January 15th One Year Bible Readings

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Genesis 31:17-32:12 ~ Matthew 10:24-11:6 ~ Psalm 13:1-6 ~ Proverbs 3:16-18
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Old Testament - Today's Genesis chapter 31 readings take us through Laban's pursuit of Jacob and his family and Laban & Jacob's treaty.  In this chapter we read about Rachel taking Laban's "household gods", which were worthless idols - and yet both Laban and Rachel were very attached to idols, which was common in pagan religions of that time.  Idols were often family heirlooms that were passed down from generation to generation and could sometimes signify that someone would receive their family's estate if they received the idols.  People believed idols could bring blessings - and Laban obviously wanted them back.  Though, I think he wanted more than just his idols back - I think he also wanted control over Jacob and his family back.  In verses 33 & 34 we read: "Finally, Laban went into Rachel's tent. Rachel had taken the household gods and had stuffed them into her camel saddle, and now she was sitting on them. So although Laban searched all the tents, he couldn't find them."  Rachel was cunning like her husband Jacob!  Below is a fresco painting from 1729 by the Venetian artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo titled "Rachel Hiding the Idols":

Verse 42 stood out to me in today's readings as Jacob spoke to Laban: "In fact, except for the grace of God--the God of my grandfather Abraham, the awe-inspiring God of my father, Isaac--you would have sent me off without a penny to my name."   I like seeing that Jacob is realizing that the grace of God has blessed him!  I wonder if sometimes in our lives the grace of God is blessing us, and we don't realize it?  Do you ever have those moments when you look back on a day, or a week, or even a year and realize that God's grace was so there - and yet... you didn't realize it at the time?  Will you try to live more like Jacob in this verse - and recognize awe-inspiring God's grace more and more frequently in your life?  And can you give praise to God for this ever-present ever-dependable gift of grace that is available to you?

In Chapter 32 we see Jacob preparing to meet his brother Esau.  And - we see Jacob praying to God an amazing prayer!  Verse 10 is beautiful: "I am not worthy of all the faithfulness and unfailing love you have shown to me, your servant. When I left home, I owned nothing except a walking stick, and now my household fills two camps!" Do you believe that God has been showing faithfulness and unfailing love to Jacob in our readings?  Do you believe that God is showing faithfulness and unfailing love to you today?  Below is an engraving by the artist Gustave Dore of Jacob praying to God here in chapter 32 (I love this image!):

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Genesis chapter 31 titled "The Difference between Legality and Morality" is at this link and "Between a Rock and a Hard Place" is at this link.

New Testament - Matthew chapter 10 closes out today with what might be considered some "hard teachings" of Jesus.  I think what stands out in my mind in reading these teachings is that while Jesus is certainly the Prince of Peace, he also has come into a world that is full of darkness - and the darkness fights against Jesus' light.  So, if we decide to align ourselves with Jesus, and his eternal goodness and light, the darkness will also then fight against us - just as it fights against Jesus.  As students and servants of Jesus, we will face the same persecutions that Jesus did.  And while this is certainly true, think about the alternative - not following Jesus... and not walking in the light of God's love.  I'd much rather spend 1 day in Jesus' light than 1 thousand days elsewhere...  How about you?

Verse 38 is the first mention of the word cross in the gospel of Matthew: "If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine."   What strikes me about this verse is that Jesus is teaching that we do have a cross to bear.  And we have a choice to make of whether we will take up the cross and follow Jesus.  So, now may be a good time to ask yourself - what is your cross in your life?  Do you think you know what it is?  If not, will you ask Jesus to reveal to you what your cross is?  And then, will you bear it daily?  And will you follow Jesus daily?

Matthew 11 starts off with an interesting question from John the Baptist to Jesus in verse 3: "Are you really the Messiah we've been waiting for, or should we keep looking for someone else?"  I read an interesting commentary that said this is the beginnings of where we see that people are starting to wonder if Jesus is really the Messiah, because he hadn't overthrown the Roman government.   Many in Jerusalem were expecting a Warrior-King Messiah that would free the Jewish people from the oppression of Rome.  And Jesus' ministry of "only" preaching, teaching, and healing was bringing up the questions of, "are you really the Messiah?"   People were starting to wonder... Instead of the Warrior-King, they are seeing a Suffering-Servant, which was not what was expected.  What do you personally believe the answer to John's question was and is?  Is Jesus the Messiah?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Matthew chapter 11 titled "The Question of John the Baptist" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 13 is thought to be a prayer by David for recovery from a grave illness, based on verse 3: "Restore the light to my eyes, or I will die."  Yet, even in the midst of this serious illness, David amazingly proclaims in verse 5: "But I trust in your unfailing love."  How about you?  When you are sick or in the midst of a very challenging or sad situation, do you trust in God's unfailing love?  Always?  No matter what is going on around you?  Do you trust that God will ultimately restore the light to your eyes?

Proverbs - I love Proverbs chapter 3 verse 17!  "She (wisdom) will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying."   Amen!  What a great choice of words - delightful paths and satisfying ways.  Do you believe that wisdom will lead you down delightful paths and that wisdom proves to be always satisfying to you?  What if we do not pursue wisdom in our lives - might our paths be miserable and might we be always hungry and never satisfied?  Let us ever pursue the wise path of true Delight in our lives!

Worship God: My Matthew chapter 10 comments and the image of Jesus and light above reminded me of the old-school DC Talk song "In the Light." Here is a live version of the song in this video below!  This song has some powerful lyrics.  A great line in this song is: "The disease of self runs through my blood.  It's a cancer fatal to my soul...  Every attempt on my behalf has failed, to bring this sickness under control!"  Amen.  Let us each give the disease of self over to the only One who can heal us of it - Jesus!

Are you in the Light?  Want to be in the Light?  Find out how at this link!

Please join me in memorizing 2 verses of Scripture today:
"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven." Matthew 10:32-33 NIV

Comments from You and Questions of the Day:  Based on the reflection in Proverbs above on Wisdom, what are some ways that you pursue Wisdom in your life these days?  Do you believe reading the Bible for 15 to 20 minutes a day is one way to pursue Wisdom?  What are some "delightful paths" (per our Proverb above) that Wisdom has led you down in your life?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

Comments

[Bill]

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY:

Based on the reflection in Proverbs above on Wisdom, what are some ways that you pursue Wisdom in your life these days? Do you believe reading the Bible for 15 to 20 minutes a day is one way to pursue Wisdom? What are some "delightful paths" (per our Proverb above) that Wisdom has led you down in your life?

It reminds me of a book I once read by A.W. Tozer entitled ' The Pursuit of God '. If I am pursuing God then I am also pursuing wisdom. God is wisdom just as God is love. Reading the Bible is part of pursuing wisdom but it is also making life applications on what you read which isn’t always as easy. What good is wisdom if you are not using it? Wisdom increases as we grow spiritually and spending time in God’s Word is definitely conducive to that.

GENESIS 31:17-32:12

My wife and I once had one of those “Mizpah” ( 31:49 ) medals with the words “ The Lord watch between me and thee when we are absent from one another” engraved on it. It had two halves as if it had been cracked down the center. I wore the one half on a chain on my neck and she wore the other half. It symbolizes an emotional bond between two people who are separated. That certainly didn’t seem to be the case between Jacob and Laban though. Jacob obviously wanted to be separated from Laban and so they were, permanently. There is no record in Scripture that either Jacob, Rachel or Leah ever saw Laban again. I find it somewhat amusing that Laban seemed to be accusing Jacob of being capable of domestic violence and of not being a faithful husband to his daughters ( 31:50 ).

It seemed that Laban, in pursuing Jacob, had intended to do him harm ( 31:29 ). However, God had forewarned Laban in a dream not to even so much as make a verbal threat against Jacob ( 31:24, 29 ). Immediately after Laban departed to go back home Jacob was met by a company of angels ( 32:1-2 ). If Laban had tried to do harm to Jacob there no doubt would have been angelic intervention. These angels were there to protect Jacob. I believe that we can trust God to do the same for us when we are in danger of being hurt by violence.

“The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”

- Psalm 34:7 ( KJV )

MATTHEW 10:24-11:6

In Matthew 10 it seems the Lord is preparing His disciples to face persectution for their faith in Him. Persecution is what Jesus meant when He said he was sending them as lambs among wolves ( 10:10 ).

Jesus warned of beatings ( 10:17 ), trials before both religious and secular courts ( 10:17-18 ), betrayal by one’s own family ( 10: 21, 35-36 ) and that persecution of believers would be worldwide ( 10:22 ) not just localized in Israel.

When persecution arises because of the faith Jesus said Jesus said that we should not be fearful ( 10:26-31 ). He said that if we are put on trial for our faith we should depend on the Holy Spirit to speak through us to answer our persecutors ( 10:19-20 ). He also said to “flee” ( 10:29 ). There are times when it may be God’s will for us to leave our homes and everything behind in order to save our lives and the lives of our families. Christians have been fleeing persecution in other lands for centuries. America was founded by Christians who fled England to escape persecution and to seek religious freedom. There is no shame or cowardice in leaving if we see persecution coming beforehand. Not only is it biblical ( Proverbs 22:3 ) but it is also common sense. There is only shame and cowardice if we deny the Name of the Lord ( 10:33 ) when undergoing persecution. There is a time to flee but there is also a time to take up the cross ( 10:38-39 ) and follow Christ unto death if God calls us to do that.

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

- 2 Timothy 3:12 ( KJV)

PSALM 13:1-6

I find Verse 5 to be especially inspiring: “But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.” Not only does this apply to sin, judgment and our saving faith in Christ but also to the promise of deliverance from our enemies. God’s mercy and salvation is manifested to us also when our enemies do not prevail over us even though they are stronger than we are.

PROVERBS 3:16-18

Interestingly, verse 18 calls wisdom “ a tree of life.“ When Adam and Eve ate of the fruit of the tree of life in the Garden of Eden they were partaking of the wisdom of God. Their sin in eating the forbidden fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was that they, in effect, were choosing the wisdom of the world in its place which was offered to them by Satan in the form of the serpent. As a result they were driven from their happy paradise into a world of sorrow and tears.

[Ramona]

Genesis 31:17-32:12

The intensity of Jacob’s flight from Labon’s household can be picked up by the 18th verse of chapter 31, He drove the flocks in front of him… Shepherds, at least Middle Eastern shepherds didn’t drive their sheep, they led the sheep. Note, The Lord is my Shepherd…He leadeth me.“ Jacob was relying on stealth and speed to protect him from his father-in-law and not the promise of God. I think it was difficult for Jacob to really believe that what God had said to him and given him as a promise. Jacob was a man who had incorporated deception and use of his skillful tongue to weave him in and out of situations, trying to obtain control, thus the words that came out of his mouth, which were not founded on truth predisposed him to not be able to believe in the Words of God.

The same principal applies to us today, if we are not dealing in truth in our own lives, it is very difficult to near impossible to believe the Words of God. When Laban catches up to Jacob’s party of travelers, the conversation between the two give a window into the lives of two men who lived by deceit and manipulation. They are not listening to each other, they try to anticipate the others intent and speak out of turn and off topic of what question was askd by the other and they don’t answer the accusations each brings up. When the topic of household gods are brought up, Rachel gets in on that dance of trickery.

And what about those household gods? Why were they taken from Laban’s home? Was it a way to get back at her father, or was the woman Jacob loved attributing powers to them? Both Laban and Jacob mention call out the name of God but not as their God. He is the God of my ancestors, the God of Nahor and Isaac, but not their God. Is there this duality, this double mindedness of gods and a Big God of all the other little gods operating in both households? Do I have unseen household gods in my home as I call on the creator of the Universe to get my prayers answered. Who do I call on first when I am in trouble, feel put upon and pulled from every direction, or is God my last resort after I have called on the other gods in my household?

As Jacob approaches his home country, the guilt he has for his former behavior toward Esau is manifested by the unease and danger he feels when he hears that Esau and an army of 400 men are coming to meet him. Guilt, real or false, will take over our imaginations and cause us to mentally picture every punishment we think we deserve And along with that punishment we will mentally construct 50 million ways to remedy and take away that guilt.

Matthew 10:24-11:6

I too like Mike became stuck on the take up your cross statement of Jesus in verse 38 of the 10th chapter of Matthew. Within the context of verses 32-39, it seems that this cross is the fall-out one will experience when you align yourself with Christ in the midst of an unbelieving family, and in some cases in the midst of a believing family if you don’t believe like they do.

34"Don't imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! No, I came to bring a sword. 35I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36Your enemies will be right in your own household! 37If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.

I find that chapter eleven is both and encouragement and a warning to me. If what I think Jesus should be doing doesn’t happen, I should not dwell in doubt but change my expectation. John the Baptist was in prison. He had done carried out the assignment God had given him. He baptized Jesus and seen the Holy Spirit enter Jesus and heard the voice of God. Yet he was in doubt because he was stuck in the prison cell waiting for the overthrow of the Roman government, that wasn’t happening. So he found himself saying, “Jesus, are you the one?” What do I do when what I want God to do on my behalf is not done? Will I stand, after having done all to stand?

Psalm 13:1-6
I believe, help my unbelief. This is the cry that seems to be in the heart of the psalmist David. Two-thirds of this Psalm seems to be questioning God and where He is in the affairs and life of the speaker, and the last one-third acknowledges the speaker’s trust in the one true God. This is “me” in time of crises. “God do you care? Are you here, there, anywhere?” But then something rises up within me and I can proclaim with certainty that I know that God is with me, sometimes.

Proverbs 3:16-18
Ah, this is the place where Wisdom is personified as a woman, I love it. Well to be truthful on the other side of the street lives folly, also a woman. Smile!

[Elizabeth]

Hello,

Enjoyed your thoughts this morning Bill--particularly your thoughts about persecution and how it can be biblical to flee. There is a time for different responses, certainly.

I also enjoyed the link to Bob Deffinbaugh's commentary on Genesis 31-32

http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=111

I love his definition of ethics there:

"Ethics is the difference between morality and legality. Ethics is the difference between what I ought to do and what the law demands I must do."

And I think he hits the nail on the head when he concludes that Jacob was legalistic in adhering to the letter of the law, but that his heart was unethical and often fearful. It revealed a lack of trust in His Lord. Bingo.

With regard to your question of the day, Mike: How do I pursue wisdom?

Certainly, one way to pursue wisdom is through washing one's mind with the truth of God's word often. The next (and more difficult step for me personally) is how I apply the truths of His word in daily life.

James came to mind this morning:

"Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct, let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.

This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." James 3:13-18

I love the wording there..."in the meekness of wisdom" along with his description of the characteristics of godly wisdom:

*pure
*peaceable
*gentle
*open to reason
*full of mercy and good fruits
*impartial
*sincere

Wisdom is more than information, it is characterized by a meek, sincere, gentle and peaceable ACTION.

This is good stuff for me to dwell upon this morning...

Have a great day--it's really really COLD outside here today (well, cold for the mountains of NC at least!)

[Elizabeth]

Ramona, I just wanted to say that I also enjoyed your comments this morning (they appeared for me right after my last post)

I see many of my own weaknesses and fears in Jacob--though I do not often struggle with deception, I do love control! I think Jacob (and Laban) were obsessed with micromanaging for their best interests.

Along these lines, I laughed at Deffinbaugh's comment on Laban here:

"If he could not retrieve his household gods, the least Laban can do is to make a covenant with Jacob which would guarantee that he will never make use of those gods to further encroach upon his possessions in the future. Notice that the treaty is initiated by Laban and that its terms are spelled out by him. Since Laban has not succeeded in holding Jacob in check, Laban now calls upon Jacob’s God to do so."

Laban didn't skip a beat, did he? I suspect he was a major control freak and met his match in Jacob...

I also enjoyed your analysis of Jacob's inner thought life and your comments on the imagination: "guilt, real or false, will take over our imaginations...."

I've learned from experience that my imagination can be a dangerous place. I've learned to keep a tight watch on my thought life, to ask Him to prune out fears, untruths, and other junk that seeps in. We can waste a lot of emotional energy and become spiritually discouraged "spinning the wheels" of our minds...

[John A.]

Matt 11:1-6

John the Baptist while in prison had doubts about Jesus. Why?

The Jews believed that when the Messiah came he was going to establish a physical kingdom in Israel. At this time it would mean leading a revolt and kicking the Romans out. Israel would be returned to its glory days under David and better. At the very least I am sure John expected Jesus to come get him out of jail by force or persuasion. None of that was happening and it must have been perplexing to John. Give John credit. When he doubted - he did not stew over it, he took it to Jesus.

[Note: John was not alone. We can see doubt in the disciples when they asked questions of Jesus about the Kingdom throughout the Gospels.]

Jesus' answer: Check Scripture John and see what is going on. Go back and go over Isaiah 35:5-6, and probably unrecorded Isaiah 61:1-3. These are the signs of the Kingdom.

6Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."

Thayer's Lexicon says the Greek construct gives this meaning for fall away/offended: "to see in another what I disapprove of and what hinders me from acknowledging his authority."

Happy, blessed, is the man who comes to me and believes regardless of my method. Although they may disapprove of my methods (as it is not how they would do it, or understand how it is supposed to be), they do not let their disapproval be a stumbling block to their faith. They do not fall away.

Good News: John got it. How do we know. Matt 14:12. John did not renounce his work and was beheaded. His disciples came to Jesus after the burial. If John was not satisfied with the answer, they would never have bothered to go back to Jesus.

[John A.]

Gen 32:1-12

Ramona covered Gen 31. God had protected Jacob from Laban behind him, now he faced Esau in front of him. The man who had sworn to kill Jacob. I am sure Jacob was scheming and thinking of how he would deal with Esau.

What does God do? God sent angels to meet Jacob. Why? I think to show Jacob that yes, God is with him, and will protect Jacob - and to bolster his faith. There is more than one angel, and Jacob calls it a host. Commentators vary on how many that means, but it is way more than a handful:) How many angels would it take to protect Jacob - uh, one. (one angel wiped out 185,000 Assyrians Is 37:36). The "host" was more than physically necessary, but spiritually the large number of angels was to calm Jacob down.

Did it work? Perhaps for a moment, but Esau's reply to his message made Jacob not afraid - but GREATLY afraid. It also says he was distressed, and the Hebrew construct means he was upset and perplexed. Surely, by now Esau would have forgiven me, or at least God would make him forgive me. What is up with that - now I am in trouble.

Trouble? Jacob, turn around and look at the camp of angels. You think they can take care of Esau and 400?

Ahh, Jacob was still going to rely on self. But not totally, Jacob schemes and splits his camp into two (completely disregarding the angels), and then for the first time - Jacob prays and calls on the Lord. It is a good prayer, but note that Jacob calls on God's protection, but not for His direction. There is still some work to be done in Jacob.
======================================================
Jacob's prayer

1) He acknowledges God.
2) Bases his prayer on God's Word: vs.9 reminds God he is obeying God's order to return. vs.12 reminds God of the promises to Abraham, Isaac and himself.
3)Jacob appeals to God on the basis of grace not merit: Says he is unworthy and thanks him for all God has done in his life.
4)Jacob presents his request honestly and fervently: Protect me because I am frightened.
5)Jacob prays for God's purpose: This is all about God's plan vs. 12. Jacob is praying in the revealed will of God.

It is a very good first prayer, but again Jacob could have asked for direction - possibly even mentioning the angels?????

[John A.]

Gen 31

One note:

Why did Rachel steal the idols?

Yes, Rachel had faith, but an imperfect faith. She had a mystical bent (remember the mandrakes), and maybe the idols were taken in case God didn't come through in some future situation. Rachel was covering all her bases?

Perhaps? The "Nuzi" tablets were discovered in the region dating to about 400 years after Jacob. The tablets indicate the possessor of the father's household idols was the heir to the estate. Rachel may have been trying to secure her inheritance she felt wrongly denied her. This would also explain Laban's anger over the matter and Jacob's extreme punishment for the culprit.

Rachel was not relying on God to provide. Before we think poorly of her, how many times do we do the very same thing. I have been guilty of mixing the world's thinking and provisions with my dependance on God. Rachel and all Christians are on a walk with God that starts off with a lot of stumbling.

[John A.]

Matthew 10

I only want to comment on one verse, because I think it is greatly misunderstood.

38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Christ is setting a very high standard in vs 37-38. You are not worthy of me if you cannot do these things - worthy in Greek context means worthy of one's fellowship and of the blessings connected with it.

So what standards? Love for your family, and not even death can be a reason to deny me. You see, the love of Christ has to overrule the normality of family love and the love of Christ has to overrule the instinct of self‑preservation.

The cross is not a symbol of anyones particular burden or general tough times. It is not even about death in general - oh death will happen at some time in my life. No, it is about being willing and knowingly going to a certain excruciating death for your Lord - and professing Him all the way to the end. By using these extreme examples Jesus is saying - 'This is how much you have to love me.' This is not a game, it is not something you do on a lark, this is about submitting your will to God and taking me in as your Lord and Savior with no strings attached.

How can I say this??

"When He said ‑ Take up your cross.., they knew immediately what He was talking about. He was talking about dying, just plain old dying.

How they'd know that? They were of...they were from Galilee with the exception of Judas Iscariot, all eleven others were from Galilee. And very recently there had been an insurrection in Galilee lead by Judas of Galilee, and Judas had gathered a band together and decided to throw the Romans out. And the Romans won.

And the Romans crushed Judas and his insurrection, and the Roman general Varus, V‑a‑r‑u‑s, wanted to teach the Jews a lesson so he crucified over two thousand Jews. And he put their crosses up and down all the roads of Galilee so everywhere the people went they saw them hanging on these crosses along the roadside. And every Jew that was crucified carried the crossbeam for his own execution on his back as he marched to the cross. And these Galileans had seen all of that. And Jesus is talking to them in historical context and He is saying ‑ He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me is not worthy of Me. You need to be willing to die, He says...rather than deny Me. This is a symbol of painful, torturous death. The most excruciating death man has ever invented is crucifixion. It's slow and the slumping of the body on the wounds that are created by the nails not only causes excruciating pain at the point of the wound, but eventually suffocates the internal organs.

And He's saying ‑ You take up your cross, you must be willing to go to the most excruciating painful torturous death imaginable."

John MacArthur
http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/2284

[Kitty]

Thanks John for your comment about taking up the cross. It was insightful!

Yes the loving Christ has to be our priority and life goal, which is even more important than family love and love of oneself.