We are in chapter 49 of Genesis with our word for today used for the first time in the Bible in our chapter. גֶּ֫רֶם bone, bones, strength, self, substance. It is used 5 times in the Old Testament. It is used in a figurative sense of uncovered or bare. We would say today down to the bare bones. 2 Kings 9:12-13 Jehu said, “Here is what he told me: ‘This is what the Lord says: I anoint you king over Israel.’” They quickly took their cloaks and spread them under him on the גֶּ֣רֶם bare steps. Then they blew the trumpet and shouted, “Jehu is king!”
We see it used in a literal sense of physical bones. Proverbs 25:15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a גָּֽרֶם bone. Job 40:15, 18 Look at Behemoth… Its bones עֲ֭צָמָיו are tubes of bronze, its גְּ֝רָמָ֗יו limbs like rods of iron. Since have the different Hebrew word here for bones our word in context makes the most sense to be translated limbs. This is understandable because a big part of your limbs would be your arm bone. What is interesting is God’s bringing up the Behemoth as an example of strength which is how it is used in our chapter today.
Genesis 49:14-15 Issachar is a גָּ֑רֶם strong donkey, crouching between the sheepfolds. He saw that a resting place was good, and that the land was pleasant, so he bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant at forced labor. Isaachar was situated at the eastern end of the fertile Jezreel Valley (Joshua 19:17–22), sandwiched between Zebulun and the Jordan River. The judge Tola was from Isaachar (Judges 10:1–2); the men of Isaachar fought against Sisera (Judges 5:15); and David had soldiers from that tribe who understood the times and knew what Israel should do (1 Chronicles 12:32). Many of the men of this tribe were valiant in battle (7:5). We today think of a donkey as an ignoble beast of burden, but in Old Testament times, kings rode on donkeys (1 Kings 1:38ff). The image in Genesis 49:14–15 is that of a strong people who weren’t afraid to carry burdens. The people of Isaachar were hard working and devoted to the soil. They were content with their lot and made the most of it. This tribe produced no great heroes, but their everyday labor was a help to others. After all, not everybody in Israel was called to be a Judah or a Joseph!
We have already looked at God’s creative and dynamic overwhelming power with past words. Even though our word for today is not specifically used to address God the concept certainly fits. God is also a power that works consistently in the background to get the job done. Jesus describes He and the father in this way. John 5:16-17 So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” This is very comforting that God is on the job taking care of things. A because he doesn’t need sleep like we do he is always on call and in charge. I’ll close with this great Psalm 121:1-8 I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
