God always makes a way.

I am currently reading Exodus, but going back to Genesis, through the narratives of Jacob, Joseph and as a small side note, Judah. Although God is not mentioned much in the stories, He was still working behind the scenes to set up what was to come. In Jacob's story, God was building up a nation that would take their mission to the next level, the people of Israel. Joseph's story however, would set the scene for the Israelites for their eventual exodus out of Egypt. Judah's is a story of wrong choices, and redemption, which would culminate in an amazing deliverance.

The overarching theme is, of course, that though each of the characters had to endure humiliation, degradation and deception, God had not forgotten any of them. All of the men made mistakes, but God delivered them and they learned some valuable lessons along the way, to make Jacob, Joseph and Judah, the men they grew to be. It is telling that Jacob had special blessings for both of his sons that would reverberate for the generations to come, long after both of them had died. For both of his sons became powerful tribes in Israel and would produce great leaders.

Joseph's role as ruler in Egypt not only rescued his family, but helped the entire family learn the lesson of forgiveness and not to overestimate the power God's hand had in play to ensure His people would thrive, not just try to survive. Their strength and belief in God would play a pivotal role when Moses lead the entire nation out of Egypt. Judah's blessing would come in the form of King David and ultimately Jesus, who saved the whole world by his death on the cross and rise from the dead. God has plans, though we don't see them. In the end, all we need to do is trust and believe.