Read Genesis 29 and 30 at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraph divisions for our chapters today are:
Gen 28:10-32:2 {p} …
Our single paragraph, which began in yesterday’s reading, won’t conclude until tomorrow’s reading, and so then we will be able to determine its theme.
But there is an interesting pattern developing, of the lives of the sons repeating events from the lives of their fathers. We saw it happen with Isaac, and now we are seeing it happen with Jacob. If we map the repeats, an amazing chiastic structure emerges:
| Elements | Abraham | Isaac | Jacob | Jacob’s sons | Israel |
| 1a) YHVH affirms His covenant with His chosen one | Gen 12:7 | Gen 26:2-6 | Gen 28:13-15 | ||
| 1b) His chosen one goes to the pagans/ Gentiles in a time of need | Gen 12:10 | Gen 26:1 | Gen 29:1 | ||
| 1c) Contention over the chosen one’s beautiful wife | Gen 12:11-20; Gen 20:2-14 | Gen 26:7-11 | Gen 29:21-30 | ||
| 1d) The chosen one is invited to dwell in the land | Gen 20:15 | Gen 26:22 | Gen 29:12-19 | ||
| central axis) The chosen one increases greatly in the pagans’ land by the blessing of YHVH | Gen 12:16; Gen 20:14-16 | Gen 26:12-14 | Gen 29:16-30:43 | ||
| 2d) The chosen one is sent away from the pagans’/ Gentiles’ land | Gen 12:20 | Gen 26:16-17 | Gen 29:12-19 | ||
| 2c) Contention over the chosen one’s resources | Gen 21:25 | Gen 26:15-22 | Gen 31:26-42 | ||
| 2b) The pagans/ Gentiles go to YHVH’s chosen one to sue for peace | Gen 21:22-27 | Gen 26:26-31 | Gen 31:44-54 | ||
| 2a) YHVH reaffirms His covenant with His chosen one | Gen 21:1-3 | Gen 26:24 | Gen 35:9-13 |
I hope to complete this structure as we progress through Genesis, through Torah, and through the Old Testament this year. We must recognize the historic and prophetic nature of Torah, if we desire to accurately interpret biblical prophecy and discern the times we are in, without being deceived. ♥
Leave a Reply