We have seen much in the first 3 weeks of this 52 week journey through the bible. A question one can ponder as one reads is; Where is the individual putting faith, In the Lord or in the self? What is important to this individual and how does it show? In this love story, the Old Testiment, between God and fallen humanity we have read accounts of individuals with faith in God and of individuals with faith in themselves. We have seen and will continue to see the results of where that faith is placed and we will learn that God uses all to forward His plan. His plan will not be thwarted.
The account of Sodom and Gommorah brought to mind when one considers the New Testiment passage Romans 1:28: "Furthermore, since they did not think it worhwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done."
Faith and trust in God and God's plan is a major factor in our reading today; allowing Isaac to stay in Gerar during the famine, to plant and reap 100 fold, to develop wealth and to respond to Abimelech's request to move, to dig wells 3 are named here; Esek (strife), Sitnah (hatred or opponent), and Rehoboth (broad place); to build an altar and call upon the name of the Lord and dig yet another well Shibah (oath) at Beersheba in Southern present day Israel.
Realize how much freedom Issac had bending to God's will during these challenging times rather than digging in his heels and bickering about his situation.
On a side: Consider the promised land, you will read the term "from Dan to Beersheba"; this means from the north to the south of Israel, the whole of the promised land.
The account of Isaaac, Rebekah and their relationships with their children, Esau and Jacob. There were several challenges favoritism and lack of respect come to mind. We are instructed in Hebrews 12:16 to "See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son."
For one bowl of red stew, Esau sold his birthright. This birthright conveyed a blessing, a double portion of the inheritance. On a side the Hebrew word for blessing is berakah, this is virtually an anagram of the word bekorah with the meaning birthright and firstborn.
What long term goals may you have lost for a short term satisfaction?
How do you show your realization that we are all parts of the same body in Christ?
How are you retaining and showing your retention of the knowledge of God?
What is important to you?
Pray for time management skills, for safe travel, and for attendance and participation in Worship and in all areas of Christian education.
In Christ.
David P
No comments:
Post a Comment