1 Now the famine was still severe in the land. 2 So when they had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, "Go back and buy us a little more food."
3 But Judah said to him, "The man warned us solemnly, 'You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.' 4 If you will send our brother along with us, we will go down and buy food for you. 5 But if you will not send him, we will not go down, because the man said to us, 'You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.' "
6 Israel asked, "Why did you bring this trouble on me by telling the man you had another brother?"
7 They replied, "The man questioned us closely about ourselves and our family. 'Is your father still living?' he asked us. 'Do you have another brother?' We simply answered his questions. How were we to know he would say, 'Bring your brother down here'?"
8 Then Judah said to Israel his father, "Send the boy along with me and we will go at once, so that we and you and our children may live and not die. 9 I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me personally responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him here before you, I will bear the blame before you all my life.
Jacob was so worried about Benjamin due to past experiences in his life. Somehow in my head when I read: why did you bring this trouble on me, I hear it spoken in the accent of an old, Jewish man. Then I imagine a man who is set in his ways. I wonder then how set in my ways am I? Do I carry negativity from past experiences with me or do I view the future through the lens of the Gospel? I love the fact that Judah guarantees Benjamin's safety, just as one of his descendant's Jesus Christ of Nazareth guarantees to never leave us or forsake us.
14 And may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved."
Jacob prayed before they departed and ended his prayer declaring he was bereaved. I can't imagine his anxiety and worry, but I want to follow his example and pray.
30 Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there...when I read this, the girl in me was screaming - tell them who you are, but it's about God's timing, not my own.
Gen 45 - Joseph finally reveals who he is. We have all seen dramatic reveals on various TV shows, however I don't think they compare to this one. He also lets his brothers off the hook very quickly in verse 5: And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
24 Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, "Don't quarrel on the way!" I am always tickled by this verse, even though he had been gone from his family for many, many years - he still knew his brothers.
Gen 46: Israel/Jacob knew to offer sacrifices to the Lord as he journeyed to Egypt, I have said it before and I will say it again, how much better would situations be if we prayed and praised before entering a difficult meeting, a crowded discount store, the post office, etc:
1 So Israel set out with all that was his, and when he reached Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.
2 And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, "Jacob! Jacob!"
"Here I am," he replied.
3 "I am God, the God of your father," he said. "Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. 4 I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph's own hand will close your eyes."
Can you imagine the love that flowed freely when Israel and Joseph saw each other and embraced, if only my heart was so thrilled when I saw my family and when I approach the Lord in prayer or in His word.
33 When Pharaoh calls you in and asks, 'What is your occupation?' 34 you should answer, 'Your servants have tended livestock from our boyhood on, just as our fathers did.' Then you will be allowed to settle in the region of Goshen, for all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians."
The Egyptians found shepherds detestable, just as so many find the Shepherd detestable today. Lord, please turn the hearts of Your lost sheep to Jesus - our Shepherd, may they know His voice!
Gen 47: 9 And Jacob said to Pharaoh, "The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty. My years have been few and difficult, and they do not equal the years of the pilgrimage of my fathers." 10 Then Jacob blessed [b] Pharaoh and went out from his presence.
Jacob blessed Pharaoh...it seems Pharaoh received the blessing. Do I bless people where ever I go, is Christ evident in me? Do I offer silent prayers for the cashiers, the stockers, other shoppers?
As the famine increased, the people depended on the govt. Do I depend on the govt. or the Lord in lean times?
Gen 48: Jacob recounts to Joseph what the Lord did for him. We should do that too. We need to remind ourselves how God has blessed us and always will bless us. Jacob claims Joseph's sons and blesses them:
15 Then he blessed Joseph and said,
"May the God before whom my fathers
Abraham and Isaac walked,
the God who has been my shepherd
all my life to this day,
16 the Angel who has delivered me from all harm
—may he bless these boys.
May they be called by my name
and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac,
and may they increase greatly
upon the earth."
17 When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand on Ephraim's head he was displeased; so he took hold of his father's hand to move it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head. 18 Joseph said to him, "No, my father, this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head."
19 But his father refused and said, "I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations." 20 He blessed them that day and said,
"In your [c] name will Israel pronounce this blessing:
'May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.' "
So he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.
21 Then Israel said to Joseph, "I am about to die, but God will be with you and take you back to the land of your fathers. 22 And to you, as one who is over your brothers, I give the ridge of land I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow."
Gen 49: Jacob gathers his sons around and speaks his last words to them. I would hate to be on the receiving end of some of them. 49:10 has some of the dearest words ever, the promise of the Messiah:
The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until He comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is His.
Gen 50: Jacob was mourned in Egypt and buried in Canaan. After Jacob dies, his brothers begin to wonder if Joseph held a grudge against them...probably all those years of living with a lie had taken a toll of them:
15 When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?" 16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, "Your father left these instructions before he died: 17 'This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.' Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father." When their message came to him, Joseph wept.
Joseph assured them all was forgiven. The last we hear of Joseph he assures his family that God will aid them and he asked his bones not be left in Egypt. I will miss the Patriarchs along with their drama, dysfunction, love, and seeking the Lord, I can so relate to imperfect families by looking in the mirror at my own face.
Job's portfolio and life is laid out before us. His children loved to banquet and took turns throwing them. I wonder if that is similar to living off a trust fund today? Did they think they could live off their father's spiritual blessings and inherit eternal life through him instead of believing Messiah would come?
1 In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters, 3 and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.
4 His sons used to take turns holding feasts in their homes, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would send and have them purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular custom.
The angels present themselves to the Lord for an accounting and satan joins them:
8 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."
9 "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. 10 "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face."
12 The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
Satan mocked God, he tried to induce God into striking everything Job had.
In verse 22 we have such a holy witness: In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. I don't think I have blamed God for things, I certainly hope I never do. I know we have all heard people blame God for various situations and events, but He is not the author of evil, sickness, or disease. He is the Father of Lights, every good and perfect gift comes from Him.
In chapter 2 of Job, we see satan is still at it:
1 On another day the angels [a] came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. 2 And the LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?"
Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it."
3 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason."
4 "Skin for skin!" Satan replied. "A man will give all he has for his own life. 5 But stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face."
6 The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life."
7 So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. 8 Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes.
9 His wife said to him, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!"
10 He replied, "You are talking like a foolish [b] woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.
Job still retains his integrity after losing family, livestock, and health. Job's own wife wanted him to curse God. Can you imagine living with a spouse who wants you to curse God! Job's 3 friends arrive and the visit begins so well, 7 days and nights no one spoke. Imagine the power of the silence.
In chapter 3 Job curses the day he was born, yet his did not curse God. We can only imagine the physical and emotional pain he suffered at this point. In Chapter 4 & 5Eliphaz speaks, I chose a couple of verses to post:
6 Should not your piety be your confidence
and your blameless ways your hope?
7 "Consider now: Who, being innocent, has ever perished?
Where were the upright ever destroyed?
8 As I have observed, those who plow evil
and those who sow trouble reap it.
So in effect he is blaming Job for his distress. He would have been better served to keep his mouth shut. We don't know why people suffer, after all we all sin. Eliphaz sounds so concerned at 1st...I shudder to think of horrible words I have uttered in all sincerity in love and truth to people over the years. In chapters 6 & 7, Job responds to Eliphaz:
10 Then I would still have this consolation—
my joy in unrelenting pain—
that I had not denied the words of the Holy One.
11 "What strength do I have, that I should still hope?
What prospects, that I should be patient?
12 Do I have the strength of stone?
Is my flesh bronze?
13 Do I have any power to help myself,
now that success has been driven from me?
14 "A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends,
even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
We must put our confidence in the Lord and not men, not even our friends.
Chapter 8 Bildad says: 2 "How long will you say such things?
Your words are a blustering wind.
3 Does God pervert justice?
Does the Almighty pervert what is right?
4 When your children sinned against him,
he gave them over to the penalty of their sin.
5 But if you will look to God
and plead with the Almighty,
6 if you are pure and upright,
even now he will rouse himself on your behalf
and restore you to your rightful place.
Does anyone wonder if the phrase with friends like that who needs enemies orginate in the days of Job? Bildad was not the least bit encouraging. He did not pray for Job. He stated his opinion - Oh Lord, forgive me for the times I stated my opinions when I should have been in prayer for someone.
Chapters 9 & 10 Job responds to Biddad, he began to talk about God and His wisdom and quit complaining. During hard times, I want to remain focused on the Lord, I want to truly examine my heart and repent from sin and cast it out of my life. I want friends to pray for me, I don't mind godly counsel, but I don't need the blustery speeches of a Bildad or Bildadene in my life!
In chapter 11, we hear from Zophar, 2 "Are all these words to go unanswered?
Is this talker to be vindicated?
3 Will your idle talk reduce men to silence?
Will no one rebuke you when you mock?
4 You say to God, 'My beliefs are flawless
and I am pure in your sight.'
5 Oh, how I wish that God would speak,
that he would open his lips against you
6 and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom,
for true wisdom has two sides.
Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin.
What a way to talk to your friend, I don't see truth and love here...to me Zophar comes across as a pompous man - Lord help me, do I come across as a pompous woman...I never want to be pompous or a know it all.
In chapter 12, Job got his grit back, he says in the following verses:
4 "I have become a laughingstock to my friends,
though I called upon God and he answered—
a mere laughingstock, though righteous and blameless
13 "To God belong wisdom and power;
counsel and understanding are his.
Job 13
1 "My eyes have seen all this,
my ears have heard and understood it.
2 What you know, I also know;
I am not inferior to you.
3 But I desire to speak to the Almighty
and to argue my case with God.
4 You, however, smear me with lies;
you are worthless physicians, all of you!
5 If only you would be altogether silent!
For you, that would be wisdom.
20 "Only grant me these two things, O God,
and then I will not hide from you:
21 Withdraw your hand far from me,
and stop frightening me with your terrors.
22 Then summon me and I will answer,
or let me speak, and you reply.
Oh Lord, may I be concerned with Your opinion and Your words, not the things of this world or popular opinion...but You Lord.
Job and his friends continue the discourse through the rest of the readings for this week. Job suffered mightily, but he never blamed the Lord, I so want to be a women who never blames the Lord. Here are a few verses which really touched me:
My offenses will be sealed up in a bag; you will cover over my sin.
Will your long-winded speeches never end? What ails you that you keep on arguing?
I also could speak like you, if you were in my place; I could make fine speeches against you and shake my head at you. But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.
I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Week 3 - Genesis 29-42
Blogger had a couple of problems last night and ate part of this post. Spell check was not working and I tried to "unbold" words I wrote and blogger would not make corrections. Please do not think I am so puffed up w/ pride that I must type my words next to God's words in bold print!
Gen 29: Jacob resumes his journey and meets shepherds at a well who know Laban and his family. When Rachel brings Laban's flock to the well Jacob kisses her and introduces himself. She runs home to tell Laban. After Jacob had been there a month, Laban proposed Jacob work. I wonder if he was still a homebody hanging out at the tents cooking stew?
Now Laban had two daughters: the older was named Leah, and the younger was named Rachel. 17 Leah had delicate eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful. 18 Jacob loved Rachel, so he answered Laban, "I'll work for you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel." 19 Laban replied, "Better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay with me." 20 So Jacob worked seven years for Rachel, and they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her. 21 Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife, for my time is completed. I want to sleep with her." 22 So Laban invited all the men of the place to a feast. 23 That evening, Laban took his daughter Leah and gave her to Jacob, and he slept with her. 24 And Laban gave his slave Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her slave. 25 When morning came, there was Leah! So he said to Laban, "What is this you have done to me? Wasn't it for Rachel that I worked for you? Why have you deceived me?" 26 Laban answered, "It is not the custom in this place to give the younger [daughter in marriage] before the firstborn. 27 Complete this week [of wedding celebration], and we will also give you this [younger] one in return for working yet another seven years for me."
Jacob had been deceived by his father-in-law. The bitter irony of it all. He was married to Leah and he did not love her. I cannot imagine being in her shoes. Jacob reaped what he sowed, just as I do. Jacob worked 7 more years and married Rachel.
Leah was unloved, one sister favored over another, the Lord saw Leah was unloved and opened her womb. Leah knew her children were a result of crying out to the Lord and she named them accordingly:
Reuben, for she said, "The LORD has seen my affliction; surely my husband will love me now." She conceived again, gave birth to a son, and said, "The LORD heard that I am unloved and has given me this [son] also." So she named him Simeon. She conceived again, gave birth to a son, and said, "At last, my husband will become attached to me because I have borne him three sons." Therefore he was named Levi. And she conceived again, gave birth to a son, and said, "This time I will praise the LORD." Therefore she named him Judah. Then Leah stopped having children.
Gen 30: Rachel is upset she has no children and demands Jacob give her children which angered Jacob, he asked her if he was in God's place. Rachel comes up with a plan, she decides Jacob should sleep with her slave:
Then she said, "Here is my slave Bilhah. Go sleep with her, and she'll bear [children] for me so that through her I too can build [a family]." So Rachel gave her slave Bilhah to Jacob as a wife, and he slept with her. Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son. Rachel said, "God has vindicated me; yes, He has heard me and given me a son," and she named him Dan. Rachel's slave Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. Rachel said, "In [my] wrestlings with God, I have wrestled with my sister and won," and she named him Naphtali.
Leah decides she must compete with Rachel and have more children; she too has a plan:
When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she took her slave Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife. Leah's slave Zilpah bore Jacob a son. Then Leah said, "What good fortune!" and she named him Gad. When Leah's slave Zilpah bore Jacob a second son, Leah said, "I am happy that the women call me happy," so she named him Asher.
The next section has always bothered me, maybe this type of thing was common in their day, the sisters decide who Jacob will sleep with over Rachel's desire for mandrakes. Leah accuses Rachel of taking her husband. Can't you imagine the anger and venom caused by the hurt and rejection? People who are wounded emotionally whether real or imagined tend to lash out. I think we see this with Leah. Through Laban, Jacob, Leah, and Rachel - we see how God works out His plan even when we manipulate, plan, scheme, lie - in other words sin...
But Leah replied to her, "Isn't it enough that you have taken my husband? Now you also want to take my son's mandrakes?" "Well," Rachel said, "you can sleep with him tonight in exchange for your son's mandrakes." When Jacob came in from the field that evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, "You must come with me, for I have hired you with my son's mandrakes." So Jacob slept with her that night. God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son. Leah said, "God has rewarded me for giving my slave to my husband," and she named him Issachar. When Leah conceived again and bore Jacob a sixth son. "God has given me a good gift," Leah said. "This time my husband will honor me because I have borne him six sons," and she named him Zebulun. Later, Leah bore a daughter and named her Dinah. Then God remembered Rachel. He listened to her and opened her womb. She conceived and bore a son, and said, "God has taken away my shame." She named him Joseph: "May the LORD add another son to me."
What did Jacob think if anything when his wives struck this bargain? More sons were born and then Rachel bore Joseph. The family dynamics of a favored child will once again come into play. Jacob is ready to take his wife, children, slaves, and belongings home. Laban does not want him to leave. I was always curious about verse 27 But Laban said to him, "If I have found favor in your sight, [stay.] I have learned by divination that the LORD has blessed me because of you." We know through out the Bible divination is an abomination to the Lord, if Laban knew the Lord was with Jacob and blessed Laban because of Jacob, why didn't he choose to serve the Lord? I suppose it's the same reason I have turned from the Lord and sinned when I knew I was sinning going into it. Does anyone else find this curious?
Jacob and Laban made an agreement about the livestock and Laban moved his flocks. Jacob remained with part of Laban's flocks:
Jacob then took branches of fresh poplar, almond, and plane wood, and peeled [the bark], exposing white stripes on the branches. He set the peeled branches in the troughs in front of the sheep—in the water channels where the sheep came to drink. And the sheep bred when they came to drink. The flocks bred in front of the branches and bore streaked, speckled, and spotted young. Jacob separated the lambs and made the flocks face the streaked and the completely dark sheep in Laban's flocks. Then he set his own stock apart and didn't put them with Laban's sheep. Whenever the stronger of the flock were breeding, Jacob placed the branches in the troughs, in full view of the flocks, and they would breed in front of the branches. As for the weaklings of the flocks, he did not put out the branches. So it turned out that the weak sheep belonged to Laban and the stronger ones to Jacob. And the man became very rich. He had many flocks, male and female slaves, and camels and donkeys.
Gen 31: Of course this leads to trouble with Laban's sons, they are concerned about their inheritance and Laban's attitude changes. The Lord sends Jacob back to his father's land.
25 When Laban overtook Jacob, Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country, and Laban and his brothers also pitched [their tents] in the hill country of Gilead. 26 Then Laban said to Jacob, "What have you done? You have deceived me and taken my daughters away like prisoners of war! 27 Why did you secretly flee from me, deceive me, and not tell me? I would have sent you away with joy and singing, with tambourines and lyres, 28 but you didn't even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters. You have acted foolishly. 29 I could do you great harm, but last night the God of your father said to me: 'Watch yourself. Don't say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.' 30 Now you have gone off because you long for your father—but why have you stolen my gods?" After Laban was warned by God not to say anything good or bad to Laban, it seems to me he said an awful lot. He would have sent them away with joy and singing, tambourines, lyres, he mentioned he didn't get to kiss the grandbabies or daughters goodbye. He then tells Jacob he acted foolishly. And lastly, he wants to know why Jacob stole his gods...It's not in Scripture, but I don't think this little talk was plan A. I think he felt Jacob had cheated him and he was on a mission to get what he thought was his back. When we feel wronged do we set out to make it right one way or another without praying? Do we call everyone we know until we find someone to agree with us? Or do we trust in the Lord and let Him handle it?
Jacob was afraid, still hard to believe he lived in fear considering his relationship with the Most High God and he had no clue Rachel had stolen the gods:
31 Jacob answered, "I was afraid, for I thought you would take your daughters from me by force. 32 If you find your gods with anyone [here], he will not live! Before our relatives, point out anything that is yours and take it." Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen [the idols]. Rachel hid them, Laban did not find them. Finally Jacob is incensed and he confronts Laban about working for him for 20 years and the wages changed 10 times. Laban responds with it's all mine. No matter what the cause is, this passage reminds me how painful most separations are. Children move out, parents die. We know we will see them again, but it's still painful. Laban and Jacob hammer out a covenant and then sit down to dinner. Reminds me of the Barones on Everybody Loves Raymond. High emotions one moment and a family meal the next.
Gen 32: Jacob sends messengers to Esau. 1 of my sister-in-laws did not speak to several family members for years. 1 day some of them received a Christmas card in the mail with a little note as if it had been a week since their last conversation. Jacob had to do something bigger than a note. He really wanted to prepare Esau for his return and seek favor:
3 Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. 4 He commanded them, "You are to say to my lord Esau, 'This is what your servant Jacob says. I have been staying with Laban and have been delayed until now. 5 I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, male and female slaves. I have sent [this message] to inform my lord, in order to seek your favor.
Jacob was afraid and greatly distressed. Can you imagine a reconcilation after getting your brother's birthright and his father's blessing? Did Esau remain angry and let the anger build all these years? Or had he forgiven? Did Jacob admit his part in the problem or was he frightened his big brother would snap him in 2? Was Esau now sorry he married the Hittites and the Canaanite? So much water under the bridge. Jacob divided his people and flocks into 2 camps so 1 could escape if Esau and his army attacked. He then did what we tend to do last sometimes, he prayed:
9 Then Jacob said, "God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the LORD who said to me, 'Go back to your land and to your family, and I will cause you to prosper, ' 10 I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness You have shown Your servant. Indeed, I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two camps. 11 Please rescue me from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid of him; otherwise, he may come and attack me, the mothers, and their children. 12 You have said, 'I will cause you to prosper, and I will make your offspring like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.
By verse 19, we see Jacob wants Esau's forgiveness.
19 He also told the second one, the third, and everyone who was walking behind the animals, "Say the same thing to Esau when you find him. 20 You are to also say, 'Look, your servant Jacob is right behind us.' " For he thought, "I want to appease Esau with the gift that is going ahead of me. After that, I can face him, and perhaps he will forgive me."
This is not theological, like most of what I post, it's something that struck me. As Jacob wrestled with the angel, he was tenacious which is something we should be as we face situations. We should be contenders in prayer.
26 Then He said to Jacob, "Let Me go, for it is daybreak." But Jacob said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me." 27 "What is your name?" the man asked. "Jacob!" he replied. 28 "Your name will no longer be Jacob," He said. "It will be Israel because you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed."
Jacob - now Israel prevailed in his struggles with God and men. When we are contending for ourselves or loved ones or a situation, we must remember through Jesus we prevail.
Gen 33: Jacob wanted to prepare Esau for his return, he didn't know what to expect from his brother. We find out in verse 4: But Esau ran to meet him, hugged him, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. Then they wept. There was love...what a beautiful image, these 2 men hugging and weeping. Imagine how much more our Lord loves us, and how much hugging and weeping there is when we return to Him after a season of separation.
Jacob decided he better pave the way for his return, in verse 8:So Esau said, "What do you mean by this whole procession I met?" Reminds me of people trying to get their act together before they make Jesus their Lord and Savior. To find favor with you, my lord," he answered. 9 "I have enough, my brother," Esau replied. "Keep what you have."
Gen 29: Jacob resumes his journey and meets shepherds at a well who know Laban and his family. When Rachel brings Laban's flock to the well Jacob kisses her and introduces himself. She runs home to tell Laban. After Jacob had been there a month, Laban proposed Jacob work. I wonder if he was still a homebody hanging out at the tents cooking stew?
Now Laban had two daughters: the older was named Leah, and the younger was named Rachel. 17 Leah had delicate eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful. 18 Jacob loved Rachel, so he answered Laban, "I'll work for you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel." 19 Laban replied, "Better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay with me." 20 So Jacob worked seven years for Rachel, and they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her. 21 Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife, for my time is completed. I want to sleep with her." 22 So Laban invited all the men of the place to a feast. 23 That evening, Laban took his daughter Leah and gave her to Jacob, and he slept with her. 24 And Laban gave his slave Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her slave. 25 When morning came, there was Leah! So he said to Laban, "What is this you have done to me? Wasn't it for Rachel that I worked for you? Why have you deceived me?" 26 Laban answered, "It is not the custom in this place to give the younger [daughter in marriage] before the firstborn. 27 Complete this week [of wedding celebration], and we will also give you this [younger] one in return for working yet another seven years for me."
Jacob had been deceived by his father-in-law. The bitter irony of it all. He was married to Leah and he did not love her. I cannot imagine being in her shoes. Jacob reaped what he sowed, just as I do. Jacob worked 7 more years and married Rachel.
Leah was unloved, one sister favored over another, the Lord saw Leah was unloved and opened her womb. Leah knew her children were a result of crying out to the Lord and she named them accordingly:
Reuben, for she said, "The LORD has seen my affliction; surely my husband will love me now." She conceived again, gave birth to a son, and said, "The LORD heard that I am unloved and has given me this [son] also." So she named him Simeon. She conceived again, gave birth to a son, and said, "At last, my husband will become attached to me because I have borne him three sons." Therefore he was named Levi. And she conceived again, gave birth to a son, and said, "This time I will praise the LORD." Therefore she named him Judah. Then Leah stopped having children.
Gen 30: Rachel is upset she has no children and demands Jacob give her children which angered Jacob, he asked her if he was in God's place. Rachel comes up with a plan, she decides Jacob should sleep with her slave:
Then she said, "Here is my slave Bilhah. Go sleep with her, and she'll bear [children] for me so that through her I too can build [a family]." So Rachel gave her slave Bilhah to Jacob as a wife, and he slept with her. Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son. Rachel said, "God has vindicated me; yes, He has heard me and given me a son," and she named him Dan. Rachel's slave Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. Rachel said, "In [my] wrestlings with God, I have wrestled with my sister and won," and she named him Naphtali.
Leah decides she must compete with Rachel and have more children; she too has a plan:
When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she took her slave Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife. Leah's slave Zilpah bore Jacob a son. Then Leah said, "What good fortune!" and she named him Gad. When Leah's slave Zilpah bore Jacob a second son, Leah said, "I am happy that the women call me happy," so she named him Asher.
The next section has always bothered me, maybe this type of thing was common in their day, the sisters decide who Jacob will sleep with over Rachel's desire for mandrakes. Leah accuses Rachel of taking her husband. Can't you imagine the anger and venom caused by the hurt and rejection? People who are wounded emotionally whether real or imagined tend to lash out. I think we see this with Leah. Through Laban, Jacob, Leah, and Rachel - we see how God works out His plan even when we manipulate, plan, scheme, lie - in other words sin...
But Leah replied to her, "Isn't it enough that you have taken my husband? Now you also want to take my son's mandrakes?" "Well," Rachel said, "you can sleep with him tonight in exchange for your son's mandrakes." When Jacob came in from the field that evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, "You must come with me, for I have hired you with my son's mandrakes." So Jacob slept with her that night. God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son. Leah said, "God has rewarded me for giving my slave to my husband," and she named him Issachar. When Leah conceived again and bore Jacob a sixth son. "God has given me a good gift," Leah said. "This time my husband will honor me because I have borne him six sons," and she named him Zebulun. Later, Leah bore a daughter and named her Dinah. Then God remembered Rachel. He listened to her and opened her womb. She conceived and bore a son, and said, "God has taken away my shame." She named him Joseph: "May the LORD add another son to me."
What did Jacob think if anything when his wives struck this bargain? More sons were born and then Rachel bore Joseph. The family dynamics of a favored child will once again come into play. Jacob is ready to take his wife, children, slaves, and belongings home. Laban does not want him to leave. I was always curious about verse 27 But Laban said to him, "If I have found favor in your sight, [stay.] I have learned by divination that the LORD has blessed me because of you." We know through out the Bible divination is an abomination to the Lord, if Laban knew the Lord was with Jacob and blessed Laban because of Jacob, why didn't he choose to serve the Lord? I suppose it's the same reason I have turned from the Lord and sinned when I knew I was sinning going into it. Does anyone else find this curious?
Jacob and Laban made an agreement about the livestock and Laban moved his flocks. Jacob remained with part of Laban's flocks:
Jacob then took branches of fresh poplar, almond, and plane wood, and peeled [the bark], exposing white stripes on the branches. He set the peeled branches in the troughs in front of the sheep—in the water channels where the sheep came to drink. And the sheep bred when they came to drink. The flocks bred in front of the branches and bore streaked, speckled, and spotted young. Jacob separated the lambs and made the flocks face the streaked and the completely dark sheep in Laban's flocks. Then he set his own stock apart and didn't put them with Laban's sheep. Whenever the stronger of the flock were breeding, Jacob placed the branches in the troughs, in full view of the flocks, and they would breed in front of the branches. As for the weaklings of the flocks, he did not put out the branches. So it turned out that the weak sheep belonged to Laban and the stronger ones to Jacob. And the man became very rich. He had many flocks, male and female slaves, and camels and donkeys.
Gen 31: Of course this leads to trouble with Laban's sons, they are concerned about their inheritance and Laban's attitude changes. The Lord sends Jacob back to his father's land.
25 When Laban overtook Jacob, Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country, and Laban and his brothers also pitched [their tents] in the hill country of Gilead. 26 Then Laban said to Jacob, "What have you done? You have deceived me and taken my daughters away like prisoners of war! 27 Why did you secretly flee from me, deceive me, and not tell me? I would have sent you away with joy and singing, with tambourines and lyres, 28 but you didn't even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters. You have acted foolishly. 29 I could do you great harm, but last night the God of your father said to me: 'Watch yourself. Don't say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.' 30 Now you have gone off because you long for your father—but why have you stolen my gods?" After Laban was warned by God not to say anything good or bad to Laban, it seems to me he said an awful lot. He would have sent them away with joy and singing, tambourines, lyres, he mentioned he didn't get to kiss the grandbabies or daughters goodbye. He then tells Jacob he acted foolishly. And lastly, he wants to know why Jacob stole his gods...It's not in Scripture, but I don't think this little talk was plan A. I think he felt Jacob had cheated him and he was on a mission to get what he thought was his back. When we feel wronged do we set out to make it right one way or another without praying? Do we call everyone we know until we find someone to agree with us? Or do we trust in the Lord and let Him handle it?
Jacob was afraid, still hard to believe he lived in fear considering his relationship with the Most High God and he had no clue Rachel had stolen the gods:
31 Jacob answered, "I was afraid, for I thought you would take your daughters from me by force. 32 If you find your gods with anyone [here], he will not live! Before our relatives, point out anything that is yours and take it." Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen [the idols]. Rachel hid them, Laban did not find them. Finally Jacob is incensed and he confronts Laban about working for him for 20 years and the wages changed 10 times. Laban responds with it's all mine. No matter what the cause is, this passage reminds me how painful most separations are. Children move out, parents die. We know we will see them again, but it's still painful. Laban and Jacob hammer out a covenant and then sit down to dinner. Reminds me of the Barones on Everybody Loves Raymond. High emotions one moment and a family meal the next.
Gen 32: Jacob sends messengers to Esau. 1 of my sister-in-laws did not speak to several family members for years. 1 day some of them received a Christmas card in the mail with a little note as if it had been a week since their last conversation. Jacob had to do something bigger than a note. He really wanted to prepare Esau for his return and seek favor:
3 Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. 4 He commanded them, "You are to say to my lord Esau, 'This is what your servant Jacob says. I have been staying with Laban and have been delayed until now. 5 I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, male and female slaves. I have sent [this message] to inform my lord, in order to seek your favor.
Jacob was afraid and greatly distressed. Can you imagine a reconcilation after getting your brother's birthright and his father's blessing? Did Esau remain angry and let the anger build all these years? Or had he forgiven? Did Jacob admit his part in the problem or was he frightened his big brother would snap him in 2? Was Esau now sorry he married the Hittites and the Canaanite? So much water under the bridge. Jacob divided his people and flocks into 2 camps so 1 could escape if Esau and his army attacked. He then did what we tend to do last sometimes, he prayed:
9 Then Jacob said, "God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the LORD who said to me, 'Go back to your land and to your family, and I will cause you to prosper, ' 10 I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness You have shown Your servant. Indeed, I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two camps. 11 Please rescue me from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid of him; otherwise, he may come and attack me, the mothers, and their children. 12 You have said, 'I will cause you to prosper, and I will make your offspring like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.
By verse 19, we see Jacob wants Esau's forgiveness.
19 He also told the second one, the third, and everyone who was walking behind the animals, "Say the same thing to Esau when you find him. 20 You are to also say, 'Look, your servant Jacob is right behind us.' " For he thought, "I want to appease Esau with the gift that is going ahead of me. After that, I can face him, and perhaps he will forgive me."
This is not theological, like most of what I post, it's something that struck me. As Jacob wrestled with the angel, he was tenacious which is something we should be as we face situations. We should be contenders in prayer.
26 Then He said to Jacob, "Let Me go, for it is daybreak." But Jacob said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me." 27 "What is your name?" the man asked. "Jacob!" he replied. 28 "Your name will no longer be Jacob," He said. "It will be Israel because you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed."
Jacob - now Israel prevailed in his struggles with God and men. When we are contending for ourselves or loved ones or a situation, we must remember through Jesus we prevail.
Gen 33: Jacob wanted to prepare Esau for his return, he didn't know what to expect from his brother. We find out in verse 4: But Esau ran to meet him, hugged him, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. Then they wept. There was love...what a beautiful image, these 2 men hugging and weeping. Imagine how much more our Lord loves us, and how much hugging and weeping there is when we return to Him after a season of separation.
Jacob decided he better pave the way for his return, in verse 8:So Esau said, "What do you mean by this whole procession I met?" Reminds me of people trying to get their act together before they make Jesus their Lord and Savior. To find favor with you, my lord," he answered. 9 "I have enough, my brother," Esau replied. "Keep what you have."
In verse 11 Jacob witnesses to Esau about what the Lord has done for him: Please take my present that was brought to you, because God has been gracious to me and I have everything I need." So Jacob urged him until he accepted. After all this time it seems Esau was not a good receiver. I think of the times I have been a better giver than receiver. The Lord cannot bless us if we are not open to receive. He cannot communicate with us if our ears won't receive His words. I love verse 20: And he set up an altar there and called it "God, the God of Israel."
Gen 34: Shechem raped Dinah and her brothers avenged the act by deceiving Shechem, his father, and all the able bodied men of the city into being circumcised and then killed them as they recuperated. They plundered the city. All of this worried Jacob: 30 Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "You have brought trouble on me, making me odious to the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites and the Perizzites. We are few in number; if they unite against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed." This is not 1 of my favorite passages by any stretch of the imagination, but it speaks to me because after walking with the Lord all this time, Jacob was worried, he still experienced fear.
Gen 35: God said to Jacob, "Get up! Go to Bethel and settle there. Build an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau." Jacob arrives in a new place and builds an altar following God's instruction, note to self - Annette follow God's instructions. Verse 2: So Jacob said to his family and all who were with him, "Get rid of the foreign gods that are among you. Purify yourselves and change your clothes. 3 We must get up and go to Bethel. I will build an altar there to the God who answered me in my day of distress. He has been with me everywhere I have gone." 4 Then they gave Jacob all their foreign gods and their earrings, and Jacob hid them under the oak near Shechem. 5 When they set out, a terror from God came over the cities around them, and they did not pursue Jacob's sons. Have I rid myself of all idols? Does my spiritual as well as physical house need a good cleaning? Jacob tells his family God has been with him everywhere he has gone. Do I remember God is with me?
Gen 36: The genealogy of Esau. I skimmed it, nothing spoke to me, it could be because I had nto had any coffee yet and was in a mood, it was the morning after the doctor almost killed my father and I was working on forgiveness. Esau and Jacob separate.
Gen 37: Jacob/Israel stayed in the land where his father stayed - Canaan. In verse 3, we discover Joseph is the favored son which leads to problems with his brothers. Are you glad your are God's favorite daughter! I know I am glad I am His favorite daughter.
5 Then Joseph had a dream. When he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. 6 He said to them, "Listen to this dream I had: 7 There we were, binding sheaves of grain in the field. Suddenly my sheaf stood up, and your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf." 8 "Are you really going to reign over us?" his brothers asked him. "Are you really going to rule us?" So they hated him even more because of his dream and what he had said. 9 Then he had another dream and told it to his brothers. "Look," he said, "I had another dream, and this time the sun, moon, and 11 stars were bowing down to me." 10 He told his father and brothers, but his father rebuked him. "What kind of dream is this that you have had?" he said. "Are your mother and brothers and I going to bow down to the ground before you?" 11 His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter [in mind].
Can you imagine the brothers' jealousy? They probably talked while they were out in the fields and became more jealous and angry by the minute. I wonder if Joseph was a bit of a macho teen and made it worse - many 17 year old boys can make things much, much worse...
19 They said to one another, "Here comes that dreamer! 20 Come on, let's kill him and throw him into one of the pits. We can say that a vicious animal ate him. Then we'll see what becomes of his dreams!" We see what jealousy unchecked can do, his brothers go from being jealous to plotting murder. They settle for selling Joseph into slavery. Many times we commit one sin and it turns into many sins. What a snowball it can become and like Joseph we are in a pit, a spiritual pit.
Gen 38: As a New Covenant girl, the passage about Judah, his sons, and daughter in law contains a few things that are really hard. First let me say, I know the Lord God is just in all His decisions. I know He has never made a mistake, but to me this is hard to read:
6 Judah got a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. 7 Now Er, Judah's firstborn, was evil in the LORD's sight, and the LORD put him to death.8 Then Judah said to Onan, "Sleep with your brother's wife. Perform your duty as her brother-in-law and produce offspring for your brother." 9 But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so whenever he slept with his brother's wife, he released his semen on the ground so that he would not produce offspring for his brother. 10 What he did was evil in the LORD's sight, so He put him to death also.
So as I ponder this, I must say I take away from this - the wages of sin are death, I am keeping short accounts with the Lord, do I confess my sins and do I repent...
Judah made a deal with Tamar to marry his younger son Shelah when he was an adult. Apparently Judah forgot about Tamar because Shelah grew up and Tamar was still clothed as a widow. She decided to veil herself and wait for her father in law. Her appearance was that of a prostitute. Tamar slept with Judah and conceived twins. The Bible does not indicate they married.
Gen 39:1 Now Joseph had been taken to Egypt. An Egyptian [named] Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him there. 2 The LORD was with Joseph,and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master. v 5: From the time that he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house because of Joseph.
The Lord can bless us and we can bless because of Him where ever we are planted, no matter what the economy is doing, no matter what is going on in the world. Stay focused on Him. God is God, He has plans to prosper us and not harm us.
10 Although she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her. 11 Now one day he went into the house to do his work, and none of the household servants was there. 12 She grabbed him by his garment and said, "Sleep with me!" But leaving his garment in her hand, he escaped and ran outside. 13 When she realized that he had left his garment with her and had run outside, 14 she called the household servants. "Look," she said to them, "my husband brought a Hebrew man to us to make fun of us. He came to me so he could sleep with me, and I screamed as loud as I could. 15 When he heard me screaming for help, [h] he left his garment with me and ran outside." 16 She put Joseph's garment beside her until his master came home. 17 Then she told him the same story: "The Hebrew slave you brought to us came to me to make fun of me, 18 but when I screamed for help, he left his garment with me and ran outside."
Potiphar's wife was humiliated and then retaliated. What foolish things have I done to save face? When I was a teen my motto was don't get mad, get even. I am so glad I have progressed from that mentality. The Lord was blessing Joseph, the enemy was scheming against him. We must wear our armor and be aware of the prowling lion.
Gen 40: The Lord blessed Joseph in prison. He was the cupbearer's and chief baker's personal attendant. With the Lord's help, he interpreted dreams for them. The cup bearer promised to tell the king about his situation and forgot all about Joseph. Reminds me of the time people have stopped me and asked for prayer, I didn't write it down when I got home and forgot about them for days.
Gen 41:1 Two years later Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing beside the Nile,2 when seven healthy-looking, well-fed cows came up from the Nile and began to graze among the reeds. 3 After them, seven other cows, sickly and thin, came up from the Nile and stood beside those cows along the bank of the Nile. 4 The sickly, thin cows ate the healthy, well-fed cows. Then Pharaoh woke up. 5 He fell asleep and dreamed a second time: Seven heads of grain, full and good, came up on one stalk. 6 After them, seven heads of grain, thin and scorched by the east wind, sprouted up. 7 The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven full, good ones. Then Pharaoh woke up, and it was only a dream.
For 2 years Joseph sat in prison, I believe it was a season of preparation for him. He was brought from the dungeon, cleaned up and brought before Pharoah. Joseph did not pretend to interpret the dreams in his own strength, he gave credit to God. Once again a person who had no knowledge or very little knowledge of the Hebrew God, knew it was truth. Why do we know He is God and not always follow Him and serve Him! Egpyt prepared for the famine during a time of abundance. I think being in the Word and memorizing Scripture during a time of peace (abundance) prepares us for any famine (spiritual or real) which may occur.
Gen 42:1 When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, "Why do you keep looking at each other? 2 Listen," he went on, "I have heard there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us so that we will live and not die." 3 So 10 of Joseph's brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. 4 But Jacob did not send Joseph's brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he thought, "Something might happen to him."
Do you have a picture of the brothers sitting around looking at each other - murmuring and complaining? I know I have done that with Christian sisters in the past and will probably do it again, though I sincerely hope I do not. Jacob is fearful for Benjamin and keeps him at home.
18 On the third day Joseph said to them, "I fear God—do this and you will live. 19 If you are honest men, let one of you be confined to the guardhouse, while the rest of you go and take grain [to relieve] the hunger of your households. 20 Bring your youngest brother to me so that your words can be confirmed; then you won't die." And they consented to this. 21 Then they said to each other, "It is plain that we are being punished for what we did to our brother. We saw his deep distress when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this trouble has come to us." 22 But Reuben replied: "Didn't I tell you not to harm the boy? But you wouldn't listen. Now we must account for his blood!"
23 They did not realize that Joseph understood them, since there was an interpreter between them. 24 He turned away from them and wept. Then he turned back and spoke to them. He took Simeon from them and had him bound before their eyes. 25 Joseph then gave orders to fill their containers with grain, return each man's money to his sack, and give them provisions for their journey. This order was carried out. 26 They loaded the grain on their donkeys and left there.
Do you ever wonder if they discussed what they did to Joseph or just buried it deep inside. Had Reuben said for years I told you not to harm him? Were any of them ever at the point of spilling the beans and telling their father the truth?
Not to negate the pain of losing a child, but I find this statement of Jacob's to be a bit of an exaggeration: 36 Their father Jacob said to them, "You have deprived me of my sons. Joseph is gone and Simeon is gone. Now you want to take Benjamin. Everything happens to me!" Do I carry pain around instead of giving it to the Lord? He cannot heal me, my emotions cannot be healthy as long as I drag stuff around with me.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Week 2 - January 5-11, Gen 12-28
I am trying to choose nuggets from the readings this week instead of re-writing Gen. 12-28 in the Annette's Texas Paraphrase Standard Version.
It has always amazed me the Lord said to Abraham leave your homeland, your relatives, and your father's home and I will bless you. v3 states: I will bless those who bless you, I will curse those who treat you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you - We are recipients of the spiritual blessings given to Abram for his obedience to God because we are peoples.
Does anyone else wonder about Abram lying in v 11-13:
When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, "Look, I know what a beautiful woman you are. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, 'This is his wife.' They will kill me but let you live. Please say you're my sister so it will go well for me because of you, and my life will be spared on your account."
I have always wondered why he lied, he trusted God enough to leave everything familiar so why didn't he trust God to protect him? Of course we can make serious errors in judgment when we are battling fear in our own lives.
Chapter 13: 18 - So Abram moved his tent and went to live beside the oaks of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the LORD.
I love how Abram always worshiped the Lord where he was. He had seen the land promised to his offspring moved on to Mamre and set up an altar to the Lord. Worship was constant in his life. What would our lives be if we spent more time daily in worship?
Abram heard Lot had been taken prisoner, he raised his army and defeated the kings and rescued Lot. In v 18 we have a foretaste of Holy Communion and v 20 the tithe:
Then Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine; he was a priest to God Most High. He blessed him and said: Abram is blessed by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and give praise to God Most High who has handed over your enemies to you. And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Abram was obedient to the Lord when the king made this offer:
22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have raised my hand in an oath to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, 23 that I will not take a thread or sandal strap or anything that belongs to you, so you can never say, 'I made Abram rich.' 24 I will take nothing except what the servants have eaten. But as for the share of the men who came with me—Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre—they can take their share."
Gen 15: 1 After these events, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield; your reward will be very great. 2 But Abram said, "Lord GOD, what can You give me, since I am childless and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" 3 Abram continued, "Look, You have given me no offspring, so a slave born in my house will be my heir."
I love how God answers Abram's but Lord...God answered his question, God reassured him. Abram believed the Lord which required action and the covenant was made.
Gen 16: So much has been written about Hagar & Ishmael, I don't think I have a single thought to add.
I want to be a Gen 17:1 woman - When Abram was 99 years old, the LORD appeared to him, saying, "I am God Almighty. Live in My presence and be devout.
The Lord gives Abram and Sarai new names, I think it's the same with us, when we make Jesus our Lord and Savior - we become new creatures, it's like being renamed when we become part of the Covenant.
Then Abram fell to the ground, and God spoke with him: 4 "As for Me, My covenant is with you, and you will become the father of many nations. 5 Your name will no longer be Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I will make you the father of many nations. 6 I will make you extremely fruitful and will make nations and kings come from you. 7 I will keep My covenant between Me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, as an everlasting covenant to be your God and the [God] of your offspring after you.
Gen 18: Abraham has visitors and Sarah laughs. Abraham is told the Lord will destroy Sodom & Gomorrah. The angels leave and Abraham remains standing with the Lord. I love that..standing with the Lord. Abraham pleads for Lot and Lot's family's lives just as we contend for loved ones in prayer.
Gen 19: I am always astounded by how evil the city had become, so perverse, just as the world is today. It's really true - there is nothing new under the sun. Verse 26 But his wife looked back and became a pillar of salt. Lot's wife looked back just as the Hebrews looked back to Egypt...how many times do I take my eyes off the Lord and look back?
Gen 20: Abraham lies again, I still wonder about this. He must know he has to be alive to father many nations...does anyone else ponder this? Of course through the lie, Abimelech and his family experience the power of Yaweh. 17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female slaves so that they could bear children, 18 for the LORD had completely closed all the wombs in Abimelech's household on account of Sarah, Abraham's wife.
Gen 21: Isaac is born just as the Lord promised. Then in verse 8 we read: The child grew and was weaned, and Abraham held a great feast on the day Isaac was weaned. 9 But Sarah saw the son mocking - the one Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham. 10 So she said to Abraham, "Drive out this slave with her son, for the son of this slave will not be a co-heir with my son Isaac!"
Do you ever wonder if Sarah thought of her part in plan for Hagar to have a child? Abraham was troubled by sending them away and the Lord assured him they would ok. I can't imagine how hard it would be to send them away even though I know God does what He says He will do. And then then Hagar and Ismael run out of water, she fears her son will die and does not want to witness the death. I really feel for her. The Lord saves them just as He promised. Over and over we witness His faithfulness to His people.
Abimelech makes a covenant with Abraham. He recognized God was with Abraham all the time. I hope to come to the point that I abide in the Lord all the time and He abides in me. Again Abraham worships: 33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beer-sheba, and there he worshiped the LORD, the Everlasting God. 34 And Abraham lived as a foreigner in the land of the Philistines for many days.
Gen 22: God tests Abraham, in my opinion this is one of the biggest tests of faith we read about in the Bible. Abraham so trusted God, he obeyed the Lord and set out to make the sacrifice.
7 Then Isaac spoke to his father Abraham and said, "My father." And he replied, "Here I am, my son." Isaac said, "The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" 8 Abraham answered, "God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." Then the two of them walked on together.
God did provide the ram because Abraham honoured the Lord and was obedient to Him. For his obedience and reverence, Abraham was further blessed, he is the father of many nations. We are his heirs. 18 And all the nations of the earth will be blessed by your offspring because you have obeyed My command." We never know through our obedience to God who is blessed in the present and who will be blessed in the future. Who knows how many of us were prayed into the Kingdom by ancestors praying for future generations!
Gen 23: After Sarah's death, Abraham asked the Hittites for a burial place for Sarah. Once again a heathen people recognize Abraham as God's chosen one: 5 The Hittites replied to Abraham, 6 "Listen to us, lord. You are God's chosen one among us.
The Hittites recognized God's power but did not worship Him and turn away from their Gods. How often have I done the very same thing?
Gen 24: Abraham was old and it was time for Isaac to marry. The estate manager swore an oath Isaac would not go back to Ur or marry a Cannanite woman. The servant prayed for success and the Lord sent Rebekah to the well. The servant bowed down and worshiped the Lord. Her family gave permission for her to marry Isaac, blessed her and sent her away to marry. I loved how the servant prayed for success and prayed prayers of thanksgiving. It always gets me when I read Isaac loved her and was comforted after his mother's death.
Gen 25: I had forgotten about Abraham's other wife, concubines, and sons. He sent them away to the east. Isaac dies, Ishmael dies, and Esau and Jacob are born. Scripture tells us:
27 When the boys grew up, Esau became an expert hunter, an outdoorsman, but Jacob was a quiet man who stayed at home. 28 Isaac loved Esau because he had a taste for wild game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. Esau was a man's man, Texas tough. If he lived today Football would be on his lists of likes. Jacob was quiet and a homebody. 2 distinct personalities.
Verse 29 Once when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau came in from the field, exhausted. 30 He said to Jacob, "Let me eat some of that red stuff, because I'm exhausted." That is why he was [also] named Edom. 31 Jacob replied, "First sell me your birthright." 32 "Look," said Esau, "I'm about to die, so what good is a birthright to me?" 33 Jacob said, "Swear to me first." So he swore to Jacob and sold his birthright to him. 34 Then Jacob gave bread and lentil stew to Esau; he ate, drank, got up, and went away. So Esau despised his birthright. Can you imagine selling your birthright, your father's blessing for a bowl of stew? Since I was little girl, I have been astounded by this. What are my priorities? Where is my heart?
Gen 26: Abimelech falls for it again... Abimelech sent for Isaac and said, "So she is really your wife! How could you say, 'She's my sister'?" I think how many times will he fall for a lie? Well how many times do we fall for satan's lies? There were troubles over wells and Isaac moved and opened more wells. The Lord blessed him, he reaped 100 times what he sowed. The Lord is the same today, when we sow His Word and pray, we reap more than we sow. Isaac then has an ecounter with the Everlasting God:
23 From there he went up to Beer-sheba, 24 and the LORD appeared to him that night and said, "I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your offspring because of My servant Abraham." 25 So he built an altar there, worshiped the LORD, and pitched his tent there. Isaac's slaves also dug a well there.
Abimelech had a change of heart about Isaac: 28 They replied, "We have clearly seen how the LORD has been with you. We think there should be an oath between two parties—between us and you. Let us make a covenant with you: 29 You will not harm us, just as we have not harmed you but have only done what was good to you, sending you away in peace. You are now blessed by the LORD."
Esau marries and his wives make life bitter for Isaac and Rebekah. I wonder if I ever made life bitter for my mother-in-law, I am pretty sure I did on occasion.
Gen 27: Jacob steals Esau's birthright, he is encouraged by his mother. No family is perfect, but this part of the story has always bothered me. Esau's blessing was far different than Jacob's:
39 Then his father Isaac answered him: Look, your dwelling place will be away from the richness of the land, away from the dew of the sky above. You will live by your sword, and you will serve your brother. But when you rebel, you will break his yoke from your neck.
Rebekah hears Esau plans to kill Jacob because he is so angry, so she sends him to Laban. She wants to make sure she has no more Hittite daughter-in-laws. Isaac tells Jacob not to marry a Canannite and gives him another blessing. Esau marries a Canaanite woman, a daughter of Ismael out of spite. Jacob listens to his father and sets out to Laban's land. Jacob has a mighty encounter with God. Abraham and Isaac were with God so much of the time, Jacob has this powerful encounter and then says:
16 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he said, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it." 17 He was afraid and said, "What an awesome place this is! This is none other than the house of God. This is the gate of heaven." 18 Early in the morning Jacob took the stone that was near his head and set it up as a marker. He poured oil on top of it 19 and named the place Bethel, though previously the city was named Luz. 20 Then Jacob made a vow: "If God will be with me and watch over me on this journey, if He provides me with food to eat and clothing to wear, 21 and if I return safely to my father's house, then the LORD will be my God. 22 This stone that I have set up as a marker will be God's house, and I will give to You a tenth of all that You give me."
If God does this, this, and this - then the Lord will be my God and Iwill tithe. How many bargains did I make with the Lord growing up? Probably too many to count! So much for short...
It has always amazed me the Lord said to Abraham leave your homeland, your relatives, and your father's home and I will bless you. v3 states: I will bless those who bless you, I will curse those who treat you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you - We are recipients of the spiritual blessings given to Abram for his obedience to God because we are peoples.
Does anyone else wonder about Abram lying in v 11-13:
When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, "Look, I know what a beautiful woman you are. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, 'This is his wife.' They will kill me but let you live. Please say you're my sister so it will go well for me because of you, and my life will be spared on your account."
I have always wondered why he lied, he trusted God enough to leave everything familiar so why didn't he trust God to protect him? Of course we can make serious errors in judgment when we are battling fear in our own lives.
Chapter 13: 18 - So Abram moved his tent and went to live beside the oaks of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the LORD.
I love how Abram always worshiped the Lord where he was. He had seen the land promised to his offspring moved on to Mamre and set up an altar to the Lord. Worship was constant in his life. What would our lives be if we spent more time daily in worship?
Abram heard Lot had been taken prisoner, he raised his army and defeated the kings and rescued Lot. In v 18 we have a foretaste of Holy Communion and v 20 the tithe:
Then Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine; he was a priest to God Most High. He blessed him and said: Abram is blessed by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and give praise to God Most High who has handed over your enemies to you. And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Abram was obedient to the Lord when the king made this offer:
22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have raised my hand in an oath to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, 23 that I will not take a thread or sandal strap or anything that belongs to you, so you can never say, 'I made Abram rich.' 24 I will take nothing except what the servants have eaten. But as for the share of the men who came with me—Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre—they can take their share."
Gen 15: 1 After these events, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield; your reward will be very great. 2 But Abram said, "Lord GOD, what can You give me, since I am childless and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" 3 Abram continued, "Look, You have given me no offspring, so a slave born in my house will be my heir."
I love how God answers Abram's but Lord...God answered his question, God reassured him. Abram believed the Lord which required action and the covenant was made.
Gen 16: So much has been written about Hagar & Ishmael, I don't think I have a single thought to add.
I want to be a Gen 17:1 woman - When Abram was 99 years old, the LORD appeared to him, saying, "I am God Almighty. Live in My presence and be devout.
The Lord gives Abram and Sarai new names, I think it's the same with us, when we make Jesus our Lord and Savior - we become new creatures, it's like being renamed when we become part of the Covenant.
Then Abram fell to the ground, and God spoke with him: 4 "As for Me, My covenant is with you, and you will become the father of many nations. 5 Your name will no longer be Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I will make you the father of many nations. 6 I will make you extremely fruitful and will make nations and kings come from you. 7 I will keep My covenant between Me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, as an everlasting covenant to be your God and the [God] of your offspring after you.
Gen 18: Abraham has visitors and Sarah laughs. Abraham is told the Lord will destroy Sodom & Gomorrah. The angels leave and Abraham remains standing with the Lord. I love that..standing with the Lord. Abraham pleads for Lot and Lot's family's lives just as we contend for loved ones in prayer.
Gen 19: I am always astounded by how evil the city had become, so perverse, just as the world is today. It's really true - there is nothing new under the sun. Verse 26 But his wife looked back and became a pillar of salt. Lot's wife looked back just as the Hebrews looked back to Egypt...how many times do I take my eyes off the Lord and look back?
Gen 20: Abraham lies again, I still wonder about this. He must know he has to be alive to father many nations...does anyone else ponder this? Of course through the lie, Abimelech and his family experience the power of Yaweh. 17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female slaves so that they could bear children, 18 for the LORD had completely closed all the wombs in Abimelech's household on account of Sarah, Abraham's wife.
Gen 21: Isaac is born just as the Lord promised. Then in verse 8 we read: The child grew and was weaned, and Abraham held a great feast on the day Isaac was weaned. 9 But Sarah saw the son mocking - the one Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham. 10 So she said to Abraham, "Drive out this slave with her son, for the son of this slave will not be a co-heir with my son Isaac!"
Do you ever wonder if Sarah thought of her part in plan for Hagar to have a child? Abraham was troubled by sending them away and the Lord assured him they would ok. I can't imagine how hard it would be to send them away even though I know God does what He says He will do. And then then Hagar and Ismael run out of water, she fears her son will die and does not want to witness the death. I really feel for her. The Lord saves them just as He promised. Over and over we witness His faithfulness to His people.
Abimelech makes a covenant with Abraham. He recognized God was with Abraham all the time. I hope to come to the point that I abide in the Lord all the time and He abides in me. Again Abraham worships: 33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beer-sheba, and there he worshiped the LORD, the Everlasting God. 34 And Abraham lived as a foreigner in the land of the Philistines for many days.
Gen 22: God tests Abraham, in my opinion this is one of the biggest tests of faith we read about in the Bible. Abraham so trusted God, he obeyed the Lord and set out to make the sacrifice.
7 Then Isaac spoke to his father Abraham and said, "My father." And he replied, "Here I am, my son." Isaac said, "The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" 8 Abraham answered, "God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." Then the two of them walked on together.
God did provide the ram because Abraham honoured the Lord and was obedient to Him. For his obedience and reverence, Abraham was further blessed, he is the father of many nations. We are his heirs. 18 And all the nations of the earth will be blessed by your offspring because you have obeyed My command." We never know through our obedience to God who is blessed in the present and who will be blessed in the future. Who knows how many of us were prayed into the Kingdom by ancestors praying for future generations!
Gen 23: After Sarah's death, Abraham asked the Hittites for a burial place for Sarah. Once again a heathen people recognize Abraham as God's chosen one: 5 The Hittites replied to Abraham, 6 "Listen to us, lord. You are God's chosen one among us.
The Hittites recognized God's power but did not worship Him and turn away from their Gods. How often have I done the very same thing?
Gen 24: Abraham was old and it was time for Isaac to marry. The estate manager swore an oath Isaac would not go back to Ur or marry a Cannanite woman. The servant prayed for success and the Lord sent Rebekah to the well. The servant bowed down and worshiped the Lord. Her family gave permission for her to marry Isaac, blessed her and sent her away to marry. I loved how the servant prayed for success and prayed prayers of thanksgiving. It always gets me when I read Isaac loved her and was comforted after his mother's death.
Gen 25: I had forgotten about Abraham's other wife, concubines, and sons. He sent them away to the east. Isaac dies, Ishmael dies, and Esau and Jacob are born. Scripture tells us:
27 When the boys grew up, Esau became an expert hunter, an outdoorsman, but Jacob was a quiet man who stayed at home. 28 Isaac loved Esau because he had a taste for wild game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. Esau was a man's man, Texas tough. If he lived today Football would be on his lists of likes. Jacob was quiet and a homebody. 2 distinct personalities.
Verse 29 Once when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau came in from the field, exhausted. 30 He said to Jacob, "Let me eat some of that red stuff, because I'm exhausted." That is why he was [also] named Edom. 31 Jacob replied, "First sell me your birthright." 32 "Look," said Esau, "I'm about to die, so what good is a birthright to me?" 33 Jacob said, "Swear to me first." So he swore to Jacob and sold his birthright to him. 34 Then Jacob gave bread and lentil stew to Esau; he ate, drank, got up, and went away. So Esau despised his birthright. Can you imagine selling your birthright, your father's blessing for a bowl of stew? Since I was little girl, I have been astounded by this. What are my priorities? Where is my heart?
Gen 26: Abimelech falls for it again... Abimelech sent for Isaac and said, "So she is really your wife! How could you say, 'She's my sister'?" I think how many times will he fall for a lie? Well how many times do we fall for satan's lies? There were troubles over wells and Isaac moved and opened more wells. The Lord blessed him, he reaped 100 times what he sowed. The Lord is the same today, when we sow His Word and pray, we reap more than we sow. Isaac then has an ecounter with the Everlasting God:
23 From there he went up to Beer-sheba, 24 and the LORD appeared to him that night and said, "I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your offspring because of My servant Abraham." 25 So he built an altar there, worshiped the LORD, and pitched his tent there. Isaac's slaves also dug a well there.
Abimelech had a change of heart about Isaac: 28 They replied, "We have clearly seen how the LORD has been with you. We think there should be an oath between two parties—between us and you. Let us make a covenant with you: 29 You will not harm us, just as we have not harmed you but have only done what was good to you, sending you away in peace. You are now blessed by the LORD."
Esau marries and his wives make life bitter for Isaac and Rebekah. I wonder if I ever made life bitter for my mother-in-law, I am pretty sure I did on occasion.
Gen 27: Jacob steals Esau's birthright, he is encouraged by his mother. No family is perfect, but this part of the story has always bothered me. Esau's blessing was far different than Jacob's:
39 Then his father Isaac answered him: Look, your dwelling place will be away from the richness of the land, away from the dew of the sky above. You will live by your sword, and you will serve your brother. But when you rebel, you will break his yoke from your neck.
Rebekah hears Esau plans to kill Jacob because he is so angry, so she sends him to Laban. She wants to make sure she has no more Hittite daughter-in-laws. Isaac tells Jacob not to marry a Canannite and gives him another blessing. Esau marries a Canaanite woman, a daughter of Ismael out of spite. Jacob listens to his father and sets out to Laban's land. Jacob has a mighty encounter with God. Abraham and Isaac were with God so much of the time, Jacob has this powerful encounter and then says:
16 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he said, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it." 17 He was afraid and said, "What an awesome place this is! This is none other than the house of God. This is the gate of heaven." 18 Early in the morning Jacob took the stone that was near his head and set it up as a marker. He poured oil on top of it 19 and named the place Bethel, though previously the city was named Luz. 20 Then Jacob made a vow: "If God will be with me and watch over me on this journey, if He provides me with food to eat and clothing to wear, 21 and if I return safely to my father's house, then the LORD will be my God. 22 This stone that I have set up as a marker will be God's house, and I will give to You a tenth of all that You give me."
If God does this, this, and this - then the Lord will be my God and Iwill tithe. How many bargains did I make with the Lord growing up? Probably too many to count! So much for short...
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Reading January 1 - January 4, 2009 Gen 1-11
I am having a little trouble getting started with this post, I don't know why. As I read Gen 1, I was again struck by how orderly God is, He did everything in the precise time and order in which it needed to be done. If we live in His timing, listening to Him, our lives will be much more ordered without being so structured or legalistic there would be no joy or fun. We are created in His image, Gen 1:26 -27 tell us:
26 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the animals, all the earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth." 27 So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female.
We need to live like we believe we are created in His image...who needs self-esteem when we know we are created in the image of the Lord God Almighty!
Gen 2: 5 No shrub of the field had yet [grown] on the land, and no plant of the field had yet sprouted, for the LORD God had not made it rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground. 6 But water would come out of the ground and water the entire surface of the land. 7 Then the LORD God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.
I am looking at this through a New Covenant perspective, but I read Gen 2:5-7 and was really impressed if we do not water the seed which the Lord plants, there will be not fruit because nothing with sprout. We must abide and remain in Him and He will abide and remain in us, the Living Water and the breath of the Holy Spirit will produce fruit in our lives.
As I read Gen 3, I realized sometimes all it takes is 1 word or look to lead us into sin. It's not always a lengthy seduction into some type of sin, it can be 1 sentence...No! You will not die," the serpent said to the woman. Then the blame game began.
Gen 4:7 really caught my eye: If you do right, won't you be accepted? But if you do not do right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must master it." I never thought about sin crouching at my door...just like a lion crouching before it springs into action to kill it's prey.
Gen 5:22-42 stood out to me as well, I want to walk with God like Enoch did. A goal of mine this year is to fellowship with Him all day not just during time in prayer and in the Word. I want to walk with Him.
I never noticed in Gen 7 that the Lord shut Moses in the ark. I suppose I decided when I was young that Moses and his family climbed aboard after the animals were loaded and slammed the door shut like it was the family station wagon and off they went, and as I read Gen 7 over as an adult many times, I never noticed until now, the Lord shut them in the ark. After they were shut in the ark and the deluge came, there is no indication the Lord spoke to Moses until Gen 8:15 and when they left the ark, Moses immediately built an altar to the Lord and God made a covenant with man, later in chapter 9 we have a little family trouble, it doesn't take long does it. You have this huge event - the flood, you follow the Lord in all His instructions, you leave the ark, set up an altar, He makes a covenant with you and blam, sin strikes just like it does today.
Nothing really jumped out at me in chapter 10 other than Babylon and Assyria were mentioned, both were prominent in the Old Testament and prophecy.
Gen 11: Men were at it again, wanting to be God and building a city and tower, it was all about pride which was their idol and we are the same way, we must be so careful not to let any idol creep into our lives. Then in v 27 we are introduced to Abram and Sarai.
I will try to keep it short next week, I was so long winded tonight. Have a blessed week.
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