As the events of the world rapidly unfold, we ask, "What time is it?"

As I awoke this morning, something that I read in the news yesterday came to mind, as I was preparing to pray and meditate to begin the new day. Normally I would be preparing to meet with our Intercessory Prayer team, known as “Issachar.” We take our name from the Old Testament passage which makes reference to the descendents of on the 12 Tribes of Israel:

I Chronicles 12:32

 ³²And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.

Certainly we have all been trying to understand more fully the critical times in which we live. One of the news headlines that came up as I turned on my laptop one of the news headlines caught my attention: World’s oldest man dies in Montana at 114. While Walter Breuning didn’t live to be as old as Methuselah, he was labeled as the “world’s oldest man,” nonetheless. Genesis 5:27 reveals that

And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died.

Controversy continues to arise regarding the timing of Methuselah’s death which some scholars believe occurred before the flood of Noah. In fact, according to Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible, it is believed that the 7-day period before the actual flood was a time of mourning for Methuselah.

Genesis 7:4

“For yet seven days, and I shall cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights…”

In a similar manner, the death of the world’s oldest man, a type of Methuselah, could be seen as a sign that we are living in “the last and evil days.”

Believers are of course mindful of the passage related to the Return of Jesus Christ in Matthew 24:37-39:

³⁷But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

 ³⁸For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

 ³⁹And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

When you couple the death of the world’s oldest man with the impending Royal Wedding, it brings to mind a saying heard as a child when members of the older generation would remark: “Time ain’t as long as it use to be.” That expression is the found its way into one of my vernacular poems, this blues piece:                          

Time Ain’t Long   

 (One Mo Blues Sonnet)

Say, Brother, “What in the world is going on?”

Say, Sister, “What in the world is going on?”

Seem like the love of God has long since up and gone.

Folks betraying ones they love, committing all sorts of crimes.

Folks betraying ones they love, committing all sorts of crimes.

The Bible says there show shall come perilous times.

Rather than receive a blessing, some folk take a curse.

Rather than receive a blessing, some folk take a curse.

Men and women show is waxing worse and worse.

Seem like folk enjoy flaunting they downright ugly ways.

Seem like folk enjoy flaunting they downright ugly ways.

These just gotta be the last and evil days.

So, I been thinking hard and it seems to me,

No, time ain’t nearly long as it use to be.

From Stone upon Stone: Psalms of Remembrance

While there is foreboding feeling of darkness and heaviness, a sense of “impending doom” that is trying to engulf the world, there is also a striking, contrasting feeling of anticipation, a sense of “impending good”, which I describe in another vernacular poem that sums up the essence of what is transpiring in the world:

Sump’n’ bout to Happen

For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth

in pain together until now.

And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits     

of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves,

waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

Romans 8:22-23

My stomach is a growlin; there’s a rumblin in my soul.

Good things keep on happenin, and now I’m on a roll,

Like I been workin in the mines and nearly bout to strike some gold;

I been pressin toward the mark, and I’m bout to reach my goal.

Yes, Siree Bob, Look out now! I tell you Cap’n,

I don’t know what it is but sump’n bout to happen!

My heart is beatin fast, and my palms is startin to itch.

Watch out good people, I’m bout to strike it rich.

With bases loaded, all I need is one good pitch.

Yes, Siree Bob, Look out now! I tell you Cap’n.

I’m lookin like a winner—aint no way I can fail

Cause I pulled two lucky cards: “Collect $200” and “Don’t go to jail.”

And I just can’t wait to run right on home and check the mail.

I don’t know what it is but sump’n bout to happen!

I can’t figure it out, but somehow I just know

That God is good and I’m movin and groovin in the flow.

Some folks want me to hang aroun, but I just got to go.

Yes, Siree Bob, Look out now! I tell you Cap’n.

Everything is comin together just like someday I knowed it would.

I got this funny kinda feelin and it show nuff feels good.

I’m tryin to make you feel it too—Oh, how I wish I could.

I don’t know what it is but sump’n bout to happen! 

It’s more than a woozy kinda feelin I’m trying to convey.

Yall may think I’m crazy, but I don’t care what yall say.

I’m like a little boy who can’t wait to greet each new day:

I can’t rightly describe it, but somethin great is on the way.

Yes, Siree Bob, Look out now! I tell you Cap’n,

I don’t know what it is but sump’n bout to happen!

Years ago  I recall from watching Oral Roberts whose television show opened with the Oral Roberts University Singers who reminded viewers that something “Something Good is Going to Happen.”

The Bill Gaither Trio sings “Something Good,” expressing the same sentiment, as we reflect upon the times and seasons in which we live.

THE FAMINE have released The Architects Of Guilt.  Go buy it… NOW

IN THE MIDST OF LIONS and YOUR MEMORIAL are heading out on tour.  DATES

ISSACHAR have recorded some new tunes for you all to jam.  LISTEN

BLOODLINE SEVERED have released a new song from their upcoming album.  LISTEN

EMBRACING GOODBYE are entering the studio next week to record their sophomore album.

EMERY has announced that they are signing with Solid State Records.

Preparing to leave, Jacob does a deal with Laban for the wages for his work over the years: Jacob would take all the striped and speckled cattle, sheep and goats from Laban’s flocks and Laban would keep the rest. Never one to act in good faith, Jacob then operates a bizarre scheme where he selectively breeds the best stock to be speckled and striped by getting the strongest animals to mate near a load of part-stripped sticks. I’ll have to read up on some interpretations of this some time to see if anyone else knows how this would work…

1. Reuben v 3-4
2 Simon v 5-7
3. Levi v 5-7
4. Judah v 8-12
5. Zebulun v 13
6. Issachar v 14-15
7. Dan v 16-18
8. Gad v 19
9. Asher v 20
10. Naphtali v 21
11 Joseph v 22-26
12 Benjamin v 27

They are literally the sons of Israel – since Jacob had been renamed Israel when he wrestled with God.

I wanted to take a moment to let you know how incredible you all are for being such devoted readers. I know that sometimes its easy to get distracted by the day to day life that one lives. One of the most important things we can do as followers of Christ is to stay committed and devoted to the things the Lord puts in our hearts to accomplish.

Yesterday I was unable to actually write about the reading however still to this day I have not missed a day of reading. If you find yourself trapped in a situation where it may be late in the night, your day has been consumed, and you have not been able to read the scriptures then as I have come to realize myself, perhaps its time to reprioritize my life.

What is important to you?

Is your spiritual walk more important or everything else in the world? I think sometimes its very easy to let the world and its worldly things keep us from seeking our eternal promises. I have realized that there is nothing on this earth, no Job, no business, no cash flow, no home, no car, or anything else that should be put priority over seeking a relationship with Jesus Christ.

See things in the world go away, but eternal life never ends. God Said in John 3:16 "Who so ever shall believe in him, shall not perish but have eternal life"

However does your car, your house, your home theatre system offer you anything even close? So why do we find ourselves putting the worldly things that offer us nothing priority over our Lord Jesus Christ & God himself?

I found yesterday was a learning experience in just this area. I have made a commitment to God and to you to read the scripture and write this 364 day Journey and yet it was 3:45 am in the morning, my brain and my body was tired, and I could not focus on writing. I had let myself get taken by the day and the worlds control and thus I didn’t write yesterday’s post. So readers I say this after experiencing the burden of not completing something God has put before you. So as I have agreed with God I shall put him before the world as he is the one creator that designed it all. So next time you find yourself struggling for time, step back, look at the calendar, and think to yourself are those things more important than my growing relationship with God?

So with this We are going to continue into Genesis Chapter 29 & 30 for review.

Genesis Chapter 29

In this chapter it talks about Jacob’s encounter with Rachel the son of Laban his mothers brother. Jacob one day comes across a well and this well waters flocks of sheep and cattle. What he did not realize until he came across a few folks was that the Sheep in which drank from this well was maintained by the Shepardess Rachel, the daughter of Laban; his mothers brother.

Jacob was taken by how beautiful Rachel was and in this moment he had kissed her and told her of who he was. She instantly ran to her father to tell of her account with Jacob and out of excitement Laban ran and gathered Jacob and brought him to his house. Jacob was so in love with Rachel and wanted to be with her. Laban had told Jacob that he was family and for this he shall pay him wages for doing work around the land.

Jacob had absolutely no interest in money, for his eyes were on the beautiful Rachel. Rachel had won Jacob’s love in every way. So he made an agreement that he would work for the hand of Rachel. If you don’t know the term "Hand of" it means to marry. So Laban had agreed to this and told him that if will labor for 7 years he would give his Daughters hand in marriage to Jacob. And as it would pass Jacob did so without regret and labored the full 7 years.

Here is the twist; finally after 7 years the moment had come to have call forth Rachel so he could make love to her and take her as his wife. So in the darkness of the night Laban had called forth Leah and decieved Jacob by sending her into his room. So Jacob made love to her not aware in the dark that it was actually Leah. When it was discovered that Laban had deceived Jacob, Jacob then confronted him furious because of this Deception. Labans reasoning was that in his country a father cannot give away his youngest daughter until the oldest was first married.

Laban made an offer that he labor yet another 7 years for his oldest and so he did and married both Leah and Rachel. Though as the bible tells us, Jacob loved Rachel more then Leah and so Leah had remained unloved. God knew that she felt unloved and alone and so he made her fruitful in her womb and made it so she would multiply Jacob’s descendants while Rachel’s womb remain barren. The four children of Leah & Jacob and her thoughts with each are as follows:

1. Reuben (the first born) – Leah thought "The Lord surely looked on my affliction, now therefore, my husband will love me"
2. Simeon (Second born) – Leah thought "Because the Lord has heard that I am unloved, he has therefore given me this son also"
3. Levi (third born) – Leah thought "Now this time my husband will become attached to me because i have borne him three sons"
4. Judah (fourth born) – Leah thought "Now I will praise the Lord." and thus she named him Judah

This continues into the next chapter… To be continued…

Genesis Chapter 30

Continuation…

In the continuation of the chapter it gets really heated up. Rachel was jealous of her sister Leah for she was barren and could not have children. Out of Jealousy she offered up her Maid to Jacob so that her maid would bear children in her name. Jacob then as she wished took the maid as his wife, and she bore 2 children for Rachel. The son’s of Rachel & Billah was named Dan & Naphtali.

Leah was upset that she had stopped conceiving and that her sister had then given two children to Jacob, so out of this deep competitive desire she to gave her maid to Jacob so that she would bear children for Jacob. Out of this two more children were born (Gad & Asher).

I have to say from reading these chapters it is amazing how competitive these two ladies had become. It almost seemed as if it no longer was about Jacob but out of a feeling of importance none the less. You know even to this day peoples deep desire to feel important is the driving force behind so much. People out of their need for this feeling of importance have even gone as far as murder.

You want to talk about how crazy things got between the three of them. The bible tells us that one day Reuben the son of Leah was out of the field and found Mandrakes and brought them home to Leah. Rachel seeing that he had mandrakes asked if she could share them. Leah responded in a very selfish way and said "Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? would you take away my son’s mandrakes as well?"

It seems to me that out of Jealousy also arose this selfish "Me" persona. This is when things really heat up! Rachel then tells her that if she shares the Mandrakes that she can have Jacob for the night. Wow, really can you imagine your wife putting such a low price on you. She actually bargained off her husband for food. So Leah met him in the field and as it followed Jacob lay with her that night and Leah once again bore a son which is the fifth son named Issachar. Wait, folks it didn’t stop there she had a sixth son named Zebulan. It didn’t end there she also bore a daughter from Jacob named Dinah. So on accounts she had a total of 7 children from Jacob.

God didn’t forget about Rachel and did not want to leave her barren and without children of her own so God had opened her womb as he had for women before and allowed her a son and they named him Joseph.

So to wrap up this chapter he went before Laban and asked him to release them so that he may take his wives and children and return to the house of his father. I can see the restrain in the word as it seemed that Laban did not want to let Jacob go. He had become greatly prosperous because of him and was afraid to let him go. He even offered him a great wage in return for him remaining with Laban, but Jacob persisted. He then request a certain of Laban’s flock as payment.

Out of this Jacob became exceedingly prosperous yet Laban began to fail with his remaining flocks. And so the story continues in the next chapter..

Review Summary

Wow where to start on a review. Talk about a wild ride through scripture. First Jacob falls in love, get deceived, ends up taking a wife he didn’t want, gets forced to work more years then planned, and has a dozen plus kids, and gets has to deal with a high level of drama and intensity at home with his family, and then gets put in an awkward position at the end with his dealings with Laban.

So folks if you are one that struggles with reading scripture, how much intensity do you need for something to be interesting to you. If you like chaos, drama, and all this other stuff you get out of novel’s then you should definitely read scripture!

Folks thank you for being a part of this growing vision. I know without a doubt that God will bless what he has put in my heart to do, as I know if you listen to God he will bless you too.

God Bless,
Jeremiah Johnson
The Bible Project 364

1_CHRONICLES_7.1_FAMILY_of_ISSACHAR_.MP3 (2946 KB)

1 CHRONICLES 7 “FAMILY of ISSACHAR ; FAMILY of BENJAMIN; FAMILY of NAPHTALI; FAMILY of MANASSEH (west); FAMILY of EPHRAIM; FAMILY of ASHER; recorded for your spiritual enrichment by vanderKOK

The Family of Issachar
1 The sons of Issachar were Tola, Puah,[a] Jashub, and Shimron—four in all. 2 The sons of Tola were Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Jibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their father’s house. The sons of Tola were mighty men of valor in their generations; their number in the days of David was twenty-two thousand six hundred. 3 The son of Uzzi was Izrahiah, and the sons of Izrahiah were Michael, Obadiah, Joel, and Ishiah. All five of them were chief men. 4 And with them, by their generations, according to their fathers’ houses, were thirty-six thousand troops ready for war; for they had many wives and sons.
5 Now their brethren among all the families of Issachar were mighty men of valor, listed by their genealogies, eighty-seven thousand in all.
The Family of Benjamin

6 The sons of Benjamin were Bela, Becher, and Jediael—three in all. 7 The sons of Bela were Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri—five in all. They were heads of their fathers’ houses, and they were listed by their genealogies, twenty-two thousand and thirty-four mighty men of valor.
8 The sons of Becher were Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jerimoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth. All these are the sons of Becher. 9 And they were recorded by genealogy according to their generations, heads of their fathers’ houses, twenty thousand two hundred mighty men of valor. 10 The son of Jediael was Bilhan, and the sons of Bilhan were Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tharshish, and Ahishahar.
11 All these sons of Jediael were heads of their fathers’ houses; there were seventeen thousand two hundred mighty men of valor fit to go out for war and battle. 12 Shuppim and Huppim[b]were the sons of Ir, and Hushim was the son of Aher.
The Family of Naphtali

13 The sons of Naphtali were Jahziel,[c] Guni, Jezer, and Shallum,[d] the sons of Bilhah.
The Family of Manasseh (West)

14 The descendants of Manasseh: his Syrian concubine bore him Machir the father of Gilead, the father of Asriel.[e] 15 Machir took as his wife the sister of Huppim and Shuppim,[f] whose name was Maachah. The name of Gilead’s grandson[g]was Zelophehad,[h] but Zelophehad begot only daughters. 16 (Maachah the wife of Machir bore a son, and she called his name Peresh. The name of his brother was Sheresh, and his sons were Ulam and Rakem. 17 The son of Ulam was Bedan.) These were the descendants of Gilead the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh.
18 His sister Hammoleketh bore Ishhod, Abiezer, and Mahlah.
19 And the sons of Shemida were Ahian, Shechem, Likhi, and Aniam.
The Family of Ephraim

20 The sons of Ephraim were Shuthelah, Bered his son, Tahath his son, Eladah his son, Tahath his son, 21 Zabad his son, Shuthelah his son, and Ezer and Elead. The men of Gath who were born in that land killed them because they came down to take away their cattle. 22 Then Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brethren came to comfort him.
23 And when he went in to his wife, she conceived and bore a son; and he called his name Beriah,[i] because tragedy had come upon his house. 24 Now his daughter was Sheerah, who built Lower and Upper Beth Horon and Uzzen Sheerah; 25 and Rephah was his son, as well as Resheph, and Telah his son, Tahan his son, 26 Laadan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son, 27 Nun[j] his son, and Joshua his son.
28 Now their possessions and dwelling places were Bethel and its towns: to the east Naaran, to the west Gezer and its towns, and Shechem and its towns, as far as Ayyah[k] and its towns; 29 and by the borders of the children of Manasseh were Beth Shean and its towns, Taanach and its towns, Megiddo and its towns, Dor and its towns. In these dwelt the children of Joseph, the son of Israel.
The Family of Asher

30 The sons of Asher were Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and their sister Serah. 31 The sons of Beriah were Heber and Malchiel, who was the father of Birzaith.[l] 32 And Heber begot Japhlet, Shomer,[m] Hotham,[n] and their sister Shua. 33 The sons of Japhlet were Pasach, Bimhal, and Ashvath. These were the children of Japhlet. 34 The sons of Shemer were Ahi, Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram. 35 And the sons of his brother Helem were Zophah, Imna, Shelesh, and Amal. 36 The sons of Zophah were Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah, 37 Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Jithran,[o] and Beera. 38 The sons of Jether were Jephunneh, Pispah, and Ara. 39 The sons of Ulla were Arah, Haniel, and Rizia.
40 All these were the children of Asher, heads of their fathers’ houses, choice men, mighty men of valor, chief leaders. And they were recorded by genealogies among the army fit for battle; their number was twenty-six thousand.

Footnotes:
a.1 Chronicles 7:1 Spelled Puvah in Genesis 46:13
b.1 Chronicles 7:12 Called Hupham in Numbers 26:39
c.1 Chronicles 7:13 Spelled Jahzeel in Genesis 46:24
d.1 Chronicles 7:13 Spelled Shillem in Genesis 46:24
e.1 Chronicles 7:14 The son of Gilead (compare Numbers 26:30, 31)
f.1 Chronicles 7:15 Compare verse 12
g.1 Chronicles 7:15 Literally the second
h.1 Chronicles 7:15 Compare Numbers 26:30–33
i.1 Chronicles 7:23 Literally In Tragedy
j.1 Chronicles 7:27 Hebrew Non
k.1 Chronicles 7:28 Many Hebrew manuscripts, Bomberg, Septuagint, Targum, and Vulgate read Gazza.
l.1 Chronicles 7:31 Or Birzavith or Birzoth
m.1 Chronicles 7:32 Spelled Shemer in verse 34
n.1 Chronicles 7:32 Spelled Helem in verse 35
o.1 Chronicles 7:37 Spelled Jether in verse 38

It’s generally agreed that the twelve sons of Jacob has to do with the twelve signs of the zodiac, but there are many different views on how the sons, and the sons of Joseph who fathers two of the tribes, are distributed on the signs.

The homepage Meaning Life Center contains many interesting interpretations on the Old Testament, and especially A day in the life of a Jew is interesting in this connection.

The table shows the result of my work, and below the table follows my reasons and references.

	Fixed	Mutable	Cardinal
Air	Ephraim, Man Aquarius ♒ ♄,Asenath	Simeon Gemini ♊ ☿, Leah, Gerizim	Asher Libra ♎ ♀, Zilpah, Ebal
Fire	Judah, Lion Leo ♌ ☉, Leah, Gerizim	Naphtali Sagittarius ♐ ♃, Bilhah, Ebal	Gad Aries ♈ ♂, Zilpah, Ebal
Water	Dan, Eagle Scorpio ♏ ♂, Bilhah, Ebal	Manasseh Pisces ♓ ♃, Asenath	Issachar Cancer ♋ ☾, Leah, Gerizim
Earth	Reuben, Ox Taurus ♉ ♀, Leah	Zebulun Virgo ♍ ☿, Leah, Ebal	Benjamin Capricorn ♑ ♄, Rackel, Gerizim

Contains the names of the signs, the old ruling planet, the mountain, and the mother of the son.

Family Tree of the Sons of Jacob

The Mothers

There are five mothers, the two wifes of Jacob, and their handmaids, and the wife of Joseph:

Leah gave birth to six sons and Dinah.

Rachel’s handmaid, Bilhah, gave birth to Dan and Naphtali.

Leah’s handmaid, Zilpah, gave birth to Gad and Asher.

Rachel gave birth to Joseph, and, near Bethlehem, Benjamin.

Asenath, the Egyptian wife of Joseph, gave birth to Manasseh and Ephraim.

Canaan – the territory of the Tribes of Israel

Chart of Canaan with the Tribes of Israel

The Mountains

The tribes are split in two groups:

The tribes Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin were connected to Mount Gerizim, Mountain of Blessing, Deut 27:12.

The tribes of Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali were connected to Mount Ebal, Mountain of Cursing. Deut 27:13.

Four Quadrants

In astrology the Zodiac are split in four quadrants, with the initial four star signs as the centers of these, that is the Ox, Lion, Eagle, and Man. God places the twelve tribes in four groups, so my thesis is that these groups corresponds to the quadrants.

First quadrant, South:

With Reuben as Taurus, would pitch camp on the South, with Simeon and Gad. Second rank: Num2:16.

In the first quadrant, everything is seen from out of the ego.

Second quadrant, East:

Judah as Leo, would pitch camp on the East. With him would be the tribes of Issachar and Zebulun. First rank.

In the second quadrant, everything is seen from from the family or tribe..

Fourth quadrant, West:

Ephraim, son of Joseph, as Aquarius, would pitch on the West, with Manasseh, son of Joseph, and Benjamin. Third rank.

In the third quadant we have left the tribal and reached the national viewpoint.

Third quadrant, North:

Dan as Scorpio, would pitch on the North, with Asher and Naphtali. Fourth rank.

In the fourth quadrant we have left the national for the universal, for humanity.

Center: The Levites would be located in the center (middle) of the four camps and were NOT to be numbered. Num2:17,33.

Zodiac with the tribes of Israel.

First Quadrant – South

2. Reuben = bull

As we are around the year 2000 BCE. in the bull’s age, it will be natural to start with the bull’s sign.

Taurus represents fecundity of spring, the sign of Venus, where the moon, as a symbol of all nurturing substance, is elevated. He laid with his fathers wife and is connected with the field where he found the mandrakes.

3. Simeon and Levi = Gemini:

They are the twins, where Levi is separated from his brother and the Zodiac. In our intellectual arrogance we kills even love and its true fruits.

1. Gad = Aries:

Characterized as a warrior chief matching the ruling Mars of Aries.

Jacob blessing his sons

Second Quadrant, East

5. Judah = Leo:

Leo-born are known for their pride and desire to control the situation themselves. In addition Leo have joy of children and has natural skills for teaching. It is the Sun sign, which also highlights the Lion’s desire for self-expression.

6. Zebulun = Virgo:

“God hath endued me with a good dowry; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have born him six sons,” and “Zebulun shall dwell at the shore of the sea; a harbor for ships shall he be….”

Moses’ parting words to the two tribes were:

Rejoice, Zebulun, in your excursions, and Issachar in your tents.

From  “A day in the life of a Jew“:

“Our sages explain:  Zebulun and Issachar made a partnership between them. Zebulun dwelled at the seashore, and would go out in his ships to engage in trade and make a profit, and support Issachar, who sat and occupied himself with the study of Torah.

Issachar and Zebulun thus represent the other two major items on the Jew’s daily schedule. After climbing the four rungs of the heart to serve G-d in prayer, the Jew moves “from the synagogue to the study hall” to bind his mind to G-d through the study of the Torah, G-d’s communication of His wisdom and will to man. Following that, the Jew goes out into the world as a businessman or professional, to “know Him in all your ways” and do “all your deeds for the sake of Heaven.” “

Virgo is a ‘ministering principle’, people who often cares about others’ wellbeing and health. The word ‘gift’ is associated with the name and can hang with the Festival of Sukkoth in Israel, in the month of Tishri, the first month of the year after the New Year which begins in our September month. A thanksgiving for nature’s gifts: The star Spica in Virgo symbolizes the wheat ear in the left hand of Virgo.
Virgo is a practical sign, connected with going out in the world in contrast to the Torah study.

7. Issachar = Cancer:

“Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens: And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute.’”

In Cancer are the stars Aselli, or little asses, connected to the flag of Issachar, what Jacob compares to an ass.
Issachar and Zebulun could be changed!

Third Quadrant – North

8. Dan = Scorpio:

“Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward. I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.”

This description may well sound a bit harsh to our ears, but nevertheless demonstrates the fact that Scorpio-born people are able to distinguish between lies and truth. Also they are rarely deceptive. It may make others uneasy, why they choose to call scorpions for suspicious and distrustful of people. The area of sky is also characterized by constellations serpents (snake) and Ophiuchus (serpent bearer), where we find the star Unuka / hai (serpent heart or neck), which expresses ‘the face of God’ is said to be a strict judge, as by irradiation of the planets can ask the incarnate human spirit against the obligations to adhere to the truth.
Biting the horse heels could be the following Saggitarius.

9. Asher = Libra:

“Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties.”

No other possibility in this setup.

10. Naphtali = Saggitarius

” …is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words.”

Naphtali is represented by a gazelle or running stag, which sounds like Saggitarius.

Fourth Quadrant – West

This quadrant contains sons of Rachel, and sons of Joseph. It’s reasonable to expect Joseph’s sons to have reached longer than Benjamin, so he must be Capricorn.

11. Ephraim = Aquarius.

Ephraim is mentioned first of the three, so he should be Aquarious.

12. Manasseh = Pisces.

As Ephraim and Benjamin are placed, Manasseh can only be Pisces.

10. Benjamin = Capricorn:

“… shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil. “

The ruling planet is Saturn, and it was under great pains that Rachel gave birth to her son, followed by her death.
Benjamin was the first to be born in the holy land, the first in the fourth quadrant.

The above quotations are from Genesis.
The daughter Dinah was born after Zebulun and just before Joseph. A mystery in herself; it’s not the only place where a single woman is connected to a group of twelve (or seven of twelve.)

Jacob blessing Ephraim and Manasseh

References

Pictures of star signs by Rudolf Steiner.

Paul Mahler Dam in “Skriften på himlen”. I had thought about researching this subject for a long time, but Paul’s book inspired me to start the project.

Various interpretations and sources:

The 12 Tribes of Israel.

The Symbology of Twelve Signs.

The Divine Civilization of New Jerusalem.

A day in the life of a Jew. Contains many interesting interpretations around the Old Testament.

Planetary symbols

DEUTERONOMY_27.1_LAW_INSCRIBED_ON_STONE.mp3 (1813 KB)

DEUTERONOMY 27 “KEEP all the COMMANDMENTS…when you CROSS OVER the JORDAN…you shall set up LARGE STONES & WHITEWASH them with LIME…& write these LAWS on the STONES; you shall BUILD AN ALTAR…MAKE PEACE OFFERINGS…; MOSES APPOINTS SIMEON, LEVI, JUDAH, ISSACHAR, JOSEPH, & BENJAMIN, to STAND on MOUNT EBAL as the PEOPLE cross the JORDAN & BLESS the ISRAELITES; OTHERS he appoints to PROCLAIM POTENIAL CURSES if they do NOT obey the various LAWS & COMMANDMENTS…including ‘CURSED is the ONE who TREATS his FATHER or MOTHER with CONTEMPT… & CURSED is the ONE who LIES with ANY kind of ANIMAL… or with his SISTER… or with his MOTHER-in-LAW’ , et.al …’ & all the PEOPLE SHALL RESPOND ‘AMEN’ ” recorded for your spiritual enrichment by vanderKOK

The Law Inscribed on Stones
1 Now Moses, with the elders of Israel, commanded the people, saying: “Keep all the commandments which I command you today. 2 And it shall be, on the day when you cross over the Jordan to the land which the LORD your God is giving you, that you shall set up for yourselves large stones, and whitewash them with lime. 3 You shall write on them all the words of this law, when you have crossed over, that you may enter the land which the LORD your God is giving you, ‘a land flowing with milk and honey,’[a] just as the LORD God of your fathers promised you. 4 Therefore it shall be, when you have crossed over the Jordan, that on Mount Ebal you shall set up these stones, which I command you today, and you shall whitewash them with lime. 5 And there you shall build an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones; you shall not use an iron tool on them. 6 You shall build with whole stones the altar of the LORD your God, and offer burnt offerings on it to the LORD your God. 7 You shall offer peace offerings, and shall eat there, and rejoice before the LORD your God. 8 And you shall write very plainly on the stones all the words of this law.”
9 Then Moses and the priests, the Levites, spoke to all Israel, saying, “Take heed and listen, O Israel: This day you have become the people of the LORD your God. 10 Therefore you shall obey the voice of the LORD your God, and observe His commandments and His statutes which I command you today.”
Curses Pronounced from Mount Ebal

11 And Moses commanded the people on the same day, saying, 12 “These shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people, when you have crossed over the Jordan: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin; 13 and these shall stand on Mount Ebal to curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
14 “And the Levites shall speak with a loud voice and say to all the men of Israel: 15 ‘Cursed is the one who makes a carved or molded image, an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’
“And all the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen!’
16 ‘Cursed is the one who treats his father or his mother with contempt.’
“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
17 ‘Cursed is the one who moves his neighbor’s landmark.’
“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
18 ‘Cursed is the one who makes the blind to wander off the road.’
“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
19 ‘Cursed is the one who perverts the justice due the stranger, the fatherless, and widow.’
“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
20 ‘Cursed is the one who lies with his father’s wife, because he has uncovered his father’s bed.’
“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
21 ‘Cursed is the one who lies with any kind of animal.’
“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
22 ‘Cursed is the one who lies with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’
“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
23 ‘Cursed is the one who lies with his mother-in-law.’
“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
24 ‘Cursed is the one who attacks his neighbor secretly.’
“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
25 ‘Cursed is the one who takes a bribe to slay an innocent person.’
“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
26 ‘Cursed is the one who does not confirm all the words of this law by observing them.’
“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’”

“Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” ~ Gen. 41:15-16  Joseph rightly and courageously acknowledges God as the One who has the power to interpret dreams.

“It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land. The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon. ~ Gen. 41:28-32 Joseph tells Pharoah the “why”, which we so often wish we knew; God had “firmly decided”, and the famine would occur “soon” — evidently, in 7 years!

“And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.” ~ Gen. 41:33-36   Not only did God provide the interpretation of the dream and understanding of why the dream was repeated; He also gave Joseph the wisdom to know the solution for this situation!

The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.” ~ Gen. 41:37-40   Even Pharaoh, who the Egyptians considered to be “god incarnate”, acknowledged that the Spirit of the REAL God lived within Joseph!  Pharaoh did not even hesitate! He decisively placed His future and the future of Egypt in Joseph’s (and God’s) capable hands.

And all the countries came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe in all the world. ~ Gen. 41:57  So all of the known world was dependent upon Egypt (and therefore Joseph) for survival.  This is an example of how God blesses even the ungodly as an outpouring of His love, mercy, and grace. Perhaps it was all overflow from His blessing on Joseph; or it may have been showing the truth of Matthew 5:43-45.

When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you just keep looking at each other?” He continued, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.” ~ Gen. 42:1-2 I can certainly hear the critical, bitter tone of Jacob’s voice in this verse! And where has his faith gone? Abraham believed in the resurrection, but Jacob’s concerns are centered only in this earthly life. What a terrible price he and his sons have paid for the “death” of Joseph! *sigh* It’s so comforting to know that God’s love is unconditional, and He is able to redeem our fallen natures and sinful circumstances.

They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come upon us.” Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.” They did not realize that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter. He turned away from them and began to weep, but then turned back and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes. ~ Gen. 42:21-24 As Joseph hears his brothers conversing amongst themselves, he realizes that Reuben was never in favor of the plot against him. It would seem that this is why Joseph chose Simeon to hold in Egypt while the others returned home, since he was the second oldest after Reuben.

As they were emptying their sacks, there in each man’s sack was his pouch of silver! When they and their father saw the money pouches, they were frightened. Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!” ~ Gen. 42:35-36 Jacob looked at his circumstances and concluded that the whole world was against him. He forgot Who Almighty God was, and who HE was as a believer!

Then Reuben said to his father, “You may put both of my sons to death if I do not bring him back to you. Entrust him to my care, and I will bring him back.” ~ Gen. 42:37 Reuben seems determined to be a responsible, righteous, self-sacrificing son, even if his brothers are not. He asks his father to trust him. I’m liking Reuben a lot!

But Jacob said, “My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him on the journey you are taking, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in sorrow.” ~ Gen. 42:38 But in his unbelief, Jacob (who is speaking as Jacob, not Israel) doesn’t even trust GOD; so how can he trust his son? He doesn’t think of death as being an entrance into new life with God, but just a sorrowful end to life.

Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift—a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds. Take double the amount of silver with you, for you must return the silver that was put back into the mouths of your sacks. Perhaps it was a mistake. Take your brother also and go back to the man at once. And may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.” ~ Gen. 42:38 When his back is totally against the wall, Jacob remembers his faith. So typical of humankind — so like me! This is why God allows hardship and suffering in our lives. It’s only then that we wake up to the reality of God and His power and presence that are ever overshadowing our selfish little lives! So now we see their father speak to them in faith, as Israel. We see wisdom, generosity, trust in God, and total dependence on God.

As morning dawned, the men were sent on their way with their donkeys. They had not gone far from the city when Joseph said to his steward, “Go after those men at once, and when you catch up with them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid good with evil? Isn’t this the cup my master drinks from and also uses for divination? This is a wicked thing you have done.’ ” ~ Gen. 44:3-5 What surprised me here is that Joseph evidently used this special cup for “divination”. Was that okay with God? Was it a way he tapped into his gifts of interpretation? The scripture doesn’t tell us much.

“Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let me see the misery that would come upon my father.” ~ Gen. 44:33-34 Judah now courageously steps up and offers to take the punishment for Benjamin’s sake. This is a picture of the Messiah, who would sacrifice himself for the sins of the world! Yay Judah!

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. ~ Gen. 45:4-7 A tiny glimpse of God’s big plan is given, as well as Joseph now being shown as a savior, which is a foreshadowing of the Messiah.

“So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.’ ~ Gen. 45:8-11 Doesn’t Joseph’s voice sound like the voice of God? Come to me. Don’t delay. I will provide for you. Trouble is coming, but I will care for you.

“You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you. Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.” ~ Gen. 45:8-11 Joseph asks his brothers to believe the truth, to have faith in him; to communicate that faith, and then to act on it. Sounds like Jesus, doesn’t it?

Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him. ~ Gen. 45:14-15 Forgiveness. Reconciliation. Joyfulness. Restoration. Fellowship.

Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, “Don’t quarrel on the way!” ~ Gen. 45:14-15 This appears to be an inside joke! What a freedom, to laugh together as brothers again!

And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!” “Here I am,” he replied. “I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.” ~ Gen. 46:1-4 What I love about this passage is that God assures Jacob that it is His will for them to go into Egypt, which is symbolic of the unbelieving world. Yet He does not send him in the strength of man; no, God goes with Jacob and returns with him. This is part of God’s plan and purpose for the nation of Israel. But God also recognizes Jacob’s human concerns, and comforts him by saying, “Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.” You will be safe with your son until the end of your days.

Chapter 47 – The Downhill Spiral:

v. 11 So Joseph settled his father and his brothers in Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land, the district of Rameses, as Pharaoh directed. Um, isn’t that where those pyramids are going to be built by thousands of Hebrew slaves?
v 13. There was no food, however, in the whole region because the famine was severe; both Egypt and Canaan wasted away because of the famine. *Ruh-Roh*

vs. 14-15 Joseph collected all the money that was to be found in Egypt and Canaan in payment for the grain they were buying, and he brought it to Pharaoh’s palace. When the money of the people of Egypt and Canaan was gone, all Egypt came to Joseph and said, “Give us food. Why should we die before your eyes? Our money is used up.” So now Pharoah has ALL THE WEALTH of the whole land, including the neighboring countries!
vs. 16-17 “Then bring your livestock,” said Joseph. “I will sell you food in exchange for your livestock, since your money is gone.” So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and he gave them food in exchange for their horses, their sheep and goats, their cattle and donkeys. And he brought them through that year with food in exchange for all their livestock. Joseph, what are you thinking? Now Pharoah has ALL THE LIVESTOCK so the people have no jobs, no livelihood, and no future!
vs. 18-19 When that year was over, they came to him the following year and said, “We cannot hide from our lord the fact that since our money is gone and our livestock belongs to you, there is nothing left for our lord except our bodies and our land. Why should we perish before your eyes—we and our land as well? Buy us and our land in exchange for food, and we with our land will be in bondage to Pharaoh. Give us seed so that we may live and not die, and that the land may not become desolate.” This is what you call DESPERATION.
vs. 20-21 So Joseph bought all the land in Egypt for Pharaoh. The Egyptians, one and all, sold their fields, because the famine was too severe for them. The land became Pharaoh’s, and Joseph reduced the people to servitude, from one end of Egypt to the other. How did Joseph rationalize his actions? In what reality is it OKAY for the governing nobility to strip the population of everything they own including their most basic civil rights? How could someone as sensitive and God-centered as Joseph be the cause of such terrible injustice? Assuming that Joseph was making provision for his own family, the Egyptians might have felt very bitter against this upstart Hebrew servant and his growing tribe of relatives, who wrestled all their possessions away from them to glorify the Pharaoh.

Then Joseph removed them from Israel’s knees and bowed down with his face to the ground. And Joseph took both of them, Ephraim on his right toward Israel’s left hand and Manasseh on his left toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them close to him. But Israel reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim’s head, though he was the younger, and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Manasseh’s head, even though Manasseh was the firstborn.
Then he blessed Joseph and said,
“May the God before whom my fathers
Abraham and Isaac walked,
the God who has been my shepherd
all my life to this day,
the Angel who has delivered me from all harm
—may he bless these boys.
May they be called by my name
and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac,
and may they increase greatly
upon the earth.”
When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand on Ephraim’s head he was displeased; so he took hold of his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. Joseph said to him, “No, my father, this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.” But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations.” He blessed them that day and said,
“In your name will Israel pronounce this blessing:
‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’ “
So he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.
~ Gen. 48:12-20 So just as he, the second son, got the greater blessing, Jacob purposefully switched his hands, knowing that Ephraim would outshine Manasseh even though he was the younger of the two. Joseph was not too keen about this, but had to accept his father’s blessing as it was given. This reminds me of God’s sovereignty; he gives to each of us according to His will, and the clay can’t very well complain to the Potter!

Then Jacob called for his sons and said: “Gather around so I can tell you what will happen to you in days to come.

“Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob;
listen to your father Israel.
“Reuben, you are my firstborn,
my might, the first sign of my strength,
excelling in honor, excelling in power.
Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel,
for you went up onto your father’s bed,
onto my couch and defiled it.
“Simeon and Levi are brothers—
their swords are weapons of violence.
Let me not enter their council,
let me not join their assembly,
for they have killed men in their anger
and hamstrung oxen as they pleased.
Cursed be their anger, so fierce,
and their fury, so cruel!
I will scatter them in Jacob
and disperse them in Israel.
“Judah, your brothers will praise you;
your hand will be on the neck of your enemies;
your father’s sons will bow down to you.
You are a lion’s cub, O Judah;
you return from the prey, my son.
Like a lion he crouches and lies down,
like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?
The scepter will not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
until he comes to whom it belongs
and the obedience of the nations is his.
He will tether his donkey to a vine,
his colt to the choicest branch;
he will wash his garments in wine,
his robes in the blood of grapes.
His eyes will be darker than wine,
his teeth whiter than milk.
“Zebulun will live by the seashore
and become a haven for ships;
his border will extend toward Sidon.
“Issachar is a rawboned donkey
lying down between two saddlebags.
When he sees how good is his resting place
and how pleasant is his land,
he will bend his shoulder to the burden
and submit to forced labor.
“Dan will provide justice for his people
as one of the tribes of Israel.
Dan will be a serpent by the roadside,
a viper along the path,
that bites the horse’s heels
so that its rider tumbles backward.
“I look for your deliverance, O LORD.
“Gad will be attacked by a band of raiders,
but he will attack them at their heels.
“Asher‘s food will be rich;
he will provide delicacies fit for a king.
“Naphtali is a doe set free
that bears beautiful fawns.
“Joseph is a fruitful vine,
a fruitful vine near a spring,
whose branches climb over a wall.
With bitterness archers attacked him;
they shot at him with hostility.
But his bow remained steady,
his strong arms stayed limber,
because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob,
because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,
because of your father’s God, who helps you,
because of the Almighty, who blesses you
with blessings of the heavens above,
blessings of the deep that lies below,
blessings of the breast and womb.
Your father’s blessings are greater
than the blessings of the ancient mountains,
than the bounty of the age-old hills.
Let all these rest on the head of Joseph,
on the brow of the prince among his brothers.
“Benjamin is a ravenous wolf;
in the morning he devours the prey,
in the evening he divides the plunder.”
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them, giving each the blessing appropriate to him. ~ Gen. 49:1-28 It’s hard for me to tell which of these is a blessing versus a curse, although of course, Judah is clearly the Messianic line of the family, and Jacob plainly continued to favor Joseph above all his sons.

When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” ~ Gen. 50:15 So fear of retribution entered into the hearts of Joseph’s brothers after their father’s death.

His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said. But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.~ Gen. 50:18-19 Joseph reiterates his understanding of his purpose in God’s plan during this time in history. He was able to keep the Hebrew people safe and well-fed. But this situation was to change very soon.

So Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten. And after they embalmed him, he was placed in a coffin in Egypt. ~ Gen. 50:26 With Joseph’s death, what will happen to the Hebrews now???

[Stuff we're skipping over...

*Leah was a baby-making machine. Rachel was barren. It says that God did this because of how badly Leah was treated by Jacob. Leah has boy #1, Reuben. Leah has boy #2, Simeon. Leah has boy #3, Levi. And, Leah has boy #4, Judah. Like I said, baby-making machine.

*Rachel blames Jacob for not being able to have kids. Jacob says that's God's deal, not his. She gives him her servant, Bilhah, to make babies. Bilhah had boy #5, Dan. Bilhah had boy #6, Naphtali.

*Leah got jealous, so she let Jacob get with her maidservant, Zilpah. Zilpah had boy #7, Gad. Zilpah had boy #8, Asher.

*There's also an interesting story in which Rachel trades one night with Jacob for some stuff (mandrakes) that apparently makes it more possible to conceive. Great idea. Only problem, Leah gets pregnant on that "one night" and gives Jacob boy #9, Issachar. And she had boy #10, Zebulun. Oh...and she had a daughter, Dinah, for good measure.

*Finally, Rachel gets a kid of her own; boy #11 is Joseph.

*Jacob wants to leave, and he makes a deal to get some sheep for all his trouble. Jacob basically works it so that he breeds stronger sheep for himself and weaker sheep for Laban. The trickster got it done again.

*This ticked off Laban and his sons, so God told Jacob to leave ASAP. Jacob told his wives it was time to go, and he headed for the hills. But, for some reason, Rachel steals Laban's household god statues (apparently they weren't followers of the Lord). Anyway, Jacob snuck out (trickster!), but Laban came looking for him. When he caught up with Jacob, he asked what the deal was (he would have thrown a going away party? yeah right!), and he said that Jacob stole his statues. Jacob said he would kill whoever stole them. So...they searched each tent for the gods, and Rachel sat with the gods hidden under a saddle in a tent. When her dad told her to get up, she said that she was (lie of all lies) on her PERIOD?!? At this point, they chewed each other out, and made a deal not to interfere with each other ever again.]

Yowza…that was a lot…

1. What do you think of Jacob’s “gift basket” for Esau? How do you think he should have responded?
2. What would you be thinking if you knew that the brother who wanted to kill you was showing up with 400 men! Oh, yeah, well Jacob had…um…well…4 ladies, some servants, and 12 kids? Uh oh…
3. This situation brings Jacob to his knees. He prays. Why do you think that it takes people stressful situations to finally go to God?
4. So…Jacob sends a “bribe” to his brother (please don’t kill me…please don’t kill me). I like how he sent the gifts in waves.
5. At this point, he’s sent his family away; and he is alone. And what happens? A “man” wrestles with him all night, knocking his hip out of joint. The “man” tells Jacob to let him go, but Jacob says he won’t let go until he’s blessed. Any thoughts on this part?
6. The “man” changes Jacob’s name to Israel (yeah…like the country named after him). From now on his name will mean “struggles with God.” Ironic. Do you find your faith to be a struggle or a wrestling match somtimes?
7. Jacob deduces that this “man” must have been God. Wow.
8. He bowed seven times…total submission…and then…
9. Esau runs up to him and kisses him and embraces him. Wow. I didn’t see that coming. Maybe God had Jacob’s back?
10. What do you think Jacob meant when he said that seeing Esau was like seeing the face of God? Interesting statement since he literally just saw the face of God the night before. What do you think he meant?
11. They part ways happily.

Sorry about the lateness of this post. I hope everyone has a chance to look at it though, because I know there is a lot of good stuff in these chapters. Joseph, the 11th son, the son of Rachel is going to be the focus coming up.