Today is Wednesday, therefore we we a day to reflect upon the Scriptures we have read the last seven days. If you possibly missed a day of reading or are behind, use today to get one day caught up. So what are you reflecting on today? Please post your reflection day status!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Genesis 33-36 & Psalm 12
Genesis 33-36
Jacob's prayers were answered. Do you see from Jacob's example how the Lord works when you trust Him too? Jacob could have done it on his own. Possible formulated an army, or possibly gone the long way to avoid Esau's land. Instead, he prayed to God to take care of it. And when he and Esau saw each other, Esau ran and embraced his brother whom he had not seen in over twenty years. God worked through Jacob's prayers.
Jacob continued to obey God and he traveled to the city of Bethel which is in the land of Canaan (the land God promised Abraham and Isaac). Along the way, one of Jacob's daughters were captured and raped. However, her captor swore he was in love with Jacob's daughter. So, because the sons of Jacob were too few to launch an army attack, they plotted to get back at Shechem. This however, was in their own planning. They didn't include God in on their decision. So we see Jacob being faithful to God and praying and trusting God in one instance. However, in an instant, his anger gets the best of him (and who could blame him) and they carry out their own plan. But we see him second guessing himself and their actions in Genesis 34:30. But God continues to offer protection for them. And Jacob continues to listen to God.
As they traveled to Canaan, Rachel gives birth to a second son (Benjamin); however, she had great difficulties while in labor. She died while giving birth to Benjamin. We don't read about it; but, I can imagine that this was incredibly difficult for Jacob for Rachel was his first chosen wife whom he loved more than Leah (Genesis 29). Soon after, we see in passing this sentence that said "Rueben (Leah's oldest son) slept with Bilhah, his father's concubine (Rachel's maidservant) and someone told Jacob about it". And nothing else here is said. However, this is not the last time we will hear about this incident. Jacob will see to it that Reuben is punished. Our sins may not always see immediate consequences. But they always will reap their due consequences.
Genesis 36 sums up the genealogy of Esau. We see that Esau marries a girl from the family of Ishmael (Abraham's son from Hagar, Sarah's servant). Remember from Ishmael would come the Arab nations. Therefore, the family line splits again--Jacob is God's chosen one to bear God's chosen people. It is God's chosen people and the Arab people that always have the problems between them. Interesting how the intermarrying occurs. Rebekah sent Jacob off to be married to a woman from their family (Genesis 28). But Esau is left to marry the women of the land. Although we don't find much spiritual value in genealogies, we can find interesting ties to make the story make more sense.
Again, like in Psalm 11, David is crying out to the Lord amidst the evil oppression from his enemies. He lives among a lying generation of people. And so God sees their oppression. You know, maybe our society is not quite this bad yet, but we live in a perverse generation where you lie to get ahead and immorality is quickly becoming an accepted norm. And those of us who try to live righteous lives, we feel that we are slowly fading into the background with an unfair disadvantage because we do "the right thing". The footnote in my Bible about this chapter makes reference to an Old Testament character we will soon read about named Elijah who felt so lonely that he wanted to die at one point. But God told him that there were 7,000 other faithful believers and that he needed to find them (1 Kings 19). We need to understand that we need each other. Church is vital in this day and age because it is a safe environment where we can be encouraged in our beliefs and in our obedience to God. In a world that would rather sleep off the night before, Sunday mornings are important for us to be recharged to be in a world that was like David's--that is a lying and perverse group of people.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Genesis 30-32 & Psalm 11
Genesis 30-32
Genesis 30 opens with the same conflict that we read about with Abraham and Sarah. Sarah gave her servant to Abraham to sleep with to have a child. Now, just 2 generations later, Rachel is doing the very same desperate move. From this a competition between the sisters ensued to having the most babies. This is how the seven years passed as Jacob worked for Laban for the hand of Rachel in marriage.
When Jacob requests to leave and return to his homeland in Canaan, Laban realized how valuable Jacob was in his work and how wealthy Laban had become while having such a good worker. He didn't want to see him go. So they bargined and decided any sheep or goat with color in its coat will be Jacob's. All of the pure white ones will remain Laban's. Bust Laban schemed against Jacob and had all of the colored goats moved to a field that was a 3 day journey to get to. Therefore, Jacob set out to train the goats to mate near the watering trough at which he placed peeled tree branches. This method seems incredibly ridiculous. However, some shepherds during this time thought you could affect the color of the goat's coat by the images that you place in the mind of the mother carrying the kid. Perhaps more believable, it was God's provision and promise to make Jacob into a great nation that caused the goats to react to the tree branches.
The Lord then sent Jacob home to Canaan-he, his family, and all of the wealth that he had acquired. It was three days before Laban realized that they had left. So he left in pursuit to find them. Seven days later, he caught up to them. But on the sixth day, Laban had a dream in his sleep and it was God speaking to him. God said to Laban, "Be careful what you say to Jacob." God was continuously watching out for Jacob. After several events, they made a treaty not to harm one another and the next day, Laban left for good.
Along the way home, Jacob and his family must pass through the land of his brother Esau. It had been more than 20 years since they had last seen each other and it was then that Jacob deceived his father Isaac for Esau's blessing. So Jacob was afraid that Esau would still be angry and might seek to bring harm to Jacob and his family. And so at the news that Esau was coming to meet Jacob personally, Jacob split up his family into 2 groups. He had hopes that at least on of the groups would make it through safely. In addition, Jacob prepared a gift for Esau in hopes to appease him or earn his favor. He prepared a huge gift of more than 550 animals! Such a gift would instantly make a man incredibly wealthy! In addition to his own extravagant gift and splitting up his family, he prayed to God. Don't you know that it is good for us to act under our own minds and figure out solutions to our problems. However, we should also entreat God on our life's situations! Jacob prayed to God for provision. We should too!
As Jacob sent his family and possessions away, Jacob spent the night alone at the camp. In the night, "a man" came and began to wrestle with Jacob. Why would this unexpected event happen? Well, for the first time Jacob turned his problem totally over to God when He prayed! And so, possible to test him, God came in the form of a "man" and began to wrestle with Jacob. But Jacob would not give up. This went on all night. Jacob continued, in utter exhaustion, until morning. Then the "man" touched Jacob's hip and put it out of socket so that Jacob might give up. He never did and only asked that God "bless" him. At that, God changed Jacob's name to Israel which means "He struggles with God." Jacob finally got it with God! No longer will he be a deceiver but now will be one who struggles through life with God but will overcome with God! What do you need to trust to God so that you can overcome it in your life?
We will now continue into a set of Psalms (Psalm 11-13) that carries a unified theme-"David is overwhelmed with the wickedness in the world." Although this may seem very somber and not very uplifting; how many times do we feel the same way? The setting of this Psalm is continuing when David was hiding from King Saul who was seeking to kill him (1 Samuel 18-26). David cries out to God amidst his hiding "The wicked are stringing their bows and setting their arrows in the bowstrings." He is afraid for his life. But he continues to trust in the Lord that He would carry out justice: "The Lord still rules from heaven" (verse 4). Bear in your heart today as you go about your day verse 7--"For the Lord is righteous, and he loves justice. Those who do what is right will see his face." Do what is right in the name of the Lord.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Genesis 27-29 & Psalm 10
Genesis 27-29
Remember in Genesis 25, Rebekah gave birth to twin sons. The oldest-Esau was hairy. The younger-Jacob was grasping the heel of the firstborn. It is said that Rebekah favored her younger son. We also read that God was going to bless Jacob and make him the family leader. This is contrary to the culture-for in the East during this time (and still today), the oldest son will be the primary heir to the estate of the father as well will continue the leadership of the family. As Isaac prepares for his final breath, he must pronounce a blessing on the oldest son which will seal the confirmation that he will be the heir and leader of the family. Rebekah over hears what is happening and devises a plan to accomplish God's plan her own way. This is not right. I love how the bible seems to show people's flaws as well as successes. It shows me that the Bible is truly real, for if it was fiction, why would someone want to insert their flaws?
We see the consequences of Jacob's sin. When he lied and deceived his father, his consequences were: 1) He never will see his mother again for he is sent away to his uncle Laban; 2) his brother wants to kill him; 3) he will be deceived by his uncle Laban as we will see; 4) his family is now torn by strife; and 5) Esau will become the father of a nation that Israel will be enemies with.
Jacob will leave to find the place of his uncle Laban's home. It is the same place that Abraham grew up. Along the way, he stops for the night and makes camp. In his sleep, he has a dream-of which God is pronouncing the same blessing/promise on Jacob that he gave to Isaac and Abraham. Therefore, God has chosen to bring his nation of people through Abraham-Isaac-and Jacob.
We find in Genesis 29 a true love story. As Jacob finds love at first sight with Rachel, he makes a contract with his uncle Laban. It is custom for men of this time to prepare a "dowry" to present to the new in-laws as a gift to compensate with the "financial" loss of their daughter. It was a substantial financial gift sometimes valuing years of labor. Jacob left home without bringing a dowry, so his "dowry" was 7 years labor. However, there was another custom that Jacob was not familiar with. Fathers always gave their oldest daughter in marriage before the younger. Therefore Jacob is deceived in to marrying Leah before Rachel. They all (Jacob and his two wives) started their family-Leah having 4 children so far and Rachel remaining barren.
Have you ever wondered this question David opens up with God? "O Lord, Why do you stand so far off? Why do You hide when I need You most?" It's a question I have wrestled with. Although this Psalm seems a bit morbid and not so much an uplifting Psalm, it does reflect the thoughts we sometimes have when evil people succeed. "Why does God allow them to succeed when the righteous are suffering?" It's a question we have all asked. The answer is not given here. However, there seems to be a combination of both request for God's presence in this time and a trust that God is in control. This is a good reminder to me that when times are difficult--I need to do two things: 1) I need to cry out to God. 2) I need to trust God to be in control.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Genesis 24-26 & Psalm 9
Genesis 24-26
Genesis 24 depicts the choosing of a wife for Abraham's son Isaac. It is a far cry for how we get married today. Rebekah was a third cousin to Isaac. Do you notice how God worked through circumstance? In the little things, Abraham's servant stopped and worshiped God. I find it a rewarding thing to notice God working in the little things. How one person opens up and begins to understand God; how someone's attitude changes; how things fall into place perfectly. Granted it was no miracle, but I know that it could not have happened without God's working. Start noticing God working in the small things--it will bless you!
Genesis 26 opens with the very same promise from God to Abraham found in Genesis 12. The promise of a great nation coming from them continues through the family line. So far, we know that God will bring His chosen nation through Abraham and through Isaac.
Can you believe that Isaac continues in the same pattern of sin that his father did by lying about their wives? Evidently Abraham didn't share his mistakes with his sin to help him learn from his mistakes.
The heading in my Bible says that this Psalm was a song of praise written probably after David and the Israelites won victory over the Philistines (when David killed Goliath). As David praises God, I can't help but read Psalm 9:1-2 with praise to God from my own heart. What can you praise God for that overwhelms your heart with thanks?
David speaks of God being a fair judge. After returning from a basketball game, the officials of the game made some calls that I would not call "just". This is not a worry with God, for God always rules and judges with justice! In addition to His awesome justice, God also is a God of mercy (Psalm 9:13).
David prays that God will make the men who are his enemies know that "they are mere human". We need to get this in our own heads sometimes: God is GOD and I am not. He is ruler of all and over all. God is in charge. Too many times I have attempted to take complete control and I need to be reminded that "I am mere human". God is God. He will have His will be done.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Genesis 21-23 & Psalm 8
Genesis 21-23
Did you catch the awesomeness of the opening sentence of Genesis 21:1--Read it again! Does that give you reason to trust in God? Isaac is born just as God had promised Abraham and Sarah; and, Abraham was 100 years old. Isaac now is the rightful heir to Abraham's inheritance. And so it is Sarah's request that Hagar and Ishmael be sent away so that Isaac will not be improperly treated.
Have you ever endured something and thought that God was testing you? It is possible. The tests that God use are not intended to trip you up and watch you fall. God is not mean. Rather God tests His children to see how obedient they will be. God never intended for Abraham to kill his son Isaac. God wanted to know that Abraham valued God the most and that his obedience was complete. When it comes to your most cherished in your life-your children-do you love them more than you love God? Truly? This is a principle that God wants us all to know. Love God, first and foremost above all else. How do we do that? Trust God completely with everything! Read His word. Pray to Him always. And always obey what He says. When you do, God will always provide, just like He did for Abraham.
More than 40 years after she had given birth to Isaac, Sarah died at the age of 127. This is relatively young in this time period. After all we have seen people live as long as 900 years old and even older. After all that she and Abraham had been through, this was a terrible loss for Abraham and a proper and respectful burial was in order-and price was no option. Abraham honored his wife well with her burial.
In the opening words of Psalm 8, God is referred to as "O Lord, OUR Lord..." (NLT). At least that is the words my Bible uses. This possessive pronoun "OUR" leads me to worship with the Psalmist because God is not only David's "Lord"; but, God is also MY LORD! Can you praise God for being YOUR Lord today? Psalm 8:2 speaks of children and babies giving God praise. How would you interpret this? Perhaps it speaks of the child-like faith that children possess. How a little child can completely trust in their parents without reservations...like this little child, we too should have faith in OUR Lord! As you read Psalm 8:3-9, picture Genesis 1 and the wonder of God's creation. Compared to the universe and all that God created, what is man? But God considers humans to be His chief creation! A little lower than the angels and told to have care for all of creation. The Psalm ends with a parenthesis statement: It begins with "O Lord, OUR Lord..." and it ends with "O Lord, OUR Lord!" Such a wonderful song to sing to God! Try beginning your prayer time today with "O Lord, MY LORD!"
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Genesis 18-20 & Psalm 7
Genesis 18-20
Genesis 18 opens with the event of the foretelling of Abraham and Sarah's son. As three men (whom one of them are often referred to as "the Lord") ate the food that Abraham so hospitably had prepared for them, they shared with him that in one year, Sarah will give birth. Sarah overheard this announcement and laughed at the thought because at their age, it was physically impossible to give birth. However, we know by faith (as well as it is said here) that "nothing is too hard for the Lord" (Genesis 18:14) for "we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength" (Philippians 4:13).
The conversation with Abraham and the Lord in Genesis 18:16-33 is quite interesting. It reminds me of the age old question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" God is God and nothing is too hard for Him! However, we live in an evil world where vil runs free. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were incredibly wicked. All kinds of immoral sexual acts were performed with no moral boundaries (as we see in Genesis 19:5). Due to their incessant evil, God considers destroying the cities. The Great Flood had to be on Abraham's mind when he heard the Lord suggest it. The Flood was no more than 400 years ago and at Abraham's age of 100, his forefathers were from the Ark. So he begins to question if God would destroy innocent people. Is Abraham attempting to change God's mind? I doubt that. However, it has been suggested before that God was rather changing Abraham's mind. Abraham knew that God was just-he will punish sin. However, maybe Abraham was doubting somewhat the mercy of God. God used this as an opportunity to teach Abraham just how God's mercy really works. Just as we pray, we are not going to change God's mind through our prayers. Rather, when we pray, we come in tune with God's mind and that changes ours too!
Genesis 19, we see striking similarities between the hospitality of Abraham and Lot. Perhaps this is a way they were brought up? It is also a cultural mentality to take the utmost care and protection of guests. We see this obvious fact when the town's perverts wanted to molest the visitors. Lot rather offers them his daughters. Such a dreadful thing! This suggests the evil that was rampant in the city. At his defense, could Lot be plotting because he knew they were homosexual, they would not want his daughters? Whatever the case, the sin of the city is obvious!
God's mercy spared the only innocent people in the city-Lot's family. As they ran from the city, Lot's wife looked back and it killed her. Have you turned back to your former life before Christ and longingly looked to your sin? If so, God cannot compete with your former way of life. Jesus said Himself, "No one can serve two masters" (Matthew 6:24). The sin however, did rub off onto Lot's daughters. Their actions of having sex with their father shows of their upbringing in a sinful environment. As parents, we must attempt to raise our children in the Lord-even in a sinful environment. A note is given that their sons became the fathers of the nations called Moab and Ammon. These tow nations became pagan worshipping nations that Israel later defeated (Judges 3). The pagan god they worshipped was the god called Moelch who was worshipped an offering of burning little children. Do you see how sin can evil can spread through the generations if it is not caught and dealt with now!
Genesis 21 is another instance of Abraham using his own means for getting out of trouble. However, God delivered him and saved him once again. God usually doesn't reward us for our attempt to do life on our own; however, God will always see us through-even if we have to endure some trials along the way for attempting to do life without involving Him. No matter how much we love God, temptation does happen. We all have our own personal weaknesses; trust God in those times of weakness when you know you are especially vulnerable to sin.
This Psalm falls chronologically before David is king of Israel. The heading of the Psalm makes reference to "Cush of the tribe of Benjamin". This is probably one of the officers of King Saul's army (Saul was king before David) who was pursuing David to kill him because David was accused of attempting to kill king Saul (1 Samuel 24:9-11). Therefore, this Psalm is written out of a heart that has been wrongly accused of a crime. Have you ever been wrongly accused? Has anyone ever falsely blamed you for something? Doesn't that produce a vengeful feeling inside of you? "Wait until I get back at them..." Instead of having that mentality, David cries out to God! He petitions God to be the judge and to be the issue a sentence of punishment for their wrong-doing. Psalm 7:9 says, "For you look deep within the mind and heart O righteous God" (NLT). No matter what, God sees what is inside. He knows what you think. He knows you inner feelings. He knows your motives. You cannot hide from God! Have you attempted to hide something from someone because you didn't want them to find you out? You cannot do that with God! Psalm 7:12-16 tells us that those whose sin will eventually be allowed to run its course and its evil will eventually destroy itself. Those who are violent will die of violence; those who are liars will eventually become victims of others' deceit. And finally Psalm 7:17 tells us that when we pray for God to be just when we have been unjustly treated, we should follow David's example and thank God when we turn to Him!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)