When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah succeeded him as king. – Genesis 36:33

Today's Scripture Reading (October 17, 2024): Genesis 36

His name was Jobab ben-Zerah. He reigned in Edom while the children of Israel were still receiving the privileged treatment in Egypt; this would be before the Israelites became enslaved, as recorded in the Book of Exodus.

Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. "Look," he said to his people, "the Israelites have become far too numerous for us. Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country" (Exodus 1:8-10).

Before Israel became enslaved, long before they escaped Egypt and moved into Canaan, before the Judges came to power in Israel, and about eight hundred years before Saul would become King, Edom enjoyed the reign of Jobab ben Zerah. The era of Jobab ben Zerah is a time hidden in the dark creases of history. We don't know much about this era. And so, all we can do is take what we have that tells us about this time and what other historians in antiquity have written and guess how this time presented itself and who these people were. What makes Jobab ben-Zerah important is that some have come to believe that this Edomite King was the actual person behind the story of Job. Not all biblical scholars agree, but enough do to suggest that we need to be at least aware of the possibility.

Among the negatives, and probably the most crucial reason why Jobab is not Job, is that the time frame is slightly off. Most agree that Job was a contemporary of Abraham, Esau's grandfather. But even this is a guess.

However, there are also many reasons why we might entertain the idea that Job and Jobab are the same person. Edom, the nation of Jobab ben-Zerah, occupied the same area as the Land of Uz, the home of Job. Job was also said to be the wealthiest person in the world, and his position as King of Edom would explain the reason and origin of that wealth.

But whether we accept Jobab as Job is a personal decision. While it might be fun to entertain the idea of being able to place Job firmly into this era of history, as well as into the Royal history of Edom, whether Job is Jobab or not essentially doesn't matter. We still have the story of Job, a good man who suffered much during his life as well as the story of Jobab, who reigned as King in the early days of the Kingdom of Edom. The confirmation or separation of these stories does not change the stories themselves. And Job, even if he is not Jobab, still has much that we need to learn from him.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Genesis 37

As she breathed her last—for she was dying—she named her son Ben-Oni. But his father named him Benjamin. – Genesis 35:18

Today's Scripture Reading (October 16, 2024): Genesis 35

According to a 2017 United Nations Population Fund report, every two minutes, a woman dies as a result of the complications of childbirth or pregnancy. The report also indicates that for every woman who dies in childbirth, about twenty to thirty women suffer a severe injury because of a birth or pregnancy-related complication. There are many risk factors. One is location. It is far safer to give birth close to a modern hospital than at a distance. But that is not the only risk factor. The maternal death rate is also lower in places where abortion is legal, partially because women are less likely to go through an unsafe abortion but also because the medical professionals have more tools in their toolkit when complications arise in the pregnancy. A surprising factor in the rate of death during childbirth is age. The younger the woman is, the more dangerous the pregnancy. Older women die in childbirth less often than their younger counterparts.

Rachel, Jacob's favorite wife, died giving birth to her second son. Biblical experts, maybe callously, often argue that the death of Rachel was foretold by both Jacob and Rachel herself. Rachel had declared to Jacob, "Give me children, or I'll die" (Genesis 30:1)! If this were a novel, it would almost be poetic that Rachel dies because of the child that Jacob gave her and Rachel's earlier words could be seen as foreshadowing the later death of the heroine.

The sadder prophecy regarding Rachel's death comes from her loving husband. In speaking with Laban, Rachel's father, who had come in search of his stolen household gods, Jacob pronounces this curse; "But if you find anyone who has your gods, that person shall not live. In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself whether there is anything of yours here with me; and if so, take it" (Genesis 31:32). At the time of this statement, Jacob was unaware that Rachel had stolen the gods. Laban had searched his daughter's belongings, but those gods had never been found. However, Rachel suffered the penalty anyway. It is a recurring theme in the Bible and a caution to all not to swear this kind of oath lightly, especially if you don't know the answer to the question.

Maybe it is easy to look at the death of Rachel from our place in history. But Rachel was a beloved wife, sister, mother, and child. Her death was a tragedy. The name she gives her second child reflects that tragedy; she calls him Ben-Oni, which means "Son of my Trouble." But it is not a name that Jacob allows to stand. In the wake of the tragic death of his favorite wife, Jacob changes the name to Benjamin, which means "Son of my Right-Hand." In doing so, Jacob reminds Benjamin of all that was good about his mother rather than the tragedy Benjamin's birth had brought into the family.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Genesis 36

Because their sister Dinah had been defiled, Jacob's sons replied deceitfully as they spoke to Shechem and his father Hamor. – Genesis 34:13

Today's Scripture Reading (October 15, 2024): Genesis 34

Maybe one of the most common mistakes we make is believing that everyone believes as we believe. Several years ago, I was taking several teens and young adults on a trip to a foreign country, and one of the biggest concerns I had with the group's older members was trying to convince them that not everywhere would they be considered adults. There were people, mostly guys between 18-20 years, who didn't understand that the idea that 18 was the age of majority was not a universal given. Where we were going, the age of majority was 21; by voluntarily leaving our country, we were saying that we would live by the laws of the country we were visiting.

We do the same thing every time we go to any foreign country. It doesn't matter what it is like at home, we have to abide by the laws in place of where we are going. In some places, that means your rights might be curtailed if you are a woman. Breaking traffic laws might end up in jail time instead of a fine. And if you are unwilling to abide by their rules, don't go. But don't expect foreign countries to abide by your expectations of what is right and wrong.

Jacob moved his family into an area where women were property, and men did what they wanted with them. Everything that happened to Dinah seemed to be according to local expectations. That may not be the way it was in Jacob's family or where Jacob and his family had lived before, but it was the way the people lived here. You took what you wanted and then took steps to make it legal, or more precisely, claim it as your property.

This situation has three problems beyond the situation of violence committed against Dinah in the city. First, Jacob does nothing. Jacob knows what has happened, but he doesn't tell his sons; he allows them to find out in their own way. He doesn't take action against the perpetrator; he isn't in discussion with the city; he doesn't have a plan. Jacob does nothing. Maybe he realizes that this is actually on him, that he should have at least had a serious conversation about the dangers of the city with his daughter, but even better, he should never have come here in the first place. But whatever the reason, Jacob remains inactive, and his inactivity gives his sons the impression that the response is up to them.

Second, the brothers are dishonest. They go into the city as if searching for a positive solution to the problem. But that is the farthest thing from their minds. They are looking for blood. We would agree. But that doesn't mean that our response is proper. We have a strange idea of justification. If I am righting a wrong, then whatever I do is acceptable, but that is not true in secular law, let alone sacred law. It is the response that has historically resulted in multiple wrongs and feuds. When we take a wrong and try to correct it by committing a second wrong, we start a chain reaction that will quickly get out of control. And yet that is precisely what the brothers have decided to do.

Lastly, the brothers become committed to a ruse. The suggestion is that if the men of the city will follow Jacob's rules and traditions, the family of Jacob will also follow the rules and traditions of the city. Commit to following our laws, and you will benefit, not just by being able to marry our sister but by becoming economically connected with us. It is a temptation that is much too great for the city not to take advantage. They agreed, making them vulnerable to the evil that Dinah's brothers were about to visit on the city.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Genesis 35

He put the female servants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph in the rear. – Genesis 33:2

Today's Scripture Reading (October 14, 2024): Genesis 33

Do you have a favorite child? I know, what a question, but you don't have to tell anyone. I don't think I do, but I only have two children. I also have five grandchildren, but the reality is that each one of them is so different that I love something different about every one of them. At the same time, I think through conversations I have had with both my adult children and believe they would say that the other child was my favorite. Which, I hope, means that I got it somewhat right.

If you are wondering if you do have a favorite child, here are some questions to ask yourself. First question: is there one child you talk about more than others? Now, if there is, that does not necessarily mean that you have a favorite child but a child that needs you more than the others. But it might be a hint. Second question: Is there a child with whom you have significantly increased one-on-one interaction? Again, there can be some harmless reasons for this, such as if one child lives closer to you than the others, but it is another warning sign.

A third question might be, is there one child for whom some family rules don't apply? You can be a disciplinarian with some of your kids, but one is allowed to violate the rules without punishment. Fourth, does one child enjoy material advantages? Your wallet follows your heart; sometimes, this is a true sign that one child is your favorite. Fifth, when your kids fight, is there one child who usually receives your support?

Sixth, do your family activities usually revolve around making one child happy? And lastly, Is there one child to whom you make comparisons? How often do you say, why can't you be more like your brother or sister?

I know I said last, but maybe there is one more, although I hope you will never have to follow through on this question. Here it is. If you had to send your children into a dangerous situation, who would you send in first? I know that is unimaginable. But it is precisely what Jacob does. Jacob saw Esau, but he had no idea how his brother would react to his presence. And so, he sends his family to him in groups. The first group included his female servants and their children, who were also Jacob's children. Next, his first wife, Leah, and her children. In the last group was Rachel and Joseph, his favorite wife and favored son. There could be no doubt that Jacob had a favorite. And they were the last to be sent into a possibly dangerous situation.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Genesis 34

I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two camps. – Genesis 32:10

Today's Scripture Reading (October 13, 2024): Genesis 32

St Augustine said, "The best disposition for praying is that of being desolate, forsaken, stripped of everything." That was precisely where Jacob found himself. He possessed nothing when he had left his home many years earlier. Now, Jacob had acquired wealth and family, all because the hand of God had blessed him. So, Jacob prayed while he approached home for the first time in over a decade. Once again, Jacob came to God feeling like he had nothing. Despite the realization that Jacob had sinned, everything he had acquired was at God's command. However, Jacob knew the things he had gained would never make up for what he had forfeited in the earlier years of his life.

When he was young, it hadn't been God's hand he had followed, but his own. Now, he had to pay the price. His prayer? "I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant … Please save me."

I find that in our contemporary society, it seems so hard for us to get to this point. Instead, we come to God with the argument that we have been good people, so God owes us. However, none of that is true in the eyes of God, and none of it displays the humility that God requires of his servants.

George Herbert (1593-1633), the English poet and priest in the Church of England, had inscribed on a ring that he wore every day this motto; "Less than the least of all God's Mercies." It was the testimony he bore on his body every time he picked up a pen. God, I am less than the least. I don't deserve the blessings you have given me, yet you still bless me.

It is not devaluing ourselves; we are his creation, and we should recognize the value that God places in us. But our natural reaction is usually to put others down and see the ways that we are better, and that is not God's way. So, in humility, we recognize the importance of the other person. Jacob would send his servants and gifts ahead of him. However, Jacob stayed humbly in the presence of God in the camp at Mahanaim.

Have you gone through a "dark night of the soul" recently? I know, I have. I love the words of contemporary poet Jeremy Deibler.

I can't find the words to pray

I'm a little down to day

Can You help me

Can You hold me

I feel a million miles away

And I don't know what to say

Can you hear me anyway.

What I need is for you to reach out your hand

You have taught me no matter what You'd understand

 

Lord, move in a way that I've never seen before

Cause there's a mountain in the way and a lock on the door

I'm drifting away; waves are crashing on the shore

So Lord Move, or Move me

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Genesis 33

Then God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and said to him, "Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad." – Genesis 31:24

Today's Scripture Reading (October 12, 2024): Genesis 31

During the French Revolution, there came a time when Louis XVI and his wife, the infamous Marie Antoinette, decided that they had to leave Paris and France. The idea was that they would masquerade as commoners and escape with their family. The original plan was for the Royal Family to separate and escape using different routes. But that was not acceptable to the Royal Family. And as the plan for the grand escape went forward, it became clear that King Louis and Queen Marie had led such sheltered lives that they had no idea how a commoner lived. And the way they left the city, although disguised, left little doubt that the Royal Family had traveled here.

As a result, there was also a significant change in the escape route. The original route went through the countryside, contacting very few villages or settlements. But again, Louis was mistakenly convinced that the problem was the "woke" people living in the city, namely Paris. The smaller towns would rally to his side and support their King. So, Louis decided to take a route that went through several smaller towns. As a result, at almost every step of the way, not only did the people recognize them, but the ones who wanted to keep the Royal Family under guard in Paris knew precisely where Louis and Marie were. All of this worked together to make the attempted escape a grand failure and return the Royal Family to their captivity in Paris, where Louis and Marie would eventually be executed.

Jacob and his family decide to escape Laban. Jacob wasn't in danger like Louis and Marie, but he knew he had to get away from his scheming Father-in-law. Jacob takes his family, including Leah and Rachel, Laban's daughters, and heads away from Laban's influence.

Another difference between Jacob and Louis is that Jacob already seems to have lived a fair distance from Laban. It took Laban three days to figure out that Jacob was on the run, but Louis's enemies knew the King was gone almost immediately. However, with all of his family and flocks, Jacob couldn't move very fast. As a result, Laban was able to locate Jacob and catch him.

We don't know what could have happened when Laban finally caught up to his son-in-law. Laban was angry and would have liked to have caused Jacob harm, except that God came to him in a dream and told him no. God wouldn't force Laban to play nice with Jacob or say good things, but he would not allow him to cause Jacob harm. Laban had a front-row seat to watch God bless Jacob over the years. Laban had no reason to doubt that God would protect Jacob from any damage that Laban could do to him.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Genesis 32

Personal Note: Happy Birthday, Mom.

Jacob became angry with her and said, "Am I in the place of God, who has kept you from having children?" – Genesis 30:2

Today's Scripture Reading (October 11, 2024): Genesis 30

A good friend and his wife wanted children. They had jumped through all the hoops, yet they were not graced with any kids. What I especially remember about this stage in their lives was the Mother's Day celebrations. I was just a friend, but my heart would break every Mother's Day as we would honor mothers, and I would watch my friend leave the sanctuary in tears because she wanted to be a mother, and yet she still wasn't. Those moments of despair had a lasting effect on me. In one of those moments, I decided that how we celebrated Mother's and Father's had to change. We had mothers who had children, but we also had women who played the role of mothers who were without children. I remembered my childhood and a married couple who had a significant effect on me and who never had any children of their own. Instead, they donated time and effort to build into the lives of many children like my sister and me. There was no doubt in my mind that this couple were parents but never got honored as such. And so, we started to honor ladies on Mother's Day. We wanted to honor anyone who played the role of a mother, whether they had children or not, and sometimes this meant honoring a few fathers.

For my friends, they eventually gave up on the idea of having a child. Maybe they would adopt a child someday down the road. But for now, well, they got a dog. That seems to be another common reaction. The childless couple I mentioned had greatly affected me and my sister had two dogs. If you can't have children, getting a dog seems to be the appropriate thing to do. My friends got a dog and gave up any hope of having a child. Then, something amazing happened. Debbie (not her real name) got pregnant. Again, it is a familiar story. Something that you want, you decide you can't have, and then you get it. It isn't a rare story; it happens more often than we might want to admit.

Rachel wants children, yet she remains without a child. She knows how much Jacob values her. After all, Jacob had worked fourteen years without pay to get her as his wife. He wouldn't have worked one day for Leah. The only reason why Leah was his wife was because their father had tricked him. There was no doubt that Jacob loved Rachel. But that wasn't enough. The lack of a child had driven Rachel to despair despite her beauty and the value Jacob had placed on her.

Yet, her most crucial desire Jacob was powerless to fulfill. She blamed Jacob, and Jacob was frustrated, and he became angry. He could work fourteen years for her. Jacob could shower her with everything that she wanted. But what he couldn't do was give her a child. That was up to God and dependent on God's timing. And nothing that Jacob did could change that.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Genesis 31