Deathbed Desires
Genesis 50:15-21
So Jacob's gone and Joseph's brothers assume that now it's time for Joseph to take revenge. This is reminiscent of Esau's plans to to get Jacob once Isaac was gone. So the brothers hatch a plan- we'll take Jospeh some "deathbed instructions." They create this tale of Jacob asking Joseph to forgive his brothers. Ever the rhetoricians, they even refer to themselves as "the servants of the God of your father." They throw themselves at Joseph's mercy declaring themselves his slaves.
They lay it on pretty thick and Joseph bites. Whether he believes them or not, he weeps at the news and tells them not to be afraid, he's not God- and what they intended as evil, God used for good. He then says that he will provide for their children.
A few observations:
1) The brothers are compelled to apologize but afraid to really do it. Even with misguided motives, they bear the burdens of their actions and are ready to submit to slavery to alleviate their guilt (or in this case to escape the potential repurcussions). I can relate to these feelings. It's easy to feel the need to unburden and want to come clean- but in the process minimize the actions and confess to part of the misdeed- or rhetorically hide the apology beneath another message- or maybe even say that dad hopes you'll forgive me. And the result is only temporary peace.
But beneath it all- there is the deep desire to wash the sin away- to truly believe that the pain is over and all is forgiven.
2) Joseph wants to forgive. I don't know if Joseph's mercy is sparked by the "request" from his father, or if he had already forgiven- but he is emotionally moved by the process. Maybe he's crying at the mention of his recently deceased dad, or maybe the load of bearing resentment has finally been lifted.
It's so easy to carry grudges- and it's so tiring to pour energy into hatred. Joseph, etiher here or earlier on lets it all go.
3) Joseph tells them that what they intended for harm, God used for good. And while it's often hard to see it into our own paths, the pattern is still there.
My sin helps me better empathize with others who struggle.
My sin helps me help others who sin.
My need for mercy helps me to be merciful.
Lies told about me encourage me to tell the truth about others.
We can't thwart God's plan. Whatever we do, good or evil, eventually works for good in the end. That doesn't remove the desire to please our loving God- but takes a lot of pressure off. With or without me- God will get it done.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
That Bright and Glorious Mourning
Genesis 49:29- 50:14
So Jacob senses his end is near, so after he gives his sons his "blessings" he gives them burial instructions. Even after all these years, he wants to use the spot in the cave Abraham bought from the Hittites all those years ago. It's interesting that he chooses to be buried with Leah and not Rachel. Perhaps this was the custom- to be buried with the first wife- plus it being a family cave probably helped influence the choice.
So Joseph throws himself on Jacob's dead body- and weeps and kisses him. Then the embalming begins- 40 days of embalming and 70 days of mourning.
I assume those ran concurrently- but even so, 70 days seems like a long chunk of time. I can relate to being saddened over that length of time- but this feels more like a formalistic, legalistic chunk of time set aside for mourning...wearing black, certain jolly actions prohibited, etc.
After the mourning was over- Joseph got permission to go and bury his dad- Pharaoh's officials accompany him- I'm reading this as a major sign of repect. We hardly knew this guy- but he's your father so he's special to us. Once they get there, Joseph mourns another week.
This mourning marathon puts a couple of questions into my mind.
1) Is this a ritualistic predetermined period of time? Did life really shut down for 2 months after the death of a loved one. It didn't even say that Joseph mourned, or Jacob's family- it says the Egyptians mourned for 70 days. Were they in a perpetual state of mourning for every major entity that passed on? How do you truly spend 70 days mourning someone you didn't know well?
2) What do these people know about death and heaven? I don't think I know that much and the topic is at times unnerving- but is there an even greater lack of knowledge about a better place demonstrated in their perpetual sadness? They don't know about Jesus- they don't even have the law yet. Jacob refers to his impending death as "I am about to be gathered to my people" which I take to mean buried with my family. If they think earth is all there is to life then it could explain why the mourning was so extensive.
I recently attended a funeral where there was extensive laughter, not as the result of funny stories or warm memories- an odd nearly manic laughter seemingly from joy at the heavenly destination of the departed. It felt really strange to me- I think a celebration of a man's life is highly appropriate at his passing- but this seemed to be nervous laughter- a little too loud and a little too long. And I wonder if maybe the value of purging feelings of grief- even if they aren't ritualistically expressed- and even if they don't last two months would help us to move on more than a forced smile and a choked laugh.
We are thankful for the destination- but it doesn't remove the grief. At least not totally.
Genesis 49:29- 50:14
So Jacob senses his end is near, so after he gives his sons his "blessings" he gives them burial instructions. Even after all these years, he wants to use the spot in the cave Abraham bought from the Hittites all those years ago. It's interesting that he chooses to be buried with Leah and not Rachel. Perhaps this was the custom- to be buried with the first wife- plus it being a family cave probably helped influence the choice.
So Joseph throws himself on Jacob's dead body- and weeps and kisses him. Then the embalming begins- 40 days of embalming and 70 days of mourning.
I assume those ran concurrently- but even so, 70 days seems like a long chunk of time. I can relate to being saddened over that length of time- but this feels more like a formalistic, legalistic chunk of time set aside for mourning...wearing black, certain jolly actions prohibited, etc.
After the mourning was over- Joseph got permission to go and bury his dad- Pharaoh's officials accompany him- I'm reading this as a major sign of repect. We hardly knew this guy- but he's your father so he's special to us. Once they get there, Joseph mourns another week.
This mourning marathon puts a couple of questions into my mind.
1) Is this a ritualistic predetermined period of time? Did life really shut down for 2 months after the death of a loved one. It didn't even say that Joseph mourned, or Jacob's family- it says the Egyptians mourned for 70 days. Were they in a perpetual state of mourning for every major entity that passed on? How do you truly spend 70 days mourning someone you didn't know well?
2) What do these people know about death and heaven? I don't think I know that much and the topic is at times unnerving- but is there an even greater lack of knowledge about a better place demonstrated in their perpetual sadness? They don't know about Jesus- they don't even have the law yet. Jacob refers to his impending death as "I am about to be gathered to my people" which I take to mean buried with my family. If they think earth is all there is to life then it could explain why the mourning was so extensive.
I recently attended a funeral where there was extensive laughter, not as the result of funny stories or warm memories- an odd nearly manic laughter seemingly from joy at the heavenly destination of the departed. It felt really strange to me- I think a celebration of a man's life is highly appropriate at his passing- but this seemed to be nervous laughter- a little too loud and a little too long. And I wonder if maybe the value of purging feelings of grief- even if they aren't ritualistically expressed- and even if they don't last two months would help us to move on more than a forced smile and a choked laugh.
We are thankful for the destination- but it doesn't remove the grief. At least not totally.
Saturday, October 21, 2006
A Fine Bless You've Gotten Us Into
Genesis 49:1-28
So Jacob gathers his sons around him and administers what Moses calls a blessing. I guess it all depends on perspective.
He says to Reuben:
You've always excelled but... remember that whole Bilhah thing? Yeah, you thought I didn't know about it- well I did and you will now be turbulent as the waters. Basically- your ship is sinking.
To Simeon and Levi:
You two are bad dudes- you've got thug mentalities, using your swords to solve your problems- hope I don't ever need your counsel. "I will scatter them in Jacob and disperse them in Israel" - this last part is a little confusing to me, but I'm assuming it means they won't have a land to themselves- the offspring will scatter.
To Judah:
"You are a lion's cub". Yeah, good things are coming. I guess the whole Tamar incident wasn't as important as some of these others that get his brothers in trouble. He'll wash his garments in wine and have the finest branch for his donkey. My son- here's a true blessing.
To Zebulun:
You will be a haven for ships and live by the seashore. This seems like a much lesser blessing- but maybe he's saying you will serve the function of being help to those that need it. The ship that comes needing a haven? You're it my son. God is going to use you.
To Issachar:
Here's an odd one. You will find such great land, you'll submit to forced labor. I want to live here...so enslave me! But I suppose the message is that you'll find something you like so much that great sacrifice will be worth it to you.
To Dan:
You will provide justice for your people. OK so far so good... you'll be "a viper along the path that bites the horse's heels." Maybe the horse is the bandit trying to escape and end up being caught in the fangs of Dan's justice- but a viper is a strange metaphor (especially biblically with the whole garden of Eden thing and all) for something admirable.
Maybe the message is- you'll administer justice- but justice isn't always what people need. How about some mercy instead?
To Gad:
You're going to be attacked (O Happy Day) but don't worry, you'll fight back. Oh, good, as long as I've got something to look forward to.
To Asher:
You're getting some rich food. Asher sounds like my kind of man. Beyond the literal food though, this may be a metaphorfor Asher's ability to procure and appreciate the "finer things" in life.
To Naphtali:
Depending on the translation- you're either going to have lots of beautiful children or you're going to be an eloquent orator. Or maybe he'll use his oration skills to woo a beautiful woman and get both.
To Joseph:
You can go ahead and put on the purple robe. You've been delivered- you're the prince among your brothers.
To Benjamin:
You're a ravenous wolf- but at least you share your plunder.
I don't think I'd label this discourse as a blessing. It seems more like a predictor- maybe even a prophecy. Calling this a blessing for some of these guys is like reaching under the tree Christmas morning and opening a hornet's nest.
I like the idea though of family assembled to hear the wisdom of their father- words of warning or praise from someone experienced. I'd like it best though if I were Judah or Joseph. Sorry Reuben- at least you'll get a sandwich named after you.
Genesis 49:1-28
So Jacob gathers his sons around him and administers what Moses calls a blessing. I guess it all depends on perspective.
He says to Reuben:
You've always excelled but... remember that whole Bilhah thing? Yeah, you thought I didn't know about it- well I did and you will now be turbulent as the waters. Basically- your ship is sinking.
To Simeon and Levi:
You two are bad dudes- you've got thug mentalities, using your swords to solve your problems- hope I don't ever need your counsel. "I will scatter them in Jacob and disperse them in Israel" - this last part is a little confusing to me, but I'm assuming it means they won't have a land to themselves- the offspring will scatter.
To Judah:
"You are a lion's cub". Yeah, good things are coming. I guess the whole Tamar incident wasn't as important as some of these others that get his brothers in trouble. He'll wash his garments in wine and have the finest branch for his donkey. My son- here's a true blessing.
To Zebulun:
You will be a haven for ships and live by the seashore. This seems like a much lesser blessing- but maybe he's saying you will serve the function of being help to those that need it. The ship that comes needing a haven? You're it my son. God is going to use you.
To Issachar:
Here's an odd one. You will find such great land, you'll submit to forced labor. I want to live here...so enslave me! But I suppose the message is that you'll find something you like so much that great sacrifice will be worth it to you.
To Dan:
You will provide justice for your people. OK so far so good... you'll be "a viper along the path that bites the horse's heels." Maybe the horse is the bandit trying to escape and end up being caught in the fangs of Dan's justice- but a viper is a strange metaphor (especially biblically with the whole garden of Eden thing and all) for something admirable.
Maybe the message is- you'll administer justice- but justice isn't always what people need. How about some mercy instead?
To Gad:
You're going to be attacked (O Happy Day) but don't worry, you'll fight back. Oh, good, as long as I've got something to look forward to.
To Asher:
You're getting some rich food. Asher sounds like my kind of man. Beyond the literal food though, this may be a metaphorfor Asher's ability to procure and appreciate the "finer things" in life.
To Naphtali:
Depending on the translation- you're either going to have lots of beautiful children or you're going to be an eloquent orator. Or maybe he'll use his oration skills to woo a beautiful woman and get both.
To Joseph:
You can go ahead and put on the purple robe. You've been delivered- you're the prince among your brothers.
To Benjamin:
You're a ravenous wolf- but at least you share your plunder.
I don't think I'd label this discourse as a blessing. It seems more like a predictor- maybe even a prophecy. Calling this a blessing for some of these guys is like reaching under the tree Christmas morning and opening a hornet's nest.
I like the idea though of family assembled to hear the wisdom of their father- words of warning or praise from someone experienced. I'd like it best though if I were Judah or Joseph. Sorry Reuben- at least you'll get a sandwich named after you.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Jacob Redux
Genesis 48
Joseph hears his father is ill, so he takes his two sons, Jacob's grandkids, to see him. Jacob tells him of God's promised blessing and tells Joseph that the two sons born to him in Egypt, Ephraim and Manasseh will be taken for his own children.
This isn't a forced adoption procedure, after all, Jacob is about to die. He's simply saying that they will get the same share in his inheritance as his own children. Any other children born later will be Joseph's responsibility. This means, I assume, a financial blessing on both Joseph's current children, and his future ones, since these two won't be in the mix inheritance-wise when Joseph passes. I assume that to be the case, I guess we'll see in a few chapters or so.
Jacob is going blind and as he goes to bless these children, he may have experienced some deja vu. He "mistakenly" puts his left hand on the firstborn and the right hand on the younger brother, switching the blessing prioirity. Although Manny and Ephraim aren't involved in deception here, the result is very similar to crafty Jacob and his hairy brother.
Joseph sees the mistake and tries to correct it, but Jacob says he knows what he is doing. Manasseh may be the first born, but Ephraim will be greater. The firstborn in me doens't like this very much. Hey, I'm the topdog, the responsible one, the protector from school bullies, the giver of wedgies, why aren't I getting what's mine?
But the younger son of God in me, the one needing extra grace, the one who recognizes how dangerous it would be to get what I deserve, is grateful for the reminder- the last shall be first. It doesn't matter what your birth order is, what your social standing is, what you needed to be forgiven of- God's blessings are above and beyond.
Jacob mentions that he buried Rachel on the road to Bethlehem. Foreshadowing? Metaphoric? We see these people traveling down the road to our Messiah. Might just be a coincidence, but it seems like an odd detail if it doesn't mean something.
Oh yeah, and with all this last shall be first stuff- doesn't that mean the Cubs will win eventually?
Genesis 48
Joseph hears his father is ill, so he takes his two sons, Jacob's grandkids, to see him. Jacob tells him of God's promised blessing and tells Joseph that the two sons born to him in Egypt, Ephraim and Manasseh will be taken for his own children.
This isn't a forced adoption procedure, after all, Jacob is about to die. He's simply saying that they will get the same share in his inheritance as his own children. Any other children born later will be Joseph's responsibility. This means, I assume, a financial blessing on both Joseph's current children, and his future ones, since these two won't be in the mix inheritance-wise when Joseph passes. I assume that to be the case, I guess we'll see in a few chapters or so.
Jacob is going blind and as he goes to bless these children, he may have experienced some deja vu. He "mistakenly" puts his left hand on the firstborn and the right hand on the younger brother, switching the blessing prioirity. Although Manny and Ephraim aren't involved in deception here, the result is very similar to crafty Jacob and his hairy brother.
Joseph sees the mistake and tries to correct it, but Jacob says he knows what he is doing. Manasseh may be the first born, but Ephraim will be greater. The firstborn in me doens't like this very much. Hey, I'm the topdog, the responsible one, the protector from school bullies, the giver of wedgies, why aren't I getting what's mine?
But the younger son of God in me, the one needing extra grace, the one who recognizes how dangerous it would be to get what I deserve, is grateful for the reminder- the last shall be first. It doesn't matter what your birth order is, what your social standing is, what you needed to be forgiven of- God's blessings are above and beyond.
Jacob mentions that he buried Rachel on the road to Bethlehem. Foreshadowing? Metaphoric? We see these people traveling down the road to our Messiah. Might just be a coincidence, but it seems like an odd detail if it doesn't mean something.
Oh yeah, and with all this last shall be first stuff- doesn't that mean the Cubs will win eventually?
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