Genesis 38

Self-righteousness has a way of coming back on us

Judah was not ignorant of the command given to his father and grandfather not to marry into the Canaanites. He finds a friend in Hirah, and while hanging out with him, instead of his own family, he finds a Canaanite woman, Shuah and marries her. With Shuah he has three sons, Er, Onan and Shelah. Er marries a woman named Timnah and lived his life in evil the bible says; so God slays him. Whether he is slayed by his own evil living or just outright struck down by God, I suppose it ends the same. Following Jewish custom, Onan is now supposed to marry her and raise up children in his brother Er's name. Onan wants no part of this and refuses to give her children in her brother's name and God slays him as well. 

Judah intervenes and tells Timnah to stay at her father's until Shelah is old enough to be her husband. Time passes and is so often the case, we forget our vows and promises and during this time Judah's wife dies. While trying to forget his sorrow he decides to go into a harlot, but the surprise is on him because he unknowingly lays with and impregnates his daughter-in-law who laid in wait for him. 

After time passes and word comes back to him that Timnah is pregnant, Judah, who hasn't lived a life for God since he left his family to go live with the Canaanites, gets fired up and says that his sinful daughter-in-law must be put to death to pay for her 'sins'. Timnah has a secret for Judah and when she presents him with the signets he left as a token to pay her for their rendezvous, he is immediately humbled and says out loud that she has been more just than he has.  

Timnah ends up having twins, Pharez and Zarah. During delivery Zarah puts him arm out and he is marked with a scarlet thread to show he was the first born, which is important to Jewish law and tradition. Astonishingly though, Pharez ends up coming out first. Pharez will become important because it is through his line that kind David and the Kind of Kings comes. The circumstances that brought you into this world do not matter as much as what you do in this world once you are here. 

Genesis 37

'And the Lord was with Joseph'

If anyone could have said 'Woe is me' is was Joseph. His brothers hated him, he was sold into slavery and his situation seemed to get worse with every passing day. Hadn't God showed him great visions in his dreams? Wasn't he supposed to be some kind of ruler? Now look at him, he's a slave for an Egyptian, bought and sold for a price, not even his brothers made a dime off of his servitude because they were not mindful of him before he was captured into slavery. 

This Joseph that I describe above though, thankfully and praises to God, we never get to meet. We never meet the 'woe is me' Joseph. We meet and stay with the 'God is my helper, him will I serve no matter what' Joseph. This Joseph is a forerunner of Jesus Christ, this Joseph is a man despite his situations and not because of them, loved the Lord with all his heart. This is the 'no excuses' Joseph and we are all better off for meeting him. 

Joseph is purchased by the caption of Pharaoh's guard. Joseph does what he always does and goes about doing the best job he can. It doesn't take long for Joseph to be in charge of the entire household of the captain. Unfortunately the captain's wife takes a sinful liking to Joseph and speaks lies and evil of him after he embarrasses her by shunning her advances. Of course the captain comes home and is outraged at this news and sends Joseph off to jail. The fact that Joseph keeps his life shows God's hand and the favor Joseph was able to create with this captain despite such a heinous charge. 

So now that Joseph is in jail and has an even greater reason to feel rejected of God, he does what he does best. Joseph puts God first place, works hard, and then becomes the right hand man for the keeper of the prison. This is what today's Christian ought to be, the best at upholding God's righteousness and working hard. In Luke chapter 16 verses 8 through 12, 8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. 9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. 10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?

Not only in spiritual endeavors, but in secular endeavors, let's do the best job God allows us to do, so that when God wants to move in our life, we have influence not only those that love and serve God, but those that we have been in contact with in our daily lives. 

Spotlight for July 21st 2013

Bill Glass

This weeks spotlight is on Bill Glass. He was a standout football player for Baylor University and the Cleveland Browns. Later toward the end of his football career he started a prison ministry that has not only served and saved some in prison, but through his ministry he has discovered what is needed most of all to combat crime and sin, and that is a strong family.

You can read all about it on his site.

Bill Glass Champions for Life

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 31

Jacob goes through another trial while leaving Laban

Laban's sons were talking and they were saying things that were not true and hurtful. Jealousy is part of human nature and many times jealousy will make accusations that are the exact opposite of the truth. Laban was increased by God blessing Jacob. Laban was far better off now because of the blessing that God allowed Jacob to enjoy. God is going to show everyone that God is in charge and tells Jacob to return to his homeland. 

Jacob goes out to his wives and explains to them that If Laban is missing anything, it is because of the hand of God and not because Jacob has dealt suspiciously with Laban. It was God's hand that allowed Jacob's part to increase over Laban's. Laban has in fact tried to do Jacob much harm, but God protected Jacob.

Rachael and Leah side with Jacob and see what God has done, so they all set out. Unfortunately, Rachael took the idols that belonged to Laban so he knew something was wrong. Jacob had a three day lead, but Laban was able to overcome that lead in seven days. Laban may have done something rash or evil to Jacob but God appeared to Laban in a dream. Many times in our lives bad things might happen, but if we obey God and seek his face he can turn an awful situation into a good one. God told Laban not only to do Jacob no harm, but to not even speak evil to him. Unfortunately, Laban can't help but show theatrics and lie to and about Jacob. Fortunately, God is in charge and not Laban. 

After Laban finishes lying and venting, because of the words of God, they decide to make a vow and covenant between themselves. Jacob then offers a sacrifice to the Lord for delivering Jacob yet again. How many times does God deliver us and we are not even aware of his goodness?

Genesis 30

More children and some troubles for Jacob

God does wonders in spite of our sins, and not because of them. From the beginning God did not intend for man to have more than one living wife and he did not intend for us to have offspring through hand maids. We see here the trouble caused by people not being patient and obeying the will of God. Did God bless Jacob even though he sinned and made mistakes? Yes, but God blessed him for his righteousness, not for his sins. To say otherwise would make the commandments and laws of God to no effect. 

Rachael is heart broken that her sister is having sons and he is having none. He cries to Jacob in her frustration and he rebukes her. Finally, out of desperation and not divine making, she gives her hand maid to Jacob to bear children. This didn't turn out the best for Abraham, and it won't be the best situation her either. Leah becomes jealous because even though she has given birth to sons, she seems to no longer be able to be pregnant. She she gives her handmaiden to Jacob so that she can 'provide' him with more children. 

Evidently Jacob no longer 'visited' Leah, so when Rachael desires mandrakes from one of Leah's sons, she works out of deal for Jacob to 'visit' her. God smiles on the her and she has another son. Imagine the hard feelings that go around in this family. After Rachael later has Joseph, Jacob decides it is time to leave and tells Laban as much. 

Jacob had used a method to differentiate the cattle and sheep by making some spotted and the others natural color. Laban agrees that the livestock will be separated according this this method. Jacob takes what is his and goes out three days journey. Trouble and Laban are going to follow him, but the Lord is on Jacob's side. 

Genesis 29

Jacob marries Rachael, eventually.

Jacob comes to a well after his long journey and with the help of God's guiding hand we comes to meet the servants of his mother's people. They are eager to see him and there are great tidings all around, especially after he meets Rachael. Did Jacob assume too much from the start? Considering that Leah, Rachael's sister would bare the for eldest sons of the Tribe of Israel, obviously the Lord had plans that he wasn't yet aware of. 

After Jacob meets Laban there is celebration and terms. Jacob says that he'll work seven years for the hand of Rachael. Laban agrees, but has other plans that he won't reveal to Jacob. Do I think God was in on this deceitful plan? God knows all things, but even through men's sins and mistakes, God can show his strength, which he does here. 

After seven years fly by because of Jacob's deep love for Rachael, the day of marriage comes and Laban slips in Leah instead of Rachael. Laban wants his eldest daughter married first and this was a custom that ran through different cultures all the way up past the middle ages. Jacob is upset, but agrees to work seven more years because he wants to marry Rachael. 

The Bible says that Leah was hated. This is an awful instance because Leah probably had no choice in the matter with her father Laban or Jacob. A lot like we treat so called unwanted pregnancies, we choose to hate one of God's creation through no fault of their own. Seeing this, God blessed Leah to have many male heirs while Rachael was barren. In our Christian lives, lets make sure we are holding to God's plans and not our own.