The Patriarchs

This was a post I posted to our church's Bible-reading blog (here). I have been reflecting on the story of the Patriarchs and heard someone make a comment about how depressing it was to read the stories of these dysfunctional people. I realized that so many times the only way we know to read the stories of people's lives are as examples to either imitate or avoid. But the story of the Patriarchs is so much more than that.

Some times it's difficult to see the forest for the trees and the same is true when reading the Bible. Take the Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob), for instance. While each of them display some admirable qualities, they also display some qualities that are less than exemplary:) Among other things, all of them are truth-challenged and none of their families seem to be quite...functional. So let me offer you a bigger-picture way to look at the Patriarchs.

The story of the patriarchs is a story of providence. The Bible records the family line of God's promise, showing why some where chosen and others were not. Abraham's promise was passed on Isaac, not Ishmael, even though Ishmael was his first born son (according to ancient custom, if a man did not have an heir by his wife, he could take one of his son's through a concubine to pass on his family's inheritance--in other words, Ishmael was a legitimate option). Then Isaac has two sons, Esau and Jacob. Although Esau was the clear choice because he was older, God did not choose Esau (what sort of person sells his birth-right for the soup du jour?). And then Jacob has a passel of children, the oldest of which was Reuben (not the sandwich), then Simeon, Levi, Judah, and so on, down to Joseph and Benjamin. You might think the line of Levi would be chosen to continue God's promise, but no. Then you might think Joseph would be the line of God's promise. Wrong again. Judah was chosen, the fourth son and someone with his own issues.

But through the ups and downs of this family--through their brokeness and triumph--God raised up a family who eventually gave birth to King David, and then after King David, our Lord, Jesus (thus the phrase, "the Lion of Judah"). Yes, the story of the Patriarchs is a story of providence--God's ability and resolve to work out his plan of salvation in the midst of the drama of our lives. As you read the story of the Patriarchs, take comfort in the fact that God can and does work his redemptive plans in the midst of broken people, as long as those broken people are willing to put their trust in him.

Happy reading!