Genesis 32

Jacob's fearful reunion Esau

Jacob had to take courage that on his journey away from Laban, he met up with angels sent by God. I'm sure many of us wouldn't mind encountering something similar, but we have to remember, we have the Holy Ghost and the wonderful Gospel message which is something Jacob could only pray and hope for. 

When Jacob left his home, Esau had vowed to take his life. Now after all these years later, Jacob has more than just himself to worry about. Jacob has the safety and security of all the children God has blessed him with . He decides to make a peace offering and send it ahead to Esau to appease him and that he might know his intentions. 

In one of those moments where the good news is overshadowed by the bad news, the servants return and Esau has heard them. Esau is also coming with 400 men, and that is rightfully upsetting to Jacob. Jacob then does what we should all do in times of need and uncertainty; he cries out to God. First though, he prepares to separate his party into groups so that in a worst case scenario, he might save some. Then, Jacob cries out to God and reminds God of his covenant with his offspring. Does God need reminded? Of course God does not need reminded, but I believe God does want to hear from us and know that we remember His promises. 

So as Jacob cries out to God for deliverance (don't we all need deliverance from death, hell and the grave) he wrestles with a man or angel or Christ himself, the Bible does not say specifically. We can learn from Jacob here, that when something needs and answer, when nothing but God's deliverance will do, we should stay in prayer until we have an answer. 

For our edification, thank God that Jacob kept trying till God blessed him. Oh to go through live with the assurance of God's deliverance!

Genesis 18

Genesis chapter 18

We have in this chapter one of the rare cases that the Lord himself walked on the earth in the Old Testament. He came down to deliver a message to Abraham and deliver justice to Sodom and Gomorrah. News sometimes comes in life just as it does here in this chapter. News comes and it is good, but also there is bad news. We know that Abraham waited all his life for the news of a son of his own with Sarah, but we know he also didn't want to hear the news about the city in which Lot lived.

Abraham greats these 'strangers' like we should greet all those that we have the opportunity to show graciousness too. He kills the fat calf, and prepares the best possible meal and wants to do his best for these new guests. I believe if Abraham did not know exactly who it was in his midst, he had a good idea. Oh, that we would always be ready when the Lord might appear.

After sitting down to eat the news comes quickly that God will grant Abraham and Sarah their son. The news catches Sarah off guard and she laughs within herself. God knows our innermost thoughts and feelings, and there is no need to try and hide or deny them from him; he knows.

As the meal is over the guests get up to leave and head to Sodom. The Lord asks his companions if he should keep hidden the reason they are going to Sodom. God knows our hearts, he knows are pleas, and just as he loved us, he also knows who we love. Our Savior knows when we have deep feelings for someone, and therefore many times Christ will hear our plea for them. Christ knew that Abraham loved his nephew and their family. Jesus knew that there were those in those cities that Abraham had dealings with and would want to spare their lives if he could at all help.

The other two people go on but Christ stays to talk with Abraham and tell him all about their mission that evening. Abraham pleads that the city might be spared if fifty are found righteous and the Lord agrees. Abraham has doubts that there might be that many down there that are righteous so he pleads with the Lord till he gets to only ten righteous and the Lord mercifully agrees. The Lord knows there are only five, but he still hears the cries of his servant. Though our petitions are not always answer, have faith that our Lord and Savior hears them all.

5th Week of July Adult Sunday School Class

Judges chapter 13

Israel, after the many judges named at the end of the twelfth chapter, decided it would go after other gods again. Now it is the Philistines turn to rule over the Hebrew children. You can't help but wonder how disjointed the tribes of Israel are. They fight against one another, and then fight together against a common foe. One tribe will try to throw off their persecutors, then another tribe will not lend a hand until it looks like they are almost delivered. Many authors and scholars will talk about the burden that David and Solomon put on the other tribes in preparing and then building the temple. Many accuse their actions of causing the kingdom to split after Solomon's reign. While there may be some truth to that, it is also true that once the twelve tribes went into the land of Canaan, they were never really united until Saul reigned, and then David and Solomon. How can a people be united when they are serving other gods?

Back to this chapter. Forty years the Israelites are put under the rule of the Philistines. Now these are the people from the West, along the coast. History says they were decedents of what would eventually be the Greek people from Asia Minor. They were a seafaring people and that explains the fish like appearance of their god. God is longsuffering; and he allows us to continue in sin, but God's heart can be changed and he does not like to hear the continual lamentation of his people. God had a plan to deliver Israel, and he has a plan and a Gospel way to deliver us out of the bondage of sin.

We don't learn the name of Samson's mother, but what a God-fearing woman she must have been. It mentions Samson's father name; Manoah; but never mentions her name. The angel appears to her first, and her again the second time. We don't know her name, but we know her character, and that she was in some ways a forerunner of Mary, Jesus' mother. She was barren, like Sarah before her and Hannah after her. Also  just like these two women, God had other plans for the patient souls. The angel tells her that she will not only bare a son, but will also bring him up in the vows of Nazarite found in Numbers the sixth chapter. Samson also is a forerunner for another great person, John the Baptist. John wasn't given the full Nazarite vow, at least in name, but there are similarities.

Manoah's wife is excited and tells her husband with enthusiasm what has transpired. What I like about this story is it appears that Manoah trusts his wife whole heartily and takes her for her word. Women were not always given the same respect as men; obvious in this case because we don't have her name; but Manoah trusted his wife. He is also excited because this helps their cause because it was a shame to not have any male heirs to the family. Little did they realize at this point that this bundle of joy would not only be Israel's deliverer, but do it in amazing deeds.

We soon learn of Manoah's character, too. After he gets the news, the first thing he does is pray to God. When something good happens in our lives, going to God in prayer is a fine habit to have. God hears and then answers his prayer. The angel shows up again, but he's not there, and his wife runs to give him the news of their guest. When all parties are finally together, the angel repeats the story to Manoah. Manoah wants to make a sacrifice, which is good, but the angel has to remind him that the sacrifice is for God, and that is who all the glory should go to. The same thing when Manoah asks the angels name, which I myself would have wanted to know, but the angel again deflects and says the glory goes to God. The angel goes up into the offering in dramatic fashion, leaving Manoah and his wife to bow in fear and trembling.

As the chapter ends, we get another glimpse of the wisdom of Manoah's wife. He insists that because they have seen such a great thing that now God will kill them. His wife on the other hand states the many reasons they wouldn't die now. God had made a vow with them, and for them to die now, (I don't blame Manaoh for being frightened, I would be too), would make that vow of none effect. The same goes with our lives as well. Christ made a commitment and sacrifice on the cross for our lives, why would he let us be defeated if we sought him with our whole hearts?

So Samson is born, and one of my favorite passages appears in the Bible, and 'Spirit of the Lord began to move him'. Oh that the Spirit of the Lord would move our lives in God's work.