The reading two weeks ago was Genesis 32:4-36:43.
Here, a summary:
Chapter 32:
On the way back, Jacob is met by some angels of God, and calls the place Mahanaim.
Jacob sends out messengers to Esau, they return with intimidating news.
Jacob splits his company in 2 from fear; then Jacob prays to God.
Presents are sent to Esau.
Jacob wrestles with a man, the man renames Jacob Israel, as he wrestled with God.
Chapter 33:
As Esau and his company arrives, Jacob divide the group in the order of the 2 maids, Leah, then Rachel and their respective child(ren).
Jacob bows to Esau 7 times, Esau runs to embrace and kiss Jacob, and they cry together. Esau accepts Jacob and his gift. Esau suggests in returning together to Seir, but Jacob insists on going at a slower pace for his livestock and children.
Jacob goes to Succoth and builds booths.
Jacob arrives in Shalem, Shechem in Canaan, and he buys a field to build an altar, and calls it Elelohe-Isarael.
Chapter 34:
Dinah is defiled by Shechem, a Hivite.
Shechem asks his father Hamor for Dinah as a wife.
Jacob hears about what happened; Hamor goes to Jacob to ask about Dinah.
Jacob's sons hear about Dinah and they are grived and wroth.
Hamor asks for the people to mingle. Shechem offers a lot of money for Dinah.
The sons deceive Shechem and Hamor.
Simeon and Levi goes and kill the men and spoils the city.
Jacob rebukes his sons, but they retort by asking why Shechem should treat Dinah as a harlot.
Chapter 35:
God tells Jacob to live in Bethel, and build an altar there.
Jacob and his household arrive in Luz, renamed as Bethel.
Deborah, Rebekah's nurse dies, and is buried under an oak, Allonbachuth.
God appears unto Jacob and blesses him, and calls him Israel. Jacob sets up a pillar, and calls the place Bethel.
Rachel labors with Benoni (Benjamin), and dies by Ephrath; Jacob sets up a pillar there.
Reuben lays with Bilhah in Edar.
Sons of Jacob listed.
Isaac dies at 180 in Arbah/Hebron, Esau and Jacob bury him.
Chapter 36:
Esau has 3 wives: Adah, daughter of Elon, a Hittite; Aholibama, the daughter of Anah whose father is Zibeon, a Hivite; Bashemath, daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebajoth.
Adah has Eliphaz, whose concubine bears Amalek.
Bashemath has Reuel.
Aholibamah has Jeush, Jaalam, and Korah.
List of other names who are descendants of Esau.
Jacob/Israel is renamed twice in these passages.
It's kind of odd that God does this.
I'm sure God doesn't do this for His own good, which must mean that it's for our/Jacob's benefit.
(to recap [again])
Jacob is renamed at the end of chapter 32. At the end of chapter 33, Jacob builds an altar with the name given to him by God, which is great. In chapter 34, there is this big drama in the family. Then in chapter 35, God reminds Jacob he is Israel.
A picture/lesson from the above is another reiteration from the last entry, where we need reminders from God/His people to return to God, and that God is faithful when even when we need to be reminded; yay,
God is good.
--
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
and he (Jacob) departed...
The reading of two weeks ago was Genesis 28:10-32:3.
The summary:
Chapter 28:
Using a stone as a pillow, Jacob dreams angels on a ladder with Yahweh at the top confirming promise. Awed by the experience, Jacob pours oil on stone/pillow for a pillar and vows to Yahweh about his future.
Chapter 29:
In Haran, Jacob finds Rachel among the sheepherders. Jacob waters the flock for Rachel, kisses her, and cries aloud; then identifies himself. Rachel runs off to tell Laban. Laban welcomes Jacob; Jacob names Rachel as his wage for 7 years, Laban gives his answer.
-
After 7 years, Jacob asks for Laban; Laban throws a feast but gives Leah as a wife for Jacob; Zilpah given to Leah as a maid by Laban. Jacob serves another 7 years for Rachel, Laban gives to Rachel Bilhah as a maid.
-
Seeing Leah unloved, Yahweh opens her womb; Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah are born.
Chapter 30:
Unhappy, Rachel has Jacob take Bilhah to have children; Dan and Naphtali are born. Leah does the same with Zilpah; Gad and Asher are born.
-
Grown Reuben finds mandrakes, Rachel has Jacob be with Leah for the mandrakes; Issachar is born. Leah begets Zebulun, then Dinah, a girl. God has Rachel beget Joseph.
-
Jacob requests to return to his country with his wives and children; Laban wants them to stay, Jacob wants to go. Jacob asks as his wage the patterned cattle, the brown sheep, and the patterned goats, Laban agrees. Jacob schemes with patterned sticks, the flocks produce favorably for Jacob.
Chapter 31:
Jacob is unwelcomed by Laban and sons. Yahweh tells Jacob to return to Canaan. Jacob tells Rachel and Leah the on goings; he also tells them the dream with God in it. Rachel and Leah side with Jacob. Jacob gathers his belongings for departure. Rachel takes Labans gods.
-
Jacob and company flees without Laban knowing. Laban finds out after 3 days; catches up to Jacob in 7 days at Gilead. God tells Laban to behave in dealing with Jacob.
-
Laban is upset, in particular about his idols missing. Jacob admits fear and decrees to not let live anyone with whom Laban finds the idols. Laban searches Leah and the two maids, then Rachel. Rachel tricks Laban; Laban finds nothing. Jacob chides Laban for everything in their history, while acknowledging God watching out for Jacob. Admitting no wrong, Laban suggests to make a covenant, Jacob consents.
-
Laban and Jacob give names for the place as a witness for their agreement, and for Yahweh to keep watch over them both. Laban leaves the next morning.
Chapter 32:
Jacob met by angels of God, calls the place Mahanaim.
Jacob sends messengers for Esau to Seir in Edom.
Jacob struggles with his employer/father-in-law, Laban, who is the unfair and stingy boss type. Then Jacob deals with the struggles of his wives. Lastly, there is the struggle of Jacob leaving Laban.
God is consistently present in the resolution of the conflicts, just as it was promised to Jacob at the beginning. Many times, Jacob tries to be creative in solving his problem in his own way; these efforts seem to show his lack of faith on Jacob's part; fortunately for Jacob, God is faithful even when he is not.
Similarly for us, when we do things out of instinct or from a lack of faith, fortunately God is faithful; yay.
God is good.
--
The summary:
Chapter 28:
Using a stone as a pillow, Jacob dreams angels on a ladder with Yahweh at the top confirming promise. Awed by the experience, Jacob pours oil on stone/pillow for a pillar and vows to Yahweh about his future.
Chapter 29:
In Haran, Jacob finds Rachel among the sheepherders. Jacob waters the flock for Rachel, kisses her, and cries aloud; then identifies himself. Rachel runs off to tell Laban. Laban welcomes Jacob; Jacob names Rachel as his wage for 7 years, Laban gives his answer.
-
After 7 years, Jacob asks for Laban; Laban throws a feast but gives Leah as a wife for Jacob; Zilpah given to Leah as a maid by Laban. Jacob serves another 7 years for Rachel, Laban gives to Rachel Bilhah as a maid.
-
Seeing Leah unloved, Yahweh opens her womb; Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah are born.
Chapter 30:
Unhappy, Rachel has Jacob take Bilhah to have children; Dan and Naphtali are born. Leah does the same with Zilpah; Gad and Asher are born.
-
Grown Reuben finds mandrakes, Rachel has Jacob be with Leah for the mandrakes; Issachar is born. Leah begets Zebulun, then Dinah, a girl. God has Rachel beget Joseph.
-
Jacob requests to return to his country with his wives and children; Laban wants them to stay, Jacob wants to go. Jacob asks as his wage the patterned cattle, the brown sheep, and the patterned goats, Laban agrees. Jacob schemes with patterned sticks, the flocks produce favorably for Jacob.
Chapter 31:
Jacob is unwelcomed by Laban and sons. Yahweh tells Jacob to return to Canaan. Jacob tells Rachel and Leah the on goings; he also tells them the dream with God in it. Rachel and Leah side with Jacob. Jacob gathers his belongings for departure. Rachel takes Labans gods.
-
Jacob and company flees without Laban knowing. Laban finds out after 3 days; catches up to Jacob in 7 days at Gilead. God tells Laban to behave in dealing with Jacob.
-
Laban is upset, in particular about his idols missing. Jacob admits fear and decrees to not let live anyone with whom Laban finds the idols. Laban searches Leah and the two maids, then Rachel. Rachel tricks Laban; Laban finds nothing. Jacob chides Laban for everything in their history, while acknowledging God watching out for Jacob. Admitting no wrong, Laban suggests to make a covenant, Jacob consents.
-
Laban and Jacob give names for the place as a witness for their agreement, and for Yahweh to keep watch over them both. Laban leaves the next morning.
Chapter 32:
Jacob met by angels of God, calls the place Mahanaim.
Jacob sends messengers for Esau to Seir in Edom.
Jacob struggles with his employer/father-in-law, Laban, who is the unfair and stingy boss type. Then Jacob deals with the struggles of his wives. Lastly, there is the struggle of Jacob leaving Laban.
God is consistently present in the resolution of the conflicts, just as it was promised to Jacob at the beginning. Many times, Jacob tries to be creative in solving his problem in his own way; these efforts seem to show his lack of faith on Jacob's part; fortunately for Jacob, God is faithful even when he is not.
Similarly for us, when we do things out of instinct or from a lack of faith, fortunately God is faithful; yay.
God is good.
--
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
the line of/ the story of (Isaac)
This (last) week's reading was from Genesis 25:19-28:9.
The summary:
Chapter 25:
Isaac is 40 years old marrying Rebekah.
Rebekah was barren but conceives after Isaac prays to the LoRD.
The babies wrestled within Rebekah, Yahweh tells her two nations struggle within, and the elder shall serve the younger.
Chapter 26:
Famine takes Isaac to Gerar in Philistine.
Yahweh appears and confirms promise.
Isaac claims Rebekah as his sister.
Found by king Abimelech, Isaac admits his wrong.
Yahweh blesses Isaac, but he is unwanted by the Philistines.
Strifes at wells: Yahweh provides room for Isaac at Rehoboth.
-
At Beersheba, Yahweh appears again to confirm promise.
Isaac builds altar, pitches tent, and has his servants dig a well.
Abimelech, Ahuzzath, and Phicol goes to Isaac to make a peace covenant.
Isaac's servants dig a well, Shebah, so the place is named Beersheba.
-
Esau takes two wives, Judith, Beeri's daughter, and Bashemath, Elon's daughter, both Hittites, they were a grief to Isaac and Rebekah.
Chapter 27:
Esau is told to hunt and cook venison to be blessed by Isaac.
Rebekah schemes for Jacob to be blessed.
Jacob is afraid, but Rebekah is bold.
Jacob gives Isaac the food Rebekah made.
Although suspicious, Isaac blesses Jacob nonetheless after the meal.
Esau returns just afterwards.
Isaac realizes the truth and trembles.
Esau mourns loudly, and his consolation: killing Jacob.
Rebekah, aware of Esau's plot, sends Jacob to Laban;
Rebekah complains about Esau's wives to Isaac.
Chapter 28:
Isaac instructs Jacob to find a wife from Laban's daughters in Canaan.
Isaac sends out Jacob to Laban, Bethuel's son, Rebekah's brother, with a blessing.
Esau, seeing his parents' unhappiness of his wives and the obedience of Jacob, takes a Ishmaelite wife, Mahalath, Nebajoth's sister.
Jacob totally steals the show here (pardon the lame pun), twice from the view of Esau. However, in fact, as we can see from the text:
1. Esau, the son that originally had the blessing, took for granted his birthright, at the price of his own gratification.
2. Rebekah did pretty much all of the stealing, or the redemption of the blessing; that is, claiming the blessing for the beloved (25:27) at the willingness of taking on the father's curse.
*. Jacob, although not perfect according to the law, because of the obedience to the voice of his parent, obtained the blessing.
Of course, the veteran believers can easily spot Jesus and the Father, along with us beneficiaries of the blessings in the above illustration.
So how about Esau?
As I imagine, Esau could depict any numerous figures of beings that are ungodly and have no regard for blessings that initially belonged to them but does not any more.
If the reader would grant me an extra measure of conjecturing, I would venture that it could be Lucifer/Satan, the one, of all of God's "sons" or created beings, that had the most promise. (see Job 1:6, 2:1, 38:7, Ezekiel 28:12-19). This is probably a good time to review my first post.
All of this exercising one's mind in God's Word really doesn't seem to affect the price of gas in any one of our neighborhoods. In fact, too much knowledge only yields an inflated head, along with all the temptations of where pride and arrogance leads, which is exactly what happened to Esau, along with Lucifer/Satan.
So the application is precisely walking in humility, not at all taking for granted what has been given to us (Romans 11:19-25), exercising our faith by working out our salvation (Phil 2:12, it's a "therefore" verse, so it would be good to read v.1-11 to see what it's "there for")
I could continue to steer the flow of the entry so that I could end this in my usual way, but I'll stop, so that you (the reader) could possibly say,
God is good.
--
The summary:
Chapter 25:
Isaac is 40 years old marrying Rebekah.
Rebekah was barren but conceives after Isaac prays to the LoRD.
The babies wrestled within Rebekah, Yahweh tells her two nations struggle within, and the elder shall serve the younger.
Chapter 26:
Famine takes Isaac to Gerar in Philistine.
Yahweh appears and confirms promise.
Isaac claims Rebekah as his sister.
Found by king Abimelech, Isaac admits his wrong.
Yahweh blesses Isaac, but he is unwanted by the Philistines.
Strifes at wells: Yahweh provides room for Isaac at Rehoboth.
-
At Beersheba, Yahweh appears again to confirm promise.
Isaac builds altar, pitches tent, and has his servants dig a well.
Abimelech, Ahuzzath, and Phicol goes to Isaac to make a peace covenant.
Isaac's servants dig a well, Shebah, so the place is named Beersheba.
-
Esau takes two wives, Judith, Beeri's daughter, and Bashemath, Elon's daughter, both Hittites, they were a grief to Isaac and Rebekah.
Chapter 27:
Esau is told to hunt and cook venison to be blessed by Isaac.
Rebekah schemes for Jacob to be blessed.
Jacob is afraid, but Rebekah is bold.
Jacob gives Isaac the food Rebekah made.
Although suspicious, Isaac blesses Jacob nonetheless after the meal.
Esau returns just afterwards.
Isaac realizes the truth and trembles.
Esau mourns loudly, and his consolation: killing Jacob.
Rebekah, aware of Esau's plot, sends Jacob to Laban;
Rebekah complains about Esau's wives to Isaac.
Chapter 28:
Isaac instructs Jacob to find a wife from Laban's daughters in Canaan.
Isaac sends out Jacob to Laban, Bethuel's son, Rebekah's brother, with a blessing.
Esau, seeing his parents' unhappiness of his wives and the obedience of Jacob, takes a Ishmaelite wife, Mahalath, Nebajoth's sister.
Jacob totally steals the show here (pardon the lame pun), twice from the view of Esau. However, in fact, as we can see from the text:
1. Esau, the son that originally had the blessing, took for granted his birthright, at the price of his own gratification.
2. Rebekah did pretty much all of the stealing, or the redemption of the blessing; that is, claiming the blessing for the beloved (25:27) at the willingness of taking on the father's curse.
*. Jacob, although not perfect according to the law, because of the obedience to the voice of his parent, obtained the blessing.
Of course, the veteran believers can easily spot Jesus and the Father, along with us beneficiaries of the blessings in the above illustration.
So how about Esau?
As I imagine, Esau could depict any numerous figures of beings that are ungodly and have no regard for blessings that initially belonged to them but does not any more.
If the reader would grant me an extra measure of conjecturing, I would venture that it could be Lucifer/Satan, the one, of all of God's "sons" or created beings, that had the most promise. (see Job 1:6, 2:1, 38:7, Ezekiel 28:12-19). This is probably a good time to review my first post.
All of this exercising one's mind in God's Word really doesn't seem to affect the price of gas in any one of our neighborhoods. In fact, too much knowledge only yields an inflated head, along with all the temptations of where pride and arrogance leads, which is exactly what happened to Esau, along with Lucifer/Satan.
So the application is precisely walking in humility, not at all taking for granted what has been given to us (Romans 11:19-25), exercising our faith by working out our salvation (Phil 2:12, it's a "therefore" verse, so it would be good to read v.1-11 to see what it's "there for")
I could continue to steer the flow of the entry so that I could end this in my usual way, but I'll stop, so that you (the reader) could possibly say,
God is good.
--
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
life (span) of Sarah...
This (last) week covered Genesis 23:1 to 25:18,
which is half way into chapter 25.
The summary:
Chapter 23: Sarah dies at the age of 127. With some negotiations, Abraham buys a burial place, cave of Machpelah, from Ephron son of Zohar among the sons of Heth, for 400 shekels of silver, and buries Sarah.
Chapter 24: Abraham sends out his servant to the city of Nahor in Mesopotamia to find a wife for Isaac. The servant prays to Yahweh about the girl, Rebekah arrives; the servant is welcomed, especially by her brother Laban and mother, the father consents it's of Yahweh after hearing the servant; next day, the servant readies to leave, but Laban and mother insists on Rebekah staying; Rebekah says she will go, the family blesses Rebekah at her departure. Isaac sees Rebkah while meditating in the field, Isaac takes Rebekah to Sarah's tent and loved her as his new bride.
Chapter 25:Abraham takes Keturah as his wife, and has children, among them is Midian and Sheba. Abraham gives everything to Isaac; Abraham dies at 175, and is buried by Isaac and Ishmael in the cave of Machpelah, where Sarah is buried. Genealogy of Ishmael's descendants is listed.
This reading finishes up the section on Abraham, friend of God.
Jesus, in John 15:14 says that if we follow His commands, we are His friends.
The statement is conditional, which is double edged; that is, there could be people that may say that being His friend is "work based," which is probably a symptom of the lack of willingness to express any kind of friendship, as stated in Proverbs 18:24.
Of course, being a good friend takes effort, and if one thinks otherwise, that relationship needs to be called by another name, such as parasitic leeching.
The beautiful (and the dangerous) thing about this conditional is that we, as mortal human beings, have the ability to make a choice to befriend God or not. If we do not want to befriend God, we have the freedom to do so.
This One who is willing to befriend us has put His life on the line, rather, has died for us so that we may benefit not only in this life, but especially after we breathe our last breath on this cursed sphere we call earth.
I'm completely digressing from the beautiful narrative of the miraculous answer God grants to the servant of Abraham. This is a wonderful example of what I like to call how God "has been on it."
To explain, the concerns that we have, and the prayers that we pray with regards to the details of our lives, God "has been on it." That is, these concerns aren't catching God by surprise, and God is not scrambling to get things together for the emergencies that we face; He's been on it.
I keep going back to it, but again, Romans 8:28, rather, in this case, the whole paragraph from v.26-31 fits wonderfully with respect to what went on in Chapter 24.
All of the above passages confirm that
God is good.
--
which is half way into chapter 25.
The summary:
Chapter 23: Sarah dies at the age of 127. With some negotiations, Abraham buys a burial place, cave of Machpelah, from Ephron son of Zohar among the sons of Heth, for 400 shekels of silver, and buries Sarah.
Chapter 24: Abraham sends out his servant to the city of Nahor in Mesopotamia to find a wife for Isaac. The servant prays to Yahweh about the girl, Rebekah arrives; the servant is welcomed, especially by her brother Laban and mother, the father consents it's of Yahweh after hearing the servant; next day, the servant readies to leave, but Laban and mother insists on Rebekah staying; Rebekah says she will go, the family blesses Rebekah at her departure. Isaac sees Rebkah while meditating in the field, Isaac takes Rebekah to Sarah's tent and loved her as his new bride.
Chapter 25:Abraham takes Keturah as his wife, and has children, among them is Midian and Sheba. Abraham gives everything to Isaac; Abraham dies at 175, and is buried by Isaac and Ishmael in the cave of Machpelah, where Sarah is buried. Genealogy of Ishmael's descendants is listed.
This reading finishes up the section on Abraham, friend of God.
Jesus, in John 15:14 says that if we follow His commands, we are His friends.
The statement is conditional, which is double edged; that is, there could be people that may say that being His friend is "work based," which is probably a symptom of the lack of willingness to express any kind of friendship, as stated in Proverbs 18:24.
Of course, being a good friend takes effort, and if one thinks otherwise, that relationship needs to be called by another name, such as parasitic leeching.
The beautiful (and the dangerous) thing about this conditional is that we, as mortal human beings, have the ability to make a choice to befriend God or not. If we do not want to befriend God, we have the freedom to do so.
This One who is willing to befriend us has put His life on the line, rather, has died for us so that we may benefit not only in this life, but especially after we breathe our last breath on this cursed sphere we call earth.
I'm completely digressing from the beautiful narrative of the miraculous answer God grants to the servant of Abraham. This is a wonderful example of what I like to call how God "has been on it."
To explain, the concerns that we have, and the prayers that we pray with regards to the details of our lives, God "has been on it." That is, these concerns aren't catching God by surprise, and God is not scrambling to get things together for the emergencies that we face; He's been on it.
I keep going back to it, but again, Romans 8:28, rather, in this case, the whole paragraph from v.26-31 fits wonderfully with respect to what went on in Chapter 24.
All of the above passages confirm that
God is good.
--
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
and He appeared...
This week covers Genesis 18:1 to 22:24.
My rough summary of the chapters:
Chapter 18: The visitation of Yahweh: Abraham entertains; Sarah denies her laughing, Yahweh calls her bluff, and remains gracious about Abraham's third degree.
Chapter 19: The angels visit Sodom. Lot has no influence on Sodomites. When the angels hasten to leave, Lot lingers and pleads for Zoar. Lot's wife perishes. Lot and daughters end up isolated in a mountain with illegitimate kids Moab and Benammi (The Ammonites).
Chapter 20: Abraham goes south, to live in Gerar. Abimelech gets in trouble with God because of Sarah. Abraham makes excuses. Abimelech blesses Abraham with goods. Abraham prays for Abimelech and his people.
Chapter 21: Sarah births Isaac. Hagar and child is cast out, they cry out, and God reaches out to them. Hagar gets an Egyptian for her son. Abimelech and Phicol visit Abraham to make a covenant. Abraham plants a tamarisk and calls on Yahweh, also sojourns in Philistia.
Chapter 22: God directs Abraham to offer Isaac on mount Moriah. Abraham, Isaac and 2 servants travel for 3 days. Abraham is stopped in offering Isaac by Yahweh's angel. Abraham names the place Jehovahjireh. Rebekah mentioned among others in a short genealogy.
The key portion of this reading is clearly Chapter 22, where Abraham obeys God. As easy as it is to say it, it is an entirely different matter when it comes to living it.
In relation to obeying or [(gasp) the "s"-word] submitting to God's leading, there is yet another song that is one of my favorites, which is
"Blessed Be Your Name" by Matt Redman.
There is a line that goes,
"...He gives and takes away... Blessed be the Name of the LORD..."
As my pastor in California mentioned, that in itself is a sermon.
Relinquishing control of one's direction, even if it is completely Scriptural or good, according to where God leads, is many times heart-breaking.
Although it is another rehashing of last week's idea, it is essential to trust in God especially in these times. Again, the passage reference of Romans 8:28.
Although it may be very difficult to feel it at that time, but because we know God does not spare even His most precious treasure, we can have faith and believe that...
God is good.
--
My rough summary of the chapters:
Chapter 18: The visitation of Yahweh: Abraham entertains; Sarah denies her laughing, Yahweh calls her bluff, and remains gracious about Abraham's third degree.
Chapter 19: The angels visit Sodom. Lot has no influence on Sodomites. When the angels hasten to leave, Lot lingers and pleads for Zoar. Lot's wife perishes. Lot and daughters end up isolated in a mountain with illegitimate kids Moab and Benammi (The Ammonites).
Chapter 20: Abraham goes south, to live in Gerar. Abimelech gets in trouble with God because of Sarah. Abraham makes excuses. Abimelech blesses Abraham with goods. Abraham prays for Abimelech and his people.
Chapter 21: Sarah births Isaac. Hagar and child is cast out, they cry out, and God reaches out to them. Hagar gets an Egyptian for her son. Abimelech and Phicol visit Abraham to make a covenant. Abraham plants a tamarisk and calls on Yahweh, also sojourns in Philistia.
Chapter 22: God directs Abraham to offer Isaac on mount Moriah. Abraham, Isaac and 2 servants travel for 3 days. Abraham is stopped in offering Isaac by Yahweh's angel. Abraham names the place Jehovahjireh. Rebekah mentioned among others in a short genealogy.
The key portion of this reading is clearly Chapter 22, where Abraham obeys God. As easy as it is to say it, it is an entirely different matter when it comes to living it.
In relation to obeying or [(gasp) the "s"-word] submitting to God's leading, there is yet another song that is one of my favorites, which is
"Blessed Be Your Name" by Matt Redman.
There is a line that goes,
"...He gives and takes away... Blessed be the Name of the LORD..."
As my pastor in California mentioned, that in itself is a sermon.
Relinquishing control of one's direction, even if it is completely Scriptural or good, according to where God leads, is many times heart-breaking.
Although it is another rehashing of last week's idea, it is essential to trust in God especially in these times. Again, the passage reference of Romans 8:28.
Although it may be very difficult to feel it at that time, but because we know God does not spare even His most precious treasure, we can have faith and believe that...
God is good.
--
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Get thee out of thy country...
This week's reading is from Genesis 12:1 to 17:27.
Here is my little summary of the sections:
Chapter 12: Yahweh calls out Abram. Abram gets in trouble in Egypt, Yahweh intercedes.
Chapter 13: Abram and Lot part ways.
Chapter 14: Abram: rescues Lot from captivity, tithes to Melchizedek, and refuses gifts from Sodomite king.
Chapter 15: Yahweh's covenant with Abram.
Chapter 16: Hagar is mistreated by Sarai, Yahweh intercedes for Hagar.
Chapter 17: Abram becomes Abraham. The covenant of circumcision. Sarai becomes Sarah. Abraham laughs regarding a son that is to be (Sarah laughs in the next chapter).
There really isn't a particular passage I focus on this time;
instead, it's more of a theme.
The theme is waiting, as in Abraham waiting for his promised son.
There are many things in life in which we have to wait, small things, and especially the big ones...
One of my favorite contemporary Christian songs is "Everlasting God" by Chris Tomlin. The song reverberates the passage from Isaiah 40:29-31.
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
It's a wonderful passage that speaks of exercising one's faith and trusting in God. Romans 8:28 comes to my mind in this context at the same time...
Waiting. It's not always easy, but...
God is good.
--
Here is my little summary of the sections:
Chapter 12: Yahweh calls out Abram. Abram gets in trouble in Egypt, Yahweh intercedes.
Chapter 13: Abram and Lot part ways.
Chapter 14: Abram: rescues Lot from captivity, tithes to Melchizedek, and refuses gifts from Sodomite king.
Chapter 15: Yahweh's covenant with Abram.
Chapter 16: Hagar is mistreated by Sarai, Yahweh intercedes for Hagar.
Chapter 17: Abram becomes Abraham. The covenant of circumcision. Sarai becomes Sarah. Abraham laughs regarding a son that is to be (Sarah laughs in the next chapter).
There really isn't a particular passage I focus on this time;
instead, it's more of a theme.
The theme is waiting, as in Abraham waiting for his promised son.
There are many things in life in which we have to wait, small things, and especially the big ones...
One of my favorite contemporary Christian songs is "Everlasting God" by Chris Tomlin. The song reverberates the passage from Isaiah 40:29-31.
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
It's a wonderful passage that speaks of exercising one's faith and trusting in God. Romans 8:28 comes to my mind in this context at the same time...
Waiting. It's not always easy, but...
God is good.
--
Monday, October 27, 2008
Noah...
This week's reading is from Chapter 6:9 to 11:32.
To get the general feeling for the section,
here is my humble summary:
Chapter 6: God tells Noah to build an ark. Noah obeys.
Chapter 7: God judges the earth with the flood.
Chapter 8: The water dies down, and everyone disembarks the ark.
Chapter 9: God blesses Noah and family. One of Noah's sons, Ham dishonors Noah.
Chapter 10: The listing of the descendants of Noah's sons.
Chapter 11: Tower of Babel. Genealogy from Noah to Abram.
My focus in this section: Chapter 9:8-17
That is, God's covenant with the rainbow.
During the last 4 months of residence in Hawaii, I've seen more rainbows than I've ever seen living elsewhere put together. Many of the times, they're doubled up, with the colors inverted on the outside.
Initially, I was like "oooh." These days, it's more like, "oh, hey..."
It's definitely a novelty, and like any other novelty, I suppose there probably will come a time not too distant in the future when the novelty has long faded into something less significant.
Call me a lame romantic, but I think that is kind of sad. But also being a realist, I see it as a part of the human nature.
Although I may sound as I may be digressing, the point here is that the covenant was made by God, who sees all the rainbows that appear on the face of the earth, including Hawaii, and remembers His promise.
God is good.
--
To get the general feeling for the section,
here is my humble summary:
Chapter 6: God tells Noah to build an ark. Noah obeys.
Chapter 7: God judges the earth with the flood.
Chapter 8: The water dies down, and everyone disembarks the ark.
Chapter 9: God blesses Noah and family. One of Noah's sons, Ham dishonors Noah.
Chapter 10: The listing of the descendants of Noah's sons.
Chapter 11: Tower of Babel. Genealogy from Noah to Abram.
My focus in this section: Chapter 9:8-17
That is, God's covenant with the rainbow.
During the last 4 months of residence in Hawaii, I've seen more rainbows than I've ever seen living elsewhere put together. Many of the times, they're doubled up, with the colors inverted on the outside.
Initially, I was like "oooh." These days, it's more like, "oh, hey..."
It's definitely a novelty, and like any other novelty, I suppose there probably will come a time not too distant in the future when the novelty has long faded into something less significant.
Call me a lame romantic, but I think that is kind of sad. But also being a realist, I see it as a part of the human nature.
Although I may sound as I may be digressing, the point here is that the covenant was made by God, who sees all the rainbows that appear on the face of the earth, including Hawaii, and remembers His promise.
God is good.
--
Sunday, October 19, 2008
In the beginning
This section covers Genesis 1:1 to 6:8.
Chapter 1 is the creation for the first 6 days;
Chapter 2 goes into the details of the garden;
Chapter 3 is the temptation and the fall;
Chapter 4 is Cain and Abel, and the birth of Seth;
Chapter 5 is the genealogy from Adam to Noah;
Chapter 6 to v.8 tells of the wickedness on earth;
There's a lot to be said even in the first chapter, especially in the first two verses, but I suppose one can look that up in commentaries and such...
The thing that stuck in this reading for me was in Chapter 4, from v.9-15, where God/Yahweh/Jehovah asks Cain about Abel, and Cain feigns innocence, and Yahweh judges Cain. Cain is cursed and as a result, he goes straight to whine mode; Yahweh has mercy on Cain, and promises safety.
Cain was rightfully cursed, and when he was punished for it, God was still willing to look out after him. When I first looked at it a couple of days ago, it was like, "wow, that's nice, God cut Cain a break..." Completely viewing it in the third person.
Now that I'm back on it, I'm seeing myself feigning innocence, so I can see the need in identifying myself with Cain... I think it's an easy trap for me to see myself more as the one bestowing the grace and mercy, and I become less aware of my need for mercy and grace (i.e. start thinking I'm already perfect).
In fact, I was going into whine mode (too recently) for something trivial, and my feeling of entitlement was completely ruining my day; kind of like shooting myself in the foot and hating myself for it... Then God sweeps in with His grace and mercy, and straightens up my day.
God is good.
--
Chapter 1 is the creation for the first 6 days;
Chapter 2 goes into the details of the garden;
Chapter 3 is the temptation and the fall;
Chapter 4 is Cain and Abel, and the birth of Seth;
Chapter 5 is the genealogy from Adam to Noah;
Chapter 6 to v.8 tells of the wickedness on earth;
There's a lot to be said even in the first chapter, especially in the first two verses, but I suppose one can look that up in commentaries and such...
The thing that stuck in this reading for me was in Chapter 4, from v.9-15, where God/Yahweh/Jehovah asks Cain about Abel, and Cain feigns innocence, and Yahweh judges Cain. Cain is cursed and as a result, he goes straight to whine mode; Yahweh has mercy on Cain, and promises safety.
Cain was rightfully cursed, and when he was punished for it, God was still willing to look out after him. When I first looked at it a couple of days ago, it was like, "wow, that's nice, God cut Cain a break..." Completely viewing it in the third person.
Now that I'm back on it, I'm seeing myself feigning innocence, so I can see the need in identifying myself with Cain... I think it's an easy trap for me to see myself more as the one bestowing the grace and mercy, and I become less aware of my need for mercy and grace (i.e. start thinking I'm already perfect).
In fact, I was going into whine mode (too recently) for something trivial, and my feeling of entitlement was completely ruining my day; kind of like shooting myself in the foot and hating myself for it... Then God sweeps in with His grace and mercy, and straightens up my day.
God is good.
--
Before the beginning...
-
Perhaps some disclaimers:
My intention of starting this other blog is to encourage and edify the body of Christ by sharing some thoughts from meditating on God's Word.
I don't claim myself to be a teacher of the Bible, I just deem myself as another guy who likes to talk about his hobbies, like many others in the world, in my case, the hobby happens to be the Bible.
Anything I may say, please take it with a grain of salt, as with the Bereans in Acts 17:11...
Numbers 6:24-26.
--
Perhaps some disclaimers:
My intention of starting this other blog is to encourage and edify the body of Christ by sharing some thoughts from meditating on God's Word.
I don't claim myself to be a teacher of the Bible, I just deem myself as another guy who likes to talk about his hobbies, like many others in the world, in my case, the hobby happens to be the Bible.
Anything I may say, please take it with a grain of salt, as with the Bereans in Acts 17:11...
Numbers 6:24-26.
--
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