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Genesis 28:1-29:35 ~ Matthew 9:18-38 ~ Psalm 11:1-7 ~ Proverbs 3:11-12
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Old Testament - Today's Genesis chapter 28 readings begin Jacob's adventure as he leaves the land promised to Abraham and Isaac and heads for Paddan-aram to stay with his uncle. Jacob's dream at Bethel is awesome in this chapter! While this dream is often referred to as "Jacob's Ladder," many commentaries say it was probably stairs that Jacob dreamt of - similar to the stairs of a ziggurat (think tower of Babel) that winded around the outside of the tower on the way up. Have you ever had a dream anything like this one? :)
I do have to admit - Jacob's story and the parallel stories of his uncle Laban, Jacob's wives, and his sons - culminating with Joseph in Egypt - is one of my favorite parts of the Old Testament. This is just good narrative! I think one thing that really opened my eyes to all of the small details of the story of Jacob is that I was in an amazing Bible study for about a year going through this part of Genesis. I don't know if you've been in a group Bible study before? If not, let me encourage you to join one! They are incredible. You get so many different perspectives from each person in the group - similar in some ways to what you are getting here on this blog - but more personal and I think far better. You get to go through the text with other people and really dive into things - and even have some fun joking around about things. If the church you attend has some sort of Bible study, will you consider checking it out this month of January? I know you will be incredibly blessed by this decision!
I found verses 21 & 22 intriguing: "Then Jacob made this vow: "If God will be with me and protect me on this journey and give me food and clothing, and if he will bring me back safely to my father, then I will make the LORD my God." Do you notice the "if" / "then" statement in this vow from Jacob? Jacob is putting some conditions on what it will take for him to make God his God. Do we do this in our lives sometimes? Do we try to put "conditions" on God? Does this really make sense to do? What if our conditions are not met? What if things don't go as planned? Will we still love God as our God, even if the "conditions" in our life are not met or are not ideal?
In Genesis chapter 29 Jacob arrives at Paddan-Aram, which was close to Haran. See this map below for where Jacob will spend the next 20 years of his life. All 12 of his children besides Benjamin will be born in this land! Note that this map below shows arrows going from right to left - because it's really a map of Abraham's early journey. :) But, you can see how far Jacob traveled from Bethel - where he had the dream discussed above - to Haran / Paddan-Aram at the top of the map.
In this chapter Jacob meets Rachel and Laban, and works for 7 years to marry Rachel - except for the fact that Jacob was deceived by Laban on the wedding night! Which is a bit ironic, as we have seen in recent chapters that Jacob did some deceiving himself... I read one commentary that said for most of his life Jacob was so focused on getting the rights of the first born from his father Isaac - and now he must accept the rights of the first born in this surprise marriage to Leah! At the end of today's readings we see that Leah is beginning to have sons - including Levi who will be the ancestor of the Aaronic priestly line of Israel, and Judah who will be the ancestor of King David and ultimately Jesus Christ. Below is an oil painting from 1836 by Bohemian painter Joseph von Fuhrich of Jacob encountering Rachel with her father's herds in verses 9 - 11: "As this conversation was going on, Rachel arrived with her father's sheep, for she was a shepherd. And because she was his cousin, the daughter of his mother's brother, and because the sheep were his uncle's, Jacob went over to the well and rolled away the stone and watered his uncle's flock. Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and tears came to his eyes."
Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Genesis chapter 28 titled "The Seeker Is Sought" is at this link and commentary on chapter 29 titled "I Led Two Wives" is at this link.
New Testament - In Matthew chapter 9 today we read about Jesus healing in response to people's faith - the faith of the father, the faith of the woman, the blind men, and many others. It is amazing to remember that the Old Testament prophet Isaiah predicted these types of healings would take place in the Messianic age. Check out Isaiah chapter 35 verses 5 & 6: "Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy." This image below of the woman reaching for Jesus' tassels from today's readings is one of my favorite images of faith. Have you ever reached out in faith to Jesus like this woman did?
Verses 37 & 38 are so powerful in today's readings: "He said to his disciples, "The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send out more workers for his fields." I think each of us can reflect on this teaching from Jesus. Do you agree with Jesus that the harvest is so great? And the workers are few? Will you pray to God for more workers for his kingdom work? Are you one of God's workers in his kingdom work?
Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Matthew chapter 9 titled "Authority Over Death" is at this link and "The Authority to Give Sight" is at this link.
Psalms - Today we read Psalm 11, which is one that you might miss the full meaning of if you didn't know some of the commentary behind this Psalm. Basically in this Psalm King David is expressing his unshakable trust in God to other people around him who are very scared of enemy attacks. Knowing this - check out verse 1: "I trust in the LORD for protection. So why do you say to me, "Fly to the mountains for safety!" Like David, do we really trust in God for our protection? Or do we sometimes rely on others or our own cunning - or, our own fear - for protection? Are there times when we are faced with a challenging situation that we feel like running away from it? “Fleeing to the mountains” for safety? When, instead, should we simply trust in God for our protection and move forward in spite of the fear within us? Is there an area of your life where you need to turn over more trust in God for ultimate protection? Will you flee to God only instead of fleeing to the mountains?
Proverbs - Wow! Proverbs chapter 3 verses 11 & 12 today are so amazing and true... Please meditate on these verses and what they mean to you and your life: "My child, don't ignore it when the LORD disciplines you, and don't be discouraged when he corrects you. For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights." I have come to realize in recent years that correction and discipline from God is such a blessing! No, it is not fun at the time that you are going through it. But, it is so necessary for us to move forward in our relationship and walk with God this side of heaven. We need God's holy and divine discipline! I think oftentimes we avoid it. Or run away from it. Or refuse to go through it. Can you see why this Proverb starts off with "My child," :) Please let me encourage you to joyfully accept and go through God's discipline in your life. In some areas of your life it may be the only thing that will break you through to victory. One book I found helpful in thinking through the benefits of discipline from God - or pruning as the author called it - is Bruce Wilkinson's "Secrets of the Vine". If you'd like to learn more about staying close to God and Jesus - and allowing God to discipline you, please check out this book! It's a quick read - yet very thought provoking. You'll love John chapter 15 forevermore after reading this book...
Worship God: Today's video was a easy to select after reading Matthew 9:37-38! Here's MercyMe's great song "Here Am I Send Me":
Are you in a relationship with God such that you could sing "Here Am I Send Me?" Not sure? Click here and get sent!
Please join me in memorizing 2 verses of Scripture today:
"Then Jesus said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matthew 9:37-38 NIV
Comments from You and Questions of the Day: Based on our Proverbs reading today, do you believe there is such a thing as godly discipline? Do you believe that God corrects those that he loves? Can you think of any areas of your life or times where God has corrected you? Is there perhaps an area of your life today where God is correcting you? Will you not ignore this correction any longer? Will you allow God to correct you? 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
What a difference a year can make! Both God's blessings and corrections change life and relationships. Did I say God's blessings and corrections?...I should really say God's blessing of correction. Last year while doing the OYB thing, I could so relate to the pain and difficulty that Jacob went through with people who should have been loving and close to him, but rather schemed against him and deceived him. It is during this time that Jacob learns to lay himself down and submit to the Lord. If the price for Rachel gets higher and tougher, faith in God says that God will then provide the higher and tougher price. It's like Abraham's faith that said God would provide the lamb even at the very last second. I can testify and give glory to God that by laying my life down and humbly following Jesus, one year later that relationship I so struggled with has been healed. I would ask (whine of) God, "why do I have to be the only one that has to be obedient and submit at such a high cost?" Wrong question. And here's where God's correction comes into play. Month after month of whining about how hard it is and how tough to be obedient. By finally letting God get through with His viewpoint and laying it all down, the whining turned to submission and "fear the Lord". After God had corrected my thoughts, ambitions, inner drives and motives, there was the "OK, Lord, not my will but thine be done". I was no longer looking for results. I had just given it all up to Him and kept walking forward on His path of righteousness. Now one year later, I discover that God had also been strongly dealing with the other party as well. And we have been not only reconciled, but set free to carry out a work and mission that He had intended for us to do all along.
Phil 2:12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing."
Posted by: Stacey | January 12, 2009 at 09:08 PM
QUESTIONS OF THE DAY:
“ Based on our Proverbs reading today, do you believe there is such a thing as godly discipline? Do you believe that God corrects those that he loves? Can you think of any areas of your life or times where God has corrected you? Is there perhaps an area of your life today where God is correcting you? Will you not ignore this correction any longer? Will you allow God to correct you? “
Yes to all of the above questions. I believe in godly discipline because I know that I have been the reciepient of it. The Bible says if we don’t have chastening in our lives then we are not legitimate children ( Hebrews 12:8 ) We can be thankful that He doesn’t let us continue on in our sinful, self-destructive ways and that when He chastens us it is done in love and not to punish us in anger. There was about a 5-year period in my life when I was backslidden. I quit reading my Bible and my conduct was contrary to what I knew God expected of me as a Christian. I have to say that it was the unhappiest time of my life when nothing was going right for me. God will not let you get too comfortable in that spiritual condition. His chastening hand will be heavy on you. I don’t know if I can pinpoint any area or time right now where I see that. I am sure he still does though. It seems to be usually in the form where I lose my joy and peace for a time. Will I let God correct me? Well, I don’t think I really have much choice. I have learned from my life experiences that God is going to correct me no matter what it takes or how long it takes because I am His child.
“But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”
- Hebrews 12:8-11 ( KJV)
GENESIS 28:1-29:35
There is a contrast drawn here between Jacob and his twin brother Esau. Jacob was obedient to his parents ( 28:7 ). The same cannot be said for Esau. The disobedience brought to light here in the Scriptures was in Esau’s intermarriage with the Canaanite women ( 28:8 ) which not only displeased his parents but God as well. The consequences were that he forfeited his inheritance in the Abrahamic covenant. Esau should have listened to his godly parents and obeyed them but tragically he did not. As a result God renewed the covenant with Jacob instead ( 28:10-15 ).
It did seem as though Jacob was making his faith in God conditional on whether God met his needs or not ( 28:20-22 ). I think the seeds of faith had already been sown in his heart by his father Isaac so I don’t think that Jacob lacked faith in who God was but rather that he had not yet learned to fully depend on God to provide his need for food and raiment on his journey. I think many Christians go through that growing phase early on in the Christian life. I know I did. Jesus taught His disciples and also us to do that and until we do learn that dependence upon God as our provider then our faith is little:
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
- Matthew 6:25-33 ( KJV)
MATTHEW 9:18-38
As has already been pointed out, the healings, casting out of devils and raising the dead by the Lord Jesus were the fulfillment of messianic prophecies in the Book of Isaiah. Many Jews who saw these things did not understand that but some did. The two blind men though they could not see anything with their eyes had spiritual sight. In calling Him the “Son of David “ ( v.27 ) they were acknowledging Him as the promised Messiah of Israel. Jesus honored their faith by healing them and restoring their sight. The first thing they saw when their eyes were opened was Jesus. The blind men remind me of those of us who have not seen and yet believed. Today we also are called to walk by faith and not by sight. If we do then one day we will see Jesus in all of His glory and power with our own eyes. Hallelujah!
PSALM 11:1-7
In this passage ( v.1 ) I am reminded of the survivalists who head for the hills to prepare for a coming major catastrophe such as nuclear war perhaps. Some of them are even Christians. I must admit that there was once a time when I entertained thoughts in my own mind about buying a cabin in Idaho, storing up food , weapons and all sorts of survivalist gear. However, that does not say much for my faith. It was this Scripture which set me straight on that line of thinking. However, in verse 6 it does seem to be describing a nuclear holocaust which I believe will happen in the end times. In that day there will be no mountain or place to flee except in the shadow of God’s wings.
PROVERBS 3:11-12
I guess I pretty much said what I have to say on God’s chastening in the ‘Questions of the Day.’ Chastening is necessary for our spiritual growth. It is never pleasant but if we can see what God is doing in our lives and why it will be easier to bear and the sooner we learn the lesson God is teaching us by it then the sooner it will be over.
Posted by: Bill | January 13, 2009 at 07:15 AM
Hello,
I am here, but playing catch up with readings--sick husband and children ; )
As an aside, my primary goal this year is to stay absolutely current with the OT readings...if I get the NT and the Psalms/Proverbs in too, then that's icing! I focused all last year on the NT, so I feel like it's time to ponder the OT more thoroughly.
I mention this in case other folks out there (especially ones new to daily Bible reading) become "off track." This plan is a great plan, but as Mike mentioned earlier, please do not feel defeated by it if you "miss a step."
I would encourage you to hang in there with the rest of us--the plan is a TOOL to the higher goal of washing your mind with His word daily. And if the entire plan becomes too much to maintain daily, instead of abandoning the goal entirely, consider following a portion of it (just the Old Testament or just the New, or the Psalms/Proverbs together).
Just thinking,
Posted by: Elizabeth | January 13, 2009 at 08:03 AM
Hello Again,
I'm back with a couple thoughts on Jacob...
I really like this comment on Jacob:
". . . whoever observes Jacob's life, after he had surreptitiously obtained his father's blessing, will perceive that he enjoyed very little worldly felicity. His brother sought to murder him, to avoid which he was forced to flee from his father's house; his uncle Laban deceived him. . . . He was obliged to leave him in a clandestine manner. . . . He experienced the baseness of his son Reuben . . . the treachery and cruelty of Simeon and Levi towards the Shechemites; then he had to feel the loss of his beloved wife . . . the supposed untimely end of Joseph; and to complete all, he was forced by famine to go into Egypt, and there died in a strange land. . . ."
-C. H. Mackintosh
So true...Jacob got the birthright and the blessing (and ultimately the godly lineage), but he also reaped a lot of trouble and grief during his lifetime didn't he. He got very little immediate satisfaction from working things out his own way.
I also thought about Rebekah (who modeled the manipulation to her son first). She reaped sadness too as she never saw Jacob (her favorite) after he fled from Esau. She died before the reunion.
We do things badly when we get our fleshly hands in things. We are particularly bad when we put Lord in the mix but then put our fleshly nature in there too (just in case!) This happens over and over again in Genesis (and in life) with unfortunate consequences...
"'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”
Posted by: Elizabeth | January 13, 2009 at 08:16 AM
Matthew 9
How different Jesus is from popular figures in history. He was:
-accessible to the people (multitudes).
-available for one-on-ones
-touchable (woman with blood)
-impartial whether a synagouge ruler or a destitute sick woman, Jesus works with all.
Both Jarius (synagouge ruler) and woman with blood had things in common: They were desparate, and they had a measure of faith.
When Jesus healed the woman with blood issue and made her whole the Greek word is sozo. It is often used in NT to indicated redemption. I believe the woman's faith was such that she was made whole - physically and spiritually.
Jesus healed many without regards to faith, but only those with believing faith were saved (redeemed).
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Dead Girl
At death in Jewish society, there is rending of garments, professional mourners, and flute players. Talmud says that even the poor must have at least two flute players.
All of the above was going on at Jarius' house. when Jesus said she was just asleep. They did not just laugh - but it was a scornful laugh.
Jesus just went in and demonstrated he had the power over life and death. Says His fame went out and later that people marvelled, but not that they believed. Miracles are not meant to save, but to provide a sign of authority for the one performing the miracle. Peopele do get saved, but it is because they already had some degree of faith.
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Blind men
Persistently followed Jesus all the way to the house. They had persistent faith. Called Jesus "Son of David" - did they get that from Isaiah or from John the Baptist. They believed he was the Messiah.
The big thing is they asked for mercy. Blind men appealed to God's heart. Indicating their heart was changed or in the process of changing.
Jesus asks for a public declaration of faith, and they were healed according to their faith. They were made whole - physically and spiritually.
They did two things right off the bat:
- They disobeyed the one they believed in and went right out and told (Gives hope for all Christians as I have disobeyed Christ way too often.)
- But in the Greek they also were evangelizers as "they" brought in the "mute" man, another needy person.
As it was with them - it is for us. It is a mixed bag. We obey Jesus some and disobey some, and will continue to do so until sanctification process is done (in heaven). The improtant thing is to submit and let God work in us so the disobediance gets less and less. He will because we are His children, and it will go even faster if we just submit our will to His Will.
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I have said that miracles are signs of authority for Jesus. But I do not want to take away from His attitude. Jesus saw the multitudes and had compassion and mercy. He recognized their need. God is a loving God who is full of mercy and Jesus displayed those attributes while here on earth. Not just on the cross, but in His works.
"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
Harvest in Isaiah and Joel refers to the end. Jesus sees the people needy and without a shepherd, and He wants those roles filled before the "end" comes.
So does he tell disciples - Go and convert them. No, Jesus tells them first to pray for the labourers. Pray first and then we will see Him send the guys out into the fields.
Posted by: John A. | January 13, 2009 at 09:05 AM
I am going through God's discipline right now. Before I couldn't understand why God let this happen to me, but reading the OYB I have come to learn that God is disciplining me and getting me ready for the next stage in my life. He is teaching me patience and consideration for others just like Jacob.
Posted by: henry | January 13, 2009 at 02:11 PM
I agree with Mike that Bible Study group is a great way to learn the Word of God, and to gain perspectives and insights from one another. It's also a great time for brothers and sisters in Christ to have fellowship and encourage one another in our faith journeys.
I do believe godly discipline, and that God corrects those that he loves. I have experienced God's corrections a number of times in my life, when I sinned against Him and others. At the time, I didn't understand God's discipline, but now looking back I now know that He was training me and teaching me godly characters that are so important for my life, ministry and business.
Posted by: Kitty | January 13, 2009 at 03:11 PM
Gen 28
Jacob got his blessing, but nothing was going right. He was to make a 500 mile journey with next to no provisions (Gen 32:10), he was not an outdoorsman, Jacob was away from home and his mother, Esau hated him and wanted to kill him, - things couldn't get much worse.
[Note: Esau overheard blessing and decided HE could shore up his status by marrying a realative. He picked Ishmael's daughter. Esau did not consult God, nor care about God. Not a good choice.]
This is where God meets us - in our need. This would be the first time God got Jacob's attention.
Jacob had a dream. I believe Jacob saw this as God breaking into his life (28:16). The God of Abraham and Isaac was his God also. God was concerned for him in his desparate need and there was a bridge of access to God (ladder) to both seek His help and receive His aid.
In the new testament Jesus tells Nathaniel in John 1:51
"I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
We can see what Jacob could not at the time. Jesus is the ladder. Jesus is the bridge betwwen man and God and provides access to the Father.
God's words in the dream are a repeat of the promise to Abraham and Isaac. Notice the "I will". It is God's unconditional promise. no rebuke, no reneging, just unmerited grace and favor. Jacob thought he had to scheme to get the blessings from God - but God freely gives them to him while he is asleep.
Jacobs response: Fear. This was more than reverance. He had been in touch with the one he had only heard stories and promises about while growing up. But Jacob did the best he could, he built an altar, consecrated it and then made a vow. His vow was a lot of conditional statements (and I don't buy some commentators using the word "since" instead of "if") ending with 'If you'll do what you just said - then you can be my God'.
Did God rebuke Jacob? Did God say you should be thanking me, praising me, repenting,....? No. God begam working on Jacob for the next twenty years. Just like he worked with Abraham, Isaac, and you and me. God will bring Jacob along, just like He will bring us along.
Posted by: John A. | January 13, 2009 at 04:14 PM
Gen 29
A few things:
1) God isn't mentioned in tne first thirty verses, but he is where he always is - right there watching over us.
2)Jacob, Laban, Rachel and Leah were all schemers here doing it their way. As we saw before all will pay a price.
3) Polygamy may occur in the Bible, but it is never in God's Will. Take note that every person with multiple wives has a lot of headaches and problems in their lives. This is no accident or coincidence.
Posted by: John A. | January 13, 2009 at 04:25 PM
Yes, I believe God's refining work happens in our lives as soon as we let it happen. Ever since we changed church about 2 yrs ago, I've had more 'ouchy' times than in my previous years. One by one, God is bringing to light issues that I need to deal with and resolve. Each has a storehouse of pain attached. But once its faced and dealt with... the freedom and lightness of heart I feel is incomparable plus I get closer to Him. Feel Him more, hear Him more.
I know I'm getting healthier spiritually, emotionally and mentally. And all this is triggered a desire to get healthier physically too. So its been a total makeover by GOD! amazing...
I think this year with OYB will be another makeover of sorts. Already I'm cultivating a new habit of bible reading. I'm sure there are greater lessons and blessings in store.
Posted by: Joanna | January 13, 2009 at 10:39 PM