On Reading Genesis 25-35

Promises, promises, promises—
      you are still a God long on promises;
but as things turn out, you appear to be
      short on discernment.

It was odd enough when you chose
      Abram and Sarah,
to receive all those promises—
      but we played along,
      we kept reading.
     
      Promise of a family—
            after they are old and barren
            (and before Viagra and such).

      Promise of a new land—
            when they are nicely settled
            (close to a nursing home),
            and others live in this “new land”
            (with no plans to sell).

      Promise of blessing the world through them—
            when more often than not
            they bring harm wherever they go,
            not blessing.

      Promise of a new God—you—
            what can I say?
            I’m sorry Lord, but to tell truth:
            the whole thing is just bizarre.

And now you’ve fallen for Jacob—
      you of all people—of all gods(?)—Jacob?
Where do we even begin
      with our questions?

      He mistreats his brother—
            takes advantage of him,
            cheats him out of what belongs to him.

      He dishonors his father—
            lies to him,
            dresses in costume,
            and says, “Yes, I am Esau, your son.”

      Jacob won’t even accept your blessings,
            before you agree to his terms.

      Laban is almost his match, almost—
            perfect poetic justice:
            when Jacob woke up—
                  “and it was Leah” in his bed.
                  (Just how drunk was he that night?)

      But in time Jacob makes out with
            most of Laban’s wealth,
            along with his daughters
            and grandchildren.

      What can we say?
      Jacob is Jacob,
            the wrestler who will not let go
            until he gets what he wants.
           
So Lord, either Jacob fooled you too,
      or you agreed to use a
      self-centered man,
      who only cares for his own—
      only for what he can get—what’s in it for him.

——

Perhaps I’ll think about those last few lines,
      and read my own story again, with more gratitude.
Amen

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