The Joy of Genealogy

Good Morning Girls

I got up this morning to "post" my post and it is GONE! I have no idea what happened. I on my knees at the moment fixing to start my prayer time then in a rush to get everyone where they are supposed to be.

Please forgive the lateness. Check back later and I promise I will have the post up. Satan is trying to rattle my cage and upset my day but I will not let that happen.

See you later.
I am back and know what happened. I made the post on another blog where I have writing privileges. Yesterday must have been busier than I realized. Thanks for grace.

I have to tell you that today's reading was not very exciting of me. I thought, "Lord, what do I write about a bunch of 'sons of'?" What is the purpose of us reading the genealogy of Esau? Were you all thinking the same thing?

As I read through some commentaries I found the reason. Moses, the writer of Genesis wanted us to recount the fulfilled blessing of Esau. Do you remember in the reading on January 9 about the birthright being stolen from Esau? Do you remember the heart-wrenching plea Esau cried out to his father? I shutter every time I read it.

Esau pleaded, "Not one blessing left for me? Oh, my father, bless me, too. Then Esau broke down and wept. His father, Issac, said to him, "You will live off the land and what it yields and you will live by your sword." (Genesis 27:39-40b)

According to the commentaries, Moses recorded this nugget of information to show that God fulfilled Issac's blessing to his son. Esau did become very wealthy from what the land yielded. If you recall, he turned down Jacob's bribes. This genealogy shows that his sons became dukes or leaders in the armies, thus fulfilling "live by the sword." It was also pointed out the lists of "sons of" showed the intermarried of the Canaanites and the Edomnites. The Canaanites are descendants of Ham. Ham was basically cursed not blessed by his father Noah for the shame he caused Noah when he saw Noah naked.

During all the success of Esau what was Jacob doing? He obeyed his father and went to Paddan-Aram to find a wife. He worked for Laban as a shepherd and for the women of his dreams. Esau received his blessing. Maybe I like genealogy after all.

If you have some extra time read Henry's thoughts.

Putting it in reverse for a minute, a reader asked a question about the significance of the mandrakes in 29:14-16. I did some research and found it very interesting. Mandrakes are more than just a plant from the Bible. Mandrakes

Have a great day girls. I love looking at the my map. If you have missed days, don't let the enemy get a stronghold on you about it. Pick up the Good Book and keep reading. Make up the missed reading if you can, if not, keep reading.