Origin stories. They are often a part of movies about heroes, whether these heroes were from a galaxy far, far away (Luke Skywalker in “Star Wars”), or from the Shire in Middle Earth (Frodo Baggins in “The Lord of the Rings”); whether they were created by gamma radiation (the Incredible Hulk), or life-saving innovation (Iron Man); whether they had courage forged in sorrow (William Wallace of “Braveheart”), or were born with greatness (Superman). Whatever the details of the narrative, where these heroes came from and how they arrived on the “big stage” is quite relevant. Can you imagine what would be lost if you never went to Tatooine, or met Samwise Gamgee, or knew Bruce Banner, Tony Stark, or the oppression of the Scots? These origin stories set us up for what is to come.
In Genesis 25-50, we see the continuing “origin story” of the people of God. In Genesis’ first half, we already saw God create the world, promise a Redeemer, save Noah and his family, make huge promises to Abraham, and provide the sacrificial substitute in the mountains of Moriah. But when we get to chapter 25 (and beyond) the origin story takes some surprising turns. Though we knew little about Abraham’s early life, and only spotty details about Isaac’s, in the second half of Genesis we get a LOT of detail about Isaac’s son Jacob.
Why such detail? Probably has something to do with Jacob’s other name: Israel.
Jacob would have 12 sons who would form the 12 tribes of Israel, and there is something important that we need to know about this origin story; that is why God preserved it for us in the Bible!
This Sunday at Wildwood Community Church in our 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 services we will be in part 5 of our series “Scarlet Thread” seeing shadows of the Savior throughout the Old Testament. This week, we will get to know Jacob, get to know the God of Jacob, AND get to know the grace of the God of Jacob! Much more than just a history lesson, there is vital truth here for you and me today. Join us as we sing, pray, look into God’s Word, and share the Lord’s Supper together. See you Sunday … and bring friends!