Days 2-6, Genesis 10-50: Sojourners on earth, trusting Him

The history of people after the flood is a familiar story of self-importance and rejection of God. God's direct intervention by the creation of different languages struck to the heart of the ideal of unity and togetherness that they held. It is a reminder that unity of purpose is only a good thing when you are following the right path.

Moving on to the patriarchs, the narrative changes from an overview of world events to the tale of individuals and God's plans worked out through them. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, all have very different personalities, and all interact with God in different ways. In their lives we see failures, we see successes, we see faith, and we see some hints of the Redeemer to come. It is primarily a history of the ancestors of the Israelites, the origin of their customs, their people, their purpose, and their interactions with the One True God.

The life of Abraham is noted in Hebrews as one of faith. His tale is not without its low points of faith, but his reputation stands as faithful despite the failings. God, on the other hand, is faithful always. Abram's faith is seen in his willingness to leave to a country that he didn't know, in reliance upon God.
There are times of discouragement, where he tries to rely upon himself and his own cleverness. The main examples are his two experiences in Egypt, where he deceives the king because of his fears for his safety and that of his wife, and his attempt to fulfil God's promise of an heir by lying with Hagar.
His examples of faith stand clear. Despite his attempt to fulfil God's promise by Hagar, he did still have faith in God both before and after that God would fulfil the promise. His faith is so strong that even when God tests that faith by asking Abraham to sacrifice Isaac on the altar, he is sure of having hiers through Isaac, even to the point of trusting God to resurrect Isaac.
God's demonstration of faithfulness is even more clear. The sealing of His covenant with Abram in chapter 15 is a very visual demonstration of this. Usually the weaker of the two covenant pairs would pass through the path between the split animals - a pledge to fulfil the covenant or he would pay the price the animals paid. Here however, the stronger party passes through between - God represented by the flaming pot. And indeed, the heir is provided, and we know from history that many nations food come from Abraham, and the people were given the promised land after the foretold time in 'a land not their own'. His provision of a substitute for Isaac gives us a picture of Christ.
Even in Abraham's failings God is faithful. He prevents the kings of Egypt from committing evil because of Abraham's deceit, and cares for Hagar and Ishmael. With Lot, God keeps him and his daughters safe when Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed for their sin - even though Lot had chosen to live in the wicked city.
It reminds me that even though we fail often and make poor decisions, God is ever gracious to us.

With Isaac we see a quiet life lived for God, but a lack of communication in the household led to divisions. The first we see him is as a sacrifice. Uncomplaining in the face of death. His wife also is brought by faith, faith of a father, a servant, and Rebekah herself.

Jacob we see first as a deceiver. He values the right things, possibly from listening to his grandfather - Jacob was around the tents more than his brother. This he values the birthright and blessing highly. He goes about it in the wrong way, however, and must learn to trust God the hard way. He does learn though. Beginning with the dream at Bethel, setting God's protection during the years with Laban, ridding his household of idols, and culminating with the wrestling with God, he learns patience and trust.
The example of Jacob's wives shows how God doesn't always work in the way we expect. In a Hollywood tale Jacob and Rachel seem to be the start crossed lovers, with the elder sister getting in the way due to tradition and interference of the father. Yet it seems it is Leah that is more favoured by God. The reason we are given is that He saw she was hated - so we see his heart of compassion for the downtrodden. However we also have hints of other things. In particular, Rachel is recorded as hiding stealing idols and hiding them.
In terms of the deceit, Leah seems chosen by God as Jacob's wife. She was the eldest, teaching Jacob respect for the tradition of the eldest. She was also the mother of the messianic line, and buried with Jacob in the family tomb.

Joseph is the one patriarch about whom nothing evil is recorded. Again we have a type of Christ, suffering unjustly and redeeming the people. His short also provides a fitting bookend to the patriarchs. Abram was told by God in the beginning of this section that his descendants were to be a blessing to all the nations. Israel never truly lived up to this purpose during their history, but here before the nation was founded we see Joseph providing physical blessing, as Christ later fulfilled the purpose of being a spiritual blessing to all people. His life is a testimony of doing the right thing, whether wrong or not, and always giving credit to God for the wisdom and interpretation of the dreams. Yet he was not a pushover - he did test his brethren to confirm that they were truly  changed from the time they were about to kill him and sent him away as a slave.

There are many other stories in this book, many other characters - particularly of Jacob's sons - that can be considered. Through them all though, God is true. Some stories are just recorded as history - good nor evil is said of them, and God is not directly mentioned. In others He takes a direct role. Consequences are sometimes not seen, or may come late - as with Reuben, who forfeited his birthright because of his immorality (the birthright [double portion] went to Joseph, which is why we have the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, rather than the tribe of Joseph).

Finally, the book concludes with both blessing and faith. Blessing has characterised much of the lives of the patriarchs - blessing from God, and blessings handed from father to son. Faith too, is an essential theme - concluded here by both Jacob and Joseph assuring their descendents that God would return them to the land.

It is good to remember that faith in God is important. Faith may require patience - trying to accomplish the promise by our own efforts may fail (as with Abraham), or may succeed (as with Jacob's blessing), but both learnt that the best way was to wait on God's timing. God does not give us faith flippantly, either - He strengthens our faith by putting us in situations where we can practice our faith.

I am trusting Thee, Lord, Jesus,
Trusting only Thee;
Trusting Thee for full salvation,
Great and free.

I am trusting Thee for pardon;
At Thy feet I bow;
For Thy grace and tender mercy,
Trusting now.

I am trusting Thee for cleansing
In the crimson flood;
Trusting Thee to make me holy
By Thy blood.

I am trusting Thee to guide me;
Thou alone shalt lead;
Every day and hour supplying
All my need.

I am trusting Thee for power,
Thine can never fail;
Words which Thou Thyself shalt give me
Must prevail.

I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus;
Never let me fall;
I am trusting Thee forever,
And for all.