The stories of Jacob, fall generally into this basic outline:
1. Stories about Jacob and his brother Esau (conflict stories)
A story about Jacob’s encounter with God (Gen 28: 10-22)
2. Stories about Jacob and his father-in-law Laban
Another story about Jacob’s encounter with God (Gen 32: 1-32)
3. More stories about Jacob and his brother, Esau
As you read the stories of the conflicts between Jacob and his brother Esau, remember that this is a remembered history. Thus, these sagas reflect tribal stores told about the times when the Jacob-tribes(s) first settled the land and had to fight for control. The history was remembered through the telling of the personal struggle between Jacob (Israel) and Esau (Edom).
The second group of stories between Jacob and his father-in-law, Laban reflect family histories between the Jacob tribes and Arameans. The tricks and deceits of Jacob and Laban against one another gave those that heard these stories great delight and amusement as these stories became mirrors of battle between the nation Israel and the Arameans in later days. We’ll read about those conflicts when we get to 1st Kings!
Ok, so here’s were the word of the day comes in…are you ready? These stories of conflict between Jacob and Esau or Laban can be considered eponymous – that is where the individuals stand for whole nations.
I know you will be waiting with baited breath for that word to appear in the daily crossword puzzle!
In joy,
Suzy
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2 comments:
Suzy- The story of Abraham and Issac is one of my favorite stories - it is one, to me, of faith, love and hope. But did Abraham have a deep seed of hope that God would stop him from offering his only son or would that make Abraham unfaithful? Maybe not, but sometimes I wonder-
I hope you get this comment as this will be my first attempt at actually posting a comment. I will get a little bolder at time goes on.
Have a wonderful joyful day
Christine
Christine's question is a beautiful, and fully human, one. It speaks to the doubts that seem at times to haunt our Christian walk.
But I wonder: was Jesus "unfaithful" in the garden when He asked to have the terrible cup of crucifiction taken from Him?
Or, was his faithfulness proven by his decision to follow after God's will and not his own? Surely, it is the second answer!
Faith, it seems to be, is too often confused with believing a certain set of things, when it might better be seen as living only two things: Love God, and love what God loves.
Abraham's faithfulness is confirmed by his willingness to pursue the will of God regardless of the cost to his self-interests. The story is didactic in nature, showing me that everything is of God's house, and my role is sacrifice. Funny, when he offered up all that he loved the most, God turned the giving into receiving. Strange blessings all around us!
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