Around the Bend

Reading the Bible straight thru has its benefits.

I am amazed at the amount of envy which goes on from creation to Joseph and his brothers, where I'm currently parked. Geese! Eve is envious of the knowledge of good and evil and goes for it, Cain slays Abel out of envy for his acceptance, Rachel and Leah, full-fledged sisters, battle for years to be more than the other in the eyes of Jacob, Isaac & Ishmael, Jacob & Esau and now Joseph. What strikes me is not the envy between all these people (although it is refreshing to see modern day issues reflected early on), but their inability to find satisfaction despite their conditions, despite relationships, despite what they had or wealth they came into.

I keep reading and I am duly noting the lack of emphasis the Scripture gives to male-female relationships, mother-child relationships and so on. Between all these people, there was much to be grateful for and satisfied with, but want for more prevailed until they met with satisfaction in God. There isn't enough in a man, not enough in a child, not enough in a land for a woman to find rest and peace. So it seems and I think modern day life bears that out when we get down to it. The only thing that really satisfies is God. If only we could turn to Him first instead of last, seek him first and not the other. Sure would save me alot of tiresome roads. I am learning that going around the bend is not a road but a circle, a detour to bring me back to the same spot where I can go down the straight road or go around the bend... again.