Chapters 46 & 47
I will make this short today....I have so much to say and very little time to say it!
A surprise visit from my daughter yesterday afternoon bids me to spend every waking minute together. I am blessed.
I find myself "overcome" this morning with the knowing of the Love of God for me.
It's not just the blessing of my surprise, but I'm sure that God used it as a catalyst to open my heart this morning as I read the final chapters of Genesis. I felt a little "carried away" in the Spirit as I meditated on the Greatness of our God and of His Son, Jesus, who is the Word of God.
This Word of God that I hold in my hands is indescribable. It is the Power of God for those who believe. The records we read in the Word hold so much more of a deeper meaning than we can read with our physical eyes. Psalm 119 contains 176 verses, everyone of them extolling the greatness of God's Word.
Psalm 138:2 says "For You have magnified Your Word above all Your Name".
We know that there is nothing higher than the name of Jesus, the name above all names. In placing the highest honor on the Word of God, we honor Jesus, for Jesus is the living Word.
In the gospels we read about the sower that went out and sowed the seed. The seed is referring to the Word of God. When we speak God's word over any situation we are sowing good seed and will bring forth fruit. It never comes back void! Isaiah 55:11"So shall my Word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
I just felt like sharing that today. I am behind on my blogging, and plan to catch up tomorrow, hopefully!
Be blessed in the Grace of God this day!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
My reading for yesterday was chapters 43 thru 45. Since I already gave a little bit of these chapters away in yesterday's blog, I will concentrate on chapter 45 today, which really is the heart of the story of Joseph.
In this chapter, Joseph reveals his true identity to his brothers, all of them together. Vs. 3 says they were were speechless (ya think??!!) and that they were dismayed. (The MIV-remember, Marsha's Incomplete Version, translates the word dismayed as flabbergasted). I tried to imagine the scene in my mind. One minute they are bowing down before Pharaoh's head man, probably wondering if any of them would even live through the day because of the events of the previous chapter, and the next minute they are confronted with something so unimaginable it left them speechless. The instant emotion of fear and dread that must have overcome them, as they realized they were indeed standing in front of the brother they had so cruelly treated 13 years prior must have been intense. They no doubt were expecting the worst, but instead they got the best. The following verses describe the amazing love and grace of God to us...it's a picture of Jesus in the Old Testament. Vs. 4 says: "So Joseph said to his brothers, "Come near to me, please." And they came near. And he said, "I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life."
My mind just fast forwarded to Jesus on the cross as I read the following words in vs. 4. Come near to me. I Am. Do not be dismayed. God sent me to preserve life. If these are not a picture of Jesus on the cross, I don't know what is. In the gospels we read Jesus saying, Come to me. I Am. Father forgive them. I came to seek and save the lost. Those are just a few things that came to my mind.
My friend Edie and I were having a conversation last night about all of the mysteries that are in the Bible. We talked about how so much of what we read in the Old Testament (perhaps all of it?) has it's fulfillment in the New Testament and is actually prophecy about the end times that are upon us. She is taking this 2010 year to study the book of Genesis, and she is already discovering early on in the year, that Genesis contains much end times prophecy. What I am beginning to understand is that this book that we are reading together is indeed supernatural. It is the very breath and power of God.
We marvel today when we uncover a small portion of it's depth and layers, but I wonder what it will be like when we see Jesus face to face in our glorified mind and body. When we see the WORD OF GOD in all it's majesty and in all it's GRACE. When we see the LOVE OF GOD, THE GRACE OF GOD with no blinders on...I believe it is that which will cause us to fall to our knees, cast our crowns before Him and cry HOLY, HOLY, HOLY.
There is much more in this chapter, but in a nutshell, Joseph send his brothers go back to get their father and their families in the land of Canaan. Joseph provides them with everything necessary to make the journey, way more than they will actually need. When they see their father Jacob, they tell him in vs 26: "Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt." And his heart became numb, for he did not believe them. But when they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived."
I just know there is more to this verse than meets the natural eye. Now, when I read the Word, I ask God to show me things unseen. He knows what I'm ready for. Someone told me once, "when the student is ready to receive, the teacher will appear." I didn't understand it at the time, but I'm starting too.
Tomorrow I will talk about chapters 46 & 47. I hope you are continuing on with me on this journey. And I hope you are asking God, along with me, to show you the depths of His love for you as you read. Remember my prayer for you?
Ephesians 3:19: "And to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." That "surpasses knowledge" part of this scripture is what I have been talking about today. We can know with our intellectual mind what the Word says. We can memorize it. But until it surpasses our head knowledge and becomes revelation to us it cannot change us. This is truly the "RECIPE FOR CHANGE!"
In this chapter, Joseph reveals his true identity to his brothers, all of them together. Vs. 3 says they were were speechless (ya think??!!) and that they were dismayed. (The MIV-remember, Marsha's Incomplete Version, translates the word dismayed as flabbergasted). I tried to imagine the scene in my mind. One minute they are bowing down before Pharaoh's head man, probably wondering if any of them would even live through the day because of the events of the previous chapter, and the next minute they are confronted with something so unimaginable it left them speechless. The instant emotion of fear and dread that must have overcome them, as they realized they were indeed standing in front of the brother they had so cruelly treated 13 years prior must have been intense. They no doubt were expecting the worst, but instead they got the best. The following verses describe the amazing love and grace of God to us...it's a picture of Jesus in the Old Testament. Vs. 4 says: "So Joseph said to his brothers, "Come near to me, please." And they came near. And he said, "I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life."
My mind just fast forwarded to Jesus on the cross as I read the following words in vs. 4. Come near to me. I Am. Do not be dismayed. God sent me to preserve life. If these are not a picture of Jesus on the cross, I don't know what is. In the gospels we read Jesus saying, Come to me. I Am. Father forgive them. I came to seek and save the lost. Those are just a few things that came to my mind.
My friend Edie and I were having a conversation last night about all of the mysteries that are in the Bible. We talked about how so much of what we read in the Old Testament (perhaps all of it?) has it's fulfillment in the New Testament and is actually prophecy about the end times that are upon us. She is taking this 2010 year to study the book of Genesis, and she is already discovering early on in the year, that Genesis contains much end times prophecy. What I am beginning to understand is that this book that we are reading together is indeed supernatural. It is the very breath and power of God.
We marvel today when we uncover a small portion of it's depth and layers, but I wonder what it will be like when we see Jesus face to face in our glorified mind and body. When we see the WORD OF GOD in all it's majesty and in all it's GRACE. When we see the LOVE OF GOD, THE GRACE OF GOD with no blinders on...I believe it is that which will cause us to fall to our knees, cast our crowns before Him and cry HOLY, HOLY, HOLY.
There is much more in this chapter, but in a nutshell, Joseph send his brothers go back to get their father and their families in the land of Canaan. Joseph provides them with everything necessary to make the journey, way more than they will actually need. When they see their father Jacob, they tell him in vs 26: "Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt." And his heart became numb, for he did not believe them. But when they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived."
I just know there is more to this verse than meets the natural eye. Now, when I read the Word, I ask God to show me things unseen. He knows what I'm ready for. Someone told me once, "when the student is ready to receive, the teacher will appear." I didn't understand it at the time, but I'm starting too.
Tomorrow I will talk about chapters 46 & 47. I hope you are continuing on with me on this journey. And I hope you are asking God, along with me, to show you the depths of His love for you as you read. Remember my prayer for you?
Ephesians 3:19: "And to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." That "surpasses knowledge" part of this scripture is what I have been talking about today. We can know with our intellectual mind what the Word says. We can memorize it. But until it surpasses our head knowledge and becomes revelation to us it cannot change us. This is truly the "RECIPE FOR CHANGE!"
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
The Roller Coaster Ride Ends with a Loopty Loo!
Genesis, Chapters 41 &42
Finally, two years after the Cup Bearer gets out of prison, his memory is jogged when Pharaoh has a disturbing dream that no one is able to interpret. All of the sudden the Cup Bearer remembers Joseph. Was he still in that dark, dank prison? Maybe it's not too late. Maybe Joseph can interpret Pharaoh's dream like he did for me.
You get a sense in vs. 14 that they wasted no time in bringing Joseph out of prison and into the presence of Pharaoh. A shave, haircut and new duds came first. Kind of reminds me of the Wizard of Oz, where they get all spruced up to see the Great Oz.
I love vs. 16 where Joseph gives all the credit to God. He's the first to admit that it's not by his great powers that he is able to do this dream interpretation thing, and the Egyptians obviously know that he is a Hebrew. Pharaoh had to be aware that they didn't serve the same God, but who cares what God he serves, just interpret the dream! (The Egyptians had many gods, so it was kind of a "more the merrier" attitude with them I guess!) They were about to see the power of the one true God, the God of Israel. Upon hearing the Pharaoh's dream, Joseph quickly and easily gives the interpretation. Pharaoh likes what he hears and so does everyone else because the next thing you know, Joseph is riding down main street in his own "stretch chariot" right behind the Pharaoh, and he's now only 30 years old! Talk about being at the top of your game!
1 Peter 5:6 says: "humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty had of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you." I wonder if the Apostle Peter was thinking about this example when he wrote that verse. Reading this impresses upon my heart how The Lord always sees our situations. (Remember earlier with Hagar...You are the God who sees me!) It just doesn't matter what the devil throws in our path to trip us up, as we humble ourselves before God, nothing is going to stop the good things He has planned for us from coming to pass! Sometimes life just takes a real good dose of patience, doesn't it? I am also reminded right now of the verse in James 1:4, that says to let patience have it's perfect work! Golly, did Joseph have to be patient, or what! I find myself being impatient so often in my circimstances of life. It is so beneficial for me to read this and be reminded of God's intervention in the lives of His beloved children! One day you can be so perplexed about your situation and wondering if anything will ever change, and in the next moment it's like the heaven's part and your eyes are opened to the Glory of God!
Chapter 42 is the record of Joseph being reunited with all but one of his brothers. (Yes, these are the same brothers that threw him away in the pit and then sold him as a slave!) The famine of Egypt is also severe in the land of Canaan. Jacob tells his sons to come to Egypt and get grain and bring it back to their families. Which, of course they did. Little did they know it would be the grocery store trip of their lives! The story that unfolds is so wonderful, not just because the family is once again reunited, but to see Joseph's heart for them, to see his extreme forgiveness.
Do you wonder how a man could be so forgiving when it was in his power to get even? Well, I'm getting a little ahead of myself (ok, I confess, I read ahead a few chapters, but I couldn't put the book down, this is exciting stuff!) but in chapter 45 he tells his brothers not to be distressed, for it was God's plan in preserving the promise that had brought this to pass. He later says in chapter 50:20: "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."
Just a few more things I want to mention about chapter 42. As forgiving as Joseph was in his heart to his brothers, he didn't let them off the hook immediately or too easily. He played a few mind games with them, as you can read in this chapter. It all turns out wonderful for them, but Joseph kept them wondering for a while. Can't say that I blame him.
Well, tomorrow I'm on to chapters 43-45. Chapter's 43 & 44 are more of the details of their reunion. Chapter 45 is the big "reveal". It's my favorite part of this story and I can't wait to share it with you. Until then.....be blessed in the Lord's Grace to you!
Finally, two years after the Cup Bearer gets out of prison, his memory is jogged when Pharaoh has a disturbing dream that no one is able to interpret. All of the sudden the Cup Bearer remembers Joseph. Was he still in that dark, dank prison? Maybe it's not too late. Maybe Joseph can interpret Pharaoh's dream like he did for me.
You get a sense in vs. 14 that they wasted no time in bringing Joseph out of prison and into the presence of Pharaoh. A shave, haircut and new duds came first. Kind of reminds me of the Wizard of Oz, where they get all spruced up to see the Great Oz.
I love vs. 16 where Joseph gives all the credit to God. He's the first to admit that it's not by his great powers that he is able to do this dream interpretation thing, and the Egyptians obviously know that he is a Hebrew. Pharaoh had to be aware that they didn't serve the same God, but who cares what God he serves, just interpret the dream! (The Egyptians had many gods, so it was kind of a "more the merrier" attitude with them I guess!) They were about to see the power of the one true God, the God of Israel. Upon hearing the Pharaoh's dream, Joseph quickly and easily gives the interpretation. Pharaoh likes what he hears and so does everyone else because the next thing you know, Joseph is riding down main street in his own "stretch chariot" right behind the Pharaoh, and he's now only 30 years old! Talk about being at the top of your game!
1 Peter 5:6 says: "humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty had of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you." I wonder if the Apostle Peter was thinking about this example when he wrote that verse. Reading this impresses upon my heart how The Lord always sees our situations. (Remember earlier with Hagar...You are the God who sees me!) It just doesn't matter what the devil throws in our path to trip us up, as we humble ourselves before God, nothing is going to stop the good things He has planned for us from coming to pass! Sometimes life just takes a real good dose of patience, doesn't it? I am also reminded right now of the verse in James 1:4, that says to let patience have it's perfect work! Golly, did Joseph have to be patient, or what! I find myself being impatient so often in my circimstances of life. It is so beneficial for me to read this and be reminded of God's intervention in the lives of His beloved children! One day you can be so perplexed about your situation and wondering if anything will ever change, and in the next moment it's like the heaven's part and your eyes are opened to the Glory of God!
Chapter 42 is the record of Joseph being reunited with all but one of his brothers. (Yes, these are the same brothers that threw him away in the pit and then sold him as a slave!) The famine of Egypt is also severe in the land of Canaan. Jacob tells his sons to come to Egypt and get grain and bring it back to their families. Which, of course they did. Little did they know it would be the grocery store trip of their lives! The story that unfolds is so wonderful, not just because the family is once again reunited, but to see Joseph's heart for them, to see his extreme forgiveness.
Do you wonder how a man could be so forgiving when it was in his power to get even? Well, I'm getting a little ahead of myself (ok, I confess, I read ahead a few chapters, but I couldn't put the book down, this is exciting stuff!) but in chapter 45 he tells his brothers not to be distressed, for it was God's plan in preserving the promise that had brought this to pass. He later says in chapter 50:20: "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."
Just a few more things I want to mention about chapter 42. As forgiving as Joseph was in his heart to his brothers, he didn't let them off the hook immediately or too easily. He played a few mind games with them, as you can read in this chapter. It all turns out wonderful for them, but Joseph kept them wondering for a while. Can't say that I blame him.
Well, tomorrow I'm on to chapters 43-45. Chapter's 43 & 44 are more of the details of their reunion. Chapter 45 is the big "reveal". It's my favorite part of this story and I can't wait to share it with you. Until then.....be blessed in the Lord's Grace to you!
Monday, January 25, 2010
The Roller Coster Ride of a Lifetime!
Chapter 38 of Genesis is lively reading, to say the least. Seriously, Hollywood couldn't make this stuff up if they tried! I find myself thinking that the Bible should come with some "parental guidance" ratings in a few places, or at least a pre-requisite in Sex-Ed! I'm not going to comment on this chapter, because honestly, other than what my Bible study notes say, I don't understand enough of what's taken place here to warrant a comment from me. But, because the Word of God is living and active, I know that there are many significant things going on in this chapter. A great thing about reading the entire Bible in chronological order is that somewhere down the line, eventually all the dots will connect. I believe that all of the Word of God fits together like a hand in a glove, albeit a REALLY BIG hand and glove!
Chapter 39 starts out where chapter 37 ended, with Joseph being sold to an Egyptian master named Potiphar, who happened to be an officer of Pharaoh. Quickly we can see the evidence of the blessing again, as everything that Joseph touches "turns to gold" for his master. The Egyptian was blessed by God just because Joseph was working for him! Joseph was so trusted by his boss that he was given all household authority by Potiphar, and everything Potiphar owned was in Joseph's charge. What are the chances of a young slave ending up with that kind of responsibility?
Potiphar's wife (who is un-named) thinks Joe's pretty hot....but he's not falling for it. Most likely she wasn't too bad herself, and may have been quite a temptation for Joseph. Obviously this man's got integrity and every time she pursues him, he resists her. Wow, ask any guy and I think they would tell you, that had to be some miserable working conditions when she was around!
Apparently, Mrs. Potiphar wasn't used to not getting what she wanted, so in retaliation for her rejection by Joseph, she devises a scheme to make it look like Joseph had tried to rape her. Her little plan works and when her husband Potiphar learns of the "unfaithfulness" of his servant, Joseph is cast into the prison. Wow, talk about being falsely accused!
I find it interesting that in this chapter we don't hear any cries of "I didn't do it!" from Joseph's mouth...but we do hear about God's steadfast love for him. God's favor and blessing were all over Joseph, and once again, he was put in charge. But this time of all the prisoners. It would appear in the natural that Joseph had no shortage of leadership skills, but the last verse in this chapter tells us the real reason he succeeds: The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph's charge, because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed.
Nowadays, we hear considerable teaching about the "favor of God". We see that it was very real in the Old Testament, but what about today? The New Testament has much to say about favor and blessing for the believer in Christ...but I guess I'm jumping the gun by about 9 months. I'll try to slip it in whenever I can though...because as we know, everything I'm reading here in the Old Testament is pointing to Christ and His blessing of Grace on us! (Don't get me started, or I'll be here all night!)
My last chapter today was number 40. Joseph proves to be very multi-talented, to say the least. He's not only an amazing leader, but he interprets dreams as well. (Well, let me clarify that, in vs. 8 he says, "do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me" , we know he wasn't insinuating that he was God, but he is giving the credit for this unusual ability to God Almighty.) He easily interprets the dreams of two men who Pharaoh had recently cast into Prison, and both dreams come to pass exactly as Joseph said they would.
Pharaoh's Cup Bearer fares very well with the dream he has and gets back into Pharaoh's good graces, and back to working in the Palace. But unfortunately for the Baker, he doesn't care for Joseph's interpretation of his dream because he ends up hanged by Pharaoh. (Poor guy, at least he had a little foreknowledge of his impending doom, for whatever that is worth!)
In this chapter we finally see Joseph proclaiming his innocence to the Cup Bearer and requests that he remember Joseph to the Pharaoh when he's back in the palace. Unfortunately the Cup Bearer didn't make good on his promise (yet) and Joseph spends the next two years waiting and wondering when he will be vindicated. I imagine that God must have seemed very silent to Joseph, but as we will soon discover, God's been working behind the scenes to bring His amazing plan of restoration to pass. It was a plan that had been in the making long before Joseph ever ended up in prison, and for that matter, long before he was ever born! Good things are always in store for those who put their trust in the true God. He takes what the devil means for destruction and turns it into something beautiful, for those who love Him, and for those who are called according to His purposes.
Joseph's life seemed like one huge roller coaster ride. One day he's up, the next day he's down. But through it all he remained faithful to his God, and God always remained faithful to him....oh, sorry, I don't want to spoil the story....but then you probably already know. Joseph's life ends up above and beyond anything he could ever have hoped for. He's vindicated all right, by the mighty hand of God! Nobody does it better!
Chapter 39 starts out where chapter 37 ended, with Joseph being sold to an Egyptian master named Potiphar, who happened to be an officer of Pharaoh. Quickly we can see the evidence of the blessing again, as everything that Joseph touches "turns to gold" for his master. The Egyptian was blessed by God just because Joseph was working for him! Joseph was so trusted by his boss that he was given all household authority by Potiphar, and everything Potiphar owned was in Joseph's charge. What are the chances of a young slave ending up with that kind of responsibility?
Potiphar's wife (who is un-named) thinks Joe's pretty hot....but he's not falling for it. Most likely she wasn't too bad herself, and may have been quite a temptation for Joseph. Obviously this man's got integrity and every time she pursues him, he resists her. Wow, ask any guy and I think they would tell you, that had to be some miserable working conditions when she was around!
Apparently, Mrs. Potiphar wasn't used to not getting what she wanted, so in retaliation for her rejection by Joseph, she devises a scheme to make it look like Joseph had tried to rape her. Her little plan works and when her husband Potiphar learns of the "unfaithfulness" of his servant, Joseph is cast into the prison. Wow, talk about being falsely accused!
I find it interesting that in this chapter we don't hear any cries of "I didn't do it!" from Joseph's mouth...but we do hear about God's steadfast love for him. God's favor and blessing were all over Joseph, and once again, he was put in charge. But this time of all the prisoners. It would appear in the natural that Joseph had no shortage of leadership skills, but the last verse in this chapter tells us the real reason he succeeds: The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph's charge, because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed.
Nowadays, we hear considerable teaching about the "favor of God". We see that it was very real in the Old Testament, but what about today? The New Testament has much to say about favor and blessing for the believer in Christ...but I guess I'm jumping the gun by about 9 months. I'll try to slip it in whenever I can though...because as we know, everything I'm reading here in the Old Testament is pointing to Christ and His blessing of Grace on us! (Don't get me started, or I'll be here all night!)
My last chapter today was number 40. Joseph proves to be very multi-talented, to say the least. He's not only an amazing leader, but he interprets dreams as well. (Well, let me clarify that, in vs. 8 he says, "do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me" , we know he wasn't insinuating that he was God, but he is giving the credit for this unusual ability to God Almighty.) He easily interprets the dreams of two men who Pharaoh had recently cast into Prison, and both dreams come to pass exactly as Joseph said they would.
Pharaoh's Cup Bearer fares very well with the dream he has and gets back into Pharaoh's good graces, and back to working in the Palace. But unfortunately for the Baker, he doesn't care for Joseph's interpretation of his dream because he ends up hanged by Pharaoh. (Poor guy, at least he had a little foreknowledge of his impending doom, for whatever that is worth!)
In this chapter we finally see Joseph proclaiming his innocence to the Cup Bearer and requests that he remember Joseph to the Pharaoh when he's back in the palace. Unfortunately the Cup Bearer didn't make good on his promise (yet) and Joseph spends the next two years waiting and wondering when he will be vindicated. I imagine that God must have seemed very silent to Joseph, but as we will soon discover, God's been working behind the scenes to bring His amazing plan of restoration to pass. It was a plan that had been in the making long before Joseph ever ended up in prison, and for that matter, long before he was ever born! Good things are always in store for those who put their trust in the true God. He takes what the devil means for destruction and turns it into something beautiful, for those who love Him, and for those who are called according to His purposes.
Joseph's life seemed like one huge roller coaster ride. One day he's up, the next day he's down. But through it all he remained faithful to his God, and God always remained faithful to him....oh, sorry, I don't want to spoil the story....but then you probably already know. Joseph's life ends up above and beyond anything he could ever have hoped for. He's vindicated all right, by the mighty hand of God! Nobody does it better!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
A Pillar for Rachel and a Dream for Joseph
Today is Sunday, and I love Sunday's. There is something about them, not just because I attend our church on Sunday, but there is a solidness about Sunday's for me. Doesn't it seem like each day of the week has it's own feel to it? I know the Bible says "this is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it" so God has blessed all days for us, but there is just something special about Sunday's.
My reading today was Genesis 35,36 & 37.
It never ceases to amaze me how much can happen in just a few pages of the Bible. Big stuff. In chapter 35 alone are the records of Rachel's and Isaac's death.
Rachel dies giving birth to her last son, who her husband Jacob names Benjamin. (I'm a little partial to Benjamin, as my only son bears the same name). I thought back to previous chapters and how much Jacob loved Rachel. How hard he worked for her brother Laban for 20 years just because he loved her so much. I remember in Genesis 29:20 how Jacob had worked the first 7 years for her hand in marriage and it says "and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her."
Chapter 35 doesn't record any emotion from Jacob about the loss of Rachel, but I could almost feel his grief. It says that "he set up a pillar over her tomb, which is there to this day". The only other times that Jacob sets up pillars are in the places where he has met with The Lord God Almighty. That's interesting to me because the marriage relationship is a "type" of the relationship we are to have with God.
Chapter 36 contains genealogy records of Esau, which although hard to read, line by line (it would be so easy to just skim over the genealogies) sometimes you come upon real nuggets of information right smack dab in the middle of a genealogy, but I can't say that I did in chapter 36. On to chapter 37.
Chapter 37 contains the awesome story of Joseph, the dreamer. How out of jealously his brothers throw him into a pit, later to be sold to Midianite traders, passing by. The brothers devise a lie to tell their father Jacob, who loved Joseph. Again we see the pattern of deception in the line of Jacob. Jacob is distraught at the thought of his beloved Joseph being eaten by wild animals and cannot be comforted in the loss of his son. Imagine those brothers seeing their dad go through such agony and knowing all the while that Joseph was still alive. Just to cover up their evil doings.
Chapter 37 ends with Joseph being sold in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. Joseph is about to be tested in many ways. I'm really looking forward to my Bible reading tomorrow. I hope you are as well!
Go Vikings! :o)
My reading today was Genesis 35,36 & 37.
It never ceases to amaze me how much can happen in just a few pages of the Bible. Big stuff. In chapter 35 alone are the records of Rachel's and Isaac's death.
Rachel dies giving birth to her last son, who her husband Jacob names Benjamin. (I'm a little partial to Benjamin, as my only son bears the same name). I thought back to previous chapters and how much Jacob loved Rachel. How hard he worked for her brother Laban for 20 years just because he loved her so much. I remember in Genesis 29:20 how Jacob had worked the first 7 years for her hand in marriage and it says "and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her."
Chapter 35 doesn't record any emotion from Jacob about the loss of Rachel, but I could almost feel his grief. It says that "he set up a pillar over her tomb, which is there to this day". The only other times that Jacob sets up pillars are in the places where he has met with The Lord God Almighty. That's interesting to me because the marriage relationship is a "type" of the relationship we are to have with God.
Chapter 36 contains genealogy records of Esau, which although hard to read, line by line (it would be so easy to just skim over the genealogies) sometimes you come upon real nuggets of information right smack dab in the middle of a genealogy, but I can't say that I did in chapter 36. On to chapter 37.
Chapter 37 contains the awesome story of Joseph, the dreamer. How out of jealously his brothers throw him into a pit, later to be sold to Midianite traders, passing by. The brothers devise a lie to tell their father Jacob, who loved Joseph. Again we see the pattern of deception in the line of Jacob. Jacob is distraught at the thought of his beloved Joseph being eaten by wild animals and cannot be comforted in the loss of his son. Imagine those brothers seeing their dad go through such agony and knowing all the while that Joseph was still alive. Just to cover up their evil doings.
Chapter 37 ends with Joseph being sold in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. Joseph is about to be tested in many ways. I'm really looking forward to my Bible reading tomorrow. I hope you are as well!
Go Vikings! :o)
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Does God Really Need Our Help?
I did it! I am actually on track with my daily reading, and blogging about it the same day! Yes! It's much easier to write about 3 chapters than 31! (So sorry about yesterday for anyone who laboured through it!)
So today in chapter 32, we learn that Jacob FINALLY breaks free of his uncle Laban and is heading back to his homeland with all his family, possessions and herds of animals. Remember, when he went there he was all by himself, but that awesome blessing was upon him and he is now returning to his homeland, 25 years later, as a very wealthy man with a huge family.
But, he does so cautiously because he perceives there might be a problem lying ahead for him. It's been over 25 years since Jacob's been home! He thinks back to the last time he saw his twin brother Esau and his reasons for leaving home in the first place. Remember back in chapter 25 when Esau came in from a long day of hunting and was famished? He asked Jacob if he could have some of the stew Jacob had cooked up. Jacob told his twin brother he would give it to him under one condition only...that Esau would trade his birthright for it. Esau must have been starving hungry, because he took him up on the trade. He got his belly filled and gave no more thought to losing his birthright. Until chapter 27, that is.
Just to recap a bit, Isaac was getting up in years and perceived that he might be dying soon and feels it's the proper time to give his blessing to his firstborn, Esau.
He tells his son Esau to bring him some fresh cooked game, he would eat it and then pronounce the blessing of the firstborn on him. Rebekah, Jacob and Esau's mother overhears this conversation and devises a scheme for Jacob to receive the blessing instead of Esau. You can read the story in chapter 27, but needless to say, when Esau comes back after following his fathers command, and finds that Jacob had received the blessing that he was just about to get...he was distraught to say the least! So now here's Esau, who has not only lost his birthright to Jacob over a bowl of stew, but now their father has been deceived into giving the blessing to Jacob as well! It says in vs 41 that Esau hated his brother Jacob and was planning to kill him when the time was right.
Rebekah overhears Esau's plan to kill Jacob and advises Jacob to flee to Haran to her brother, Laban. Which, as we know, he did for 25 years.
So, with all that in his memory bank, Jacob sends his servants on ahead of him, to find Esau and inform him of Jacob's coming back. He's attempting to prepare the way for his big arrival, softening the blow, so to speak.
The servants do as Jacob commands them and they come back with the news....Esau is coming to meet his twin brother and he's coming with 400 of his men!
Jacob starts shaking in his boots at the thought of what this might mean! This can't be good he thinks, he's probably coming to make good on his plans to kill me, even if it has been 25 years!
Now he's very afraid and in 32:9 Jacob cries out to God to deliver him from the hand of his brother Esau. Jacob reminds God of the promise that is on him as a descendant of Abraham. He has to live, or how else will the promise come to pass?
The prayer to God shows Jacob's dependence on God, but just to make sure, Jacob decides to send gifts, lots of them, on ahead via his servants, to try and soften the blow. You know, to help God out, just in case.
Isn't that just how we are? We cry out to God to deliver us when we are in a tight spot and then we try and help Him with the deliverance plan.
Here's my take on this story. I think Esau was indeed still harboring hate towards Jacob and thinking, 'finally...he's back'. Jacob's fear of his brother wasn't just imagined. But he prayed. And so do we. And then we go about devising our own plans to help Him out instead of resting in the finished work of Christ.
I believe that God answered Jacob's prayer right when he prayed it, and turned the heart of Esau with favor towards his brother. Jacob didn't deserve it, and neither do we. That's called Grace. I do not believe it was necessary for Jacob to send all those 500 or so gifts of his flocks up ahead to appease Esau. Seriously, do you think gifts would change the heart of hate that Esau had toward his brother? Only God could accomplish the turning of a heart, which we know He did as we read on in this story.
Esau embraced his brother Jacob, they wept together. And Esau didn't even want the gifts. It really was what you might call a "half-trust" on Jacob's part in believing God's faithfulness to deliver him. 'I believe He will hear my prayer...but just in case....I will do something to make sure, just in case God's plan isn't enough. One of the names of God is El Shaddai, which means "More Than Enough".
Why is it that it's hard to believe God will deliver us when we are in the tight spots of life? Regardless of whether we put ourselves in the spot or if it's just the result of living in a fallen world, God is a deliverer of His children. He hears and answers us when we pray. But how can we be sure? Because the Word of God tells us so, and God's Word is TRUTH.
Do we believe it's truth or don't we? At what point does our Christianity rubber meet the road? Something to meditate on, at least for me it is.
Chapter 34 tells us that Jacob is now safely back in his homeland, in his brothers good graces, and he settles in the city of Shechem. But trouble isn't far from his door, as his daughter, Dinah ventures out to meet some new friends and is taken "captive" by the Prince of Shechem. He likes what he sees! He puts the cart before the horse and decides to try out her merchandise first, and then asks for her hand in marriage from her father and her brothers. That's putting it nicely.
The people of Shechem think it would be a great idea if they all became friends and relatives, starting with the marriage of Dinah and the Prince. They want to become one big happy family, if you will. Not so fast. Dinah's brothers are steamin' mad about this violation of their sister and to make a long story short (you can read the long story for yourself) they devise a plan to deceive the people of Shechem into thinking all is well...let's all be friends and family is great, but before this can happen you'all have to be circumcised as we, Jacob's people are.
The people of Shechem decide that's a fair enough trade and they go along with the plan. But a few day's later when they are healing up from their circumcisions and still very sore, Jacob's sons Levi and Siemon, attack the people of the city of Shechem, kill all the men, plunder the city and retrieve their sister Dinah from the Prince's palace. They feel pretty darn good about their valiant efforts to defend their sister, and besides that, look at all the new "stuff" they have now.
They do all this without Jacob's knowledge or consent. In fact, now Jacob is steamin' made at what his son's have done. In their anger they have taken things into their own hands. I see a pattern developing here: Jacob started out as a deceiver and now so are his sons. Jacob takes things into his own hands and now so do his son's. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, does it? I haven't read the next chapters yet, that's for tomorrow, but I'll bet there will be a few consequences because of their taking matters into their own hands and not consulting the will of God about it. We shall see. To be continued....
So, the lesson I have learned from today's reading is about trusting God when we pray for Him to deliver us from our problems. What if I just waited upon the Lord to deliver me instead of trying to fix things in my own strength? I'm a fixer by nature, I think most women are. But when I go ahead of God and try to fix things without knowing I've heard from Him, I rob myself of seeing the full deliverance of the Lord in my life. I get the credit for my own deliverance in a situation instead of Him. And my way of delivering myself will always be incomplete and 2nd best. His way will always be better, always more. After all, He's El Shaddai. But sometimes it's so hard to wait and to rest in His faithfulness when you just want to just be delivered, NOW! One of my favorite songs is called "Painting Pictures of Egypt" by Sara Groves. My favorite line in the song is the chorus: "If it comes to quick, I may not recognize it. If it comes to quick, I may not appreciate it. Is that the reason for all this time and sand?"
Right now I'd like to share a wonderful New Testament verse with you to wrap up this day's blog: Hebrews 4:10-11 - for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore STRIVE to enter that rest..."
Jesus spoke of this rest in Matthew 11:28-30. "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest". He's not talking about resting from our physical labor, but resting from the burdens of living in this world and using our inadequate physical resources to meet our own needs. We are to come to Jesus. We are to look to Him to meet our needs, whether they be emotional needs, healing needs, financial needs, relational needs, it doesn't matter what the need is. Philippians 4:19 says: But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. I don't know if this is significant, but the word need in that verse is not plural. A need is a need is a need. And we need God. He tells us to put our trust in Him alone and not in the ways of this world. And then just rest. I really like the sound of that, don't you?
So today in chapter 32, we learn that Jacob FINALLY breaks free of his uncle Laban and is heading back to his homeland with all his family, possessions and herds of animals. Remember, when he went there he was all by himself, but that awesome blessing was upon him and he is now returning to his homeland, 25 years later, as a very wealthy man with a huge family.
But, he does so cautiously because he perceives there might be a problem lying ahead for him. It's been over 25 years since Jacob's been home! He thinks back to the last time he saw his twin brother Esau and his reasons for leaving home in the first place. Remember back in chapter 25 when Esau came in from a long day of hunting and was famished? He asked Jacob if he could have some of the stew Jacob had cooked up. Jacob told his twin brother he would give it to him under one condition only...that Esau would trade his birthright for it. Esau must have been starving hungry, because he took him up on the trade. He got his belly filled and gave no more thought to losing his birthright. Until chapter 27, that is.
Just to recap a bit, Isaac was getting up in years and perceived that he might be dying soon and feels it's the proper time to give his blessing to his firstborn, Esau.
He tells his son Esau to bring him some fresh cooked game, he would eat it and then pronounce the blessing of the firstborn on him. Rebekah, Jacob and Esau's mother overhears this conversation and devises a scheme for Jacob to receive the blessing instead of Esau. You can read the story in chapter 27, but needless to say, when Esau comes back after following his fathers command, and finds that Jacob had received the blessing that he was just about to get...he was distraught to say the least! So now here's Esau, who has not only lost his birthright to Jacob over a bowl of stew, but now their father has been deceived into giving the blessing to Jacob as well! It says in vs 41 that Esau hated his brother Jacob and was planning to kill him when the time was right.
Rebekah overhears Esau's plan to kill Jacob and advises Jacob to flee to Haran to her brother, Laban. Which, as we know, he did for 25 years.
So, with all that in his memory bank, Jacob sends his servants on ahead of him, to find Esau and inform him of Jacob's coming back. He's attempting to prepare the way for his big arrival, softening the blow, so to speak.
The servants do as Jacob commands them and they come back with the news....Esau is coming to meet his twin brother and he's coming with 400 of his men!
Jacob starts shaking in his boots at the thought of what this might mean! This can't be good he thinks, he's probably coming to make good on his plans to kill me, even if it has been 25 years!
Now he's very afraid and in 32:9 Jacob cries out to God to deliver him from the hand of his brother Esau. Jacob reminds God of the promise that is on him as a descendant of Abraham. He has to live, or how else will the promise come to pass?
The prayer to God shows Jacob's dependence on God, but just to make sure, Jacob decides to send gifts, lots of them, on ahead via his servants, to try and soften the blow. You know, to help God out, just in case.
Isn't that just how we are? We cry out to God to deliver us when we are in a tight spot and then we try and help Him with the deliverance plan.
Here's my take on this story. I think Esau was indeed still harboring hate towards Jacob and thinking, 'finally...he's back'. Jacob's fear of his brother wasn't just imagined. But he prayed. And so do we. And then we go about devising our own plans to help Him out instead of resting in the finished work of Christ.
I believe that God answered Jacob's prayer right when he prayed it, and turned the heart of Esau with favor towards his brother. Jacob didn't deserve it, and neither do we. That's called Grace. I do not believe it was necessary for Jacob to send all those 500 or so gifts of his flocks up ahead to appease Esau. Seriously, do you think gifts would change the heart of hate that Esau had toward his brother? Only God could accomplish the turning of a heart, which we know He did as we read on in this story.
Esau embraced his brother Jacob, they wept together. And Esau didn't even want the gifts. It really was what you might call a "half-trust" on Jacob's part in believing God's faithfulness to deliver him. 'I believe He will hear my prayer...but just in case....I will do something to make sure, just in case God's plan isn't enough. One of the names of God is El Shaddai, which means "More Than Enough".
Why is it that it's hard to believe God will deliver us when we are in the tight spots of life? Regardless of whether we put ourselves in the spot or if it's just the result of living in a fallen world, God is a deliverer of His children. He hears and answers us when we pray. But how can we be sure? Because the Word of God tells us so, and God's Word is TRUTH.
Do we believe it's truth or don't we? At what point does our Christianity rubber meet the road? Something to meditate on, at least for me it is.
Chapter 34 tells us that Jacob is now safely back in his homeland, in his brothers good graces, and he settles in the city of Shechem. But trouble isn't far from his door, as his daughter, Dinah ventures out to meet some new friends and is taken "captive" by the Prince of Shechem. He likes what he sees! He puts the cart before the horse and decides to try out her merchandise first, and then asks for her hand in marriage from her father and her brothers. That's putting it nicely.
The people of Shechem think it would be a great idea if they all became friends and relatives, starting with the marriage of Dinah and the Prince. They want to become one big happy family, if you will. Not so fast. Dinah's brothers are steamin' mad about this violation of their sister and to make a long story short (you can read the long story for yourself) they devise a plan to deceive the people of Shechem into thinking all is well...let's all be friends and family is great, but before this can happen you'all have to be circumcised as we, Jacob's people are.
The people of Shechem decide that's a fair enough trade and they go along with the plan. But a few day's later when they are healing up from their circumcisions and still very sore, Jacob's sons Levi and Siemon, attack the people of the city of Shechem, kill all the men, plunder the city and retrieve their sister Dinah from the Prince's palace. They feel pretty darn good about their valiant efforts to defend their sister, and besides that, look at all the new "stuff" they have now.
They do all this without Jacob's knowledge or consent. In fact, now Jacob is steamin' made at what his son's have done. In their anger they have taken things into their own hands. I see a pattern developing here: Jacob started out as a deceiver and now so are his sons. Jacob takes things into his own hands and now so do his son's. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, does it? I haven't read the next chapters yet, that's for tomorrow, but I'll bet there will be a few consequences because of their taking matters into their own hands and not consulting the will of God about it. We shall see. To be continued....
So, the lesson I have learned from today's reading is about trusting God when we pray for Him to deliver us from our problems. What if I just waited upon the Lord to deliver me instead of trying to fix things in my own strength? I'm a fixer by nature, I think most women are. But when I go ahead of God and try to fix things without knowing I've heard from Him, I rob myself of seeing the full deliverance of the Lord in my life. I get the credit for my own deliverance in a situation instead of Him. And my way of delivering myself will always be incomplete and 2nd best. His way will always be better, always more. After all, He's El Shaddai. But sometimes it's so hard to wait and to rest in His faithfulness when you just want to just be delivered, NOW! One of my favorite songs is called "Painting Pictures of Egypt" by Sara Groves. My favorite line in the song is the chorus: "If it comes to quick, I may not recognize it. If it comes to quick, I may not appreciate it. Is that the reason for all this time and sand?"
Right now I'd like to share a wonderful New Testament verse with you to wrap up this day's blog: Hebrews 4:10-11 - for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore STRIVE to enter that rest..."
Jesus spoke of this rest in Matthew 11:28-30. "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest". He's not talking about resting from our physical labor, but resting from the burdens of living in this world and using our inadequate physical resources to meet our own needs. We are to come to Jesus. We are to look to Him to meet our needs, whether they be emotional needs, healing needs, financial needs, relational needs, it doesn't matter what the need is. Philippians 4:19 says: But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. I don't know if this is significant, but the word need in that verse is not plural. A need is a need is a need. And we need God. He tells us to put our trust in Him alone and not in the ways of this world. And then just rest. I really like the sound of that, don't you?
Friday, January 22, 2010
So Much to Say...So Little Time!
My day's off used to be filled with laundry, house cleaning, grocery shopping, cooking and the like. Now, they are filled with a computer screen and a key board(plus all of the above) and usually in my pajamas. But, with that said, it is amazing to me how much I can accomplish in the hour before Peter comes home. (Did I really just say that???!!!)
I just finished reading through Genesis chapter 31. No way can I possibly talk or remember my thoughts about 31 chapters today. Fortunately, I had a little help from technology the last few days.
I found an old hand held digital recorder in my junk drawer that I bought several years ago. I haven't got a clue as to why I bought it, but I think it's going to come in handy as I read through the Bible. Who knows, maybe I purchased it "for such a time as this". I know God brought it to my remembrance, as it has been years since I've seen it, much less thought about it. And my junk drawer is a scary place that I try and avoid at all costs. Until yesterday, that is. No more writing down what I'm thinking on a yellow pad....now I just speak into this little device and I can easily bring to my remembrance the thoughts that can flee from my mind faster than the time it takes to eat Thanksgiving dinner. (Forgive me, but it's been a while since I mentioned food).
So, with that said, let me hit the play button and see what I had to say...urrr, I mean think...
I started my recordings in Chapter 12....The call of God on Abraham's life. A key scripture was 12:2 "And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing."
We've probably all heard of the "blessing of Abraham". The key words for me in the above scripture are the one's I highlighted, 'so that you will be a blessing'. As I read on, chapter after chapter, all the way to the end of Abraham's life....he and his children were definitely blessed and were a blessing to everyone they spent time with. As a personal application to me, the Bible clearly says over and over and over that I AM BLESSED! In Genesis 12:3 it says that in Abraham, all the families of the earth shall be blessed, and it says in Galatians 3:9, "so all that put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith." (NLT) Since that includes me, I can infer from reading about Abraham's blessing that I too am blessed to be a blessing! In a practical and relevant way, when I go to work for someone, their business will be blessed. That may sound arrogant..but it's not, because it is God that is doing the blessing. Even if they don't deserve it. But that's a whole 'nother story...
In chapter 13 we read about Abram (this is before God changed his name to Abraham, lest you be confused) and his nephew Lot (who Abram invited on his journey). Because of the blessing that was on Abraham, Lot was also blessed. (People just get blessed hangin' out with believers, even when they're just goin' along for the ride!)
They both became wealthy and had lot's of animals that needed adequate pasture. Abram saw the need to separate the family and flocks so no dissension would occur within the family, so he offered for Lot to look to the left and to the right at the whole land, and gave him the first choice as to where he wanted to live. Pretty generous of Abram, don't you think? Personally, I don't usually make big decisions in my life by putting someone else first. (Just being honest here folks) It seems like wisdom to me that Abram would decide where HE wanted to live first and give the rest of the land to Lot. I mean after all, this was Abram's blessing. But Abram's wisdom was in knowing that God's blessing was on him, no matter what decisions he made. So we read that Lot made the best decision he could with his physical eyes perusing the land, and he chose the most lush and well watered land for his part. He chose the land that we know as Sodom and Gomorrah. I won't take time to go into how that choice worked out for him, but you can read it for yourself in chapters 13 and 14.
So, my point is, that regardless of the choice Abram made, he was still going to be blessed. I'm probably going to lose a few of you right here, or possibly offend someone's theology, but I've just got to make a New Covenant comment about right now....
When a person accepts Christ as their Lord and Savior, the blessing of God is upon them, regardless of the works they do or don't do for Him. (It's called GRACE which defined is the unmerited, undeserved and unearned favor of God. It is the unconditional love of God at its best, and it is a gift from God to man, in Christ!) This blessing is so huge that it will take eternity to mine the depths of it.
Human nature has a hard time receiving things by Grace. We like the feeling of having "earned it". And we tend to bless or judge others by that same measure. When they do good, we like to acknowledge it. When they do bad we like to acknowledge that too. Ephesians 2:8 says: "For it is by grace you are saved (made whole) through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast." Nowhere does the New Testament say that we are saved by our good works. It says we are saved unto good works but not saved by them! (Ephesians 2:10) Yes, we are saved to do good works, but we are not saved by our good works, and this knowledge makes all the difference in the world! I'm not going to elaborate on this subject right now, because I know I will have lot's of upcoming opportunities to talk about what Grace is. And I know today's blog is already too long. (Jimmy, if you're reading this...sorry, I know you are a busy man!)
Ok, back to my digital recorder.
Oh my, I need to wrap this up, but how could I not include the record of Abram and Sarai taking matters into their own hands regarding that big promise God had made to them. That through them would come a multitude of nations. But there was a slight problem in the physical realm because Sarai was barren. She couldn't conceive and now she was really old, way past child bearing years. It wasn't that they didn't believe the promise from God, they absolutely did (and because they believed it, God counted it unto Abraham as righteousness...but that's a whole 'nother blog for sure!) It's just that they were anxious about the timing of things.
After all, they weren't getting any younger (how many times have I thought that about my own self and the promises of God!) So they took matters into their own hands and decided God must have meant for Abram to have a child through Sarai's maid servant, Hagar. Kind of like what we would call today, a surrogate birth. (You know, you go through nine months of pregnancy for me, go through hard labor and deliver the baby for me, and then go far, far away, and we'll all just pretend that the baby is really mine. That's the MIV translation, otherwise known as "Marsha's Incomplete Version") That's exactly what happened, but it wasn't God's idea, or His best for them. Praise God that His promise still came to pass (God is so patient with us, isn't he?) just the way God said it would. But now, Abraham (finally, his name is changed) has two sons, and will have to contend with the repercussions of that man-made decision. One son came by the works of the flesh, and one son came by the promise of God.
The point I really want to make here is this: Are we really so different than Abraham and Sarah? We are blessed. God's Word says we are. We want God's will to come to pass in our lives and we want the blessing of God. But we get in a hurry to bring it to pass. We know that when we get ahead of God and do things in our own strength it usually comes with consequences we have to deal with. "Our Ishmaels" I call them. But here's the thing about our amazing Heavenly Father: When you love Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and have faith in His promises, (that what He says in His Word He is able and willing to perform on your behalf) He will work all things together for our good!(Romans 8:28) That means even the bad stuff brought on by the devil and the stuff we bring on ourselves as a result of our taking matters into our own hands. We may bring consequences on ourselves as a result of our own bad decisions, but He still loves us and does not take our blessings away. Ever. Just think about that for a while.
So, why is it so hard to wait upon the Lord at times? Any thoughts on that my friends? I for one have brought much "angst" into my life by not seeking God's will through His Word and through prayer and then waiting to hear His voice. I believe that God is always speaking.....but the background noise of life drowns out His voice most of the time. In Psalm 46:10 He says: "Be still and know that I am God" Why is it so hard to be still?
I'm only up to chapter 18 and I haven't even talked about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot and his two daughters (talk about x-rated, see chapter 19: vs. 30-38)
In fact, I think I've gotta "call it a blog" for today. But it's hard, cause I'm leaving so much out here!....
I had so many thoughts about Abraham and when he lied not once, but twice, saying that Sarah was his sister because he feared men would see how beautiful she was and kill him for her...
and about Sarah commanding that her maid servant Hagar and her son Ishmael be sent away to the wilderness and left to die out there, but how God "saw her" and blessed her...
how God tells Abraham to sacrifice Isaac on the alter and how Abraham obeys God, believing in his heart of hearts that God would not allow Isaac to be harmed...
how Isaac grows up and gets his own supernatural "e-harmony" experience in finding the perfect wife...
how they have twin boys and all the drama with that....
Oh, my, the Word of God is so alive and so rich and so full! Why don't they make movies out of this? (Mel Gibson, are you reading this?)
I could go on and on and on, (oh, I guess I did, sorry) somebody stop me!
Maybe my next blog can stick to "The Plan" and cover only chapters 32-34. Lord, let it be so. I may be losing my followers...if I haven't by now, they are devoted, for sure.
Goodnight my friends, whoever and wherever you are. :o)
I just finished reading through Genesis chapter 31. No way can I possibly talk or remember my thoughts about 31 chapters today. Fortunately, I had a little help from technology the last few days.
I found an old hand held digital recorder in my junk drawer that I bought several years ago. I haven't got a clue as to why I bought it, but I think it's going to come in handy as I read through the Bible. Who knows, maybe I purchased it "for such a time as this". I know God brought it to my remembrance, as it has been years since I've seen it, much less thought about it. And my junk drawer is a scary place that I try and avoid at all costs. Until yesterday, that is. No more writing down what I'm thinking on a yellow pad....now I just speak into this little device and I can easily bring to my remembrance the thoughts that can flee from my mind faster than the time it takes to eat Thanksgiving dinner. (Forgive me, but it's been a while since I mentioned food).
So, with that said, let me hit the play button and see what I had to say...urrr, I mean think...
I started my recordings in Chapter 12....The call of God on Abraham's life. A key scripture was 12:2 "And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing."
We've probably all heard of the "blessing of Abraham". The key words for me in the above scripture are the one's I highlighted, 'so that you will be a blessing'. As I read on, chapter after chapter, all the way to the end of Abraham's life....he and his children were definitely blessed and were a blessing to everyone they spent time with. As a personal application to me, the Bible clearly says over and over and over that I AM BLESSED! In Genesis 12:3 it says that in Abraham, all the families of the earth shall be blessed, and it says in Galatians 3:9, "so all that put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith." (NLT) Since that includes me, I can infer from reading about Abraham's blessing that I too am blessed to be a blessing! In a practical and relevant way, when I go to work for someone, their business will be blessed. That may sound arrogant..but it's not, because it is God that is doing the blessing. Even if they don't deserve it. But that's a whole 'nother story...
In chapter 13 we read about Abram (this is before God changed his name to Abraham, lest you be confused) and his nephew Lot (who Abram invited on his journey). Because of the blessing that was on Abraham, Lot was also blessed. (People just get blessed hangin' out with believers, even when they're just goin' along for the ride!)
They both became wealthy and had lot's of animals that needed adequate pasture. Abram saw the need to separate the family and flocks so no dissension would occur within the family, so he offered for Lot to look to the left and to the right at the whole land, and gave him the first choice as to where he wanted to live. Pretty generous of Abram, don't you think? Personally, I don't usually make big decisions in my life by putting someone else first. (Just being honest here folks) It seems like wisdom to me that Abram would decide where HE wanted to live first and give the rest of the land to Lot. I mean after all, this was Abram's blessing. But Abram's wisdom was in knowing that God's blessing was on him, no matter what decisions he made. So we read that Lot made the best decision he could with his physical eyes perusing the land, and he chose the most lush and well watered land for his part. He chose the land that we know as Sodom and Gomorrah. I won't take time to go into how that choice worked out for him, but you can read it for yourself in chapters 13 and 14.
So, my point is, that regardless of the choice Abram made, he was still going to be blessed. I'm probably going to lose a few of you right here, or possibly offend someone's theology, but I've just got to make a New Covenant comment about right now....
When a person accepts Christ as their Lord and Savior, the blessing of God is upon them, regardless of the works they do or don't do for Him. (It's called GRACE which defined is the unmerited, undeserved and unearned favor of God. It is the unconditional love of God at its best, and it is a gift from God to man, in Christ!) This blessing is so huge that it will take eternity to mine the depths of it.
Human nature has a hard time receiving things by Grace. We like the feeling of having "earned it". And we tend to bless or judge others by that same measure. When they do good, we like to acknowledge it. When they do bad we like to acknowledge that too. Ephesians 2:8 says: "For it is by grace you are saved (made whole) through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast." Nowhere does the New Testament say that we are saved by our good works. It says we are saved unto good works but not saved by them! (Ephesians 2:10) Yes, we are saved to do good works, but we are not saved by our good works, and this knowledge makes all the difference in the world! I'm not going to elaborate on this subject right now, because I know I will have lot's of upcoming opportunities to talk about what Grace is. And I know today's blog is already too long. (Jimmy, if you're reading this...sorry, I know you are a busy man!)
Ok, back to my digital recorder.
Oh my, I need to wrap this up, but how could I not include the record of Abram and Sarai taking matters into their own hands regarding that big promise God had made to them. That through them would come a multitude of nations. But there was a slight problem in the physical realm because Sarai was barren. She couldn't conceive and now she was really old, way past child bearing years. It wasn't that they didn't believe the promise from God, they absolutely did (and because they believed it, God counted it unto Abraham as righteousness...but that's a whole 'nother blog for sure!) It's just that they were anxious about the timing of things.
After all, they weren't getting any younger (how many times have I thought that about my own self and the promises of God!) So they took matters into their own hands and decided God must have meant for Abram to have a child through Sarai's maid servant, Hagar. Kind of like what we would call today, a surrogate birth. (You know, you go through nine months of pregnancy for me, go through hard labor and deliver the baby for me, and then go far, far away, and we'll all just pretend that the baby is really mine. That's the MIV translation, otherwise known as "Marsha's Incomplete Version") That's exactly what happened, but it wasn't God's idea, or His best for them. Praise God that His promise still came to pass (God is so patient with us, isn't he?) just the way God said it would. But now, Abraham (finally, his name is changed) has two sons, and will have to contend with the repercussions of that man-made decision. One son came by the works of the flesh, and one son came by the promise of God.
The point I really want to make here is this: Are we really so different than Abraham and Sarah? We are blessed. God's Word says we are. We want God's will to come to pass in our lives and we want the blessing of God. But we get in a hurry to bring it to pass. We know that when we get ahead of God and do things in our own strength it usually comes with consequences we have to deal with. "Our Ishmaels" I call them. But here's the thing about our amazing Heavenly Father: When you love Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and have faith in His promises, (that what He says in His Word He is able and willing to perform on your behalf) He will work all things together for our good!(Romans 8:28) That means even the bad stuff brought on by the devil and the stuff we bring on ourselves as a result of our taking matters into our own hands. We may bring consequences on ourselves as a result of our own bad decisions, but He still loves us and does not take our blessings away. Ever. Just think about that for a while.
So, why is it so hard to wait upon the Lord at times? Any thoughts on that my friends? I for one have brought much "angst" into my life by not seeking God's will through His Word and through prayer and then waiting to hear His voice. I believe that God is always speaking.....but the background noise of life drowns out His voice most of the time. In Psalm 46:10 He says: "Be still and know that I am God" Why is it so hard to be still?
I'm only up to chapter 18 and I haven't even talked about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot and his two daughters (talk about x-rated, see chapter 19: vs. 30-38)
In fact, I think I've gotta "call it a blog" for today. But it's hard, cause I'm leaving so much out here!....
I had so many thoughts about Abraham and when he lied not once, but twice, saying that Sarah was his sister because he feared men would see how beautiful she was and kill him for her...
and about Sarah commanding that her maid servant Hagar and her son Ishmael be sent away to the wilderness and left to die out there, but how God "saw her" and blessed her...
how God tells Abraham to sacrifice Isaac on the alter and how Abraham obeys God, believing in his heart of hearts that God would not allow Isaac to be harmed...
how Isaac grows up and gets his own supernatural "e-harmony" experience in finding the perfect wife...
how they have twin boys and all the drama with that....
Oh, my, the Word of God is so alive and so rich and so full! Why don't they make movies out of this? (Mel Gibson, are you reading this?)
I could go on and on and on, (oh, I guess I did, sorry) somebody stop me!
Maybe my next blog can stick to "The Plan" and cover only chapters 32-34. Lord, let it be so. I may be losing my followers...if I haven't by now, they are devoted, for sure.
Goodnight my friends, whoever and wherever you are. :o)
Thursday, January 21, 2010
A Scripture From my Reading Today
Genesis 16:13
So she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, "You are a God of seeing, for she said, "truly here I have seen him who looks after me."
So she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, "You are a God of seeing, for she said, "truly here I have seen him who looks after me."
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
My Conversation with God
I got up early this morning. Really early. I was awake, so I thought I would come downstairs and catch up on my Bible reading. I had let a few days of reading and writing slip away so easily, that I hardly gave it any thought. After all, just three days ago I was completely caught up. I was on track with "the plan". But it appears that "The Plan" has taken on a life of its own. I remember the intense feeling of accomplishment that swept over me as I did my final edit and proudly hit "submit" for Sunday, January 17th's blog. I made a quick phone call to one of my two devoted followers: "Have you read my blog today? Don't miss it, it's really a good one!"
"OK, Mom, I'll read it" :o)
Enter Wednesday, January 20th. I had a rude awakening when I started reading this morning. I discovered I was 13 chapters behind according to the plan. What??? How in the world did that happen?!!!! My head started spinning in confusion. Let me think back...what exactly has gone on in the last few days that allowed this to happen? Ok, focus Marsha, this is really important. Let's see, there was the big caregiver meeting yesterday, and billing to get out, and payroll to put in, and my husband's birthday, and a dinner party to plan, and groceries to buy, and recipes to cook, and a big house to clean. And knitting. I had to finish that dishcloth because I only have 17 of them in my kitchen drawer and I need more! (And, besides that, I can't forget that I am on an important quest to find the perfect yarn that will absorb the most water and become the ultimate American dishcloth. If I conquer this, I could start a business selling genuine hand-made American dishcloths. After all, I've got to pay for Bible College next year, somehow, don't I??? God could be showing me the way, even if it does take 3 hours to make a single dishcloth) but I digress. At least I had some reasons to help explain how I got so off track!
As I flipped through the pages of Genesis chapters 12 through 25 I glanced down at the chapter headings to get an overview of all the events that have taken place during my short reading sabbatical. Oh dear, did a hundred years really go by in the last three days? Come on, on Sunday all I knew about a man named Abram is that he was born to a man named Terah. And now, by the time I'm suppose to be caught up with the plan again, he's lived out his entire life, had two very significant children by two different women, that will grow up to affect the entire world for every generation to come, and in chapter 25 he's already dead.
Discouragement sets in. Ok, time to recalculate. How can I fix this? I know, I will skim through the last few days of reading, because I know the story anyway. I've read it before. I could be all caught up and back on track with the plan in an hour or less if I really focus.
Then the Lord speaks to my heart. "Why are you doing this?" "Ummm, what do you mean Lord?" "Maybe you should spend some time thinking about why you are doing this." "I thought I already knew why I am doing this." "Maybe you should REALLY think about why you are doing this."
Ok. I thought back to day one when I made the original goal statement. I wanted to be able to look back on December 31, 2010 and say that I had read the entire Bible, cover to cover, from Genesis to Revelation. "So, that's why you're doing this?" "Well, yes, that's one of the reasons, but that's probably not the reason your looking for, is it." "No." I spent some more time thinking about His question to me. "Ok, now I know Lord, it's because you put it on my heart to do it." "You're right, I did put it on your heart." "And I want to be obedient because you told me it would change my life. Right Lord?" "It's a good answer, but why do you think I told you it would change your life?" After some more meditation on that next question, I came to realize that my "Bible blogging" will have many facets to it.
1. It is true that I can look back and say "I did it". And that's pretty cool.
2. It does gives me an opportunity to exercise my love of writing. And that's motivating and fun.
3. It may speak to someone who reads it, after all, I do have followers.
4. It helps me to remember what I've read. And that's important.
It didn't take much longer to come to an understanding of what the Lord was asking me. He led me to read the Scripture I had put on the home page of my blog, right next to my picture. Ephesians 3:19. "and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." "Remember, you said that was your prayer".
The Lord asked me if I really wanted that verse to be fulfilled in my life. Did I really want to know Him? The word know that He was referring to is the Greek word "ginosko" which means to experience God. The truth is anyone can read the Bible and get knowledge about God. But what God wants for me, and for all of His children, is to ginosko Him. This is the experiential knowledge that surpasses knowledge. I just read that verse again asked myself the question, what would I become if I was filled with all the fullness of God? "Now, that's a great question!" "Thanks!" "No more blogging today, ok?" "But Lord, I haven't written anything about Abraham, Sarah, Isaac or any of the amazing things they did yet." "You don't have to, I already did. Chapters 12 thru 25." "Just spend some quality time reading My Word today and when your reading, look for my heart and look for my Son, Jesus. He's there you know". "That's so awesome Lord, but what if after I finish reading today I have something I want to say to my followers? They're counting on me to say something, it's been a few days already." "Just be obedient and you'll have more than enough to share tomorrow. You'll be filled to overflowing." "I like the sound of that Lord." "I thought you would." "And Marsha, I really liked our conversation today. This is fun, talking back and forth like this, isn't it. "It really is Lord, I could do this all day."
"Now I'm getting somewhere..."
"OK, Mom, I'll read it" :o)
Enter Wednesday, January 20th. I had a rude awakening when I started reading this morning. I discovered I was 13 chapters behind according to the plan. What??? How in the world did that happen?!!!! My head started spinning in confusion. Let me think back...what exactly has gone on in the last few days that allowed this to happen? Ok, focus Marsha, this is really important. Let's see, there was the big caregiver meeting yesterday, and billing to get out, and payroll to put in, and my husband's birthday, and a dinner party to plan, and groceries to buy, and recipes to cook, and a big house to clean. And knitting. I had to finish that dishcloth because I only have 17 of them in my kitchen drawer and I need more! (And, besides that, I can't forget that I am on an important quest to find the perfect yarn that will absorb the most water and become the ultimate American dishcloth. If I conquer this, I could start a business selling genuine hand-made American dishcloths. After all, I've got to pay for Bible College next year, somehow, don't I??? God could be showing me the way, even if it does take 3 hours to make a single dishcloth) but I digress. At least I had some reasons to help explain how I got so off track!
As I flipped through the pages of Genesis chapters 12 through 25 I glanced down at the chapter headings to get an overview of all the events that have taken place during my short reading sabbatical. Oh dear, did a hundred years really go by in the last three days? Come on, on Sunday all I knew about a man named Abram is that he was born to a man named Terah. And now, by the time I'm suppose to be caught up with the plan again, he's lived out his entire life, had two very significant children by two different women, that will grow up to affect the entire world for every generation to come, and in chapter 25 he's already dead.
Discouragement sets in. Ok, time to recalculate. How can I fix this? I know, I will skim through the last few days of reading, because I know the story anyway. I've read it before. I could be all caught up and back on track with the plan in an hour or less if I really focus.
Then the Lord speaks to my heart. "Why are you doing this?" "Ummm, what do you mean Lord?" "Maybe you should spend some time thinking about why you are doing this." "I thought I already knew why I am doing this." "Maybe you should REALLY think about why you are doing this."
Ok. I thought back to day one when I made the original goal statement. I wanted to be able to look back on December 31, 2010 and say that I had read the entire Bible, cover to cover, from Genesis to Revelation. "So, that's why you're doing this?" "Well, yes, that's one of the reasons, but that's probably not the reason your looking for, is it." "No." I spent some more time thinking about His question to me. "Ok, now I know Lord, it's because you put it on my heart to do it." "You're right, I did put it on your heart." "And I want to be obedient because you told me it would change my life. Right Lord?" "It's a good answer, but why do you think I told you it would change your life?" After some more meditation on that next question, I came to realize that my "Bible blogging" will have many facets to it.
1. It is true that I can look back and say "I did it". And that's pretty cool.
2. It does gives me an opportunity to exercise my love of writing. And that's motivating and fun.
3. It may speak to someone who reads it, after all, I do have followers.
4. It helps me to remember what I've read. And that's important.
It didn't take much longer to come to an understanding of what the Lord was asking me. He led me to read the Scripture I had put on the home page of my blog, right next to my picture. Ephesians 3:19. "and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." "Remember, you said that was your prayer".
The Lord asked me if I really wanted that verse to be fulfilled in my life. Did I really want to know Him? The word know that He was referring to is the Greek word "ginosko" which means to experience God. The truth is anyone can read the Bible and get knowledge about God. But what God wants for me, and for all of His children, is to ginosko Him. This is the experiential knowledge that surpasses knowledge. I just read that verse again asked myself the question, what would I become if I was filled with all the fullness of God? "Now, that's a great question!" "Thanks!" "No more blogging today, ok?" "But Lord, I haven't written anything about Abraham, Sarah, Isaac or any of the amazing things they did yet." "You don't have to, I already did. Chapters 12 thru 25." "Just spend some quality time reading My Word today and when your reading, look for my heart and look for my Son, Jesus. He's there you know". "That's so awesome Lord, but what if after I finish reading today I have something I want to say to my followers? They're counting on me to say something, it's been a few days already." "Just be obedient and you'll have more than enough to share tomorrow. You'll be filled to overflowing." "I like the sound of that Lord." "I thought you would." "And Marsha, I really liked our conversation today. This is fun, talking back and forth like this, isn't it. "It really is Lord, I could do this all day."
"Now I'm getting somewhere..."
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Chapter 42
As I read the last chapter of Job, I did so humbled. I will not attempt to summarize the book of Job, as that is not my desire for this blog, but I can share with you what God spoke to me personally.
There is a verse in the New Testament, 2 Timothy 3:16 that says that all scripture is God breathed and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness. Another verse in 1 Cor. 10:11 tells us that the scriptures in the Old Testament were written down for our instruction. They are not written to us in a doctrinal sense of the word, but we can learn much from them. I have found this to be very true for me in reading the 42 chapters of the book of Job.
I am very thankful that this book came so soon in my new year's reading, which, if you have been following along with me from chapter 1, is a far cry from my initial thoughts and comments. (To say the least!)
There are two verses that stood out boldly to me as I concluded this book. Vs. 3b states: Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Most of the book of Job consists of speeches given about God by men who sincerely thought they knew Him. (Sincerety is never a guarantee for truth).
It made me realize something about the importance and responsibility we have when we "speak for God". I'm not talking about prophecy, I'm talking about speaking to others about our "opinions" of God. When we utter things about God that we do not have a correct understanding of, we are entering very dangerous territory. I know from personal experience that a wrong understanding of God, usually through the hearing of preaching, the reading of books or wrongly dividing the Word of God (2 Tim. 2:15) can have disasterous consequences in life.
A wrong understanding of the true nature of God can turn a person away from God, as I believe is the case for so many people in this world. And if it doesn't turn you away, it can cause you to serve God out of fear and not out of love for his mercy, goodness and grace to you. (Wasn't that the whole point that Satan was trying to make to God in the beginning verses of this book, that Job was serving God out of fear and not out love for who God is?) Romans 2:4 clearly says that it is the goodness of God that leads a man to repentance! Oh, that we would get this truth into our heart before we open our mouths to utter things about God!
In vs 7 and again in vs 8, God reapeats the exact same line. "My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has."
God has strong words to say about not speaking what is right about Him. Like I said, I am very thankful that the reading of this book came so early on for me. I have an entire years reading and "blogging" ahead of me. I have a responsibility (as do all Christians) to rightly divide the Word of God, for myself and for anyone who may read this blog. (Is any one reading this blog?) That humbles me.
Because the Holy Spirit is so personal and unique to each of us, this day's blog sums up for me what God wanted me to learn through my reading and my meditating on what I read. As you read this book, He will speak to you the truth you need to know. Remember the verse I mentioned earlier, "all scripture is God breathed and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness." I think an excellent prayer to pray before you read the word is "Lord, as I read your Word right now, show me the truths you want me to know that will set me free this day." (John 8:32: and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free)
Well, in my chronological reading plan, I now travel back to the book of Genesis, chapter 12. I do so with eager anticipation of what God will have to say to me personally, and I will ask for that as I read. My heart has been changed in the last 17 days of January, 2010. Imagine that.
If I had a favorite verse from Job it would have to be Job 23:12b: I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my portion of food.
Until we meet again....thank's for your company on my journey to the center of God's heart!
As I read the last chapter of Job, I did so humbled. I will not attempt to summarize the book of Job, as that is not my desire for this blog, but I can share with you what God spoke to me personally.
There is a verse in the New Testament, 2 Timothy 3:16 that says that all scripture is God breathed and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness. Another verse in 1 Cor. 10:11 tells us that the scriptures in the Old Testament were written down for our instruction. They are not written to us in a doctrinal sense of the word, but we can learn much from them. I have found this to be very true for me in reading the 42 chapters of the book of Job.
I am very thankful that this book came so soon in my new year's reading, which, if you have been following along with me from chapter 1, is a far cry from my initial thoughts and comments. (To say the least!)
There are two verses that stood out boldly to me as I concluded this book. Vs. 3b states: Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Most of the book of Job consists of speeches given about God by men who sincerely thought they knew Him. (Sincerety is never a guarantee for truth).
It made me realize something about the importance and responsibility we have when we "speak for God". I'm not talking about prophecy, I'm talking about speaking to others about our "opinions" of God. When we utter things about God that we do not have a correct understanding of, we are entering very dangerous territory. I know from personal experience that a wrong understanding of God, usually through the hearing of preaching, the reading of books or wrongly dividing the Word of God (2 Tim. 2:15) can have disasterous consequences in life.
A wrong understanding of the true nature of God can turn a person away from God, as I believe is the case for so many people in this world. And if it doesn't turn you away, it can cause you to serve God out of fear and not out of love for his mercy, goodness and grace to you. (Wasn't that the whole point that Satan was trying to make to God in the beginning verses of this book, that Job was serving God out of fear and not out love for who God is?) Romans 2:4 clearly says that it is the goodness of God that leads a man to repentance! Oh, that we would get this truth into our heart before we open our mouths to utter things about God!
In vs 7 and again in vs 8, God reapeats the exact same line. "My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has."
God has strong words to say about not speaking what is right about Him. Like I said, I am very thankful that the reading of this book came so early on for me. I have an entire years reading and "blogging" ahead of me. I have a responsibility (as do all Christians) to rightly divide the Word of God, for myself and for anyone who may read this blog. (Is any one reading this blog?) That humbles me.
Because the Holy Spirit is so personal and unique to each of us, this day's blog sums up for me what God wanted me to learn through my reading and my meditating on what I read. As you read this book, He will speak to you the truth you need to know. Remember the verse I mentioned earlier, "all scripture is God breathed and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness." I think an excellent prayer to pray before you read the word is "Lord, as I read your Word right now, show me the truths you want me to know that will set me free this day." (John 8:32: and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free)
Well, in my chronological reading plan, I now travel back to the book of Genesis, chapter 12. I do so with eager anticipation of what God will have to say to me personally, and I will ask for that as I read. My heart has been changed in the last 17 days of January, 2010. Imagine that.
If I had a favorite verse from Job it would have to be Job 23:12b: I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my portion of food.
Until we meet again....thank's for your company on my journey to the center of God's heart!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
God Speaks, Job Listens and so do I.
Job, Chapters 38 through 40, NLV (New Living Translation)
Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:
"Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.
Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. Who determined its dimensions and stretched out the surveying line?
What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?
Who kept the sea inside its boundaries as it burst from the womb, and as I clothed it with clouds and wrapped it in thick darkness? For I locked it behind barred gates, limiting its shores. I said, "This far and no farther will you come. Here your proud waves must stop!
Have you ever commanded the morning to appear and caused the dawn to rise in the East? Have you made daylight spread to the ends of the earth, to bring an end to the night's wickedness? As the light approaches, the earth takes shape like clay pressed beneath a seal; it is robed in brilliant colors. The light disturbs the wicked and stops the arm that is raised in violence.
Have you explored the springs from which the seas come? Have you explored their depths? Do you know where the gates of death are located? Have you seen the gates of utter gloom? Do you realize the extent of the earth? Tell me about it if you know!
Where does light come from, and where does darkness go? Can you take each to its home? Do you know how to get there? But of course you know all this! For you were born before it was all created, and you are so very experienced!
Have you visited the storehouses of hail? (I have reserved them as weapons for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war.) Where is the path to the source of light? Where is the home of the east wind?
Who created a channel for the torrents of rain? Who laid out the path for the lightning? Who makes the rain fall on barren land, in a desert where no one lives? Who sends rain to satisfy the parched ground and makes the tender grass spring up?
Does the rain have a father? Who gives birth to the dew? Who is the mother of the ice? Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens? For the water turns to ice as hard as rock, and the surface of the water freezes.
Can you direct the movement of the stars--binding the cluster of the Pleiades or loosening the cords of Orion? Can you direct the sequence of the seasons or guide the Bear with her cubs across the heavens? Do you know the laws of the universe? Can you use them to regulate the earth?
Can you shout to the clouds and make it rain? Can you make lightning appear and cause it to strike as you direct? Who gives intuition to the heart and instinct to the mind? Who is wise enough to count all the clouds? Who can tilt the water jars of heaven when the parched ground is dry and the soil has hardened into clods?
Can you stalk prey for a lioness and satisfy the young lions' appetites as they lie in their dens or crouch in the thicket? Who provides food for the ravens when their young cry out to God and wander about in hunger?
Chapter 39
Do you know when the wild goats give birth? Have you watched as deer are born in the wild? Do you know how many months they carry their young? Are you aware of the time of their delivery? They crouch down to give birth to their young and deliver their offspring. Their young grow up in the open fields, then leave home and never return.
Who gives the wild donkey its freedom? Who untied its ropes? I have placed it in the wilderness; its home is the wasteland. It hates the noise of the city and has no driver to shout at it. The mountains are its pastureland, where it searches for every blade of grass.
Will the wild ox consent to being tamed? Will it spend the night in your stall? Can you hitch a wild ox to a plow? Will it plow a field for you? Given its strength, can you trust it? Can you leave and trust the ox to do your work? Can you rely on it to bring home your grain and deliver it to your threshing floor?
The ostrich flaps her wings grandly, but they are no match for the feathers of the stork. She lays her eggs on top of the earth, letting them be warmed in the dust. She doesn't worry that a foot might crush them or a wild animal might destroy them.
She is harsh toward her young, as if they were not her own. She doesn't care if they die. For God has deprived her of wisdom. He has given her no understanding. But whenever she jumps up to run, she passes the swiftest horse with its rider.
Have you given the horse its strength or clothed its neck with a flowing mane? Did you give it the ability to leap like a locust? Its majestic snorting is terrifying! It paws the earth and rejoices in its strength when it charges out to battle. It laughs at fear and is unafraid. It does not run from the sword. The arrows rattle against it, and the spear and javelin flash. It paws the ground fiercely and rushes forward into battle when the ram's horn blows. It snorts at the sound of the horn. It senses the battle in the distance. It quivers at the captain's commands and the noise of battle.
Is it your wisdom that makes the hawk soar and spread its wings toward the south? Is it at your command that the eagle rises to the heights to make its nest? It lives on the cliffs, making its home on a distant, rocky crag. From there it hunts its prey, keeping watch with piercing eyes. Its young gulp down blood. Where there's a carcass, there you'll find it.
Chapter 40
Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God's critic, but do you have the answers?"
Then Job replied to the Lord,
"I am nothing--how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say."
Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:
"Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.
Will you discredit my justice and condemn me just to prove you are right? Are you as strong as God? Can you thunder with a voice like his? All right, put on your glory and splendor, your honor and majesty. Give vent to your anger. Let it overflow against the proud. Humiliate the proud with a glance; walk on the wicked where they stand. Bury them in the dust. Imprison them in the world of the dead. Then even I would praise you, for your own strength would save you.
Take a look at Behemoth, which I made, just as I made you. It eats grass like an ox. See its powerful loins and the muscles of its belly. Its tail is as strong as a cedar. The sinews of its thighs are knit tightly together. Its bones are tubes of bronze. Its limbs are bars of iron. It is a prime example of God's handiwork, and only its Creator can threaten it. The mountains offer it their best food, where all the wild animals play. It lies under the lotus plants, hidden by the reeds in the marsh. The lotus plants give it shade among the willows beside the stream. It is not disturbed by the raging river, not concerned when the swelling Jordan rushes around it. No one can catch it off guard or put a ring in its nose and lead it away.
Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:
"Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.
Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. Who determined its dimensions and stretched out the surveying line?
What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?
Who kept the sea inside its boundaries as it burst from the womb, and as I clothed it with clouds and wrapped it in thick darkness? For I locked it behind barred gates, limiting its shores. I said, "This far and no farther will you come. Here your proud waves must stop!
Have you ever commanded the morning to appear and caused the dawn to rise in the East? Have you made daylight spread to the ends of the earth, to bring an end to the night's wickedness? As the light approaches, the earth takes shape like clay pressed beneath a seal; it is robed in brilliant colors. The light disturbs the wicked and stops the arm that is raised in violence.
Have you explored the springs from which the seas come? Have you explored their depths? Do you know where the gates of death are located? Have you seen the gates of utter gloom? Do you realize the extent of the earth? Tell me about it if you know!
Where does light come from, and where does darkness go? Can you take each to its home? Do you know how to get there? But of course you know all this! For you were born before it was all created, and you are so very experienced!
Have you visited the storehouses of hail? (I have reserved them as weapons for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war.) Where is the path to the source of light? Where is the home of the east wind?
Who created a channel for the torrents of rain? Who laid out the path for the lightning? Who makes the rain fall on barren land, in a desert where no one lives? Who sends rain to satisfy the parched ground and makes the tender grass spring up?
Does the rain have a father? Who gives birth to the dew? Who is the mother of the ice? Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens? For the water turns to ice as hard as rock, and the surface of the water freezes.
Can you direct the movement of the stars--binding the cluster of the Pleiades or loosening the cords of Orion? Can you direct the sequence of the seasons or guide the Bear with her cubs across the heavens? Do you know the laws of the universe? Can you use them to regulate the earth?
Can you shout to the clouds and make it rain? Can you make lightning appear and cause it to strike as you direct? Who gives intuition to the heart and instinct to the mind? Who is wise enough to count all the clouds? Who can tilt the water jars of heaven when the parched ground is dry and the soil has hardened into clods?
Can you stalk prey for a lioness and satisfy the young lions' appetites as they lie in their dens or crouch in the thicket? Who provides food for the ravens when their young cry out to God and wander about in hunger?
Chapter 39
Do you know when the wild goats give birth? Have you watched as deer are born in the wild? Do you know how many months they carry their young? Are you aware of the time of their delivery? They crouch down to give birth to their young and deliver their offspring. Their young grow up in the open fields, then leave home and never return.
Who gives the wild donkey its freedom? Who untied its ropes? I have placed it in the wilderness; its home is the wasteland. It hates the noise of the city and has no driver to shout at it. The mountains are its pastureland, where it searches for every blade of grass.
Will the wild ox consent to being tamed? Will it spend the night in your stall? Can you hitch a wild ox to a plow? Will it plow a field for you? Given its strength, can you trust it? Can you leave and trust the ox to do your work? Can you rely on it to bring home your grain and deliver it to your threshing floor?
The ostrich flaps her wings grandly, but they are no match for the feathers of the stork. She lays her eggs on top of the earth, letting them be warmed in the dust. She doesn't worry that a foot might crush them or a wild animal might destroy them.
She is harsh toward her young, as if they were not her own. She doesn't care if they die. For God has deprived her of wisdom. He has given her no understanding. But whenever she jumps up to run, she passes the swiftest horse with its rider.
Have you given the horse its strength or clothed its neck with a flowing mane? Did you give it the ability to leap like a locust? Its majestic snorting is terrifying! It paws the earth and rejoices in its strength when it charges out to battle. It laughs at fear and is unafraid. It does not run from the sword. The arrows rattle against it, and the spear and javelin flash. It paws the ground fiercely and rushes forward into battle when the ram's horn blows. It snorts at the sound of the horn. It senses the battle in the distance. It quivers at the captain's commands and the noise of battle.
Is it your wisdom that makes the hawk soar and spread its wings toward the south? Is it at your command that the eagle rises to the heights to make its nest? It lives on the cliffs, making its home on a distant, rocky crag. From there it hunts its prey, keeping watch with piercing eyes. Its young gulp down blood. Where there's a carcass, there you'll find it.
Chapter 40
Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God's critic, but do you have the answers?"
Then Job replied to the Lord,
"I am nothing--how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say."
Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:
"Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.
Will you discredit my justice and condemn me just to prove you are right? Are you as strong as God? Can you thunder with a voice like his? All right, put on your glory and splendor, your honor and majesty. Give vent to your anger. Let it overflow against the proud. Humiliate the proud with a glance; walk on the wicked where they stand. Bury them in the dust. Imprison them in the world of the dead. Then even I would praise you, for your own strength would save you.
Take a look at Behemoth, which I made, just as I made you. It eats grass like an ox. See its powerful loins and the muscles of its belly. Its tail is as strong as a cedar. The sinews of its thighs are knit tightly together. Its bones are tubes of bronze. Its limbs are bars of iron. It is a prime example of God's handiwork, and only its Creator can threaten it. The mountains offer it their best food, where all the wild animals play. It lies under the lotus plants, hidden by the reeds in the marsh. The lotus plants give it shade among the willows beside the stream. It is not disturbed by the raging river, not concerned when the swelling Jordan rushes around it. No one can catch it off guard or put a ring in its nose and lead it away.
I took the time to type out the chapters today, because I just figured, if God is speaking, how could anything I say be more interesting or informative? When you read these chapters, does it humble you? Do you get a sense of the greatness of who God really is? I do.
I didn't write out the words to chapter 41 for a couple of reasons. The entire chapter is about a creature called Leviathan. I guess Bible scholars have disputed over what Leviathan is. Some speculate it is a sea monster. You can read it for yourself in your bible, but in keeping with the rest of the chapters, it continues to make the reader aware of the power and greatness of God. To say the least.
I can't believe that tomorrow concludes my reading in the book of Job. Thinking back on chapter one, it seemed like an eternity would pass before I was through it.
I'm so glad I pressed through, like Julie and her ASPICS...(catch that Edie?) Through her discipline, Julie learned how to make meat jello. Through mine, I was humbled by the words of our awesome Creator, Jehovah God.
Tomorrow, Job is restored, and then some. I just love a happy ending, don't you?
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
My Top Ten List
Chapter 32 through 37
Chapter 32:1: Job's three friends refused to reply further to him because he kept insisting on his innocence.
They couldn't change his mind, but oh how they tried. They gave it their best shot's. You can't say that Job wasn't open to their opinions, he was. He let them have their say and he listened, but there are some things that Job knew, that he knew, that he knew. In writing that last sentence, I got to thinking about the spiritual truths that I know, that I know, that I know. What are the absolutes in my system of beliefs? What things aren't open to debate or interpretation? If tested like Job was tested, what beliefs would still be standing? Glad "you" asked. As I thought about my absolutes I came to realize that some of them were things I did not always believe. You might say that I absolutely did not believe them at one time. I find that observation interesting and wonderful. Interesting because I think of an absolute as being something that is unchangeable. Wonderful because when your absolute happens to be error, God gives you an opportunity to repent (change your thinking) about what you believe, which in turn changes your actions that resulted from that wrong belief. And, in some cases could even go so far as to changing your eternal destiny. I can't tell you how I thank God for revealing truth to me when I was steeped in error without really knowing it at the time. Well, now that I've brought that up, allow me, if you will to share my Top Ten absolutes with you: (The scripture references I refer to are by no means all-inclusive on these subjects, they are just a few that came to my mind)
1. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life. No man (or woman) comes to the Father but by Him. (John 14:6) Their is no other way.
2. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We cannot "earn" our way to heaven, it is a gift from God. (Ephesians 2:8)
3. God's love for me is independent of any thing I do for Him. Nothing I can do will make God love me more and nothing I can do will make God love me less. (Romans 5:8)
4. Jesus Christ is God. (John 1:1 and many, many other scriptures) this was a biggie for me, as I did not always believe this. When I got a revelation of this it changed everything!
5. God wants me well and wants me to prosper in my life here on earth. (3 John 1:2)
6. As a Christian, I have been given authority over evil, over the devil's schemes in my life. (Luke 10:19, Mark 16:17, James 4:7)
7. I have become the righteousness of God in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
8. It is impossible to please God without faith. (Hebrews 11:6)
9. What we think and what we say are powerful forces in our life. (Proverbs 23:7) and (Proverbs 18:21 & Matthew 12:37)
10. The Bible is God breathed and is the final authority for man. (2 Timothy 3:15-17, Mark 13:31, Revelation 22:18-19)
Chapter 32:1: Job's three friends refused to reply further to him because he kept insisting on his innocence.
They couldn't change his mind, but oh how they tried. They gave it their best shot's. You can't say that Job wasn't open to their opinions, he was. He let them have their say and he listened, but there are some things that Job knew, that he knew, that he knew. In writing that last sentence, I got to thinking about the spiritual truths that I know, that I know, that I know. What are the absolutes in my system of beliefs? What things aren't open to debate or interpretation? If tested like Job was tested, what beliefs would still be standing? Glad "you" asked. As I thought about my absolutes I came to realize that some of them were things I did not always believe. You might say that I absolutely did not believe them at one time. I find that observation interesting and wonderful. Interesting because I think of an absolute as being something that is unchangeable. Wonderful because when your absolute happens to be error, God gives you an opportunity to repent (change your thinking) about what you believe, which in turn changes your actions that resulted from that wrong belief. And, in some cases could even go so far as to changing your eternal destiny. I can't tell you how I thank God for revealing truth to me when I was steeped in error without really knowing it at the time. Well, now that I've brought that up, allow me, if you will to share my Top Ten absolutes with you: (The scripture references I refer to are by no means all-inclusive on these subjects, they are just a few that came to my mind)
1. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life. No man (or woman) comes to the Father but by Him. (John 14:6) Their is no other way.
2. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We cannot "earn" our way to heaven, it is a gift from God. (Ephesians 2:8)
3. God's love for me is independent of any thing I do for Him. Nothing I can do will make God love me more and nothing I can do will make God love me less. (Romans 5:8)
4. Jesus Christ is God. (John 1:1 and many, many other scriptures) this was a biggie for me, as I did not always believe this. When I got a revelation of this it changed everything!
5. God wants me well and wants me to prosper in my life here on earth. (3 John 1:2)
6. As a Christian, I have been given authority over evil, over the devil's schemes in my life. (Luke 10:19, Mark 16:17, James 4:7)
7. I have become the righteousness of God in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
8. It is impossible to please God without faith. (Hebrews 11:6)
9. What we think and what we say are powerful forces in our life. (Proverbs 23:7) and (Proverbs 18:21 & Matthew 12:37)
10. The Bible is God breathed and is the final authority for man. (2 Timothy 3:15-17, Mark 13:31, Revelation 22:18-19)
Well, there you have it, at least some of it anyway...I love knowing that my absolutes are now based on the written Word of God, infallible and unchangeable, as they are no longer based on a religious doctrine, what I was raised to believe or my own private interpretation of the scriptures. Unmovable, unshakable truth. Solid ground. The Rock, who is Christ Jesus, The Lord!
I challenge you to come up with your own list of spiritual absolutes and and share it with someone. (You could start with me!) The Bible says we should always be ready to give an answer to someone who may ask what we believe and why we believe it. Your absolute list is a great place to start!
When I began this blogging journey 13 days ago I saw it more as my commentary or as my "take" on the scriptures I am reading. It's a bit of that I guess, but even more so it is becoming a "springboard" for me to see what is in my heart. When God inspired me to begin this He told me it would be life changing. The process has already started, for His word is living and active and able to discern the thoughts and intents of my heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
The hard part about that "springboard" thing is that I never really talked about the subject of the chapters I read the last few days. But actually, I'm kinda glad about that, it's more of the same, but chapter 32 introduces someone new. His name is Elihu. He's a younger man that has been listening in the background, chomping at the bit to set everyone straight as to what's really going on in Job's life. One thing for sure, he's very opinionated for such a young man. (I've heard that opinions are like noses, everyone has one and they always have a couple of holes in them. :o) I digress. He definitely has a high opinion of his opinion as noted in chapter 36:vs 2-4: "Bear with me a little, and I will show you, for I have yet something to say on God's behalf. I will get my knowledge from afar and ascribe righteousness to my Maker, for truly my words are not false, one who is perfect in knowledge is with you." Wow, now that's what I call some self esteem. Chapters 32-37 are all of Elihu's speeches to Job (and his friends, if they are still hangin' around.) I find it interesting that once Elihu starts to speak, Job never gets a word in edgewise. Or maybe he just didn't have anything more to say. He's heard enough from those who think they are authorities on his sin and his righteousness. But Job is about to hear from the one who really does know a thing or two about sin and righteousness. He's about to hear from the God he has loved and served all his life. Yes-sir-ee, things are about to change for Job, in a big way you might say. How 'bout let's you and I meet back at this same place tomorrow and we'll see what the Almighty has to say about all this bloviating that's been going on. Trust me, you won't want to miss this!
Monday, January 11, 2010
Why?
Job, Chapters 24 through 28
Job is asking the question "Why doesn't God bring the wicked to judgement?" He goes on to elaborate as to the ways of evil people on this earth and the rest of the chapter he talks about their fateful end. Vs. 20 stuck out for me: Their own mothers will forget them. Maggots will find them sweet to eat. No one will remember them. Very descriptive, to say the least, don't you agree? From those verses we see that Job indeed does believe judgement will come to evil people, but just not right now.
I could totally go off on a tangent here, and I think I will. At least a short one...
It seems to me that we aren't so different than Job, are we? Don't we see and hear of evil people everywhere who openly reject the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, who blaspheme the Holy Spirit, persecute believers, etc., seemingly "get away" with their evil deeds on this earth? Have you not asked the question yourself, why do un-believers prosper? Why does it seem like they get all the breaks and I don't? Same question, different millennium.
Many times I hear of Christian preachers shouting "this is God's judgement" in response to catastrophes like Tsunamis, or acts of terrorism like 9/11, and the likes. According to the Word of God, judgement right now cannot be possible. Under the new covenant ushered in by Christ's death and resurrection, God's wrath was satisfied through the sacrifice of Christ. Hebrews 10:12-13 and 15-17 says: But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until His enemies should be made a footstool for His feet. Vs. 15-17:
And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, "this is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts and write them on their minds," then he adds, "I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more." This may come as a shock to some of you reading this, but not only are we as Christians not being judged for our individual sins, neither are unbelievers going to be judged for their individual sins, now or at the great judgement seat of Christ. Jesus Christ has paid the price for not only our sins, but the sins of the whole world! 1 John 2:2 says: "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." Did you catch that? Not just for our (Christians) sins, but for the sins of the whole world (unbelievers). Now you may be asking the question, if He's already paid for the sins of unbelievers, then what in the world sends a person to hell??? That's an excellent question, and one I asked myself. Here's the answer in a nutshell: There is only one sin that will send a person to hell, and that is the sin of rejecting the sacrifice of Jesus Christ's life on the cross and trying to come to God on any other terms. (Like works of the flesh such as, "but I'm a good person, I've never hurt anyone purposely, I give to the poor, I've kept all the Ten Commandments the best I could" kind of thing) Trying to stand before a Holy God any other way than that which He has ordained for us to come is not acceptable in His sight. Only God Himself knew the price that needed to be paid for man's sin, that would reconcile man back to God. Coming to God any other way is what the Bible refers to in the gospels as the unforgivable sin. Rejecting Christ's sacrifice. All of man's sins are forgiven, once and for all, when we ask Christ to be our Lord and Savior. Now that's GOOD NEWS! When I came to a knowledge of this truth it made so many parts of the Word of God come together for me. I feel it necessary to put a disclaimer in this blog about right now. **Please know that I don't have a perfect understanding of everything I am sharing, and I certainly don't have all the answers. Some of my questions that I have had for years have been answered in the last few years and some are still waiting, but when a truth bears witness in my spirit, I feel compelled to share it, not only through this blog, but in every day life with the people I meet. As I am working my way through the Bible, when God brings a truth to my mind I will share it. I welcome your thoughts and comments about anything I share here. I know that some of the things I am communicating in this blog may be different than what you have personally believed or may have been taught growing up. If you have questions, know that God wants to answer those questions more than you want to ask them. From my experience, the answers come as we search the scriptures. Line upon line, precept upon precept. I love the verse in Proverbs 25:2
"It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out." Also, 1 Tim. 2:4 says it is God's will that all men come to a knowledge of the truth. I guess I've said a mouthful...now, what book am I studying? Oh yeah, Job...
Chapter 25
Some truth emerges from the mouth of Bildad about the greatness of God, but then he goes and compares people to maggots and worms in comparison to God. I'm not so sure I like being compared to a maggot. I discovered a nest of maggots once when I was a kid and because I am a kind and fairly cultured person, I will spare you the gory details of my find. God said after He created mankind that it was VERY GOOD! You know, I'm having a hard time warming up to Bildad. It looked like he was starting to redeem himself with the good words about God's greatness and all, and then he has to go and do the maggot comparison. (Just on a side note, do you think that maggots came on the arc two by two?) Just a random, I should already be in bed, useless thought.
Chapter 26
I love Job's response to Bildad in vs. 3 & 4...his sarcastic sense of humor that he has still retained: (from the NLT) How you have enlightened my stupidity! What wise advice you have offered! Where have you gotten all these wise sayings? Whose spirit speaks through you? Sick 'em Job.
Chapter 27
Highlights: Vs. 6 "I will maintain my innocence without wavering. My conscience is clear for as long as I live." This man's mind is made up. Talk about standing on the Word, He would have loved our covenant!
And you're gonna love this one from vs. 16 & 17: "Evil people may have piles of money and may store away mounds of clothing. But the righteous will wear that clothing, and the innocent will divide that money."
Chapter 28
Vs. 23: "God alone understands the way to wisdom; he knows where it can be found. Vs. 28: The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding."
Now I'm on to chapters 29,30 & 31 which will catch me up to date on blogging. I'm not having a problem staying up with my daily reading, it's all this bloviating that takes so much time. (Did I say that about me?!)
In chapter 29, Job recalls all the years he lived like a king of sorts, blessed beyond belief, the richest man in the East and remembers how he was revered by all that knew him. It doesn't really come across to me as arrogant statements about himself, he's just reflecting back to what once was...but now, not so much...
Chapter 30 he continues on about his sorrowful state of being. The NLT says in vs. 1: "But now I am mocked by people younger than I, by young men whose fathers are not worthy to run with my sheepdogs."
Vs. 18 Job is once again attributing all of this horror his life has become to God.
"With a strong hand, God grabs my shirt. He grips me by the collar of my coat. He has thrown me into the mud. I'm nothing more than dust and ashes. I cry to you, O God, but you don't answer. I stand before you, but you don't even look. You have become cruel toward me, You use your power to persecute me."
If I was starting a new day's blog with Chapter 30, I would have entitled it: "A Very Wrong Impression of God". Like I said a few days ago, Job knew nothing of who Satan was, nor did anyone else in the Old Testament. I just heard a teaching today that said Satan is only mentioned 3 times in the OT, and 2 of those times are in the book of Job at the beginning when Satan comes before God to accuse Job. Job was not privy to that conversation. There are more references about Satan in just a single chapter of the New Testament than in the entire Old Testament! Clearly we see that Jesus Christ came to reveal the true nature of God and the true nature of the enemy! (Just think, by the time I finish day 365 of this blog, I might know some of these facts first hand, and won't have to say "I heard a teaching"!)
Chapter 31 is Job's final protest of his innocence to his "friends". He speaks of all the things he has done right and all the things he hasn't done wrong. He's really making his final case. (Just a side note here, completely unrelated, but Job reminds me of how an innocent person really acts. I've always said that if I were accused of something I didn't do and they were going to throw me in jail, I would go kicking and screaming all the way.) Coming up in chapter 32 we will be introduced to a newcomer named Elihu. Who he was and where he came from, I haven't got a clue.
My friend Edie pointed out to me that God did not include Elihu in the rebuking of Job's friends for adding to Job's suffering. But I'm getting ahead of myself, that's for tomorrow. And I've said quite a lot today.
Job is asking the question "Why doesn't God bring the wicked to judgement?" He goes on to elaborate as to the ways of evil people on this earth and the rest of the chapter he talks about their fateful end. Vs. 20 stuck out for me: Their own mothers will forget them. Maggots will find them sweet to eat. No one will remember them. Very descriptive, to say the least, don't you agree? From those verses we see that Job indeed does believe judgement will come to evil people, but just not right now.
I could totally go off on a tangent here, and I think I will. At least a short one...
It seems to me that we aren't so different than Job, are we? Don't we see and hear of evil people everywhere who openly reject the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, who blaspheme the Holy Spirit, persecute believers, etc., seemingly "get away" with their evil deeds on this earth? Have you not asked the question yourself, why do un-believers prosper? Why does it seem like they get all the breaks and I don't? Same question, different millennium.
Many times I hear of Christian preachers shouting "this is God's judgement" in response to catastrophes like Tsunamis, or acts of terrorism like 9/11, and the likes. According to the Word of God, judgement right now cannot be possible. Under the new covenant ushered in by Christ's death and resurrection, God's wrath was satisfied through the sacrifice of Christ. Hebrews 10:12-13 and 15-17 says: But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until His enemies should be made a footstool for His feet. Vs. 15-17:
And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, "this is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts and write them on their minds," then he adds, "I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more." This may come as a shock to some of you reading this, but not only are we as Christians not being judged for our individual sins, neither are unbelievers going to be judged for their individual sins, now or at the great judgement seat of Christ. Jesus Christ has paid the price for not only our sins, but the sins of the whole world! 1 John 2:2 says: "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." Did you catch that? Not just for our (Christians) sins, but for the sins of the whole world (unbelievers). Now you may be asking the question, if He's already paid for the sins of unbelievers, then what in the world sends a person to hell??? That's an excellent question, and one I asked myself. Here's the answer in a nutshell: There is only one sin that will send a person to hell, and that is the sin of rejecting the sacrifice of Jesus Christ's life on the cross and trying to come to God on any other terms. (Like works of the flesh such as, "but I'm a good person, I've never hurt anyone purposely, I give to the poor, I've kept all the Ten Commandments the best I could" kind of thing) Trying to stand before a Holy God any other way than that which He has ordained for us to come is not acceptable in His sight. Only God Himself knew the price that needed to be paid for man's sin, that would reconcile man back to God. Coming to God any other way is what the Bible refers to in the gospels as the unforgivable sin. Rejecting Christ's sacrifice. All of man's sins are forgiven, once and for all, when we ask Christ to be our Lord and Savior. Now that's GOOD NEWS! When I came to a knowledge of this truth it made so many parts of the Word of God come together for me. I feel it necessary to put a disclaimer in this blog about right now. **Please know that I don't have a perfect understanding of everything I am sharing, and I certainly don't have all the answers. Some of my questions that I have had for years have been answered in the last few years and some are still waiting, but when a truth bears witness in my spirit, I feel compelled to share it, not only through this blog, but in every day life with the people I meet. As I am working my way through the Bible, when God brings a truth to my mind I will share it. I welcome your thoughts and comments about anything I share here. I know that some of the things I am communicating in this blog may be different than what you have personally believed or may have been taught growing up. If you have questions, know that God wants to answer those questions more than you want to ask them. From my experience, the answers come as we search the scriptures. Line upon line, precept upon precept. I love the verse in Proverbs 25:2
"It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out." Also, 1 Tim. 2:4 says it is God's will that all men come to a knowledge of the truth. I guess I've said a mouthful...now, what book am I studying? Oh yeah, Job...
Chapter 25
Some truth emerges from the mouth of Bildad about the greatness of God, but then he goes and compares people to maggots and worms in comparison to God. I'm not so sure I like being compared to a maggot. I discovered a nest of maggots once when I was a kid and because I am a kind and fairly cultured person, I will spare you the gory details of my find. God said after He created mankind that it was VERY GOOD! You know, I'm having a hard time warming up to Bildad. It looked like he was starting to redeem himself with the good words about God's greatness and all, and then he has to go and do the maggot comparison. (Just on a side note, do you think that maggots came on the arc two by two?) Just a random, I should already be in bed, useless thought.
Chapter 26
I love Job's response to Bildad in vs. 3 & 4...his sarcastic sense of humor that he has still retained: (from the NLT) How you have enlightened my stupidity! What wise advice you have offered! Where have you gotten all these wise sayings? Whose spirit speaks through you? Sick 'em Job.
Chapter 27
Highlights: Vs. 6 "I will maintain my innocence without wavering. My conscience is clear for as long as I live." This man's mind is made up. Talk about standing on the Word, He would have loved our covenant!
And you're gonna love this one from vs. 16 & 17: "Evil people may have piles of money and may store away mounds of clothing. But the righteous will wear that clothing, and the innocent will divide that money."
Chapter 28
Vs. 23: "God alone understands the way to wisdom; he knows where it can be found. Vs. 28: The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding."
Now I'm on to chapters 29,30 & 31 which will catch me up to date on blogging. I'm not having a problem staying up with my daily reading, it's all this bloviating that takes so much time. (Did I say that about me?!)
In chapter 29, Job recalls all the years he lived like a king of sorts, blessed beyond belief, the richest man in the East and remembers how he was revered by all that knew him. It doesn't really come across to me as arrogant statements about himself, he's just reflecting back to what once was...but now, not so much...
Chapter 30 he continues on about his sorrowful state of being. The NLT says in vs. 1: "But now I am mocked by people younger than I, by young men whose fathers are not worthy to run with my sheepdogs."
Vs. 18 Job is once again attributing all of this horror his life has become to God.
"With a strong hand, God grabs my shirt. He grips me by the collar of my coat. He has thrown me into the mud. I'm nothing more than dust and ashes. I cry to you, O God, but you don't answer. I stand before you, but you don't even look. You have become cruel toward me, You use your power to persecute me."
If I was starting a new day's blog with Chapter 30, I would have entitled it: "A Very Wrong Impression of God". Like I said a few days ago, Job knew nothing of who Satan was, nor did anyone else in the Old Testament. I just heard a teaching today that said Satan is only mentioned 3 times in the OT, and 2 of those times are in the book of Job at the beginning when Satan comes before God to accuse Job. Job was not privy to that conversation. There are more references about Satan in just a single chapter of the New Testament than in the entire Old Testament! Clearly we see that Jesus Christ came to reveal the true nature of God and the true nature of the enemy! (Just think, by the time I finish day 365 of this blog, I might know some of these facts first hand, and won't have to say "I heard a teaching"!)
Chapter 31 is Job's final protest of his innocence to his "friends". He speaks of all the things he has done right and all the things he hasn't done wrong. He's really making his final case. (Just a side note here, completely unrelated, but Job reminds me of how an innocent person really acts. I've always said that if I were accused of something I didn't do and they were going to throw me in jail, I would go kicking and screaming all the way.) Coming up in chapter 32 we will be introduced to a newcomer named Elihu. Who he was and where he came from, I haven't got a clue.
My friend Edie pointed out to me that God did not include Elihu in the rebuking of Job's friends for adding to Job's suffering. But I'm getting ahead of myself, that's for tomorrow. And I've said quite a lot today.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
The Patience of Job
The last 2 days I have read Job17-23. I didn't comment yesterday because I really just wanted to say "ditto" again.
I have always heard the phrase "They have the patience of Job". I Googled that phrase and it said that came out of Job's patience to endure the pain and suffering that was given to him. After reading the first 23 chapters of this book, I don't think that was it at all. I think his patience was shown in the enduring of his miserable comforter friends. I'm wondering why he didn't just send them back where they came from after their first speech....they're what Bill O'Rielly calls bloviators. It's a good thing I wasn't around to expound my great wisdom to Job, or we probably wouldn't have the book.
To be honest, I'm kinda having a hard time motivating myself to get through this book. I'm not rushin' down the stairs each morning to get at it, if you know what I mean. Seriously, I think if I didn't know that chapters 38-41 (where God talks to Job out of the whirlwind) were coming up (which is way cool) and if I didn't know how this book ends....I'd be back in Genesis faster than a high altitude cake can sink in the middle when you take it out of the oven. (That's the only food related analogy I could think of...and it's been a while since I made any kind of reference to my inspiration to do this blog...Julie)
With all that said, I did love reading chapter 19 vs. 25 "For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth". And Chapter 23, vs 12b made the last two days worth it: "I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my portion of food." I think that verse would be a good sub-title for my blog, Recipe for Change.
Tomorrow is another day, and I will try to have a better attitude about the book of Job. It reminds me of the part in the movie where Julie is lamenting to her husband of having to do the "aspects" of the cookbook. I'm not sure exactly what the "aspects" are referring to, but she didn't want to do them and he tells her to just not do them, who was going to come after her, the aspect police? None of her blog readers would ever know she didn't do them....but she would know. I could tell you I finished the book of Job even if I really hadn't, but then that would be lying, which is something I am not inclined to do. Can you even imagine what will happen when I get to the book of Deuteronomy? TTYL....
***Addendum to the above post****
A few days after this post I was wandering around Barnes and Noble bookstore when I spotted Julia Child's cookbook, "Mastering the Art of French Cooking". Just out of curiosity I looked in the table of contents to see if I could find any info about those darn "aspects"! I laughed myself silly right there in the store as I discovered "aspects" were actually Aspics...the art of making gelatin out of meat stock. Remember when Julie boiled up the calves leg? Yep. That was an Aspic.
Now I know. And now I know why she didn't want to do them. Can't say that I blame her.
To top this delightful learning experience off, my friend Edie emailed me after she read my posting about the "aspects" and informed me that she laughed herself silly as well. (She already knew what an Aspic was, and knowing her, she's probably boiled one of those calves legs up for dinner...she's the only person I personally know that actually has Julia Child's cookbook) it just goes to show you that real life is funnier than fiction. Growing up, my teachers always referred to me as the class clown....some things never change!
I have always heard the phrase "They have the patience of Job". I Googled that phrase and it said that came out of Job's patience to endure the pain and suffering that was given to him. After reading the first 23 chapters of this book, I don't think that was it at all. I think his patience was shown in the enduring of his miserable comforter friends. I'm wondering why he didn't just send them back where they came from after their first speech....they're what Bill O'Rielly calls bloviators. It's a good thing I wasn't around to expound my great wisdom to Job, or we probably wouldn't have the book.
To be honest, I'm kinda having a hard time motivating myself to get through this book. I'm not rushin' down the stairs each morning to get at it, if you know what I mean. Seriously, I think if I didn't know that chapters 38-41 (where God talks to Job out of the whirlwind) were coming up (which is way cool) and if I didn't know how this book ends....I'd be back in Genesis faster than a high altitude cake can sink in the middle when you take it out of the oven. (That's the only food related analogy I could think of...and it's been a while since I made any kind of reference to my inspiration to do this blog...Julie)
With all that said, I did love reading chapter 19 vs. 25 "For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth". And Chapter 23, vs 12b made the last two days worth it: "I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my portion of food." I think that verse would be a good sub-title for my blog, Recipe for Change.
Tomorrow is another day, and I will try to have a better attitude about the book of Job. It reminds me of the part in the movie where Julie is lamenting to her husband of having to do the "aspects" of the cookbook. I'm not sure exactly what the "aspects" are referring to, but she didn't want to do them and he tells her to just not do them, who was going to come after her, the aspect police? None of her blog readers would ever know she didn't do them....but she would know. I could tell you I finished the book of Job even if I really hadn't, but then that would be lying, which is something I am not inclined to do. Can you even imagine what will happen when I get to the book of Deuteronomy? TTYL....
***Addendum to the above post****
A few days after this post I was wandering around Barnes and Noble bookstore when I spotted Julia Child's cookbook, "Mastering the Art of French Cooking". Just out of curiosity I looked in the table of contents to see if I could find any info about those darn "aspects"! I laughed myself silly right there in the store as I discovered "aspects" were actually Aspics...the art of making gelatin out of meat stock. Remember when Julie boiled up the calves leg? Yep. That was an Aspic.
Now I know. And now I know why she didn't want to do them. Can't say that I blame her.
To top this delightful learning experience off, my friend Edie emailed me after she read my posting about the "aspects" and informed me that she laughed herself silly as well. (She already knew what an Aspic was, and knowing her, she's probably boiled one of those calves legs up for dinner...she's the only person I personally know that actually has Julia Child's cookbook) it just goes to show you that real life is funnier than fiction. Growing up, my teachers always referred to me as the class clown....some things never change!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Can I just say "ditto" on Chapters 14-16?
I just read Job, Chapters 14-16. I could pretty much just copy and paste what I said yesterday and call it a blog. There is a reason why the book of Job is in the Bible, it just isn't totally clear to me yet. Even in the midst of all his suffering, Job still believes he is righteous in God's sight. Job 1:1 confirms his belief was true in God's sight: There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. God Himself said of Job in vs 8: "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?" Clearly, Job had not done anything to deserve the heavy consequences in the chapters to come. (too bad Job's friends didn't have the benefit of reading the first chapter of Job) I'm guessing that the whole point of this book is to show that Job truly did serve God out of love and not because of all the blessings he had received from the hand of God. (But I still have 25 chapters to go, I guess I'm jumping the gun a bit on my conclusions.) That even if he lost everything he would still worship God for who He is. Which he did. Ahhh, couldn't we just end this book here? This man went to hell and back (on earth) in my opinion. Now Job clearly gives the impression in his speech to his "friends" that he attributes all this calamity to God. But we have the benefit of the New Testament to read, and we know better. In vs. 12 God tells Satan: "Behold, all that he has is in your hand..." (emphasis mine) Clearly we see that Satan is the one that brought the calamity on Job and just so there's no confusion as to who brought the calamity, Job 2:7 states: So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. How could Satan have the right to do this in the first place? Remember, a few chapters ago back in Genesis in the garden when man handed over the dominion and authority they had to Satan?....just to verify that fact in the New Testament, check out Luke 4:5 where Satan is trying to tempt Jesus: And the devil took him (Jesus) up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, "To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours." (emphasis mine) Can you give something to someone that you don't have? (I just can't go on without interjecting something here. Jesus Christ went to the cross to get this authority and dominion back for us, and He did!) Satan had authority over man (and still does for those who don't submit to the authority of Christ in their life by accepting Christ as Savior and Lord) but clearly, with some limitations. Some people think that the power Satan has is equal to the power of God. Not even close. Satan is no match for God. (1 John 4:4 - Greater is He that is in you than he who is in the world)
One thing I do love about Job, he is NOT budging on his righteousness before God. He's clear on that. But he does want to know why. Aren't we in some ways a lot like Job? I have never gone through anything comparable to Job, but there has been a time in my life that I asked God: Why? The answer is still not totally clear to me, but again like Job, I see God's hand of love and restoration on my life. Like I said, I know how this book ends.
TTYT....(that's my text talk for "talk to you tomorrow"...)
One thing I do love about Job, he is NOT budging on his righteousness before God. He's clear on that. But he does want to know why. Aren't we in some ways a lot like Job? I have never gone through anything comparable to Job, but there has been a time in my life that I asked God: Why? The answer is still not totally clear to me, but again like Job, I see God's hand of love and restoration on my life. Like I said, I know how this book ends.
TTYT....(that's my text talk for "talk to you tomorrow"...)
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
The Book of Job
Well, there's nothing quite like starting off the year reading the book of Job. (Remember that I am using a chronological reading plan...we'll be back in the book of Genesis a few weeks) As I begin to read the book of Job, I know why I tend to like "hanging out" in the church Epistles. But honestly, reading the book of Job is a perfect example of why a Christian needs to read and study the entire bible and not just read a book on its own, taking it out of the context of the entire Bible. This is my first and foremost rule when reading anything outside of the church epistles: You have to read everything through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. In fact, may I be so bold as to say, if you don't have an understanding of grace and what "it is finished" means to you, stay in the church epistles (especially Romans) until you do. I am not saying that we shouldn't read the Old Testament, there is much to learn in the Old Testament, you just have to read it in the light of the gospel of Christ. Otherwise confusion will set in and you will end up getting a very wrong opinion of the true nature of God. Serving God out of fear vs. serving God out of Love is what is at "steak" here! (I know how to spell stake..it's just that food theme that reoccurs every now and then) God does not deal with mankind in the same manner He did in the Old Testament, Christ changed everything!
Many people have said to me that they had read the book of Job when they were going through something really difficult in their life. Is that because misery loves company? I'm only in the beginning chapters, but I know how the book ends. Job gets everything back that he lost and he ends up with more than he began with. Granted, I haven't spent a lot of time in the book of Job, but it's obvious there is something much deeper here than meets the eye. Can you imagine someone seeking to know God, starting their search in the book of Job? So, with that in mind, as I am reading Job, here's what I keep in the forefront of my mind:
1. God is good, all the time. As I stated above, read everything through the filter of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Should I say that one more time? Ok. Read everything outside of the church epistles through the filter or in light of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. (I can't tell you how long it has taken for me to "undo" wrong teaching that caused me to get a wrong impression of God and totally HINDERED my walk of faith in a loving God).
2. In the book of Genesis, it clearly shows that mankind gave their authority and dominion over to Satan when they chose to listen and obey him, rather the creator and lover of their souls, God. Satan is clearly the author of evil, throughout the New Testament. So when you read a verse like Job 2:10 where Job says to his wife, "Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?" you know that something is lacking in Job's understanding. The new Testament says in James 1:13 let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted of God', for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone."
3. In the Old Testament, Satan had not yet been exposed or revealed. People pretty much attributed everything that happened in their life to God, good or bad. Jesus Christ came to not only expose the devil for who he really is, He came to show us the heart and true nature of God toward His creation. So much so that He gave His own life to redeem us. That's the criteria we need to use when we find ourselves wondering if He Loves us.
4. If it's good, it's from God. If it's bad it's from the devil. (That's a quote from a favorite Bible teacher of mine, Andrew Wommack. You can check out his teachings on his website: http://www.awmi.net/ )
I will continue to read the book of Job, but know that my heart is in the books of the New Covenant, primarily the Church Epistles.
Ok, just so you will believe that I actually have read the first 13 chapters of Job, here are some verses that stood out to me:
Chapter1:20 - After the news of losing his entire family: Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshipped. Hey, maybe I could just stop here and call it a book. That pretty much sums up Job's heart toward God, doesn't it? Never mind...I'll forge on.
Chapter 2:10 - After the news of losing his entire family and being smote with sores over his entire body: In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
Chapter 3:25 - After Job laments that he was ever born: for the thing that I fear comes upon me, and what I dread befalls me. Fear and dread does not mix well with faith. I know this from personal experience.
Chapter 4:17 - Job's friend Eliphaz says to him: Can mortal man be in the right before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker? To which I say: only through accepting the sacrifice of Jesus Christ - we have our redemption in Him, there is no other way.
Chapter 5:15 - Eliphaz still speaking to Job: But he saves the needy from the sword of their mouth. The bible, OT and NT has much to say about our mouth and the power of our words.
Chapter 6:14 - Job speaking to his "friends": "He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty. I just really liked that verse. I like being kind to people.
Chapter 7:17 - Job still speaking: What is man, that you make so much of him, and that you set your heart on him...I've often wondered that same thing and I'm sure glad I don't get what I deserve. I get what Christ deserves. Meditate on that.
Chapter 8:7 - Bildad speaking to Job: And though your beginning was small, your latter days will be very great. I like to prophesy this verse over our business. :o)
Chapter 9:2 - Job speaking: Truly I know that it is so: But how can a man be in the right before God? Read the book of Romans for the answer to this question.
Chapter 10:12 - Job speaking to God: You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit. He's got that part right, the next two verses, not so much.
Chapter 11:12 - Zophar is speaking, the subtitle in my Bible says: Zophar Speaks: You Deserve Worse....now that's a true friend (not). But a stupid man will get understanding when a wild donkey's colt is born a man! So, I guess what Zophar is really saying is he's not going to be getting understanding any time soon.
Chapter 12:1 - Job speaking again to his "friends": "No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you...apparently Job still has some fight left in him.
Chapter 13:5 - Job still speaking: Oh that you would keep silent, and it would be your wisdom. Good words to remember before giving someone advice and you don't know what you're talking about.
Well, there you have it. I'm caught up with my reading through Jan. 6th. I think I am going to listen to some commentaries on the book of Job. I just looked up at that last verse in 13:5 and hope that no one is thinking that about me and this blog.
Be blessed this day in the Lord! Thanks for reading and feel free to comment. Be kind.
Many people have said to me that they had read the book of Job when they were going through something really difficult in their life. Is that because misery loves company? I'm only in the beginning chapters, but I know how the book ends. Job gets everything back that he lost and he ends up with more than he began with. Granted, I haven't spent a lot of time in the book of Job, but it's obvious there is something much deeper here than meets the eye. Can you imagine someone seeking to know God, starting their search in the book of Job? So, with that in mind, as I am reading Job, here's what I keep in the forefront of my mind:
1. God is good, all the time. As I stated above, read everything through the filter of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Should I say that one more time? Ok. Read everything outside of the church epistles through the filter or in light of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. (I can't tell you how long it has taken for me to "undo" wrong teaching that caused me to get a wrong impression of God and totally HINDERED my walk of faith in a loving God).
2. In the book of Genesis, it clearly shows that mankind gave their authority and dominion over to Satan when they chose to listen and obey him, rather the creator and lover of their souls, God. Satan is clearly the author of evil, throughout the New Testament. So when you read a verse like Job 2:10 where Job says to his wife, "Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?" you know that something is lacking in Job's understanding. The new Testament says in James 1:13 let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted of God', for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone."
3. In the Old Testament, Satan had not yet been exposed or revealed. People pretty much attributed everything that happened in their life to God, good or bad. Jesus Christ came to not only expose the devil for who he really is, He came to show us the heart and true nature of God toward His creation. So much so that He gave His own life to redeem us. That's the criteria we need to use when we find ourselves wondering if He Loves us.
4. If it's good, it's from God. If it's bad it's from the devil. (That's a quote from a favorite Bible teacher of mine, Andrew Wommack. You can check out his teachings on his website: http://www.awmi.net/ )
I will continue to read the book of Job, but know that my heart is in the books of the New Covenant, primarily the Church Epistles.
Ok, just so you will believe that I actually have read the first 13 chapters of Job, here are some verses that stood out to me:
Chapter1:20 - After the news of losing his entire family: Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshipped. Hey, maybe I could just stop here and call it a book. That pretty much sums up Job's heart toward God, doesn't it? Never mind...I'll forge on.
Chapter 2:10 - After the news of losing his entire family and being smote with sores over his entire body: In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
Chapter 3:25 - After Job laments that he was ever born: for the thing that I fear comes upon me, and what I dread befalls me. Fear and dread does not mix well with faith. I know this from personal experience.
Chapter 4:17 - Job's friend Eliphaz says to him: Can mortal man be in the right before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker? To which I say: only through accepting the sacrifice of Jesus Christ - we have our redemption in Him, there is no other way.
Chapter 5:15 - Eliphaz still speaking to Job: But he saves the needy from the sword of their mouth. The bible, OT and NT has much to say about our mouth and the power of our words.
Chapter 6:14 - Job speaking to his "friends": "He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty. I just really liked that verse. I like being kind to people.
Chapter 7:17 - Job still speaking: What is man, that you make so much of him, and that you set your heart on him...I've often wondered that same thing and I'm sure glad I don't get what I deserve. I get what Christ deserves. Meditate on that.
Chapter 8:7 - Bildad speaking to Job: And though your beginning was small, your latter days will be very great. I like to prophesy this verse over our business. :o)
Chapter 9:2 - Job speaking: Truly I know that it is so: But how can a man be in the right before God? Read the book of Romans for the answer to this question.
Chapter 10:12 - Job speaking to God: You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit. He's got that part right, the next two verses, not so much.
Chapter 11:12 - Zophar is speaking, the subtitle in my Bible says: Zophar Speaks: You Deserve Worse....now that's a true friend (not). But a stupid man will get understanding when a wild donkey's colt is born a man! So, I guess what Zophar is really saying is he's not going to be getting understanding any time soon.
Chapter 12:1 - Job speaking again to his "friends": "No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you...apparently Job still has some fight left in him.
Chapter 13:5 - Job still speaking: Oh that you would keep silent, and it would be your wisdom. Good words to remember before giving someone advice and you don't know what you're talking about.
Well, there you have it. I'm caught up with my reading through Jan. 6th. I think I am going to listen to some commentaries on the book of Job. I just looked up at that last verse in 13:5 and hope that no one is thinking that about me and this blog.
Be blessed this day in the Lord! Thanks for reading and feel free to comment. Be kind.
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