This is the Story of Us All

Scripture: This is the story of the family of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers; he was a helper to the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. Genesis 37:2

Observation: This section of Genesis begins by saying that Jacob settles in Canaan, then has this simple line, 'this is the story of the family of Jacob.' Immediately, the story is about ... Joseph. To the extent anyone else appears, they are doing wrong but always in the context of Joseph's actions. First, Joseph is helping the four sons of the servant wives and is required to report them. Then the family reacts poorly to Joseph's prayers. Then the brothers plot against Joseph when he comes to check on them.

Indeed, this is the story of the family of Jacob ... people who react with anger and jealousy about one another. Every thought is a plot. Even good ideas - like Reuben planning to save Joseph - is a plot to win back good favor with his father. The sons are angry even when told about prophetic dreams in which someone else may be considered greater than themselves.

Jacob is Israel, so declaring this the story of Jacob's family means this is the story of Israel. And indeed the traits we see in the brothers reflect traits we see in all people, both in the history of Israel to come, and in the history of mankind still being played out.

Application: There is a literary technique where an author tells the reader "this is the story I'm about to tell" and immediately appears to tell a different story. The reader is to keep in mind the original intent stated by the author, for a larger point is likely being made that relates to that intent. In Genesis, the writer says he is about tell of the family of Jacob (Israel), and immediately tells the story of Josheph. And the point is that all along, all of this is actually the story of Israel; how personalities and attitudes and actions related to anger, hate, laziness, deception, arrogance, jealousy, pride, cunning ... drive their national narrative.

And these traits drive the narrative of mankind, and of me. There are certainly days where every single of these traits could be applied to something I have done that day. Some of these define major elements of my personality.

This is the story of Jacob/Israel, which by the covenant with Abraham became God's chosen people, which by the covenant of Jesus Christ is now all mankind. This story of bad actors who are eventually saved by one faithful person - who was thought dead but is alive - is the story of us all.

Prayer: Lord, I see my bad behavior in the sons of Jacob. Certainly Jesus could bring a bad report about me, and yet he does not. Instead, he covers my sins and gives me new hope every day. Thank you for your salvation and mercy and love. May I strive to be more than the status quo of mankind, and do your will wherever you have me serve today. Amen.