May the mumbling commence!
It’s the name game. For the first time this year, a majority of the reading has been the genealogies – you know, the begats. Those who make a goal to read the entire Bible dread these long lists of names. How did these lists make the cut for the inspired Scriptures..?
It is very tempting to skip all these names that I would blanch at the thought of pronouncing aloud. For one thing, to skip these parts would deny the importance of lineage. Regardless of what denomination you call home, there is the game of finding out who belongs with whom. I’ve witnessed the “Mennonite” Game and the “Brethren” Game. It’s all about those last names and the spelling of those last names. Sometimes pronunciation also matters. And there is also the TV show where celebrities trace their roots. Genealogies, for some people, are a life’s passion – particularly when stories are unearthed. Yeah, those names are important…
Another reason not to skip over these begats is that nuggets of story and wisdom are hidden within them. Today’s reading uncovers one of them – 1 Chronicles 4:9-10. Yes, here it is all you fans of the Prayer of Jabez. And it is not the only example of those hidden nuggets. Think about Genesis 5 (the reading from January 2nd). In the begats, the story of Enoch is found. After his first son is born, Enoch’s life is changed. He follows God more faithfully. In fact, Enoch did not die – God simply took him away. Yeah, children can change your perspective on life. I give thanks for my son, Micah.
So read those genealogies!
Speaking of families, in Genesis 46 and 47, there is a full family reunion. The reunion between Israel and Joseph is particularly heartwarming. Israel tells Joseph, “Now that I see you alive with my own eyes, I am ready die.” Israel’s bucket list is apparently done…
Then, in Genesis 47:7, Israel blessed Pharaoh. The greater person blessed the lesser person. Israel, too, is greater than Pharaoh – Pharaoh even accepts his blessing. As children of the faith, we, too, can bless great political leaders if we choose to do so. And Pharaoh expected to be blessed after his experience with Joseph. When Pharaoh discovered that Joseph’s family was shepherds, he ordered them to settle in Goshen, where the best pastures of Egypt were. He asked Joseph which of his brothers is the best shepherd, because Pharaoh wanted the best shepherding his livestock.
Though Joseph did not join his family in Goshen, Joseph did supply them with food enough for their families – without cost. Being the family of Joseph had its privileges. Joseph had other duties to attend to as the second in command of Egypt. He had to distribute the food to the people as needed – a burdensome task with so many years of famine left. Joseph had to make sure the supply did not run out.
I give thanks this day for my biological family, for my church family at Community Church, and for my family in the transportation department at Buhler. I give thanks, too, for those who serve others away from their families. I give thanks for the missionaries who are on the other side of the world as their family. I give thanks for pastors who serve churches far away from their hometown. And I give thanks for those who serve me as pastors – Paul, Marlo, Ed, and Jud.
Enough mumbling for this day…
Peace Out
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Our Transforming God, Gen 45-46:12
May the mumbling commence!
What a powerful God we have! Our Lord can transform the spiteful and mean things we do to people into something good. Look at Genesis 45. After Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, he draws them close. He basically tells them, “Don’t beat yourselves up for the things that you did to me. It was the plan of God to send me here ahead of you. Because it was God’s will that Joseph would be in Egypt, many lives were spared in the extended famine.”
Notice also Pharaoh’s reaction to Joseph’s reunion with his brothers. Pharaoh was pleased. The man who is blessed of the Lord has eleven brothers! I can almost see Pharaoh rejoice at the potential expanding of his bottom line. Pharaoh says, “Never mind your possessions. Leave them behind, for the best of Egypt will be yours.”
So, Joseph sends them away to return with their father and their families. And Joseph does something interesting and potentially division causing. Though he gives all his older brothers a new set of clothes, Joseph gives his younger brother, Benjamin five sets of new clothes and 300 shekels of silver. Maybe Joseph was fully convinced that his older brothers had learned their lesson, but Joseph’s last words to them are, “Don’t quarrel on the way.” Sometimes it seems that life and our loved ones never cease testing us…
Then, in chapter 46, Jacob does something that is heroic – after the fashion of his grandfather Abraham. A beloved son, who he thought was dead, suddenly comes back into the land of the living – though Jacob himself has not seen him. Once upon a time Abraham was ready to give up his beloved and only son of the promise, Isaac; and God provided. Isaac was raised to life again. So, too, was Joseph raised.
On the word of his sons, whom Jacob must now know have deceived him, and the proof of the provisions for the journey decides to leave for Egypt. And Jacob takes everyone and everything to Egypt. On the way, the Lord speaks to him at Beersheba. God’s promise to Jacob does not become null and void as Jacob travels to Egypt. God promised to bring him back to the Promised Land again.
In leaving with everyone and everything that he had at such an advanced age, Jacob showed the deep faith of his grandfather, Abraham. And this is good news! It is not only our flaws that get passed down to our offspring; we also pass down the strengths of our faith to our offspring. Our offspring hear the stories of our faith told over and over again, and they also see our faith in action when we are around them.
I give thanks for my mother and for my Grandpa and Grandma Wilson. Each of them in their own way both told me stories of faith in their past and showed me their faith in action. I also give thanks this day for those who are not of my biological family who have done the same thing for me. I give thanks for Minnie, my parent’s next door neighbor, who regularly lifted me up in prayer when I was a young boy growing up next to her. She always found the time to spend with me whether it was playing games or spinning a yarn. She also trusted me and gave me responsibility for chores around her home. Indeed, she made me feel special. And Minnie rejoiced when I came into a living faith with Jesus.
It makes me wonder. Who in my neighborhood do I have the opportunity to pray for, spend time with, and make feel special? I know I have many opportunities with my son, Micah, but there are others outside my home that God can influence through me. May I live my faith, show my faith, and speak my faith outside of the four walls of God’s church building on Sunday mornings…
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
What a powerful God we have! Our Lord can transform the spiteful and mean things we do to people into something good. Look at Genesis 45. After Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, he draws them close. He basically tells them, “Don’t beat yourselves up for the things that you did to me. It was the plan of God to send me here ahead of you. Because it was God’s will that Joseph would be in Egypt, many lives were spared in the extended famine.”
Notice also Pharaoh’s reaction to Joseph’s reunion with his brothers. Pharaoh was pleased. The man who is blessed of the Lord has eleven brothers! I can almost see Pharaoh rejoice at the potential expanding of his bottom line. Pharaoh says, “Never mind your possessions. Leave them behind, for the best of Egypt will be yours.”
So, Joseph sends them away to return with their father and their families. And Joseph does something interesting and potentially division causing. Though he gives all his older brothers a new set of clothes, Joseph gives his younger brother, Benjamin five sets of new clothes and 300 shekels of silver. Maybe Joseph was fully convinced that his older brothers had learned their lesson, but Joseph’s last words to them are, “Don’t quarrel on the way.” Sometimes it seems that life and our loved ones never cease testing us…
Then, in chapter 46, Jacob does something that is heroic – after the fashion of his grandfather Abraham. A beloved son, who he thought was dead, suddenly comes back into the land of the living – though Jacob himself has not seen him. Once upon a time Abraham was ready to give up his beloved and only son of the promise, Isaac; and God provided. Isaac was raised to life again. So, too, was Joseph raised.
On the word of his sons, whom Jacob must now know have deceived him, and the proof of the provisions for the journey decides to leave for Egypt. And Jacob takes everyone and everything to Egypt. On the way, the Lord speaks to him at Beersheba. God’s promise to Jacob does not become null and void as Jacob travels to Egypt. God promised to bring him back to the Promised Land again.
In leaving with everyone and everything that he had at such an advanced age, Jacob showed the deep faith of his grandfather, Abraham. And this is good news! It is not only our flaws that get passed down to our offspring; we also pass down the strengths of our faith to our offspring. Our offspring hear the stories of our faith told over and over again, and they also see our faith in action when we are around them.
I give thanks for my mother and for my Grandpa and Grandma Wilson. Each of them in their own way both told me stories of faith in their past and showed me their faith in action. I also give thanks this day for those who are not of my biological family who have done the same thing for me. I give thanks for Minnie, my parent’s next door neighbor, who regularly lifted me up in prayer when I was a young boy growing up next to her. She always found the time to spend with me whether it was playing games or spinning a yarn. She also trusted me and gave me responsibility for chores around her home. Indeed, she made me feel special. And Minnie rejoiced when I came into a living faith with Jesus.
It makes me wonder. Who in my neighborhood do I have the opportunity to pray for, spend time with, and make feel special? I know I have many opportunities with my son, Micah, but there are others outside my home that God can influence through me. May I live my faith, show my faith, and speak my faith outside of the four walls of God’s church building on Sunday mornings…
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Family Reunion = Deception, Guilt, and Testing; Gen 42-44
May the mumbling commence!
In Genesis 42-44, there is a family reunion; and there is deception, guilt, and testing. Jacob sends all of his sons but Benjamin, who is the only remaining son of Rachel to Egypt to buy grain. When the ten men arrive in Egypt, they are brought before Joseph. The time of testing that Joseph had must have aged him a little more than expected, and Joseph no longer wore the beard of a Hebrew – he was cleaned up to be palatable to Egyptians. So, his brothers did not recognize him.
However, Joseph recognized them immediately. Joseph chose not to reveal himself right away. He asks his brothers, through an interpreter, “Where do you come from?” When their answer reached his ears, he was reminded of his dreams about them. Maybe, it was the dreams of the sheaves, and maybe that dream came to mind because they neglected to recognize his authority over the situation. They did not refer to him as lord.
So Joseph accuses them of deception and pumps them for information about their family back home. When he finds out about their brother at home, he keeps back Simeon for insurance and tells them to return home with food to feed their families. (And Joseph returned the money into their sacks. The grace of Joseph cannot be bought.) But, next time they return to buy grain, they must bring their younger brother with them. If they do not bring Benjamin, they will not see his face again, and they will be imprisoned for being spies.
Jacob, of course, does not want to be parted from his son, Benjamin. Jacob does not want to risk losing him, too, with both Joseph and Simeon gone. But they would be doomed to starve without more food. So, Judah steps forward and guarantees the safe return of Benjamin. Remember: Judah would be the tribe that Jesus would come from. This will come into play a little later…
And the eleven brothers returned to Egypt. Seeing Benjamin again, Joseph was greatly moved. He needed time alone to gather himself. And during that time alone, Joseph must have prepared a ploy to test his older brothers’ growth in dealing with a favored sibling.
When the brothers sat down to eat in Joseph’s house, Joseph had the servants serve five-times the amount of food to Benjamin. As he sent them on their way with more food and all their money, Joseph deepened the deception and tested his brothers a final time. He places a sliver cup into Benjamin’s sack and sends his servant to accuse them of this robbery.
When the servant catches up to the brothers, their reply to the accusation is reminiscent of the reply of Jacob to Laban about the household gods. They vehemently denied wrong doing, and they said, “If the sack is found in any of our sacks, may that person be killed and the rest of us be kept as slaves.” The drama increases as the servant searches the sacks from oldest to youngest. As the servant approaches Benjamin’s sack, the brothers probably were poised to feel vindicated just as their father was so long ago…
But, when the sack was opened, the silver cup was found. The servant demanded that Benjamin return as a slave, but the whole entourage returned. They were all ready to be Joseph’s slaves. Judah stood forward to be the spokesman. He told Joseph basically, “Our father would die without Benjamin, so I guaranteed his safe return. Let him go and keep me instead…”
The ancestor of Christ Jesus was willing to sacrifice his life and freedom for the sake of a young man, who apparently had sinned. What a dim but undeniable foreshadowing of the sacrifice of Jesus! I give thanks for the willingness of Judah to sacrifice for a sinner, and I give thanks for Jesus’ willingness to give his life for mine.
May I also show my willingness to sacrifice for vulnerable people, when it is in my power to help them.
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
In Genesis 42-44, there is a family reunion; and there is deception, guilt, and testing. Jacob sends all of his sons but Benjamin, who is the only remaining son of Rachel to Egypt to buy grain. When the ten men arrive in Egypt, they are brought before Joseph. The time of testing that Joseph had must have aged him a little more than expected, and Joseph no longer wore the beard of a Hebrew – he was cleaned up to be palatable to Egyptians. So, his brothers did not recognize him.
However, Joseph recognized them immediately. Joseph chose not to reveal himself right away. He asks his brothers, through an interpreter, “Where do you come from?” When their answer reached his ears, he was reminded of his dreams about them. Maybe, it was the dreams of the sheaves, and maybe that dream came to mind because they neglected to recognize his authority over the situation. They did not refer to him as lord.
So Joseph accuses them of deception and pumps them for information about their family back home. When he finds out about their brother at home, he keeps back Simeon for insurance and tells them to return home with food to feed their families. (And Joseph returned the money into their sacks. The grace of Joseph cannot be bought.) But, next time they return to buy grain, they must bring their younger brother with them. If they do not bring Benjamin, they will not see his face again, and they will be imprisoned for being spies.
Jacob, of course, does not want to be parted from his son, Benjamin. Jacob does not want to risk losing him, too, with both Joseph and Simeon gone. But they would be doomed to starve without more food. So, Judah steps forward and guarantees the safe return of Benjamin. Remember: Judah would be the tribe that Jesus would come from. This will come into play a little later…
And the eleven brothers returned to Egypt. Seeing Benjamin again, Joseph was greatly moved. He needed time alone to gather himself. And during that time alone, Joseph must have prepared a ploy to test his older brothers’ growth in dealing with a favored sibling.
When the brothers sat down to eat in Joseph’s house, Joseph had the servants serve five-times the amount of food to Benjamin. As he sent them on their way with more food and all their money, Joseph deepened the deception and tested his brothers a final time. He places a sliver cup into Benjamin’s sack and sends his servant to accuse them of this robbery.
When the servant catches up to the brothers, their reply to the accusation is reminiscent of the reply of Jacob to Laban about the household gods. They vehemently denied wrong doing, and they said, “If the sack is found in any of our sacks, may that person be killed and the rest of us be kept as slaves.” The drama increases as the servant searches the sacks from oldest to youngest. As the servant approaches Benjamin’s sack, the brothers probably were poised to feel vindicated just as their father was so long ago…
But, when the sack was opened, the silver cup was found. The servant demanded that Benjamin return as a slave, but the whole entourage returned. They were all ready to be Joseph’s slaves. Judah stood forward to be the spokesman. He told Joseph basically, “Our father would die without Benjamin, so I guaranteed his safe return. Let him go and keep me instead…”
The ancestor of Christ Jesus was willing to sacrifice his life and freedom for the sake of a young man, who apparently had sinned. What a dim but undeniable foreshadowing of the sacrifice of Jesus! I give thanks for the willingness of Judah to sacrifice for a sinner, and I give thanks for Jesus’ willingness to give his life for mine.
May I also show my willingness to sacrifice for vulnerable people, when it is in my power to help them.
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
Friday, January 28, 2011
From Desert to Dessert, Gen 40-41.
May the mumbling commence!
In Genesis 40-41, Joseph moves from desert to dessert. Joseph had fallen from a dreaming and favored son of Israel to a slave in Egypt to a prison inmate. Regardless, the Lord continued to bless Joseph wherever he was. In chapter 40, Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker end up in Joseph’s care in the dungeon. Each of them has a dream that they wish to be interpreted. Joseph tells them that God is the interpreter of dreams. Joseph knew that he had some experience interpreting his own dreams, so he offered to interpret their dreams.
In his interaction with these two new prisoners, Joseph does not seem to allow his pride to show out. When he realizes that the cupbearer would be restored to his position, Joseph asks the cupbearer to remember him. Tell Pharaoh about me, a Hebrew who did nothing to deserve being in the prison. Though Joseph’s interpretation comes true, the cupbearer does not remember Joseph for two years.
Surely, Joseph would have heard in those two years that the cupbearer was enjoying the privileges of his former position. Joseph could easily and understandably become bitter about the snub. But as those two years elapsed, Pharaoh dreamed two dreams that troubled him. No one could explain the dreams to Pharaoh. Only now does the cupbearer, seeing his master’s distress, remember Joseph.
And, so begins the movement of Joseph from the desert to his dessert. Pharaoh has Joseph cleaned up and shaven. When Joseph learns what Pharaoh has called him up to do, Joseph does something extraordinarily out of character for him. He shows his humility. He says, “I cannot interpret the dreams for you, but God can. God will give you the answer that you desire.”
After Pharaoh tells Joseph his dreams, Joseph interprets them. Seven years of plenty will be followed by seven years of famine. Then, tongue-in-cheek, Joseph bids Pharaoh to find a wise and discerning man to carry out a plan of food collection during the years of plenty so that the coming famine would not ruin Egypt. Perhaps, a bit of pride? If so, it was tempered by his experience in his fall from grace. Perhaps, Joseph had gained a solid confidence that God would continue to bless all he put his hands to.
When Pharaoh calls on Joseph to be his right-hand man in all this, Joseph accepts the call to leadership. Time in the desert has prepared Joseph for his time of dessert. No one would be greater than Joseph in Egypt except Pharaoh. Joseph applied himself to the task at hand, and the Lord blessed him. The grain saved back in the good years was too much to count. And God blessed Joseph with two children.
And, I find it interesting what did not happen. Once Joseph had all this power, he did not get even with the cupbearer who forgot him or with Potiphar for throwing him in prison or with Potiphar’s wife for setting him up for a fall. Instead, Joseph concentrated on the path God had put before him. Joseph was looking forward rather than backward.
In this restraint, we can learn from Joseph. Let’s not spend our resources that God has given us to exact revenge on others. Let’s not use our resources to strive for a position of power. Let’s use those valuable resources to help save lives, which will happen. Let’s use those valuable resources to accept positions of leadership and fully apply ourselves.
Lord, my Great Provider, I give thanks this day for the resources that you have given me – both the tangible and the intangible. May I use them for your glorification and for the benefit of those around me. May you, O God, use me to bless others…
Enough for now…
Peace Out
In Genesis 40-41, Joseph moves from desert to dessert. Joseph had fallen from a dreaming and favored son of Israel to a slave in Egypt to a prison inmate. Regardless, the Lord continued to bless Joseph wherever he was. In chapter 40, Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker end up in Joseph’s care in the dungeon. Each of them has a dream that they wish to be interpreted. Joseph tells them that God is the interpreter of dreams. Joseph knew that he had some experience interpreting his own dreams, so he offered to interpret their dreams.
In his interaction with these two new prisoners, Joseph does not seem to allow his pride to show out. When he realizes that the cupbearer would be restored to his position, Joseph asks the cupbearer to remember him. Tell Pharaoh about me, a Hebrew who did nothing to deserve being in the prison. Though Joseph’s interpretation comes true, the cupbearer does not remember Joseph for two years.
Surely, Joseph would have heard in those two years that the cupbearer was enjoying the privileges of his former position. Joseph could easily and understandably become bitter about the snub. But as those two years elapsed, Pharaoh dreamed two dreams that troubled him. No one could explain the dreams to Pharaoh. Only now does the cupbearer, seeing his master’s distress, remember Joseph.
And, so begins the movement of Joseph from the desert to his dessert. Pharaoh has Joseph cleaned up and shaven. When Joseph learns what Pharaoh has called him up to do, Joseph does something extraordinarily out of character for him. He shows his humility. He says, “I cannot interpret the dreams for you, but God can. God will give you the answer that you desire.”
After Pharaoh tells Joseph his dreams, Joseph interprets them. Seven years of plenty will be followed by seven years of famine. Then, tongue-in-cheek, Joseph bids Pharaoh to find a wise and discerning man to carry out a plan of food collection during the years of plenty so that the coming famine would not ruin Egypt. Perhaps, a bit of pride? If so, it was tempered by his experience in his fall from grace. Perhaps, Joseph had gained a solid confidence that God would continue to bless all he put his hands to.
When Pharaoh calls on Joseph to be his right-hand man in all this, Joseph accepts the call to leadership. Time in the desert has prepared Joseph for his time of dessert. No one would be greater than Joseph in Egypt except Pharaoh. Joseph applied himself to the task at hand, and the Lord blessed him. The grain saved back in the good years was too much to count. And God blessed Joseph with two children.
And, I find it interesting what did not happen. Once Joseph had all this power, he did not get even with the cupbearer who forgot him or with Potiphar for throwing him in prison or with Potiphar’s wife for setting him up for a fall. Instead, Joseph concentrated on the path God had put before him. Joseph was looking forward rather than backward.
In this restraint, we can learn from Joseph. Let’s not spend our resources that God has given us to exact revenge on others. Let’s not use our resources to strive for a position of power. Let’s use those valuable resources to help save lives, which will happen. Let’s use those valuable resources to accept positions of leadership and fully apply ourselves.
Lord, my Great Provider, I give thanks this day for the resources that you have given me – both the tangible and the intangible. May I use them for your glorification and for the benefit of those around me. May you, O God, use me to bless others…
Enough for now…
Peace Out
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Pride Comes Before the Fall, Gen 37-39.
May the mumbling commence!
Pride comes before the fall. In the midst of a continuing string of deceptions, I see pride rearing its ugly head in Genesis 37-39. Say it ain’t so Joe. Joseph let his dreams go to his head. It didn’t help that he was Daddy’s favorite, the firstborn of Rachel. That richly ornamented robe must have inspired dreams of delusional proportions – a robe that would be no good for the work of herdsmen, like his brothers. In the dreams of Joseph, Mom and Dad were not immune to his power.
With such pride, Joseph took a fall. His brothers were so angry and jealous that they wanted him dead – enough that some of them wanted to kill him. Reuben tried to save him and return him home to their father. Then, Judah took the lead and sold him off to Ishmaelite slave traders. Joseph fell hard into the well, but he lived to tell the story. He fell from dreams of leadership to slavery in a foreign land.
With Joseph gone, what would his brothers do? How would they explain their brother’s absence? They would lie. Using the ornamental robe, they dipped into goat’s blood to deceive their father into thinking that Joseph was attacked by wild animals. And Jacob mourned many days for Joseph.
The following days, months and years must have been difficult for the remaining brothers. In chapter 38, Judah leaves and finds a wife among the Canaanites. The marriage produced three sons for Judah. Judah found a wife for his firstborn, Er. But Er was wicked in the Lord’s sight (for what reason we are not told – perhaps, because of his father marrying outside of the culture and choosing a wife for Er that was not of the culture), so the Lord struck him dead. And Tamar, his widow was left without children.
Judah commanded his second born to marry Tamar so that he would produce children for his dead brother. Well, Onan did not like this idea at all. He did not want to produce offspring for Er. Though he would lie with Tamar, he spilt his seed on the ground. This deception cost him. The Lord pronounced this deception as wicked and struck Onan dead. Onan’s wickedness was easier to see. Tamar needed children, sons in particular, to have security for her future. Onan was denying her this security and leaving her vulnerable, yet he was still receiving his pleasure from her – taking advantage of the vulnerable.
With Er and Onan dead, Judah must have begun to wonder if Tamar was a black widow. Would his youngest son, Shelah, also die as a husband of Tamar? With this fear in mind, Judah deceived Tamar. He told her to return to her father’s house until Shelah was older and could marry her. But Judah had no intention of doing this.
When this deception became apparent to Tamar, she turned the tables of deception on Judah. She left behind the clothes of the widow and dressed in the clothes of a prostitute. Then, along came Judah, who was just getting over mourning the death of his wife. He paid for the services of this prostitute on the credit of his staff, seal and cord. He would pay her with a goat later.
But later, she was not to be found. When it was discovered that Tamar was pregnant, Judah was told. He pronounced judgment on her. She should be burned to death. What pride! He knew that he was deceiving this vulnerable woman about her promised marriage to Shelah. Oh, how the tables are turned when Tamar sends the staff, seal, and cord to Judah. Judah repents and admits that Tamar is more righteous than he is. What a fall from grace! What a vindication for the vulnerable!
Meanwhile, we learn in Genesis 39, that Joseph has become the favored slave in his master Potiphar’s house, because the Lord blessed everything Joseph did. But, Joseph, again, shows signs of pride. When Potiphar’s wife asks for Joseph sex, he refuses. Like many children who are later in the birth order, Joseph may have learned lessons from his older brother’s mistakes – like that mistake of Reuben. Joseph refused to sin against God in that way.
In denying her advances, Joseph also let his pride shine through. He told her, “No one is greater in this house than I am.” Joseph must have been too great to share his trouble with Potiphar. Eventually, Potiphar’s wife deceived her husband and her other slaves. She claimed that the cloak that she ripped off Joseph was left there by him when he was trying to rape her – only her screams saved her. And Joseph ended up in prison. Yes, pride comes before the fall.
It seems that pride and deception have a lot in common. They seem to walk hand in hand in this recorded history…
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
Pride comes before the fall. In the midst of a continuing string of deceptions, I see pride rearing its ugly head in Genesis 37-39. Say it ain’t so Joe. Joseph let his dreams go to his head. It didn’t help that he was Daddy’s favorite, the firstborn of Rachel. That richly ornamented robe must have inspired dreams of delusional proportions – a robe that would be no good for the work of herdsmen, like his brothers. In the dreams of Joseph, Mom and Dad were not immune to his power.
With such pride, Joseph took a fall. His brothers were so angry and jealous that they wanted him dead – enough that some of them wanted to kill him. Reuben tried to save him and return him home to their father. Then, Judah took the lead and sold him off to Ishmaelite slave traders. Joseph fell hard into the well, but he lived to tell the story. He fell from dreams of leadership to slavery in a foreign land.
With Joseph gone, what would his brothers do? How would they explain their brother’s absence? They would lie. Using the ornamental robe, they dipped into goat’s blood to deceive their father into thinking that Joseph was attacked by wild animals. And Jacob mourned many days for Joseph.
The following days, months and years must have been difficult for the remaining brothers. In chapter 38, Judah leaves and finds a wife among the Canaanites. The marriage produced three sons for Judah. Judah found a wife for his firstborn, Er. But Er was wicked in the Lord’s sight (for what reason we are not told – perhaps, because of his father marrying outside of the culture and choosing a wife for Er that was not of the culture), so the Lord struck him dead. And Tamar, his widow was left without children.
Judah commanded his second born to marry Tamar so that he would produce children for his dead brother. Well, Onan did not like this idea at all. He did not want to produce offspring for Er. Though he would lie with Tamar, he spilt his seed on the ground. This deception cost him. The Lord pronounced this deception as wicked and struck Onan dead. Onan’s wickedness was easier to see. Tamar needed children, sons in particular, to have security for her future. Onan was denying her this security and leaving her vulnerable, yet he was still receiving his pleasure from her – taking advantage of the vulnerable.
With Er and Onan dead, Judah must have begun to wonder if Tamar was a black widow. Would his youngest son, Shelah, also die as a husband of Tamar? With this fear in mind, Judah deceived Tamar. He told her to return to her father’s house until Shelah was older and could marry her. But Judah had no intention of doing this.
When this deception became apparent to Tamar, she turned the tables of deception on Judah. She left behind the clothes of the widow and dressed in the clothes of a prostitute. Then, along came Judah, who was just getting over mourning the death of his wife. He paid for the services of this prostitute on the credit of his staff, seal and cord. He would pay her with a goat later.
But later, she was not to be found. When it was discovered that Tamar was pregnant, Judah was told. He pronounced judgment on her. She should be burned to death. What pride! He knew that he was deceiving this vulnerable woman about her promised marriage to Shelah. Oh, how the tables are turned when Tamar sends the staff, seal, and cord to Judah. Judah repents and admits that Tamar is more righteous than he is. What a fall from grace! What a vindication for the vulnerable!
Meanwhile, we learn in Genesis 39, that Joseph has become the favored slave in his master Potiphar’s house, because the Lord blessed everything Joseph did. But, Joseph, again, shows signs of pride. When Potiphar’s wife asks for Joseph sex, he refuses. Like many children who are later in the birth order, Joseph may have learned lessons from his older brother’s mistakes – like that mistake of Reuben. Joseph refused to sin against God in that way.
In denying her advances, Joseph also let his pride shine through. He told her, “No one is greater in this house than I am.” Joseph must have been too great to share his trouble with Potiphar. Eventually, Potiphar’s wife deceived her husband and her other slaves. She claimed that the cloak that she ripped off Joseph was left there by him when he was trying to rape her – only her screams saved her. And Joseph ended up in prison. Yes, pride comes before the fall.
It seems that pride and deception have a lot in common. They seem to walk hand in hand in this recorded history…
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
How Many Times? Gen 33-35
May the mumbling commence!
How many times? Reading Genesis 33-35 makes me think of the time that Simon Peter asks Jesus, “How many times should I forgive someone who sins against me. Seven times?” And Jesus responds to Peter, “Not seven by seventy-seven times.”
It seems the wrestling that Jacob did yesterday is far from over. Sometimes, I find it a little discouraging when I note that the Scriptures following the wrestling episode, where Jacob receives his new name, mostly refer to him as Jacob rather than Israel. The process of change for humanity is so slow and filled with unneeded detours back to places we have already been.
I marvel over the reception that Esau gives his brother Jacob. In many ways, it calls to mind the reception that the faithful father of Jesus’ parable receives his prodigal son. Esau ran to hug and kiss his long lost brother – like he was eagerly anticipating the day of his return. And Jacob even tells Esau that, because of the favorable reception, Jacob sees the face of God in Esau. After a night of wrestling with the mysterious man, Jacob should know the face of God.
But, then, the deception of old Jacob rises to the forefront once again. After he pesters Esau to receive his gift, he refuses the gift of relationship and protection from Esau. Jacob would not even allow some of Esau’s men stay behind for protection. Though Jacob tells Esau that he will join him later at Esau’s home, Jacob already had plans to settle in another place. And he wanted to hide the information from Esau – Jacob the deceiver.
Jacob’s children had seen the deceptions of their father enough. Now, the deception moves to the next generation in Genesis 34. When Jacob’s sons learn that a Hittite man had defiled their sister Dinah, they approach in anger. The man and his father ask for Dinah to become the wife of Shechem, the man who raped her.
And Jacob’s sons replied deceitfully. They asked the men of Shechem to agree to the covenant of circumcision, the covenant they had with God. They used a directive of God for deception. Talk about using the Lord’s name in vain! The men of Shechem agreed; and while they were still hurting, Simeon and Levi attacked and massacred the whole city. They and their brothers took all kinds of booty from the town, including the women and children. Yes, including the women that they would not agree to marry unless the men of Shechem were circumcised. Like father like sons. This was the fall of Simeon and Levi (who by the way had the same mother as Dinah, Leah) from grace – the grace of their birth order, as the second and third born of Israel.
Fearing for his life, Jacob flees the scene of the crime again. He flees back to Bethel, the same place he rested as he was fleeing from the wrath of Esau. There the Lord gives Jacob a reminder. Here is a paraphrase: “Though your name is Jacob, you will be called Israel for now on. Leave your deceitful ways behind and struggle to become the man God made you to be. My promise of blessing to you and your ancestors and descendants still stands.
Then, Rachel, the beloved of Israel, dies in childbirth. Israel buries Rachel along the road to Abraham and Isaac’s home. This burial in this place has significance. Though Rachel was first in his heart, Israel did not bury her in the cave his Grandfather Abraham and Grandmother Sarah were buried. Rachel was not buried with the other people of the promise.
And the firstborn of Israel, Reuben, has his fall from grace in Genesis 35:22. Reuben sleeps with his father’s concubine, Bilhah. So the fourth born, Judah, takes the place of the firstborn. As I have already touched upon, Judah is the tribe that Jesus was born into.
I return to my initial question. How many times should I forgive someone who sins against me? I should be willing to forgive someone as many times as my Lord has forgiven me. I am like Jacob. I am in a wrestling match of prayer to become the man of God that He has made me to be. I give thanks this day for the patient and loving forgiveness of my Father in heaven.
Enough rambling for now…
Peace Out
How many times? Reading Genesis 33-35 makes me think of the time that Simon Peter asks Jesus, “How many times should I forgive someone who sins against me. Seven times?” And Jesus responds to Peter, “Not seven by seventy-seven times.”
It seems the wrestling that Jacob did yesterday is far from over. Sometimes, I find it a little discouraging when I note that the Scriptures following the wrestling episode, where Jacob receives his new name, mostly refer to him as Jacob rather than Israel. The process of change for humanity is so slow and filled with unneeded detours back to places we have already been.
I marvel over the reception that Esau gives his brother Jacob. In many ways, it calls to mind the reception that the faithful father of Jesus’ parable receives his prodigal son. Esau ran to hug and kiss his long lost brother – like he was eagerly anticipating the day of his return. And Jacob even tells Esau that, because of the favorable reception, Jacob sees the face of God in Esau. After a night of wrestling with the mysterious man, Jacob should know the face of God.
But, then, the deception of old Jacob rises to the forefront once again. After he pesters Esau to receive his gift, he refuses the gift of relationship and protection from Esau. Jacob would not even allow some of Esau’s men stay behind for protection. Though Jacob tells Esau that he will join him later at Esau’s home, Jacob already had plans to settle in another place. And he wanted to hide the information from Esau – Jacob the deceiver.
Jacob’s children had seen the deceptions of their father enough. Now, the deception moves to the next generation in Genesis 34. When Jacob’s sons learn that a Hittite man had defiled their sister Dinah, they approach in anger. The man and his father ask for Dinah to become the wife of Shechem, the man who raped her.
And Jacob’s sons replied deceitfully. They asked the men of Shechem to agree to the covenant of circumcision, the covenant they had with God. They used a directive of God for deception. Talk about using the Lord’s name in vain! The men of Shechem agreed; and while they were still hurting, Simeon and Levi attacked and massacred the whole city. They and their brothers took all kinds of booty from the town, including the women and children. Yes, including the women that they would not agree to marry unless the men of Shechem were circumcised. Like father like sons. This was the fall of Simeon and Levi (who by the way had the same mother as Dinah, Leah) from grace – the grace of their birth order, as the second and third born of Israel.
Fearing for his life, Jacob flees the scene of the crime again. He flees back to Bethel, the same place he rested as he was fleeing from the wrath of Esau. There the Lord gives Jacob a reminder. Here is a paraphrase: “Though your name is Jacob, you will be called Israel for now on. Leave your deceitful ways behind and struggle to become the man God made you to be. My promise of blessing to you and your ancestors and descendants still stands.
Then, Rachel, the beloved of Israel, dies in childbirth. Israel buries Rachel along the road to Abraham and Isaac’s home. This burial in this place has significance. Though Rachel was first in his heart, Israel did not bury her in the cave his Grandfather Abraham and Grandmother Sarah were buried. Rachel was not buried with the other people of the promise.
And the firstborn of Israel, Reuben, has his fall from grace in Genesis 35:22. Reuben sleeps with his father’s concubine, Bilhah. So the fourth born, Judah, takes the place of the firstborn. As I have already touched upon, Judah is the tribe that Jesus was born into.
I return to my initial question. How many times should I forgive someone who sins against me? I should be willing to forgive someone as many times as my Lord has forgiven me. I am like Jacob. I am in a wrestling match of prayer to become the man of God that He has made me to be. I give thanks this day for the patient and loving forgiveness of my Father in heaven.
Enough rambling for now…
Peace Out
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
All in the Family, Gen 31-32
May the mumbling commence!
It is all in the family. In Genesis 31, deception makes its rounds. First, God calls Jacob to return to his father’s house. Jacob responds by gathering his family and secret. They decide to leave, gather all their stuff, and left. They left while Laban was away shearing his sheep. Laban, a deceiver, was deceived. Then, the lovely Rachel got in on the act. Without the knowledge of her husband or father, she stole the household gods from her father. And she hides her guilt (and the death it would have caused because of Jacob’s words) by feigning her monthly period and sitting on the evidence.
And there was no love lost between Jacob and Laban. That’s why I find it so humorous when people use the quote from a part of verse 49 as a closing benediction. “May the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other.” These words were spoken between two men who had nothing but distrust for one another. Talk about using a piece of Scripture out of context!
Now, let’s pay attention to prayers that happen in Genesis 32, when Jacob was preparing to reunite with his brother Esau. First, Jacob sends messengers to announce to Esau that Jacob is returning home with great wealth. Esau responds by coming out to meet him with four-hundred men. Knowing that his brother Esau once wanted to kill him, Jacob began to fear for himself and his family and his possessions. What would Esau do to him? Jacob decided to split his company into two – that way if Esau attacks one, the other might escape.
Then Jacob pauses to pray to God. He reminds God of his command to return to his homeland. He gives thanks for the way God has caused him to prosper and admits he does not deserve such kindness. He shares his fear with God about Esau and closes the prayer by reminding God of his promise to prosper him and his family.
After his prayer, Jacob seems to change his mind on how to deal with Esau. Prayer can change the pray-er! Jacob chooses gifts to send ahead of him to meet his brother Esau. Perhaps, Jacob was letting go of the ownership of some of his possessions. Perhaps (and more likely) Jacob was trying to bribe his brother and save his and his family’s skins.
So, we have a prayer by Jacob and a response to prayer also by Jacob. Then, the long night comes. I, too, have known some long nights – those nights before something pivotal would happen on the rising of the sun the next day. Jacob got no sleep that night. Yeah, I’ve had nights like that.
And Jacob wrestles. Jacob wrestles with a mysterious man all night. It’s the first reference in the Scriptures that relates to a sport that I know about. Wrestling may be one of the oldest if not the oldest sports known to humanity. I’ve taken the Buhler wrestling team to a couple of different matches now. I’ve watched some of the matches. Though Buhler has a wrestling “team,” let me tell you – when the match starts their teammate is all alone on the mat with their opponent.
Wrestling is a test of strength, endurance, and will. It is painful, hot, sweaty, and smelly (I know, I’ve driven the wrestlers on the way back from the match). And, here, we have an image of prayer as wrestling.
Well, I often ask for things in my prayers – my will against the will of God. The Bible talks about praying unceasingly – sounds like a test of endurance. And, when we notice God’s will, we have a test of our strength when we need to adjust or even change something in our lives – like Jacob changing his plan for interacting with his brother Esau. Yeah, prayer is a test of strength, endurance and will. And Jacob received a new name, Israel. He struggled with God and man and “won”. Jacob/Israel won because he persevered and started on the road to change, to be the man God had made him to be.
I give thanks this day for prayer. I give thanks this day for a loving God who will listen to me. I give thanks that prayer has and can still change me, to keep me on the path to being the man God has made me to be. And may it be true wrestling – not just that fake stuff that the pro wrestlers do. Hmm… Maybe that was the kind of prayer Jesus was talking about being done by the spiritual leaders of his day. Let’s experience the pain, the heat, the sweat, the blood, the tears, and, yes, even the odors of prayer done right.
Enough for today…
Peace Out
It is all in the family. In Genesis 31, deception makes its rounds. First, God calls Jacob to return to his father’s house. Jacob responds by gathering his family and secret. They decide to leave, gather all their stuff, and left. They left while Laban was away shearing his sheep. Laban, a deceiver, was deceived. Then, the lovely Rachel got in on the act. Without the knowledge of her husband or father, she stole the household gods from her father. And she hides her guilt (and the death it would have caused because of Jacob’s words) by feigning her monthly period and sitting on the evidence.
And there was no love lost between Jacob and Laban. That’s why I find it so humorous when people use the quote from a part of verse 49 as a closing benediction. “May the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other.” These words were spoken between two men who had nothing but distrust for one another. Talk about using a piece of Scripture out of context!
Now, let’s pay attention to prayers that happen in Genesis 32, when Jacob was preparing to reunite with his brother Esau. First, Jacob sends messengers to announce to Esau that Jacob is returning home with great wealth. Esau responds by coming out to meet him with four-hundred men. Knowing that his brother Esau once wanted to kill him, Jacob began to fear for himself and his family and his possessions. What would Esau do to him? Jacob decided to split his company into two – that way if Esau attacks one, the other might escape.
Then Jacob pauses to pray to God. He reminds God of his command to return to his homeland. He gives thanks for the way God has caused him to prosper and admits he does not deserve such kindness. He shares his fear with God about Esau and closes the prayer by reminding God of his promise to prosper him and his family.
After his prayer, Jacob seems to change his mind on how to deal with Esau. Prayer can change the pray-er! Jacob chooses gifts to send ahead of him to meet his brother Esau. Perhaps, Jacob was letting go of the ownership of some of his possessions. Perhaps (and more likely) Jacob was trying to bribe his brother and save his and his family’s skins.
So, we have a prayer by Jacob and a response to prayer also by Jacob. Then, the long night comes. I, too, have known some long nights – those nights before something pivotal would happen on the rising of the sun the next day. Jacob got no sleep that night. Yeah, I’ve had nights like that.
And Jacob wrestles. Jacob wrestles with a mysterious man all night. It’s the first reference in the Scriptures that relates to a sport that I know about. Wrestling may be one of the oldest if not the oldest sports known to humanity. I’ve taken the Buhler wrestling team to a couple of different matches now. I’ve watched some of the matches. Though Buhler has a wrestling “team,” let me tell you – when the match starts their teammate is all alone on the mat with their opponent.
Wrestling is a test of strength, endurance, and will. It is painful, hot, sweaty, and smelly (I know, I’ve driven the wrestlers on the way back from the match). And, here, we have an image of prayer as wrestling.
Well, I often ask for things in my prayers – my will against the will of God. The Bible talks about praying unceasingly – sounds like a test of endurance. And, when we notice God’s will, we have a test of our strength when we need to adjust or even change something in our lives – like Jacob changing his plan for interacting with his brother Esau. Yeah, prayer is a test of strength, endurance and will. And Jacob received a new name, Israel. He struggled with God and man and “won”. Jacob/Israel won because he persevered and started on the road to change, to be the man God had made him to be.
I give thanks this day for prayer. I give thanks this day for a loving God who will listen to me. I give thanks that prayer has and can still change me, to keep me on the path to being the man God has made me to be. And may it be true wrestling – not just that fake stuff that the pro wrestlers do. Hmm… Maybe that was the kind of prayer Jesus was talking about being done by the spiritual leaders of his day. Let’s experience the pain, the heat, the sweat, the blood, the tears, and, yes, even the odors of prayer done right.
Enough for today…
Peace Out
Monday, January 24, 2011
Don't Be Deceived.
May the mumbling commence!
The true blessing is received, and the deceiver is deceived. In earlier chapters in Genesis, we see the competition caused by Isaac and Rebekah playing favorites and by Esau and Jacob’s relationship. But what difference did their games make? Not much. Jacob may have coerced Esau to sell his birthright for a bowl of soup, and Rebekah may have fooled Isaac into blessing Jacob. And even Isaac thought that the words of his blessing held power and the final say.
However, in Genesis 28, we see who holds the power to bless. We see whose words are the most powerful. It was along Jacob’s lonely trek that God spoke. God grants the blessing of Abraham and Isaac on Jacob. It is the Lord who blesses, so why wouldn’t He have final say in whom the blessing belongs to? With this is mind, all our human words and maneuvering means very little.
And, what was Jacob’s response? Basically he bargained for safety on his road until he returned home to his family. If you feed me and clothe me and protect me; then, when I return to my father, you will be my God. Sounds kind of shallow, doesn’t it? Well, it’s human.
If we are honest with ourselves, we offer God these deals all the time. Help me find a fulfilling job, and you will be my God. Help me with this trial, and I will be your God. For, when things go badly, we wonder about the presence of God. Like Jacob, we had no idea that the Lord was in this place in our lives. We want God to prove his existence to us by helping us out of this fix. Then, we will believe. I think most of us have been in this place a time or two.
I remember how I felt when my first ministry calling came to an abrupt end. I wondered how God was moving in this event. Leaving these people behind and the call of God was difficult. It was a desert experience in my life. This dark period lasted about a year.
But, God was there. Hindsight is twenty-twenty. I remember being counseled by Walt and being encouraged by him not to give up my calling as a minister. I remember him calling me out. “Let your light shine, Matt.” I remember celebrating Advent by attending an Advent retreat at Hesston Mennonite Church. I remember the encouragement I received from that retreat. I felt renewed.
Not long after that retreat, I saw the advertisement in the Mennonite Weekly Review for a part-time minister at Community Church of the Brethren in Hutchinson, Kansas. And the rest is history that many of you know. The desert was awful, but the desert helped prepare me for the dessert – sensing God’s presence and call anew. And I am trying to let my light shine – the small part of the light of Christ that has been entrusted to me.
On another topic, I love to see the deceiver deceived. Jacob works seven years for the hand of Rachel, and, at the end of those years, Laban gives Jacob Rachel’s older sister, Leah. Jacob does get Rachel as well, but the trouble begins. You think the reality shows have anything on God’s people in Genesis? I don’t.
Leah is not loved, so God knows this and blesses her with children. Rachel is barren. Two of Leah’s children are quite important to the history of Israel. There was Levi (the third born), whose name means “attached.” From him, all priests of the Lord are descended. Though Levi does do some very bad things, he redeems himself. Levi’s descendants become attached to the Lord as their inheritance. There was also Judah (fourth born), whose name means “praise.” From Judah, we get Jesus…
You see, God blesses whom He will bless. Laban may try to hide the animals that would have been Jacobs pay (another deception – the deceiver being deceived), and Jacob can try all types of breeding methods with all kinds of sticks. Still, it is the Lord who blesses. Do not be deceived. No one and no thing can stop the will of God.
I give thanks this day for the blessings of God in my life – my family, my church family, my work as a school bus driver, and my calling to serve God at Community Church (just to name a few).
Enough rambling for now…
Peace Out
The true blessing is received, and the deceiver is deceived. In earlier chapters in Genesis, we see the competition caused by Isaac and Rebekah playing favorites and by Esau and Jacob’s relationship. But what difference did their games make? Not much. Jacob may have coerced Esau to sell his birthright for a bowl of soup, and Rebekah may have fooled Isaac into blessing Jacob. And even Isaac thought that the words of his blessing held power and the final say.
However, in Genesis 28, we see who holds the power to bless. We see whose words are the most powerful. It was along Jacob’s lonely trek that God spoke. God grants the blessing of Abraham and Isaac on Jacob. It is the Lord who blesses, so why wouldn’t He have final say in whom the blessing belongs to? With this is mind, all our human words and maneuvering means very little.
And, what was Jacob’s response? Basically he bargained for safety on his road until he returned home to his family. If you feed me and clothe me and protect me; then, when I return to my father, you will be my God. Sounds kind of shallow, doesn’t it? Well, it’s human.
If we are honest with ourselves, we offer God these deals all the time. Help me find a fulfilling job, and you will be my God. Help me with this trial, and I will be your God. For, when things go badly, we wonder about the presence of God. Like Jacob, we had no idea that the Lord was in this place in our lives. We want God to prove his existence to us by helping us out of this fix. Then, we will believe. I think most of us have been in this place a time or two.
I remember how I felt when my first ministry calling came to an abrupt end. I wondered how God was moving in this event. Leaving these people behind and the call of God was difficult. It was a desert experience in my life. This dark period lasted about a year.
But, God was there. Hindsight is twenty-twenty. I remember being counseled by Walt and being encouraged by him not to give up my calling as a minister. I remember him calling me out. “Let your light shine, Matt.” I remember celebrating Advent by attending an Advent retreat at Hesston Mennonite Church. I remember the encouragement I received from that retreat. I felt renewed.
Not long after that retreat, I saw the advertisement in the Mennonite Weekly Review for a part-time minister at Community Church of the Brethren in Hutchinson, Kansas. And the rest is history that many of you know. The desert was awful, but the desert helped prepare me for the dessert – sensing God’s presence and call anew. And I am trying to let my light shine – the small part of the light of Christ that has been entrusted to me.
On another topic, I love to see the deceiver deceived. Jacob works seven years for the hand of Rachel, and, at the end of those years, Laban gives Jacob Rachel’s older sister, Leah. Jacob does get Rachel as well, but the trouble begins. You think the reality shows have anything on God’s people in Genesis? I don’t.
Leah is not loved, so God knows this and blesses her with children. Rachel is barren. Two of Leah’s children are quite important to the history of Israel. There was Levi (the third born), whose name means “attached.” From him, all priests of the Lord are descended. Though Levi does do some very bad things, he redeems himself. Levi’s descendants become attached to the Lord as their inheritance. There was also Judah (fourth born), whose name means “praise.” From Judah, we get Jesus…
You see, God blesses whom He will bless. Laban may try to hide the animals that would have been Jacobs pay (another deception – the deceiver being deceived), and Jacob can try all types of breeding methods with all kinds of sticks. Still, it is the Lord who blesses. Do not be deceived. No one and no thing can stop the will of God.
I give thanks this day for the blessings of God in my life – my family, my church family, my work as a school bus driver, and my calling to serve God at Community Church (just to name a few).
Enough rambling for now…
Peace Out
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Too Little, Too Late, Esau.
May the mumbling commence!
Esau did too little too late. When his father Isaac wished to give him the blessings of a firstborn (which he was), Esau left to hunt the wild game for his father. As he went to hunt and prepare the kill, Rebekah worked a masquerade with Jacob. The game was already there – goats. And Rebekah knew how her husband liked his food prepared, so she gathered the spices and prepared the kids that Jacob brought her.
Rebekah worked a careful disguise for Jacob. She gave Jacob Esau’s good clothes (which he wouldn’t be wearing for a hunt). These clothes held the smell of Esau. She used the kid skins to create the hairy arms and neck of Esau and cover the smooth skin of Jacob. As for Isaac’s sight, he was nearly blind. Even though Isaac did not recognize Jacob’s voice as Esau’s, the clothes and the goatskin was enough to fool the nearly blind man. And with the help of his mother Rebekah, Jacob easily beat his brother Esau to their father.
Isaac blessed Jacob with the blessing that Isaac had meant for Esau. Both Isaac and Rebekah were blinded by their favorite sons. Rebekah’s blindness caused her to lie and deceive her husband into blessing Jacob, her favorite. Isaac’s blindness caused his to desire the blessing for Esau, even though Esau’s actions were not worthy of the blessing. Isaac was not willing to forgo the customs of his day that said the firstborn should receive such blessing – even when it was the Lord’s wishes.
Esau found his efforts too little too late…
When he discovered the deception, Esau was moved to anger and deadly jealousy. Yes, playing favorites might be lethal. There was another potential Cain and Abel in the making. Instead, Rebekah convinced Isaac to send Jacob to her homeland so that he could find a wife. Esau’s Hittite wives were driving her crazy.
Then, Jacob knowingly blessed his son Jacob and sent him to Paddan Aram to find a wife from his mother’s family. Jacob thought he was going to find a wife, but Rebekah knew the greater threat was to protect Jacob from the murderous wrath of his brother Esau. Again, we see separation – while not permanent, it was for a long time so that the anger of Esau could be defused.
And Esau learned of the escape of Jacob. He learned that his mother and father wanted Jacob to marry someone from their clan. Esau finally realized that his Hittite wives were not pleasing to his parents, so he goes and marries one of Ishmael’s daughters. The Hittite wives he kept. Perhaps, Esau had a difficult time listening to the council and feelings of others.
And whether he knew it or not, Esau’s effort was too little too late…
May I not choose my own favorites. May I, instead, seek the Lord’s will in every step I make. And may I be sensitive to the words and feelings of others – instead of making half-hearted attempts to make amends after the fact.
I give thanks this day for the willingness of the Lord to work with flawed people and, perhaps, to work even through human deceptions and lies so that His will might be done. Though, I must admit, I struggle with this deception. I struggle with it more than the deception of the lentil soup - perhaps because it was conniving in tandem to fool another tandem, who was completely unawares.
Enough mumbling for today…
Peace Out
Esau did too little too late. When his father Isaac wished to give him the blessings of a firstborn (which he was), Esau left to hunt the wild game for his father. As he went to hunt and prepare the kill, Rebekah worked a masquerade with Jacob. The game was already there – goats. And Rebekah knew how her husband liked his food prepared, so she gathered the spices and prepared the kids that Jacob brought her.
Rebekah worked a careful disguise for Jacob. She gave Jacob Esau’s good clothes (which he wouldn’t be wearing for a hunt). These clothes held the smell of Esau. She used the kid skins to create the hairy arms and neck of Esau and cover the smooth skin of Jacob. As for Isaac’s sight, he was nearly blind. Even though Isaac did not recognize Jacob’s voice as Esau’s, the clothes and the goatskin was enough to fool the nearly blind man. And with the help of his mother Rebekah, Jacob easily beat his brother Esau to their father.
Isaac blessed Jacob with the blessing that Isaac had meant for Esau. Both Isaac and Rebekah were blinded by their favorite sons. Rebekah’s blindness caused her to lie and deceive her husband into blessing Jacob, her favorite. Isaac’s blindness caused his to desire the blessing for Esau, even though Esau’s actions were not worthy of the blessing. Isaac was not willing to forgo the customs of his day that said the firstborn should receive such blessing – even when it was the Lord’s wishes.
Esau found his efforts too little too late…
When he discovered the deception, Esau was moved to anger and deadly jealousy. Yes, playing favorites might be lethal. There was another potential Cain and Abel in the making. Instead, Rebekah convinced Isaac to send Jacob to her homeland so that he could find a wife. Esau’s Hittite wives were driving her crazy.
Then, Jacob knowingly blessed his son Jacob and sent him to Paddan Aram to find a wife from his mother’s family. Jacob thought he was going to find a wife, but Rebekah knew the greater threat was to protect Jacob from the murderous wrath of his brother Esau. Again, we see separation – while not permanent, it was for a long time so that the anger of Esau could be defused.
And Esau learned of the escape of Jacob. He learned that his mother and father wanted Jacob to marry someone from their clan. Esau finally realized that his Hittite wives were not pleasing to his parents, so he goes and marries one of Ishmael’s daughters. The Hittite wives he kept. Perhaps, Esau had a difficult time listening to the council and feelings of others.
And whether he knew it or not, Esau’s effort was too little too late…
May I not choose my own favorites. May I, instead, seek the Lord’s will in every step I make. And may I be sensitive to the words and feelings of others – instead of making half-hearted attempts to make amends after the fact.
I give thanks this day for the willingness of the Lord to work with flawed people and, perhaps, to work even through human deceptions and lies so that His will might be done. Though, I must admit, I struggle with this deception. I struggle with it more than the deception of the lentil soup - perhaps because it was conniving in tandem to fool another tandem, who was completely unawares.
Enough mumbling for today…
Peace Out
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Power.
May the mumbling commence!
How do we use power? To influence for good or evil? In Genesis 26:7, I see the sins of the father revealed in his son, Isaac. Need I say more? May God make me aware of my sins and help me to defeat them, so that my son will not see them and duplicate them…
How do we use power? To disappoint? In Genesis 26:34-35, marriage affects the whole family. When Esau married two Hittite women, it caused grief for his parents. Marrying outside of your culture can cause greater grief. Perhaps, we see the wisdom of Abraham’s matching for Isaac in this negative example. And was this a symptom of Esau’s irreverence toward his own family and the promise of God that went with it (See Genesis 25:27-34. Esau sells his birthright for lentil stew and bread – despising his birthright.)..?
How do we use power? To favor? Do we have favorites with our children? Isaac favored Esau. Rebekah favored Jacob. It eventually caused them problems. For God does not choose favorites by His eyes or His tastes (Isaac had a weakness for that wild game). While I have only one son, I have the opportunity as a school bus driver and a pastor to influence many children. Do I play favorites? I give thanks for these opportunities to influence. May I see each child that crosses my path as a child of God…
How do we use power? To share? I look at Isaac in Genesis 26:16-22, and I see a man of power. Abimelech sends Isaac away because of his growing power and wealth. Isaac was powerful.
So, when his servants dug a well for fresh water and some other herdsmen claimed it as theirs, what would Isaac do? Water is a precious resource. It gives life – life to all creatures on earth. And Isaac’s wealth was in domesticated animals – Animals that would need water. Isaac would fight for the water, wouldn’t he?
No. Isaac had his servants move on and dig another well. Once again, when they found water, others claimed it as theirs. This time, Isaac would fight for his right to water – water that his servants discovered. Right?
No. Isaac again asked his servants to move on and dig another well. This time, when they found water, no one disputed it. And Isaac gave thanks to the Lord for making space for them.
Do I see others needs? Do I use my power to fill those needs, or do I think selfishly only of myself? Thank you, O God, for the power that you give us. May we use it wisely…
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
How do we use power? To influence for good or evil? In Genesis 26:7, I see the sins of the father revealed in his son, Isaac. Need I say more? May God make me aware of my sins and help me to defeat them, so that my son will not see them and duplicate them…
How do we use power? To disappoint? In Genesis 26:34-35, marriage affects the whole family. When Esau married two Hittite women, it caused grief for his parents. Marrying outside of your culture can cause greater grief. Perhaps, we see the wisdom of Abraham’s matching for Isaac in this negative example. And was this a symptom of Esau’s irreverence toward his own family and the promise of God that went with it (See Genesis 25:27-34. Esau sells his birthright for lentil stew and bread – despising his birthright.)..?
How do we use power? To favor? Do we have favorites with our children? Isaac favored Esau. Rebekah favored Jacob. It eventually caused them problems. For God does not choose favorites by His eyes or His tastes (Isaac had a weakness for that wild game). While I have only one son, I have the opportunity as a school bus driver and a pastor to influence many children. Do I play favorites? I give thanks for these opportunities to influence. May I see each child that crosses my path as a child of God…
How do we use power? To share? I look at Isaac in Genesis 26:16-22, and I see a man of power. Abimelech sends Isaac away because of his growing power and wealth. Isaac was powerful.
So, when his servants dug a well for fresh water and some other herdsmen claimed it as theirs, what would Isaac do? Water is a precious resource. It gives life – life to all creatures on earth. And Isaac’s wealth was in domesticated animals – Animals that would need water. Isaac would fight for the water, wouldn’t he?
No. Isaac had his servants move on and dig another well. Once again, when they found water, others claimed it as theirs. This time, Isaac would fight for his right to water – water that his servants discovered. Right?
No. Isaac again asked his servants to move on and dig another well. This time, when they found water, no one disputed it. And Isaac gave thanks to the Lord for making space for them.
Do I see others needs? Do I use my power to fill those needs, or do I think selfishly only of myself? Thank you, O God, for the power that you give us. May we use it wisely…
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
Friday, January 21, 2011
The Three Tests.
May the mumbling commence!
In today’s reading, Abraham passes three tests.
Test # One: The Lord asks Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac – the son of the promise, the only son of the promise. The next morning, Abraham takes the needed wood, fire, and knife for the sacrifice. Isaac and a couple of servants travel with him.
When they near the mountain of sacrifice, Abraham and Isaac continue alone. It, then, becomes apparent that this is not the first time they have gone to sacrifice to the Lord together. Isaac realizes that there is no lamb to sacrifice. Abraham tells him that God will provide. After Abraham binds Isaac (and Isaac allows himself to be bound), Abraham raises the knife to sacrifice his son.
Then, the Angel of the Lord interrupts Abraham. He has passed the test; he has not withheld from God his only son. And the Lord does provide a sacrifice – a ram. And, for Abraham, Isaac is as good as raised from the dead. God does not want human sacrifice; this was only a test.
Test # Two: Sarah dies at a ripe old age. Abraham mourns for his wife. Where will Abraham seek to bury his wife? Most of the time, people want to be buried in the place they think of as home.
Abraham could have been missing his home even more, now that his wife was dead. It was an opportunity to return to his former home to bury Sarah and die in his home country. Then, he could live out his last days in a place where family was.
But Abraham, instead, chose to buy a burial plot in the Promised Land. This place, where he was an alien and stranger, was his home now. In his grief, Abraham looked forward instead of backward. Indeed, he was looking forward to a new home that he would never see in his time on earth. Again, Abraham passes the test.
Test # Three: Abraham’s son, Isaac, was much younger and more vulnerable than his father when his mother died. Isaac must have been heart stricken when Sarah died. Abraham knew that Isaac would need a wife, so he commands his servant to go back to his father’s country and get a wife for Isaac from his family. Abraham insisted on two things – one, Isaac must not marry a Canaanite woman; two, Isaac must stay in the Promised Land. He was emphatic about these two things.
His servant asked what he should do if the woman refused to come with him. Abraham trusted that God would make his servant’s mission successful. Even if it wasn’t, Abraham would release his from his oath.
And God was with Abraham’s servant. The story is re-told within Genesis 24 several times. Each time new details are added as they develop. It helps in memory work, but it also helps to drive home the point that God is with and blesses those who seek His path. And the mission was accomplished posthaste. Again, Abraham passes the test. With Rebekah, Isaac is comforted from his mother’s death.
In each test, Abraham shows that his focus is on the Lord and the path God has chosen for him. Isaac was not more important to Abraham than God. Isaac was a miracle of God. God could do another miracle!
Even in mourning, the path of God had more pull on Abraham than the path leading back to his homeland and his broader family. Abraham was so certain that this place was home that he not only buried Sarah there but he also refused to tempt his son Isaac with a taste of the place that he once knew as home.
Abraham’s hand was firmly on Isaac showing him the way to follow God throughout his life.
This day, I give thanks for my son, Micah. May God guide me in raising Micah so that he will choose the path of God. May God guide me so that Micah will see me walking the path God has put in front of me.
Enough mumbling for this day…
Peace Out
In today’s reading, Abraham passes three tests.
Test # One: The Lord asks Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac – the son of the promise, the only son of the promise. The next morning, Abraham takes the needed wood, fire, and knife for the sacrifice. Isaac and a couple of servants travel with him.
When they near the mountain of sacrifice, Abraham and Isaac continue alone. It, then, becomes apparent that this is not the first time they have gone to sacrifice to the Lord together. Isaac realizes that there is no lamb to sacrifice. Abraham tells him that God will provide. After Abraham binds Isaac (and Isaac allows himself to be bound), Abraham raises the knife to sacrifice his son.
Then, the Angel of the Lord interrupts Abraham. He has passed the test; he has not withheld from God his only son. And the Lord does provide a sacrifice – a ram. And, for Abraham, Isaac is as good as raised from the dead. God does not want human sacrifice; this was only a test.
Test # Two: Sarah dies at a ripe old age. Abraham mourns for his wife. Where will Abraham seek to bury his wife? Most of the time, people want to be buried in the place they think of as home.
Abraham could have been missing his home even more, now that his wife was dead. It was an opportunity to return to his former home to bury Sarah and die in his home country. Then, he could live out his last days in a place where family was.
But Abraham, instead, chose to buy a burial plot in the Promised Land. This place, where he was an alien and stranger, was his home now. In his grief, Abraham looked forward instead of backward. Indeed, he was looking forward to a new home that he would never see in his time on earth. Again, Abraham passes the test.
Test # Three: Abraham’s son, Isaac, was much younger and more vulnerable than his father when his mother died. Isaac must have been heart stricken when Sarah died. Abraham knew that Isaac would need a wife, so he commands his servant to go back to his father’s country and get a wife for Isaac from his family. Abraham insisted on two things – one, Isaac must not marry a Canaanite woman; two, Isaac must stay in the Promised Land. He was emphatic about these two things.
His servant asked what he should do if the woman refused to come with him. Abraham trusted that God would make his servant’s mission successful. Even if it wasn’t, Abraham would release his from his oath.
And God was with Abraham’s servant. The story is re-told within Genesis 24 several times. Each time new details are added as they develop. It helps in memory work, but it also helps to drive home the point that God is with and blesses those who seek His path. And the mission was accomplished posthaste. Again, Abraham passes the test. With Rebekah, Isaac is comforted from his mother’s death.
In each test, Abraham shows that his focus is on the Lord and the path God has chosen for him. Isaac was not more important to Abraham than God. Isaac was a miracle of God. God could do another miracle!
Even in mourning, the path of God had more pull on Abraham than the path leading back to his homeland and his broader family. Abraham was so certain that this place was home that he not only buried Sarah there but he also refused to tempt his son Isaac with a taste of the place that he once knew as home.
Abraham’s hand was firmly on Isaac showing him the way to follow God throughout his life.
This day, I give thanks for my son, Micah. May God guide me in raising Micah so that he will choose the path of God. May God guide me so that Micah will see me walking the path God has put in front of me.
Enough mumbling for this day…
Peace Out
Thursday, January 20, 2011
O, Those Distressing Patterns!
May the mumbling commence!
As I think about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, I wonder: What sin was reaching the ears of the Almighty One? Many today would be quick to point out the sin of homosexuality or rape. For today’s people, that is what stands out the most from Genesis 19. But there are many things I find difficult to understand. Like, why was Lot willing to give the mob his two virgin daughters rather than the men who had come to his home? Why was it so difficult for Lot and his wife to part ways with the people of Sodom?
There is something deeper going on here in the lives of the Hebrew people at this time. Hospitality was more than a nicety. Hospitality was essential to survival. Unlike today, when traveling is relatively easy, traveling puts the people into vulnerable situations. People did not know cities much beyond their own and those they would pass through in their normal dealings. They did not know about the bad parts of town neither did they know about bad towns.
For travelers to reach the town square without someone inviting them to stay with them is reproachable. There were no Motel 6’s, where they leave a light on for you. And where is the square? It is in the center of town. Only Lot took them in. The other people (and perhaps Lot as well) knew what would probably happen once the sun went down…
The men of the Sodom would come out to take advantage of the strangers, who were so far from home. Lot provided them with a home away from home, so he must protect them – even at great cost to himself. Now, I can begin to see an underlying sin that people of the day would easily see. A sin that would help explain some of the things I do not understand in this passage.
How do we treat strangers who are passing through our town? Our country? I feel ashamed knowing that my heritage did not originally come from the United States. I feel ashamed knowing that some of my not-too-distant ancestors traveled in this country as strangers. I feel ashamed at the way we treat immigrants – those who are vulnerable because of the barriers of language and culture. Many come only wanting to support their families…
Some may look at this passage of Scripture and think that the U.S. is bordering on the sins of Sodom because of the open acceptance of gay and lesbian people. But God sees further. God knows how we treat the vulnerable in our society. These sins scare me much more than those committed by those who have a different sexual preference than I do.
Why is it so hard to break from these types of sins? Because somewhere down deep inside, we believe that they grant us comfort of living. Things are scarce, so we need to take our comfort at the expense of others. It is a pattern.
Yes, if we earnestly look, we will see disturbing patterns in our lives. Abraham was not immune to this either. In Genesis 20, we see the lie of Abraham come to the surface again. Sarah is my sister. God, once again, chastises Abraham through the king of a city. A city where Abraham was afraid there was no fear of God. It seems that Abraham was a slow learner too. Maybe there is hope for me!
And, in Genesis 21, the troubles continue when we try to “help” the Lord. Yes, like Abraham, we grow tired of waiting and seek to help God fulfill his promises. And troubles ensue. After Isaac is born, Ishmael shows his disdain for this second-born son of Abraham. Ishmael mocks, perhaps, because he thought he was heir to the promise. Sarah and the Lord had other ideas. Isaac was the son of the promise, the son of faith in action.
So separation happens again – this time for good. Hagar and Ishmael go to the desert and a whole other nation arises into existence. Ishmael marries an Egyptian wife chosen by his Egyptian mother. Ishmael becomes strong and wild and produces twelve sons (remind you of anyone, maybe Jacob/Israel?). And Ishmael and his descendants were in hostility toward their brothers who were born to Isaac (Genesis 25:18).
Perhaps, I should reexamine the premise of scarcity. It is partly upon this principle that the machinations of capitalism rests. If something is perceived as scarce and demand is high, then the price will increase greatly. Think about crude oil. But our Lord is a Lord of abundance. God calls us to live in a giving way, not fearing for our own comfort but looking to the comfort of others…
Enough for now…
Peace Out
As I think about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, I wonder: What sin was reaching the ears of the Almighty One? Many today would be quick to point out the sin of homosexuality or rape. For today’s people, that is what stands out the most from Genesis 19. But there are many things I find difficult to understand. Like, why was Lot willing to give the mob his two virgin daughters rather than the men who had come to his home? Why was it so difficult for Lot and his wife to part ways with the people of Sodom?
There is something deeper going on here in the lives of the Hebrew people at this time. Hospitality was more than a nicety. Hospitality was essential to survival. Unlike today, when traveling is relatively easy, traveling puts the people into vulnerable situations. People did not know cities much beyond their own and those they would pass through in their normal dealings. They did not know about the bad parts of town neither did they know about bad towns.
For travelers to reach the town square without someone inviting them to stay with them is reproachable. There were no Motel 6’s, where they leave a light on for you. And where is the square? It is in the center of town. Only Lot took them in. The other people (and perhaps Lot as well) knew what would probably happen once the sun went down…
The men of the Sodom would come out to take advantage of the strangers, who were so far from home. Lot provided them with a home away from home, so he must protect them – even at great cost to himself. Now, I can begin to see an underlying sin that people of the day would easily see. A sin that would help explain some of the things I do not understand in this passage.
How do we treat strangers who are passing through our town? Our country? I feel ashamed knowing that my heritage did not originally come from the United States. I feel ashamed knowing that some of my not-too-distant ancestors traveled in this country as strangers. I feel ashamed at the way we treat immigrants – those who are vulnerable because of the barriers of language and culture. Many come only wanting to support their families…
Some may look at this passage of Scripture and think that the U.S. is bordering on the sins of Sodom because of the open acceptance of gay and lesbian people. But God sees further. God knows how we treat the vulnerable in our society. These sins scare me much more than those committed by those who have a different sexual preference than I do.
Why is it so hard to break from these types of sins? Because somewhere down deep inside, we believe that they grant us comfort of living. Things are scarce, so we need to take our comfort at the expense of others. It is a pattern.
Yes, if we earnestly look, we will see disturbing patterns in our lives. Abraham was not immune to this either. In Genesis 20, we see the lie of Abraham come to the surface again. Sarah is my sister. God, once again, chastises Abraham through the king of a city. A city where Abraham was afraid there was no fear of God. It seems that Abraham was a slow learner too. Maybe there is hope for me!
And, in Genesis 21, the troubles continue when we try to “help” the Lord. Yes, like Abraham, we grow tired of waiting and seek to help God fulfill his promises. And troubles ensue. After Isaac is born, Ishmael shows his disdain for this second-born son of Abraham. Ishmael mocks, perhaps, because he thought he was heir to the promise. Sarah and the Lord had other ideas. Isaac was the son of the promise, the son of faith in action.
So separation happens again – this time for good. Hagar and Ishmael go to the desert and a whole other nation arises into existence. Ishmael marries an Egyptian wife chosen by his Egyptian mother. Ishmael becomes strong and wild and produces twelve sons (remind you of anyone, maybe Jacob/Israel?). And Ishmael and his descendants were in hostility toward their brothers who were born to Isaac (Genesis 25:18).
Perhaps, I should reexamine the premise of scarcity. It is partly upon this principle that the machinations of capitalism rests. If something is perceived as scarce and demand is high, then the price will increase greatly. Think about crude oil. But our Lord is a Lord of abundance. God calls us to live in a giving way, not fearing for our own comfort but looking to the comfort of others…
Enough for now…
Peace Out
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Abraham waits...
Hi, All.
May the mumbling commence!
Abram had to wait. Wait for an heir. In the meantime, Abram and his wife Sarai thought they would help God fulfill his promise. They tried to use the way of the world at their time. If a wife could not produce offspring, then a handmaid was given to the husband to produce offspring for the wife. And, so, we get the Egyptian slave Hagar and her son Ishmael. Abram was 86-years-old, and Sarai was probably about 76 when Ishmael was born. It was time to do something, wasn’t it?
No. Nothing is too hard for the Lord. God changed Abram’s name (meaning exalted father in Hebrew) to Abraham (meaning father of many) and changed Sarai’s name to Sarah. She would be the mother of nations and kings of peoples would come from her.
And Abraham laughed. Couldn’t Ishmael receive the blessing? And Sarah laughed. Would she receive the pleasure of motherhood when she was dried up and old?
Somehow, I think that God was laughing as well. The Lord needs no help from humanity to fulfill his purposes. Yet, God chooses to use Abraham and Sarah to create a people of faith. A people not born of this world, but a people born of faith. The child to be born of Abraham and Sarah would be called Isaac (which means he laughs in Hebrew). I give thanks for being included in this immense family of faith.
And, let’s admit it. When we try to help God, we only get ourselves in trouble. We destroy relationships with God and with people. Look at the problems that the Hagar solution created just in Genesis 16. Jealousy and pride and separation sprouted up. Separation happened with the possibility of death for a pregnant woman. God had to intervene and make things right. He told Hagar to return to an abusive household. Abraham and Sarah would have to live with the consequences. And the consequences of this choice still affect us today…
I must admit, I thought about my journey through Job as I read the interaction between Abraham and the Lord about Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 18:20-33. Abraham, of course, knew that Lot and his family lived just outside of Sodom. At the risk of being chastised, Abraham asked if the Righteous One would punish the righteous along with the wicked so that they would suffer the same fate. Then, Abraham asked about 50 righteous people. Would God save the cities for 50? Yes. Eventually, Abraham whittled the number down to 10. Perhaps, he thought that there were surely 10 righteous people in Lot’s household. And God said, “Yes, for the sake of 10, I will not destroy it.”
Perhaps, God’s love for righteous people is what helps the wicked to prosper. It makes me think of the parable of the wheat and tares that Jesus told. The tares could not be torn out without damage to the wheat, so the farmer let the two grow side-by-side. Our welfare is tied together, righteous and wicked! Only at harvest would the wheat and tares be separated.
But, still, it is a tough pill to swallow when good people have bad things happen to them…
And, though I’ve never wondered this before, I wonder about it today. What if Abraham and his family went to Sodom to visit Lot? Would that have provided enough righteous people to spare the cities? Would God count visiting righteous people..?
You know, second guessing our actions or lack thereof. I do it all the time – especially with actions left undone. Today, I will give myself a break, the benefit of a doubt. As the serenity prayer goes, God give me the strength to change the things I can and have the wisdom to know the difference between what I can and cannot change.
When it comes down to it, we are all in the capable hands of the Lord. Let us rest in the peace that God presence brings.
Enough mumbling for today…
Peace Out
May the mumbling commence!
Abram had to wait. Wait for an heir. In the meantime, Abram and his wife Sarai thought they would help God fulfill his promise. They tried to use the way of the world at their time. If a wife could not produce offspring, then a handmaid was given to the husband to produce offspring for the wife. And, so, we get the Egyptian slave Hagar and her son Ishmael. Abram was 86-years-old, and Sarai was probably about 76 when Ishmael was born. It was time to do something, wasn’t it?
No. Nothing is too hard for the Lord. God changed Abram’s name (meaning exalted father in Hebrew) to Abraham (meaning father of many) and changed Sarai’s name to Sarah. She would be the mother of nations and kings of peoples would come from her.
And Abraham laughed. Couldn’t Ishmael receive the blessing? And Sarah laughed. Would she receive the pleasure of motherhood when she was dried up and old?
Somehow, I think that God was laughing as well. The Lord needs no help from humanity to fulfill his purposes. Yet, God chooses to use Abraham and Sarah to create a people of faith. A people not born of this world, but a people born of faith. The child to be born of Abraham and Sarah would be called Isaac (which means he laughs in Hebrew). I give thanks for being included in this immense family of faith.
And, let’s admit it. When we try to help God, we only get ourselves in trouble. We destroy relationships with God and with people. Look at the problems that the Hagar solution created just in Genesis 16. Jealousy and pride and separation sprouted up. Separation happened with the possibility of death for a pregnant woman. God had to intervene and make things right. He told Hagar to return to an abusive household. Abraham and Sarah would have to live with the consequences. And the consequences of this choice still affect us today…
I must admit, I thought about my journey through Job as I read the interaction between Abraham and the Lord about Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 18:20-33. Abraham, of course, knew that Lot and his family lived just outside of Sodom. At the risk of being chastised, Abraham asked if the Righteous One would punish the righteous along with the wicked so that they would suffer the same fate. Then, Abraham asked about 50 righteous people. Would God save the cities for 50? Yes. Eventually, Abraham whittled the number down to 10. Perhaps, he thought that there were surely 10 righteous people in Lot’s household. And God said, “Yes, for the sake of 10, I will not destroy it.”
Perhaps, God’s love for righteous people is what helps the wicked to prosper. It makes me think of the parable of the wheat and tares that Jesus told. The tares could not be torn out without damage to the wheat, so the farmer let the two grow side-by-side. Our welfare is tied together, righteous and wicked! Only at harvest would the wheat and tares be separated.
But, still, it is a tough pill to swallow when good people have bad things happen to them…
And, though I’ve never wondered this before, I wonder about it today. What if Abraham and his family went to Sodom to visit Lot? Would that have provided enough righteous people to spare the cities? Would God count visiting righteous people..?
You know, second guessing our actions or lack thereof. I do it all the time – especially with actions left undone. Today, I will give myself a break, the benefit of a doubt. As the serenity prayer goes, God give me the strength to change the things I can and have the wisdom to know the difference between what I can and cannot change.
When it comes down to it, we are all in the capable hands of the Lord. Let us rest in the peace that God presence brings.
Enough mumbling for today…
Peace Out
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Abram, Our Father
Hi, All.
May the mumbling commence!
There are such wonderful and flawed people in the book of Genesis! Abram first showed great faith in leaving behind the place he was living to go to “the land I will show you.” Abram was 75-years-old, and probably was set in his ways. Yet, at the call of the Lord, he left the place he called home along with the gods of that place to follow the Lord.
What faith! How can I live up to a hero of the faith like Abram? I might think that, and then read about how later a famine struck the land. Then Abram flees the land the Lord promised to give to his offspring (which by the way, he had none at the time at 75 + years-old). He flees to Egypt. Why doesn’t Abram trust in the provision of God? Was it the Lord’s promise to his non-existent offspring? Did Abram not trust God to provide for him because of this promise for a distant future that may never occur?
Then, comes the lame and fearful excuse. Abram looks over to his wife Sarai and notes she is beautiful. Good problem to have - I know. Abram fears for his life – someone may kill him to take away Sarai. So he asks Sarai to tell people that she is his sister, which does have a grain of truth because she is his half-sister. He did not trust God to protect him.
Where did Abram’s faith go? Perhaps, I can live the life of Abram after all. Perhaps, God can work through me despite my flawed nature. For this, I give thanks. Perhaps God can work through us…
Well, Abram would suffer the consequences of his actions, right? Abram becomes the recipient of many and great gifts from Pharaoh. He becomes a wealthy man! Well, that doesn’t seem like much of a punishment.
As time goes on, the truth did come out. It always does. To lie well, we must be perfect. And let’s admit it: we are far from perfect. Pharaoh and his household began suffering from serious diseases. Somehow, Pharaoh found out the true nature of the relationship between Abram and Sarai. And Pharaoh confronted Abram with his lie.
So, Abram loses all those gifts, right? No. Pharaoh does send Abram and his family packing, but they are sent away with their vast accumulated wealth. Perhaps, God thought it enough for Abram, who was supposed to be following God, to be corrected by an Egyptian.
And wealth is a blessing, right? Well, maybe not always. In this case, Abram and his nephew Lot were too wealthy to remain together. Their wealth split them apart. The land could not support both of them and their wealth. Their servants were fighting amongst one another.
Yes, we see it today, too. The pursuit of wealth does drive relationships into the ground…
Then, Lot and his family are some of the plunder of war. Being wealthy does have its inherent dangers. And Abram and his friends pursue the war party. They divide and conquer an army many times their size. They rescue Lot’s family. They rescue Lot’s possessions and the possessions of many others. They turn back to bring the plunder to its rightful owners.
And a mysterious man appears King Melchizedek of Salem (which means peace, in Hebrew, and was probably what became Jerusalem). He is noted also as priest of the God Most High. Hmm… King and Priest. And he prophesies about Abram being blessed by the Most High God, who delivered his enemies into his hands. Prophet and priest and king. Jesus is compared to him. The man who appears here, never to be mentioned again except in Psalms and the letter to the Hebrews.
So, perhaps Abram has learned a little from his mistakes. He goes to help his nephew Lot, with whom he has parted ways. He refuses to accept any of the plunder of war – but tithes a tenth of it to Melchizedek (which by the way means “king of righteousness” in Hebrew).
And it is no coincidence that the Lord speaks to Abram after this event, telling him, “Do not be afraid. I am your shield, your very great reward.” God will protect and reward Abram and those who follow God like Abram (his descendants). That’s all who seek the way of Christ.
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out.
May the mumbling commence!
There are such wonderful and flawed people in the book of Genesis! Abram first showed great faith in leaving behind the place he was living to go to “the land I will show you.” Abram was 75-years-old, and probably was set in his ways. Yet, at the call of the Lord, he left the place he called home along with the gods of that place to follow the Lord.
What faith! How can I live up to a hero of the faith like Abram? I might think that, and then read about how later a famine struck the land. Then Abram flees the land the Lord promised to give to his offspring (which by the way, he had none at the time at 75 + years-old). He flees to Egypt. Why doesn’t Abram trust in the provision of God? Was it the Lord’s promise to his non-existent offspring? Did Abram not trust God to provide for him because of this promise for a distant future that may never occur?
Then, comes the lame and fearful excuse. Abram looks over to his wife Sarai and notes she is beautiful. Good problem to have - I know. Abram fears for his life – someone may kill him to take away Sarai. So he asks Sarai to tell people that she is his sister, which does have a grain of truth because she is his half-sister. He did not trust God to protect him.
Where did Abram’s faith go? Perhaps, I can live the life of Abram after all. Perhaps, God can work through me despite my flawed nature. For this, I give thanks. Perhaps God can work through us…
Well, Abram would suffer the consequences of his actions, right? Abram becomes the recipient of many and great gifts from Pharaoh. He becomes a wealthy man! Well, that doesn’t seem like much of a punishment.
As time goes on, the truth did come out. It always does. To lie well, we must be perfect. And let’s admit it: we are far from perfect. Pharaoh and his household began suffering from serious diseases. Somehow, Pharaoh found out the true nature of the relationship between Abram and Sarai. And Pharaoh confronted Abram with his lie.
So, Abram loses all those gifts, right? No. Pharaoh does send Abram and his family packing, but they are sent away with their vast accumulated wealth. Perhaps, God thought it enough for Abram, who was supposed to be following God, to be corrected by an Egyptian.
And wealth is a blessing, right? Well, maybe not always. In this case, Abram and his nephew Lot were too wealthy to remain together. Their wealth split them apart. The land could not support both of them and their wealth. Their servants were fighting amongst one another.
Yes, we see it today, too. The pursuit of wealth does drive relationships into the ground…
Then, Lot and his family are some of the plunder of war. Being wealthy does have its inherent dangers. And Abram and his friends pursue the war party. They divide and conquer an army many times their size. They rescue Lot’s family. They rescue Lot’s possessions and the possessions of many others. They turn back to bring the plunder to its rightful owners.
And a mysterious man appears King Melchizedek of Salem (which means peace, in Hebrew, and was probably what became Jerusalem). He is noted also as priest of the God Most High. Hmm… King and Priest. And he prophesies about Abram being blessed by the Most High God, who delivered his enemies into his hands. Prophet and priest and king. Jesus is compared to him. The man who appears here, never to be mentioned again except in Psalms and the letter to the Hebrews.
So, perhaps Abram has learned a little from his mistakes. He goes to help his nephew Lot, with whom he has parted ways. He refuses to accept any of the plunder of war – but tithes a tenth of it to Melchizedek (which by the way means “king of righteousness” in Hebrew).
And it is no coincidence that the Lord speaks to Abram after this event, telling him, “Do not be afraid. I am your shield, your very great reward.” God will protect and reward Abram and those who follow God like Abram (his descendants). That’s all who seek the way of Christ.
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out.
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