatest of blessings. In a fallen world, honesty becomes a commodity. The servant that can be left unsupervised and be trusted with all his master has, would be a rare and precious find indeed. I have known men to be paid well for the amount of work they do, and yet still need someone to make sure they do that much. We complain when we are hired for an agreed upon wage, and I agree there are two sides to this, but it is often from the one who does the least that I hear the most complaint. Joseph was sold into this position, and so by matters fair and unfair, he would have space upon his shoulder for a reasonable sized chip. He does not carry one though, and instead serves Potiphar as unto the Lord, so much so, that the servant does not need sight of the master, and becomes the overseer. Joseph does not whine or take the route of the lazy, nor exercises the excuses that follow their course. There is no discussion of his perception being his reality. The reality is that his brothers sold him and he is now a slave. He did not sign on for any of this, and yet by the grace of God, he has become a blessing. These six verses speak volumes to me. I wonder, am I blessing?

Matthew 25:14-30English Standard Version (ESV)

The Parable of the Talents

14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants[a] and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents,[b] to another two, to another one,to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.[c] You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked andslothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

#104 The Articles of Her Salvation Genesis 38

So he returned to Judah and said, "I have not found her. Also, the men of the place said, 'no cult prostitute has been here.' " And Judah replied, "let her keep the things as her own, or we shall be laughed at. You see, I sent this young goat, and you did not find her." About three months later Judah was told, "Tamar your daughter-in-law has been immoral. Moreover, she is pregnant by immorality." And Judah said, "bring her out, and let her be burned." As she was being brought out, she sent word to her father-in-law, "by the man to whom these belong, I am pregnant." And she said, "please identify whose these are, the signet and the cord and the staff." Then Judah identified them and said, "she is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah."And he did not know her again. When the time of her labor came, there were twins in her womb. And when she was in labor, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, "this one came out first." But as he drew back his hand, behold, his brother came out. and she said, "what a breach you have made for yourself!" Therefore his name was called Perez. Afterward his brother came out with the scarlet thread on his hand, and his name was called Zerah. Genesis 38:22-30 ESV

Judah's friend returns without the pledged items. His response is to let her keep them as her own lest they be laughed at. He obviously wants the matter to be closed, with no further inquiry about the girl or his belongings. Would he be a laughing stock because the value of his possessions were greater than the price of the goat? Or, would the solicitation of a prostitute mar his good name and standing? He claims no sin on his own part, and his actions seem to embrace the culture he had married into. As far as being an Israelite, he is more concerned with his appearance to men and their ridicule. It is not the God of his people that he fears or is concerned about offending. 

Luke 12:2 English Standard Version (ESV)

2 Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.

Now, it is brought to his attention that his daughter-in-law has been "immoral", and she is also pregnant by this same immoral act. Judah's reaction: "bring her out and let her be burned." Judah's own actions are not hidden from himself or God. What is hidden from him now, is that this girl, whom he has deemed worthy of death, is the same harlot he would have gladly paid. Are not both the harlot and the one who hires the harlot the same? Is one without sin? Is one sin greater than the other? It is the same sin; they are one.

The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to Him, "teacher this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?" This they said to test Him, that they might have some charge to bring against Him. Jesus bent down and wrote with His finger on the ground. and as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, "let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." and once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before Him. Jesus stood up and said to her, "woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "no one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more." John 8:3-11 NKJV

Sin has already been judged, and all have sinned. The double standards we have about sin fail to point us to the cross. We would rather raise up a graven image of ourselves, a new christ that says be angry with the world, condemn the world afresh, follow me and play righteous. The law is there to reveal to us the conditions of our heart, that we are sinners, God is righteous, and sin leads to death. There is a flip side to this, and both would hate the beliefs of the other, being equally wrong in the end. Some would take this passage to condone sin, and make yet another christ. The christ they would have would not finish the last sentence with, "go, and from now on sin no more." He would contradict the very purpose for which he came, to seek and save the lost, to set the captives free, and to fulfill the law. When we teach people out of the bible of political correctness, or from the pages of man's religion, we offer vanity, pride, legalism and paganism. We remove the hope of being set free by denying the chains with which they are bound. We remove the faith that believes in the words of the God who said, "that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God, and that faith can move mountains. We remove love by telling them the mountain is not there. And for those concerned with heritage or pedigree, look deep into the story of  Tamar; her sons are named in the lineage of the Christ, the only begotten Son of God. Salvation is not from religion; Salvation is of the Lord.

What did He write?

#103 A Pledge Genesis 38

It came to pass at that time that Judah departed from his brothers, and visited a certain Adullamite whose name was Hirah. And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua, and he married her and went in to her. So she conceived and bore a son, and he called his name Er. She conceived again and bore a son, and she called his name Onan. And she conceived yet again and bore a son, and called his name Shelah. He was at Chezib when she bore him. Then judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. But Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord killed him. And Judah said to Onan, "go to your brother's wife and marry her, and raise up an heir to your brother." But Onan knew that the heir would not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in to his brother's wife, that he emitted on the ground, lest he should give an heir to his brother. And the thing which he did displeased the Lord; therefore He killed him also. Then Judah said to Tamar his daughter-in-law, "remain a widow in your father's house till my son Shelah is grown." For he said, "lest he also die like his brothers." and Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house. Now in the process of time the daughter of Shua, Judah's wife, died; and Judah was comforted, and went up to his sheep-shearers at Timnah, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite. And it was tole Tamar, saying, "look, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep." So she took off her widow's garments, covered herself with a veil and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place which was on the way to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given to him as a wife. When judah saw her, he thought she was a harlot, because she had covered her face. The he turned to her by the way, and said, "please let me come in to you"; for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law. So she said, what will you give me that you may come in to me?" And he said, "I will send a young goat from the flock." So she said, "will you give me a pledge till you send it?" Then he said, "what pledge shall I give you?" So she said, "your signet and cord, and your staff that is in your hand." Then he gave them to her, and went in to her, and she conceived by him. So she arose and went away, and laid aside her vie and put on the garments of her widowhood. And Judah sent the young goat by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive his pledge from the woman's hand, but he did not find her. Then he asked the men of the place, saying, "where is the harlot who was openly by the roadside?" And they said, "there was no harlot in this place."

A strange break in the story of Joseph, but with Joseph being gone and Reuben having slept with his stepmother, and this being known to Israel, Reuben is probably not looked upon as the heir. Simeon and Levi have most likely forfeited in causing Israel to stink amongst the other inhabitants of the land. So Judah, you're up. 

Judah takes a wife of the Canaanites and has a son named Er. It states that he was wicked and that God killed him, but it does not specify the infraction. He had a wife named Tamar, who was next given by levirate marriage to his brother Onan. Onan was now, by custom, responsible to raise an heir to his brother. He does not like this idea and so spreads his seed outside of Tamar. God kills him also. Judah then promises Tamar her right by the youngest of his sons, but she must wait till he is of age. She takes her father in law at his word and returns to her father's house in widow's garment. 

The levirate marriage, while not very romantic, was provisional. Even if the brother did not want her for a wife; he was providing an heir that could look after the woman in her old age. The things of her original husband would transfer to her firstborn son. Judaic law expresses this between brothers, but the practice is older still. In Hittite tradition, the father in law himself, could be brought in to this agreement for the widow to obtain her right. This is not prescribed later in Mosaic law, and apparently not traditional with Israel at this time, but Tamar is a Canaanite, and Shelah is now grown. Judah does not bring Tamar to his third son, to fulfill his word, so she pursues her right through Judah. She disguises her self as a prostitute and he not only lays with her, but also leaves her with child. She holds his signet, cord and staff as a pledge. When Judah's friend returns with a goat to receive the pledged items, the harlot cannot be found. 

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. Acts 6:1

If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless. 27Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:27

#102 Poetic Seasons Genesis 37

Now his brothers went to pasture their father's flock near Shechem. And Israel said to Joseph, "are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them." And he said to him, "Here I am." So he said to him, "go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock, and bring me word. So he sent him from the Valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. And a man found him wandering in the fields. And the man asked him, "what are you seeking?" "I am seeking my brothers," he said. "Tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock." And the man said, "they have gone away, for I heard them say, 'let us go to Dothan.' " So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan. They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. They said to one another, "here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams." But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, "let us not take his life." And Reuben said to them, "shed no blood; cast him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him" - that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father. So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. And they took him and cast him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it. Then they sat down to eat. And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites, coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. Then Judah said to his brothers, "what profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh." And his brothers listened to him. Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt. When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not in the pit, he tore his clothes and returned to his brothers and said, "the boy is gone, and I, where shall I go?" Then they took Joseph's robe and slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. And they sent the robe of many colors and brought it to their father and said, "this we have found; please identify whether it is your son's robe or not." And he identified it and said, "it is my son's robe. A fierce animal has devoured him. Joseph is without doubt torn to pieces." Then Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days. All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted and said, "no, I shall go down to Sheol to my son, mourning." Thus his father wept for him. Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, and officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard. Genesis 37: 12-36 ESV

So Joseph's brothers are out tending the live stock, and here we see an example of Jacob asking him to check on his brothers and bring back a report. As Joseph approaches Dothan, which is approximately 65 miles from Hebron, he is spotted in the distance. His brothers plot against him to kill him, and  an interesting phrase here is "we will see what will become of his dreams." Joseph is the firstborn of his mother but not of his father, and the more I read about it, the more it would appear that his cloak is more than just a gift to a favorite son. The brothers are upset about the dream, and though it has not been stated verbally, at least in what we read; he has most likely been set apart as the heir. What the brothers do not realize is his dream is a prophecy which will include their own redemption.

Reuben ask that he be thrown into a pit, hoping that he can return to rescue Joseph later. He leaves at some point in the narrative and returns to find that Joseph is no longer in the pit. His brothers have sold him. They reasoned it to be less of an offense and a way to profit at the same time. Joseph was sold for 20 shekels of silver.

Then I said to them, "if it is agreeable to you, give me my wages; and if not, refrain." So they weighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver. And the Lord said to me, "throw it to the potter"- that princely price they set on me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the Lord for the potter. Zechariah 11:12&13. NKJV

Reuben is upset, and from his words, he will obviously be the one held accountable. His intent was to rescue his little brother, but now that it is no longer an option and for fear of his father's wrath, he throws his lot into the deception. Now the one who deceived his father with the skin of a goat will be deceived by the blood of the same. His own sons, and so being chosen is not without the poetry of our actions. For whom the Lord loveth, he chastens, and we reap what we sew.

Joseph is now sold again in Egypt, to Potipher, and Israel is inconsolable.

#101 Brotherly Love Genesis 37

Now Jacob dwelt in the land where his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. This is the history of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. And the lad was with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to his father. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him. Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. So he said to them, "please hear this dream which I have dreamed: There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf." And his brothers said to him, "shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?" So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, "look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me." So he told it to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, "what is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed bow down to the earth before you?" And his brothers envied him, but his father kept the matter in mind. Genesis 37: 1-11 NKJV

It is not clear here whether Joseph was asked to check up on his brothers or that he just felt the need to report their wrong doings. He is the obvious favorite son, and probably looked upon as a tattle tale. His father has made him stand out by making him the favorite; he even wears a special cloak of many colors. Joseph's brothers do not share their father's love of the boy, and have grown quite envious. One could look at this and say that he was arrogant in the telling of his dreams, and he may have been. He is young, and the favoritism from his father, that is so obvious to his brothers, cannot be hidden from him. Joseph probably carries himself around like a little prince, and one could venture, that those who have never served are not yet fit to lead. The dreams are prophetic, but the boy will have his turn as a servant, and paint one of the most beautiful messianic pictures in the Bible. He is treated here as an only begotten son by his father; he is hated by his own. 

While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "this is My beloved Son. Hear Him!" When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. But they kept quiet, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen. Luke 9:34-36 NKJV

Jesus said to them, "have you never read in the scriptures: 'The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'? Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder." Now when the chief priests and pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them. But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitudes, because they took Him for a prophet. Matthew 21:42-46 NKJV

#100 Kings and Kings to come Genesis 36

These are the sons of Seir the Horite, the inhabitants of the land: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan; these are the chiefs of the Horites, the sons of Seir in the land of Edom. The sons of Lotan were Hori and Hemam; and Lotan's sister was Timna. These are the sons of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam. These are the sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah; he is the Anah who found the hot springs in the wilderness, as he pastured the donkeys of Zibeon his father. These are the children of Anah: Dishon and Oholibamah the daughter of Anah. These are the sons of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithram, and Cheran. These are the sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan. These are the sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran. These are the chiefs of the Horites: the chiefs Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan; these are the chiefs of the Horites, chief by chief in the land of Seir. These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the Israelites. Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom, the name of his city being Dinhabah. Bela died and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his place. Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place. Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the country of Moab, reigned in his place, the name of his city being Avith. Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place. Samlah died, and Baal-hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his place. Baal-hanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his place, the name of his city being Pau; his wife's name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, daughter of Mezahab. These are the names of the chiefs of Esau, according to their clans and their dwelling places, by their names: the chiefs Timna, Alvah, Jetheth, Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, Kenaz, Teman Mibzar, Magdiel, and Iram; these are the chiefs of Edom (that is, Esau, the father of Edom), according to their dwelling places in the land of their possession. Genesis 36: 20-43 ESV

As told to Rebekah, many years before, two nations were struggling inside her womb. These nations struggle still today. This is in the time before the Kings of Israel, as noted prophetically in verse 31. These were the sons, chiefs and kings of Edom, but much more broken up in line. It does not follow the hereditary Dynasties that we will see later.

But Samuel said to Saul, "I will not return with you, for you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel." And as Samuel turned around to go away, Saul seized the edge of his robe, and it tore. So Samuel said to him, "The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today, and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you. And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor relent. For He is not a man, that He should relent." 1 Samuel 15: 26-29 NKJV

Then Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple, "How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David? For David himself said by the Holy Spirit: 'the Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool." ' Therefore David himself calls Him 'Lord'; how is He then his Son?" Mark 12:37 NKJV

There will be many kings and kingdoms, but there will be only one King of all. Pray for those in rule now; their rule will become invisible in the light of eternity, but they are blissfully unaware. God is not a respecter of titles, and kings will not escape judgment. Pray for peace but be wary of those rulers who pronounce it.

#99 Chiefs Genesis 36

These were the chiefs of the sons of Esau. The sons of Eliphaz, the firstborn son of Esau, were Chief Teman, Chief Omar, Chief Zepho, Chief Kenaz, Chief Kenaz, Chief Korah, Chief Gatam, and Chiedf Amalek. Theze were the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Edom. They were the sons of Adah. these were the sons of Reuel, Esau's son: Chief Nahath, Chief Zerah, Chief Shammah, and Chief Mizzah. These were the chiefs of Reuel in the land of Edom. These were the sons of Basemath, Esau's wife. and these were the sons of Aholibamah, Esau's wife: Chief Jeush, Chief Jaalam, and Chief Korah. These were the chiefs who descended from Aholibamah, Esau's wife, the daughter of Anah. These are the sons of Esau, who is Edom, and these were their chiefs. Genesis 36: 15-19 NKJV

The term chief here would most likely be interpreted as "ruler of a thousand." This could also be viewed as clans or military leaders. 

Looking back: Jacob has become Israel and Esau has tied to Ishmael by way of marriage. Both Isaac and Ishmael have become the father's of separate nations. 

Beautiful child

#98 Edom Genesis 36

Now this is the genealogy of Esau, who is Edom. Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite; Aholi-bamah the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite; and Basemath, Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebajoth. Now Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau, and Baemath bore Reuel. And Aholibamah bore Jeush, Jaalam, and Korah. These were the sons of Esau who were born to him in the land of Canaan. Then Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the persons of his household, his cattle and all his animals, and all his goods which he had gained in the land of Canaan, and went to a country away from the presence of his brother Jacob. For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together, and the land where they are strangers could not support them because of their livestock. So Esau dwelt in mount Seir. Esau is Edom. And this is the genealogy of Esau the father of the Edomites in Mount Seir. These were the names of Esau's sons: Eliphaz the son of Adah the wife of Esau, and Reuel the son of Basemath the wife of Esau. And the sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz. Now Timna was the concubine of Eliphaz, Esau's son, and she bore Amalek to Eliphaz. These were the sons of Adah, Esau's wife. These were the sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These were the sons of Basemath, Esau's wife. These were the sons of Aholibamah, Esau's wife, the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon. and she bore to Esau: Jeush, Jaalam, and Korah. Genesis 36: 1-14 NKJV

This time when the brothers part it seems an amiable affair. It is based upon the common sense that the land will not support the livestock that they have accumulated. There are no words of acknowledgement on Esau's part, or record of a conversation over who is the rightful heir to the land, in accordance with the Abrahamic covenant. This seems to be settled in that Esau gathers his family and his possessions and leaves. There is certainly a sense of providence in this and the separation will protect against agitations between the two peoples at this time. 

To Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. To Esau I gave the mountains of Seir to possess, but Jacob and his children went down to Egypt. Joshua 24:4 NKJV 

#97 Till Death Genesis 35

Then they journeyed from Bethel. When they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into labor, and she had hard labor. And when her labor was at its hardest, the midwife said to her, "do not fear, for you have another son." And as her soul was departing (for she was dying), she called his name Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin. So Rachel died, and she was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is Bethlehem), and Jacob set up a pillar over her tomb. It is the pillar of Rachel's tomb, which there to this day. Israel journeyed on and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder. While Israel lived in that land, Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine. And Israel heard of it. now the sons of Jacob were twelve. The sons of Leah: Reuben (Jacob's firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. The sons of Bilhah, Rachel's servant: Dan and Naphtali. The sons of Zilpah, Leah's servant: Gad and Asher. These were the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Paddan-aram. And Jacob came to his father Isaac at Mamre, or Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had sojourned. Now the days of Isaac were 180 years. And Isaac breathed his last, and he died and was gathered to his people, old and full of days. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.Genesis 35: 16-29 ESV

As I read this today someone from my circles left, and though we were not so close, as he was with others that I know, he was known to them as a good friend and I knew him as a hard worker. It is never so far removed from us though, because we all must succumb to that inevitable knocking that cannot be ignored.
Jacob has just lost his wife and gained a son, and all in the same moments. She is undeniably his favorite wife and the love of his life, so the joy of a new son is probably over shadowed by the pain of being severed apart. The closer someone is to me the more it is about life without them, and the further someone is, the more it is about death in general. And the older I get the more it is a reminder about today. You can ignore the thought, but you cannot ignore the moment, and some of us will never see him coming while others may fight  battles long and hard. In the end of the finite death may seem to have its day, but those things we see and measure, in the dim light of dusk, had already been measured.   You were a warrior and my prayers are with your family, but this is only the beginning.

When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death where is your sting?" 1 Corinthians 15:54&55 ESV

#96 Who Answers Me Genesis 35

God said to Jacob, "arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there. Make an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau." Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, "put away the foreign gods that are among you and purify yourselves and change your garments. Then let us arise and go up to Bethel, so that I may make there an altar to the God who answers me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone." So they gave to Jacob all the foreign gods that they had, and the rings that were in their ears. Jacob hid them under the terebinth tree that was near Shechem. And as they journeyed, a terror from God fell upon the cities that were around them, so that they did not pursue the sons of Jacob. And Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him, and there he built an altar and called the place El-bethel, because there God had revealed himself to him when he fled from his brother. And Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died, and she was buried under an oak below Bethel. So he called its name Allon-bacuth. God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Paddan-aram, and blessed him. And God said to him, "your name is Jacob; no longer shall your name be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name." So He called his name Israel. And God said to him, "I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come from your own body. The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give the land to your offspring after you." Then God went up from him in the place where he had spoken with him. And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he had spoken with him, a pillar of stone. He poured out a drink offering on it and poured oil on it. So Jacob called the name of the place where God had spoken with him Bethel. Genesis 35: 1-15 ESV

God speaks to Jacob, telling him to move to Bethel, but also with a command and reminder of what had  transpired. This transitions into obedience on Jacob's part, but also action required by Jacob in the reformation of his household. He commands them to put away their idols, and to purify themselves,  and included with this a symbolic change of garment to represent a change of heart. This will be a new start for them in a place sacred to Jacob's heart, and since he feels it to be a sacred place, where God has visited him, he does not wish to bring the counterfeit into the presence of the God who speaks to him. This is the God he has wrestled with and the God who answers him in his distress. The people that are with him bring their idols and he buries them, most likely in a place that they will not so easily find them.

The cities of the surrounding area are now afforded the perfect opportunity to attack, but they do not, because God has put fear in them.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2: 12&13 NKJV

Jacob has a healthy fear of God himself, but also a relationship which moves fear to its proper place in the heart. I fear God's disappointment, my delusion in putting up an idol or an image before Him. Jacob's fear has now extended to his family and their actions before the God who now calls him Israel. This is the God who refers to Himself as El Shadai or God Almighty. The surrounding villages do not know Him, only the fear of Him.

"Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O king of the saints!Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested." Revelation 15: 3b & 4 NKJV

#95 Discretion Genesis 34

Now Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to see the women of the land. And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her, he seized her. And his soul was drawn to Dinah the daughter of Jacob. He loved the young woman and spoke tenderly to her. So Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying, "get me this girl for my wife."Now Jacob heard that he had defiled his daughter Dinah. But his sons were with his livestock in the field, so Jacob held his peace until they came. And Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob to speak with him. The sons of Jacob had come in from the field as soon as they heard of it, and the men were indignant and very angry, because he had done an outrageous thing in Israel by lying with Jacob's daughter, for such a thing must not be done. But Hamor spoke with them, saying, "the soul of my son Shechem longs for your daughter. Please give her to him to be his wife. Make marriages with us. Give your daughters to us, and take our daughters for yourselves. You shall dwell with us, and the land shall be open to you. Dwell and trade in it, and get property in it." Shechem also said to her father and to her brothers, "let me find favor in your eyes, and whatever you say to me I will give. Ask me for as great a bride price and gift as you will, and I will give whatever you say to me. Only give me the young woman to be my wife." The sons of Jacob answered Shechem and his father deceitfully, because he had defiled their sister Dinah. They said to them, "we can not do this thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised, for that would be a disgrace to us. Only on this condition will we agree with you- that you will become as we are by every male among you being circumcised. Then we will give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters to ourselves, and we will dwell with you and become one people. But if you will not listen to us and be circumcised, the we will take our daughters and be gone." Their words pleased Hamor and Hamor's son Shechem. and the young man did not delay to do the thing, because he delighted in Jacob's daughter. Now he was the most honored of his father's house. So Hamor and his son Shechem came to the gate of their city and spoke to the men of their city, saying, "these men are at peace with us; let them dwell in the land and trade in it, for behold, the land is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters as wives, and let us give them our daughters. Only on this condition the men agree to dwell with us to become a people- when every male among us is circumcised as they are circumcised. Will not their livestock, their property and all their beasts be ours? Only let us agree with them, and they will dwell with us." And all who went out of the gate of his city listened to Hamor and his son Shechem, and every male was circumcised, all who went out of the gate of his city. On the third day, when they were sore, two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, took their swords and came against the city while it felt secure and killed all the males. They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with the sword and took Dinah out of Shechem's house and went away. The sons of Jacob came upon the slain and plundered the city because they had defiled their sister. They took their flocks and their herds, their donkeys, and whatever was in the city and in the field. All their wealth, all their little ones and their wives, all that was in the houses, they captured and plundered. Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "you have brought trouble on me by making me stink to the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites and the Perizzites. My numbers are few, and if they gather themselves against me and attack me, I shall be destroyed, both I and my household. But they said, "should he treat our sister like a prostitute?" Genesis 34 ESV

In Josephus's commentary of this story, it states that Dinah went in to the city to attend a festival. She was probably curious about the women of the area, their fashion and custom. Dinah has been surrounded by family and probably a bit naive about the present world. It appears that she leaves, outside of the protection of her God fearing father and many brothers, to enter a city of questionable morals. She attracts the attention of the local prince, who it says, seized her, but it is unclear as to whether this was strictly an instance of rape or how long they had even lived in the area. Some writers speculate and lean more towards young lust, and a mutual attraction that had been developing. Either way, the part that is clear, is that Shechem sleeps with Dinah and is in love.

Jacob finds out about the relationship, and it is viewed as defilement. Hamor and Shechem go to Jacob and his sons, but not expressing shame or apology for wrong doing, so I would assume that Shechem does not understand the trespass, at least not in the way that Jacob's family sees it. He asks for Dinah's hand, and is willing to pay whatever the family wants for the bride price. I think he has fallen for the girl and is as sincere as he knows how to be, but he has no idea how insincere the words of Dinah's brothers will be.

What is horrifying to me is that they use the guise of a religious practice to formulate their deceit. They are not concerned with what circumcision means; they are not revealing to a lost people the one true God. Simeon and Levi are offended not because of sin against God or from their own higher moral standing, which is non existent. They are crafting  revenge against a whole city for the infraction of one man. Shechem takes them at their word and convinces every man in the city to be circumcised. Three days later he is murdered along with every other male in the city. Jacob's sons plunder the city like pirates, and when confronted by their father, with the logic of now stinking to the areas other inhabitants, they reply, "should he treat our sister like a prostitute?" So Jacob's struggles continue. He was right, if the inhabitants of the land used the same logic as his sons, then they could justify killing all of his house for the infraction of Simeon and Levi. This does not happen, but one can see that it can be by no other means than faith that men are justified. Religion itself is a dangerous thing, in the hands of men who are not circumcised of heart.

#94 From Threats to Reconciliation Genesis 33

Now Jacob lifted his eyes and looked, and there, Esau was coming, and with him were four hundred men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two maidservants. And he put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children behind, and Rachel and Joseph last. Then he crossed over before them and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. And he lifted his eyes and saw the women and children, and said, "who are these with you?" So he said, "the children whom God has graciously given your servant." Then the maidservants came near, they and their children, and bowed down. And Leah also came near with her children, and they bowed down. Afterward Joseph and Rachel came near, and they bowed down. Then Esau said, "what do you mean by all this company which I met?" And he said, "these are to find favor in the sight of my lord." But Esau said, "I have enough brother; keep what you have for yourself." And Jacob said, "no, please, if I have found favor in your sight, then receive my present from my hand, inasmuch as I have seen your face as though I had seen the face of God, and you were pleased with me. Please, take my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough." So he urged, and he took it. Then Esau said, "let us take our journey; let us go, and I will go before you." But Jacob said to him, "my lord knows that the children are weak, and the flocks and herds which are nursing are with me. And if the men should drive them hard one day, all the flock will die. Please let my lord go on ahead before his servant. I will lead on slowly at a a pace which the livestock that go before me, and the children are able to endure, until I come to my lord in Seir." And Esau said, "now let me leave with you some of the people who are with me." But he said, "what need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord." So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir. And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, built himself a house, and made booths for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth. Then Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padan Aram; and he pitched his tent, from the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for one hundred pieces of money. then he erected an altar there and called it El Elohe Israel. Genesis 33 NKJV

I guess there are at least a few possibilities as to why Esau comes to meet his brother with 400 men. He may be a warlord in that area, uncertain of Jacob's intentions or bearing some ill will of his own. Whatever the reason, Esau's intent is unclear to Jacob, and Jacob is afraid, so he divides his family by way of favoritism. It is a sad thing to read. As he approaches his brother, he does so with the body language of peace and the humility of servitude. He bows to the earth seven times, but his brother runs to him and embraces him. This is not at all in line with what Jacob has played out in his head which can be seen by the way he has prepared for this meeting. His brother questions the gifts and at first refuses them, but Jacob insist and Esau accepts. It is an emotional reconciliation and both men weep. Jacob has changed much, but the heart of Esau has also changed. 

Esau offers Jacob some of his men as an escort, but Jacob turns this down, most likely to avoid future conflicts that could arise. He also expresses concern for the well being of his children and the herds. I think the statement of pushing them hard comes from legitimate worry because he has already done so. This in reflection of Laban's pursuit in Genesis 31, where it took Laban 7 days to catch up to Jacob's 3 day head start. 

There is much in this story that I can relate to in my own life. My own sin and arrogance has separated me from friends in the past. The choice of God over man's notions and the insistence that there is only one way, even in humility of the fact that I did not find that way alone, has incited an anger in some that I before did not think them to possess. I have separated myself from my own brother, not because I hate him, nor feel myself superior. He has chosen a life that I cannot condone and a life that I do not want my two little girls to ever find acceptable in a mate. I want them to be respected by the man they choose to spend their life with, and to have no fear of his anger. But in all this I do not have the right nor desire to cast a final judgment. It is my prayer that the story does not end here, but that the end will find itself in the reconciliation of brothers and friends. It is my hope that the same God, who saved me, will save them, for I should not enjoy watching another man drown. 

                Water

Sit alone, I never know just what to say
Better still, I write my will; they won't remember me
I see
And lying at the water's edge, the tide is coming quickly
On her back, her eyes are closed, I hope she's just pretending
Because she's lying in the water and I wish that I could save her
She's lying in the water, I wish that I could stop her
Mom said better days will come; I just wonder where they went
But I gotta say watching you drown was never my intent
But I'd miss you, girl, and I love you
So I stayed, and I waited and I hated it
Now here you are; you've had your fill, the water calm and still
I asked you why you changed your mind
And you point to some dead guy on a hill
Who is he
Because she was lying in the water, and I couldn't save her
She's no longer in the water, so now she thinks that I'm the one whose drowning


- Calvin "Cheese Grits" Yerke

Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5: 18-21 NKJV