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timewithgod.blog-city.com — February 2009
Genesis 32 -- Wrestling With God And NOT Losing?
Jacob had decided that he must face his brother Esau if they were to live in such close proximity. Fearing that Esau likely still held a grudge for Jacob's theft of his birthright, Jacob sent messengers ahead to gauge Esau's reaction.&n
Jacob had decided that he must face his brother Esau if they were to live in such close proximity. Fearing that Esau likely still held a grudge for Jacob's theft of his birthright, Jacob sent messengers ahead to gauge Esau's reaction. When he heard that Esau was coming out to him with 400 men, Jacob with good reason feared that Esau might be ready to pay back his treachery.
My commentary said, "Jacob's prayer was born out of a desperate sense of need for divine protection. It was based on the ground of covenant relationship which the Lord had established with him and his forefathers, and it was prayed in humility of spirit. He based his plea on the word of the Lord and claimed the promises of God."
How certain he was of divine protection in answer to his prayers is uncertain, for he divided his family and possessions into two camps, hoping if one was slaughtered, the other might be able to escape.
Jacob sent his family across the Jabbok ("he empties") River, and he spent the night at first along, then wrestling with God Himself in human form. At about age 97, it's hard to imagine his being able to keep going all night, but Jacob seemed to have tenacity -- after all, he'd worked all those years for Laban and hadn't given up so that he could have Rachel as his own.
Jacob lost the encounter when his hip was put out of socket by the Angel of God, but my commentary said that he won a great spiritual victory. "He learned to triumph through defeat and to be strong through weakness. Emptied of self and of confidence in his own cleverness, he confessed that he was Jacob, a supplanter, a con man. God then changed his name to Israel."
In a somewhat different way, we may find ourselves wrestling with God, daring to believe that we might somehow win. Yet it's only when we get to the point that we have emptied ourselves and confessed our shortcomings that God produces change within us as well.
Father, I now that You are all powerful, and that I can never defeat You or Your will. I know that I am a sinner. When I'm ever tempted to wrestle with You over something I know is wrong, please help me to remember this story, for just as Jacob walked with a limp for the rest of his life, my sins can have far-reaching effects. It's better to bow to Your will instead.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
Genesis 36-38 Twists In The Family Tree
Two sets of twins mentioned in these chapters cause quite a stir in the lineage of Jesus. Jacob and Esau's story was fleshed out a little more in chapter 36. Esau had been born first, but it had been God's plan for Jacob to be the
Two sets of twins mentioned in these chapters cause quite a stir in the lineage of Jesus. Jacob and Esau's story was fleshed out a little more in chapter 36. Esau had been born first, but it had been God's plan for Jacob to be the leader. Seven generations of Esau's family are mentioned here, and then the whole line fades into obscurity. My commentary said, "Not one of Esau's descendants is mentioned in God's registry of the faithful; all are lost in the obscurity of those who depart from the living God. They had temporary riches and the passing fame of this world, but nothing for eternity."
One of Jacob's sons, Judah, through whom the Messianic line is passed, failed to keep his pledge that a woman named Tamar would be given as a bride to his youngest son when he was old enough to marry, fulfilling a social custom of the widow of a brother marrying another brother to carry on the family line. She had first married his oldest brother, Er, who was killed by God for some sin (possibly for marrying a Canaanite woman?). Er's younger brother, Onan, was to have married her and produced offspring, but he let his greed get the best of him, wanting to preserve his estate for his own children, and he repeatedly refused to complete the sex act with her, thus not producing children with her. The Hebrew wording makes it clear that this was not a one-time event, my commentary says.
God may have intended all along for the godly Messianic line to go through Onan, but he missed a real blessing because of his stubbornness.
To get back at the whole family, the woman -- Tamar -- dressed as a prostitute and lured Judah (her father-in-law) into bed, keeping some of his belongings as security for a later payment. They later served to prove who the father was. She had twins as well, with Perez's hand appearing first, but he was born after his twin Zerah. The Messianic line continued through Perez, while Zerah's line was later dishonored by his descendant, Achan, in Joshua 7.
I heartily agree with what Griffith Thomas stated in my commentary: "It is simply astonishing that God could take up the threads of this very tangled skein, and weave them into His own pattern."
Father, my life has seen its share of good and bad, as I've moved away from You and then back to You. Yet You have blessed me nonetheless and giving me two sons. Help me to impart to them the importance of a godly family line, and their role in insuring that such respect for You is passed on from generation to generation.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
Genesis 33-35 The Effect The World Can Have On Us
When Jacob finally met Esau, he was humble and bowing down to the ground with his family. Esau, on the other hand, was relaxed and warm. After a typical round of Middle Eastern bargaining, Esau agreed to take Jacob's peace offering, a
When Jacob finally met Esau, he was humble and bowing down to the ground with his family. Esau, on the other hand, was relaxed and warm. After a typical round of Middle Eastern bargaining, Esau agreed to take Jacob's peace offering, and he wanted to take Jacob south to Edom. After making a promise he never intended to keep, Jacob sent Esau along then headed in the opposite direction to Shechem, with its fertile fields, rather than to Bethel where he'd met God and pledged to worship him there. His choice reminded me of Lot's story. My commentary said, "Shechem represents the world."
His mistake of remaining there in Shechem caught up with him when his daughter Dinah was raped by the son of the man whom Jacob had purchase the land from. A tragic string of consequences resulted. The local men encouraged them to stay and intermarry with them, which my commentary said was a Satanic attempt to pollute the godly line. Jacob's sons pretended to consider the offer, then countered with the requirement that every man there become circumcised. "The sacred sign of God's covenant was to be used wickedly," my commentary said. Simeon and Levi (from whom the priestly line descend) killed all of the men during their painful healing period, then stole the wives, children, and possessions of those they murdered. What a lack of godliness they displayed!
My commentary noted that God used the tragic events of chapter 34 to prepare Jacob to finally fulfill the vow he'd made almost 30 years earlier. God ordered him and his family to:
1) Put away the foreign gods they had in their possession.
2) Make themselves clean.
3) Change their clothes.
It was then that God renewed His covenant with Jacob, now called Israel.
It doesn't take much to lure us away from God's perfect will for our lives. But no matter where we go or what we do, God wants us BACK. He tells us to put away from our lives everything that's not of Him. We're to clean up our spiritual house and our physical home, getting rid of those things. Then we need to make changes so that people will notice that we are indeed back with God.
Father, help me to examine my house and my spiritual life, and those of my boys and remove anything that competes with You for our allegiance and affection.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
Gensis 39&40 On The Job Training For Leaders
I was wondering as I read this how I would have felt, being betrayed by family, kidnapped, and taken to a foreign country that permitted forced servitude -- a country where I probably had to learn a new language, even. If I found myself unable
I was wondering as I read this how I would have felt, being betrayed by family, kidnapped, and taken to a foreign country that permitted forced servitude -- a country where I probably had to learn a new language, even. If I found myself unable to get help and seemingly locked into my circumstances, the godly thing to do would be to make the best of it, serving well and gaining the trust of those above me, and all that time honoring God.
The sidebar in my Bible ties Joseph's suffering to leadership at work. It's from The Mark Of A Man by Elizabeth Elliot. I read the following:
"A leader must prepare for leadership in the same way Jesus prepared: by being willing to suffer...To suffer simply means "to bear under." A leader is someone who does not groan under burdens, but takes them -- and with a dash of humor. He knows how to keep his mouth shut about his difficulties and how to live a day at a time, doing quietly what needs doing at the moment.... We need to recall constantly that it is Christ who calls us; it is Christ who enables us; it is Christ who promises His presence AND His strength....Answer the call to be willing to suffer. In order to lead, to be last in order to be first....If you have a position of leadership, realize that suffering and success both come with the job. Both build character and ability.... Accept your problems today as opportunities for growth."
My commentary added the following truths:
1) Joseph would not betray his master's confidence or sin against His God.
2) He lost his coat but saved his character and eventually gained a crown.
3) Better to flee than to fall.
4) Under the circumstances, he should have been upset. But he was not under the circumstances; he was above them and saw God's hand in them. His time in prison was "training time for reigning time." So things that were meant by others for evil turned out to be for good.
5) Notice that Joseph did not wait for his circumstances to change. He glorified God and served others in the circumstances.
6) The truth of Romans 8:28 is wonderfully displayed in this chapter. God was working behind the scenes for Joseph. Joseph resisted the temptation and sought to avoid occasions to sin."
Father, I've felt overwhelmed a lot in my current circumstances. Thanks for giving me just what I need to hear right now. Develop me into a leader like Joseph. Help me to see You in the middle of all the piles of paper in my office.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
Genesis 41 -- Sounds Like Our Nightly News Right Now
The events of this chapter smack of what's happening right now worldwide, except that God informed the Pharaoh of it years earlier, giving him adequate time to prepare.When Joseph was called before the king to interpret his dream, the king said,
The events of this chapter smack of what's happening right now worldwide, except that God informed the Pharaoh of it years earlier, giving him adequate time to prepare.
When Joseph was called before the king to interpret his dream, the king said, "I've heard that you can explain a dream...." Joseph's answer was anything but typical in the world of politics: "I am not able to explain the meaning of dreams, but GOD will do this for the king!"
My commentary said, "It is this humility that made it possible for the Lord to entrust Joseph with tremendous responsibility without fear that it would corrupt him."
The king listened well, and he understood where the answer had come from: "God's spirit is truly in him! God has shown you all this."
Father, I feel wholly inadequate to have such responsibility on me at work in this time of economic uncertainty. You have entrusted me with much, and I, like Joseph, need Your wisdom and guidance during this time. Please reveal Your wisdom to me, ahead of time as You did for Joseph. Keep me humble. Let us be a lighthouse on a hill, shining out so that others may see You. Bless us and watch over us as our nation endures this time.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
Genesis 42-47 Getting Into a DIFFERENT Character This Time
It's impossible to tear yourself away from this story. I've always taken Joseph's side here, and I've read it from his perspective, feeling his emotions. Yet this morning God reminded me that, like Joseph's brothers, I
It's impossible to tear yourself away from this story. I've always taken Joseph's side here, and I've read it from his perspective, feeling his emotions. Yet this morning God reminded me that, like Joseph's brothers, I too have done things in my life that have caused me regret. God is the One who has been faithful all along. The things I did that caused Him hurt He has forgiven, and like Joseph, He simply wants to draw me to a position of admitting my guilt, for only through confession can we reach repentance.
Once I'd done this, like Joseph God celebrated with me and restored fellowship with Him, and as Pharaoh did to Joseph's family, God blessed me abundantly more than I have a right to ask or imagine. I am no better than any of those brothers, yet He loves me all the same!
Father, thank You for bringing me to the point of confession and repentance many times. Thank You for Your fellowship with Me, and Your love that's so amazing despite all I've done. I love You!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
Genesis 48 -- Not The Same Old Trickery
I've always looked at this chapter as the dealings of a lifelong trickster. But today, I have changed my mind.Jacob had gained Esau's birthright for a bowl of stew, taking advantage of his famished brother. He'd then stolen hi
I've always looked at this chapter as the dealings of a lifelong trickster. But today, I have changed my mind.
Jacob had gained Esau's birthright for a bowl of stew, taking advantage of his famished brother. He'd then stolen his brother's blessing by their father Isaac through deception. Now at the end of his life, it seems that once again he's up to no good, causing family strife again: Joseph has brought his sons to Jacob to be blessed before he dies. Jacob effectively adopts them as his own. Verse 7, according to my commentary, says that he's giving himself another son by his beloved Rachel through this action.
This decision has several impacts. First, it adds another tribe to Israel -- instead of 11 tribes with Joseph as the head of one of them, they now have 12 tribes with Joseph not counted but with his sons Manasseh and Ephraim included. That means, for Jacob's original sons, they now will inherit 1/13 instead of 1/12 of his estate (the son with the birthright always gets a double portion, so 11 sons would result in 12 parts. Twelve sons result in 13 parts). Secondly, this also effectively gives Joseph the birthright, since his descendants are getting a double portion!
Jacob then makes another decision. It is not directed by his own will, but by God's will, and that's what I've been unwilling to understand and acknowledge for all these years. My commentary said, "...he, by faith, gave the blessing to the younger son .... because he was in touch with the God who holds the future." Once again, the younger brother is blessed above the older brother.
What if I was Manasseh, the older brother? What would I feel? Cheated? Passed over? Unloved? How did Joseph -- such a man of faith, who said, 'What others meant for evil, God meant for good,' console his firstborn? Joseph, a man who'd been slighted before, himself?
Perhaps his words to his son echoed those that would be spoken years later by Job about God: "You give and take away, but still MY heart will say, 'Blessed Be Your Name!' "
Joseph had seen everything he possessed taken away -- possessions, family, home, freedom. Then he'd watched as God more than made up for his loss. Surely, he would tell his son, "Walk with God, and never doubt that He has his very best planned for you!"
Father, help me to convey this to my sons -- that temporary circumstances say nothing about Your LOVE for them. They need to be watching over a lifetime to see all that You have planned for them that you work out in their lives. And thanks for showing me today that I had failed to see Your hand in this.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
Genesis 49 & 50 Watching Our Words -- Lasting Effects
As Jacob struggled to get up out of his bed in Egypt to bless his sons before his death, I wonder if he was thinking about that day, long ago, when he donned the goatskins and went in to steal his father's blessings from Esau? He certainly
As Jacob struggled to get up out of his bed in Egypt to bless his sons before his death, I wonder if he was thinking about that day, long ago, when he donned the goatskins and went in to steal his father's blessings from Esau? He certainly had discovered over his lifetime the value of these blessings.
He brought all of his sons in at once. This prevented any cries of foul and eliminated the possibility that any one of them might claim fraud. However, it also meant that those who'd led less-than-godly lives would get their laundry aired out in public.
Reuben, Simeon, and Levi didn't fair too well in the process. Neither did Issachar. Zebulun, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, and Benjamin did better. It was Joseph and Judah who hit the jackpot. I can't imagine what each brother must have been thinking as Jacob prophesied about their futures. Some were paying the consequences of their sins. Everyone in the family knew about it all. But I wondered about the humiliation they would have felt knowing that their brothers were also hearing what was only between them and their father. Could Jacob have been more tactful and diplomatic?
It makes me think of similar situations between my own sons and me. I often will explain to the other son why his brother is in trouble and what he might have done differently to avoid the penalty. I think that is good.
But if I speak in ways that question one boy's abilities or aptitudes in front of the other, I could possibly be instilling misstated beliefs in one son about the other.
My sidebar talks about this very thing and says, "Speak to them words of encouragement and love. They will learn, thereby, to speak such words to others."
A telling observation from my commentary as I finish Genesis: "Genesis begins with God's perfect creation and ends with a coffin in Egypt." We didn't do so well, did we?
Father, I can never know the impact that my words will have on my boys or others. Help me to make certain that my words are only encouraging and loving.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
Revelation 1 -- John's PERSONAL Experience
There's John, exiled on the island of Patmos, but not feeling like an exile at all. Rather, he was "in the Spirit. That is, walking in unclouded fellowship with God and thus in a position to receive divine communications. T
There's John, exiled on the island of Patmos, but not feeling like an exile at all. Rather, he was "in the Spirit. That is, walking in unclouded fellowship with God and thus in a position to receive divine communications. This reminds us that a person must be near to hear," my commentary said.
John's personal descriptions of what he saw and felt just blew me away this morning. Verse 5 says, "Jesus is the One who loves us, who made us FREE from our sins with the blood of His death. He made US to be a kingdom of priests..." To think that an Almighty God who created everything would choose to love us, and then choose to die to bring us back to Him even after we'd rebelled against Him!
What John's reaction must have been when he heard God say, "I am the almighty." It's a wonder his heart continued to beat! He did do the only thing he could: "When I saw Him, I fell down at His feet..." That is both a position of humility and one of gratitude for what He's done for us.
There's one more very personal observation from John: "He put His right hand on me and said, 'Don't be afraid.' " That made me think about all that is going on in the world right now. How fitting that the sidebar in my Bible says, "We do not worship an absentee God .... The futures is in God's hands....The futures is not in the devil's hands... The future is in the hands of One who is preparing something BETTER than the eye has seen, or ear heard, or has entered into the heart of man to conceive..."
Father, I bow before You now. Please pour out Your grace and peace. Thank You for not being an absentee God, for being actively at work in my life. Thank You for loving me and making me free from my sins by dying for me, Jesus. Thank You for being the Almighty. Thank You for reaching out to touch me and say, "Do not be afraid."
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
Revelation 2 -- BEING An Overcomer
God caught my attention with the overcomer this morning. My commentary said that an overcomer was "a true believer. His faith enables him to overcome the world with all its temptation and allurement." There was a word for
God caught my attention with the overcomer this morning. My commentary said that an overcomer was "a true believer. His faith enables him to overcome the world with all its temptation and allurement." There was a word for the overcomer from each church's story.
In Ephesus, "the overcome may be one who shows the genuineness of his faith by repenting when he has backslidden from his first love."
In Smyrna, "an overcomer is one who proves the reality of his faith by choosing to go up to heaven with a good conscience rather than stay on earth with a bad one."
In Pergamum, "the overcomer ... may be the child of God who refuses to tolerate evil teaching in the local church."
In Thyatira, "the overcomer ... was the true believer who steadfastly maintained the works of genuine Christianity."
Father, I know that I am a true believer. That makes ME an overcomer. Help me to repent when I have backslidden, to prove the reality of my faith to others, to refuse to tolerate evil in my church, and to steadfastly maintain the works of genuine Christianity. I want to be able to have no regrets when I see You, Jesus!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
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