Thursday, January 22, 2009

Day 22 Children and Judah, the "lions cub"

Gen 43
We have seen the struggles with barrenness through the lives of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; the line that is promised would become as plentiful as the sand on the seashore. We have seen how Jacob was protective of the young animals and children alike and later to prize the younger children Joseph and then Benjamin.

Judah also takes a strong hand in being the protector young, with Joseph, he persuaded his brothers to sell Joseph rather than kill him Gen37:26. In Gen 38 having had two sons killed by God due to their wickedness, he is reluctant to give his youngest son to Tamar in case harm befalls him as well. He does have two more sons Perez and Zerah but no more. I imagine the deaths of two sons, and the public rebuke via Tamar produced a timidity or maybe a humility that was rare in those days.

Now we see him as the guardian of Benjamin as he goes to Egypt and the anguish he expresses to Joseph if he has to return to his father without Benjamin.

His is the voice of reason, persuasion, passionate in overseeing the young and careful with the heart of an aged parent. His is the better blessing we see later in Gen 49. His brothers will praise him,(if they had their way with Joseph they would have perished in the famine).He is the "lion's cub" and his scepter is the place holder for the future "Lion of Judah" Gen 49 V10.

"the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands". Isa 32v8
I wonder what our blessing would look like based on people's experience of us so far? My name means "God is Gracious" my prayer is that I live that description daily. Siobhan

4 comments:

  1. My name means peace from the white meadow. I also want my life to reflect that name God has given me.

    In this story of Joseph, we see God change Joseph from an egotistical brat to a patient servant of God. We see Judah changed from an angry jealous brother to one who is willing to give up his life for his brother.

    God is able to heal people from both sides of a relationship.
    Shirley Fay

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  2. Girls I don't think my name will work for me! Diana means divine, lumineus, perfect or there was a Greek goddess Arthmis who was noted for beauty and swiftness huntress or something. Hum I think mom and dad just liked the name and did not look up the meaning. What does a person do with that? LOL

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  3. Diana, remember we are partakers of the divine nature! 2 Pet 1:4 "Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires".
    "Rock on Sista' as Declan would say!
    Siobhan

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