BLESSINGS STOLEN, RECEIVED, AND GIVEN

"The Path" Chapter 4: Joseph Had a Dream

For reading and reflection the week of Oct 22-28, 2018

Deception and betrayal -- A mother and child teaming up to steal a blessing from a spouse and sibling. An uncle hoodwinking a nephew. Brothers deceiving a parent with a phony story of a tragic death. A hidden identity used to pull a power play that leaves a treacherous group of brothers groveling for their lives. 

Who are these people? They are imperfect human beings like you and me. They (we) are also of God's own creation, and the object of God's love. And that's a good thing, for if it had anything to do with merit, we'd be sunk. The book Genesis seems to move from one human failing to another, and further and further away from the unity and harmonious relationship which God intended.

And yet, there always remains some goodness, some hope, that God will provide the means for God's people to survive their (our) disobedient ways. The blessings of God, however twisted we might handle them, will endure.