Watching the Story Unfold

Genesis 25 to 30-something

I do love this story of Israel.

Maybe I already said that.

We read about how Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob walked with God.

How God led them.

Sustained them

And protected them.

I love reading about how God always provides. 

This time reading through the Old Testament I’m really aware of how we are watching God at work as He is building His Nation, His People.

We know these names, and these stories with the benefit of looking back, with all the rich historical context of the entire Bible. We get to watch God’s Promise of blessing unfold, fully aware of the bumps in the road, the potholes, and the wrong turns.  

These early followers of God,

Digging wells,

Building altars

Tending sheep

Travelling for food

And ultimately finding the women who would carry the lineage.

Each man fully committed to following God

Committed to covenant

Set apart

Claiming this God to be their God.

But it doesn’t always go well

Each man

Blessed to the point of the envy of his neighbour

Through Godly living

Becoming a stench in a godless land.

And yet this is Canaan

Fruitful and lush

Where the treasured possession of God

Are called to live

And settle

And have roots.

Be in the world

But not of it. 

This is God at work.

God proving Himself faithful.

I will be your God

And you will be my people.

And that sounds entirely familiar. 

PS I love the moment where Jacob and Esau meet.  “But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him.  And they wept.”    I love that.  Like they let all their by-gones be by-gones.