Deborah Leads Israel

Judges 4:1-5:31

It seems to me that a generation is all we give to God. We must, with each new generation reacquaint ourselves with the work of the Lord. We see that in the beginning of these passages, the people did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. We also see, though that there is a faithful person; in this case Deborah. Deborah listened to the Lord, and called others to right action. When Barak has been called by God he wasn't all set to go until Deborah reminded him and agreed to go with him. Deborah was a prophet to her generation.

Who will go for me? asks the Lord, whom shall I send?

I don't understand the tent peg. I mean I know it killed Sisera, and it was obviously what was at hand, by why did Jael call him to her tent? Did she hear a message from the Lord, was she becoming a friend of Israel? Wait, I see Heber the Kenite, was descended from Hobab, Moses' father in law, now I see this. Jael, was already a friend of Israel living in a strange and foreign land. She did this knowing Barak was beloved of the Lord, and that Sisera was openly opposing the Lord and Israel.

Do we, like Jael live in a strange and foreign land? Do we wait for the beloved of the Lord to come or do we, like those who live without a prophet, forget the Lord's commands and do what is evil in His sight?

The last line of the song of Deborah and Barak says the land had rest for forty years. What shall we do to bring this news to the next generation, how shall they know the Lord their God, is the only Lord? How will they come to think of the Lord as not just the Lord of their forebears but their own Lord? How can we tell the story of the work of the Lord in our midst, that this news doesn't die generation to generation but instead goes on to the coming generations?

I ponder this today.
See you tomorrow,
-maggie

Death and disobedience

Judges 2:6-3:6

...and they served the Lord, all those who had seen the great work that the Lord had done for Israel...and there arose a generation who did not know the Lord or the work that He had done for Israel...

This tells me a whole bunch about what I need to do. Without the knowledge of the Lord in our midst we forget and when we forget, life is no longer good. That seems to be the story from the Garden till now.

...and they did what was evil in His sight and gave themselves over to other gods and bowed down to them...


Why? Why would they even bother; how blessed they had been with such a clear pattern for living, and the Lord was in their midst and they were recipients of great blessings. What was it about the little gods, and the lifestyles of the surrounding peoples that caught their attention? What is it that catches ours? Why work for seven days to have what everyone else has? Why spend my life striving for what doesn't last?

But ... they turned back and were more corrupt than their fathers, going after other gods, serving them and bowing down to them. They did not drop any of their practices or their stubborn ways.

I pray that I do not turn back, nor corrupt myself with serving other gods or bowing down to them. I pray that I am not stubborn for my own way. There is only one God; serve Him only. 'Thou shalt have no other Gods but me' says the Lord. Amen.

See you tomorrow,
-maggie

The Commander of the Lord's Army

Joshua 5:13-6:27

Whoa! Are you for us or for our adversaries? This is a good question or so you would think. It is good to know where you stand with the people you meet. But it is a deceptive question. Now granted, Joshua meets a man with a sword so the adversarial question might easily spring to mind, and sure he was on his way to battle, but in the end the answer is not what he expected.

"No; But I am the commander of the Army of the Lord." When the Lord said he would fight for them this is not quite what we might have expected. But let's look at it. First thing I need to remember is that it is not me who asks the Lord to fight for me, I need to ask the Lord where he would have me do battle. Where is He working, and then align myself with Him. So when the Commander of the Army of the Lord appears to me it is not I that is the adversary. Next the "commander" says take off your sandals this ground is Holy. That sounds remarkably like what the Lord said to Moses and Jacob before him. This "Commander" is an angel of the Lord. (Smart move Joshua: "What does my lord say to his servant?" - good thing to establish right off the bat-I (meaning Joshua) am not in charge here.)

Those poor Israelites, all this time...if they had only known what the Lord would do in their midst. They were afraid of the people in the land, and yet they had nothing to fear because the fear of the Lord was upon the inhabitants. I notice that the people of Jericho were holed up inside for fear of the Israelites. I also notice the suspense that would build with the Israelites just walking silently around the city. What a remarkable thing to see. Joshua carefully led the people and did all that the Lord commanded.

This is a good pattern for us. When we see the angel of the Lord, pay attention, and when the Lord gives directions, pay attention. And wear sandals-oh no that's not it. Just be prepared to be standing on Holy ground. Prepare ourselves to be in the Lords presence.

See you tomorrow,
-maggie

Israel Crosses the Jordan

Joshua 3:1-4:24

Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you. Let the covenant go before you, because you have not passed this way before.

How often it is true that we haven't passed this way before. It would be very good indeed if the covenant went before us, and stood between us and others. And all our dealings with each other. Much better.

I wonder why Cecil B. De Mille never did this crossing in the movies? It is a big story, and the 12 stones are not a surprise to us now that we have gotten the idea that it is good to make a remembrance and make a plan to tell the story to our children. These are physical remembrances that go along with our tale. They give us something concrete to see.

...so that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the Lord is mighty...

Today let us remember this hand of the Lord, and keep in step behind His covenant.
See you tomorrow,
-maggie

Joshua

Joshua 1:1-18
Moses is dead and Joshua takes command. God says Be strong and very courageous. I will be with you as I was with my servant Moses. Arise and go over this Jordan into the land that I promised my servant Moses to give to this people. Be careful to do all that I have commanded and do not turn from it to the right or to the left.

These instructions are clear. And the people respond by saying let us do all that you command. Be courageous.

We remember that early in the wanderings it was Caleb and Joshua who were ready to go into the land the Lord promised because the Lord was with them-so who could be against them. We remember that when Moses went up to Mount Sinai that Joshua was with him and when the people sacrificed to the golden calf Joshua was not among them but rather he had been on the mountain with Moses.

So this choice of successor was a good one, and one made early on because of Joshua's actions. Joshua's heart was with God and His commandments. This people now knew they had to obey the word of the Lord and do all that he commanded. Today, let us not turn to the right or the left, but rather do all that is written in the commandments. Let our actions lead us closer to the Lord, so we do not wander and get lost.

See you tomorrow,
-maggie

The Golden WHAT?

Exodus 32, 33, & 34

This will take some time to reflect upon. There is a lot to absorb in these readings today. About relationship and right-living and folly and sin. But still overall there is a pattern of intercession and coming together again. Something for us to learn from-and plenty for us to see and not do.

The people say: "As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him." What are they crazy? They'd practically just gotten the commandments and the first chance they get they say to Aaron make us a god. Boy I'm thinking perhaps Moses would have done better not to bring his brother along. What does Aaron do? Does he say no don't you remember what God did? No he says bring me your gold and we will make ourselves a god that we can sacrifice to.

Poor Moses, Poor Israel. How like us!

We need to pay attention here to this exchange between God and Moses. There is something for us to learn. God says Go down to YOUR people Moses...and Moses says turn away from this anger against YOUR people...Each reminds the other of their relationship. And Moses intercedes even when he doesn't feel like it. We see that he too is angry and yet he prays for the people. Good to remember it isn't about feeling it is about being in relationship.

Can't you just see this exchange between the two brothers? "What did they do to you...that you would do this terrible thing?" Moses asks Aaron. But I can't quite believe what Aaron responds: 'you know these people...they are evil, they brought their gold and out popped this calf.' WHAT?! I can't quite believe my ears. OUT POPPED this calf? Oh my. *sigh* (Sounds a bit like Eve and her talk of the serpent...)

The remainder of these passages could take days to ponder. Moses says to God don't forget your promises to Israel, and how shall we be set apart if you do not go in the midst of us? Moses asking to see God face to face, and God saying no one can see my face and live, yet I know you by name and you have found favor in my sight, I will be in the midst of you and your people. They will see great miracles. And Moses' face shone with the radiance of God's glory...

I pray I do not forget God's testimonies, or stray from his presence. That I might remember the covenant and be one who knows his presence in the midst of my life, and that his glory might shine from my life.

See you tomorrow,
-maggie

Sinai and the 10 Commandements

Exodus 19:1-20:1-21

How Gracious God is! The people of Israel have been so long away he gives them instructions on how to act and what not to do. This is definitely good news.

Now these 10 Commandments. This is interesting. Only 10? There are lots of rules for living, these must be the prime ones, the ones that we don't want to forget.

Right off, we see that God is the one who brought them out of Egypt. We've now written this down lest we forget. Really good to know! I forget things easily enough so it is great to have this written down as number one.
No other Gods, Ok I don't have to worry about all those little gods who might have been demanding time and energy in Egypt. This too is good. I don't have to spend time or energy on any of these other things that used to (or could) demand my attention.

Right near the top, now we see we get a day of rest. WOW! after slavery for 430 years. this is a really big deal.

Honor your father and mother...why-so it will go well with you. This comes with a promise. So that we may live long in the promised land-in the land where we are NOT slaves. GREAT!

These next ones, sound like a plan for living in society safely and peacefully; don't murder, don' t commit adultery, don't steal, don't be a false witness (no lieing), and don't covet (gosh everything we have we just got as a gift, it makes good sense not to let ourselves be unhappy because what we have is different than what our neighbor has).

Now this last bit...God is SCARY! Hey Moses-you go talk to Him we are afraid. And guess what this is good news too. Moses says if we are afraid of God (He is God after all-remember all the signs and parting the Red sea and the dead Egyptians?) we will not sin. "Lest we die." Oh, I remember that from Adam and Eve-I guess that we need to remember who God is and who we are, lest we forget.

Today, I pray that I remember that God is God, and I am not. Remember to keep these commandments, and not to sin.
See you tomorrow.
-maggie

Crossing the Red sea

Exodus 13:17-14:31

Did you notice that God didn't lead them by the direct route-in case they were frightened? It makes me think of times when I thought the way I was traveling seemed round a bout-perhaps there was a reason I wasn't aware of. I love that Moses had Joseph's bones. Even though they had been in Egypt 430 years, and Moses was barely brought up as an Israelite, he knew enough and kept the promise made to Joseph so long ago. That tells me they had remembered to keep their story alive during all this time. Someone remembered. Would that we all tell the story and remember the acts of God, and His people.

Do we, like Pharaoh forget God when he is out of our sight? Do we forget the mighty acts of God? Apparently the Egyptians are not the only ones...what do the Israelites say? Is it that there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us out here to die?...We told you to leave us alone.

Do I do this? Is this what I tell God when I doubt his providence? Or don't agree to his purpose?

Moses asks them why they are afraid: The Lord will fight for them.

The Lord asks Why do you cry to me...do what I already told you to do. It is a Nike moment. (Just Do It!)

"Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses."

Today: Just Do It! 

See you tomorrow

-maggie

The Passover and Exodus

Exodus 12:1-42
The first thing I notice about the 10th plague is that no longer do the Israelites passively participate. God gives them instructions that have them agreeing to their help. During the hail, they had to acknowledge the threat and stay indoors, but other than that they hadn't had to do anything, but today they must participate. In order to be saved they must live according to what God says. They must place the sign of God on their household.

The next thing I noticed was, like yesterday, they are to have a plan for telling the story of being saved to the little ones: Why is this night different than any other night?

What does this plague tell us? This death of the firstborn is horrible to imagine. Do we put ourselves in positions where we ignore all the signs of God in our lives, until finally there is only death? Death of the future? Without these firstborn part of the future is lost, the inheritance due to the firstborn is lost.

It is no wonder the Egyptians are in a hurry to have them leave, and say Go before we are all dead.

Verse 42 says: "It was a night of watching by the Lord, to bring them out of the land of Egypt; so this same night is a night of watching kept to the Lord by all the people of Israel throughout their generations."

I have noticed we all like to keep anniversaries, or even smaller remembrance dates 6-months 6-weeks or some such thing to keep the new-ness fresh by remembering the special occasion. This remembering that the Lord asks for, is for our sake. Without that remembering we will forget the grace that was extended. We will not keep the relationship fresh. Today we can ask what makes this day special from any other day?

See you tomorrow
-maggie

Ten Plagues

Exodus 6:28-11:10

Here Moses says what is true: He says I am a man of uncircumcised lips. It is a different excuse from yesterday. This seems to get at the heart of it. We can never do what the Lord says on our own or of our own purity. God listens to this and is not angry; He says I will send Aaron with you and you will speak all that I tell you. Do only what I tell you.

How many signs and wonders do we see among us? How many times do we, like Pharaoh harden our hearts?

The Lord says "Let my people go, that they may serve me." Do we see freedom as a gift in order that we might serve God? Or do we, like Pharaoh see it for our own purpose?

"Then the Lord said to Moses, "Go in to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I may show these signs of mine among them, and that you may tell in the hearing of your son and of your grandson how I have dealt harshly with the Egyptians and what signs I have done among them, that you may know that I am the Lord."

Do we remember to tell the signs to our children and to their children so that they may know of the good that the Lord has done for us?

The Ninth Plague is darkness for three days, yet the Israelites were not in darkness. Do we have eyes to see in the darkness? In each case the Lord told them what He was going to do, before He did it, in order that they might know it was the Lord. Reading the Lord's word gives us the ability to recognize God's hand at work. Would that I would pay attention to the Lord's work in the world around me.

See you tomorrow
-maggie

Moses and the burning bush

Exodus 3:1-4:17
Let me just turn aside and see why this bush is not burning up. Are you kidding me? Oh by the way...no big deal? NO! burning bush-not sure I'd be so inquisitive. Curious yes-go and see...NO.

But Moses takes a little detour-alright tending flocks might not be that exciting, and if it was it certainly wasn't good. Wolves were exciting, thieves were exciting both -not good. So perhaps Moses wanted to take a look and see something that didn't seem too dangerous-to his flock that is, but what does he find? GOD. Don't just stand there, take off your sandals this is Holy Ground! Oh my. The burning bush calls to him...and he says "Here I am" Don't know about you, but talking to a burning bush...not sure what I'd do.

What does God do? This is interesting. God says GO. Again with the go. He said that to Abram too. What did he say to Abram, do we remember?

He says go to a place I will tell you ...and once you get there you will know.
So now he says to Moses, go to that place where all your people are prisoners, you know where they are oppressed, and slaves, and you fled from there, yeah that place. Oh oh.

Moses says (can't say I blame him) Um, could you maybe send someone else? You know I don't talk very well. (Is this an excuse?) What does God say, Oh ok Moses I must have made a mistake, I forgot you didn't talk very well and you were shy...NO God doesn't say that! Gee First Moses is curious, and takes a little detour. He is smart enough to take off his sandals, but dumb enough to argue with God-to His face! Ok that can't be real smart. Maybe Moses doesn't think too well either. Or is it that unlike what we are likely to say to God? No God you can't understand, I'm different, I can't do that, or is it that we are afraid or don't WANT to do that?

Moses says who will believe me? (I can see his point -would anyone believe me?) Who shall I say is sending me? Here it is again, how does God answer Moses? God says I will be with you, and this will be a sign to you-after you have done this you will worship on this mountain.

This should make us pause. After we have done what God says, then it will be a sign to us. How often do we ask for signs BEFORE we do something? How many excuses do we use if we don't want to do something? They won't believe me, I don't know the way, I'm too old, or I'm too young, or I'm not gifted with words...do these excuses work with God? Like what, He hasn't heard them before? GEE. I'm guessing maybe He has, maybe we aren't so different from Moses. Hopefully Moses doesn't take matters into his own hands like Abram. What do you think? I guess we'll wait and see.

Today, I pray that I don't make excuses to God, that I don't try to weasel out of doing the things He asks. Just today.
See you tomorrow.
-maggie

Birth of Moses

Exodus 1:1-2:25
The people of Israel were in Egypt. All of Israel's sons have died and now there are so many of the Israelites that the people in Egypt are afraid of them. They decide to "deal shrewdly" with them...do we deal falsely with people we are afraid of?

This new Pharaoh has no memory of the good that Joseph did for his people and now the 70 people of Joseph's extended family are a great nation. How short is our memory? Do we forget what God has done for us, do we forget the people in our lives?

This new Pharaoh, out of fear decides to take matters into his own hands and rid himself of these worrisome people - these Israelites.

Yet we see that God has not forgotten his people and in the midst of this terrible time He has a plan and has set aside Moses.

Will I today keep my eyes on the plan that God unfolds in front of me? Will I remember the good that He has done for me, and remember the people He has put in my life and the blessing they have been in my life?

With God's help I can.

See you tomorrow.
-maggie

Joseph Reunited with his Father

Genesis 45:1-46:7

OH how wonderful! How glorious! This is what Joseph says:

"I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God."

 Could we say the same? Certainly we should be able to for look at the joy of Joseph, look at the wonderful miracle God works in this situation. Joseph and his brothers surely can see the hand of God-and their relationship to Him and to each other through this response.

We don't know how much the Brother's tell their father when they tell him "all that Joseph has said," but poor Israel is in shock, and no wonder at that, it has been a long time with his son gone and he may have forgotten God's presence in his life.

What generosity when God tells Israel: "Jacob, Jacob...I am God, the God of your father, do not be afraid to go down to Egypt for there I will make you into a great nation. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph's hand shall close your eyes."

I could weep just like Joseph. What shall I do in response to this? What does it tell me about God? All this time, God was in the midst of them; He waits until they notice Him. Never does he force himself on Joseph's brothers but they come to realize the sin is too great a burden to bear and they have to let it go, they must turn away from it, and when they do, they see the hand of God at work in their lives. Praise God!

I shall cling to that promise: "I myself will go down with you, and I will bring you up again." Do not be afraid.

See you tomorrow.

-maggie

Return to Egypt

Genesis 43:1-44:34
WOW! Talk about a cliff hanger. This is surely developing to keep our attention. I am breathless waiting to read what happens.

Today we do find that the food is running low in Israel's household, and the brother's are instructed to go and buy food. But we remember from yesterday that they can not unless they go to Egypt and bring the dear one to Israel's heart; his youngest son Benjamin. We see that Judah pledges his own life for that of Benjamin, as Reuben did yesterday. Why Judah? Why not leave the pledge to Reuben? Maybe Judah too is recognizing the guilt he carries, or the responsibility for his impetuous actions when they were all younger and thought to destroy their own brother. They do not confess to their father though. How could you admit such a horrible thing?

Poor Israel who says "If I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved." He does say it after praying that God Almighty grant them a successful journey and send back his children to him; but still he is heart-sick.

Now things get interesting, they unfold before us slowly, and we can see opportunities at every turn to fail in answering correctly out of fear of what the answer might mean, and yet they persevere. They go with trembling to Joseph's house and things seem initially to go better for them, but there is still this uncertainty; they can not know the answer. Verse 28 says they prostrated themselves... Do we get that sense of deja vu when they all bow down before him?

Chapter 44 says Joseph tests his brothers. Is he waiting yet to see if they are indeed remorseful for their past actions, everything they do and say seems to indicate they are.

Now Joseph is indeed testing, and we are left with the question today: will Joseph accept Judah's substitution? Is it acceptable that one life be forfeit in place of another? Will Joseph show unwarranted grace and forgiveness toward his brothers and leave them go, or will he reveal himself to them and in joy be reunited? Will they in their guilt be able to accept this gift of grace? We don't know the answer today, but we can see that this guilt is a barrier between them and between them and God.

How is it that an Egyptian was able to recognize that the return of the money was a gift of their God, and they do not? This guilt weighs heavily upon them and keeps them from seeing God in their midst. And it keeps them from opening a conversation with the Lord.

I pray that I do not let unconfessed sin stand as a barrier between me and the Lord.
See you tomorrow
-maggie

Joseph 10 brother's in Egypt

Genesis 42:1 - 43:38

I am sad to read this ending. Poor Jacob, to remember the loss of his son Joseph, and now to think he has lost his son Simeon, and believe that either he gives up his son Benjamin or his household and his sons' households will all starve to death. How his heart is grieved. For a parent the loss of a child is worse than their own death.

But in reading this I am also hopeful, for these outcomes have not yet happened. Joseph remembers his dream, and is an unknown audience to his brother's remorse. These 10 brothers lament their own wickedness, and recognize that there is a reckoning for their transgressions. This is a very good thing for them. They are on their way to being right with God. Perhaps there is hope for them and for this family that seemed so dysfunctional.

Clearly this is not the end of this story. Reuben has pledged to his father that he will give surety for Benjamin's safety. Joseph is too bereaved to agree to this, but it may be that tomorrow we read of a change of heart. 

Would that today, I remember the promises of God, and that I respond out of the knowledge and love of God rather than out of any hurt I might carry.

See you tomorrow.
-maggie

Joseph in slavery, and God with him

Genesis 39:1 - 41:57
Here we see the Lord was with Joseph in all that he did. How likely is it that we would see God's hand at work when we have been sold as a slave and are a captive in a foreign land? Joseph must have listened well to his father Jacob, for when he is tempted he says "How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?"

For his response Joseph is sent to prison, where again God is with him. Is it that Joseph is staying with God? How easy it would have been to give in to the temptation for its own sake and yet to go that way, would have been away from God. In going to prison Joseph stays in God's plan. How can prison be in the plan? Joseph must pay attention to the Lord for evidence. Others see it, as the chief guard puts Joseph in charge of all that goes on, and trusts him; I bet it isn't often you get trustworthy prisoners-so Joseph must have been obvious.


When asked to interpret dreams Joseph says God gives dreams and their interpretation. Has he remembered his own dream? What does he make of it now that he hears two dreams and God interprets them?

Oh for such a time as this...now we see that Pharaoh has a dream that none can explain, and finally Joseph is remembered in the dungeon. Joseph's circumstances change dramatically. Joseph is married and in great power, yet he calls his sons by names that mean God has made me forget my hardship (Manasseh), and God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction (Ephraim). Joseph has been long away from his father's house (more than 10 years as near as I can tell), he is in a land where God is not known, yet he recognizes God with him.

For me, this illustrates the need for patience. I don't know that I would be thankful to God and remember His word if I were away for so many years, and in a situation that is clearly not what I planned. Yet Joseph kept close to God and in any temptation he did not turn away; neither did God turn away from him.

I pray that I keep my eyes on the Lord, that I set my heart on the things of God, and His promises, that it might go well with me, and I might be a blessing.

See you tomorrow
-maggie

Joseph’s Dreams

Genesis 36:1-37

Wow! Talk about family issues! This is one messed up group of brothers! Do we take offense in this manner when someone says something to us? I had a dream…yeah so? Oh, but we know something about dreams, don’t we? We have heard (to us just yesterday) about Jacob’s dreams, and meeting the Lord in a dream. Should we pay attention to this dream?

Instead, his brother’s are all ready to take offense. This is indeed a snare of the evil one. I have heard this story before, both the story of Joseph and his many colored coat, and yes the story of jealousy in families. As we read this, though, we might ask what manner of dream is this. Why wheat? Who turns into food? How is it that Joseph turns into tall food and why would his brothers come to him in obeisance? This is something to consider as we read the remainder of this passage.

Jacob sends his son off to gather word of his brother’s, we can see that it isn’t as if they were in the back 40, they are pasturing in far off lands. These are not lands fenced in and defined. Joseph ends up going from one area to another wandering and asking directions in order to find them, so he might bring word to their father. But, what do his brothers do? They seize a chance to get back at him. Only Reuben doesn’t agree, but he doesn’t stop them either. They don’t kill their brother, but instead sell him into slavery. When poor Reuben finds this out (apparently they realized his heart wasn’t in it since they did this without him) they kill a goat in order to make their story believable.

I remember God said to Noah that the covenant was with all living things; that man could kill the beasts for food, but this is not for food, this is to cover their own tracks. This is not of God. Now, with this made-up story they must go and tell their father. Poor Jacob cannot be consoled. They have made his heart hurt. He is ready to go down to die.

Now wait, how is this to be reconciled? How does this fit in with the dream Joseph had? We read that Jacob “kept the saying in mind.” Is it that he too has forgotten the dream? Has this burden made him forget the promise of God, if it was a promise of God? Is he questioning the promise, or is he questioning God? Or is he just stuck in the pain of losing his son?

Today, I wait to see what tomorrow brings. I pray that I might take heed of the promises of God, even when things look dim.

See you tomorrow

-maggie

Jacob and Esau

Genesis 32, 33:1-20

Jacob is heading home and Esau is on his way to meet him. What kind of welcome awaits? Will it be a welcome or will it be an angry meeting? Jacob talks with God and calls him the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and then we see that he recognizes God has been with him, when he says: "I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps. Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear him, that he may come and attack me..."

Jacob plans for this meeting carefully, yet he goes ahead even fearfully; depending on the promises of God to him. Here Jacob dreams again as we read about yesterday, when Jacob recognized he stood on Holy ground. Today Jacob strives with God for a blessing. He does not let go until he gains the promise from the angel of the Lord (or is it the Lord?). This is what Jacob hears: "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed."

 Jacob called the place Peniel-the face of God. That is quite a name-it is quite a place. And Jacob recognized God with him. But Jacob was not unchanged. He had a new name, and a limp.

But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept… Jacob said, " if I have found favor in your sight, then accept my present from my hand. For I have seen your face, which is like seeing the face of God, and you have accepted me.”

The two brothers have been long separated, and Jacob left in fear for his life, now his return brings a joyful reunion. What wonderful things have happened to them separately that they can now come together and embrace and give thanksgiving to God!

Somehow I think that I could learn from this, this letting go of grudges, this seeking the face of God, this striving with God until I am able to understand His plan. God says to Jacob you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed. Jacob who was grasping at his birth at the heel of his brother, Jacob who tricked Isaac to give a blessing, Esau who went away angry and bitter, determined to do what his father detested…yet here they are together and embracing.

What kind of striving is it to strive with God? How shall I go forward seeking His face? This is a question for me today.

See you tomorrow.

-maggie

Isaac, Jacob and Esau

Genesis 27
I've read this through a couple of times, and there seems to be something going on that we don't quite see. Something more than the words on the page. Why does Rebekah have Jacob impersonate Esau?

Isaac is now an old man and can be fooled because his eye-sight has failed him. But still we must ask why? Why do it at all? What is this blessing that Rebekah desires for her son-her one son over her other son? Is there something about Esau that makes her think he won't be a good leader for God's people?

What does this passage say? Jacob is obedient to his mother, and does as she says. He does get his father's blessing. What is this blessing? This is what Isaac says:
May God give you of the dew of heaven
and of the fatness of the earth
and plenty of grain and wine.Let peoples serve you,
and nations bow down to you.
Be lord over your brothers,
and may your mother's sons bow down to you.
Cursed be everyone who curses you,
and blessed be everyone who blesses you!"

Now perhaps Isaac remembers the words of the Lord to Abraham, when God said he would make him a great nation and that everyone who blesses Abraham will be blessed, and that anyone who curses Abraham will be cursed; it sounds something like that blessing. Is this important, is it why Rebekah wanted Jacob rather than Esau to get the blessing?

Next, we see that Esau is very sorry not to have his father's blessing and cries aloud. Isaac tells him you will live by the sword, but when you grow restless, you will break his yoke from your neck. I'm still pondering this. But it seems there is reason to wait and watch to see what happens next.

Genesis 28: 1-22
Isaac, who knows he has been deceived, graciously hears the plea of his wife Rebekah, and sends Jacob to find a wife from among her people (His people-God's people, in the land of Canaan-but to an Aramean). Is it that he isn't angry? Does he see what this something else is that I am wondering about? Isaac says to Jacob; "God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may become a company of peoples. May he give the blessing of Abraham to you and to your offspring with you, that you may take possession of the land of your sojournings that God gave to Abraham!"

This makes me think perhaps there is something Isaac knows that we do not read here.

The first thing Esau does is go about doing something to spite his father; he says to himself, if Isaac doesn't like these women here, I'll go get me one for a wife. Huh? I can see how this knee-jerk reaction is one I might think about. But would I go and do that spiteful thing? I don't know. I pray that I would stop and ask the questions before taking this course. Is this what God would want? Was Esau thinking from his hurt? Did he consider the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac, his own God? I don't hear Esau considering or consulting God at all. Is this a clue for us?

Jacob on the other hand, finds himself cast out and going on a journey fearing for his life, and yet when he has a dream his first thought is of God. Jacob wakes from the dream and says: "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it."And 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."

His prayer is to come again to his father's house in peace. This is the prayer of a man who knows his plight. That he is at the mercy of his brother that he has wronged, and yet it is a prayer of hope. This is a forward-looking prayer. May I come to my father's house in peace.

This is a prayer we all could pray. May we all come to our father's house in peace.
The Peace of the Lord be with you, and me. Amen.

See you tomorrow
-maggie

Birth and Sacrifice

Genesis 21

The birth of the long awaited son: Abraham is now 100 years old. Abram is now Abraham. There is more to this story than we have read. Sarah finds herself ‘nursing a child’ against all odds and in Abraham’s old age and they name him Isaac, which means he laughs. We don’t read today how she laughed when God said she would bear a child, thinking to herself that in her advanced age, after having been barren all her life that ‘now I will have children-sure right.’ (She says sarcastically.) But today we do see that she says that God made laughter for her, interesting to see that even though Sarai was skeptical God turned that sarcasm to joyous laughter.

Another day we will need to go back and read how and why Sarai and Abram became Sarah and Abraham. This is obviously only part of the story.

We next see that Abraham obeys God and circumcises Isaac. We don’t read where God told Abraham to do that but we see that Abraham is following directions. Yet next we see that there is trouble, there is trouble between Sarah and Hagar, and Sarah and Ishmael, and trouble between Sarah and Abraham. Sarah is not pleased that Abraham has another child not born to Sarah his wife but to Hagar an Egyptian slave. There is a LOT more to this story. We have seen where Abraham has taken matters into his own hands when he travelled in Egypt and told the Pharaoh that Sarai was his ‘sister’ it makes me wonder what has happened here. What is the back story? I will have to look into that another day.

No matter how Abraham has treated this woman and his child, God protects her and the young one. God does not abandon them and an angel of the lord watches over them. That gives us something to think about in our lives when we feel we have been mistreated, when people or circumstances go against us; the Lord does not.

The story of the well and Abimelech (great name just rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it?) and we see that Abimelech doesn’t trust Abraham. It could be that Abimelech isn’t a very savory character, or is wary of Abraham, but we do see a hint that Abimelech doesn’t believe Abraham has dealt fairly or won’t; for why else would he make Abraham swear not to deal falsely with him? Abraham does swear and makes a vow to be straight with Abimelech, so we can gather than Abraham believed Abimelech had a right to ask such a thing of him.

Genesis 22:1-19

“…After these things…” well I see there is more between 21 where we left off, or perhaps this just means after the oath and covenant that Abraham made with Abimelech, either way God says take your only son Isaac-you know the one you waited 100 years for, the one through whom I said I would make you a great nation-yes that one, and offer him as a burnt offering. WHAT? WHY? I am really wondering what’s going on here. However Abraham takes Isaac and the necessary supplies to make a burnt offering.

And Isaac said to his father Abraham, "My father!" And he said, "Here am I, my son." He said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" Abraham said, "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So they went both of them together.

I could really sit here for a long time with this sentence. Isaac trustingly asking where is the lamb? Abraham answering God will provide his own lamb. Whose own? Not Abraham’s? God’s? Sacrifice?

But what happens? This is incredible. God DOES provide His own lamb (ok, well a ram) this is a story that captures our attention how is this question asked? How is it answered? How is Abraham able to say yes to this heart-wrenching question? Yet he does, and we see God honors that answer, in a way that Abraham couldn’t have foreseen. What I see happening is now God the “God of Abraham” is now the God of Isaac. God intervened directly in Isaac’s situation. Sure WE know that God was the one that caused Isaac to be born in the beginning (remember we read that God did for Sarah what he had promised-and that she who had been childless had a son to nurse in her old age?) but Isaac can’t remember that. Even if his parents told him that story, it isn’t his story it isn’t his God it is still the God of Abraham and the God of Sarah.

But NOW this God-their God, is his own God a God who cares for him and protects him. When the Lord called from heaven “Abraham!” it is a really good thing Abraham was listening. Now maybe he was waiting as long as he could hoping for some miracle reprieve, or maybe he was waiting for some unknown way out, but here he has an answered hope, and actual miracle, and his son lives. He is a gift a second time to Abraham and Sarah. How Abraham’s heart must have soared to see that ram in the thicket! I can totally see him offering a great thanksgiving to the Lord.

Now let’s look again at that oath Abraham swore with Abimelech, he gave his word and exchanged ewe lambs in order that it would be a sign between them. Now let’s look at God’s oath, what does he give? He gives a son. What does He swear-He swears by Himself. The Lord doesn’t need to give testimony, the Lord doesn’t deal falsely. His word is true. Abraham opened the promise for his family by believing the Lord and obeying Him. Would that I do that today.

See you tomorrow.

-maggie

God's Covenant

Genesis 15: 1-21 God's Covenant with Abram
The word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, and He said "Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great."

In thinking about these words, I am comforted by God's gracious beginning; fear not. There are times when I am afraid, but there are more times when I fret, or I worry, and these words are a beacon of light. Fear not, I am your shield. I once heard someone talk about a shield. A shield is very useful, for going forward. It protects you when you face your challenge, and it saves you from an oncoming danger. It is not useful when you retreat, and turn your back against your enemy.

In thinking about Babel, the Lord said go forth, and they (we) said no, let's stay here. Who knows why, were they afraid? Were they complacent? We already considered if they were arrogant. But I don't think they considered that the Lord was their shield.

This is God's Covenant. Abram doesn't bargain with God. God gives this news graciously to Abram. It isn't as if Abram had anything with which to bargain, although speaking from experience, I know that sometimes I think I can bargain, and I've heard others talk about the idea that I'll do this, if God does that. In this passage we see God does. Sort of like in the beginning...God. God creates.

God says to Abram in this vision great shall be your reward, and Abram says 'what can you give me? Hadn't you noticed I have no children?' (And we remember Abram was already 75 years old, and even if people lived longer, 75 was still beyond normal child-bearing age.)

God lets Abram know that a relative won't be his heir; a child of his own will be his heir. On top of that here is a beautiful picture for us to ponder:

God brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be."

Have you ever looked at the stars on a clear night? Where I live looking at the night-time sky is awesome using that word to mean I find myself in awe of the large grand expanse of constellations. No, I can't number the stars. I can't even keep track of which one is which while I watch: But apparently God can, because he tells Abram that your offspring will be more numerous than all of that. Abram didn't have the dilute sky we see from a city at night, Abram had the sky in all its vast undiluted grandeur, and he could understand the implications.

And Abram believed God. That's what this says. Abram believed the Lord and it was counted to him as righteousness. Notice Abram didn't have to do anything other than believe God.

Today, I pray we believe the Lord. He is our shield, do not be afraid. Against all odds, believe.
See you tomorrow
-maggie

The Call

Genesis 12:1 - 20 The Call of Abram
I love this story, well I love this first paragraph! What a great thing to do. A very scary thing. Ok, here's the thing...God says leave your home, ok I'm with ya so far; God says leave your country and your family, ok you say, wonder why-eh? God says "I will make you a great nation." Hmm you say how's that? God says "I will bless you, and make your name great." Ok God, I'm still following you, why is this again? God says "so you can be a blessing." And not only that, God says, 'I've got your back, don't worry about the bad guys I'll take care of them for you.'

Ok so now we get the set up. God says these things, and Abram goes. He takes Sarai and his nephew and off they set. WONDERFUL! you think now we're following God's plan, and it should be good again, right?

We find Abram was 75 years old-how BOLD to go on this journey. We should all be so bold whenever the Lord says "go." The Lord is with them and shows them the land he will give them and their descendents. It's a big and fertile land. They stop and pray (pitched a tent and built an altar) and find it's not time to stay just yet, so off they set.

Now we get to Egypt, and what the heck is Abram thinking, I read this and think: Oh no this is not a good idea, it can't go well. And guess what? It really doesn't go well. What WAS Abram thinking? I'll just tell this little lie here and I'll save my skin. No worries there eh?

What a horrible way to set off on a journey. What a terrible thing to ask your wife. What a wicked thing to do to your host. I guess he figured God didn't really mean what he said, or it was up to him (Abram) to make it work out. Now if I recall this started as God's idea right, so now all of a sudden Abram's in charge. I don't think that is exactly what God had in mind. Yes Abram did save his skin and get through the land safely, but at what expense? Could things have gone better, yes, I'd say so. Now the Egyptians are not pleased with Abram. (And I'm guessing Sarai isn't too keen on him just now either.)

Today I pray I don't think I'm in charge. I must remember who's in charge, and I'd better make it God, as His plans work better than mine and are grander than mine. Would I think to go on a journey at 75; to leave kith and kin to go somewhere I don't even know? If it's God's plan I pray I would.
I pray that I may be a blessing in all that I do. That, after all is the plan, and the reason for the call.
See you tomorrow
-maggie

Babel

Babel
Genesis 11:1-9

"Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth."

Wow, that is a short verse but it has a lot to say about us. Let US make a name for OURselves. Hmm, apparently we were now in charge. We decided to do whatever we wanted-that sounds a mite familiar. No more is it acceptable to be made in God’s image; today we wish to be like God, we want to be in charge.  We want to be famous – for our own sake.

And the Lord came down to see,…And said, "Behold, …this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them.”

Too bad we didn’t think to do things according to God’s purposes. He just spent all this time with us; after all it says the Lord came down to see. And yet, we were more interested in what we could do for ourselves. Were we showing off, or trying to show up? Do we do this still?

Do we wish to be in charge of everything? Do we wish to make a name for OURselves? Do we forget God’s purposes?

God told Noah to go over the whole earth, and here we are, the next day practically deciding for ourselves that we don’t want to go anywhere anymore. I can relate to that; I don’t like to get up in the morning, I’d rather be sleeping. I’d rather do whatever I want. Gee that sounds a lot like this.

It is frustrating not to be understood, how nice it could be to be with a people who know you and who share a common language, and yet how wonderful it is to hear all the different dialects and languages from all over the world; it is now a beautiful symphony of voices. I wouldn’t want all these variations never to have existed either.

What can I learn from this? It seems to me that there is a lesson to be learned in priorities. Whose business am I about? Who do I think is in control? Who do I want to be in control? Who will I allow to be in control?

See you tomorrow

-maggie

The Flood Subsides

Genesis 8, 9:1-17
God remembered Noah, his family and the animals, after they had been in the ark for the duration of the rains. The Lord is faithful.

Wait upon the Lord for His timing.

God's Covenant with Noah

When Noah leaves the ark he worships the Lord. Noah sets a remembering place for himself, that he might not forget the grace of the Lord. I pray that I can develop the habit of setting remembering places for myself to remind me of all that the Lord does for me.

God says he will never dishonor the ground in this way again. I remember in the beginning, the Lord said it was good. …but the intention of a man’s heart is evil from youth. Even so, God will never strike down every living creature.

There will be a reckoning; whoever sheds the blood of a man, a man made in God’s image, for this there will be a reckoning.

The Lord sets His bow in the clouds that He might remember his covenant; the covenant with every living creature. They are blessed, as we are blessed. It isn’t said, but it is implied, we are to be stewards & caretakers. If God has given the beasts for food, and not just the green plants, we will remember that they are recipients of the covenant just as we are, and just as God will not wipe out every living thing we need to remember His grace to us.

We are made in God’s image, God is merciful. We are made in His image, God is faithful. We are made in His image. I pray I remember His covenant with us.

See you tomorrow,
-Maggie

Noah and the Flood

Genesis 6: & 7
Noah walked with God. This is the value of one righteous man. When we say what can I do, or what can one person do, we see the answer to that question in the life of Noah. One man saved the whole earth, saved all living things from being wiped out in a flood. One righteous man can change the world.

Noah did all that the Lord commanded him.

Would that we all were righteous in our generation, would that we all walked with God, would that we all did everything the Lord commands.

I heard someone talking about doing what the Lord commanded, and that if we as Christians did everything the Lord said, we would be so obvious, and so irresistible to those around us, that anyone we met would want to know about this relationship we had.

When Noah built the ark he was pretty obvious, everyone could see what he was doing, and he certainly was different; no one else had an ark in their yard. We read today that he did all that the Lord commanded him, we also read that he did ONLY what the Lord commanded him, he didn't add to it his own ideas.

Noah walked with God.

Noah knew the Lord & he heard the Lord; he was in the Lord's presence.

…and the Lord shut them in. When the whole of the earth and every living thing seems corrupt around us, the Lord is faithful. He cares for us and he shuts us in safe haven. Today I pray that I walk with God, that I walk in His presence, that I might hear and obey God's word.

See you tomorrow.
Maggie

The Fall

The Fall

Genesis 3
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.
He said to the woman, "Did God actually say, 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?" What the heck kind of question is that? “Did God ACTUALLY say…” like what, they imagined it? As if He didn’t really mean it? Darn question, crafty question. How many times does that little voice in our head ask us questions worded just like that? Did [fill in the blank] really mean that, or perhaps they only meant this, maybe I don’t really have to do such and such?

And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'" First of all we see the woman told that crafty questioner that they COULD eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, yet there is a condition-just don’t eat from the tree in the middle of the garden. Why? Because God said so-and it will cause their death. Up until now, we can see that the man and the woman were warm (didn’t need clothes) fed (all they had to do was eat what was provided, and remember from yesterday it was all good) and were able to walk in God’s presence. They were in a Sabbath place.
But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. You will not SURELY die? As in you won’t really die, or are you sure about that? Did He REALLY mean that?

For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."You will be LIKE God, you will be equal, you will be the same as, you can put yourself in the place of God. REALLY?

And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God…Lord God please come to us in the cool of the garden; walk with us in the evening of the day. Please help us not to hide ourselves from your presence.

…But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, "Where are you?" Lord God, father and creator, come looking for us now. You search for us, and you will find us, please help us to allow ourselves to be found by you.

And he said, "I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself." He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?" The man said, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate." Then the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this that you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."…

Help us not to be deceived, help us to remember your presence today in our lives. Help us not to put ourselves in the place of God. Lord God, clothe us in your presence.

The man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living. And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.

Then the Lord God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—" therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.

…and they will surely die. Lord, we will all die. Help us to live in your presence today, in the knowledge and love of you first and foremost.

Amen, see you tomorrow.

Maggie