Sometimes, it's the little-known stories, the tucked-away details, that truly bring the past to life. Let's dive into a snippet from the Book of Jasher, a text mentioned in the Bible itself (Joshua 10:13 and 2 Samuel 1:18), though the version we have today is likely a medieval work drawing on earlier traditions. Today, we're looking at Chapter 69, and it's a fascinating glimpse into power, succession, and the ever-present struggle for freedom.
So, what's happening? Well, the king of Edom has kicked the bucket after an 18-year reign. He gets buried in a temple he built for himself—talk about planning ahead for your afterlife! But here's where it gets interesting: the children of Esau, who are the descendants of Edom, don't just pick any random Joe to be their next ruler. Nope. They send all the way to Pethor, "which is upon the river," to find a young man named Saul. And he wasn't just any Saul; he was a looker, with "beautiful eyes and comely aspect." Looks matter, apparently, even when choosing a king! They bring him back and crown him king in place of the former ruler, Samlah. Saul then reigns over Edom for a good forty years.
But wait, there's more! The Book of Jasher then shifts its focus back to Egypt and the plight of the Israelites. Remember Balaam, the prophet hired to curse Israel? (Numbers 22-24) Well, apparently, his advice to Pharaoh on how to deal with the Israelites didn't pan out. Instead of dwindling away, the Israelites were thriving: "fruitful, multiplied, and increased throughout the land of Egypt." So, what does Pharaoh do? He doubles down on oppression.
Here’s where it gets truly heartbreaking. Pharaoh issues a decree that no Israelite man can slack off on his daily labor. And the punishment for falling short? If a man didn't produce enough bricks or mortar, his youngest son would be taken and literally put in the place of the missing brick. Can you imagine the horror? The Book of Jasher tells us that this happened "day by day, all the days for a long period." It paints a stark picture of the brutality and desperation faced by the Israelites.
There is, however, one small glimmer of hope in this dark chapter. The tribe of Levi, from the very beginning, didn't participate in this forced labor. Why? Because, according to the Book of Jasher, "the children of Levi knew the cunning of the Egyptians." They were wise to the Egyptians' schemes from the start and somehow managed to avoid this terrible fate. What exactly was this cunning? The text doesn't elaborate here, leaving us to wonder about the details of their strategy.
What does this all mean? Chapter 69 of the Book of Jasher offers a glimpse into the political landscape and the daily lives of people caught in the crosshairs of powerful rulers. It reminds us that even in the face of immense suffering, there are always those who resist, who find ways to survive, and who, like the tribe of Levi, perhaps even manage to outsmart their oppressors. And it sets the stage for the larger story of redemption and liberation that we know is coming. The story of Exodus is indeed a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit against unimaginable odds.