Bedside Watchman -- FEW AND EVIL DAYS

Last Updated on : October 11, 2014

The Bedside Watchman

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January 28th -- Genesis 47

FEW AND EVIL DAYS

SPIRITUAL riches which can be ours even now, bring no conclusions of disgust or sadness, nor any fear of being robbed. They will not save us from the sorrows of human life, but they will help us to bear the pain. They do not arrest the process of decay in the dark streets of a Gentile city, but they give us hope of a better city to come. The patriarch Jacob illustrated the truth of the matter in the "few and evil days" of his pilgrimage, He was not cast in heroic mould as a warrior or a king to be admired of men. He was "a plain man dwelling in tents", without much animal courage or worldy skill. His virtue was the only one that will count in final issues. He had faith in God and tried to serve Him. All temporal blessings brought him sorrow. The good parents from whom he had to part, the riches which aroused jealousy of kinsmen, the wife who was taken from him, the daughter who brought shame, the wicked sons who caused him such grief, and the virtuous one who unwittingly brought the most pain of all. When he saw Joseph again, now honoured and powerful, his eyes were growing dim with age -- and the time for another parting was near. It seemed almost that with the end of bitter trials came the end of life.

ISLIP COLLYER, Principles and Proverbs, page 192