Genesis 31:17-32:12 + Matthew 10:24-11:6 + Psalm 13:1-6 + Proverbs 3:16-18
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~
Old Testament – Today’s Genesis chapter 31 readings take us through Laban’s pursuit of Jacob and his family and Laban & Jacob’s treaty. In this chapter we read about Rachel taking Laban’s “household gods”, which were worthless idols – and yet both Laban and Rachel were very attached to idols, which was common in pagan religions of that time. Idols were often family heirlooms that were passed down from generation to generation and could sometimes signify that someone would receive their family’s estate if they received the idols. People believed idols could bring blessings – and Laban obviously wanted them back. Though, I think he wanted more than just his idols back – I think he also wanted control over Jacob and his family back. In verses 33 & 34 we read: “Finally, Laban went into Rachel’s tent. Rachel had taken the household gods and had stuffed them into her camel saddle, and now she was sitting on them. So although Laban searched all the tents, he couldn’t find them.” Rachel was cunning like her husband Jacob! Below is a fresco painting from 1729 by the Venetian artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo titled “Rachel Hiding the Idols”:
Verse 42 stood out to me in today’s readings as Jacob spoke to Laban: “In fact, except for the grace of God–the God of my grandfather Abraham, the awe-inspiring God of my father, Isaac–you would have sent me off without a penny to my name.” I like seeing that Jacob is realizing that the grace of God has blessed him! I wonder if sometimes in our lives the grace of God is blessing us, and we don’t realize it? Do you ever have those moments when you look back on a day, or a week, or even a year and realize that God’s grace was so there – and yet… you didn’t realize it at the time? Will you try to live more like Jacob in this verse – and recognize awe-inspiring God’s grace more and more frequently in your life? And can you give praise to God for this ever-present ever-dependable gift of grace that is available to you?
In Chapter 32 we see Jacob preparing to meet his brother Esau. And – we see Jacob praying to God an amazing prayer! Verse 10 is beautiful: “I am not worthy of all the faithfulness and unfailing love you have shown to me, your servant. When I left home, I owned nothing except a walking stick, and now my household fills two camps!” Do you believe that God has been showing faithfulness and unfailing love to Jacob in our readings? Do you believe that God is showing faithfulness and unfailing love to you today? Below is an engraving by the artist Gustave Dore of Jacob praying to God here in chapter 32 (I love this image!):
Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Genesis chapter 31 titled “The Difference between Legality and Morality” is at this link.
New Testament – Matthew chapter 10 closes out today with what might be considered some “hard teachings” of Jesus. I think what stands out in my mind in reading these teachings is that while Jesus is certainly the Prince of Peace, he also has come into a world that is full of darkness – and the darkness fights against Jesus’ light. So, if we decide to align ourselves with Jesus, and his eternal goodness and light, the darkness will also then fight against us – just as it fights against Jesus. As students and servants of Jesus, we will face the same persecutions that Jesus did. And while this is certainly true, think about the alternative – not following Jesus… and not walking in the light of God’s love. I’d much rather spend 1 day in Jesus’ light than 1 thousand days elsewhere… How about you?
Verse 38 is the first mention of the word cross in the gospel of Matthew: “If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine.” What strikes me about this verse is that Jesus is teaching that we do have a cross to bear. And we have a choice to make of whether we will take up the cross and follow Jesus. So, now may be a good time to ask yourself – what is your cross in your life? Do you think you know what it is? If not, will you ask Jesus to reveal to you what your cross is? And then, will you bear it daily? And will you follow Jesus daily?
Matthew 11 starts off with an interesting question from John the Baptist to Jesus in verse 3: “Are you really the Messiah we’ve been waiting for, or should we keep looking for someone else?” I read an interesting commentary that said this is the beginnings of where we see that people are starting to wonder if Jesus is really the Messiah, because he hadn’t overthrown the Roman government. Many in Jerusalem were expecting a Warrior-King Messiah that would free the Jewish people from the oppression of Rome. And Jesus’ ministry of “only” preaching, teaching, and healing was bringing up the questions of, “are you really the Messiah?” People were starting to wonder… Instead of the Warrior-King, they are seeing a Suffering-Servant, which was not what was expected. What do you personally believe the answer to John’s question was and is? Is Jesus the Messiah?
Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Matthew chapter 11 titled “The Question of John the Baptist” is at this link.
Psalms – Psalm 13 is thought to be a prayer by David for recovery from a grave illness, based on verse 3: “Restore the light to my eyes, or I will die.” Yet, even in the midst of this serious illness, David amazingly proclaims in verse 5: “But I trust in your unfailing love.” How about you? When you are sick or in the midst of a very challenging or sad situation, do you trust in God’s unfailing love? Always? No matter what is going on around you? Do you trust that God will ultimately restore the light to your eyes?
Proverbs – I love Proverbs chapter 3 verse 17! “She (wisdom) will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying.” Amen! What a great choice of words – delightful paths and satisfying ways. Do you believe that wisdom will lead you down delightful paths and that wisdom proves to be always satisfying to you? What if we do not pursue wisdom in our lives – might our paths be miserable and might we be always hungry and never satisfied? Let us ever pursue the wise path of true Delight in our lives!
Worship Video: Today’s readings in Matthew chapter 10 and 11 today about Jesus remind me of the beautiful Jason Castro song, “You Are:”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUkCrSTYGA8
Is Jesus the One for you? Click here for the One!
Please join me in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.” Matthew 10:32-33 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you acknowledge Jesus before men in all ways in all of your days.
Comments from You and Questions of the Day: Based on the reflection in Proverbs above on Wisdom, what are some ways that you pursue Wisdom in your life these days? Do you believe reading the Bible for 15 to 20 minutes a day is one way to pursue Wisdom? What are some “delightful paths” (per our Proverb above) that Wisdom has led you down in your life? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
======= Ramona:
Genesis 31:17-32:12
So much “stuff’ and so little time to dwell on everything that pops out at me going through the text: Lett’s see, there is fleeing to avoid confrontation but the confrontation catches up with Jacob; household gods, where are they and who took them; a treaty called for by Laban only because he was confronted by Jacob with his duplicitous actions (when you can’t respond change the topic and don’t ask for forgiveness call a truce); and now Esau is coming with an army of 400 men, or so it appears. This is a very busy passage but what really caught my eye and my interest this read though was Jacobs finally calling out to God in prayer for protection.
Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, O Lord, you said to me, ‘Return to your land and to your relatives and I will make you prosper.’ I am not worthy of all the faithful love you have shown your servant. With only my walking stick I crossed the Jordan, but now I have become two camps. Rescue me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, as well as the mothers with their children. But you said, ‘I will certainly make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand on the seashore, too numerous to count.’ ”
(Genesis 32:9-12 NET.)
For the first time Jacob faces his fears, doubts, and holds them up to God in the light of His promises. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he brings up to the forefront of his memory what God had told him twenty years before. God has spoken to each of each through His Word and to our hearts. He has laid out the paths He has planned for us before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 2:10), our job is to find that path. It thrills my heart to know that I have access to a God, a true god that never gives up on me or disposes of me when I fail to maintain and keep my part of the covenant. God is truly faithful when I am faithless.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
======= Andrew:
Related to Mike’s questions on discipleship I have a question triggered by the way Jesus sent out the Twelve in yesterday’s section from Matthew. Should we take this as a model for discipleship training programmes today? Or was it a unique circumstance because it was Jesus Himself and the Twelve?
In our daily newspaper (de Volkskrant) yesterday there was an article describing the programmes and strategies churches are using to try to get some kind of base established in new housing areas in The Netherlands. Most of the approaches are rather low key efforts to get involved in the newly forming communities by providing services such as child care facilities, or ‘spiritual centres’. They are often cautious about mentioning God or Jesus up front.
It seemed quite a contrast to Jesus’ approach with the Twelve where he sent them to “announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!” (NLT) And if their message was rejected in a place, they should just move on.
Should our discipleship training be like that? If not, why not?
Blessings,
Andrew
======= Ramona:
Andrew-You raise a good question. However, did he not send pairs out that totaled 72 as well as sending out the 12? Be that as it may what we see here are people being healed, the dead raised, then if they wonder (signs and wonders?) about what is going on they ask the apostles/disciples questions abut their belief. When we get to the story of the Woman at the Well, in the 5th chapter of John we see her doing the same thing, kind of, when she runs back to town and tells them, “Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? (4:29). The disciples/Apostles are sent out as ambassadors or emissaries of Christ.
When the townspeople come back to the woman after going to see this man, they say,
Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.(4:42).
What the disciples did and the woman also was give their hearers an opportunity to “taste” of things to come.
Psa 34:8 Taste and see that the LORD is good! How happy is the one who takes shelter in him!
Fabulous call and great insight. More things to think about.
Ramona
======= Luch:
It’s a good point that Andrew raises regarding how we are to disciple people today, and how we are to go about making the kingdom of God known to people.
My son Adrian has just come back from 3 months serving at Mosaic Church in Los Angeles where Erwin McManus is the pastor. McManus teaches rather convincingly that the highest value in the Christian life is servanthood which is a byproduct of an even higher value–LOVE!!! My son has been part of intense, intentional discipleship efforts but what he discovered in LA, and what was affirmed was the need to serve our world. In Adrian’s words, “Christians talk too much, and they study way too much without it ever making a difference in anyone else’s life.”
In many parts of the world believers have lost lots of credibility so we need to earn the right to be heard. My son has been one to share the words of the gospel rather overtly but he discovered and experienced a great freedom in knowing that it’s okay to just serve people with a ‘cup of cold water’ as Jesus taught in Matthew 10:42. Christians are long on words often and short on deeds. I think our younger postmodern generation is demonstrating that people will come to believe while they are involved in serving with us. In others belonging comes before believing.
I’m not sure how this is relevant to Andrew’s comment about the work in the Netherlands, but if the motives of the people serving is to bring something of the kingdom values in a more tangible way than words, so be it. As francis of assisi said, Preach Christ always, use words when necessary. When a community of believers serve without drawing attention to themselves I wonder if something deep isn’t awakened in them that eventually leads to the Saviour. Perhaps that is the way forward with our private and corporate witness.
Mike, thank you again, for providing this environment to engage the Word and to engage with God’s people whom we may never meet until we get to Heaven.
Luch
======= Andrew:
Luch,
Thanks for your comment. It gives a broader context and helps me with my questions.
Greetings,
Andrew
======= Dave:
Greetings All…as someone who is just dialing into your blog for the first time I am afraid I might be bringing something up that you guys kicked around and put to bed weeks ago. But you all seem like a gracious bunch, so here goes…apologies for being blasphemous right off the bat. God seems to have chosen deceit to build his kingdom. Abraham used deceit to acquire riches from kings by pawning off Sarah as his sister.Ditto for Isaac. Jacob’s deceit with Esau is well documented. This is the foundation on whom God has chosen to build his Kingdom and deceit seems to be a central theme. Every OT story I ask myself “What does this story tell me about God’s “personality?”…I find the persistent deceitfulness a bit disturbing. I am sure my skeptical non-Christian friends in my men’s group starting next week will find this curious as well. God’s richest blessings to all, especially to Mike and my Euro and UK bros and sisses.
Dave
======= Chip:
Welcome, FishermanDave!
The key thing I take away from the utter and depraved humanity through which God chooses to work is this: that God chooses to accomplish His will and purpose through we humans, faults and all. In so doing, God demonstrates his sovereignity and glorifies Himself (as He should!).
How completely this story of Abraham’s descendants points us to our need for God’s grace! And how beautifully it demonstrates that God gives us His grace, despite ourselves.
That God uses us – not only despite, but even through our faults, failures, and inherently evil ways – should give us the proper perspective of humility, that apart from God, we can do nothing. It should also give us great hope, that with God, anything is possible!
Chip
======= Mark:
Hi Dave,
Greetings from the sunny Highlands of Scotland. In addition to agreeing with Chip, it also occurred to me regarding Jacob and Esau, that Jacob, inspite of dreadful character, valued his inheritance, while Esau despised it. In both Malachi and Romans, God says “Jacob I loved, Esau I hated”. If we love our inheritance – eternity with Jesus – then it doesn’t matter what our character is regarding God’s love for us. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t consequences to our actions and that God won’t discipline us – just look at Jacob! But God’s love is not withdrawn or diminished, and his purposes are not thwarted.
I’m so glad that God used Jacob, and therefore I can be confident that He can use me
Mark
======= John:
Dave,
God’s Kingdom existed already – it is holy and sinless. Being covered in the blood of Christ allows us entry, but we were and always will be sinners. We don’t build the Kingdom, we just spread the news of the Kingdom and its message. (This is my interpretation, and if I am wrong – please someone correct me.)
In Gen 12 Abram had revered God, consulted God and built two altars. then famine hits, and instead of consulting God in prayer and supplication – Abram decides to go to Egypt. After his expulsion from Egypt, Abram’s first stop was back to the last altar he built and called on the name of the Lord. A FULL CYCLE.
As to gaining wealth through deceit? Well, Abram is responsible for a lot of people, pharoah does not believe or worship the one true God, pharoah is seperated from some of his wealth, and Abram and his group benefit. God’s plan will go ahead, even with the individual sins of the participants. Abram’s tribe might have needed this jump-start to ensure growth.
I am a little over my head, so I will stop here. Ramona has a good post on this topic on Jan 5th.
John
======= Kristen:
Wow…an oath between Jacob and Laban with God as the arbitrator! I wish more of our family tensions, squabbles, or outright battles were turned over in this way. Granted, 20 years of scheming and scrambling led the 2 men to this point. After warily watching each other’s actions and reactions for many years, Jacob stands up a stone at Laban’s request, calls his relatives to add to the “stone heap”, and he and Laban agree that God will be the witness between them. No more pointing fingers as to “what belongs to me and what belongs to you”. Now that’s God’s power and wisdom being depended upon!
Kristen
======= Laura:
One of the things that constantly amazes me in Genesis is how God chooses messy people and that his choosing begins to make them his people. In this process of becoming there are some very surprising sidetracks: Abraham and Isaac lying about their wives, Rebekah lying, Jacob lying… amazing. Yet, God’s gracious choice stands; he chooses his people and he chooses to do his work though people. When his people mess up–sometimes royally–he still accomplishes his will using their broken, messy pile of stuff. Amazing.
Laura
======= Jen:
“Do you ever have those moments when you look back on a day, or a week, or even a year and realize that God’s grace was so there – and yet… you didn’t realize it at the time?” I think this happens when we go through trails sometimes we get so wrapped up we dont realise God is standing right there beside us.
God is faithful and loves us unconditionally we have to remember that no matter what.
Yes we must face hard times but the difference is that we have hope – Praise the Lord for that!!
Wisdom comes from following our Lord
Jen
======= Anka:
It seems God is in the business of restoring relationships….Jacob ran away from his brother and uncle,in the end,God made them meet.Even though Laban had other gods,God still spoke to him and in the end,Laban and Jacob parted amicably.
I believe Jesus came not to judge but to save us….but when He returns,it won’t be to save but to judge.When I look in my life and see how patient,how merciful,how loving God is…it only testifies I guess to the fact that we’re still under a LOT of grace.
There are times I really don’t feel like waking up early to study or pray,times I feel that I didn’t learn anything from my study in a particular day but I believe God wants us all to know Him,find Him while He can still be found.
God bless you all
Anka
======= Gina:
Pursuing (Godly) Wisdom can be done in lots of ways for me. But I believe reading, studying and meditating on God’s Word is most important! I really enjoy this One Year Bible journey! God is really revealing things to me in a different light. I think also we can pursue wisdom by listening to the things of God. Sermons (not just from our hime church), praise and worship music….there have been several occasions that I would get a certain song stuck in my head – then read my bible one day and the words from the song are there! This is exciting for me because music is a big part of my life so I really can memorize scripture by listening to it in song. Wisdom is something that we need to pray for. I believe the closer in relationship we are to God, the more wisdom He will reveal to us, the better we will be at making decisions based on God’s Word.
Ooooo….Matthew is good today! “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.” That is huge….especially for my friends who are afraid to leave the religion of their childhood because it will “dissappoint” their parents!! I have a friend who when I showed her this verse, it was the final straw for her….she got saved the next day! It has been a crazy ride for her and her parents, but they have seen the change in her and her parents have even come to church with her a few times. Now, I still have other friends, like the one I mentioned a few days ago, who won’t budge. Dissappointing their parents is too big for them…but don’t they realize they are dissappointing their Heavenly Father!!! *sigh*
Verse 49 in Genesis stood out for me in a personal way…”May the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other”….My husband was home for the weekend….a very short weekend at that! He is gone again for 2 more weeks. We are still praying for another job soon! He does have one that we are waiting to hear back on…we know God is in control! But this verse…I am going to send it to him today…just a little prayer that God will keep us strong during this time apart.
Oh and YES! JESUS IS THE MESSIAH! :0)
Gina
======= Mae:
Genesis 31:49 stood out for me, the second part of the verse “May the Lord keep watch between us to make sure that we keep this covenant when we are out of each other’s sight”. The Dutch translation is a bit different, it only sais “May the Lord keep watch between us when we are out of eachother’s sight”. I wrote this down when my grandfather died a long time ago. I kept reading it over and over again …
Matthew was (again) very powerful, especially verses 10:32 and 11:6:
“Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven”.
“And tell him, ‘God blesses those who do not turn away because of Me”.
I feel touched by 10:32, because I went on the streets to let the Holy Spirit in my speak to the people. I sang in public, I supported the ones that preached and share their testimony in public. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I’m going public cause I want the acknowlegdement (is that a word?) before our heavenly Father. I mean, yes … I know He sees me doing it and I know He’s happy that I’m going public. But besides that, it’s wonderful to go on the streets and spread the Word! I was talking to somebody from “Stop Aids Now”, funny thing: he approached me! LOL He was done talking and I asked him “Okay, you did your story … can I tell you my story now? I’m here for a reason to”. So we shared our differences, yes … there we basicly differences. Then his collegue joined our conversation and asked me “Are you a Christian?” and I told him that I was and he said “Okay, well, then I think I’m going to stop this conversation”. So I told him that I found that very sad and that I would pray for him. He kept staring at me and watched me walking away, I saw in the windows from the shops that he did that for a loooooooooong time. Somehow I just knew that he was thinking about the thing I said, that I would pray for him. I HAD to say it, I didn’t want the conversation to be over before I said something to him that came from the heart … from my Christian heart! Because I’m a Christian and a very proud one!!!
I love Psalm 13:6 “But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me”. Yes, I trust the Lord completely! When something happens, that shocks me I will be concerned about it for only a couple of minutes and then I think “God will take care of this!”. I used to be a real drama-queen and could be depressed for days – if not for weeks – over something so small!!! Now I know God is there to give me wisdom, to give me comfort and even if things will seem to go wrong – in my eyes wrong – I know that that’s for a good reason. Something good will come out of it!
Mae
======= Brad:
I find it interesting how Jesus said take up your cross and follow me. Most often I recall being asked what my cross is, however it seems that maybe what Jesus was saying is that take up your cross or follow me until death. In a sense the cross was a form of death and by saying take up your cross and follow me Jesus was saying Follow me until you experience death to this earth. Just a comment.
Thanks.
Brad
======= Ramona:
Matthew 10:24-11:6
And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. (Daniel 11:32 KJVR)
I believe that verses 24 – 40 is a message to Believers to NOT deal in fear our out of fear. As a follower of Jesus Christ, we are also following God; what is being said about God and His Christ will be said about Believers. What was done to Christ, will be done to His Believers. On the other end, God is the only voice or opinion that matters. The choice is ours; do we desire the fickle and shifting approval of men or do we desire to please Him who created us?
“But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. … “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:26-28 NLT)
Jesus is making a statement that all of those who follow Him must take by faith; we are no good to anyone, including Him, if we take the “talents” given to us because we are His and bury them. (Mat. 25:25) In the Parable of the talents, the man who buried what was given to Him gave all kinds of excuses why he did what he did but the “Master” said he was just lazy (wicked and slothful—Mat.25:26—King James). Too many of us are undercover Christians pretending we are working for the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency—USA). We have hidden agendas while operating with made-up identities not to get secret information but to hide out from being identified with Christ.
To be a Christian means to be a follower of Christ, to be identified with Christ 24/7. Do people know I belong to Christ? Do they have to undertake an undercover assignment to find out the truth?
Regarding John the Baptist question: Although people may have questioned Jesus’s role as the foretold Messiah, I think John was questioning Jesus because of a personal issue, he was in jail. I can imagine that the best jail in the United States is not the best place to be how much more that John was in a prison under the rule of Herod. The accommodations could not have been nice. I think John was questioning Jesus because he wanted to get out of jail. After all wasn’t he doing what he was purposed to do preparing the Jews to receive their Christ? If Jesus was the one foretold by the prophets what was he still doing in jail, and to top it all off, John was Jesus’ cousin. What’s up Cuz!
Grace and peace,
Ramona
======= Sue:
O my, Rachel.
I used to feel sad for you, being barren so long. I used to think Leah was really homely and cross-eyed, and God was just pitying her for not being the one Jacob REALLY wanted.
Then I see that after all this time: 7 years Jabob worked for your father and ended up with your older, homely sister, and 7 more years because he really only wanted you (you must have been such “eye-candy!”), and another 6 years after Leah and her handmaid and your handmaiden bore children–all this, and to find that “water seeks its own level.” Yup, you and Jacob were two peas on a bod; the lid fits the pot! YOU STOLE your father’s idols and then put everyone in jeopardy and lied to your father! What did you plan to do with those idols anyway, Rachel?
How many times have I been deceived by a pretty face and pretty words?
Sue
======= Erin:
My favorite verse today was, “May the Lord watch between me and thee, while we are absent one from the other.” (Gen 31:49) This is actually a prayer that I used to say to friends before I would leave them. I was happy to see that it touched so many others!
I’m glad that you brought up Matthew 11:3; when I saw the movie “The Nativity Story,” I was confused about why King Herod was so concerned about Jesus; I didn’t realize that people back then actually did expect someone to come and save them with physical actions by taking over the Roman government. I believe Jesus is the Messiah, because like you said, the people thought He was “only” giving them preaching, teaching, and healing; only words. But what they didn’t realize was that these weren’t “only words” – by following them, we are brought closer to God and to heaven.
One delightful path that wisdom has led me down is this one, reading the Bible in a year! Thank you so much for these blogs! I have always wondered exactly how to begin studying the Bible and have found the perfect solution, so I am very blessed to have found this website
God bless you all, and have a delightful day
Erin
======= Jenny:
I think many times we are going through life, hard times, we just dont see what God is doing behind the scenes…but if we are in Him, He is ALWAYS doing something, doing good in our life, working things out for His eternal purpose. When we feel God is doing nothing in our lives, where is He? thats when He is doing a lot! We just have to have faith in that. It may be a while before we see pieces of the puzzle start to take shape. Sometimes things will happen, or not happen in my life and I wonder why…I come to see a bit later God was using that hardship to work on another area, something totally different in my life, something I never wouldve guessed and never would have learned a different way. See, the Christian life is so exciting! We never know what He will do next! whats His plan? we cant figure it out, its a mystery…His ways are so above and beyond ours its amazing!!! Learning to depend on and trust God…fully, truely, deeply, is an exciting experience. Our lives are like giant mystey books really (i’m a mystery book fan, haha). The idea that Christianity is boring, who ever said that doesnt know what they are talking about! however, living for myself, my gain and having no true purpose, always wondering why i’m here…that was boring!!! the life Christ has for us is awesome!!
For matthew, I grabbed my study BIble and thought I might share some of the notes in it:
Matt 10:34, ‘not peace…but a sword’…”Though the ultimate end of the gospel is peace with God, the immediate result of the gospel is often conflict. Conversion to Christ can often result in strained family relationships, persacution, even martyrdom. Following Christ presupposes a willingness to endure such hardships. Though He is called the “Prince of Peace”, Christ will have no one deluded into thinking that He calls believers to a life devoid of all conflict.”
Matt 10:38 ‘take his cross’….”Here is Jesus’ first mention of the term ‘cross’ to His disciples. To them it would have evoked a picture of a violent, degrading death. He was demanding total commitment from them-even unto physical death-and making this call to a full surrender a part of the message they were to proclaim to others. Those who come to Christ with self-denouncing faith, there will be true and eternal life.”
Like my study BIble suggests, the cross is denying self….it may sound easy, but its not, especially at first, its a struggle. it took me years and i still need to do it daily. If we dont deny ourselves (ie, forsake our will, our pride, our plans, our wants) and surrender, we are not worthy to follow Him. It took me a long time to come to a place of full surrender. first, tho i wanted to, i dudnt know how. then when God gave me His power to do it, i got scared…so, i’m giving my life away? i wasnt sure wat to expect, i thought some weird power would overtake me n i’d turn into one of those weird ppl u see on so-called ‘christian’ tv. haha, its not like that at all…it the very best place to be…but resistance is so strong because the enemy is fighting for control over us, he doesnt want to lose us…he wants to drag us all into the pit with him. Anything we do in the flesh is of satan. Like when Jesus was telling the disciples (in matt 16 and in mark) about His upcoming death, Peter rebuked Jesus, ‘dont say such things!’. Jesus said to him: “get behind me satan!”
Our flesh deceives us, we need to submit to the control of the spirit, its certainly not scary like i once thought, its the most freeing experience!
i agree with Mike and that song: better is one day in Your courts, better is one day in Your house. better is one day in Your courts then thousands elsewhere!!
Haha, in genesis we see the first account of a woman using her time of the month as an excuse for something. ‘I cant get up, i’m on my period’ haha. Jacob was a deceiver, his wife was and wait’ll his children decieve him! We dont get away with things, we reap what we sow.
good readings! cant wait to read about jacob meeting up with esau…Genisis is such an exciting book! Also love Psalms and Proverbs, as always.
Jenny
======= Brad:
The following response includes some references from my Nelson KJV Study Bible.]
Genesis 31:17-32:12
Vs. 49: “And Mizpah; for he said, The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.”
“Mizpah” means watch. I once received a card from a girl friend that contained this verse. She gave it to me before I left for a long Summer visit with my mother. She hoped that God would keep our hearts entwined and meant this verse as a prayer. My Bible states that though this verse is not meant as a “benediction”, but rather, as an imprecation–‘May God destroy you if you cross this boundary!”
Laban is not praying for God to watch over and protect Jacob. This makes sense because we know that Laban was not particularly faithful to God–Laban cherished his idols. Rather, Laban was making sure that the boundary between them would remain so that Jacob would not kill him for the wrongs Laban committed against him (as I interpret this passage).
Matthew 10:24-11:6
“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.”
My study-Bible says that, ‘In reality, secret discipleship is a practical impossibility.’
discipleship : a disciple is one who undertakes the discipline of his/her teacher. Thus, discipleship is about learning what that discipline is, learning how to follow, to listen to the Story. It’s part education, part mentoring, part apprenticeship, but it goes a step beyond all of those. Disciples not only take in what they are taught and what they learn from being with the teacher, they take it into their core identity, so that it defines who they are. The Church has a duty before God, a call to “make disciples of all nations”. Evangelism is the beckoning, the calling in, and the opened door. Discipleship is the hallways inside.
To be a disciple of Jesus Christ, I must embody and employ the teachings of Jesus Christ as much as I can. I must live as Jesus Christ tells people to live throughout the New Testament, and learn how the Old Testament relates to Godly living in these ‘modern times’ also.
Psalm 13:1-6
David asks God four times: “How long…?” David feels forgotten, like God has hidden Himself, sorrowful daily, and defeated by his enemies.
So, David prays, “Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.”
David trusts in God’s “mercy”. He says, “My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.” David remembers that God is his deliverer from the bondage of sin and condemnation. I wondered here whether David (who lived prior to Jesus Christ and the New Covenant) believed that salvation equated going to heaven [en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvation].
“The Old Testament teaches life after death, and that all people went to a place of conscious existence called Sheol. The wicked were there (Psalm 9:17; 31:17; 49:14; Isaiah 5:14), and so were the righteous (Genesis 37:35; Job 14:13; Psalm 6:5; 16:10; 88:3; Isaiah 38:10).
The New Testament equivalent of Sheol is Hades. Prior to Christ’s resurrection, Luke 16:19-31 shows Hades to be divided into two realms: a place of comfort where Lazarus was, and a place of torment where the rich man was. The word hell in verse 23 is not “Gehenna” (place of eternal torment) but “Hades” (place of the dead). Lazarus’s place of comfort is elsewhere called Paradise (Luke 23:43). Between these two districts of Hades is “a great gulf fixed” (Luke 16:26).”
The Lord has “dealt bountifully” with David. David says that he will sing to the LORD because God has given him so much.
Proverbs 3:16-18
Benefits of wisdom: 1. Long life 2. Riches 3. Honor 4. Pleasantness 5. Peace 6. Happiness
Source of wisdom: The Holy Bible
Benefits + Source = READ YOUR BIBLE!
Brad
======= Bill:
QUESTIONS OF THE DAY:
Based on the reflection in Proverbs above on Wisdom, what are some ways that you pursue Wisdom in your life these days? Do you believe reading the Bible for 15 to 20 minutes a day is one way to pursue Wisdom? What are some “delightful paths” (per our Proverb above) that Wisdom has led you down in your life?
It reminds me of a book I once read by A.W. Tozer entitled ‘ The Pursuit of God ‘. If I am pursuing God then I am also pursuing wisdom. God is wisdom just as God is love. Reading the Bible is part of pursuing wisdom but it is also making life applications on what you read which isn’t always as easy. What good is wisdom if you are not using it? Wisdom increases as we grow spiritually and spending time in God’s Word is definitely conducive to that.
GENESIS 31:17-32:12
My wife and I once had one of those “Mizpah” ( 31:49 ) medals with the words “ The Lord watch between me and thee when we are absent from one another” engraved on it. It had two halves as if it had been cracked down the center. I wore the one half on a chain on my neck and she wore the other half. It symbolizes an emotional bond between two people who are separated. That certainly didn’t seem to be the case between Jacob and Laban though. Jacob obviously wanted to be separated from Laban and so they were, permanently. There is no record in Scripture that either Jacob, Rachel or Leah ever saw Laban again. I find it somewhat amusing that Laban seemed to be accusing Jacob of being capable of domestic violence and of not being a faithful husband to his daughters ( 31:50 ).
It seemed that Laban, in pursuing Jacob, had intended to do him harm ( 31:29 ). However, God had forewarned Laban in a dream not to even so much as make a verbal threat against Jacob ( 31:24, 29 ). Immediately after Laban departed to go back home Jacob was met by a company of angels ( 32:1-2 ). If Laban had tried to do harm to Jacob there no doubt would have been angelic intervention. These angels were there to protect Jacob. I believe that we can trust God to do the same for us when we are in danger of being hurt by violence.
“The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”
– Psalm 34:7 ( KJV )
MATTHEW 10:24-11:6
In Matthew 10 it seems the Lord is preparing His disciples to face persectution for their faith in Him. Persecution is what Jesus meant when He said he was sending them as lambs among wolves ( 10:10 ).
Jesus warned of beatings ( 10:17 ), trials before both religious and secular courts ( 10:17-18 ), betrayal by one’s own family ( 10: 21, 35-36 ) and that persecution of believers would be worldwide ( 10:22 ) not just localized in Israel.
When persecution arises because of the faith Jesus said Jesus said that we should not be fearful ( 10:26-31 ). He said that if we are put on trial for our faith we should depend on the Holy Spirit to speak through us to answer our persecutors ( 10:19-20 ). He also said to “flee” ( 10:29 ). There are times when it may be God’s will for us to leave our homes and everything behind in order to save our lives and the lives of our families. Christians have been fleeing persecution in other lands for centuries. America was founded by Christians who fled England to escape persecution and to seek religious freedom. There is no shame or cowardice in leaving if we see persecution coming beforehand. Not only is it biblical ( Proverbs 22:3 ) but it is also common sense. There is only shame and cowardice if we deny the Name of the Lord ( 10:33 ) when undergoing persecution. There is a time to flee but there is also a time to take up the cross ( 10:38-39 ) and follow Christ unto death if God calls us to do that.
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
– 2 Timothy 3:12 ( KJV)
PSALM 13:1-6
I find Verse 5 to be especially inspiring: “But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.” Not only does this apply to sin, judgment and our saving faith in Christ but also to the promise of deliverance from our enemies. God’s mercy and salvation is manifested to us also when our enemies do not prevail over us even though they are stronger than we are.
PROVERBS 3:16-18
Interestingly, verse 18 calls wisdom “ a tree of life.“ When Adam and Eve ate of the fruit of the tree of life in the Garden of Eden they were partaking of the wisdom of God. Their sin in eating the forbidden fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was that they, in effect, were choosing the wisdom of the world in its place which was offered to them by Satan in the form of the serpent. As a result they were driven from their happy paradise into a world of sorrow and tears.
Bill
======= Elizabeth:
Hello,
Enjoyed your thoughts this morning Bill–particularly your thoughts about persecution and how it can be biblical to flee. There is a time for different responses, certainly.
I also enjoyed the link to Bob Deffinbaugh’s commentary on Genesis 31-32
http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=111
I love his definition of ethics there:
“Ethics is the difference between morality and legality. Ethics is the difference between what I ought to do and what the law demands I must do.”
And I think he hits the nail on the head when he concludes that Jacob was legalistic in adhering to the letter of the law, but that his heart was unethical and often fearful. It revealed a lack of trust in His Lord. Bingo.
With regard to your question of the day, Mike: How do I pursue wisdom?
Certainly, one way to pursue wisdom is through washing one’s mind with the truth of God’s word often. The next (and more difficult step for me personally) is how I apply the truths of His word in daily life.
James came to mind this morning:
“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct, let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.
This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” James 3:13-18
I love the wording there…”in the meekness of wisdom” along with his description of the characteristics of godly wisdom:
*pure
*peaceable
*gentle
*open to reason
*full of mercy and good fruits
*impartial
*sincere
Wisdom is more than information, it is characterized by a meek, sincere, gentle and peaceable ACTION.
This is good stuff for me to dwell upon this morning…
Ramona, I just wanted to say that I also enjoyed your comments this morning (they appeared for me right after my last post)
I see many of my own weaknesses and fears in Jacob–though I do not often struggle with deception, I do love control! I think Jacob (and Laban) were obsessed with micromanaging for their best interests.
Along these lines, I laughed at Deffinbaugh’s comment on Laban here:
“If he could not retrieve his household gods, the least Laban can do is to make a covenant with Jacob which would guarantee that he will never make use of those gods to further encroach upon his possessions in the future. Notice that the treaty is initiated by Laban and that its terms are spelled out by him. Since Laban has not succeeded in holding Jacob in check, Laban now calls upon Jacob’s God to do so.”
Laban didn’t skip a beat, did he? I suspect he was a major control freak and met his match in Jacob…
I also enjoyed your analysis of Jacob’s inner thought life and your comments on the imagination: “guilt, real or false, will take over our imaginations….”
I’ve learned from experience that my imagination can be a dangerous place. I’ve learned to keep a tight watch on my thought life, to ask Him to prune out fears, untruths, and other junk that seeps in. We can waste a lot of emotional energy and become spiritually discouraged “spinning the wheels” of our minds…
Have a great day–it’s really really COLD outside here today (well, cold for the mountains of NC at least!)
Elizabeth
======= Karen:
Ps. 13 – What do I do? Whenever I have a pain that I don’t think I can stand any longer, God brings to me the thing he said to Paul, in 2 Cor. 12:9, he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” NIV I repeat this over & over, My grace is sufficient, and receive peace from knowing this is true and that is all I need.
Karen
======= Renee:
When one reads from Genesis 31 through to the end of proverbs 3 vs 18. one realizes that without God (as our Rod and Staff), we cannot obtain Wisdom and understanding, but we live in a secular state to the end.
Pick up your cross and follow me, has to become a reality, I.e. heart knowledge not head knowledge, before we can walk with Jesus every minute of the day. Amen
Renee
======= Don:
Genesis 31:19
What is a Household God?
From the Internet at http://bible.cc/genesis/31-19.htm:
(scan on Rachel had stolen)
‘Rachel had stolen the images – תרפים teraphim. What the teraphim were is utterly unknown. In Genesis 31:30 they are termed אלהי elohai, gods; and to some it appears very likely that they were a sort of images devoted to superstitious purposes, not considered as gods, but as representatives of certain Divine attributes, Dr. Shuckford supposes them to be a sort of tiles, on which the names or figures of their ancestors were engraven. Theodoret, in his 89th question, calls them idols; and says that Rachel, who was a type of the true Church, stole them from her father that he might be delivered from idolatry. R. S. Jarchi gives nearly the same reason.’
In case anyone else wondered.
God Bless,
Don
======= Jennifer:
I was struck by so many passages today it is hard to assimilate them. However, Math 10:26 in NIV states “What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight: What is whispered in your ear proclaim from the roofs.” I have been fed by the bible this month to look at my life and to really think about the command that we leave this life, take up our cross and follow him. I guess I have been asking am being faithful to this command? What I realize is that I will only know the answer when I am seeking God in the Dark and listening for his whispers. The battle is fought in the world and the world is loud, distracting, and full of silly noises that keeep out Gods whispers. I have over the last year really dedicated myself to find the quiet so that I can confess, thank God for his faithfulness and Grace to me, and hear his whispers into my heart.
I am blessed by his faithfulness and his direction.
Jennifer
======= David:
Hi I’m back from two weeks of prayer and fasting. It was only towards the end of it I started to feel the Holy Spirit acting on my hard soul.
37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
This reading always used to give me trouble but I think I have discovered its true meaning. If we are to be the bride of Christ we have to love Jesus the most. And we need to have such a deep personal relationship with Him that we would stop sinning and be always serving him. It is not too much for a husband to ask.
David
======= Billy:
The verse we are memorizing is very powerful.
“Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.”
I have a personal story to mention regarding this. I go to a Bible Study class every Wednesday and I have to leave early from work to make it on time. When I was asking my boss permission to leave a little early she asked me where I was going and I said, “To a Study class.” -leaving out the word BIBLE — I’m ashamed to say it but that is what I did because I was trying to be politically correct. Then, I thought of this verse and how I was damning myself and not acknowledging God.
I pray the next time I am asked I will acknowledge and not disown.
Billy
======= Cheryl:
I’ve always wondered what it would be like to meet Jesus in person. How would I react?
Two nights ago I had a dream that I was walking down a hallway and there were other people milling about. I saw a man walking towards me and wondered who he was. Then I realized as I got closer it was Jesus (I’m not sure how I knew) and he was being followed by a group of people. I was overwhelmed with the emotion of awe and unworthiness and fell instantly flat on the floor in front of Him.
That’s when I woke up. It was such an overwhelming emotion that I couldn’t sleep the rest of the night and that feeling has stayed with me the last couple days. I wasn’t afraid at all but just in awe and a deep sense of knowing He was God and I wasn’t worthly to stand in his presence.
I honestly believe Jesus meets each of us where our thoughts and feelings are and helps bring us closer to Him every day if we seek Him.
Cheryl
======= Dee:
The ways in which I seek wisdom each day, is to read and prepare my day with prayer and have a joyful heart! The Bible tells us that a joyful heart is like good medicine! So I try to always have my joy, and also, I try to learn from the mistakes that are laid before me, like a bad decision or to be watchful of wolves in sheeps clothing! Especially when you are in the ministry(which we all should be in some shape,form or fashion). We have to be on guard and just cry out for wisdom and discernment.(Proverbs 1:20, 1 Cor 12:1-12). So get the free gift of discernment and know that is is a gift from above!
Be Blessed!
Dee
======= Vu:
The passage about Jacob going back home and confronting Esau stuck out to me. This is after 20 years but there was something that he needed to rectify. He had made things right with God but there was his brother he has done wrong to and he comes back to make amends. Made me think that it does not matter how long ago you offended someone, we all need to go back and offer our apology and face that crime. You can hide but it all comes back at some point. So confront those “skeletons in the closet” and put them to bed. He also is not boasting when he returns to Esau, he is humble, just shows the right spirit when asking for forgiveness from someone…Awesome example
Vu
======= Bob:
We get to see the example of an unearned blessing – Chesed here in Genesis 12;10 “I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant.” It is a wonderful act to pass on to our spouse, kids, family, friends, everyone,eh?
Wisdom is definitely one of the fruits of the tree of life. Like DeeDee, I seek it in the Bible and write. I also like to walk and listen to the Lord in the quiet. One path He showed me was a mission trip to Haiti that was beautiful. Part of the wisdom there was listening to Him.
Bob
======= Russ:
I am reminded from today’s readings that everytime I feel like I havent been walking in God’s will, it isn’t God that moved…but me.
Russ
======= Ivy:
Thank you for all the work you have put into this. I use my Kindle and go to the gateway link and there it all is. Thank you thank you
Ivy
======= Joyce:
Greetings Mike, brothers & sisters,
Proverbs 3:16-18 Amplified Bible (AMP)
16 Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are highways of pleasantness and favor, And all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy [blessed, considered fortunate, to be admired] is everyone who holds her tightly.
I learned the following from the Let God be True website on Proverbs 3:16.
(http://www.letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/commentaries/03_16.php)
“Length of days is long life.
Riches are financial and professional success.
Honour is personal respect from others.
What better combinations are there?
Yet, there are even better rewards in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The wisdom of the gospel leads to eternal life, spiritual riches, and the honor of being an adopted son of God.”
Matthew 7:13-14 Amplified Bible (AMP)
The Narrow and Wide Gates
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it.
14 But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to [everlasting] life, and there are few who find it.
In our Christian walk today, may we seek God and hold tightly onto His wisdom, there we will find true life, riches and honor.
Blessings!
Joyce
======= Robert:
Genesis 32:10
I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown me.” There is a word I would like to share that comes from this line of thinking. It is the Jewish word ‘chesed’. It means unearned blessing. It’s simply acts or deeds we can practice and it is a beautiful way of revealing our heart. When you show kindness without expecting anything in return or mercy like we see Jacob expressing his understanding of what God has done. A Rabbi once expressed it to me by a simple act like the next time the dishes have to be done, just get up and do them without being asked or expecting anything for doing them. That is chesed.
Mathew 10:34
“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.”
Yikes that’s pretty radical. Jesus mission was very deliberate and meaningful and it was why the Romans hated Christianity. It tore families apart because it demanded maximum loyalty to Christ.
Vs 37: Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
Here the cross is mentioned for the first time. That must have thrown people into bewilderment. Even now I have a tough time understanding the meaning but slowly I get it. Right now I’m dealing with a guy that the Lord has saddled me with so that I can have the opportunity to practice, patience, humility and compassion. The interesting thing is that there are numerous people watching as I carry this (guy) cross to see what I do. It’s hard. Thanks for your prayers.
Robert
======= Jeffrey:
Jesus, in today’s NT reading, preaches some tough love.
We are to love the Lord above everyone else… indeed, our enemies may be in our own family. Jesus causes division between believers and un believers by His very nature and message. Ultimately, we are to sacrifice our lives to God.
Jeffrey
======= Mitch:
Laban is all about self. Jacob is not far behind. Rachel was raised around idols – Did she believe in other gods or was she trying to tick Father (Laban) off by taking his idols? Is Jacob preparing to run out of fear of Esau – putting camps between himself and oncoming Esau.
Pick up your cross and follow me. Jesus knew as did Israelites that when people were sentenced to crucifixion – the Romans made them carry cross to site. My belief – Jesus was saying if you follow me it is a serious deal and be prepared for death.
Mitch
Leave a Reply