It's the tale of two nations. And, while it's ancient history, it is also tomorrow's news.
The story begins with a woman having a difficult pregnancy. Her husband sought the LORD for understanding regarding her circumstances. His answer was both cryptic and prophetic:
"Two nations are in your womb; And two peoples will be separated from your body; And one people shall be stronger than the other; And the older shall serve the younger." When her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. Now the first came forth red, all over like a hairy garment; and they named him Esau. Afterward his brother came forth with his hand holding on to Esau's heel, so his name was called Jacob; and Isaac was sixty years old when she gave birth to them." (Genesis 25:23-26)
Twins names Esau and Jacob became the fathers of nations. Jacob was later renamed Israel by God, and a modern-day nation bears his name. Esau's descendants settled in the region of modern-day Turkey, which may also include modern-day Iran and Iraq, as well as other northern Middle Eastern regions. These details shed light on the ongoing Arab-Israeli conflict.
While God has blessed and favors the Jews, ultimate blessings and destiny are not genetically determined. A gracious promise is extended to Jew and non-Jew alike to become part of God's blessed progeny: "For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise." (Galatians 3:27-29)
An ancient story of a woman pregnant with twins explains current events but, more importantly, it's a story that links us to future hope and current blessings. As adopted children of a Jewish carpenter, we stand in good standing with the Creator of us all. May we savor and share our rich heritage and hope.
©Steve Taylor, 2012
The story begins with a woman having a difficult pregnancy. Her husband sought the LORD for understanding regarding her circumstances. His answer was both cryptic and prophetic:
"Two nations are in your womb; And two peoples will be separated from your body; And one people shall be stronger than the other; And the older shall serve the younger." When her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. Now the first came forth red, all over like a hairy garment; and they named him Esau. Afterward his brother came forth with his hand holding on to Esau's heel, so his name was called Jacob; and Isaac was sixty years old when she gave birth to them." (Genesis 25:23-26)
Twins names Esau and Jacob became the fathers of nations. Jacob was later renamed Israel by God, and a modern-day nation bears his name. Esau's descendants settled in the region of modern-day Turkey, which may also include modern-day Iran and Iraq, as well as other northern Middle Eastern regions. These details shed light on the ongoing Arab-Israeli conflict.
While God has blessed and favors the Jews, ultimate blessings and destiny are not genetically determined. A gracious promise is extended to Jew and non-Jew alike to become part of God's blessed progeny: "For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise." (Galatians 3:27-29)
An ancient story of a woman pregnant with twins explains current events but, more importantly, it's a story that links us to future hope and current blessings. As adopted children of a Jewish carpenter, we stand in good standing with the Creator of us all. May we savor and share our rich heritage and hope.
©Steve Taylor, 2012
posted by steve @ 9:19 AM
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