See הֶרְאָ֥ה

We are rolling into chapter 48 of Genesis with our word for today used 5 times in our chapter. הֶרְאָ֥ה from the root רָאָה see, understand, reveal, spy, look at, examine, inspect, show. It is used 1289 times in the Old Testament. With this many uses we will just look at a few examples. Right away in Genesis chapter one we find God seeing. Genesis 1:4 God וַיַּ֧רְא saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. Genesis 1:10 God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God וַיַּ֥רְא saw that it was good. Genesis 1:12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God וַיַּ֥רְא saw that it was good. Genesis 1:21 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God וַיַּ֥רְא saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God וַיַּ֥רְא saw that it was good. Genesis 1:31 God וַיַּ֤רְא saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. As we move into our chapter for today Jacob also looks and sees something that is very good.Genesis 48:8-11 When Israel וַיַּ֥רְא saw the sons of Joseph, he asked, “Who are these?” “They are the sons God has given me here,” Joseph said to his father. Then Israel said, “Bring them to me so I may bless them.” Now Israel’s eyes were failing because of old age, and he could hardly לִרְא֑וֹת see. So Joseph brought his sons close to him, and his father kissed them and embraced them. Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to רְאֹ֥ה see your face again, and now God has הֶרְאָ֥ה allowed me to see your children too.” The fourth time our word is used here in our chapter is in the Hif’il voice which means the subject of the verb is causative. So Jacob is saying that God was behind this which makes “allowed” a good way to translate the root word for see. God caused it, brought it about, allowed it. Jacob is giving God credit for all of this to take place.This is amazing! Jacob didn’t think he would ever see his son’s face again and now not only is he experiencing the impossible he is even seeing his own grandchildren he didn’t even know he had. This is a great example of how God gives us more than we think is even possible. Jesus talked about this. Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” The Holy Spirit speaking through Paul to the Christians in Ephesus says this. Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. If it’s in God’s will and brings attention to God in all of his power, majesty and love it will happen regardless of how unlikely from our limited perspective. Now that is good news!