Week 2 begins with Abraham’s second marriage, to a woman named Keturah. Sarah died at the age of 127; Abraham was 137 when she died. We do not know how long Abraham was married to Keturah, but she bore him 6 children, and when Abraham was 175, he died.
We then examine the life of Isaac, who reminds me of the second book of a trilogy. He serves mainly as a bridge between Abraham and Jacob. Not many important things happen to Isaac, and three chapters after Isaac is married we are following his son Jacob.
Side note: It is interesting to me that several time in Genesis God chooses to work through the younger son. Adam and Eve’s youngest son is Seth, the head of the line which leads to Noah. Abraham’s younger son Isaac is the one chosen to fulfill the promise, along with Isaac’s younger son Jacob. Jacob’s younger son Judah is the one from whom Jesus can trace His line.
On with the story: In Genesis 29, Jacob gets married—twice—to sisters. Note: this is not a good idea. I love my sisters, and I love my husband, but, um…no. Talk about sibling rivalry! Then Leah, the wife Jacob didn’t love, keeps having children, which adds fuel to the fire. Throw in a couple of maids to act as extra wives and you have a disaster of epic proportions. Read chapters 29-30 carefully, noting what the boys’ names mean: “Because I am unloved,” “Maybe he will love me now,” “God has vindicated me,” “I have prevailed against my sister.” These meanings are painful to read!
In chapter 32, Jacob leaves his unpleasant father-in-law and returns to his brother, whom he fears. Jacob wrestles with a figure who is hard to identify. Genesis used the phrase “a man wrestled with him.” The stranger himself said, “You have wrestled with God (using the name Elohim) and with men.” Then the stranger refused to divulge his name. Jacob claimed that he had seen God—Elohim again—face to face. (Other verses in the books of prophecy will help us further identify this character. We will refer back to him when we get there.) Fortunately, Jacob and Esau were able to reconcile.
Meanwhile, Dinah, Jacob’s only (named) daughter, is taken—in more ways than one—by a prince of the local land. He said he wanted to marry her, and her brothers said that he could marry her, if he and all the men of the city would be circumcised. However, Jacob’s sons attacked the city and killed all the men while they were in too much pain to defend themselves. So much for peace!
In chapter 35, God changes Jacob’s name to Israel. This is especially important considering that Jacob means “deceiver” and Israel means “Prince with God.” In doing this, God establishes the family, the line, and even the nation of Israel.
In chapter 37 we will pick up Joseph’s story, which we will follow through the rest of Genesis. These stories are familiar and enjoyable, I hope. Genesis is a fun book—I’m glad we begin with these stories! Next week I’ll write about the end of Genesis and the beginning of Job, explaining why we are reading Job now instead of reading it with the Psalms and Proverbs where it “belongs.” See you soon!
Laura J
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