Read Gen. 46:1-11
Jacob begins his journey to see Joseph who has gone ahead to prepare a place for them to live free of want and starvation. He comes to Beersheba, the place where they have buried some of the “greats” of the Old Testament. It is a portal to God also. As he is there God speaks to him and assures him that he is leading him into Egypt and he will be with him there. But one day, he will lead him back out. He tells him that it will be Joseph that will close his eyes when it is time for him to die. So Jacob believed God and took all of his off-spring with him and traveled to Egypt.
Next we have the list of the tribes of Israel and their offspring. If you look up the meanings of the names you will find a thumbnail sketch of history from the beginning of time. Since the Hebrews had little written down they remembered their history through songs and stories. God gave them names to help them remember things. It would take days to go through the whole list but I’ll highlight a few so you can see. The first son is Rueben. His name means “see a son”. His son’s names mean “initiated or dedicated”, “distinguished or wonderful”, “enclosed courtyard”, and “gardener/my vineyard”. Adam was God’s first son on earth. He was dedicated to him and truly wonderful in every way. He was placed in a garden and told to be the gardener. The next son is Simeon whose name means “hearing”. His son’s names’ mean “he will be made slumber of God”, “the right hand”, “to be united”, “he shouted”, “he will be established”, “whiteness”, and “asked for”. Adam met God everyday and walked with him. He listened as God talked to him and told him about life. God put him to sleep so he could bring him a wife that would be his “right hand”. They were to be united in spirit. When he saw her he shouted for joy and they were established as man and wife. They walked in righteousness. They had everything they could ask for. But Eve wanted more. The next son was Levi. His name means “attached”. His first son’s name means “outcast”, the next: “to ally oneself” and the last means “bitter”. Eve attached herself to the forbidden tree and just couldn’t seem to tear herself away. She needed to know what was so bad about that tree. The “outcast angel”, the devil, came to ally himself to her in the form of a beautiful serpent. Through his deception he brought bitterness and sin to the world.
Lord, you are so amazing beyond our comprehension and your ways are so beyond us. Teach us to understand you better and draw us.
3 comments:
Wow. Makes me wonder when people stopped putting so much thought and meaning into naming their children. Nowadays it's mostly about what sounds cool. My husband and I almost did that, but then found that "Jack" means God is gracious. It's been the perfect name for our son. Thanks for all this eye-opening insight this morning!
Reading your post reminded me of a prophecy our son Caleb got years ago. The man said that he, like the Caleb in the Bible, would redeem the land. He would walk around land that no one thought was good and pray over it and it would become profitable land. Right now he is a land man and he had asked me to pray that they would find oil where he has been leasing because if they don't they will have to move. I called him today and asked him if he would be going to that land today and he said he would. I reminded him what the prophet said and told him to go pray over the land. He had forgotten that word but was going to do it! So, thanks for reminding me of that!
So awesome. I love envisioning your son out in a sunny field, lifting his requests to the One who hears. What a testimony to others!
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