January 16th One Year Bible 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 in a wrestling match! With God?  Or an angel?  Or God in the form of an angel?  Or Jesus 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 thoughts on who Jacob was wrestling this night in the Comments section below?

This painting above from 1855 by Gustave Dore of Jacob wrestling with the angel is one of my favorites! I think it says so much about our faith journey at various stages. I don't know about you, but there are times when I have wrestled with God over aspects of my faith. It happens at various stages and seasons – sometimes unexpectedly. And I think it is okay to enter into these wrestling matches as long as we ultimately realize that God is in control and we are not. God is going to win the wrestling match. We will not. But, sometimes the wrestling match – the struggle – is something we need to go through to move forward in our faith. Sometimes we need to wrestle with God before we enter the Promised Land, as was the case with Jacob returning to Canaan with his family in our readings in Genesis this week coming up.  Below is the French Romantic painter Eugène Delacroix's "Jacob Wrestling the Angel" from the year 1861:

This is what I love about the chapters of Genesis that we are entering into with our readings now – we read about imperfect humans, not so unlike us, trying to make sense of their lives and their relationships with God. Sound like anyone you know? :) In this early part of the Bible we are shown a God who is willing to wrestle with us, if we need to wrestle. A God who gives us dreams that end up saving a family that will soon become a nation that will save the world. A God who moves us into places and lands and situations to where we need to be to fulfill His perfect will. And in the midst of all of this – we read about imperfect humans that make mistakes. And God still can work through those mistakes and redeem mankind. This is incredible narrative in our readings coming up this next week in Genesis!  Below is Rembrandt's "Jacob's Struggle with the Angel" from the year 1659:  (can you tell by all the paintings I'm posting up here that I'm fascinated by this wrestling match... :)

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.  Okay, no more wrestling images... :)  Below is stained glass artwork from the Duomo Cathedral in Milan, Italy of the angel blessing Jacob:

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 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.  Though, if you were in Jacob's shoes, think about how you would have had no way of knowing this... and think about the last time you saw your brother 20 years earlier and how that ended... I do think that while clearly our reliance should be on God and His work and providence first and foremost, I believe 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?

In Genesis chapter 34 Jacob and Esau meet again!  I found verses 5 through 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.  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 thought on this picture below - at a quick glance it almost looks like Esau and Jacob are wrestling!  Like all of my images of Jacob & the angel above. :)  But they're embracing.  Or, well, perhaps I'm secretly a World Wrestling Federation fan and it's all coming out in today's post... :)

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 where some events in this chapter took place:  Peniel, where Jacob wrestled 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!  The 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:

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Genesis chapter 32 titled "How to Win with God and Men" is at this link and commentary on  chapter 33 titled "Time to Eat Crow" is at this link.

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.  Do you believe this to be true about the Old Testament?

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): "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?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Matthew chapter 11 titled "The Offer of Spiritual Rest" is at this link.

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 important to keep in mind that there is truth in this verse (particularly if we ever start thinking we're "good" and others around us are not...).  But also I think it's good to keep in mind that this verse was written before Jesus came to the earth.  Jesus was perfect.  And through His resurrection we are called toward greater holiness and ultimately perfect goodness once we meet Jesus face to face in heaven.  Jesus gives 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 chance?  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?

Worship God: Psalm 14 along with our readings in Matthew today (and even Proverbs 3:19) reminded me of the fantastic worship song "Alpha and Omega" performed by Israel Houghton and New Breed in this video:

Do you know Alpha and Omega?  Click here to meet Him!

Please join me in memorizing 2 verses of Scripture today:
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 NIV

Comments from You and Questions of the Day:  Let's talk about my fascination with wrestling in today's post...  :)  What is your take on Jacob wrestling with the angel and then being blessed by the angel?  Should Jacob have not wrestled / struggled with the angel / God?  Should we in our lives today not wrestle / struggle with God?  Or should we wrestle with matters of faith sometimes?  As long as we know God will win the wrestling match - is it okay for us to enter into a wrestling match with God or no?  Is there a faith-journey wrestling match in your past that you'd be willing to share with others?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

Comments

[Roslyn]

How can one refuse Jesus' invitation of exchanging our heavy burden/s with His offer of something light? But one can only accept that in faith.

The problem sometimes with us is we turn to Him only when we are heavily burdened... and we forget to be continually grateful for all the many blessings, big and small, that come into our life. When our life is completely intertwined in His then no burden can ever faze our walk with Him.

[Esther]

I'm reading the Message this year and like the fresh look at some familiar verses, loved this one so much this morning, so here it is:
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly. (Mt 11:28-30)

[Kate]

I sometimes wonder if it was a real physical, like WWW, or such a spiritual wrestling that it became physical. Jacob had a lot to worry about, fear of Esau, fear of what he was doing, fear of where is was to go, etc. and I just wonder if there was so much on his mind that it became a physical thing for him. I can remember struggling to believe if God was really good. If after a year and a half of unemployment for my husband we would loose our home and have nowhere to go. Is God really good? I know all the pat answers of course he is really good. But if you've never been down my road.. It hard for me to hear you.. Where after 25 years of marriage my husband has had 22 different jobs... I may sound bitter, and perhaps I am, but walk a mile in my shoes and see. But I will say one thing after all this that struggle was diffently spiritual and physical. And I know in the midst of everything, chaos can be going on all around me, God is still Good. I may not even like whats going on around me, but God is still Good. I may even be so angry at God I don't want to even talk to him, but God is still good.

[John]

Matt 11:28-30

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

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

"When training a new animal (such as an ox) to plow, ancient farmers would often yoke it to an older, stronger, more experienced animal who would bear the burden and guide the young animal through his learning." - David Guzik

"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

[Perhaps the Holy Spirit is driving the team????]

[Ann]

Wrestling with the Angel.
In the modern world, this could be seen as Wrestling with conscience.
Was it the same for Jacob?
Did he remove his family and servants in order to grapple with his problems; and did he spend the night attempting to justify his plans for the future?
I wonder!

[Don]

I think that the context shows that this is one of the Christotheophanies , the OT manifestation of the Son of God in angelic form. The name being "wonderfu", Jacob calls it Peniel, to reduce it to mere angelic intervention is a loss for reveling in the glorious person of the Eternal Son of God, God manifest in the flesh who in prophetic language said --my delights were with the Sons of Men!

Don

[Priscilla]

Thanks for making these readings so fun may God bless you and keep on giving you more of his mercies.!!!!

[Gina]

Wow! That's a lot of wrestling talk! I better brush up on my WWF knowledge! LOL! Just kidding! :0)

I believe Jacob was wrestling with God because all of our struggles are ultimitly between us and God...even if we don't realize it! I think it's okay to wrestle with God too. We have to. We all have fears and doubts at times...am I really saved?, am I really doing what God wants me to do? Is my faith really strong enough? and the list can go on and on....I know there are times in my life when I try to hide under a rock...away from God...like I could get away from Him...HA! Then I realize that He knows and understands exactly where I am and how I feel, so why not just bring it to Him. Our time with God isn't always going to be happy, joyful worship time. We have to be real with Him...He knows us anyways. So struggling with God is a good thing. It grows us and prepares us for whatever is next!

God is good with Matthew today - I woke up overwhelemd with anxiety...for no good reason either...actually this has been happening a lot lately...and I hate it! Somthings up with me! Anyways, Jesus reminded me today that I need to keep bringing it to Him...He is willing and ready to take on my anxitey and my burdens. He is my gentle and humble restorer! His yoke is easy and His burden is light! Praise be to God that I can rest in Him!

Speaking of nature...the sunrise this morning over my house was amazing! The moon was still out and the clouds were all pink and orange! Yes, I believe God created ALL if it!

[Mae]

I'm defenitly going with Gina with this one! When I was reading about the 'wrestling', I emmidiatly thought about God! Since Jacob was one way or the other always in a wrestle with God mentally, I thought God has chosen a way to have it physicly as well. Just to show Jacob that He will win EVERY wrestle. I think this indeed represents our wrestlings we have in our faith in God. Not the faith or believes ... but basicly the struggles we go through once in a while. I love verse 32:30 “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.”

I love reading Matthew! It feels like Jesus is talking to me constantly!!! Yes, Jesus gives me rest! When I think of Him I feel peace within me. I love Him so much!!!! He died for my sins ... I defenitly turned from my sins, I never want Him on that cross again!

Proverbs were very powerful today! verse 20 "By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth, and the dew settles beneath the night sky". Just beautiful!!! Personally I don't have a faith wrestling when it comes to The Lord. I do have my struggles when satan is trying to convince me of something else. Those struggles are the worst!!! My pastor comforted me by saying that my huge faith in the Lord will always help me through this. God always wins, just have the faith!

[Shashoo]

Jacob wrestled with an angel and two things came out of that experince....The blessing and the limp. The limp means nothing...simply a limp. It's the same with our struggle with sin..it doesn't mean we aren't saved in our spirit or healed in our soul...Don't let the limp fool you...You can be healed and still have a limp. The limp is only a sign that you've been through something, not that you are still struggling with something...Don;t confuse the scars with the inner work. The scars do not define the healing...The same thing goes for Jacob...

[Barbara]

I find it interesting in Gen.32:30 that Jacob saw the face of Gaod yet was spared. I didn't really notice that before. That does make one think that the one he was wrestleing with was God in another form. Thank You for bringing that out. I can read something, and yet not have it sink in.

[R]

Matthew 11:7-30

"I tell you the truth, among those born of women, no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is.
(Matthew 11:11 NET.)

When we began the Book of Genesis we read in the first chapter how God divided light from darkness; water from above and water upon the earth; the water from dry land. God separates good from evil and His chosen people from those who have rejected Him. In the eleventh verse of the eleventh chapter of Matthew, Jesus divides time designating John the Baptist as the greatest up until that time of those born of a women and between those in the kingdom of heaven declaring John is the least.

I have read this particular verse hundreds of times and made mental assenting statements referencing this statement yet I never really took the time to ponder over its meaning. If John is greater than Abraham, Jacob/Israel, Moses, David, Elijah and all the great men and women of God who lived before his ministry, yet for all those in the kingdom of heaven who came after him, John is the least, how valuable to God are today’s Believers?

Have we really stopped to think about who we are in Christ? Forget about what folks say about us, value us or devalue us, how valuable are we truly to God. What heights can we climb to, what things can we achieve in God’s kingdom here on earth if we really understood in our hearts and minds how valuable we are in the Kingdom of God.

[Jenny]

when i was a kid i used to watch GLOW wrestling...anyone remember that? ehem...anyway, when you scroll down the blog at first glance it looks like 6 pics of wrestling haha.
I believe we all wrestle with God before our surrender and after our conversion, we may come to instances where we wrestle with not only sins, temptations, but God himself! I know I have...of course He wins every time. When we resist God, He doesnt give up on us...I think its such an act of love...He could have just got fed up with Jacob and slay him or give up on him. BUt He wrestled with him...I think thats such a sign of love (i'm not saying i think if someone wrestles with me and breaks my hip i call that loving, dont get me wrong) but since God can do anything He pleases, to send an angel down or perhaps Christ pre-incarnate, i think thats awesome. the limp is a constant reminder for Jacob the rest of his days, dont fight God, you cant win!

Matt 11:28-29 is perhaps one of my favorite verses ever. "Come to me, all you who are weak and heavyladen, and I will give you rest for your souls. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my load is light." I used to sing it at church as a kid, i still do, though i didnt understand itthen...yolk, like egg yolk? thats light. haha. BUt now i get it. Its so beautiful. The world's burdons are soooo heavy. Jesus and ONLY Jesus can your heart and sould true rest and peace and His load is so light!!! I just love these verses.

I love Matt 11:25 At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure."
we get it agian in Luke, the discplices came back from a vistory all excited and Jesus was so blessed and He just thanked the Lord. He has hidden these things from the wise (so-called intelligent proud ppl) and revealed them to little children (us, who submit to Him and come to Him as children). I'm soooo blessed by these verses.

[Bill]

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY:

…What is your take on Jacob wrestling with the angel and then being blessed by the angel? Should Jacob have not wrestled / struggled with the angel / God? Should we in our lives today not wrestle / struggle with God? Or should we wrestle with matters of faith sometimes? As long as we know God will win the wrestling match - is it okay for us to enter into a wrestling match with God or no? Is there a faith-journey wrestling match in your past that you'd be willing to share with others?

This reminds me of a saying I once heard: “ your arms are too short to box with God.” The same applies to wrestling with God. Jacob seemed to hold his own with God but only because God went easy on Him. God always wins and no mortal man can contend with God unless God allows him to do so for a reason. God would not have been there if He didn’t want to let Jacob wrestle with Him. Obviously Jacob did the right thing to wrestle with Him because afterward he was blessed. I see it as figurative of God testing the strength of our faith by perhaps allowing us to struggle in our lives until we learn to surrender to Him. If we overcome or prevail we will be blessed. There is also the negative aspect of wrestling with God and that is going against His will and resisting the Spirit. I can’t think of anything specific offhand where I can say that I wrestled with God but I definitely have had struggles involving faith and obedience to God throughout my pilgrimage in this world. I have also heard this passage concerning Jacob’s wrestling match with God used as an illustration of persistent prayer.

GENESIS 32:13-34:31

The man whom Jacob wrestled with, I believe, was another one of several pre-incarnate appearances of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament period for Jacob said, “ I have seen God face to face” ( 32:30 ).

By now Jacob knew that he had wronged Esau his brother and also did wrong in deceiving his father Isaac. Jacob bowing before his brother Esau “seven times” ( 33:3 ) reminds me of what Jesus also said about forgiveness:

“ Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee SEVEN TIMES in a day, and SEVEN TIMES in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.”

- Luke 17:3-4 ( KJV )

MATTHEW 11:7-30

An example of contradictions that unbelievers often display among themselves in their rejection of Christ are also seen here. They condemned John the Baptist for fasting while condemning Jesus for eating and drinking ( vv. 18-19 ). They accused both of being possessed by Devils ( 10:25; 11:18 ).

Verses 22-24 seems to indicate that there will be degrees of punishment meted out to unbelieving, unrepentant sinners on Judgment Day according to the amount of light that they had rejected. The greater the light that was rejected the more they will be held accountable.

PSALM 14:1-7

Could God’s view of atheists be any plainer? “THE FOOL hath said in his heart, there is no God…” ( v.1 )

The depravity of the human spiritual condition is also laid out plainly here ( v.2-3 ). One of the reasons is Bible illiteracy and lack of prayer: “ they have NO KNOWLEDGE…and CALL NOT UPON THE LORD “ ( v.4 ).

PROVERBS 3:19-20

The excellency of God’s wisdom is seen in all creation. That all these things with their order, design, complexity and governed by universal laws of physics just came into being by random chance defies even human logic and yet multitudes continue to embrace false science and the humanistic reasonings about the origin of the universe.

[Laverne]

Esther and John your comments stood out to me today. Esther; you had me pull out the Message bible because that verse reads so beautifully in that version. I am very tired and I totally trust that He will continue holding me in His bosom until I can stand on my 2 legs. Thank Q Esther - John; one thing about Christians that drives me bananas is all the cliches used. I tell ya if a person wanted to come to know Christ how would he or she know what we are talking about? U put yoked plainly in this section, one word I have had trouble understanding in the past. You made it plain for me today. Gina; I get your thoughts on the wrestling thanks. I have to say this wrestling match reminds me that God IS conflict capable, so humans really need to release and relax - its ALL good!!

[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.

[R]

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

[L]

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 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.

[R]

R, 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....

[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.

[Cory]

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.

[Laura]

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.

[R]

Genesis 32:13-34:31
I am stuck on the 28th verse of Chapter 32 and I implore any Biblical Scholars, especially any who have knowledge of Hebrew to give comments,

As per King James, “And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.”

I’m not stuck on how Jacob, now Israel, prevailed with God, I kind of got that, he prevailed by submitting his skill, cunning and his tendency to manipulate to the will of God. I’ve also read Bob Deffinbaugh,’s wonderful How to Win With God and Men, http://bible.org/page.asp?page_id=112, which lays down a great understandable (at least for me) argument. What I am mulling over is the name Israel and whether there is either a connection to Abraham’s wife, Sarah, or a play-on-word the two words, Sarah and Isral.

According to Crosswalk.com Israel, transliterated in the Hebrew is Yisra’el and its word origin comes from two sources, a Hebrew word transliterated as Sarah (Strong’s # 08280) and ‘el (Strong’s # 0352). Sarah means to: contend, have power, contend with, persist, exert oneself, persevere. ‘el: god, god-like one, mighty one The ‘el can be seen in, ELOHIM (El-o-heem), EL SHADDAI, to name just a few.

What I’m seeking is the relationship between the name God gave to Abraham’s wife (formerly known as Abram) Sarai to Sarah. Looking up Sarah, the name, in the Hebrew yielded, Sarah, transliterated, Sarah and given the Strong’s number, 08283. Sarah here means, noblewoman and the Word Origin is the same as Stong’s number, 08282 which is the masculine form of a Hebrew word meaning, prince, ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official, captain.

My mind is just running away with all kinds of possibilities. Sarai was old and past the age of childbearing, as per the scriptures. Yet God prevailed over a “dead” womb in the woman who had her name changed to Sarah, which I am referring back to the two word origins of Israel.

There is so much in the portion of scripture for today; however, I have been stopped dead in my tracks by these two name changes. I covet anyone’s input and I am offering up these questions to God and expectantly wait for an answer by any means God chooses to give it. … Ask and it shall be given.
Matthew 11:7-30
Jesus talks about John the Baptist in the part of Matthew calling him greater than all who have ever lived. Yet Jesus introduces a new period of dispensation when he states that in the Kingdom of Heaven the most insignificant person is greater than John. Even the religious leaders understood that John’s ministry was a great and significant one even if they failed to accept that he was proclaiming and preparing the way for Jesus, the Christ, and head of the Kingdom of Heaven. They were looking for a political rule and reign, while Jesus’ dominion was spiritual. What they failed to grasp is what the writer of the book of 2 Corinthians states, the spiritual is more real than the what is perceived by the five senses because what can be seen comes from what is unseen. The physical temple that was in Jerusalem was but a copy of what is in Heaven. (Hebrews 8:5; 9:24) The spiritual gives birth to the temporal, those things that are in the realm of, taste, touch, sight, hearing, feel and smell.

2 Corinthians 4:18: While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Jesus asks us or commands us to do better than the “heathen” we are to love our enemies. I feel this command is given so that we will be like Jesus. For God so loved the world that he gave…. He gave while we were yet sinners, enemies of God, rebellious to right living and thinking (righteousness). Because we are the recipients of God’s grace and graciousness, we should go and do likewise.
Psalm 14:1-7
A fool can only say in his heart that there is no God because he has chosen to reject any proof of God. I know that this is what a fool does because I was once that “fool” A fool is a person who is arrogant believing that what one thinks and says dictates the course of the world. When people tell me they don’t believe in God I don’t try to argue with them I just say, “I’m sorry to here that.” In the first chapter of Romans Paul clearly states that they, and what I had done in the past, exchanged the truth for a lie. In order to exchange something one must have had ownership of it at sometime in order to exchange it. I can’t exchange a gift if I don’t have possession of it in my hot little hands.

Romans 1
21For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
24Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator–who is forever praised. Amen.
Proverbs 3:16-18
Wisdom, understanding and knowledge: this reminds me of another passage in Proverbs that reminds us that wisdom is expensive and most people are unwilling to pay the price to acquire it. That is why many people cheat on exams; they are unwilling to do the studying to get the information to pass the test. How long should one study? Until you get it. For some that takes one sitting for others it may take reading and studying a passage, chapter or book 30 plus times. This has both a spiritual and practical meaning to me as I work in a Collage. Most people go to school to get the degree as if that is the goal, the goal is to enjoy the journey as you travel toward the degree, and then keep on going on the journey even if there is not degree. That same principal can be applied to getting into the Word. It is not how many verses you can memorize; but how many verses one can incorporate and apply to living one’s life.

Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

[Johnnie Ruth Hamill]

It is Jesus when Jacob is wrestling because of these two statements: "What is your name?" "Why do you ask?" The name could not be spoken until he came into the earth in the flesh. It was reserved until that particular "time".

Thank you for the song. It truly touches my heart each time I hear it. It causes me to put into perspective who He is...Alpha and Omega and everything else inbetween!

[Susan]

1. To Laura,...Frank Peretti also wrote a book called The Wounded Spirit. He states there a connection between the Columbine school shootings and the teaching of evolution in the classroom. There is also a connection between the teaching of evolution and Adolf Hitler's desire to kill off the Jews and create a super race of people.

2. In honor of sancity of life week..Today, we still apply the "survival of the fittest" mentality to our society..the unborn are killed (1500 black babies a day..just to tie in the connection to Martin Luther King day coming up), the elderly are not honored ..and mere humans try to define "quality of life." John McArthur has been discussing this in detail on Focus on the Family the past few days. How can God honor a nation that does not honor and protect life? How can God honor a people who do not recognize that He created life.

3. As for a question about healing on an earlier day?
You can refer to Adventures in Odyssey on
http://www.oneplace.com. The title of the episode is a Run-of-the-Mill miracle. It does a good job explaining through story how God heals on both sides of heaven. It is written for 8-11 year olds but my husband and I really enjoy listening to it for entertainment.

3. A wrestling match..since I can remember God and I have wrestled about finances. It never seems like there is enough money to go around and meet all the needs of our family. Our family has basically lived on one income for 5 years. My husband went to school when I was worked as a public school teacher. Now, I am the work-at-mom, CFO of the family, home economist, domestic engineer...what ever you wnat to call it. We have gone thru Financial Peace with Dave Ramsey and we are trying to be obedient (applying to priciples taught) and releasing the load of worry over to God. Currently, I praying about a part-time position working with our church's children's education. Please pray that this will work with needs of our three children at home.

4. I am currently reading
Confessions of an Amateur Believer by Patty Kirk. Just wondering if anyone else has read it? She converted from catholicism to evanglical christianity She has some great prespectives on meeting God, struggling with God, and making progress (kind of in the tradition of Girl Meets God by Laura Winner and Captivated by Staci Elderidge.

[Patsy Ray]

Genesis 33: This is the way my TNIV Study Bible explains Jacob wrestling with God, and I think it is a wonderful explanation. Jacob had struggled all his life to prevail; first with Esau and then with Laban. Now as he was about to reenter Canaan, he was shown that it was with God that he must wrestle, not with Esau or any other human. God came to him in such a form that Jacob could wrestle with Him successfully, yet God showed Jacob that He could disable him at will, at any time, and in any way that He saw fit.

God Bless!
Patsy Ray

[Wendy]

I think that most people wrestle with God about something. It started me thinking about if I have ever wrestled with God. This brought to mind something powerful that happened early in my walk with God. I came to the Lord in 1999. In the early part of 2000, my husband still didn't know the Lord. He was an alcoholic and not easy to get along with. I felt that I was at the end of my rope and God wanted me to leave him. I did wind up leaving him for two weeks. During that time my husband came to the Lord. There was such a drastic change in him that I didn't believe it was true. I was trying to find somewhere to go with our four children and was crying out to God. He told me very clearly that He wanted me to go back to my husband. Here is where the wrestling comes in. I argued and wrestled and told Him that my family would think I was crazy after all that had happened. Every door to finding a place to go with my kids had shut so I had no choice but to grudgingly obey. Well, I am so glad that God won the match. The change in my husband was so drastic that it was amazing! God restored my love for my husband and now I can't even remember how he used to be. He is such a good husband, provider, father and friend. All I can say is Praise God!!

[Gordo]

Just curious – why do some say Jacob was wrestling with an angel? The reason I ask is that last year I had a great little discussion with a Jewish person who does not believe that Jesus is God. He also did not believe that God could or would ever take on the form of a man. I said, what about Jacob, didn’t God take on the form of a man and wrestle with Jacob? And isn’t that where the name “Isreal” came from? It literally means “he struggles with God”. But no, he said it was “just an angel”. Of course, I had to immediately read, and re-read the text after that point because I always thought Jacob wrestled with God (literally, not figuratively), not an angel.

First, compare to verse 1 of the chapter, where Jacob actually does meet with angels. Note the difference in language used. Then why would an angel refuse to tell its name (v29)? Why did Jacob name the place “Peniel” which means “face of God”? And then exclaim: “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been preserved.” He would not have made this comment if he had only seen an angel, afterall he had just recently met angles (again to back to verse 1). And from v32, “to this day the sons of Israel do not eat the sinew of the hip which is on the socket of the thigh, because he touched the socket of Jacob's thigh in the sinew of the hip.” You’re telling me the sons of Israel would not eat any body part that was “touched by an angel”? Seems unlikely.

Why does this matter? Because if it WAS in fact just an angel, than you cannot use the passage to show the Jews or Muslims (who also use the old testament) that God can take on the form of a man as he did in Jesus. This is one way to explain how God forgave us our sins though Jesus Christ.