This is the account of Jacob’s family line. (Gen. 37:2)
“It seems to be now . . . more dangerous for the good people of this town to go out late at night without being sufficiently well armed.”
These words could have been written today, but they were written in 1749. Often, we think the present is worse than the past. Why? Because of hindsight bias, we know how the story ends. Knowing how the story ends can enhance its beauty. This week we will be reading “the account of Jacob’s family.” This account is going to be filled with twists and turns. But because we know how it ends, we are going to be able to enjoy the beauty of God’s hand directing Jacob’s family through the twists and turns.
However, Jacob’s story is not the only story whose ending we know. We also know how our story will end. Revelation 22:14 states, “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.” Before we arrive, there will be twists and turns. By nature of twists and turns, we will not be able to see the other side, but we can rest assured that God does. Therefore, by allowing him to direct us, we avoid the real danger that could keep us from arriving at our destination.
Meditate on the beauty of God’s hand directing your life.
T. J. Albertson has been pastoring for seventeen years, the last fifteen as interchurch service. He is a doctoral student at Wesley Seminary and loves teaching the whole Bible and its relevance to life.
© 2021 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
