Sunday, January 14, 2007

Jacob made me cry.

I'm going through The Bible in 90 Days with a sweet online group of ladies. Yesterday I finished Genesis. First a comment on Jacob.

Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery, Jacob, the father, thinks he's dead, there's a famine in the land, and now the older brothers come back from Egypt, telling Jacob that the man in charge of the food wants them to return with the youngest brother, after keeping Simeon (another of the brothers). Listen to what Jacob cries: "...Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: ALL THESE THINGS ARE AGAINST ME." (Caps mine.) --Genesis 42:36. In the times I've read this story, I usually cry when Joseph sees his brothers (coming up), they don't recognize him, and he has to leave to cry. But this time, upon reading THIS, I cried. Poor Jacob! I cried because I KNOW THE END OF THE STORY! This appears to be the very WORST thing that could happen to him--he must be ready to give up and die. BUT GOD is working behind the scenes, and all these things are working together for Jacob's good!

What was last year like for you? For us, we went through THE most difficult trial of our Christian lives. I felt like Jacob--All these things are against me! Against us! BUT GOD knows the end of the story from the beginning, and He IS working behind the scenes, and all these things are working together for OUR good. Linda, take heart! If we could know the end, I'm sure we would laugh with joy and wonder. And cry with amazement. How great is our God! "O for grace to trust Him more."

The high temperature has not been up to 30 the past three days, and we are iced in. I'm enjoying my Blogfest! AND my husband!

6 comments:

Christy said...

I love you. And I love the new look of your blog.

It was indeed a trying year. And for me personally, in many other ways. But it is wonderful to know that God is in control of it all. I'm so thankful for the growth He's given through all of this.

Thank you for your friendship. :)

sarahdodson said...

This past year was probably one of my saddest year yet, and also the year with the most joy (Mikayla's birth). It's wonderful to see God working things together for good to them who know Him, and are the called according to his purpose.

I do feel for Jacob. Boy, I LOVE the story of Joseph. When he saw his brothers, he wept a LOT. What a dear man, as is MY Joseph:)

Linda said...

A beautiful post Vivi. Thank you so much for thinking of me. If I didn't believe with all my heart that God was in control of all of this I would be buried in dispair. He has asked me to trust Him - and I am trying my best to do that. Some days it's easy, sometimes I take my eyes off Him and it all comes crashing down.
Thanks for your comment and this wise post. I pray that for both of us - we will know His peace and His presence.

Grace said...

hi there mama. sorry i didn't comment on all of the posts but i'm about to go jump back into bed. didn't get much sleep last night. love the new look! it's beautiful. fit for a queen so it's perfect for you. and thanks for putting pictures of such great times had without me. at least sarah put a picture of me on hers to make me feel included:( well, i love you and call me after my nap. is dad off today? i thought he said he was but i'm not sure. love you.

Rebekah said...

Wow, blogfest indeed!!! I was surprised to see so many entries, but it was fun to catch up. I also love the new look...very cool!
I'm glad you're finding lots to do to stay busy while being iced in.
I love the story of Jacob and Joseph. Jacob's life is a great encouragement to me. He failed so many times, but the Lord was so gracious. As you said, working behind the scenes to have all things glorify HIM!!!
It's definitely been one of the most trying years I've ever experienced, but I'm still confident that my God is working these things out and will bring us all to the other side of these difficulties! Praise His name that HE is in control, and I don't have to figure it all out or have an answer to every "Why"!

Mike and Misty said...

What great peace to know the Lord is in control from the beginning to the end. Love you