Where does evil come from?

Jacob had only partially obeyed God's command to go home to his land and family.  After meeting with Esau he had settled outside Shechem in Canaan, and away from Esau. Leah's daughter Dina was raped there, and her brothers Simeon and Levi tricked all the males of Shechem into being circumcised,  and then when they were in pain,  killed all the males with the sword, and took everything as plunder. Jacob's response was fear of reprisals (Genesis 34).

It never ceases to amaze me how some can say that mankind is basically good. One secular explanation of evil consists of blaming it on bad government and the oppressive patriarchy. But Jacob was weak,  and there was no government here to blame. And if we are to believe the Bible the start of the escalation of murder to revenge to genocide stated within a generation of the fall (Genesis 4). When you understand this, you see why the Law had to start with an eye for an eye,  and a tooth for a tooth (Exodus 21:4). In other words justice,  not revenge.   Simeon and Levi were not in the place to be obey the New Testament command to  “love your enemies” (Matthew 5:24). Only after Jesus'  demonstration of “His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:10), could it be even begin to be commanded.

Paul tells us righteousness does not  come by the Law (Galatians 2:21).  Another way to say this, is that goodness cannot be legislated, be it legislation by God or man.  You can be sure that if justice and equity could be brought through laws,  rules, regulations or government, then God's laws and rules and regulation would be the ones that work.  But over and over again in the Old Testament we see Israel failing, be it under theocracy (God ruling) or secular Government (under a king in the old Testament). Paul personalizes human nature by saying he has this problem: that the good things he want to do, he does not do,  and the evil things he doesn't  want to do are the very things he does. The implication is that we all have this problem.  In other words living by rules, even if it is our own rules,  does not work!  He also says  one of the purposes of the Law and/or rules and regulations is that it show us of our need of  obtaining righteousness apart from rules and/or legislation of any kind  (Galatians 3:24).

This of course includes any form of government. Democracy is very far from perfect, but what is the alternative? As Churchill said so eloquently “Democracy is the worst form of government apart from all the others.”  And we need to ask if Democracy is so bad,  why do so many people want to come to North America?  And what I am saying is that the best known form of government is heavily under attack when we disallow free speech,  and impose censorship, the very foundation upon which democracy can stand. The point is that  “the first to state his case seems right,  until another comes and cross-examines him” (Proverbs 18:17). But if we are not allowed to  cross-examine .....!

Father, nobody is saying we don't need just government, or that we should not work towards it and equity. But as Jesus clearly said it is the heart of man where the root of it all lies (Mark 7:20-22). We need our hearts transformed, let the transformation start with me in Jesus Name Amen

Disobedience and fear: Massacre at Shechem

Jacob had returned to the land of Canaan, to the city of a prince called Shechem (the city was later called Shechem). He had bought land outside the city from Shechem's father Hamor. Shechem raped Leah's daughter Dina, but loved her,  and asked his father to get her as his wife. Jacob's sons were grieved when they heard what he'd done,  and when Hamor came, they acted deceptively saying they would agree only “if every male of you is circumcised.” It was agreed and carried out, and the third day,  when they were in pain,  Dina's brothers Simeon and Levi killed all the males with the sword, and took everything,  lock stock and barrel, including women and children, as plunder. Jacob's response was fear,  they had made him obnoxious among the greater population “and since I am few in number, they will gather against me and kill me and my household” (Genesis 33:18-34:30).

For Israel circumcision was a sign of the covenant, but it was fairly common among the ancients. That,  and that prospective joint wealth (verse 23) made the proposition not unreasonable.  Jacob's response said nothing about the horror of the massacre. It was the response of fear! Only on his deathbed would he express condemnation (49:5). The brother's rationalization,  was that they had treated Dina as a harlot.

Under the dispensation of the Old Testament God's people were to come out from among unbelievers and be separate (Isaiah 52:11). New Testament believers are to be salt and light in the midst of a crooked generation (Philippians 2:15). And though it was not yet a commandment, Jacob would certainly have known about Lot's experience (Genesis 13).  Jacob's fear was unfounded,  for terror of them was on all the cities (35:5).  So the Lord worked it out in spite of the fear and disobedience, but it was not without cost to his family, Dina had been raped, and his sons had learnt they could get away with murder.  And this incident would not have happened if Jacob had been obedient, for he had been told to return to his family (31:3).  

The other thing here, is that when we are disobedient and/or operate out of fear, we take ourselves out somewhat,  from under the umbrella of God's protection. Our choices have consequences, or as scripture tells us, we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). Scripture also tells us that what is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23). In fact  God calls sin,  sin precisely because sin always has negative consequences. In other words when God says “no” He does so for our provision and protection.  

The scary thing is that in many things we all fail (James 3:2). Nevertheless when we are sincerely seeking to walk in faith, there is still some level of protection. He knows our frame, He knows that we are but dust (Psalm 104:14), and He does not, as here,   completely remove His protection. Also and in His time,  He will somehow redeem it.  

Father, thank You  for Your amazing promise to bring good even out of evil, for those of us who love You and are called according to Your purposes (Romans 8:28). And thank You that You do this in spite of our disobedience, fear and other weaknesses. Thank You Lord that though it all,  You are making us fruitful and more like Jesus (verse 29). Thank You that when we see You we will be like You! That too is amazing Lord,  in Jesus Name Amen

Enemies at peace: Three levels of reconciliation and forgiveness

Seeing Esau and the four hundred men coming,  Jacob lined up the four women with their children in order of preciousness to him,  with Rachel and Joseph last.  He then went ahead of them and bowed himself down to the ground seven times, in an act of humble submission.  Esau ran to meet him, embraced him,  fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept. Esau wants to accompany Jacob and his family back to Esau's home Seir.  Jacob tells him to go ahead,  excusing himself,  saying the flocks have to travel too slowly. Esau returns home clearly expecting Jacob to follow,  but Jacob goes to Shechem and erects an alter  (Genesis 33:1-7).

“When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Proverbs 16:7). But it's not clear how much Jacob's ways are pleasing the Lord,  for once again he's deceptive. Nor, when Jacob was not willing to live in the same place with Esau is it clear how much peace there was.  Kinder comments that the previous stream of gifts (32:13-20), and the organization of his family indicates something of the load on Jacob's conscience and the grace of Esau's reply. There was of course, also the fear factor. Esau now has the upper hand.  Jacob, recently released from Laban's domination might not have been willing to permanently remain that state with Esau.  And though he had wrestled with God and prevailed, it might not be so easy with Esau! Jacob is no warrior,  better to go separate ways, and best not to confront Esau with his decision!

In the words of Rick Warren when God forgives, he does so instantly, freely and completely. Our reconciliation is not like God's.  With us humans it is said there are three levels of forgiveness (reconciliation). Firstly I will forgive you,  I wont hold a grudge, but I don't want anything further to do with you. Secondly I forgive you and I will be polite, but not allow you too close. Then thirdly I forgive you and am willing to become fast friends.  Clearly there are shades in between.  Even though he is the offending party,  Jacob is not ready for the third level. We might not be either, the third level will likely always involve the process of sharpening each other as iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17).

They are called levels, rather than stages, and forgiveness and trust are two different things. The fact of the matter,  is that not all people are safe, and trust needs to be earned.  Reconciliation (forgiveness) does not mean we should go back into an abusive situation.  As we read in Ecclesiastes there is a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing (3:5b). The three levels can of course be stages, as both parties move forward in patient timing and in the process of facilitating mutual trust and dignity.


Father, most of the time when there are deep hurts,  we need Your grace to forgive (Hebrews 12:15). Even then is a process!  You being God can choose to forget (Hebrews 8:12), that is often not possible with us, though with You all things are possible. In addition to Grace Lord,  we need Your wisdom to know how far and how fast we should let others back into our lives. And like Jacob,  building an alter we need to thank You for any level of reconciliation that with Your help we achieve.  In Jesus Name Amen

Jacob wrestles with God and prevails

Jacob sent the rest his family across the ford. He “was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until day break.  Now when He saw He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of Jacob's  hip,  and it was out of joint as He wrestled with him. He said, 'Let Me go, for the day breaks.'  But Jacob said, 'I will not let You go unless You bless me!' So He said to him, 'What is your name?'  He said, 'Jacob.' And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed” Genesis 32:22-38).  Jacob limped from that day on.

The “Man” was an angel, the wrestling was supplication,  and it was with tears (Hosea 12:4). Jacob called the place Peniel (face of God -  verses 30).  When you are in torment, the sort of prayer (supplication) that we are talking about here,  is not so much about the words, it is about engaging with God, in a way best  described as wrestling.  When I am frustrated I often have this picture of myself with God's arms around me,  and me pummelling His chest with my fists. On the night I finally surrendered my life to God, all those years ago, I remember saying “I can't fight You anymore!” I felt Him say that He was not fighting me, in fact though it was painful He was drawing me to Him with chords of love.  

Think about this for a moment, could a mouse fight with a lion and win? I mean logically,  can a man fight with God and prevail?  The commentators cannot agree on if the Man is Jesus, as He certainly is elsewhere (Daniel 3:25).  We don't need to know, but what we do need to know, is that when we are wrestling with God in this way, we can win, we can prevail, but the prayer,  the wrestling,  has to be so more than “I wants this,  in Jesus Name Amen!” The prayers of the saints are  pictured as  “golden bowls full of incense” (Revelation 5:8).  Though his prayers were heard from the first day, Daniel had to travail in prayer for 21 days before that particular bowl was full (Daniel 10:12, 13).  What I am saying is that we need to keep wrestling in prayer until that particular bowl is full. The need for persistence and not giving up is illustrated well in the parable of the unjust judge.  If the unjust judge brought justice through the widow's boldness and persistence,  how much more our heavenly Father (Luke 18:1-8). She would not give up until he blessed her!

But what's this about the hip out of joint? The point is that coming to God in prayers like this changes us, even if the answer is no. The blessing then is  just different,  but we're still blessed. The change of name signifies that Jacob is now one of God's overcomers   (Revelation 2:17).

Father, I sense You love it when we come to You with  the same spirit as Jacob determine to not let You go until You bless us. We can't do this alone Lord but Your  “Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26). For these and many other things we give You thanks and praise in Jesus Name Amen  

Amends: Jacob seeks to make amends

When you are in fear of your life, seeking to make amends is likely to go overboard, and Esau was coming to Jacob with four hundred men.  Jacob had already eaten humble pie, calling Esau lord,  and himself Esau's servant. Now he sends Esau a present of two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, thirty milk camels with their colts, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten foals. He instructs his herdsmen to put each drove by itself,  and to put a distance between each one. Then when they in turn encounter Esau,  each is to say these “are your servant Jacob’s. It is a present sent to my lord Esau; and behold, he also is behind us” (Genesis 32:6-18).

Scripture admonishes us as much as is possible with us, to live at peace with others. Jacob perhaps suspecting Esau might think he had come to claim his (stolen) inheritance is a pains to stress that he is giving rather than claiming. The demonstrated and repeated message is,  as much as possible,  to make sure the message gets through. Twelve step programs stress the need to make amends (seek to be reconciled), and teaches how to do so. It can perhaps be summed up in the Biblical admonition “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31).  Restitution (the restoration of something lost or stolen) where ever possible. If you stole  something from someone “sorry” is not enough. The Bible talks about returning double or more (i.e. Exodus 22:1). Clearly it is not always possible, what is done cannot be undone, an insult for example. But never underestimate the power of a sincere apology. The how and when of an amends is important too.  It is important to acknowledge the hurt and the damage. And it would not have been a good idea for Jacob to remind Esau of the bargain, which from Esau's point of view was Jacob taking advantage of his hunger (25:29-34). Likewise an “apology” that adds “if you hadn't done such and such,” is not going to cut it. You may not be ready to make the amends, and this brings us to timing.

Perhaps the most important thing we can learn from this story is that it is much better to  allow God to be in control. And it was God who had told him to return to his country and family at this time, and that would be important in praying things through. For God will never lead you to a place where, with His help,  He will not lead you out of it.  It is so easy to get either ahead or behind His leading. And especially in situations like this where you are essentially going through a mine field is it important to stay close. If I am still wanting to blame in my apology, I am not ready, but  the other guy may not be ready either, God knows.    

Father, there is so much to learn about making amends. Often is it that I need to get rid of the guilt and shame. Even when there is fault on the other side, I need to take responsibility for my side. And I know myself well enough to know that I often need other people's advice as to how to make my amends. When I am feeling lead to make amends, help me to be willing to do that, and please give me acceptable words, words that can be heard in Jesus Name Amen

Prayer and the transformation potential of crises

The Lord had just sorted out the conflict with Laban (Genesis 31), and now Jacob was passing over in to Esau's territory. On his way he meets the Angels of God and says “This is God's camp.” He sends messages ahead to Esau explaining how he had prospered and calling himself Esau's servant. The message is “I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favour in your sight.”  He hears back that Esau is coming to meet him with four hundred men. Jacob is petrified and decides to spit his company in two thinking that if Esau attacks one, the other will escape. He prays to God saying it was God who told him  to return to his country and family. He tells God he is not worthy of the least of all His mercies, for he left with only his staff and now he is two companies. He asks God to deliver him from Esau because “You said ' “I will surely treat you well, and make your descendants as the sand of the sea ... '” (32:1-12).

In light of Esau's feeling that Jacob had stolen his birthright Benson,  in his commentary,  suggest Esau may have thought Jacob had come to take possession of his father Isaac’s property on his death. Since Esau lived at a distance from Isaac (verse 3), he may also have thought Jacob had obtained his wealth from that source.  As I know well from personal  experience, the potential for misunderstanding when two people are at loggerheads is enormous.  When somebody is convinced you are a villain, true or untrue, even the best actions with the best motives can be interpreted as manipulation or your intent to deceive.  People at loggerheads are also slow to acknowledge change even when it is obvious to everyone else.  It is not clear exactly when,  or how much Jacob had changed at this point.  But his humble prayer here is very different from the bargain he made with God at Bethel  (if You ... then I ...  28:20, 21).  But what's very clear, is that crises have great potential for transformation. In recovery circles we call this coming to our bottom, coming to the end of ourselves,  seeing how much we need to change,  and how incapable we are of doing  that without His help.

The Lord knows what we need, and had sent his angels to demonstrate that was was indeed still with him. When praying in crisis,  or indeed at other times too,  it is good to remind God of His promises.  Many times praying and going back over His promises has helped me to come back to a place of peace and rest, as in faith I affirm that He has this.

 
Father,  I am amazed  how time after time as I am working my way through there stories that there is something there for me in my day.  Jacob was dealing with a double whammy, and so am I.  You tell us that one of the reasons for trials is to see what is in our hearts (Deuteronomy 8:2), and I have had to examine my heart over and over during these last few days. In particular am I more interested in reconciliation than in being right, or in returning the same from what I feel I am getting. Thank You Lord that Your Grace is sufficient, and that You who have begun a work in me are not about to stop now in Jesus Name Amen  

Crucial conversations, closure and covenant

After Laban had failed to find the household gods he had accused Jacob of stealing,  Jacob laid out all the injustices he had suffered under Laban's hand. He was tricked into seven more years of free labour as the brideprice for Rachel. And after the fourteen years  Laban hide,  three days journey away, all the types of flock they had agree on as Jacob's wage going forward.  God had spoken to Laban in a dream not to hurt Jacob and Jacob says that unless the God had been with him, Laban would have sent him away empty handed (Genesis 31:31-42).

Laban repines “These daughters are my daughters, and these children are my children, and this flock is my flock; all that you see is mine. But what can I do this day.... ? Now therefore, come, let us make a covenant, and let it be a witness between you and me” (verses 43,44). They make a heap of stones and ate on it, also making a covenant determining the boundary lines,  and agreeing not to harm one another. The call the place Galeed meaning “pile for witness”  (verses 43-52).  

One of the many books I have bought with the intention of reading (need I say more) is entitled “Crucial conversations.”  From the foreword, one of the most  crucial things is to understand. I have always known that of course, but the most effective teaching is often to that which we already know at some level,  and building on what is already know.  Of the many life lessons I have learned the hard way, one is that there is not a lot of point talking when nobody is listening! What I am saying is that there is a place and a timing for crucial conversations.  And we don't have to get everything 100% right. In fact we are not going to. But if we are following God's timing and leading, we will find, as Jacob did,  that God has gone before us to prepare the way.  Jacob's angry words at the wrong time could have been disastrous.

Laban must have felt somewhat chastened at not being able to find his household gods. Have you ever lost something and accused somebody of stealing only to find it later? Even if you haven't accused them have you thought it? Me? “Guilty as charged!”  Most of us, when we believe we are in the right want to make the other person crawl and wait to be begged for forgiveness. Clearly whatever Laban's strange answer means it is not that, and Jacob would sill likely be waiting.  I have learnt,  when somebody is doing something wrong, to settle for them not doing it anymore, rather than my needing them to admit it, let alone come crawling!

When there has been a serious breech in a relationship it is important to do something to bring closure. It is important to note that it was Laban who initiated the covenant. That is as much as Jacob was going to get, so he agreed and they lived happily ever after (maybe) in different parts of the globe.

Father, please give us grace to wait for Your timing. Sometime I am not ready, sometime the other person isn't. As with Jacob and Laban, we don't have to do this perfectly.  Help us to know what is the level of closure You want for us, and to be willing to settle for it. Thank You Lord in Jesus Name Amen.  

Jacob flees, Laban pursues, the life of a shepherd

Having been told to return home by God, Jacob flees with all that he had family,  possessions and flocks. He did it while Laban was away feeding the flock and he did not know Rachel had stolen Laban's household gods. When he finds out Laban pursues Jacob taking seven days to catch up with him. Jacob had beed afraid that Laban would take his wives from by force, but God warns Laban in a dream not to harm Jacob.  He searches for the household gods but does not find them because they are hidden in the bags of Rachel's camel on which she is sitting, and cannot get up because “the manner of women is with me.” When he does not find anything Jacob is angry and they have a very frank conversation. In it we get a clear picture of the hardships of being a shepherd.  It needs to be read to get the full impact!

I used to think Jesus was clever,  that He could use something like the sower to teach a spiritual lesson. I didn't know the half of it, He created each and every thing in creation to be a parable! So this morning I am thinking about the shepherd.  The hardships that Jacob endured is nothing compared to the hardships of the Good Shepherd.  Jesus is the Good shepherd and He gave His life for the sheep – that's us bah,  bah (John 10:11).  He did not run away like a hireling would, but He set His face like a flint to go to Jerusalem the face His trials (verse 12; Luke 9:51).  The Good Shepherd knows His sheep and are known by Him, He calls them by name, they know His voice and they follow Him  (verses 3, 27).  It is a very different picture we see in the way modern sheep are tended. The picture we see of both David and the Good shepherds is one of tenderness and care and even intimacy.

So we have established that shepherding is very difficult, and this brings us to the picture of the pastor as shepherd.  When I was talking myself about the desire I had to be a pastor, a friend said “When God wants to punish a man, He makes him a pastor!” If you think about,  it if you do ten things right and then one thing wrong, what is remembered? You can please some of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time.  Pastor burn out is very high, and most of the flock don't even pray for him or her!  What is worse, and this is in the same chapter that Jesus is talking about shepherds (10), is that we have an invisible enemy whose agenda is to kill steal and destroy (verse 10).  A brother or sister or sister offended can sow discord, and in this day and age,  we wear offence as a badge of honour! And the fact that there is any success at all is a testimony that He that who is in us,  is greater than He that is in he world.

Father, please help us to be more aware that we are in a battle to the death with the enemy of our souls.  Help us (me)  to pray more for, and support our leaders,  and to learn not to talk offence in Jesus Name Amen

Jacob called to return home: Guidance and covetousness

Jacob had become exceedingly prosperous with flocks and servants,   camels and donkeys. And it soured the relationship between Jacob and Laban. His sons even accused Jacob of stealing it from their father, never mind they too had prospered from Jacob's labour. The Lord told Jacob to return to the land of his fathers,  and that He would be with him.  Jacob tells his wives of the God's words, and seeing their father's duplicity, greed and underhandedness, they  agree to go with Jacob as the Lord was directing him (Genesis 30:43-31:16).

Jacob was not simply running away from a difficult situation. When things get difficult we cannot simply deduce that God is not in it.  The Scripture tells us as much as possible to live at peace with all, and while we are to honour our parents that does not mean taking sides with them against our spouse (Romans 12:10; Exodus 20:12). The Lord had been working on Jacob, but there is no sign anything was changing with Laban, quite the opposite. The most important factor here however, is that the Lord was telling him it was time to go.  God had promised him twenty years earlier that He would bring him back to his father's land (28:15).  Being lead by the Spirit is a primary characteristic of the children of God (Romans 8:14).

One of the wonderful things about the stories in Genesis is that, if we pay attention,  they can teach us life lessons, and show us the why of God's commandments. I am thinking here of “Do not covert” (Exodus 20:17).  To covet is to wrongly desire something, fixating on it, especially something that belongs to someone else. The commandment specifically includes another person's spouse and/or property.  If we are inclined to push back against being told what to do by God,  or anyone one else, we are likely to push back even more against being told what to think!  But God is not some celestial Scrooge not wanting us to have any fun! There are always reasons for his commandments, and we  see here clearly the consequences of Laban's covetousness.    

Let me ask you if you like people who are mean, and it you like to be liked. Here even Laban's daughters turn against him, that has to be painful.  The Bible tells us that covetousness is actually idolatry.  We laugh at the ancients worshipping idols, but if we we have a  covetous nature we are essentially doing the same thing. And we essentially become what we covert. For “as a person thinks in his heart so he is” (Proverbs 23:7). If we covet money we become cold and calculating, and without natural affection.  What is more, it is infectious, look at what it did to Laban's sons! No, God is no Scrooge, when He says no, it is for our provision and our protection.

Father, the more I get to know You the more I realize that everything You say and do is done out of love. We become like what we worship, and when we worship You,  we become more and more like Jesus.  Jesus shows us You Lord,  and He shows us man as You intend man to be (John 14:9). Thank You too,  that when we commit to following You, You will guide us in all Your ways, and Your ways are the ways of peace (Psalm 32:8; Luke 1:79). We love You Lord and want to be like You,  so we worship You again this morning in Jesus Name Amen


Wise as serpents harmless as doves (Genesis 30:25-43)

After Jacob's fourteen years service for Rachel and Leah were accomplished, and  wanting to provide for his family he makes a deal with Laban. His wages will be all the newborn speckled or spotted sheep and goats, and  every dark coloured lamb. Laban agrees, but promptly took all the goats and lambs with these characteristics,  and placed them with his son three days journey away. Jacob had a plan however,  based on selective breeding and what seems to be the belief at the time that displaying striped rods at breeding time would cause the desired colouring of the animals. In any case he was successful, but actually the Lord had intervened  (31:9-12).

Laban's flock had increased greatly under the fourteen years of Jacob's labour. Certainly Laban's actions are greed and selfishly based, but what are we to make of Jacob's actions?  Again the Bible is scrupulously honest about the actions and motives of its heroes, but I am reminded of the curious parable of Jesus that ends with “So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light” (Luke 16:8).  The point Jesus is making is not that underhanded things (as those of the steward in the parable) are okay, but rather that foresight, innovation, strategy and proactivity should not be restricted to the dreams,  goals and desires of those outside the Kingdom.

It is interesting to me that the word translated 'shrewd' above,  is usually translated as 'wise' in the command to be as wise as serpents and and as harmless as doves.  In the parable of the unjust steward, the steward understood something of the psychology of relationships.  This is hitting home with me at the moment, because I am coming to the realization that I can be overpowering with my words. And since in the Kingdom the ministry of reconciliation is paramount, I have come to realize that there are times when I really need to hold back. In particular being right and/or persuading the other person that they are wrong may not be the most important thing to communicate. There is a tyranny in needing to be right!  If I have the answer to every argument but have not love I am nothing better than a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal (1 Corinthians 13:1).

The other thing that comes to mind, and it also has to do with the ministry of reconciliation, is this tendency we have in the Church to be uninvolved in the World. Some would even go so far as to say that you can't be a Christian and a politician.  But how can we be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:14),  if we are not in the word at some level?  Where are the innovators that will be involved in the media, business, education, family (social services), government, military, arts and entertainment etc.? No we are not to be of the world, but the command is to be in the world not of the world (1 Corinthians 5:10).  When we remain isolated form the world we finish up being of the world, but not in it! This is not being as shrewd as serpents and as wise as doves!

Father, we ask You this morning to help us to see our part in the ministry of reconciliation. Also Lord please send out labourers into the harvest of the word, bring us our of our isolation and raise up innovators for Your Kingdom in Jesus Name Amen


Names, and the origin of the twelve tribes of Israel

The rivalry that the Bible predicts,  when a  man marries two sisters (Leviticus 18:18),  is captured well in the names of Jacob's sons. Leah bore Reuben (who sees the son) because ”The LORD has surely looked on my affliction;” Simeon (heard) “because the LORD has heard I'm unloved;” Levi (associated with him) because “now my husband will become attached to me;”  Judah (the praise of the Lord) because “now I will praise the LORD.“ Then she stopped bearing.

Rachel was barren and envied Leah. So she gave Jacob her maid Bilhah.  She bore him  Dan (judgment) because  “God has judged my case,” and  Naphtali  (that struggles) because “with great wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister, and  prevailed.”  Not to be outdone Leah gave Jacob her maid Zilpah.  She  bore  Gad (a troop) because “a troop comes;” and Asher (happiness) because  “I am happy, for the daughters will call me blessed.”  God then listened to Leah, and she bore Issachar (reward)  “because I have given my maid to my husband;” and Zebulon (dwelling) because “now my husband will dwell with me, because I have borne him six sons.” Then God remembered Rachel,  listened to her and opened her womb.  And she bore Joseph (increase) because “God has taken away my reproach” (Genesis 29:31-30:24). Much later Rachel would bear Benjamin (35:18). And of course, the twelve tribes of Israel are named after these twelve son of Jacob.  

So what's in a name?  In Hebrew,  names represent identity not just a way to distinguish one from another, they are said in some sense to be prophetic,  even if we don't recognize that.  Jacob lived up to his name as supplanter.   Nabal means fool,  senseless and we read  “For as his name is, so is he: Nabal is his name, and folly is with him” (1 Samuel 25:25)! The saying “sticks and stone may break my bones but words (names) can never hurt me” is a lie. They don't have to hurt us, but the default is that they do. The Scripture tells us that life and death are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:1).  A word of encouragement can keep us moving forward, condemnation can trip us up.  If this is true of ordinary words,  how much more do names which are repeated over and over.

Over and over in the Bible we see that the heroes are given new names at significant turning points in their lives. Abram  becomes Abraham the father of many nations when he finally embraced faith (17:5), Jacob would become Israel meaning “who prevails with God” because “you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed” (32:18).  In Revelation 2:17 we read “To him who overcomes I will give .... a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” God calls believers saints (holy ones i.e. Romans 1:7), and “Christian” means little Christ.  If negative names are not to hurt us, we need to believe more what God calls us thank what others call us!

Lord Jesus, most of us recoil at being called saints, but You see the end from the beginning, and You see us as the best possible version of ourselves that we can be, and then You call us to live up to it. It is a high calling, and we cannot do it without You, but with You, by Your Grace, all things are possible. Help us Lord to believe what You say about us in Your precious Name Amen  

Jacob meets his match, marries Leah and Rachel

Next here in Genesis 29 we read how Jacob arrives at the dwelling place of his relatives, and meets his future (favourite) wife Rachel at the well. Reversing (24:18, 19), this time it is Jacob who waters the animals. When Rachel’s father Laban hears that Jacob is his sister's son,  he is welcomed into the house. After a month Laban asks Jacob what wages he would require to serve him. Jacob loves Rachel, the younger of Laban's two daughters,  and offers to serve him for seven years for her. “It seemed to him just a few days,” because he loved her so much.

When the seven years are up,  there’s a feast and at the end of the night,  when it was dark,  Laban took Leah the elder of his two daughters to Jacob's tent.  And Jacob did not know it was not Rachel until the morning. When confronted,  Laban explains  that is was not the custom give the younger daughter first.  However Jacob could serve another seven years for Rachel. After Leah's bridal week was fulfilled “Jacob also went in to Rachel, and he also loved Rachel more than Leah. And he served with Laban still another seven years” Genesis 29:1-30).

There is a kind of poetic justice in Jacob,  the deceiver,  being deceived. Perhaps it's about what goes around comes around, but we are seeing here the beginning of Jacob's transformation. And if we respond well, an encounter with the Lord does indeed transform us. Laban’s devious character is not immediately clear to Jacob, and he enters into the agreement willingly and generously. A dowery of seven years labour given to the father, is a generous offer.  But in Jacob's eyes Rachel is a prize to be won.

I am sure you realize that Laban's devious character, is far from unique, for there is always someone willing to trick and/or take advantage of you.  Jesus puts it this way  “I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16).  You hear stories over and over,  of little old ladies who are perhaps overly trusting,  being protected by the Lord. It beats being skeptical and suspicious of everyone. So wise and harmless is the name of the game!  

I feel to say something about polygamy, the practice of having more than one spouse.  The Bible, as with many other issues, neither explicitly condemns,  nor condones it. Perhaps with men being killed in battle,  it was a necessary evil in that culture. Understanding that they would be rivals, the Law would later forbid a man to marry two sisters (Leviticus 18:18).  In the New Testament the qualification for leaders in the church required them to be “the husband of one wife” (1 Timothy 3:2, 12).  Christian marriage is intended to be a picture of Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:32), and polygamy does not cut it.  For Christ,  the Church is a prize to won, and it's a model for husbands with respect to their wives (Ephesians 5:25)!

Father, Your Word is so practical, and obeying it sets us free. Speaking to believers Jesus said “If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples, and you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free” (John 8:31,32 Amp). For these and many other precious promises we give You thanks and Praise in Jesus Name Amen

Jacob's response to the dream

When he awoke from the dream he said “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.”  He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!” Then Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put at his head, set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on top of it. And he called the name of that place Bethel;Then Jacob made a vow, saying, 'If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on,  so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God. And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You'”  (Genesis 28:16-22).

“Surely” - God's appearance, be it in a dream or otherwise,  is immediately recognizable by those to whom He shows Himself.  We just know that we know. “Those with an experience are not at the mercy of  those with a theology” (Bill Johnson). However, since we suppress the truth in unrighteousness and lawless deeds (Romans 1:18), we can later doubt that it was Him. Jacob is afraid and,  like many of us when we are in deep trouble,  makes a vow to God. The vow,  essentially asking God to provide food, clothings, guidance and reconciliation,  says much about the state of his more general anxiety.  The conditional nature of the vow (if ... then), shows Jacob is not yet ready to fully commit his life to God.

Nevertheless this is a significant stepping sone on his journey there.   Jacob, setting up the stone as a pillar,  does so as a memorial, something tangible to remember both the encounter,  and the vow.  His anointing the pillar with oil is an act of consecration, him pledging to fulfill His part,  if God fulfills His.  Scripture warns that “it is better not to vow than to vow and not pay ... for He has no pleasure in fools” (Ecclesiastes 4:8,5).  It's not that He won't forgive (John 1:9), but we need to realize to whom we are making our vow.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10).  And we need to remember that our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29).

Wether it's to do with a vow or not, it's important to mark our encounters and commitments,  with something tangible, something concrete to help us to remember.  A friend of mine,  coming to a new level of commitment at a time of crisis over the potential death of a dearly loved pet, bought a representative figurine of it, and placed it in a prominent place as a daily reminder. I tend to record things in my journal, and/or in a file of promises and prophecies that I keep.  I  go back to them over and over in times when I am needing encouragement.

Father, thank You for Your compassion, grace, longsuffering and abundant mercy (Psalm 86:15). You wait to be gracious to us , desiring to have mercy rather than justice (Isaiah 30:18). Help us to respond to Your incredible initiating love, loving You with all our heart, mind,  soul and strength in Jesus Name Amen

Jacob's ladder

All alone with only a stone for a pillar,  Jacob dreams of a stairway (a ladder in some versions) connecting heaven and earth.  Angels  are ascending and descending on it. The Lord  reveals Himself as the God of Abraham and Isaac,  and confirms that the  covenant concerning the land and their descendants continues through Jacob.  “In your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.  Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you” (Genesis  28:10-15).

We love God because He first loved us (1 John 4:19), and part of how He loves us is that He takes,  and has taken,  the initiative in bringing us to Himself. There is no sense that Jacob was repentant or even seeking God at this time. But God comes to us in ways and at times,  that are completely individualized, for He knows how best to get our attention. Dream interpretation is a gift, but the Bible interprets the ladder as Jesus (John 1:51), He is the way the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father but through Him (John 14:6). We come His way or not at all, but He is constantly wooing us!

Jacob is fleeing from his brother, he is alone and isolated with an uncertain future, reaping the consequences of his trickery and deceit.   God however, does not come to him with condemnation,  but rather with assurance that his future is secure. Jesus (the ladder) came into the world not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved (John 3:17). Repentance is certainly necessary, but it's God's goodness that leads us there (Romans 2:3), and it would only come  much later with Jacob (32:24). Jesus is the only way to God, but the path is again totally an individual one.  We're meant to imitate  Christ (Ephesians 5:1), but we are not meant to be cookie cutter   imitations of our beautiful God (not all the same).  Within this imitation there is infinite variety, for you and I are unique and precious in His sight.

Jacob's destiny would bring him back to the land, but in the meantime the Lord would be with him, would keep him and guide him (verse 15).  Likewise He keeps us believers in all our ways,  giving His angels charge over us  (Psalm 91:11). The word translated “until” in verse 15,  is interesting,  it literally means to go straight, go on, advance. And it reminds me of Philippians 1:6 “I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”  What I'm saying,  is that the Hebrew here is difficult to translate, but that there's no sense that God will leave him at the end. Neither is there an end to our relationship with Him, for on that day we will be with Him forever.

Father, thank You for Your infinite tender care for us all, and that it's not Your desire that any should perish, but that all come to repentance (2 peter 3:9). Thank You for Your keeping and saving power that keeps us moving forward (Hebrews 7:25). Thank You too for Your discipline when we get off track, and for the love behind that (Hebrews 12:6). There's no one like You Lord, no one even comes close,  in Jesus Name Amen

Made perfect through suffering

As we were saying last day God was working out His sovereign plan and will,  even through the dysfunctional favouritism, outright lies and subtle deceit perpetrated by the four players in this drama (Genesis 27).  These poor choices had created an unresolvable enmity between Esau and Jacob.  And under the guise of looking for a wife from distant relatives,  Jacob was essentially fleeing for his life (Genesis 27).  So Jacob,  who was something of  his mothers boy staying with the tents (25:27), was in effect cast out of the family. He would never see his mother again,  and that night he had only a stone on which to lay his head (28:11).  He was at his  lowest point of life so far, and as we shall see, God chose this time to reveal Himself to him.

Galatians 6:7 reads “Do not be deceived, God cannot be mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” After the fall God had cursed the earth for our sake (31 January). God was putting into action, the law of cause and effect in our choices.   What this means is that bad choices have bad consequences,  good choices good consequences, we reap what we sow.  Human nature being what it is, we are constantly trying to get away with things, in essence mocking God's law. But God cannot be mocked this way.  This is not like the law of gravity. If we step off the roof,  the consequences are immediate. Reaping what we sow is an agricultural analogy, where the growth is often slow, and cumulative. It had taken a long time for the consequences of Jacob stealing Esau's  birthright to come into effect, but now it was here.

When we are suffering, whether or not it's because of what we have done,  most of us cry out “why me?”  Jesus  suffered too for “Though He were a Son, yet He learned obedience through suffering” (Hebrews 5:8).  Everybody is happy to go along with things we want to do, but true obedience is about doing the right thing when we don't want to do it, or when it costs us. It's so much easier to blame others, or in a thousand other ways to try and wriggle out of things – been there, done that,  bought the T-shirt!

The point is that these low points are crossroads!  At such times we either become less open to God, even blaming Him, or we become more open to Him,  even seeking His help and comfort. That,  or our “Why me”s become something of a prayer. In my own life I apparently needed a series of such lows,  before I was open to allow Him into my life.  Some were of my own making, some not, but as with Jacob, the Lord knew the right time to reveal Himself to me. It was though my suffering that I became willing to do things His way, and to become obedient. Jesus was made perfect through suffering (Hebrews 2:10)!  Me? I'm a work in progress!

Father, I want to thank You this morning that we can be certain that You  who began the good work within us, will continue the work until it is finally completed on the day when Christ Jesus returns (Philippians 1:6). Lord Jesus when we fully surrender to You there is fellowship with You in Your suffering,  and it releases Your resurrection power in our lives  (Philippians 3:10).  Give us grace Lord to endure as we surrender again this morning,  in Your precious Name Amen

Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it's the Lord's purpose that prevails (Proverbs 19:21).

Jacob had scarcely left his father's presence after tricking him into giving him the blessing, when Esau comes and discovers the deceit. It's too late the blessing has been pronounced and it cannot be changed, even though Esau sought it with tears.  “I have blessed him— and indeed he shall be blessed.” Esau receives a lesser blessing that includes “you shall serve your brother.” So Esau hated Jacob and plans to kill him after his father's death. Rachel gets wind of it,  and devises a plan to save Jacob by getting Isaac to send him off to Rebekah's brother for a wife. It would be over twenty years before they would meed again and it seems Rebekah was dead by that time (Genesis 27:30-28:5). We reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7)!

We read later that it was by faith that Isaac blessed Jacob concerning things to come (Hebrews 11:20).  What we're being told,  is that God works out His plans and purposes even through the trickery, the  deceit and favouritism that lies behind the plans and schemes of mortal man.  Hence this morning's title verse.

We  keep coming back to the two humanities, humanity separating into the line of faith,  and that  of unbelief.  But you might ask how exactly was Isaac acting out of faith when he blessed Jacob. The commentators agree that it was in his refusal to revoke Jacob's blessing,  even when he discovered the deceit. He realized that what he had spoken was of the Lord,  for it was according to the prophecy given when Rebekah was pregnant (25:23).  It was of God and could not therefore be revoked.  The other thing here, is that unlike Abraham's careful selection of Isaac's wife  to continue the line of faith, Isaac in his old age seems to have had no such concern. But God works it out anyway! Jacob, continuing the line, would not however exhibit faith for some time (see Hebrews 11:21).

These stories point, in the debate over the sovereignty of God and the free will of man to it being not either or, but both and! His plan cannot be thwarted.  But can we mess up God's sovereign plan for our individual lives?. The story the potter is helpful. We read that the vessel was spoiled in the potter's hand, but that he made is into another as he saw fit.  He is the potter and we are the clay,  so we can indeed mess up His first and perfect plan for our lives. But all is not lost for  He can give us a new destiny (Jeremiah 18:1-6; Isaiah 64:8).  But He may also repair the broken vessel with gold as in Japanese kintsukuroi,  the art of repairing pottery with gold.  The point is that when we stop resisting and put ourselves in His hand the repaired vessel is then more beautiful for having been broken (google it).

Father,  thank You Lord that no matter how much we've blown it,  You don't put us on the shelf, but rather You invite us into new plans,  plans for good and not for evil,  to give us a future,  and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). Thank Your Lord that as we stick to the course nothing can fool up it up, not circumstances, not other people's sin or manipulation, nothing! You work Your sovereign plan Lord and nothing can stop it.  There's no one like You Lord,  what  else can say but  thank Lord in Jesus Name Amen

The mystery of providence (God's will -Genesis 27:1-29)

The twins Jacob and Esau had fought in the womb, and among other things the Lord had prophesied that Esau the firstborn, would serve the younger brother Jacob (25:22, 23).  Esau had despised his birthright, and had sworn to give the  blessing to Jacob in exchange for stew (25:31-34). Now Isaac was old and his eyes we dim and he  could not see. Sensing the time had come for him to give the blessings,  and wanting to reverse the prophecy and to give it to his favourite son Esau, he and sent him out to hunt game and to prepare a meal before he did it.

Rebekah conspired with Jacob, to deceive Isaac, and she prepared a   meal from two goat kids.  Furthermore the kid skins were  placed on Jacob's hands and neck,  because Esau was a hairy man.  Jacob went into Isaac with the meal wearing Esau's cloths, and pretending to be Esau.  Isaac was  fooled, for thought it was Jacob's voice,  the hairy skins and the smell of the cloths persuaded him.  He gave Jacob the blessing including “let your mother’s sons bow down to you.”
 
There were faults on all sides here.  Esau had gone back on his oath.    It' inconceivable that Isaac would not have known. But Esau was his favourite, and he liked the game. Rebekah knew how to fool him with the food, the cloths and the hairy skins, and of course Jacob went along with the deception.  

What are we to make of this? It seems that nobody is doing the Lord's will here, or are they? Are things really that black and white? In a different context we read of Rahab the prostitute lying to protect the spies, and who by this, is counted as a hero of faith (Joshua 2:1ff; Hebrews 11:31)? So was Rachael and Jacob's deception the right thing to do,  because it was working the will of God? In fact was the prophecy God gave because in His foreknowledge of Rebekah and Jacob's deception?  Closer to home would you have lied to protect Jews hiding from the Nazis in WWII?  Let me say,  that I don't know how to answer some of these questions.

In fact, the Bible admonishes us to be certain of the things pertaining to salvation (1 Timothy 3:7; Hebrews 11:1 NSAB), but also to acknowledge that we know nothing yet as we aught to know (1 Corinthians 8:2). What I know, is  that we need to realize that when we come across as if we know it all, we are not real, and we do not represent the truth.  It also puts a stumbling block in front of those who otherwise might come to faith. Thinking and acting as if we know everything only comes from one place, pride, for  nobody knows everything!

Father please forgive us for doubting things of which we should be certain. Forgive us too,  when we have been too sure of what we really don't know,  reducing Christianity to principles, logic and theology. When we do this Lord we make relationship with You unnecessary. The Truth is a person not a theology (John 14:6), and relationship is the essence of eternal life (John 17:3). Help us to be childlike again Lord with their sense of wonder. Teach us to to embrace the glory of mystery. Thank You that we will spend all eternity learning about and worshipping You,  our beautiful, fascinating God.  And we  give You praise again this morning Lord in Jesus Name Amen

“Do not fear, for I am with you”

Isaac now goes up to what would be called Beersheba. The Lord  appeared to him saying “I am the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I am with you.“ He reassures Isaac of His promise to Abraham, and his descendants would come through Isaac. He builds an alter, calls on the Lord, and digs a well calling it Beersheba.  Isaac had reason to fear, Abimelech and the commander of his army would soon appear. They hated him, had filled in Abraham's wells,  and claimed Isaac's wells as theirs (Genesis 26).

The believer too lives in a hostile world. Isaac was in many ways peace loving, but it made no difference. Jesus tells us “If the world hates you,  know that it hated Me before it hated you (John 15:18).  So then the Lord is not saying that in the natural there is nothing to fear, rather He we do not to fear, because He is with us and will never forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).   So then He does not promise to keep us from trials, but rather “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you” (Isaiah 43:2).  Jesus suffered for us on the cross to put us right with God, but He also suffers with us. If we let them, these things can draw us even closer to Him in the fellowship of His sufferings (Philippians 3:10).

But there is another promise too “When a man's ways please the Lord He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Proverbs 16:7). And this promise is illustrated here.  As it turned out   Abimelech feared Isaac and wants to swear an oath that he will do him no harm. Abimelech claims falsely that he had done Isaac no harm, and Isaac graciously lets it go. He makes them  a feast signifying and sealing the oath and “they departed in peace”  (verses 28-30).  

I have seen the principle behind this  proverb acted out in my own life on two separate occasions, and I am claiming it for a third. We need wisdom knowing when to act (speak) and when to let it go. On the one hand Isaac was very frank with Abimelech, and had asked him “Why have you come to me, since you hate me and have sent me away from you” (verse 27). On the other, as I said he let the untruth go. The Bible instructs us that “a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,  in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,  and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will (2 Timothy 2:24-26).

Father one of the things You are telling us here is that the real enemy is not people, it is the Devil who captures people to do his will. Help us to trust You Lord and to find the balance between speaking the truth in love,  and in simply letting go.  Thank You for Isaac's example and for Your promise to be with us through it all, the good the bad and the ugly. We give You honour and praise again this morning Lord in Jesus Name Amen

Isaac is the bigger person

Isaac sowed there in the land of the Philistines, and he prospered greatly reaping a hundredfold from what he sowed and increasing greatly in sheep and servants. The Philistines envied him, and Abimelech told him “Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we.” So Isaac moved to the valley of Gerar, and re-dug the wells Abraham had dug,,  and which the Philistines had filled in with earth. They also found a well of running water,  but the herdsmen of Gerar claimed it as theirs. So they dug another well and they quarrelled over that too. He then moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name Rehoboth meaning breadth of the Lord, because he said, “For now the LORD has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land” (Genesis 26:12-22).

Isaac's behaviour is very much at odds with our culture's loud and persistent demands for our rights. This is especially true of those who like Isaac,  clearly have the upper hand (“you are much mightier than we”). And likely the world will see this as weakness, but Isaac is acting with the same magnanimity that his father showed to Lot when Lot's herdsmen quarrelled with his (Genesis 13).   Being magnanimous is acting out of generosity or bigness of heart, it is going the second mile in pursuit of peace. Magnanimity, like meekness, is not weakness, it is strength under control!

We read in proverbs “The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and his glory is to overlook an offence (Proverbs 19:11). Discretion is about having insight and understanding.   You have to wonder what this says about a culture that makes offence a virtue!  It is a man's or a woman's glory to overlook an offence,  because it is the imitation of Christ (1 Peter 2:23), and it is well pleasing in God's sight, as we will see next day in God's response to Isaac's actions here (verse 24).

Again in proverbs we read “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules over his own spirit is better than he who takes a city (Proverbs 16:32).  And again what does this say to a culture that encourages a person to wear victimhood as a badge? But those who encourage victimhood do the victim no favour, because bitterness and resentment are poison, and they poisons the victim,  and those the victim loves (Hebrews 12:15). In fact in order for the victim to come out of that prison, he (or she) has, like Isaac,  to be the bigger person. But when he or she does that we too come to our  Rehoboth. And we also like Isaac will be able to declare “He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me (Psalm 18:19 ).

Father, we saw last day that Isaac inherited, as we all do,  some of his father's faults. Today we are seeing the other side of the coin,  as he also inherits some of his virtues.  Help us too, to see the big picture. It is far too easy to see only the faults of others. We need Your grace Lord (Hebrews 12:15 again). Lord please show us others as You see them,  and help us to be magnanimous, the bigger person,  in all our dealings (Philippians 4:5). And we will give You the glory in Jesus Name Amen

Generational sins

There was another famine in the land,  And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, in Gerar. The Lord appeared to him confirming that the covenant he swore to his father Abraham would continue through Isaac (i.e. not the firstborn Esau). He tells  him not go down to Egypt, but to dwell there. So Isaac dwelt in Gerar, and when the people asked about Rebekah he said “She is my sister.” But  time,  Abimelech saw Isaac, caressing Rebekah. He said, “Quite obviously she's your wife; so how could you say, ‘She's my sister’?”  Isaac answers “Because I said, ‘Lest I die on account of her.’” Abimelech rejoins that one of hi  people might have lain with her bringing guilt on all of them.  He charges  his people, saying, “He who touches this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.”

Abimelech means “my daddy is King,” and this  Abimelech may have been the son,  or grandson of the one Abraham encountered (20:2). Abraham may not have told Isaac of his own similar deception to the former Abimelech. In fact Sara was Abraham's half sister, but Isaac's deception is an outright lie. The Bible is brutally honest about the character and mistakes of its heroes.  And the family histories recorded in the Bible are excellent material for the study of recurring family patterns of dysfunction.  They also give insight into the meaning of the Lord's  declaration that He visits  “the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation” (Exodus 20:5). The NKJV “visits” is to be preferred to the  “punish” of some translations,  as “punish” would contradict  Ezekiel 18:20.  

Thousands of years later, psychological research has noticed this phenomenon of repeated patterns of poor behaviour patterns in families. It notes that this repetition is often subconscious. It's not  always repeated, but it's often the default. The children of alcoholics, for example,  are at a much higher risk of being alcoholic than in the general population. “Visits” then can be thought of as a pressure to conform to family patterns. Abraham may not have told Isaac, for  it's rare for parent to share his or her faults with their children,  they tend to be hidden in guilt and shame. So it becomes a family secret,  it's the elephant in the room. In Abraham's family it seems to be a spirit of fear, that strangely unacknowledged or not, so often propels the repetition.

But the Bible does not leave us there. Scripture is profitable for helping us to put things right when they have gone wrong (2 Timothy 3:16). And what it involves is first of all loving God,  and secondly obeying His commandments (Exodus 20:6). For the New Testament believer,  an essential part is about  returning to the pre-fall condition of openness and transparency (Genesis 2:25). We do this  by confessing our faults one to another in humility at the foot of the cross. It is there supremely where we find healing  (James 5:16). We need safe places for this, and it needs to start with you and me being safe.

Father, this confessing of our faults one to another is the very opposite of what Adam and Eve did immediately after the fall where blame was the name of the game (Genesis 3). We also far too easily judge each other,  and we have difficulty forgiving. It's all very hard Lord, and we need Your help, Your Grace (Hebrews 12:15). Either lead us to, or help us create safe places Lord, and please heal us,  in Jesus Name Amen

Esau despises his birthright.

The boys grew up,  Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, but Jacob was content to stay at home among the tents. Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau. Rebekah loved Jacob. Now Jacob cooked a red stew and Esau came in from the field weary, and asked Jacob to feed him it. So they called him Edom, meaning red.  Jacob demanded Esau pay him by selling his birthright, the right of the firstborn. Esau tells him “Look, I am about to die; so what good is it to me?” Jacob then makes him swear,  and Esau eats and drinks and goes his way. “Thus Esau despised his birthright” (Genesis 25:27-34).

The favouritism shown by Isaac and Rebekah would prompt  many problems in the future. Esau's descendants (Edom) would refuse to let Jacob's descendants pass through their territory on the way to the promised land (Numbers 20:20). King David later conquered the Edomites and they served him, fulfilling the prophecy that “the older shall serve the younger” (Genesis 25:23; 2 Samuel 8:14).

To despise (verse 34), is to regard with contempt.  Esau had such little value for his birthright,  that he gave it up for a meal of stew. Paul could speak of those whose  “god is their belly,” by which he meant  those “who set their mind on earthly things” (Philippians 3:19). Moses, on the other hand, as a hero of the faith “refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God,  than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11:24 ,25).

The expectation is that the believer be more like Moses than Esau. Paul instructs us “if then You have been raised with Christ, seek those things which are above (Colossians 3:1).  Likewise Jesus tells us “Do not labor for the bread which perishes, but for the bred  which endures to everlasting life” (John 6:27).  Jesus is the bread of life (John 6:27, 35).  He is the source and sustenance of our spiritual life, and the only means of being put right with the Father (John 14:6). We need to feed on His Word!

The Bible of course is constantly using the physical as a parable of the spiritual. So then Esau despising his birthright is a picture of the world despising the spiritual. Jesus as the Lamb of God was  despised and rejected by men, we did not esteem Him (John 1:29; Isaiah 53:1). He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him, but to as many as received Him,  to those who believe on His name, He gave the right to be called the children of God (John 1:11, 12). So then Jesus purchased an eternal birthright for those who believe and receive Him. We do of course also need to repent, for God does not despise a broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17).  

Father, Your command to redeem the time because the days are evil comes to mind (Ephesians 5:16). When the time is gone it is gone and can no longer be redeemed. Your Word tells us that Esau later regretted his choice and that “when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears” (Hebrews 12:17). Grant us repentance now Lord, break our hearts with the things that break Yours,  and we will give you the  glory in Jesus Name Amen

Election according to the foreknowledge of God

Abraham eventually dies and is burred, of course,  but we take up the story through Isaac. It turns out that Rebekah was barren as Sarah had been. Rebekah was barren for 19 years, and Isaac pleaded with the Lord.  Rebekah conceives twins,  and they struggle together in the womb.  Inquiring of the Lord why this was happening He replies “Two nations are in your womb, two peoples shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger” Genesis 25:19-23).. “The first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over; so they called him Esau. Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau’s heel; so they called him Jacob” (verses 25, 26). 'Esau' means 'hairy,' or 'made,'  'Jacob' means 'supplants,' or  'undermines' or 'heel.' Jacob is also known as the deceiver. Isaac was 60 when the twins were born.

It was traditional for the eldest son to have the lions share of the inheritance, and he would inherit the land. If that does not seem fair,  consider the alternative, if the land were divided equally, then over the generations each would inherit something the size of a postage stamp. At least this way it remained in the family.  As with Isaac and Ishmael, the Lord sovereignly reverses the birth order.  Without using the word, it introduces the concept and the mystery of election. That is that the believer is chosen by God for salvation (1 Peter 2:4). This first mention of election is taken up in multiple places, and an exposition of it highlights one of the major underlying unities of the whole Bible.

For example Paul points out that the words “the elder shall serve the younger,” were  spoken  before the children were born, so that they had not yet done either good or evil.  This, says Paul is so that the purpose of God according to election might stand, that salvation is not of works but of Him who calls (Romans 9:11, 12).  Indeed “it is by grace that we are saved, it is the gift of God, not of works lease anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8, 9).  On the other hand Jesus told us that “Many are called (invited) but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). By this we understand firstly that “whosever will may come” (Revelation 22:17), but secondly not all will come, not all will heed thc call, not all will respond to the invitation.

Peter talks about election according to the foreknowledge of God (1 Peter 1:2a). God knows  who will respond to His call, His invitation. To the objection that there is no such thing as a free lunch we need to understand we are not saved by good works, we cannot earn salvation. We are however saved unto good works that God prepared before hand that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10). The Peter reference continues elect “in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience....” (verse 2b).  

Father these things caused Paul to cry out “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments,  and His ways past finding out! “For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counsellor?” He adds “For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen” (Romans 11:33-36). To this Lord I can only add my “Amen” and thank You for Your Mercy in Jesus Name Amen

Meditation, grief and comfort

Isaac is out in the field in the  evening meditating,  when he sees the camels with the servant and Rebekah in the distance. They see him too, and inquiring if it is Isaac,  Rebekah dismounts and  “took a veil and covered herself.” She becomes his wife and “he loved her.  So he was comforted from his mother's death” (Genesis 24:62-67).

Biblical meditation is about bringing some thought or passage of Scripture to mind,  usually with a view to application to ones life.  The picture is of a cow brining the cud up from it's stomach,  and chewing it over and over. In many ways these posts are meditations on Genesis. Psalm 1 tells us that the person is blessed whose  “delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night” (verses 1, 2). We can of course meditate on things other than Scripture, and for good or bad, it changes our hearts (Psalm 19:14). That's why we are commanded to guard the heart with all diligence (Proverbs 4;23). It's about being carful about what we meditate on!

“She took a veil and covered herself.“ There's something very beautiful and precious about entering into marriage in innocence and shyness. Unencumbered by the jealousy and memory of other sexual encounters,  this innocence is fertile ground for love to grow. It's not everything of course, and most of us have blown it,  but it's worth appreciating its beauty, and the flying start God's way of doing things gives to a marriage.  But thank God  for forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 1:9).

“..... he loved her.  So he was comforted from his mother's death.” The Scripture tells us that death entered the world through sin (Romans 5:12),  and that “love is as strong as death, jealousy as cruel as the grave” (Song 8:6).  At 21, my father's death devastated me. I regressed, going back to calling him “daddy.”  I was not a believer at the time,  and I had no hope.  Because of the work of Christ on the cross, the believer has life everlasting in eternity (John 3:16). And “we do not grieve as those without hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13).  We don't grieve without hope, but we do grieve, and we are in need of comfort.

It seems to me that part of what verse 67 is saying is that the newness and freshness of the marriage act brought comfort as they lost themselves in each other's love (see also 2 Samuel 12:24). But of course this is not the only source of comfort,  nor is grief the only thing for which we need comfort. Part of Christ's mission on earth was “to comfort all who morn” (Isaiah 61:2; Luke 4:18).  Paul tells us that the ultimate and only source of comfort is the “God of all comfort who comforts us in all our troubles” (2 Corinthians 1:3.” What many of us don't realize, is that the comfort we receive equips us for evangelism.  In particular God “comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (verse 4).

Thank You Lord for Your comfort in all our troubles. Help us to grieve our losses in a healthy way moving through the various stages by Your grace as we receive Your  comfort. And help us to know how to use the experience of that comfort to lead others to receive Your comfort so that You may receive the honour and praise  in Jesus Name Amen

Marriage: The role of family


And they blessed Rebekah and said to her,“Our sister, may you become the mother of thousands of ten thousands; and may your descendants possess the gates of those who hate them” (Genesis 24:60). It was all decided,  Rebekah was to be married to Isaac and she would leave the family and go to him. Her mother was, as mothers often are, reluctant to let her go (verse 55), but Rebekah had made the decision,  and now they blessed her. The prayer was that she would be fruitful and, in a area where war was the norm,  that her clan would be the victorious one. If there was to be war the prayer was that they would not be the vanquished!

Matthew Henry comments “When our relations are entering into a new condition, we ought by prayer to commend them to the blessing and grace of God.”  In marriage we are commanded first to leave our mother and father (Genesis 2:24).  In other words, the new relationship is to be  primary. On the other hand,  though Rebekah was leaving, she would still be “our sister.” Benson comments that what that meant was they were still willing to perform all the duties of family for her.  With incomplete leaving in-laws can hinder a marriage, but with healthy family relationships they can help and much support in times of need. If we are to get through the troubles that come with marriage  (1 Corinthians 7:28), we need all the help we can get, and none of the  hindrances, thank you very much!

In terms of hindrances, in-laws who make it clear from the beginning that they don't like the spouse hinder greatly. We are as much as possible within us to live at peace with others (Romans 12:18). Taking sides, taking up the offence of a son or daughter is also very destructive.   And it can perpetuate a quarrel long after the couple has settled the dispute. Interference can be a cause of much strife.  Pressuring the couple to spend holiday celebrations with them rather than the other family is also not good, and these things need to be negotiated carefully.  

They say it takes a village to raise a child. Family is important in this too, but in this day and age like with Rebekah,  family is not always close,  and  not every family is safe.  We are however created to need community.  The family of believers can be an important  addition to it all. The Bible proclaims “how good and how pleasant it is when we dwell together on unity” (Psalm 133:1).  Unity is not about all being the same, we are all different, and as the Bible says,  in many things we all fail (James 3:2). For me the important thing is that we deal with the issues in a respectful, humble and timely way.

Father, thank You for our earthly family, and for the family of believers.  As with the characters in the Bible, not one of us is perfect, and unity is more than a challenge at times. There are many problems,  and we need grace,  understanding and patience to deal with each other.  Many times we also need Your mercy. Thank You Lord that You have promised to give these things when we ask (Hebrews 4:16). For these and many other things we give you praise in Jesus Name Amen

Marriage in different cultures

After it became clear that Rebekah was the wife the Lord had  for Isaac, her brother and father  give permission for the servant to take her and go. The servant is eager to leave the very next morning, but her mother wanted her for a few more days.  Rebekah is asked her opinion, she is willing to go,  and the matter is settled  (Genesis 24:29-58).

A casual reading of this passage might lead one to think that the only choice Rebekah had,  was that of the timing. But the servant had asked to be released from his vow if “she is not willing to come” (verse 8). What is different from our culture,  is that the father had the ultimate decision to allow it or not. We have perhaps gone to the other extreme,  and regard it as none of the parents business.  I know of a situation where a young couple rushed into marriage rather than endure a period of separation. He told me afterwards all that needed to have happened,  was for the the father of the bride to ask the man “Do you love her enough to wait?” They had concluded that if they resisted she would have got pregnant, but they had not counted on him. And he told me the question would have avoided the subsequent disaster, for he would have waited, and he knows the relationship would have fallen apart during the separation. If a relationship is not strong enough to endure a years separation say, what does that say about the ability of the relationship to endure the trials of marriage? Remember Jordon Peterson's “You're trouble,  and so am I!” To quote Paul “those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this” (1 Corinthians 7:28).  

Another area that is so very different from ours, is that Rebekah was a virgin (verse 16).  But this was the norm in Biblical times. In fact if a man seduced a virgin,  he was required to marry her,  to pay the dowry,  and not be permitted to divorce her (Deuteronomy 22:28, 29). If we believers want to do things the Lord's way, we need to come back to the commanded purity. If it is too late, as it is or was for many of us,  we need to come to a second virginity, namely abstinence outside of marriage.  And since “whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28), this abstinence needs to include from pornography.

There are always reasons for God's “no.” Love in our culture has just one word,  and it is hard to distinguish it from lust. The Greek has three words. Overly simplistically there is agape – unconditional love demonstrated by the Lord on the cross. A second word is phileo – friendship love. Then there is eros, erotic or sexual love. The point is that if we engage in eros before friendship love, is established, then when the magic wears off as it will inevitably without friendship, there is noting to fall back on.

Father, I thank You for the picture You gave of salvation as the new birth (John 3:3).  It is all about being able to start over,  no matter how much we have blown it. Thank You for forgiveness, thank You for redemption,  thank You that  You make all things beautiful in Your time when we fully  embrace Your Grace to help us (Ecclesiastes 3:11; Hebrews 4:16) in Jesus Name Amen

The deal sealed for Isaac's wife: Eager to do his master's will

The Lord had clearly show Abraham's servant that Rebekah was the one for Isaac, and she went to fetched her brother Laban. We will meet him later but his character is already seen, for it is when he saw the gifted nose ring and bracelet he welcomes the servant in the name of the Lord. The servant refuses to eat until he knows if his errand is successful. He tells of Isaac,  born to Abraham in his old age,  and that Isaac has been given all that Abraham has. He is clearly very rich, for  Abraham had sent the servant with ten camels. He tells of the oath Abraham had mad him swear,  and that he would be free of it if she was not willing to come with him. He tells of his prayer at the well,  and how the Lord had answered it showing Rebekah to be the one. Laban and their father Bethuel discern it is of the Lord.  The servant bows himself to the earth and worships the Lord. He then lavishes gifts on Rebekah and her family (Genesis 24:29-52).

When reading Biblical stories, one of the questions I  like to ask if there's an example to follow.  Here the faithful servant is under and oath to accomplish a task,  he is eager to complete it, and he worships when he sees it's successful. So the first question I am asking myself here is “Does the Lord see me as faithful?” Scripture tells us that in many things we all fail (James 3:2). And I am caused to remember that after a period of victory over an addiction, that I had blown it again. I  repented and the Lord had quickly restored our fellowship together, bless Him!  When we confess He is faithful to forgive (1 John 1:9). Some time later He told me “You are faithful Phil,” and I said “but what about ...” His reply was “I don't remember that.” I understood Him to be referring to “I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more” (Jeremiah 31:34). There's no God like my God!

The servant was under an obligation to do his master's will.  Likewise we are not our own, we are bought with a price  (1 Corinthians 7:23). Paul could say  “the Love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that ...He died for all, and that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:14, 15).  The examples  of Scripture can, if we let them, inspire us to live lives that glorify God. In fact we are admonished,  that in whatever we do, to do it all to the Glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). But the example of other believers can also “provoke us to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24 JVJ).

Father, we are quite good at provoking one another, but it's not always to love and good works!  And we come to You again this morning Lord in repentance,  asking for,  and receiving forgiveness and cleansing.  Abraham's servant was eager to do his master's will, how much more should we,  who have been purchased with the precious blood of Jesus,  be eager to please Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.  Help us to also be eager to worship You, for You are worthy.  Stir up our hearts again this morning Lord, to be those who bring You glory in Jesus Name Amen

Finding a wife for Isaac. Part 3: Guidance

Abraham's servant was told to find Isaac's wife from his family (Genesis 24:4).  “He will send His angel before you” (verse 7). Now in the right location, He waited at the well outside the city of Nahor,   praying that if the woman who came to the well was the right one,     that when he asked her for a drink she would not only give it to him,  but would also water his camels without being asked. Almost immediately the woman  Rebekah comes and does  exactly what he had asked the Lord for her to do. Receiving this confirmation  the servant gives her a golden earring and golden bracelets. As further confirmation,  she tells him she is  the daughter of Abraham's nephew Bethuel. The servant is then invited him to  with the family, and he blesses the Lord saying “As for me, being on the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master’s brethren” (verses 10-27).

Clearly the angel of the Lord had guided the servant. It was no coincidence that Rebekah was the first woman to arrive at the well, that she did as the servant had requested God that she would do and that, as Abraham had required,  she was indeed part of his family. A friend of mine says coincidences are little miracles that God does not get the credit for. It's a cute saying,  but the enemy can cause coincidences too. For that reason, it is important to note that the servant was “being on the way.” We are talking here of faith and obedience. When we step out in obedience we need to have more faith that God can guide us than the Devil has to deceive us.  The servant's prayer was not unreasonable, a positive answer would say something about her character (see last day's post), and he was not asking for the earth to swallow her up if she was the wrong one!

When asking the Lord for guidance the Bible is a primary source, but there are some things for which there is no specific verse. There is no text that told the servant Rebekah is the one. On the other hand,  in terms of marriage for the believer,  the Bible tells us clearly “only in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:39).  After that which believer, which job, which house etc., requires something more.

 Isaiah 30:21 essential says  that being on the way, i.e when you walk in the way “you will hear a voice behind you saying this is the way walk in it.” In other words it's confirmation. The servant is following his masters directions, and we would do well,  in making important decisions,  to follow the council of  other believers. Danny Silk (Bethel Church, Redding,  California) has a premarital conciliating course that's available on DVD. He tells that after taking it some decide to go ahead, some to wait and some, now sensing disaster,  decide not to marry at all. The point is that it is in the process of  doing these things (walking in the way), the the confirmation is received.  

Father, for me seeking You in prayer, asking for wisdom (James 1:5), talking to those whose opinions I respect, these are all ingredients in making important decisions. But I also need Your peace,  and time after time as I have engaged in  the process I have heard You words of confirmation. For this and many other things I give You thanks and praise again this morning in Jesus Name Amen

Finding Isaac a wife to fulfill the promise Part 2: Character

Abraham, in sending his servant to find a bride for Isaac tells him God will send an angel to guide him, and that if the woman is not willing to come,  he is released from the oath Abraham caused him to swear. The servant leaves, arrives at Nahor  making his camels  kneel by the well at the time when women go out to draw water. He asks the Lord “Let it be that the young woman to whom I say, “Please let down your pitcher that I may drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink’—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. By this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master” (Genesis 24:8-14).

In asking for a sign the servant is not answering one way of the other, the question of is there just one person whom we are supposed to marry. Matthew Henry puts it this way, in asking for a sign it is “a prayer that God would provide a good wife for his young master. It  was a good prayer indicating she should be industrious, humble, cheerful,  and hospitable. Whatever the culture, common sense  tells us, these are the proper qualifications for a wife and mother; for one who is to be a companion to her husband, the manager of domestic concerns, and trusted to form the minds of children.”

Whatever our opinion of the roles of men and women in today's culture,  it is very likely disaster to marry into incompatibility in this area. I say this, because such incompatibility is likely to be the cause of endless strife! Our culture by and large despises stay at home mums. But in my opinion,  there is great value in putting such  a very high value on the nurture of our children. It may not be for you, but why dis someone whose opinion differs from yours in this or any other regard?  Whatever happened to “different strokes for different folks?” Are we to be tolerant only of those with whom we agree?

Our culture puts a lot of value on the externals, on power, money, beauty, intelligence etc. “Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).  Peter tells us  “Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine cloths,  rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God (1 Peter 3:3, 4). For us men, our role model is Jesus,  meek but not mild (Matthew 5:5).  Meekness is not weakness, it is strength under control (see also Galatians 5:22, 23).  Jesus was not mild, it was not a mild man who controlled His anger by taking time to braid a whip of chords before driving the money changers out of the temple (John 2:15; see also 11 March).

Father, I confess that many of us have allowed the outward appearance, even sexual attraction to dominate our decisions about mates.  For many of us Lord, todays thoughts are too late. But thank You that You are a God who redeems.  For those for whom it's not too late, or who are starting out again after disaster, help us to not compromise our values in choosing a mate. And help us to wait, and to be guided by You  in Jesus Name Amen

Finding Isaac a wife to fulfill the promise

He who finds a wife finds a good thing (Proverbs 18:22).

Isaac  was 37 when Sarah died, and  Abraham tells his trusted servant to go “to my country and to my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac” (Genesis 24:2, 4). Arranged marriages are common in some parts of the world even today. It is worth noting, that not every example in the Bible is something to follow. I mean Judas went out and hung himself (Matthew 27:5)! What I am saying is to not build a theology alone on examples of what happened in Scripture. Some used scripture to justify slavery in America! But it was his Christian convictions that caused William Wilberforce to spend his entire life fighting for the abolition of slavery in Britain.  In terms of arranged marriage, the Bible is silent on it, it neither condemns not condones it. And I know of arranged marriages that are very happy.   

Abraham was old and the trusted servant was the one who ruled over all that Abraham had. If in the meantime Abraham died,  it was probably up to the servant to find a wife for Isaac. Abraham makes him swear that he will not take a wife from among the Canaanites among whom he dwelt.  Abraham no doubt was wanting Isaac to marry into the godly line. Perhaps he was remembering Lot's wife (see 22 March). In any case Abraham,  thinking of the promise to his descendants (verse 7),  is bing cautious with choosing a wife for Isaac.  

As an application of  “not from the Canaanites,”  Paul tells New Testament believers that marriage for the believer should  be “only in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:39; 2 Corinthians 6:14; see also 23 March).  In our culture marriage is thought to be more and more redundant, and the Biblical standard of no sex outside marriage archaic (Galatians 5:19). But as I have said before when God says “no,” it is for our provision and protection.  Marriage and the divorce laws were there for the protection of the children, and the relaxing of both sexual values and those laws have produced a fatherlessness with all its attendant personal, emotional and societal dysfunction.   

The Biblical way is to leave father and mother physically,  emotionally and financially, then to covenant with the spouse and then,  and only then, to engage in the one flesh physical union (Genesis 2:24). An incomplete  leaving of parents too often results in in-laws becoming outlaws, that is causing trouble!. In the words of Jordon Peterson covenant is necessary because “You are trouble, and I'm trouble.” We might not want to admit that, but we don't know what we don't know! And I am convinced that marriage is God's primary tool to make us like Christ.  It is the  iron sharpening iron process rubbing the rough spots off each other in character polishing (Proverbs 27:17). Among the many valid reason for waiting for marriage to have sex, is that sex before marriage weakens the glue (the bonding) in our one flesh relationships.

Father, most of us have failed utterly in these things, but thank God there is forgiveness with You, so that You may be feared (Psalm. 130:4).  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. I know You tell us these things because You love us Lord,  and want the very best for us, but we find them  hard at times. Give us grace Lord to honour and obey You,  and we'll give You the glory in Jesus Name Amen

Sarah dies, Abraham barters for a burial site

Sarah died in Hebron at 127.   Abraham tells the sons of Heth that  he is a sojourner among them,  and asks for a place to bury her. Saying that he is a prince of God,  they offer any of their burial places, but Abraham calls for Ethron who owns a field with a cave  at the end. He wants to buy the cave. Ethron offers both the cave and the field for free. Abraham insists on paying, Ethron names the price and Abraham pays it.  Thus the field and the cave were deeded to Abraham,  and Sarah is buried in the cave  (Genesis 23:1-20).

The  exchange between Abraham and Ethron is public,  and serves in what would today be conducted before lawyers. The commentators agree that while the exchange is conducted in the utmost politeness, the apparent generosity is only that, apparent.  There is no such thing as a free lunch.  Knowing that Abraham was very wealthy, Ethron would have expected lavish gifts in return, probably more than the fair value for the purchase. Also Abraham only wants to buy the cave, and in a shrewd move Ethron offers both the cave and the field for free.  It is a game, Abraham can now no longer enter into true negotiation with the traditional give and take. He must take the first figure Ethron mentions for fear of insulting him in light of the  “generous offer” to gift it.

It's important to be exposed to other cultures, and other ways of doing things. As a landlord at time renting to international students, I often find them wanting to negotiate the price. I tell them ours is not a bartering culture, and that's a pity, because the very process of the exchange builds relationships. On the other hand the “my way or the highway” approach of the West, can actually sabotage them.  

The West is not without negotiation period, for example buying a house, or  a garage sale (how much do you want for your garage?). But it's not true negotiation, and has to end within one, or two offers at the most.  In some cultures the bargaining can go on for days!  Many items on the want ads are fixed and rigid. People  don't seem to realize that you start higher than your bottom line. That way both parties feel they have a bargain, it's win, win!  Bartering can spill over into the wider culture. A wall hanging in Swahili  reads “The secret of peace in marriage is negotiation.” We don't seem to know how to do this in the West! Too often it is indeed “my way or the highway!” The Biblical way is as iron sharpening iron in loving,  humble,  respectful dialog (Proverbs 27:17; Ephesians 5:33; Galatians 6:1). It needs to be two people against a problem rather than two people against each other!

A sojourner is a person who resides temporarily somewhere. Abraham waited for the New Jerusalem whose foundations and builder is God (Hebrews 11:10). We're in the same boat, and if we really got a hold of this, we would live differently!

Father, this world is not our home, and we need to live in the world but not be of the world. Help us to live counter culturally,  valuing the Judaeo-Christain heritage that we have inherited. Help us to embrace the good and work towards changing the bad. Revolution is not change! We need to be wise as serpents and as harmless as dove and we need Your help in Jesus Name Amen