January 16th readings

~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Genesis 32:13-34:31 ~ Matthew 11:7-30
Psalm 14:1-7 ~ Proverbs 3:19-20

Old Testament - Chapter 32 closes out with Jacob wrestling with God?  Or an angel? Or God in the form of an angel?  Or Christ preincarnate? Or Michael the archangel?  Biblical commentaries offer a few different views on just who Jacob was wrestling with.  Clearly, God ordained whomever was wrestling with Jacob and I do think it could have been God himself in an angelic form.   It was obviously not God himself in all of his glory - because he would have whooped Jacob in a wrestling match!  :)  We do see the quick & fierce power of whom Jacob was wrestling in verse 25 when "he struck Jacob's hip and knocked it out of joint at the socket."  Please do let me know your insights on who Jacob was wrestling this night in the Comments section below?  Thanks.  The painting below is from 1855 by Gustave Dore of Jacob wrestling with the angel -

Chapter 32 verse 28 is an incredibly important verse - ""Your name will no longer be Jacob," the man told him. "It is now Israel, because you have struggled with both God and men and have won."" This is interesting to know!  Israel means "God struggles" or "one who struggles with God."   It is also interesting I think to see that God gives people new names at times in the Bible, and the names are reflective of their new lives with God.  Abram becomes Abraham.  Sarai becomes Sarah.  Jacob becomes Israel.  Simon becomes Peter.

Today's Genesis chapter 32 starts off with Jacob preparing presents for Esau.  Overall, I thought this was pretty smart.  I suppose in some ways you could look at all this as bribery... :)  But, I guess I thought Jacob was demonstrating some pretty good business / political principles here.   This is something that I do struggle with at times in my own life - a balance of utilizing good business principles versus relying completely on God.  I suppose you could argue that Jacob should have simply relied on God to prepare the way for Jacob's meeting with Esau.  And this would be a good argument - Esau had become wealthy over the years himself, and seemed to have forgiven Jacob before they met up here again.  I do think that while clearly our reliance should be on God and His work and providence first and foremost, God also wants us to be actively partnering with him.  So, I think after we first pray to God about a situation, we should also do the work that we are called to do by God for the situation as well.  This is where I think good business / political principles can come into play - as long as they are clearly aligned with the will of God. Again - a fine line to walk, and a line that can only be blessed by the Holy Spirit.  We cannot walk this line on our own power or smarts.  Do you pray to God to show you the work he wants you to do in your life?  Do you also ask God to show you the work to be done in various situations that arise in your life?  Do you enjoy working with God?  Or do you at times try to work things out on your own?

In Genesis chapter 34 Jacob and Esau meet again!  I found verses 5 - 7 interesting.  Jacob presents his concubines and sons first - then Leah and sons - and then Rachel and Joseph.  I read a commentary that he was keeping his favorite wife and son back, as the last presentation to Esau - just in case anything should go wrong with Esau and the introductions of his family.  Meaning, if any violence erupted - Rachel and Joseph would hopefully be removed from it.  It is interesting to see Jacob still relying on his wits. Probably more so than God's protection here?   Below is an image of Esau and Jacob meeting in verse 4 - "Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him affectionately and kissed him. Both of them were in tears."  (interesting random thought on this picture below - at a quick glance it almost looks like Esau and Jacob are wrestling, like the image of Jacob & the angel above, but they're embracing.)

In verse 14 of this chapter we see Jacob likely being deceitful again - "So go on ahead of us. We will follow at our own pace and meet you at Seir.""   He did not follow Esau and meet him at Seir, as we will see in the next chapter.  And commentaries suggest Jacob never intended to go to Seir.  Below is a pretty good map showing you some events in this chapter - Peniel, where Jacob wrested with God - Shechem in chapter 34 - and Seir is basically where you see Edom on the map, just south of the promised land.

Genesis chapter 34 is a chapter where we see a lot of violence.  It is interesting to note that the name of God ends chapter 33 and begins chapter 35, but is completely absent from this chapter.  Zondervan's NIV Study Bible has this note about this chapter - "Jacob is now confronted in the promised land with the danger of being absorbed by the native Canaanites (verses 9 & 16), and then with the threat of their hostility after his sons' vengeful act (verse 30).  These were dangers Israel constantly faced from the peoples around them - either absorption or hostility, both of which are perpetual threats to God's people."  As there is so much going on in this chapter, I highly encourage you to spend a few minutes with Bob Deffinbaugh at bible.org for his commentary on Genesis chapter 34 - surf down to about mid page at this link for ch. 34.  Below is a 13th century French miniature painting of Simeon and Levi taking Dinah from Shechem -

New Testament - Matthew chapter 11 opens up with Jesus teaching about the importance of John the Baptist's ministry and the transitioning from the old covenant to the new covenant, which can be seen in verse 13 - "For before John came, all the teachings of the Scriptures looked forward to this present time."  Basically, this could be rephrased that all of the Old Testament was prophesying about the coming of Jesus and the Kingdom of Heaven.

Verse 20 is a convicting one - "Then Jesus began to denounce the cities where he had done most of his miracles, because they hadn't turned from their sins and turned to God."  This is something for each of us to really examine ourselves on.  Have we heard Jesus' teachings?  Do we believe in his miracles?  And in light of these things - have we turned from our sins?  And have we turned to God?

Today we read Matthew chapter 11 verses 28 through 30, which are amazing verses for each of us to consider, particularly if we are struggling with the burden of sin or the burden of worry or the burden of regrets (and the list could go on - you can fill in the blank for your life) in our lives - "Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light."  Is there something in your life that you are carrying on your own that is weighing you down?  Do you want relief and rest from this thing that you are carrying?  Will you give it over to Jesus?  Will you seek rest for your soul in Jesus? Do you believe that Jesus can give you rest? Will you accept Jesus’ offer of rest this very day?

Psalms - Psalm 14 could be seen at first glance as a discouraging Psalm for us as we look at verse 3 - "But no, all have turned away from God; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not even one!"  I think it is good to keep in mind that there is truth in this verse - but also to keep in mind that this verse was written before Jesus came to the earth.  Jesus will fulfill the prophecies of the Old Testament and give us the hope spoken of in the closing of this Psalm in verse 7 - "Oh, that salvation would come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel! For when the LORD restores his people, Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice."   Do you recognize the salvation that has come to us?  Are you shouting for joy for this salvation?  Are you rejoicing!

Proverbs - Proverbs chapter 3 verses 19 & 20 are so truthful.  If you look at the amazing way in which nature works, I don't see how you cannot believe in God.  Could all of this majesty around us be just random?  Do you believe as verse 19 teaches us - "By wisdom the LORD founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens"?  Do you believe in intelligent design?

Comments from you & Question of the Day - Based on my last question in the Proverbs section above, have you been keeping up with all of the news and issues of the day surrounding intelligent design / creationism / evolution?  I have only kept up at a high level.  Are there any websites or books or resources you can recommend to further study intelligent design & creationism?  Can anyone offer up a good definition or distinction between intelligent design & creationism - if there is a difference?  Do you think it is possible to believe in both intelligent design and evolution - if God's hand was guiding evolution - or no?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

Grace,
Mike

Comments

[John]

Gen 32:
Jacob wrestled preincarnated Christ.

“God is spirit,”...(John 4:24)

No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.(1John4:12)

All physical depictions of God in the OT are of God the Son, Jesus.

http://www.biblestudy.org/question/seengod.html

Matt 11:
Yoke=
1 a : a wooden bar or frame by which two draft animals (as oxen) are joined at the heads or necks for working together

"The fatal mistake for the believer is to seek to bear life’s load in a single collar. God never intended a man to carry his burden alone. Christ therefore deals only in yokes! A yoke is a neck harness for two, and the Lord himself pleads to be One of the two. He wants to share the labor of any galling task. The secret of peace and victory in the Christian life is found in putting off the taxing collar of “self” and accepting the Master’s relaxing “yoke.” - J.H. Jowett

Creationism and I.D.
One useful definition of Intelligent Design can be found in the book, Darwinism, Design, and Public Education, edited by Stephen C. Meyer and John Angus Campbell. The definition presented in this book holds that Intelligent Design is “the theory that certain features of the physical universe and/or biological systems can be best explained by reference to an intelligent cause (that is, the conscious action of an intelligent agent), rather than an undirected natural process or a material mechanism.”

Creationism: a doctrine or theory holding that matter, the various forms of life, and the world were created by God out of nothing and usually in the way described in Genesis - Merriam-Webster Dict.

If you believe that everything was "Very Very Good" and there was no death before sin, then God's hand could not have been guiding an evolution process. Because: Evolution states animals pre-date humans. Natural Selection would necessitate the death of weaker animal species.

What I find humorous is the inability of Evolutionists to allow competing theory to be brought into classrooms. If they are correct, then there should be no problem proving it in class.

Inteligent Design was kept out for years because it was not considered Scientific. Once some articles made it into top rated Scientific Journals that were peer-reviewed, Evolutionists had to come up with another excuse to preclude sharing time in the classroom.

For some decent scientific arguments for Creationism go to:
http://www.answersingenesis.org/

[Roslyn]

We can go on and on making sometimes futile arguments about intelligent design and creationism. The problem is not so much, I think, that evolutionists do not allow for any competing theory to be discussed in the classroom, it is more the separation of state and religion.

I was taught in my theology classes about the Uncaused Cause and today I believe that indeed there is a Supreme Scientist whose guiding hands continue to have all these seemingly random events in the universe all part of a master plan. There is really nothing "random" about it all. And we continue to evolve as individuals in His Spirit... when nature and
nurture can truly become one in His own plan.

[Ramona]

Genesis 32:13-34:31

Mike thank you for providing that link to Bob Deffinbaugh’s writings on Gen 33:1-34:31 that is some good stuff giving great food for thought and fuel by which to evaluate our lives and present conditions. I would advise everyone who hasn’t but who has the time to not only “surf down to about mid-page…” but to read the entire page, lots to eat, digest and apply.

Mike as to your question of the day, No, I’ve never really taken up the debate regarding intelligent design or evolution and that is for me is a choice because I have realized a long time ago, I am not personally called to apologetics by arguing someone into belief. I like to pose questions because I believe that we believe certain thing and philosophies based on what has been “revealed” to us. There are things revealed by “head” knowledge and there are things revealed by revelation. If the person you are speaking to has had not “revelation” knowledge, then trying to convince anyone to believe in intelligent design is futile. I believe, please note that it is only my personal belief and not a doctrine) that God reveals things to those who are knocking seeking and asking to find “Truth” and not to validate their own personal agenda.

Pilate said to Him, Then You are a King? Jesus answered, You say it! [You speak correctly!] For I am a King. [Certainly I am a King!] This is why I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the Truth. Everyone who is of the Truth [who is a friend of the Truth, who belongs to the Truth] hears and listens to My voice.
(John 18:37 AMP)

I once had a tee-shirt that I absolutely loved and wore out it said, “E=MC2 (squared)—Created by God discovered by Einstein, and it had a full frontal picture of Albert in all of his glorious wild hair. Now that shirt caused many people to think.

Truth of the matter no one can recreate in a test tub, in a research lab, anything to prove scientifically Big Bang, the primordial ooze, evolution, or even intelligent design. Even if they could then believing by faith would be thrown out the window. Seeing is not believing, seeing is knowing. And if you know something, unless you knowledge has come by way of revelation then you are no longer operating by faith.

Now without faith it is impossible to please him, for the one who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
(Hebrews 11:6 NET

Grace and peace,
Ramona

[Luciano Del Monte (Luch)]

If there was ever an argument for Intelligent design it would be seen in the wonderful awe inspiring documentary "The March of the Penquins" narrated by Morgan Freeman. This documentary follows the mating habits of the emperor penquin in the South Pole, but as Freeman says in his documentary "it's really a love story" and that it is, as we watch the community of penquins protect each other during the storms they face, and of course, as they go through their mating 'ritual' which is so sensitively portrayed, and also as they protect and provide for their chicks.

I just completed a message at my church called "Sex in the City" which was an introduction to the biblical perspective on Human Sexuality versus the destructive way sex is portrayed in the sit coms by the same name as my sermon. If interested in hearing how we used this clip and preached from it, you could go to www.lakesidechurch.on.ca and check out the message online.

I think watching penquins mate was more ennobling to the soul than reading the trashy stuff we read in Genesis 34, where people are seen in their harsh treatment of one another.

[Linda]

Evolution - since we teach we are animals - our young folk act that way. No control. We just give them drugs instead of teaching them about Jesus.

What I found interesting with Jacob/Esau - Jacob was always being disciplined by God. When we see Esau - it appears he had no problems getting all he had. God loved Jacobe but hated Esau. What a lesson.

Love this Bible study. I live in a town where prostitution is legal. Our town dosen't even have a hospital - about 40,000 pop. Every time we try to do something positive - it dies. Now, another 2 brothels want in to our community - God hates sin. No matter how we justify the brothels. our leaders are blinded - no growth. What a lesson. Thanks Mike.

[debby]

Ramona, God continues to speak to me through the comments you and Mike post. In your latest on 'apologetics'.... may I back up to John the Baptist. My belief is that John DID believe, though he did not know how everything would play out. In order to encourage his disciples in their belief he didn't preach a sermon. Instead, he sent them to Jesus with a question, the answer(s) to which would confirm their faith and encourage them to encourage John!

Another backup question:
From somewhere I had the idea that the Jews wore a blue ribbon around the hem of their garments (and that there might have been a blue band around the hem of the OT traveling sanctuary courtyard curtains). So, could the woman have been thinking about touching the blue hem of Jesus' robe, representing righteousness?

Regarding praying - about everything. I keep having to remind myself to pray -about EVERYTHING. And to have faith that God does answer in the manner that will bring glory to Him.

Luch: May God give you strength in the days ahead. There is so much about health that we continue to learn. We are told how and what to eat by the media and FDA and then find out that maybe it isn't good for us and may cause cancer in some instances. I have been reading about breast and prostate cancer in China - and the articles say it is very rare to see a case of breast or prostate cancer in China. The conclusion in the articles was that this is because the Chinese use little if any dairy products.
-But then other cultures claim garlic promotes longevity and health!
Please consider alternative diet options for your wife's treatment plan. No one ever died because they were "chemo deficient."

Do any of you get the beautifully done CREATION ILLUSTRATED magazine?

http://www.creationillustrated.com/

There are many great Creation web sites out there. Lots to think about, some to discard....

[Veronica]

Luch, when I read your comment of …

“I think watching penquins mate was more ennobling to the soul than reading the trashy stuff we read in Genesis 34, where people are seen in their harsh treatment of one another.”

I got an uncomfortable feeling and these scriptures came to mind because He who created those penquins also gave us the bible. And we know that…

All these events happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us, who live at the time when this age is drawing to a close. 1 Corinthians 10:11 NLT

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. 17It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT

[luciano del monte]

veronica

thanks for your comment. I wholeheartedly agree that the scriptures are fully inspired, without one error anywhere, but i must admit as we must all admit, that there are things in the scriptures that make us really blush sometimes, and things that one could write R rated over, but that doesn't lessen inspiration. Having said that I wish we could bypass the book of Judges in our reading but alas we will have to face man's inhumanity to man head on. The Bible just shows us how honest the Bible is in portraying human behaviour at its worst and at its best.

i apologize for any offense i may have caused you or anyone else re my comments.

blessings,

Luch

[tangentrider Laura]

Regarding the identity of "the man" who wrestled with Jacob, I think it best to be modest in our conclusions. The text gives us Jacob's assessment in Genesis 32:30, "For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered."

At the very least, the man was God--whether representative (like the pillar of cloud/fire that we will see in the exodus) or a preincarnate Christ, we cannot tell. The text, though, says nothing of an angel.

[Andrew B]

Re Mike's question on creation, evolution etc. I think Dwayne summarises it nicely in his post - click on his trackback above and scroll down to the end.

So I believe the Genesis story is a true story about the relationship of God with His creation and His relationship and intention with mankind. I believe something like the current evolution theory is a good scientific explanation of how things work, but we need all the factors which play in the process and we may not have them all yet. And to me intelligent design just indicates that God DID know what He was doing when He set off the big bang.

Re Dwayne's last point - I would not presume to comment on how you organize your schools in the USA. ;-)

[Bald Man]

John,
I think that's a pretty good summation of the difference between Creationism and I.D.

While I probably still lean toward a literal interpretation of the creation narrative, I don't hold it very tightly. God and the Gospel are big enough to transcend and shine thru the sundry interpretations of Genesis.

[John]

Dwayne'sworld,

Re yoke:
I don't know? If I abide in Christ and he in me, then I can see him sharing the yoke. At least just as much but maybe more so than a fellow believer. Your driver comment is insightful though - What if Jesus is yoked with us and the Holy Spirit is driving????? I have always thought the shaping, molding, teaching of the new Christian on his path to sanctification is done by Holy Spirit.

Re Separation of Church and State:

Please email me the source of the document that indicates "Separation of Church and State" is a fundamental principle of the U.S. It is not in the Constitution, The Declaration of Ind., nor Bill of Rights.

The court decision did not occur until Jefferson's administration, and the court interpretation was arguably a stretch. The source documant there was a letter from TJ to the Bishop(s?) of Danbury, CT.

Personally, I don't think it is a coincidence that this country's moral decline started at about the same time as prayer was taken out of schools, evolution bacame the teaching de jour, etc.

I don't think it is a good idea to call yourself a Christian country, and then officially (via gov't.) tell God to take a hike. All you have to do is go back to Old Testament and see what consistently happens to Israel when the Gov't and people reject God. And they are God's Chosen people :)

[Dwayne]

John,

Thanks for your comments. I appreciate the fact that you're disagreeing with me, but doing so respectfully. I'll try to respond in kind.

The first amendment reads, in part:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;

While you are correct that the exact words "separation of church and state" do not appear, the intent is still clearly to ensure that the government not saction, while also not hindering, any faith. People are permitted to pray in school, read the bible, etc. But the school, as a government entity, is not permitted to sanction or encourage it.

I would also question your statement about the timing of "moral decline." Each generation decries the moral decline of those after it. It's my opinion that any point in history can legitimately chosen as the "start" of the moral decline.

We do agree on one point, though. The United States has no business claiming to be a Christian country.

[John]

Dwayne

Clear to who? The Founding Fathers predominately came from England. The Church of England was state sponsored. The father's wanted nothing to do with an American federally sponsored religion. That is a far cry from the need to have God expunged from our society because it might offend someone, as per the ACLU or other humanist sponsored lawsuits.

Have you been to Washington D.C.? Have you looked at the federally sponsored sculptures on the Supreme court building? Have you seen the Ten Commandments posted inside the Supreme Court Building? Have you written your letter of objection regarding the House and Senate Chaplain who is on Federal payroll and prays before certain sessions? You do know governors and Presidents have called for days of fasting and prayer in this country's history?

Question the moral decline comment all you want: Any charts showing 2005 - 1900 will show an outrageous increase in crime, murders, rapes, abortions, assaults, etc. exploding upwards around 1962 -1963. Also increases in divorces, pornography purchases, white collar crimes, etc.

I acknowledge their are other factors, but the systemic problem is the removal of moral absolutes. Whe moral values become relative, then you can rationalize any action.

I am not sure the Blog is the right place to carry on this discussion, that is why I asked for an email. I am not angry at you, but hearing the same sound-byte answers over the last 18 months on these topics does make my pulse increase a tad :)

[John]

oops, that is what I get for going by memory.

'Separation" Supreme court case was 1887, and the source document was letter written to Danbury Baptist group by Thomas Jefferson during his administration.

Need to be more careful before I dispense what I thought were facts :(

[Laura Jones]

Regarding the topic creation vs evolution: If you like good fiction I would recommend Frank Peretti's most recent book called Monster. Its a very good book and will keep your interest as well as make some very good points which will disprove evolution. I encourage everyone to read it. One comment made on the inside jacket says "Frank Peretti is at the top of his game in this ulitimate tale of survival of the fittest". I don't want to say more and reveal the ending but if anyone has read it I would appreciate your comments. Peretti has written many well known books which include The Oath, Piercing the Darkness, The Visitation etc.. Time magazine describes Peretti as "the king of faith based fiction. He makes a good point and puts it in a story format that will entertain people.

[Mark Illingworth]

Just a thought on Jacob's present to Esau ... in a way it is a repayment for having stolen Esau's inheritance and blessing. Like Zacchaeus in Luke 19:8, Jacob repays "4 times" back what he has stolen.

:-)