Hinge verse: Genesis 31:42
Genesis 25 records the birth of Jacob and Esau, twins born to Isaac and Rebekah, grandsons of Abraham and Sarah. Jacob is born after Esau, grasping Esau's heel with his hand. The circumstances of his birth is reflected in his name, which means "the deceiver". Years later, after a great deception of his own father, Jacob is sent to his mother's family to find a wife from among them. While there, the deceiver is deceived and finds himself with not one but two wives. Nevertheless, God blesses Jacob and everything he touches turns to success. Jacob's cousins/brothers-in-law are livid, and they turn their father, Laban, against Jacob. So Jacob---at God's command--- gathers his wives and his children, all his livestock and possessions, and flees back home to his father. When Laban realizes they've left, he gathers HIS relatives, chases Jacob down and confronts him. Rachel, Jacob's second wife, lives up to her married name and deceives her father by stealing and hiding his household gods. Jacob turns the tables on Laban's accusations and brings up every wrong treatment of the past twenty years. (I mean, that's kinda my trademark move, too. 😕) In spite of all the mistreatment, Jacob can look back and see the hand of God taking his affliction and hard work, and using it for good for his future. When Laban and Jacob build a heap as a witness, Laban calls on the God of Abraham and also the gods of Nahor, but Jacob is single-minded in his worship to God alone. Along the way home, Jacob meets God and wrestles with Him (!!) God changes Jacob's name to Israel because he has struggled with God and with men and prevailed. Jacob/Israel's family struggle is an emotional roller coaster from then and still today, Jacob's picture is hanging in the "Hall of Faith" of Hebrews 11. Jacob in the Hall of Faith
In the 1600s a baby girl was born to native Americans and named Matoaka, which means "willful child". She later was given the nickname Pocahontas, which means "little mischief". Pocahontas was a member of the Powhatan people, who lived in the same settlement as the Reverend Robert Hunt we learned about yesterday. Pocahontas was considered royalty as the daughter of the chief (by the colonists, not among her own culture). As a result of hostilities between the colonists and the Powhatan people, Matoaka/Pocahontas was kidnapped in 1613 and held hostage. While in captivity, she was taught the Christian faith and converted to Christianity. Upon her conversion to Christianity, she changed her name to Rebecca. One year later, her marriage to John Rolfe brought peace, temporarily at least, between her people and the settlers. The oldest known portrait of her hangs in the office of the Secretary of the Senate, where she is identified by her Christian name, Princess Rebecca. Princess Rebecca
But God...His Name in verse 42 is Elohim, singular yet plural. One God with many attributes. Eternal, faithful, good, gracious, holy, just, sovereign, wise....He heard His children then, He hears His children now. He is the same God. He is the same God.
No comments:
Post a Comment