The Sons' Stories

Read Genesis 37-38
 
Genesis 37:2 This is the account of Jacob and his family.
 
Genesis 37:18 When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming, they recognized him in the distance. As he approached, they made plans to kill him. 19 “Here comes the dreamer!” they said. 20 “Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father, ‘A wild animal has eaten him.’ Then we'll see what becomes of his dreams!”
 
Genesis 38:2 There Judah saw a Canaanite woman, the daughter of Shua, and he married her.
 
“This is the account of Jacob and his family.” is a literary technique to expand your anticipation of the events to unfold. The narrative moves from Jacob to Jacob’s 12 sons. A man’s story is about himself and the family who comes from him.
   Sadly, these two chapters point to two more depraved sins that mark this family’s history. No one escapes his role in these dark dramas. Each person sins. For example, Joseph, given the incredible visions of his future, responds, it seems, with a prideful mocking toward his brothers and then his parents. They hated him all the more because of his dreams and the way he talked about them. (Genesis 37:9) Even though Rachel had died, Jacob admonished Joseph for seeming to mock the family authority. Please know, you can certainly share with others how God is speaking to you as you do so with humility and submission to his grace.
   How can the brothers be so evil? Centuries later in a place not far from this spot, the apostle Peter would preach, “I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.” (Acts 8:23) And James would write, “For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.” (James 3:16) The brothers’ hatred against Joseph was as Cain’s jealous hatred for Abel. Sinful hearts will strive to destroy the people God favors for his purpose.
   Then we read of Judah’s sins. God’s Love Story omits nothing in the LORD’s urging to righteous living. We can scarcely grasp that God would transform this story into the family who would birth the Savior. It is fascinating, too, that in Matthew’s lineage to prove Jesus’ family line, he mentions both Tamar and Perez. Matthew 1:3 Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar).
   In truth, Jacob’s story is your story. Hopefully none are guilty of such corrupt actions. But we are all guilty. Our life begins in a depraved state. Jesus warned us that jealousy and envy is very deadly: Matthew 5:21-23 “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ 22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.”
   When God’s favor – his grace – is a powerful force to triumph over evil. As you continue through Jacob’s family story, you will also see forgiveness and redemption. God’s mercy will eventually guide the 12 Sons of Israel to continue Jacob’s story to become the nation Israel’s story.
    
Reflect on This: What would it look like to have your story written on paper? Is there anything you’d like to change? Seek God and trust his grace to lead you forward.