Genesis: The Mysterious Beginning (Part 4)

The brief description of the Genesis stories concludes with the following tales...   

> Joseph Becomes a High Ranking Slave (Gen. 39) 

Joseph was sold to Potiphar, an Egyptian captain of the guard, from the Ishmaelites (39:1). The son of Jacob/Israel was appointed the captain's attendant, putting him in charge of Potiphar's household straightaway (39:4); the captain saw that Joseph's god was blessing his household (39:5). Problems would soon arise when Potiphar's wife took notice of Joseph and wanted him to 'bed her' (39:7), to which Joseph refused (39:9). This made the captain's wife extremely angry and she told her husband that Joseph tried to rape her [even though he had not]. She was a woman scorned and meant to pay him back for rejecting her advances (39:10-19). Joseph was quickly imprisoned for a deed he did not commit. But while Joseph was there in the prison, "the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden." (39:21). So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there." (39:22). 

> The Cupbearer and the Baker (Gen. 40)   

Not long after Joseph was imprisoned in the dungeon of Pharaoh's kingdom, the king's cupbearer and baker were thrown into prison for offending their king (40:1-3). "The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he attended them." (40:4). Each man had a dream the night they were put in jail, to which Joseph gladly interpreted for them (40:8). "So the chief cupbearer told Joseph his dream. He said to him, “In my dream I saw a vine in front of me, and on the vine were three branches. As soon as it budded, it blossomed, and its clusters ripened into grapes. Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup and put the cup in his hand.” (40:9-11). The three branches represented that in three days the cupbearer would be restored to his position. (40:12-13). Joseph asked the man to remember him and put in a good word to the king on his behalf (40:14). The baker's dream was not as favorable. "When the chief baker saw that Joseph had given a favorable interpretation, he said to Joseph, “I too had a dream: On my head were three baskets of bread. In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head." (40:16-17). The three baskets represented in three days time the baker would lose his head, be impaled upon a pole and the birds would eat his flesh (40:18-19). Joseph's interpretation of the dreams were spot on; the cupbearer was restored and the baker was killed. (40:21-22). "The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him." (40:23).

> Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dreams (Gen. 41)   

Joseph was imprisoned for over two years in the king's dungeon, all but forgotten, until the king had a couple of dreams and no one could translate them to him (41:8). The cupbearer remembered the Hebrew slave and informed Pharaoh about him (41:9-13). "So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh." (41:14). Upon telling Joseph his dreams, the Hebrew slave enlightened him, "Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine." (41:25-27). Joseph suggested that Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest during the seven years of abundance and store the grain for when the seven years of famine occurred (41:33-36). "Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you." (41:39-40).

> From Slave to Governor (Gen. 41)   

Pharaoh was so impressed with Joseph that he made him a governor in charge of the whole land of Egypt (41:41). The Hebrew slave was given the king's signet ring, put in the finest of clothes, a gold chain to hang around his neck, as well as being given his own chariot (41:42-43). "Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt." (41:45). He dutifully stored the excess grain in the cities (41:48). Joseph stored up so much food that he lost count of the huge quantities (41:49). Before the years of the famine came, Joseph and Asenath had two sons: Manasseh and Ephraim (41:50-52). When the seven years of abundance came to an end and the seven years of famine spread throughout the country, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians (41:56). Actually, it is recorded, "And all the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere." (41:57)

> Joseph's Brothers Go To Egypt (Gen. 42)   

As the famine continued throughout the land and the family of Israel started running out of food, the patriarch ordered his sons to go to Egypt and buy some grain from the Egyptians (42:1-2). Israel [Jacob] sent his ten older sons to Egypt, but kept his youngest son, Benjamin, with him for fear of something happening to him (42:4). After Joseph was "lost in death", Jacob was not taking any chances. When Joseph's brothers bowed before the governor of Egypt and requested grain to buy, they had no idea it was their brother they had sold into slavery years earlier, but Joseph knew exactly who they were (42:8). Remembering the dreams about his brothers, the governor was not going to make it easy on them and accused them of being spies (42:9). The brothers quickly denied such an accusation, "Your servants were twelve brothers, the sons of one man, who lives in the land of Canaan. The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more." (42:13). The Governor/Joseph continued the charade, "It is just as I told you: You are spies! And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here." (42:14-15). The brothers of Joseph were then thrown into prison for three days to test them (42:17). On the third day the governor released nine of the ten brothers with instructions to take grain back to their starving people and to return with the youngest brother. The brothers were quite distressed, "Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.” They did not realize that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter." (42:22-23). It sorely troubled Joseph that he had to do this, but he also knew he had to teach his immoral brothers a lesson. He chose Simeon to remain behind in Egypt and ordered their bags to be filled with grain and to also return the silver they had come with inside the bags (42:25). "At the place where they stopped for the night one of them opened his sack to get feed for his donkey, and he saw his silver in the mouth of his sack. “My silver has been returned,” he said to his brothers. “Here it is in my sack.” Their hearts sank and they turned to each other trembling and said, “What is this that God has done to us?” (42:27-28). When the nine sons of Jacob returned to Canaan and told their father what had transpired, Jacob was horrified by these turn of events (42:36) and absolutely refused to send Benjamin, his youngest son, back to Egypt with them (42:38).

> Saga of Joseph's Brothers in Egypt Continues (Gen. 43)   

It is not recorded how much time passed before the tribe of Israel ran out of food and the patriarch ordered his sons to go back to Egypt for more, to which they reminded their father about the stipulation of bringing Benjamin with them (43:3). "Israel asked, "Why did you bring this trouble on me by telling the man you had another brother?" (43:6). In their defense, they informed their father that they only answered the [man's] questions and had no idea the Governor would request that the lad be brought to Egypt with them (43:7). Judah assured his father, "I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me personally responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him here before you, I will bear the blame before you all my life." (43:9). Their father, Israel, finally conceded and instructed his sons, "Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift—a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds. Take double the amount of silver with you, for you must return the silver that was put back into the mouths of your sacks. Perhaps it was a mistake." (43:11-12). It grieved the patriarch of the Israeli tribe greatly to send his youngest son with his elder sons and called up the Lord to grant mercy towards the man [Joseph] who had the power to keep his sons (43:14). Upon returning to Egypt, Jacob's sons were surprised - and afraid - when the Governor told the steward of his house to take the brothers to his private residence and prepare a meal they could share (43:16-17). When they feared for their lives, not having any idea what was going to happened, the brothers confessed to having their silver returned to them upon their last trip and had brought double the portion of silver to cover any errors that had been made previously (43:20-22). The steward denied what they said, stating they had paid their share and any silver given to them came from their [Hebrew] god (43:23). The brothers were still quite wary when Joseph joined them for the noon meal; they quickly presented the gifts Jacob had sent with them to present to the governor (43:26), but Joseph was more interested in the well-being of their father (43:27). Somewhat confused, they answered, "Your servant our father is still alive and well.” And they bowed down, prostrating themselves before him." (43:28). It was so emotional for Joseph, that he had to leave the room temporarily and pull himself together. "After he had washed his face, he came out and, controlling himself, said, “Serve the food.” (43:31). What transpired during the meal is not documented.

> Benjamin is Framed for Stealing (Gen. 44)   

The saga of Joseph testing his brothers continues. Not long after the infamous meal, Joseph sent his brothers on their way and allowed them to leave. To his steward, Joseph instructed, "Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each man’s silver in the mouth of his sack. Then put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack, along with the silver for his grain.” And he did as Joseph said." (44:1-2). Not long after they had left the city, Joseph sent his steward to follow them and repeat these words to them, "Why have you repaid good with evil? Isn’t this the cup my master drinks from and also uses for divination? This is a wicked thing you have done." (44:4-5). As instructed, when he caught up to Joseph's brothers, the steward repeated the words of his master to them; Joseph's brothers instantly and passionately denied the accusations. They came to the agreement if anything was found that person would become a slave in the house of the governor. (44:6-10). Then they allowed the steward to check each of their bags and was extremely shocked to find the silver cup inside Benjamin's sack (44:11-13). The Israelites were taken back to the governor's house and the brothers pleaded with Joseph, throwing themselves to the ground in front of him. Joseph said to them, "What is this you have done? Don’t you know that a man like me can find things out by divination?" (44:14-15). This scared them even more and they pleaded with Joseph to allow them to prove their innocence for now they were all to become slaves, to which the governor corrected them and told them only the person caught with the stolen item would become his slave. (44:16-17). This was too much for Judah [the 4th son of Jacob] to bare and he implored Joseph to take him instead to be his slave and allow the boy to return to his father, for it would surely kill the old man if they returned without his beloved son. (44:18-34).

> Joseph Makes Himself Known (Gen. 45)   

The saga reaches its climax when "Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers." (45:1). However, this turn of events terrified his brothers and they were speechless (45:3). Joseph assured his eleven brothers that while they had done a bad thing, it had been God's will to send him ahead of them so that one day he could save them (45:5-7). "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt." (45:8). This is one of the most humbling verses throughout the entire book of Genesis. After the shock wore off and the brothers of Joseph composed themselves, the governor instructed them, "Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have." (45:9-10). Joseph also reminded them about the famine that is yet to come and when the news reached Pharaoh, the king was pleased and reiterated the invitation for Joseph's family to come dwell in the land of Egypt (45:16-20). Upon returning to Canaan, Jacob's sons went directly to their father and shared the news that Joseph was alive and well in Egypt (45:25-26). It took a little convincing on the brothers part, but Jacob was soon persuaded to believe, "And Israel said, “I’m convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.” (45:28).

> Jacob and Joseph Reunite (Gen. 46)   

After receiving word that his son [Joseph] was still alive, and even though he was somewhat wary, Jacob/Israel did not hesitate to set out for Egypt (46:1). When he reached Beersheba, Jacob offered sacrifices to his father's god (46:2). That night he had a dream [vision] in which the god of his father told him, "I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes." (46:3-4). The journey to Egypt was evidently uneventful and when Jacob reached the foreign land he sent Judah ahead to get directions to [the land of] Goshen (46:28). When Joseph heard his father was near, he made his chariot ready and met him in Goshen. It was a very happy reunion between father and son, they embraced and wept (46:29). Jacob/Israel told him, "Now I am ready to die, since I have seen for myself that you are still alive." (46:30). Afterwards, Joseph instructed his father and brothers on how to talk to Pharaoh so that they [the family of Israel] would be allowed to settle in the land of Goshen (46:31-34). 

> The Famine of Egypt Continues (Gen. 47)   

Jacob impressed Joseph's pharaoh so much that the Egyptian king settled Israel's family in the best part of the land; the district of Rameses, located near Goshen, in the northeastern part of the Egyptian delta (47:11). As the years passed, the famine became widespread throughout Egypt and Canaan. Joseph wisely controlled the storehouses filled with grain and allotted portions to all who brought money to buy from Pharaoh's kingdom (47:13-14). When their money ran out the following year, the governor accepted livestock in lieu of payment (47:15-16). Desperation came out the year after that as the famine continued and both Hebrews and Egyptians offered to sell their land to Pharaoh in exchange for more food. (47:18-19). "So Joseph bought all the land in Egypt for Pharaoh. The Egyptians, one and all, sold their fields, because the famine was too severe for them. The land became Pharaoh’s, and Joseph reduced the people to servitude, from one end of Egypt to the other." (47:20-21). Even though it is not recorded in the holy scripture, it is implied that Joseph continued being one of the greatest men to live during this oppressive time.

> Jacob Gives Joseph Instructions (Gen. 47)   

Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel, had lived in the land of Goshen for seventeen years and felt his time left on Earth was fast approaching (47:28-29). He told Joseph, "Do not bury me in Egypt, but when I rest with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt and bury me where they are buried." (47:30). Joseph swore to do this for his father (47:31). Another brief and quick story comes to an end with a morbid, but solemn, promise.

> Israel Blesses Manasseh and Ephraim (Gen. 48)   

This story continues the tradition of blessing the younger son over the elder son. Upon learning that his father was ill, Joseph brought his sons to his father (48:1-2). Jacob told Joseph about his meeting with the God of Abraham and Isaac at Luz in the land of Canaan and reminded him that his seed [the seed of Israel] would be given the land as an everlasting possession (48:3-4). Then Israel asked Joseph to bring his sons near so he could bless them. Knowing his father's eyesight was bad, Joseph placed the boys in front of Jacob according to their age, knowing the blessing of his father would come from placing his right hand upon the oldest lad's head (48:10-13). However, Jacob had other plans, "But Israel reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim’s head, though he was the younger, and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Manasseh’s head, even though Manasseh was the firstborn." (48:14). When Joseph tried to correct his mistake, Jacob told him it was no mistake that the youngest son, Ephraim, would be greater than the older son, Manasseh (48:17-20). And so it was, once again the youngest son was made greater than his elder brother. 

> Jacob Delivers Blessings and Curses Upon His Twelve Sons (Gen. 49)   

"Then Jacob called for his sons and said: “Gather around so I can tell you what will happen to you in days to come." (49:1). To Reuben: "Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel, for you went up onto your father’s bed, onto my couch and defiled it." (49:4); To Simeon and Levi: "Let me not enter their council, let me not join their assembly, for they have killed men in their anger and hamstrung oxen as they pleased. Cursed be their anger, so fierce, and their fury, so cruel! I will scatter them in Jacob and disperse them in Israel." (49:6-7). To Judah: "Your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you. The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his."(49:8,10). To Zebulun: "[He] will live by the seashore and become a haven for ships; his border will extend toward Sidon." (49:13). To Issachar: "[He] is a rawboned donkey lying down among the sheep pens. When he sees how good is his resting place and how pleasant is his land, he will bend his shoulder to the burden and submit to forced labor." (49:14-15). To Dan: "[He] will provide justice for his people as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan will be a snake by the roadside, a viper along the path, that bites the horse’s heels so that its rider tumbles backward." (49:17); To Gad: "[He] will be attacked by a band of raiders, but he will attack them at their heels " (49:19). To Asher: "[His] food will be rich; he will provide delicacies fit for a king." (49:20). To Naphtali: "[He] is a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns." (49:21). To Joseph: "Your father’s blessings are greater than the blessings of the ancient mountains, than the bounty of the age-old hills. Let all these rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince among his brothers." (49:26). To Benjamin: "[He] is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours the prey, in the evening he divides the plunder." (49:27). "All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them, giving each the blessing appropriate to him." (49:28). This story ends on a straight-forward note!

> Death of Jacob/Israel (Gen. 49-50)   

Right before his death, Jacob reiterated his wishes to be buried with his fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite, near Mamre in Canaan, "which Abraham bought along with the field as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite. There Abraham and his wife Sarah were buried, there Isaac and his wife Rebekah were buried, and there I buried Leah." (49:29-31). It is recorded as soon as Jacob gave the appropriate blessings to his twelve sons, he died. (49:33). It was Joseph who took care of his father in death, having him embalmed by the Egyptian physicians, which took 40 days. The Egyptians, however, mourned the father of Joseph for 70 days. (50:2-3). When the days of mourning had passed, Joseph requested permission from Pharaoh to leave the land of Egypt and bury his father in the land of Canaan, to which the king gave his approval. (50:4-6). All Pharaoh's officials and dignitaries of Egypt accompanied Joseph on his journey; his brothers and the majority of Jacob's household also embarked upon the journey to Canaan. (50:7-9). "When they reached the threshing floor of Atad, near the Jordan, they lamented loudly and bitterly; and there Joseph observed a seven-day period of mourning for his father. When the Canaanites who lived there saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, “The Egyptians are holding a solemn ceremony of mourning.” That is why that place near the Jordan is called Abel-Mizraim." (50:10-11). It is interesting to note this is the only time Abel-Mizraim is mentioned throughout the holy scriptures. After the burial of Jacob/Israel, Joseph and his brethren returned to Egypt. (50:14). Just like Abraham, scripture does not elaborate on how old Jacob was when he died, unlike Isaac, who is recorded as living 180 years. 

> Joseph Reassures His Brothers (Gen. 50)   

After Jacob's death, Joseph's brother became exceedingly wary. "What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” (50:15). The brothers sent word to Joseph, asking him to forgive them for their wrongdoings. The message moved Joseph so much that he cried. (50:16-17). Sometime later, they threw themselves down in front of him and offered Joseph lifelong servitude unto him. (50:18). But Joseph surprised them by saying, "Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them." (50:19-21). He was quite the forgiving brother.

> Death of Joseph (Gen. 50)   

It is recorded that Joseph died at the grand old age of 110 years. (50:22). He lived his life in Egypt, as did his brothers. He was able to see the third generation of Ephraim's children and also the children of Makir, son of Manasseh. (50:23). Joseph gathered his brothers together right before he died and said, "I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." (50:24). Then Joseph made the Israelites swear an oath and said, "God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place." After Joseph was embalmed, he was laid to rest in Egypt. (50:26). It would be over 300 years before Moses "carried his bones out of Egypt" during the exodus of the Israelites.

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The mysterious beginning of mankind's origins and the stories that followed [according to the scriptures of Genesis] remains one of the most controversial subjects even unto this day. But it does become clear why the 10 Commandments would later be incorporated from the Creator himself through his servant, Moses. But, that is another story!

(55-70)

Genesis: The Mysterious Beginning (Part 3)

The brief description of the various Genesis stories continues...

> Esau Finds a Wife (Gen. 26)       

This is one of the briefest stories in the Book of Genesis. Two verses (26:34-35) enlighten that Esau married a woman named Judith, much to the dismay of his parents, Isaac and Rebekkah. Not much else is known about these nuptials other than Esau was 40 years old and Judith was the daughter of Beeri the Hittite and Bashemath (daughter of Elon the Hittite). Marrying outside the family tribe was disheartening to Esau's parents, but whether Isaac and Rebekkah ever accepted the union is still unknown.

> Isaac and the Blessing Deception (Gen. 27)
Many years pass and the continuing saga finds Isaac an old man who has now gone blind (27:1). The patriarch of the family called his eldest son, Esau, into his tent and asked him to go hunt venison, make him a tasty stew and bring it to him so that he could pass a blessing to him as he feared his days on Earth were numbered (27:4). His wife overheard the conversation and quickly called for her youngest son, Jacob. Rebekkah instructed Jacob to kill two goat kids so she could make a savory meal for his father, Isaac. (27:9). The deception began when Jacob did not argue with his mother, but pointed out the fact that he [Jacob] was a smooth man and his brother [Esau] was a hairy man (27:11). Rebekkah told Jacob not to worry. "And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son: And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck:" (27:15-16). While Isaac was at first hesitate and confused when Jacob came to him in disguise, for he thought it was Jacob's voice that spoke to him, he relinquished his thoughts when he felt his son's 'hairy hands and neck' (27:22). The deception worked and Jacob was given the blessing of his father. It is not recorded how Isaac reacted when he learned the truth, but when Esau discovered what his brother had done, he begged his father to give him a blessing too (27:34); Isaac sadly informed his eldest son that he could not undo the blessing that was presented to Jacob. Esau was so angry that he threatened to kill Jacob (27:41), so Rebekkah sent Jacob away to the home of her brother, Laban, and instructed him to stay put until his brother's fury dissipated (27:45). The deception continued when Rebekkah told her husband, "I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these which are of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?" Isaac agreed to send Jacob to Laban to take a wife from his uncle's family.

> Esau Takes Another Wife (Gen. 28)

After Isaac agreed to send Jacob to Laban's household and Esau being told that his father did not approve of the women of Canaan (28:8), Esau decided to take a wife from the tribe of Abraham's oldest son, Ishmael. He married Mahalath, who was the daughter of Ishmael (28:9).  Why this short story was incorporated in scripture is somewhat daunting. Whether this marital union was accepted by Isaac and Rebekkah remains unknown. However, we learn that polygamy is introduced into scripture again.

> Jacob's Ladder (Gen. 28)

Verses 10-22 produces the story of Jacob falling asleep and having a dream in which he saw a ladder that was climbing into Heaven, and many angels were seen ascending and descending it (28:12). Jacob was amazed and somewhat wary when the voice of the Lord called out to him, "I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;" (28:13). God went on to reiterate the promise He had made to Abraham to make his descendants many great nations. Upon waking, Jacob was overwhelmed by such a dream and quickly made a pillar from the stones his head had been resting upon (28:18).  Jacob called this holy place Bethel (28:19) and vowed, "If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God:" (28:20-21).

> Jacob, Rachel and Leah (Gen. 29)

This is another tale of deception and heartache. Not long after his strange dream, Jacob reaches the land of his mother's brother, Laban. There he finds the men out in the field rounding up the sheep for watering (29:8). Then he sees her... coming with her father's sheep to the well of water (29:10) and was instantly smitten by her beauty. Laban hears of his nephew's arrival and quickly comes to meet him. "And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?" (29:15). Jacob insisted that he would work seven years for Laban in exchange for Rachel's hand in marriage (29:18). When the seven years were up, Laban held a grand feast and later sent his oldest daughter (Leah) to Jacob instead of Rachel (29:23). Isaac's son was not too happy with these turn of events when he discovered his father-in-law's subterfuge, but Laban informed him that it was their custom to marry off the oldest before the youngest (29:26), but made a promise to Jacob he could wed Rachel also if he fulfilled his matrimonial duties for one week with Leah and work another seven years for his father-in-law (29:27). Jacob agreed. Polygamy is again mentioned in the Bible. Both daughters of Laban were awarded each a handmaid - Zilpah and Bilhah. The Lord noted that Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah and closed up Rachel's womb (29:31). Leah bare four sons to Jacob - Rueben, Simeon, Levi and Judah - and then became temporarily barren, too.

> Jacob and the Handmaids (Gen. 30)

When Rachel saw that her sister was producing sons for their shared husband, the younger sibling became envious (30:1). Rachel pleaded with Jacob to take her handmaid (Bilhah) as a surrogate to produce children unto her husband on her behalf (30:3). Bilhah conceived two children and they were named Dan and Naphtali. "When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah her maid, and gave her Jacob to wife." (30:9). Zilpah produced two more sons - Gad and Asher- on Leah's behalf. Eventually a squabble occurred between the sisters and the race for more kids was enacted (30:14-16). Leah evidently won the quarrel as she bore Jacob two more sons - Issachar and Zebulun - as well as a daughter - Dinah. Rachel remained barren until, "God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb." (30:22). Rachel gave birth to Joseph and another child [Benjamin], Jacob's youngest son (30:23-24). All of Jacob's sons would comprise the Twelve Tribes of Israel.

> Jacob's Agreement and Covenant with Laban (Gen. 30-31)

When Jacob felt it was time to leave his father-in-law's land and journey home, Laban began scheming on how to keep the man in his land because Jacob had made him rich and prosperous (30:27). Laban pleaded with Jacob to stay a while longer, to which Jacob agreed to if he could have his choice of livestock. (30:31-33). "And Laban said, “Oh, that it were according to your word!” So he removed that day the male goats that were speckled and spotted, all the female goats that were speckled and spotted, every one that had some white in it, and all the brown ones among the lambs, and gave them into the hand of his sons." (30:34-35). However, this ploy did not deter Jacob. He concocted a method of working with the livestock Laban had left him, to which Jacob separated the good stock [which he kept] from the weak [which he put aside for Laban]. The method he used included rods he made from green poplar, almond and chestnut trees (30:37). God blessed Jacob with many prime stock animals, as well as servants, camels and donkeys. (30:43). The story escalates when Laban's sons accuse Jacob of stealing from their father. It's at this point that God comes to Jacob and tells him, "Return to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be with you." (31:3). Jacob consulted with his wives and explained a dream in which the angel of God showed him how Laban was using him. Leah and Rachel, who understood, agreed with their husband (31:14-16). So Jacob and his household  "fled with all that he had. He arose and crossed the river, and headed toward the mountains of Gilead." (31:21). Laban was furious when he discovered Jacob left and pursued him (31:22). When God came to Laban in a dream and told him to watch what he says to Jacob, it is unclear if Laban was frightened because he continued to follow after his son-in-law. When Laban caught up with Jacob, he accused him of stealing [his gods] from him. (31:30). Jacob had no idea that Rachel had taken the gods from her father's house and encouraged Laban to search for them. Rachel concealed the idols and Laban was none the wiser (31:35). Now it was Jacob's turn to get angry, reminding him that he had served his father-in-law for 20 years and it was now time for him to leave in peace. "Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night.” (31:42). This declaration finally got through to Laban and they made a covenant with one another not to bring hardship upon the each other in the future. "And early in the morning Laban arose, and kissed his sons and daughters and blessed them. Then Laban departed and returned to his place." (31:55).  It is not recorded if Jacob ever found out about Rachel hiding "the gods" from her father or what ever became of the idols that Laban had accused Jacob of stealing.

> Jacob Sends a Gift to His Brother (Gen.32)

A new story emerges in which Jacob nears the land of his brother, Esau, and sends word that he would like to see him and comes baring gifts. (32:3-5). The messengers return to inform Jacob that Esau received the message and was, in turn, coming to meet him with an army of 400 men (32:6). Of course, Jacob had no idea what his brother's intentions were and divided his household into two units, therefore saving a remnant of his household should one or the other units be killed by Esau. Jacob called upon the Lord and entreated Him to watch over his house (32:9-12), then instructed his servants to go ahead of him so they could present Esau with the gifts of livestock and servants. "In this manner you shall speak to Esau when you find him; and also say, ‘Behold, your servant Jacob is behind us.’" For he said, “I will appease him with the present that goes before me, and afterward I will see his face; perhaps he will accept me.” (32:9-20). At this point in the saga of Jacob, the story abruptly ends on a cliffhanger!

> Jacob Wrestles with God (Gen 32)

Evidently Jacob was somewhat wary of his brother's imminent arrival and moved his family across the ford of Jabbok, making sure all crossed safely until he was the last one on the opposite side of the waterway (32:22-24). The story goes on to relate how Jacob wrestled with a 'man' until the breaking of day. When the stranger noted that Jacob did not prevail against him, he touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip, which was out of place from wrestling with this man throughout the night (32:25). When the sun began to come up, the man told Jacob to let him go, to which Jacob replied, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!" The mysterious man asked the son of Isaac what his name was and then announced [when Jacob enlightened of his name], "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed." (32:28). However, when Israel (Jacob) asked the man his name it was not forthcoming (32:29). "So Jacob called the name of the place Penuel:“For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” (32:30).

> Jacob and Esau Meet (Gen. 33)

This is the continuing tale of Jacob/Israel that ended on a cliffhanger earlier in the saga. This story is about two brothers reuniting after a 20 year absence, as well as 20 year spat. Jacob remained cautious as he saw his brother drawing near. "And he put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children behind, and Rachel and Joseph last." (33:2). However, Esau was thrilled to see his brother and surprised Jacob by embracing him instead. When Jacob tried to give the many gifts of livestock and servants to Esau, his brother jovially told him, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.” But Jacob [Israel] insisted on bestowing this blessing upon his brother and Esau finally accepted. (33:10-11). When Esau invited Jacob and his family to his house, Jacob said they would follow at a slower pace so as not to push the weak children and the nursing animals beyond their limits (33:13-14). The story ends with Esau agreeing to his brother's plan and Jacob setting up house at a place called Succoth (33:17).

> Dinah, Shechem and Her Brothers (Gen 34)

A tale of love and woe is incorporated into this story. Dinah, who is Jacob's only daughter mentioned by name in the Bible, decided to one day go into the city to see what other women looked like in the land (34:1). A prince notices her and she catches his fancy. "And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her and lay with her, and violated her." (34:2). When the young man asked his father to make it possible for him to marry Dinah, Shechem's father went to talk to Jacob about the matter. This news troubled Jacob exceedingly and while Hamor the Hivite was talking to Israel, Dinah's brothers came in from the fields and heard the conversation, which made them angry (34:7). Even though a pact was made with the house of Hamor to circumcise their males in order to allow a marriage to occur between the tribes (34:22), two of Dinah's brothers - Simeon and Levi - did not agree and, in retribution, killed all the male scions in the city (34:25). Jacob was quite disappointed in his sons' rebel actions, "Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have troubled me by making me obnoxious among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites; and since I am few in number, they will gather themselves together against me and kill me. I shall be destroyed, my household and I.” But they said, “Should he treat our sister like a harlot?” (34:30-31). How Jacob reacted to their declaration remains unknown as this is another story that comes to an abrupt end.

> Jacob Returns to Bethel (Gen. 35)

Not long after the Dinah incident, the Creator came to Jacob and said, "Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother." (35:1). So Jacob uprooted his family and moved back to Bethel (the place where Jacob's dream about the ladder occurred). The patriarch of the family ordered the tribe to "Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments." (35:2). Israel hid the foreign gods under the terebinth tree which was by [the city of] Shechem (35:4). Evidently the Lord caused a distraction to aid Jacob in escaping the land, as it is recorded, "And they journeyed, and the terror of God was upon the cities that were all around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob." (35:5). However, the sudden announcement that Rebekkah's nurse (Deborah) dies and is buried in Bethel under the terebinth tree comes out of nowhere! (35:8). First time the woman is mentioned up until this point, so why include her extremely brief mention? Regardless, God reiterates Jacob's name change to Israel, then added, "The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I give to you; and to your descendants after you I give this land.” (35:12). "So Jacob set up a pillar in the place where He talked with him, a pillar of stone; and he poured a drink offering on it, and he poured oil on it." (35:14).

> The Death of Rachel (Gen. 35)

Here is the brief story of Rachel's death as recorded in the Bible. The family once more uprooted and journeyed from Bethel towards Ephrath (today known as Bethlehem) where Rachel went into labor with Jacob's 12th child, Benjamin (35:16). Unfortunately, Rachel died in childbirth (35:18) and was buried on the way to Ephrath (35:19). "And Jacob set a pillar on her grave, which is the pillar of Rachel’s grave to this day." (35:20). Jacob's clan continued their journey after this and pitched their tents beyond the tower of Eder. How odd this story should end with Jacob finding out his son, Reuben, had sexual relations with his father's concubine, Bilhah (35:22). What a bizarre way to end a sad story!

> The Death of Isaac (Gen. 35)

This story comes straight to the point. It is told that Jacob/Israel came to his ailing father, Isaac, who was living at Mamre (later known as Hebron). Jacob evidently resided with his father until his death at 180 years. It is recorded, "So Isaac breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people, being old and full of days. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him." (35:29). End of story.

> Genealogy of Esau (36)

The following chapter is not so much a story, but a genealogy of Isaac's firstborn son, Esau, with snippets of information thrown in between the names of Esau's clan. "Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite; Aholibamah the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite; and Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, sister of Nebajoth." (36:2-3). "Then Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the persons of his household, his cattle and all his animals, and all his goods which he had gained in the land of Canaan, and went to a country away from the presence of his brother Jacob. For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together, and the land where they were strangers could not support them because of their livestock. So Esau dwelt in Mount Seir. Esau is Edom. (36:6-8). Esau had a total of five sons: Eliphaz (by Adah); Jeush, Jaalam and Korah (by Aholibamah); and, Reuel (by Basemath). From these five sons of Esau the mighty kingdom of Edom would be born.

> Introduction of Joseph (Gen. 37)

A new story develops about Jacob's 11th son, Joseph. It's recorded when he was seventeen years old Joseph was feeding the flock with some of his brothers (who were the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah) and brought a bad report of them to Jacob (37:2). What the 'bad report' was is not entirely clear, but it was said his brothers "hated him and could not speak peaceably to him." (37:4) because, "Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors." (37:3). Not a good way to start off an introduction to a story!

> Joseph and His Prophetic Dreams (Gen. 37)

The saga of Joseph begins with two separate dreams he enlightened his father and his brothers about. The first vision: "There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf." (37:7). The second vision: "Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, “Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me." (37:9). Both dreams were similar and caused more discontent among the brothers. While Jacob rebuked his son for sharing such a dream with the family, although he secretly mused upon what Joseph had said (37:11), the dreams only caused more tension between Joseph and his brothers. 

> Joseph Sold By His Brothers (37)  

When Jacob sent Joseph to check on his brothers, whom were keeping watch over the flock in Shechem, he would not know it would be the last time he would see him [for many years to come]. Israel had told him, "Please go and see if it is well with your brothers and well with the flocks, and bring back word to me." So he sent him out of the Valley of Hebron, and he went to Shechem." (37:14). On his journey to Shechem, a man stopped and asked what Joseph was seeking, unto which he replied, "I am seeking my brothers." (37:16). The unnamed man led him in the correct direction (37:17), then completely vanished from the story. As Joseph neared the site where his brethen were tending the flock, his brothers began conspiring how to kill him, except for Reuben. "And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit which is in the wilderness, and do not lay a hand on him”—that he might deliver him out of their hands, and bring him back to his father." (37:22). The brothers agreed to the plan and stripped Joseph of his colorful tunic and threw him into the pit (37:23-24). While eating a meal, the brothers noticed a band of Ishmaelites travelling towards Egypt and the fourth born brother, Judah, suggested a different course of action by selling their brother to these [Midianite] traders (37:27). And that's exactly what they did (37:28). The horrid story they concocted for their father was very convincing and Jacob/Israel mourned exceedingly over the loss of his son, Joseph (37:33-35).  

> Judah and Tamar (Gen. 38)  

The next story that evolves concerns Jacob's fourth son, Judah. It is recorded that he married a Canaanite woman named Shua (38:2) and bore Judah three sons: Er, Onan and Shelah (38:3-5). Then the story jumps ahead 20+ years and we learn, "Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar." (38:6). But the Creator found Er to be a wicked man and killed him (38:7). When Judah went to Onan and replied, "Go in to your brother’s wife and marry her, and raise up an heir to your brother." (38:8), Onan was not happy with these turn of events and displeased the God of Abraham, when he let his seed fall unto the ground instead letting it make entrance into the womb. God killed him, too. (38:9-10). With only one son left to marry Tamar, who was still yet a child, she spent the next few years as a 'widow in her father's house' (38:11). Upon Shelah growing up and Tamar not being wed to him yet, she worried that Judah would find him another wife, so she concocted a plan so she would always be able to abide in her father-in-law's household (38:13-14). Disguising herself, Judah was tricked into believing Tamar was a harlot and had sexual relations with her. (38:15-16). They had agreed the price of the liaison would be a young goat, to which Judah sent to her a few days later, only the favoring gift was not received because they could not find the young woman (38:22-23). When Judah discovered it was Tamar that played the harlot, he was incensed and called for her to be burned at the stake (38:24). Upon discovering that she was with his child, Judah changed his mind. "So Judah acknowledged them and said, “She has been more righteous than I, because I did not give her to Shelah my son.” And he never knew her again." (38:26). Judah and Tamar had twin sons who were named Perez and Zerah.

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