MichelleBentham
Genesis 37:32-35 (NKJV)
32 Then they sent the tunic of many colors, and they brought it to their father and said, “We have found this. Do you know whether it is your son’s tunic or not?”
33 And he recognized it and said, “It is my son’s tunic. A wild beast has devoured him. Without doubt Joseph is torn to pieces.” 34 Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth on his waist, and mourned for his son many days. 35 And all his sons and all his daughters arose to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted, and he said, “For I shall go down into the grave to my son in mourning.” Thus his father wept for him.
As I stretch and yawn and feel the fatigue of not nearly enough sleep wash over me, I say… “Good…Morning.”
In the last seven days we’ve covered several generations of Abraham’s family. We’ve walked through the lives of Isaac, Esau, aka Edom, & Jacob, aka Israel. We’ve met Leah, the rather unattractive older sister of Rachel-who, BTW is an IDOL WORSHIPPER- that Jacob put up with the marry his beloved. I really feel sorry for Leah and Laban for that matter. But, you know it takes a manipulator to know a manipulator and perhaps there is some kind of divine justice in how Jacob was dealt with-God must have been working something out in him. Right?
Talk about generational issues. TEN, yes, TEN of Jacob’s sons manipulated, lied, plotted murder and jealousy drove them to sell their own brother into slavery while allowing their father to believe HE. HAD. DIED.
Seriously? My daughters had a hard time letting me believe they were grieving because they did not want to cause me more pain in my loss of their brother. But, to willingly put your father through the grief of being bereft of child for your own benefit. COME. ON.
How did they live with themselves all those years between the pit and the Ishmaelites and running up on Joseph in Egypt? And, can you imagine that family reunion in your minds eye. Scripture hardly gives us the juicy tidbits – but I can see cold beads of sweat popping out on foreheads, and brothers dropping to their knees. Some might even run out of the building screaming. And, how do you go back and tell your dad… “Well, you know when we told you that Joseph died… Yeah, about that…”
Okay-maybe years of dysfunction and soap operas make me wonder about those details. Maybe, really, it is just my flesh talking. But, I am sort of amused that this is the family of promise that will bless all generations and then I think: THANK YOU, JESUS. You use dysfunctional, screwed up and crazy people just like me. They are just like me.
I am reminded afresh that God uses people. Ordinary, everyday, screwed up people who given over to their flesh and the nature of original sin, and are capable of the most heinous evil.
We are all just one decision away from being Hitler or Charles Manson. You may struggle with that statement, but I’m more convinced of it now than I ever have been after reading these forty-two chapters in Genesis.
As I sit her worn out from not nearly enough sleep and hours in front of this computer trying to sort out the emotions I’m feeling as a friend lies thousands of miles away in a hospital bed fighting for her life. All I can think is just how AWESOME our God is even in the desert, and the midst of dire circumstances where we are pleading for life over death. He’s still AWESOME.
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Don’t forget to comment and let me know you’re still in this! I’m looking for 50 out of 52 weeks so let’s hear what you’re thinking after 14 days of Genesis. Blog On.
The story of Joseph is one of my favorites. Early in my relationship with God Joseph’s life story illustrated for me that I can go through ANY situation and come out with a clean and clear heart – if I allow God to work in my heart.
I enjoyed your post Michelle. It brought into context again that the families I know who are going through REALLY HARD STUFF are not unique. The screw up factor is alive and well through every generation. I’m thankful I didn’t have Joseph’s siblings! Gives me perspective! So, here’s my post for this week http://bit.ly/g79mtO. I’m glad to be a part of BTTB.
Michelle,
I completely agree on the generational issues. I can’t even imagine how Joseph’s parents felt about all that went on between the brothers! I also agree with your statement that we are “one decision away”. I used to have that in my office at work years ago before I was walking with my Father. I reminded myself that I was that one decision away daily. At the time because I had already made so many bad ones. Now, I remind myself to listen for His words not mine…. and, here is my post for this week: http://www.jessicasteiber.com/blog/22/ Have a blessed day!
Jesi