DAY 14

STEPS AND MISSTEPS

Genesis 33, 34 & 35 and Matthew 10:1-20

We continue with the drama of Jacob’s story: a reunion of brothers, rash and deceitful actions by his sons, and another packing up and moving! Jesus on the other hand is moving…moving to a new method with the commissioning of the twelve. In both Old and New there are many steps taken.

Matthew 10:1-20 lists the twelve. In our Old Testament reading we will also get the list of twelve; Genesis 35:22-26. The number twelve is of significance. It represents wholeness and the completion of God’s purpose. Beyond the number I glean from this text that Jesus expects us to be involved in the same ministry he has been modeling for the first chapters. Recall his words from Matthew’s last chapter, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Chapter 10 (and we are the ones who put chapter divisions into the original manuscripts) begins…”and he called to him his twelve.” We too are called and sent by him: sent to the lost and hurting of this world…even amid our own lostness and hurt.

Genesis 33-35 ends with Jacob returning not only to Esau his brother, but to his father Isaac (35:29). I envision joy on old Isaac’s face, seeing both sons before he died. Both sons, with so much strife between them, bury him, together, as Isaac and Ishmael had done with Abraham.

Brotherly strife is something we know about; brothers don’t always get along. Esau certainly had reason to hold a grudge, but we read in the chapter 33 the opposite. He is thrilled to see his brother. We have not only a story of forgiveness, but also reconciliation. It might be that as the years past, some 20 of them, Esau began to realize that his life had its own favor, blessing, from God.

Then, in an instant, the story changes: Jacob’s daughter is raped. The rapist apparently has feelings for Dinah and there ensues negotiations between the two families. Interestingly we find Jacob’s sons doing the negotiations with Hamor, the father. I wonder where Jacob is, missing in action so to speak? I am struck by the authentic nature of the Scriptures. Life, at times, turns on us in an instant. As Jacob’s sons and Hamor hammer out an agreement, Jacob’s sons take matters into their own hands. Their plan is deceitful. The men of the city agree to undergo circumcision. This act is a holy sacred act. Yet its sacredness is despoiled as it is used for killing.

The result: pack up and move…again. I have moved several times. After each I always say, “I never want to do that again!” It is too much work. Jacob appears on the scene pointing out the obvious, “You have brought trouble on me…” v.34:30. So God speaks…God sends… “Go to Bethel and dwell there” (in v. 35:1). So they pack up and move…again. In total it looks like 50 miles over rough terrain. [I put a map on the bottom of this entry so you can see how far each more was.] In process Rachel dies giving birth to Benjamin…Benjamin, the youngest, will hold a special place in Jacob’s heart.

God calls…and sends: in both the Gospel and the Old Testament today people are sent by God. Jesus sends the disciples into the world to proclaim the Kingdom of God, to heal, and to witness the Love of God. God sends Jacob to the land of his father and grandfather. We are immersed in this Old Testament story, but what will become obvious as the chapters of the Old Testament click by is that God is sending for the same reason. The story of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is a story about God calling…and sending a people. Their task will be to reveal to the world the God that has been by their side every step (and misstep) of the way.

We are now that people. When we come to God through Christ it is not only to receive the wonderful love of God, it is also to share it, so that all may know the healing and reconciling love of God. It is helpful to reflect on when God has been at our side, every step and misstep along the way.