Jacob buried at Machpelah

It is interesting to think of the span of Jacob’s life. The fleeing from Esau. The years of working for Laban. The marrying of two competitive sisters. The coming of children. The loss and rediscovery of Joseph. The salvation of Egypt. But then this – the desire to return to the cave at Machpelah near Mamre.

The consolation of returning home.

I have this. A free plot at an ancestral cemetery near my families ancient homestead. I have felt the urge to be buried there, where my line extends through five generations. Harry, Edwin, Henry, Levi and Andrew; all tied to this one location. Though I have never lived anywhere near this place, somehow my life has meaning in this context of generations. I lived and will die like my fathers before me.

In that place, my story and their story merge into an epic continuum. We think in this way. Recognizing in the arc from humble German Anabaptist preachers to whatever one might call what I’ve become. I find some meaning in this. It is a kind of grounding for my children and for theirs after them.

A waypoint on the path to authentic community, Jacob lived like this.