The Prayer of Jabez

In 2000, Bruce Wilkinson wrote the book "The Prayer of Jabez." I need to state right now I've never read the book. As such, feel free to ignore or disregard anything I say from this point on--that, as always, is your prerogative.

The only mention of Jabez in the Bible is found in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10. Jabez's prayer is in verse 10, where he states "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." I have no problem with Jabez--since all Scripture is is God-breathed and worthy for teaching (you'll read that on December 21st), I'll take it for what it's worth. My problem lies with Rev. Wilkinson.

In December 2005, an article appeared in the Wall Street Journal regarding Rev. Wilkinson's attempts to establish an orphanage in Africa. Despite all attempts (and I know what I'm doing), I am unable to provide a link to that article (due mostly to WSJ's outstanding ability to compel people to PAY for their site--I can't even access this article through academic database searches--smart people...), so you'll have to make due with my synopsis. 

The article described Rev.Wilkinson's attempts to establish an orphanage in Swaziland, and how he tried to do it without the aid of the Swaziland government, competent NGOs (non-government organizations, usually well-established charities) or other people with knowledge of how to accomplish things in Africa (empirical evidence would suggest that this is an EXTREMELY SHORT list). I can at least copy and paste the abstract from the article:

The article focuses on Georgia preacher Bruce Wilkinson, who in 2002 announced his intention to save one million children left orphaned by the AIDS epidemic. In October 2005, Wilkinson resigned from the African charity he founded, abandoning his plan to house 10,000 children in a combined orphanage, bed-and-breakfast, game reserve and bible college in the kingdom of Swaziland. Wilkinson won followers in Swaziland, but left them bereft and confused. He alienated Swazi officials with his demands. The setback stunned Wilkinson, who had believed that God would enable him to achieve the impossible.

The part I really wish I could copy and paste as evidence is where Rev. Wilkinson is quoted (and I paraphrase) as stating "I don't understand it--I'VE NEVER PRAYED SO HARD FOR SOMETHING IN MY LIFE" (emphasis obviously added). I was extremely confused by that statement. I've prayed for many things, and I've lost track of the prayers that weren't answered and yet the results were better than I had expected. So I sent Rev. Wilkinson an email, (the second thing I wish I could copy and paste, but that was three computers ago...), in which I asked him a very simple question. I asked "Is it possible your prayer was answered, and the answer was 'No'?" He was kind enough to answer, and his answer was (again, paraphrased) "No. God will give us what we ask in his name."

I have eleven months left to address this theme, and it will come up again (for example, October 6th), but I want to make clear my main problem with the whole Prayer of Jabez line of thought--it assumes that our prayers are the catalyst, the start to a solution, when prayer is generally the answer. If you don't understand me, consider Luther's meaning of the third petition of the Lord's Prayer:

The Third Petition.

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

What does this mean?

The good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our prayer; but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also.

God's will WILL be done--make NO mistake on that. If God wills us to be rich and enlarge our territory, so be it. If not, what are we to do--tell God he got it wrong? I'll finish where I started--I have no problem with Jabez's prayer, but will in no way adopt it as carte blanche to demand that God give me what I want--prayer will give me what I NEED, which will take many forms, such as:

What I want--yes, it happens (ask me when in my life)

Closure--the nudge to let something go

Discernment--the answer you've been looking for (and it might be no)

NO--wrong place, wrong time, wrong whatever...

Not now--be patient

Apologies in advance for the wordiness, and as a test, I'd LOVE to see your comments. Feel free to be anonymous.

Scott

Genesis Concludes (Feb1)

The famine on the earth is so severe that most all people exchange their money, livestock, land, and self into servitude to Pharaoh for food.  Priests, receiving a "regular allotment" from Pharaoh, are not forced into servitude.

Joseph then proclaims a one fifth portion of crops to be given to Pharaoh.  People ask for favor in the sight of "our lord;" but add that they will be in bondage to Pharaoh.

Israel asks Joseph to be carried out of Egypt to be buried where his fathers are buried.  He also advises that Rachel is buried near Bethlehem.

You will read the term in the Old Testiment:  "Gathered to my people."  This term reflects the belief that individuality is lost in death: and is a statement about the movement of the deceased remains; bones, from a sarcophagus, a stone coffin literally flesh eater; to a common ossuary, literally bone box.  Only with Greek influence, was it felt that individuality remained after death and with that feeling, bones were; near the time of Christ, 2nd temple times, placed in an individual ossuary.

Joseph reflects displeasure in the mixed blessing that Israel gives Joseph's children; for Jacob/Israel places his right hand on Ephraim, the second born; and his left hand on Manasseh, the first born. 

Hmmmmm...This reminds us of another pair, Isaac and Esau, where the second became greater than the first.

Jacob/Isrel blesses his 12 sons.

Jacob/Israel dies in Egypt and is subsequently given a full measure of enbalming and seven days of mourning and then buried in Cannan in the field of Machpelah near Marme.

Thoughts:

What seconds are you putting first in your life, or what "pharaohs" are you serving?

Pharaoh demanded 20%, the Lord asks for 10%...What do you think about that?

Do you give a full measure in your daily activities?


Pray for the Spirit to guide you in your daily walk.


In Christ


David P

Continued Prosperity in Egypt (Jan 31)

Today, we continue to read of descendants.  Tucked in the chronicle is the powerful prayer of Jabez and God's response:

"Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!  Let your hand  be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain. And God granted his request."  1 Chron 4:10b -NIV

A prayer for an extra measure of God's grace is given today as we consider this prayer, a prayer that would be excellent material for at least a 6 week Bible study.  May God give you through the Spirit time to further dig into actions, topics, prayers, and other readings as you are moved by the Spirit.

We continue on to read of the 70 who settle in Egypt.  Seventy,  that is ten times seven,  this number may represent a number of completion.  Yet let us consider what happens to those individuals.  They: proclaim to pharaoh that they are shepherds, are detestible to Egyptians; are given the best land in Egypt; are put in charge of pharaoh's livestock; and they multiply.  If over 400 years, they double in number every 20 years; after 400 years then there would be 73,400,320 individuals; this is an example of the power of geometric, or compound, growth.  Geometric growth amazed Einstein, for he could not comprehend the power of compound growth.

One can reflect how shepherds play a role in this account and in the account of the birth of Christ.  How to Egyptians, shepherds were detestable and as a result, set apart.  This setting apart may have played a major role in the Hebrew culture not being absorbed by intermarriage into the Egyptian culture.

Remember, a definition of "Holy" is being set apart to/for God.

Thoughts:

What do you take to the Lord in prayer?

What do you "set apart" for the Lord?  Time?  Talent?  Treasure?

How do you realize that the power of compound growth pales and is nothing in comparison to the power of God?


Pray for our pastoral leadership to feel and show in a loving way to others, by the Spirit, a reflection of God's awesome power.


In Christ.


David P

Reunited (And It Feels So Good)

First, a brief comment. I recorded Pastor Fay's teaching this morning and am in the process of uploading it to the Trinity YouTube site, which can be found at http://www.youtube.com/user/trinitydavenport. We'll see how this goes and what kind of interest there is, but it will give you an opportunity to view the teaching if you can't be present Sunday morning. In addition, we're going to start sharing the duty a bit from here on out on Sunday mornings, so look for the following to do the 20 minutes of teaching for the next month:

February 6th            David

February 13th          Pastor Fay

February 20th          Scott

February 27th          Scott

Today we read how Joseph finally revealed himself to his brothers and brought about a joyous reunion for him, and a potentially frightful one for his brothers. Think about it--a common business saying states that you meet the same people going up as going down, implying that you should always be courteous to those around you, since you'll never know when the day might come when you call them "Boss." That day of reckoning arrived for Joseph's brothers, and given what he's put them through up to this point (sending for Benjamin, accusing them of being spies, planting "stolen" goods on them, holding Simeon in prison), they certainly have a right to be wary, if not downright scared. Revenge is a dish best served cold, they say, and this dish has been waiting for quite some time.

But with all this preamble, we see that Joseph graciously lets them off the hook, with some of the most amazing words you'll ever read from a man sold into slavery: "...it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you." (45:5). I'm sure we're all equally gracious and forgiving to those who have done us wrong and understand God's divine will in our moments of distress. I'll just let that one hang on its own and breathe a bit...

So the brothers go home and tell Jacob. This isn't the last we'll see of Jacob, but it's getting close--think about all HE'S done in Genesis that was described by Pastor Fay today as "devious." He stole birthrights. He stole blessings. I won't say he stole goats from Laban, because God did the work there. He WRESTLED WITH GOD. He spent his life trying to get his way, and when he finally receives his most precious possession back, one he thought had been dead for years, how did he get it back? Through ABSOLUTELY NOTHING he did. It was God's will, and he was merely the lucky recipient. So, before we finish with Jacob and congratulate ourselves for not being like him, just how are we any different?  Nothing he did was able to return Joseph to him, and nothing we do will earn us salvation and an eternity in which we can ask Jacob at length just what the heck he was thinking at times. We're all the same--he just happened to be written about in the Bible.

Scott

Identities revealed, restoration of community (Jan 30)

Here, identities are revealed and a family is reunited, peace is born from fear by Joseph giving glory to God for the events that propelled him to Egypt.  With glory being given to God, Joseph is able to remove responsibility from and to freely forgive his brothers. Joseph then speaks of God's actions that "preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a deliverance."  What a prophecy pointing to Christ!  We will see in the next several months, the word remnant being used many times in the Old Testiment as the means for Jesus' lineage being preserved. 

Notice the fruits of the spirit here...love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control...Galatians 5:22-23.  Consider all the gifts kissing, weeping, talking, pharaoh and officials pleased; ultimately reunification of a family in a nearby land, Goshen.

We read about descendents of Brothers, and begin to understand God's nation building.

Thoughts:

How could the Spirit lead you to restore unity and lead to other Spiritual fruit in your:  family, work, community, church, or world?

Pray for the opportunity to bring Spiritual fruit with you.


In Christ


David P

Egypt Today

This will be another post only tangentially related to our reading, but I don't feel too bad about that since this a well-known story. Enjoy the next couple of weeks, because once we get past the liberation of the Israelites from Egypt, we're in for a 6-week immersion into the LAW. Those of you who think we talk too much Gospel and not enough Law, this should be right up your alley.

I want to contrast the Egypt of Joseph's time with what's been going on the past couple of days. As we read, apparently only Egypt among the nations has enough food. If you recall, 20% of the harvests were held back during the years of plenty to tide them through the years of lean. I won't bore you with the math that would suggest that this couldn't come close to sustaining a nation over a 7-year period, let alone leave surpluses sufficient to supply surrounding nations--let's just take it as it is explained, an example of what had to be the richest nation in the world, one with food.

Contrast that with what's been happening recently. The stage was set when the people of Tunisia overthrew their tyrannical leader a couple of weeks ago, and that catalyst is starting to spread throughout the Arab world. It reached a boiling point in Egypt a couple of days ago, and one of the articles in today's (Saturday) Wall Street Journal (there were a total of 9, plus an editorial) had this sentence that immediately put a sense of dread in me: "...the order that mobile phone and Internet connections be disabled throughout the country." That's a pretty drastic step and warranted an article of its own, which had the following chart:

In case you can't tell what it says, it shows the complete drop-off of Internet activity. In effect, Egypt is attempting to isolate itself from the rest of the world.

Despots in every era attempt to control the flow of information. The theme of Orwell's "1984" was this type of totalitarian control over information, indeed down to the level of changing history to fit updated circumstances. North Korea does this today. If you view North Korea using Google Maps, you'd see NOTHING--no roads, no infrastructure, nothing. Look at South Korea and you'll see roads, buildings, everything. When a ruler decides that things are so bad that all communication needs to stop, it probably won't end well.

Actually, this connects better with today's reading than I thought. Imagine if Joseph had taken the same approach. What if he had decided to retaliate against his brothers by withholding the food, or even worse, not even talking with them in the first place? I'll admit, he certainly didn't go out of his way to make things easy for them, but he could have done the same thing that is happening in Egypt today (closing the borders) for the OPPOSITE reason--to keep the outsiders from coming in (as opposed to information getting out). As we all know and will see tomorrow, he obviously didn't choose that path.

The parallels keep coming--we'll see in a couple of days when "a new king, who did not know about Joseph" (NEWS FLASH--you're going to LOVE my post for that day, which will be February 2nd), and the modern-day Egyptians might be facing the same thing--there have only been three leaders since 1956, and all (Gamal Nasser, Anwar Sadat and Hosni Mubarak) are connected, and Mubarak was in the process of transitioning power to his son, but most observers see that as close to impossible now. Indeed, as I write this (Saturday night), Mubarak may have already been overthrown or resigned. By all means, pray for a peaceful resolution, and remember the really big point--this was the mightiest country in the world in Joseph's time, and it's on the verge of a monumental collapse today. Nothing in this world lasts--except God.

Scott

Joseph and more family interactions (Jan29)

This reading leads us again to consider how we interact with our family.  Ten of Joseph's brothers travel from Canaan to Egypt to purchase grain so that they may "live and not die."  As events unfold, Joseph recognizes his brothers, the brothers do not recognize Joseph.  This, in addition to Joseph's position of power in Egypt, allows Joseph an upper hand in the transaction(s) by; accusing them they are spies, questioning their real purpose, giving the silver used to purchase grain back, commanding them to bring back the youngest son, placing his silver cup in Benjamin's sack, and holding brothers in custody.  Think of the challenge to Joseph, for he had to hide his tears in his dealings with his brothers.

These events give the brothers pause to; remember the acts they committed against Joseph, experience fear on several occasions, to bring excellent gifts to Joseph, and to offer a substitution as a slave in place of the boy.

Consider Jacob's role.  He favors Benjamin so much that he will not let Benjamin, Joseph's full brother, to accompany his other sons to Egypt, for he "was afraid some harm might come to him."  In addition, Jacob stated about Benjamin that his brother is dead and "he is the only one left."  Just imagine the thoughts and emotions of the other 10 siblings who are as closely related to Jacob as Benjamin upon hearing their father say, in other words; Benjamin is my only son left!


Some thoughts:

Where do you need to go, to get your grain, so that you may live and not die?

What bread has been freely given to us, that we cannot purchase?

How do you show that you are bringing "the best products in the land" to the "Man" who gave us this bread?

How would you explain to another why the "Man" weeps for his family?

Do you realize that this "Man" is equal to the most powerful "King" in the universe?

How many relationships would you accept slavery for in place of "the boy?"

Do you see a foreshadowing of God's love for you in the above questions based on this day's reading?


For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

                             John 3:16  NIV

Pray for the Spirit to provide the opportunity to show God's love in action today.

In Christ


David P

Seven

I'm going to take a slightly divergent path today and discuss a number we've already seen twice, ran across today and will see again numerous times in the future. In today's reading, we see the well-known interpretation of Pharaoh's dream of seven years of plenty followed by seven years of lean. Since we know this story well, I'm going to discuss just what was so powerful about the number seven back to the folks of that day.

As we are well aware, seven in Biblical terms usually connoted completeness. I like to check crackpot websites of dubious veracity from time to time to see what modern-day "geniuses" of the world have to say on the subject. Among the gems I unearthed are:

1. The Hebrew word for seven occurs a total of 392 times in the Bible. This is not only a multiple of seven but of seven times seven, 392 = 8 x 7 x 7. 392 is also remarkable for being the sum of the square of seven and the cube of seven, ie. 392 = (7 x 7) + (7 x 7 x 7) or 392 = 7² + 7³.

2. It may be nothing more than a strange coincidence that the word seven is used exactly seven times in Genesis chapter seven.

This kind of stuff cracks me up. If you think I'm weird because of some of the stuff I research, I got nothing on these people. But for seven to have the meaning it does, the other numbers have to have meanings also. Going back to when Jerome Nathan and I taught a class on Revelation about (wait for it) SEVEN years ago, notes I had credit Pythagoras with giving meaning to numbers, and subsequent reading I've done since then supports this. As such, here are (generally Pythagorean) interpretations of what each number means from 1 to 7:
1--unity, unique, increased strength
2--companionship, increased strength
3--a divine number in many religions, including Christianity
4--the universe
6--an evil number, because it falls short of the perfect 7
7--the sum of 3 and 4 (divinity and universality), implying perfection

By this logic, you can see the power in the number seven--since it contains both divine and universal properties, this is the very definition of God. Another way to look at this would be omnipotence, or an all-powerful, all-encompassing God. This is what hearers of that day would connect with hearing the number seven--it merely cemented the nature of God.

I don't get too lost in the purported symbolism of numbers in the Bible other than to understand that certain numbers do have significance--not hidden meaning, but instead importance or emphasis. For example, how many candles are on our candelabras? In many ways, we've internalized these meanings and have taken them for granted. When we get into Revelation, I'll have much more to say on the number seven, but this is enough for now. 

So when we consider the seven years of fat and seven years of lean prophesied in Pharaoh's dreams, think about that in terms of who would cause that to come about. Egypt of that time existed for the most part on the banks of the Nile because if you got too far away from the Nile, you were in desert. The only thing that made the land arable was the Nile, and if something were to happen--drought or some other calamity, there would be NO agriculture, and to envision a seven-year drought would be an unimaginable disaster beyond the comprehension of anyone alive at that time. Simply put, absent divine intervention, NOTHING could survive seven years of lean. But God gifted Joseph with not only the aptitude to interpret what the dreams meant, but the knowledge and skills to plan and carry out how to survive it. Seven years indeed--only a universal divinity could create the seven years of prosperity and follow that with seven years of lean AND in the process fulfill the dreams he had given Joseph years earlier. Pretty heady stuff when you take the time to ponder it and see what it really means.
Scott

Joseph's climb from prison to power (Jan 28)

Today we read about Joseph, his humiltiy, service, concern and persistance in giving glory to God.  We first learn about his dungeon companions being dejected, not because they are in prision, but rather because no one can interpert their dreams.

Joseph interperts their dreams and thus doing gives glory to God.  He asks the cupbearer to remember him in his situation when the cupbearer has pharaoh's attention to regain his freedom, but he does not list the ways that he has been wronged...he merely states that he has done nothing to deserve being placed in a dungeon.

We continue to read that 2 years later, pharaoh is then troubled by a dream and the cupbearer recalls Joseph.  Pharaoh then calls for Joseph, who is then prepared before being brought into pharaoh's presence. Again Joseph gives God glory before the dream meaning 7 years of much followed by 7 years of famine is interperted.

Here Joseph is given authority and here he calls for a 20 percent set aside of the crops. As a result of the action, recordkeeping of the amount saved was halted due to the fact that the amount set aside was beyond measure.

Due to wisdom, discernment, and guidance from God, the grain ultimately was sold to foreigners for the famine was severe throughout the world.

Thoughts:

What events cause you to feel dejected? Do you look to God during those situations?

How do you thank and show appreciation to God for your gifts?  How do you use your gifts?  How do you act when you are not remembered?

Do you consider time your time or God's time?

How do you prepare yourself for your meetings with "pharaoh"  Do you pray and ask for the Spirit's presence?

How do you prepare yourself for communion?

What do you set aside for the future?  For God?

How are you sharing God's bread, Jesus, with a hungry world?

Pray for the Word to be shared and hearts and minds to be prepared to receive The Good News.


In Christ

David P

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Gotta give props to Andrew Lloyd Webber for the title of this post, and for those who didn't know, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" was one of his first productions, perhaps even THE first, depending on your interpretation. Two brief comments before I dive into my comments for today:

1. Ever run across a part of the Bible and ask yourself "What the heck is THAT doing here?" Well, you just did--it's called Genesis 38.

2. For those who asked "What did they DO back then?" Apparently, have sex with anything that moved.

For those of you who grew up with siblings, you're all too familiar with the natural jealousies that arise over the pettiest of notions. As the youngest, I can freely state that I got away with murder, but I never tried to put myself in a position of advantage over my brothers and sister. I also never told them that they would eventually bow down and worship me (I let them reach that conclusion on their own--this is a joke--feel free to laugh). Having said that, I was fairly arrogant and self-satisfied, and I'm sure there were moments when selling me into slavery crossed their minds. 

Joseph wasn't so lucky. In a patriarchal society, son number 11 is usually pretty far down the food chain, yet clearly Jacob favored him. It's probably not a good idea for parents to show favoritism, and it's certainly a REALLY bad idea to to it in such an ostentatious display (what did we ever do before spell check--do you know how many times I had to type ostentatious before I got it right?). Those activities lead to envy, and what happens from there can get dicey when you're far from home and surrounded by ten jealous brothers.

They sold him for 20 shekels of silver. You read the note, that's the equivalent of around eight ounces, which is worth about $220 (the price I saw was $26.98 and ounce, or $215.84) today. You discount that back 4,000 years and that's about a penny. They basically gave him away, which I guess is better than killing him. Since this is a story we all know already, we know that this will eventually be to their benefit. This is just our introduction to Joseph--the moral of the story will come on Sunday (and that's in our Bible reading, not during our Bible study, although I won't speak to what Pastor Fay will say).

One of my younger daughter Alison's favorite movies is called "Labyrinth," (thanks again, spell check!) an oddball 1986 movie that starred David Bowie and a very young Jennifer Connelly. In the movie, she wished her brother gone, and POOF! Away he went into a strange netherworld that I've never fully comprehended. Connelly's character quickly realized she had acted rashly and went into the netherworld to rescue her brother from David Bowie and the awful songs he sang in that movie. This ain't Jean Genie/Diamond Dogs/TVC15 Bowie, but I highly doubt you're reading this to get an insightful critique into the influence that David Bowie has had on music over the past 40 years (short answer--HUGE). Just as in that movie, Joseph's brothers came to realize their mistake, and how that story plays out will have tremendous meaning.

Scott

The Next Generation...Enter Joseph, Judah, Etal. (Jan27)

Here we have an account of a family with challenges; a most favored son, jealous brothers, arrogance, bitterness, and we can see disasterous results.  We have the favorite son, in compliance with dad's request going an extra mile to comply with that request to find out how things are going with the flock.  Upon Joseph's contact with his brothers, we read that the brothers plot to kill and ultimately sell Joseph into slavery.  These brothers also bring the story of an animal killing Joseph to dad, Israel, bringing him much greif.

We then read of Judah's deplorable actions which provide us with compelling reasons for Israel's children to leave and ultimately reside in Egypt.

We go on to read of Joseph's increasing responsibilities in Egypt in Pothaphar's home.  Responibilities which are removed upon the action of Potaphar's wife.

Thoughts:

How do you treat members of your family?  Do you show favoritism, carry a grudge?

Considering Judah's actions with Tamar, do you see actions in today's society that make you want to move, to tell the story?

Consider how would you have handled the situation of Joseph and temptation by Potiphar's wife?  By God's grace would you have resisted, spoken up to Potiphar, left?  What do you do now when tempted?

Pray for the Spirit to strengthen you when tempted and to give you a way out

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

                 1 Cor 10:13 NIV

In Christ

David P

  

God's Will

Anyone who has spent time studying Genesis has to be extremely confused when it comes to Jacob. He apparently was fighting with his brother even in the womb, took advantage of Esau's predicament to obtain his birthright and tricked his father to obtain his blessing. Turnabout is fair play, of course, so when Laban mischievously gives him Leah instead of Rachel as they had agreed, I'm sure some of you said to yourselves, "Serves him right." 

Genesis 31:2 is one of the great understatements in the Bible, and it says "And Jacob noticed that Laban's attitude toward him was not what it had been." One of my favorite books of all time is Tom Wolfe's "The Bonfire of the Vanities," and a small part of the book deals with a couple that had taken in a British house guest who was showing no signs of leaving anytime soon. While not completely applicable, Jacob knows what time it is, and knows that six years of enriching himself at Laban's expense will probably have a less-than-desirable end. Therefore, it is quite fortuitous and timely that in 31:3, God tells Jacob to leave and return to the land of his people.

Which brings me to my point. Knowing that God was with him, Jacob quite likely could have just gone to Laban, settled up in whatever manner they chose and left--it WAS God's will that Jacob leave, and Laban certainly had to have been aware of the special favor under which Jacob worked, but did Jacob choose that option? Of course not--he decided to do things his way and sneak off. Did it do him any good? No, because Laban caught up with him, and whatever Jacob was trying to avoid happened anyway.

"I'd never do that," I hear the resounding cry of you three readers say. "I know the Lord would be with me and I'd walk right up to Laban and tell him I'm leaving." I'd like to think I also would act this way, but let's not judge Jacob too harshly just yet--do we take comfort in the knowledge that the Lord has spoken to us and told us he will provide for us? Do we willingly and obediently do his will (such as we can determine it)? Jacob was doing the right THING--he was returning to the land of his forefathers, he just didn't do it the right WAY. Think about that the next time you wonder just what God wants you to do--I would argue that not only will he tell you WHAT to do, but also HOW to do it.

Scott

Jacobs Homecoming (Jan 26)

Today we reflect about Jacob's return to his homeland.  Jacob had some fears and did some excellent military planning in anticipation of contacting Esau.  Imagine Jacob's surprise when Esau welcomes him with a hug and not a threat.  Jacob, in faith, does not rely on Esau's offered protection.  I suspect that Jacob trusts in the Lord who commanded him to return to his native land.

Now the family is in Canaan, Dinah is visiting other women in the area and is violated by Shechem, son of Hamor the Hivite ruler in the area.  Jacob, when he hears about the act, keeps his peace until his sons return from the field.  Hamor offers many freedoms in the land as a result of Shechem's act and desire for Dinah, among them are freedoms in the land to: intermarry, settle, trade, hold property and if  Dinah's hand is given to Shechem, to receive whatever is asked.

Jacob's sons' deceitfully replied by taking a gift from God, circumcision, and using it for their own gain by attacking the Hivites on day 3 after all males were circumcised and killing all males.

Jacob was unhappy about the trouble the act brought upon him and the stench that was made of him to the Canaanites.  Subsequently, God reconfirms Jacobs name change to Israel.  Then the sons of Jacob, tribes of Israel, are named.

Thoughts:

When have your expectations caused fears that did not come to fruition?

How do you follow Jacob's example of leaning on the Lord for protection?

How do you understand that no man can give you whatever you ask?

What do you do with God's gifts?  What have you done with God's gift of salvation through Jesus?

Are you surprised by the acts of Simeon and Levi?

What do you do when you are wronged?  Do you respond in haste, count to 10 or do something else?

How would you have responded to Hamor's offer?  Would your response have caused a change in your identity?


Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not upon your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
                               Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV



Pray for a trusting faith.


In Christ,


David P

Jacob, Rachel and Leah

As a kid, certain passages in the Bible stick with you for any number of reasons. For example, I always remember Genesis 29:17 and the description of Leah. I appear to have remembered it incorrectly, so instead I'll go through some different translations and show how Leah is described:

Translation	Description
NIV	Weak eyes
King James	Tender eyed
NIV 2010	Weak (adds footnote that says "or delicate")
Message	Nice eyes
Amplified	Weak and dull looking
New Living	No sparkle in Leah's eyes
God's Word	Attractive eyes
21st Century KJV	Tendereyed

And the part that bothers me the most is that I never found the description that I recall and still use to this day, which is that Leah is "fair-eyed." No matter which translation you like, they all seem to go to great lengths to portray the fact that Leah was, how shall we say this delicately, less than desirable looking. We can use this to determine just how beautiful Rachel must have been, since the same translations use words that are just as flattering to her as they are disparaging of Leah. And, clearly she was beautiful enough that Jacob thought nothing of working seven additional years, or a total of fourteen, for the right to marry her.

Now, for some real fun with genealogy, let's map out the mothers of Jacob's sons, in order of birth.

Son	Mother
Reuben	Leah
Simeon	Leah
Levi	Leah
Judah	Leah
Dan	Bilhah
Naphtali	Bilhah
Gad	Zilpah
Asher	Zilpah
Issachar	Leah
Zebulun	Leah
Joseph	Rachel
Benjamin	Rachel

I get exhausted just thinking about it. I don't  want to get too far ahead at this point, but look at that list of sons and remember whom the line of Jesus went through--it's a common theme that runs rampant through Genesis, which is that first-born doesn't always count for everything.

Scott

The Family Saga Continues (Jan 25)

Jacob, during his 20 years of work for his Uncle Laban, was blessed abundantly and as a result, Laban and his sons were complaining about Laban's loss of everything.  Over time changes occured in: Laban's method of paying Jacob, Laban's attitude toward Joseph, the flocks offspring; and Rachel and Leah's sense of belonging changing from Laban to Jacob.  Yet a primary concern of Rachel is of an inheritance, and as a result, unknown to Jacob, Rachel steals the "household gods" thus giving many rights to her husband Jacob..

Ever watchful, God gives instructions to Jacob to leave Laban and go back to his native land.  He later instructs Laban, in persuit of Jacob, to not say anything good or bad to Jacob.  Laban catches Jacob and looks for the "household gods" however is unable to find them, for Rachel, with the gods hidden in her saddle, will not dismount her horse for she,  is on her period. 

Jacob claims protection from God, the God of Abraham.  Laban states that Jacob has his daughters and grandchildren.  As a result, stones are heaped up by Jacob and Laban to serve as a witness so that the Lord may keep watch between Jacob and Laban while they are apart.  A sacrifice was made and Jacob and Laban parted.

En route to Jacob's homeland, with concerns of Esau's anger, Jacob does some excellent military planning for an attack by an angry Esau.  This planning was unneeded, for as we will read tomorrow, Esau held no anger.

Jacob wrestles with God.  Here we learn of the origin of the Jewish tradition of not eating the tendon attached to the hip, for that was where Jacob was touched by God.

Wha attributes of God do you see?

Provider
Protector
Comforter
Leader
Strong
Courageous
Mighty
Personal
and others might come to mind.

In this world of changing attitudes, to what do you cling for strength and comfort?  God's plan or something else?

How do you follow Jacob's example in his response to God's call with a "Here I am" and compliance?

In what areas do you wrestle with God? 



Pray for the light to shine to show where you are wrestling with God, and for the Spirit to provide strength, courage, and wisdom to change.


In  Christ.


David P