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My Three Sons

This is not about: Chip, Robbie or Mike. It isn't that nice of a dysfunctional family. But how about these names: “See, a son”, “One who hears”, “Attached” and “Praise”. Oh wait, that is four names.

Again I return to the strange family chosen to birth the nation of Israel. Theirs is a sad story. Jacob is fooled into “marrying” Leah, the older, uglier daughter of uncle Laban. He was such a nice uncle. He always looked out for... number one.

You know the story, right? Jacob fell in love at first sight with Rachel. He decided to accept Laban’s offer of working for seven little years to earn her as his wife. Those years passed SO fast that he almost didn't notice them.

Then came the big wedding night. Finally it was payday. But early the next morning, there was Leah! Can you imagine his surprise as he sees his beauty for the first time with her veil removed. Her crossed eyes looking in two different directions. It was jaw dropping fun. I am sure that there was shock, sadness and thoughts of suicide. That may be a stretch but it might have passed through both of their minds.

As each of Leah’s sons were born she named them to reflect her despair. Her sons were signs of God’s blessing  and to prove it God had shut Rachel’s womb. The situation would get even more complicated as the wives began to give him their maidens to procreate.

It appears to be a grand mess of a family when the baby making dust settles. This “family” becomes the basis of the nation Israel. Can you imagine the astonishment on the faces of the people who ended up reading this story in the Sinai desert. Two million escaped slaves were reading their history.

It was a dark history. A strange love story. There was not much love lost between family members but continued love shown by God. Love demonstrated by mercy and faithfulness to his promise to Abraham. All of the sin and strangeness had its consequences, like 400 years of the above mentioned slavery for example. Yet in and through it all God was working His plan.

Never give up hope my friend no matter how complicated your story. If you are breathing God can help you. He is at work, he loves you and he has a plan. Best of all it is a good plan.
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