Mystery in Israel's History - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Chronicles 7:21-22,

"Ezer and Elead were killed by the native-born men of Gath, when they went down to seize their livestock. Their father Ephraim mourned for them many days, and his relatives came to comfort him."

This rather cryptic account took place relatively not long after Jacob and his family joined Ephraim's father, Joseph, in Egypt. There is not much history provide us of the four centuries Israel dwelt in Egypt before the exodus, and this piece is the only place in Scripture where this account is found.

In that Ephraim mourned the loss of his sons, he himself, of course, was still alive. From this, it must have taken place early in Israel's extended sojourn in Egypt. 

Although it is not readily apparent from the text who the "they" were that "went down" to rustle cattle, most commentators agree the aggressors were the men of Gath who were the culprits rustling. The phrase "went down" would typically mean those going from Palestine to Egypt rather than the other way around.

We don't know much of anything else from the account. However, it points out the presence of danger Israel faced, even though living under Egypt's protection at the time. 

For me, it also points to the reality there is history we are not provided with in the Scriptures. I wonder about those several centuries Israel lived in Egypt prior to Moses. What took place in the life and fabric of Israel at that time?

We do have access to some historical materials - but not much in the way of detail found in the Scriptures. What we do have provided us is what the Lord wants us to be aware of, e.g. some of the genealogies provided in Chronicles span this time frame. 

I feel comfortable with the notion that the Lord does not intend to communicate that just because something is not provided us in the Scriptures, we should assume nothing took place. I'll bet all kinds of things took place between Israel's entrance into and exodus from Egypt that we might find fascinating! I find it a period of mystery in Israel's history.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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