Tuesday, January 31, 2012
While Moses was on the mountain the people were impatient and built a golden calf to worship. When Moses returned from the mountain with the two tablets of the Testimony, he questioned his brother about this, Aaron replied with the lamest excuse on record. “…they gave me this gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!” HA!
We wonder why the people would so quickly dismiss all the miracles God had already done for them. We sometimes forget that the people were accustomed to seeing and hearing about the multiple gods of the Egyptians.
When Aaron proclaimed a "feast to the Lord" in honor of the golden calf, he was compromising and justifying the worship of a golden calf, by calling it a "feast to the Lord". He was trying to worship God on an altar of paganism.
Moses makes an almost unbelievable plea on behalf of the people.
“…please forgive their sin - but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.”
What book? (See Phil 4:3, Ps 69:28, Rev 3:5)
There are some "apparent contradictions" in today's reading. God tells Moses that no one can see His face and live and yet earlier it says the Lord would speak to Moses face to face as a man speaks with a friend. What gives???
Exod 34:33-35
When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. But whenever he entered the LORD's presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the LORD.
2 Cor 3:18
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Are our faces radiant after we have spoken with the Lord?
We wonder why the people would so quickly dismiss all the miracles God had already done for them. We sometimes forget that the people were accustomed to seeing and hearing about the multiple gods of the Egyptians.
When Aaron proclaimed a "feast to the Lord" in honor of the golden calf, he was compromising and justifying the worship of a golden calf, by calling it a "feast to the Lord". He was trying to worship God on an altar of paganism.
Moses makes an almost unbelievable plea on behalf of the people.
“…please forgive their sin - but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.”
What book? (See Phil 4:3, Ps 69:28, Rev 3:5)
There are some "apparent contradictions" in today's reading. God tells Moses that no one can see His face and live and yet earlier it says the Lord would speak to Moses face to face as a man speaks with a friend. What gives???
Exod 34:33-35
When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. But whenever he entered the LORD's presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the LORD.
2 Cor 3:18
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Are our faces radiant after we have spoken with the Lord?
Monday, January 30, 2012
In the reading for today, as well as other days' readings, are listed many intricate details prescribed by God. Even though many of these things don't apply to us today, reading about them will be useful later on as a reference.
There are many times the words “without yeast” appear in reference to presenting offerings to God. In the New Testament, Jesus warned us about the "yeast" of the Pharisees.
Matt 16:11b-12
But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Notice how many times the words “a pleasing aroma” appear in Scripture, followed every time in this day’s reading by the words, “an offering made to the Lord by fire.” What is the significance of that for us spiritually?
Rom 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-- this is your spiritual act of worship.
2 Cor 2:14
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.
Is this the "pleasing aroma" He expects from us? To spread the knowledge of Him?
The two tablets of the Testimony were inscribed by the finger of God! WOW!
There are many times the words “without yeast” appear in reference to presenting offerings to God. In the New Testament, Jesus warned us about the "yeast" of the Pharisees.
Matt 16:11b-12
But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Notice how many times the words “a pleasing aroma” appear in Scripture, followed every time in this day’s reading by the words, “an offering made to the Lord by fire.” What is the significance of that for us spiritually?
Rom 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-- this is your spiritual act of worship.
2 Cor 2:14
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.
Is this the "pleasing aroma" He expects from us? To spread the knowledge of Him?
The two tablets of the Testimony were inscribed by the finger of God! WOW!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
"You are to receive the offering for me from each man whose heart prompts him to give."
What a great pattern for us in our giving to the Lord. He wants us to let our hearts lead us in our giving.
God tells Moses that the people are to build a tabernacle and that is where His presence will dwell. What a great foreshadowing for us. Our bodies are to be a tabernacle for the Holy Spirit to dwell!
Did God give Moses the plans for the building of the tabernacle while he was on the mountain? Did Moses write all those many, many details down on something or did he just supernaturally remember? Or did God refresh his memory from time to time?
The breastpiece for the priest was to be used for making decisions. How does that relate to us as Christians with the breastplate of righteousness?
Eph 6:14
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
Check out this video, The Bells Are Ringing. It relates the high priest to Jesus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAMLAIqUoYo
Isn’t it remarkable that these men who were skilled in brick making now have been given skills as seamstresses for making the garments for the priests? Just an example of how God gives us spiritual gifts and uses us for tasks that we could have never dreamed of doing.
Are all of us using our God-given spiritual gifts? If you have never identified your spiritual gift(s), or if you would like a refresher, email us for a Spiritual Gifts Inventory. Once your gift(s) have been identified, we can send you more information on your gift(s).
What a great pattern for us in our giving to the Lord. He wants us to let our hearts lead us in our giving.
God tells Moses that the people are to build a tabernacle and that is where His presence will dwell. What a great foreshadowing for us. Our bodies are to be a tabernacle for the Holy Spirit to dwell!
Did God give Moses the plans for the building of the tabernacle while he was on the mountain? Did Moses write all those many, many details down on something or did he just supernaturally remember? Or did God refresh his memory from time to time?
The breastpiece for the priest was to be used for making decisions. How does that relate to us as Christians with the breastplate of righteousness?
Eph 6:14
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
Check out this video, The Bells Are Ringing. It relates the high priest to Jesus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAMLAIqUoYo
Isn’t it remarkable that these men who were skilled in brick making now have been given skills as seamstresses for making the garments for the priests? Just an example of how God gives us spiritual gifts and uses us for tasks that we could have never dreamed of doing.
Are all of us using our God-given spiritual gifts? If you have never identified your spiritual gift(s), or if you would like a refresher, email us for a Spiritual Gifts Inventory. Once your gift(s) have been identified, we can send you more information on your gift(s).
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Exodus 19:3
Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain...
Ever wonder why the word God and the LORD are used, seemingly interchangeably? Well, we must go back to the Hebrew words to understand. The word God is Eloheim (meaning Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). The word LORD is Yehovah (meaning Jesus). Moses went up the mountain to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit but is was the Son who spoke to him. Using the meanings of the Hebrew words gives us a better vision. This same thing is especially true with the following verse:
Exodus 19:16
On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast.
Now if we look only at the English words, we envision a storm on the mountain, black heavy clouds, booming thunder, and flashes of lightning. But using the Hebrew word meanings, we get a completely different picture. Here's how it would read in the Hebrew.
There were loud voices in proclamation blowing a great trumpet accompanied by bright, glittering gleams enveloped in bright clouds. Does that sound a bit like the company of angels that announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds??? It should. Just read these verses: Dan 7:9-10, Matt 17:2-5, Acts 7:53, Gal 3:19, Heb 2:2, Rev 4:1, Rev 8:13, Rev 9:14.
God spoke the words of the Ten Commandments the first time. The people did not want to listen to the voice of God. A similar thing happened with Jesus.
John 12:28-29
Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again."The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
Who is this "angel" God sent to go with them who has the power to forgive sin?
1 Cor 10:1-4
For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea.They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.
John 5:22
Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son
Pretty clear...the "angel", God's Presence, was God, the Son.
Another example of how God, the Son interacted with people in the Old Testament is found in this passage.
Exod 24:9-11
Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of sapphire, clear as the sky itself. But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank.
And then we have this verse.
John 6:46
No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father.
If no one can see the Father then how can Moses, Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, along with the seventy elders see God? Again, it's perfectly clear... the leaders saw God, the Son.
Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain...
Ever wonder why the word God and the LORD are used, seemingly interchangeably? Well, we must go back to the Hebrew words to understand. The word God is Eloheim (meaning Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). The word LORD is Yehovah (meaning Jesus). Moses went up the mountain to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit but is was the Son who spoke to him. Using the meanings of the Hebrew words gives us a better vision. This same thing is especially true with the following verse:
Exodus 19:16
On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast.
Now if we look only at the English words, we envision a storm on the mountain, black heavy clouds, booming thunder, and flashes of lightning. But using the Hebrew word meanings, we get a completely different picture. Here's how it would read in the Hebrew.
There were loud voices in proclamation blowing a great trumpet accompanied by bright, glittering gleams enveloped in bright clouds. Does that sound a bit like the company of angels that announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds??? It should. Just read these verses: Dan 7:9-10, Matt 17:2-5, Acts 7:53, Gal 3:19, Heb 2:2, Rev 4:1, Rev 8:13, Rev 9:14.
God spoke the words of the Ten Commandments the first time. The people did not want to listen to the voice of God. A similar thing happened with Jesus.
John 12:28-29
Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again."The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
Who is this "angel" God sent to go with them who has the power to forgive sin?
1 Cor 10:1-4
For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea.They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.
John 5:22
Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son
Pretty clear...the "angel", God's Presence, was God, the Son.
Another example of how God, the Son interacted with people in the Old Testament is found in this passage.
Exod 24:9-11
Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of sapphire, clear as the sky itself. But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank.
And then we have this verse.
John 6:46
No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father.
If no one can see the Father then how can Moses, Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, along with the seventy elders see God? Again, it's perfectly clear... the leaders saw God, the Son.
Friday, January 27, 2012
As we begin reading of the journey of the Israelites there is an interesting pattern that will emerge, one that is often overlooked. God tells the people that He will protect them from diseases if they will just listen to Him and follow His commands. At this time the only new commands they had were the ones given to them as they traveled, commands such as gathering manna daily six days a week. How hard was that??? It is only later when the people have consistently disobeyed and grumbled and complained that God sent Moses from the mountain with a set of laws carved in stone.
We often equate “carved in stone” as something that is unmoving, unwavering, unchanging, consistent, completely fixed. Yet some people today want to bend and change the Ten Commandments when they literally were carved in stone. Shouldn’t that tell us something?
There is a great lesson to be learned concerning the manna. The Israelites had to trust God daily to supply their needs. Shouldn’t we do that too? Just wake up each morning trusting God to meet our every need. Meet Him with this request, "Lord, here I am, what would you have me do today?"
We often equate “carved in stone” as something that is unmoving, unwavering, unchanging, consistent, completely fixed. Yet some people today want to bend and change the Ten Commandments when they literally were carved in stone. Shouldn’t that tell us something?
There is a great lesson to be learned concerning the manna. The Israelites had to trust God daily to supply their needs. Shouldn’t we do that too? Just wake up each morning trusting God to meet our every need. Meet Him with this request, "Lord, here I am, what would you have me do today?"
Thursday, January 26, 2012
The Lord went ahead of the Hebrews as they made their exodus from Egypt. He guided them in a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire. They were following the Lord and He guided and protected them. The people were told to “Stand firm.” And “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to stand still.”
It is so hard for us to be obedient in standing still, isn't it? We tend to want to DO something.
Then the Lord tells the Israelites to “move on”. If only we would listen to the Lord and stand still when He tells us to and to move on when He tells us to.
Seems as if God displays a sense of humor when He causes the wheels of the Egyptian chariots to fall off.
The word "salvation" appears often in Scripture. Interestingly the English word salvation is translated from several Hebrew words. Sometimes salvation means “save or rescue”. However in the case of the word salvation used in Exodus 15:2, the Hebrew word is "yeshuw` ah." Sound familiar??? It should. It means “He who saves” – Jesus!
Exodus 15:13 is an excellent verse to ponder for today (or any day for that matter).
“In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.
God's love for us is never-ending. It is everlasting and unfailing. We are the redeemed. He leads us in His perfect love. He leads. We follow. That's His perfect plan. If we rely on His strength, He will guide us in everything we do in this life and ultimately into our heavenly reward, His holy dwelling. We need only to allow Him!
It is so hard for us to be obedient in standing still, isn't it? We tend to want to DO something.
Then the Lord tells the Israelites to “move on”. If only we would listen to the Lord and stand still when He tells us to and to move on when He tells us to.
Seems as if God displays a sense of humor when He causes the wheels of the Egyptian chariots to fall off.
The word "salvation" appears often in Scripture. Interestingly the English word salvation is translated from several Hebrew words. Sometimes salvation means “save or rescue”. However in the case of the word salvation used in Exodus 15:2, the Hebrew word is "yeshuw` ah." Sound familiar??? It should. It means “He who saves” – Jesus!
Exodus 15:13 is an excellent verse to ponder for today (or any day for that matter).
“In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.
God's love for us is never-ending. It is everlasting and unfailing. We are the redeemed. He leads us in His perfect love. He leads. We follow. That's His perfect plan. If we rely on His strength, He will guide us in everything we do in this life and ultimately into our heavenly reward, His holy dwelling. We need only to allow Him!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
HI EVERYONE
Here are some "conversations" we had with one of the participants in the e-bible study. Thought you might be interested. We love hearing from all of you.
QUESTIONS
January 17th: I've run across this before, but the story of Er and Onan makes my ... eyebrows raise a bit. Paraprashing: Er was wicked so God put him to death. Then Onan didn't want to give Er's wife offspring in lieu of Er. God saw Onan as wicked and put him to death as well.
Without more details from our (ignorant human) perspective, death seems a pretty harsh punishment, especially for Onan. Don't you think?
These passages always seemed odd to me. What are we supposed to gather from these?
PHIL AND PATTI RESPONSE- It is a broad and much detailed answer - bottom line - Yes it does seem pretty harsh. Both deaths are the result of disobedience of what God commanded. Even for us now, the result of our sin is death - but Jesus...
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Jesus' genealogy is to be traced from Jesus to Judah through Tamar. God does accomplish His purposes, one way or another. Since the sons refused to do as God instructed, God completed the genealogy line from Judah through Tamar the hard way. The two sons could have done it God's way, the easy way. God gave them the harsh punishment because it was a severe crime against God. While we may not understand all of God's plan, we must remember that we do not have the mind of God. We just have to trust in Him and know that because of Jesus we do not have to worry about that kind of punishment.
Here are some "conversations" we had with one of the participants in the e-bible study. Thought you might be interested. We love hearing from all of you.
QUESTIONS
January 17th: I've run across this before, but the story of Er and Onan makes my ... eyebrows raise a bit. Paraprashing: Er was wicked so God put him to death. Then Onan didn't want to give Er's wife offspring in lieu of Er. God saw Onan as wicked and put him to death as well.
Without more details from our (ignorant human) perspective, death seems a pretty harsh punishment, especially for Onan. Don't you think?
These passages always seemed odd to me. What are we supposed to gather from these?
PHIL AND PATTI RESPONSE- It is a broad and much detailed answer - bottom line - Yes it does seem pretty harsh. Both deaths are the result of disobedience of what God commanded. Even for us now, the result of our sin is death - but Jesus...
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Jesus' genealogy is to be traced from Jesus to Judah through Tamar. God does accomplish His purposes, one way or another. Since the sons refused to do as God instructed, God completed the genealogy line from Judah through Tamar the hard way. The two sons could have done it God's way, the easy way. God gave them the harsh punishment because it was a severe crime against God. While we may not understand all of God's plan, we must remember that we do not have the mind of God. We just have to trust in Him and know that because of Jesus we do not have to worry about that kind of punishment.
I don't think I asked this one very well. I understand everything you replied here, but doesn't really answer the question I "should" have asked. 1) "Er was wicked in God's eyes. So He had him put to death." Wicked? What had he done that was so bad that he deserved death? Details. Details. 2) What was so wrong with what Onan did? Which of 10 Commandments did he break here? (Tongue in cheek since I know we haven't gotten to the 10 Commandments, yet.) Again, what Law/rule did Onan break here to deserve death? The writer's (of the Bible) could certainly have mentioned these details. Us humans are linear. It hard to understand how we get to C without knowing what A and B are. I assume that there some "unmentioned" rules or Laws that we're dealing with here. Yes?
PHIL AND PATTI RESPONSE-These are great questions, wish we had all the answers. 1)The Bible doesn't tell us what Er's sin was. All it says is that Er was wicked in God's eyes. The Hebrew word for wicked means "morally evil". So, obviously we don't have all the details here and probably never will have. We don't think it was just one sin that Er committed that caused God to slay him. Rather, it was his morally corrupt character, along with his actions. 2) Apparently there was an unwritten law concerning such matters. God conveyed to them differences between right and wrong in some way. Just as Cain knew it was wrong to kill his brother Abel. And both Cain and Abel knew to bring sacrifices and offerings to the Lord. How God chose to convey this to them we don't really know. Onan's duty was the law, according to God. Culturally and socially, it was the right thing to do as far as the widow was concerned. Tamar had no one to take care of her, especially important as she aged. Sons took care of their mothers. Without a son or husband, Tamar was in danger of being destitute in her old age. It could be that Onan didn't want his offspring to be considered as his brother's. Maybe there was a bit of pride and jealousy surfacing here. Onan would have to give up part of his inheritance if he shared it with his elder brother's son. So, yes there are some "unmentioned" rules and laws. It's very difficult to get to C without knowing A and B - just think what's going to happen before we get to Z! That's why we're reading the entire Bible.
January 22nd:
Exodus 3: 1-6 ...There "the angel of the Lord" appeared to him in flames of fire...
I don't follow the reference here. I always thought it was God speaking directly to Moses. What is "the angel of the Lord"?
PHIL AND PATTI RESPONSE-Oh, so glad you asked about this one! The angel of the Lord is the Son of God. Remember, God the Son was with God in the very beginning (or really before what we consider the beginning). See John 1.There are many other details, such as Hagar's response to the angel of the Lord. She said he was the "God who sees me". So even she identified the angel as God (the Son). There will be lots of other references as we continue reading the Old Testament. Stay tuned!
Ah! Excellent. I figured it had to be something like that.
Exodus 4:24-26 ...the Lord met Moses (his son that is) and was about to kill him. But Zippy(sp) circumcised him. So, the Lord let him alone.
Again, it seems like there are some details left out here. How did the Lord "meet him"? How do we know what God was thinking? Why the harsh punishment for not being circumcised? Shouldn't someone have let Moses' son know about the "requirements" before going on the trip?
PHIL AND PATTI RESPONSE-Really love the nickname Zippy. It sounds so appropriate to what she did. If we read carefully verses 24-26 it reads that God was about to kill Moses, not his son. Again, it seems pretty harsh punishment for what we would consider a minor crime. However, circumcision was man's part of the covenant with God. There are probably many details left out. It makes us have to dig a little deeper. As a matter of fact, there are other writings that are not in the Bible that give some more of the details. The Book of Jasher says that the reason Moses didn't circumcise his son is at the command of his father-in-law, defying God's command to do so. As far as the Lord meeting him - it is the Son of God who met Moses and that's how we know what God was thinking.
Again, nice details to know. It was hard for me to understand how "We're" enlisting Moses' help, and then all of a sudden We want him dead. I was getting worried that God was manic-depressive or something. Just didn't make sense. Thanks for the insight!! Sorry for the Zippy thing... I just couldn't resist.
Between Creation and Moses, it seemed we were in the soap opera portion of the Bible. Lot of relationships between people of questionable character. Now it seems we're starting to get into some of the meat, so to speak.
PHIL AND PATTI RESPONSE-It gets better and then worse, then better and then worse, then better and then worse, etc....!
Exodus 4:24-26 ...the Lord met Moses (his son that is) and was about to kill him. But Zippy(sp) circumcised him. So, the Lord let him alone.
Again, it seems like there are some details left out here. How did the Lord "meet him"? How do we know what God was thinking? Why the harsh punishment for not being circumcised? Shouldn't someone have let Moses' son know about the "requirements" before going on the trip?
PHIL AND PATTI RESPONSE-Really love the nickname Zippy. It sounds so appropriate to what she did. If we read carefully verses 24-26 it reads that God was about to kill Moses, not his son. Again, it seems pretty harsh punishment for what we would consider a minor crime. However, circumcision was man's part of the covenant with God. There are probably many details left out. It makes us have to dig a little deeper. As a matter of fact, there are other writings that are not in the Bible that give some more of the details. The Book of Jasher says that the reason Moses didn't circumcise his son is at the command of his father-in-law, defying God's command to do so. As far as the Lord meeting him - it is the Son of God who met Moses and that's how we know what God was thinking.
Between Creation and Moses, it seemed we were in the soap opera portion of the Bible. Lot of relationships between people of questionable character. Now it seems we're starting to get into some of the meat, so to speak.
God’s instructions to the Hebrews concerning the Passover are very specifically detailed. The great significance of the Passover is in the prophetic symbolism. Some 1500 years later Jesus became the fulfillment of the Passover by becoming the Passover lamb. The days, hours, minutes, the directions and orders concerning the regulations of the Passover are exact. They are specific so that we can recognize the connections between the first Passover and the fulfillment in the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. The prophecies were fulfilled exactly. From the penning up of the lamb on the tenth of the month to the slaughter of the lamb at twilight on the 14th of the month, Jesus fulfilled these prophecies precisely. As we go through this study we will discover many prophecies that point to Jesus and the cross. Details are on the website www.philandpatti.com concerning the prophetic messianic symbolism of the Passover. Look under A Biblical View of Holy Week.
The Israelite men (by most records men were those over age 20 and under age 60, those who were of fighting age) who left Egypt in the exodus numbered 600,000, not counting women and children. Whew!
When the Lord instituted the Feast of Unleavened Bread, He said to do this as a remembrance of how He had brought them out of Egypt. “This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the law of the Lord is to be on your lips”
A sign on our hand is what we do. A reminder on our forehead is what we think and remember. The law of the Lord should be in what we communicate to others.
How do we as Believers observe and honor our remembrance of what God has done for us?
The Israelite men (by most records men were those over age 20 and under age 60, those who were of fighting age) who left Egypt in the exodus numbered 600,000, not counting women and children. Whew!
When the Lord instituted the Feast of Unleavened Bread, He said to do this as a remembrance of how He had brought them out of Egypt. “This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the law of the Lord is to be on your lips”
A sign on our hand is what we do. A reminder on our forehead is what we think and remember. The law of the Lord should be in what we communicate to others.
How do we as Believers observe and honor our remembrance of what God has done for us?
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
If all the livestock died during Plague #5, what animals had boils in Plague #6? It seems as if there is a difference made between livestock and animals. Perhaps the animals with the boils were household animals or other animals not considered livestock.
After the plague of boils, Pharaoh doesn't harden his heart, it is God who hardens Pharaoh's heart.
During the plague of hail, again livestock is mentioned. Some time must have passed since Plague #5 for them to have livestock. They could have acquired more animals from outside the city of Egypt and from the land of Egypt. (Egypt is the city. The land of Egypt is the surrounding fields and country.)
In Exodus 8:25, Pharaoh tells Moses they can sacrifice to God but to do it within the land. Moses responds with saying that sacrificing animals in the land would be an abomination to the Egyptians. What he means is that the very animals that the Hebrew people would be sacrificing are the animals that the Egyptians considered "gods".
In the plague of darkness, it says that the darkness can be felt. What kind of darkness can be felt? Praise God, that Jesus is our Light!
1 Pet 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
After the plague of boils, Pharaoh doesn't harden his heart, it is God who hardens Pharaoh's heart.
During the plague of hail, again livestock is mentioned. Some time must have passed since Plague #5 for them to have livestock. They could have acquired more animals from outside the city of Egypt and from the land of Egypt. (Egypt is the city. The land of Egypt is the surrounding fields and country.)
In Exodus 8:25, Pharaoh tells Moses they can sacrifice to God but to do it within the land. Moses responds with saying that sacrificing animals in the land would be an abomination to the Egyptians. What he means is that the very animals that the Hebrew people would be sacrificing are the animals that the Egyptians considered "gods".
In the plague of darkness, it says that the darkness can be felt. What kind of darkness can be felt? Praise God, that Jesus is our Light!
1 Pet 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Moses goes back to Egypt with his brother Aaron. He asks Pharaoh to let the people go so that they may go and worship God. Pharaoh perceives that he will loose his slave laborers if they make this three day journey. He punishes the people by ordering them to make bricks without providing straw for them. Straw mixes with mud to make the brick stronger and to hold it together while it dries.
“I will redeem you with an outstretched arm….”Moses delivered this amazing prophetic statement to the Hebrew slaves. God was telling them that He would redeem them from the yoke of slavery. He is telling us that He will redeem us with outstretched arms on the cross of Calvary.
Look at what God promises the Israelites:
1. I will free you from slavery. (Jesus frees us from being slaves to sin.)
2. I will redeem you. (Jesus redeems us.)
3. I will take you as my own. (Jesus brings us into His family.)
4. I will be your God. (Jesus is Lord of our lives.)
5. You will know that I am your God. (Jesus reveals Himself to us continually.)
6. I will bring you into the land and give it to you as your possession. (Jesus brings us into the Kingdom of Heaven and makes a special place just for us.)
The people did not listen then. Do the people listen now?
Again, the all important staff is used. Keep paying attention to the staff!
Interesting comment in the commentary on page 103. Pharaoh avoids God through procrastination, compromise, and insincere repentance. Sounds like us today, doesn’t it? And to add insult to injury…with each attempt at resisting God, Pharaoh’s (our) heart gets harder until we are so unaffected by God’s influence in our lives that nothing could get our attention, not even with the death of God’s only Son.
Even though our hearts may become hardened, we as Believers have circumcision of the heart.
Rom 2:29
No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.
Phil 3:3
For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh--
Col 2:11
In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ,
Only through Jesus can have circumcision of a hardened heart.
“I will redeem you with an outstretched arm….”Moses delivered this amazing prophetic statement to the Hebrew slaves. God was telling them that He would redeem them from the yoke of slavery. He is telling us that He will redeem us with outstretched arms on the cross of Calvary.
Look at what God promises the Israelites:
1. I will free you from slavery. (Jesus frees us from being slaves to sin.)
2. I will redeem you. (Jesus redeems us.)
3. I will take you as my own. (Jesus brings us into His family.)
4. I will be your God. (Jesus is Lord of our lives.)
5. You will know that I am your God. (Jesus reveals Himself to us continually.)
6. I will bring you into the land and give it to you as your possession. (Jesus brings us into the Kingdom of Heaven and makes a special place just for us.)
The people did not listen then. Do the people listen now?
Again, the all important staff is used. Keep paying attention to the staff!
Interesting comment in the commentary on page 103. Pharaoh avoids God through procrastination, compromise, and insincere repentance. Sounds like us today, doesn’t it? And to add insult to injury…with each attempt at resisting God, Pharaoh’s (our) heart gets harder until we are so unaffected by God’s influence in our lives that nothing could get our attention, not even with the death of God’s only Son.
Even though our hearts may become hardened, we as Believers have circumcision of the heart.
Rom 2:29
No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.
Phil 3:3
For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh--
Col 2:11
In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ,
Only through Jesus can have circumcision of a hardened heart.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Moses was a "fine child". KJV says he was a "goodly" child. Was he one of those "easy" babies who don't cry very often? Is so, it would be easier to hide him, at least for the first few months.
Notice the verse about Pharaoh ordering that all baby boys be thrown into the Nile. Moses' mother was obedient to the order. She did add a little detail however when she placed him in a basket first. When Moses was found by Pharaoh’s daughter, she gave him back to his mother to take care of him, and not only take care of him, but she paid Moses’ mother to do it! Isn’t it just like God? He does more for us than we could ever imagine!
How did Pharaoh's daughter know Moses was a Hebrew baby? Could it be because he was circumcised?
The angel of the Lord appeared to Moses from within a bush. God spoke to Moses from within the bush. Can we connect some dots here???
Our granddaughter, age 5 when retelling this story, related that God told Moses to take off his sandals because they were on fire.
God asked Moses to go to Egypt to bring the Israelites out. Moses offered up:
EXCUSES, EXCUSES, EXCUSES
1. Moses: "Who am I that I should go?"
God: "I will go with you."
2. Moses: "What is your name?"
God: "I AM."
3. Moses: "What if they don't believe me?"
God: "You will show them signs and wonders."
4. Moses: "I don't speak very well."
God: "I will help you speak."
5. Moses’ fifth excuse as to why he couldn’t go was “O Lord, please send someone else to do it.”
At this final excuse, the Lord's anger burned against Moses and so God says He will send Moses' brother Aaron. Interestingly, Aaron was already on his way.
Pay very close attention to the staff that is mentioned over the next few days' readings. There is great significance to this staff.
God also told Moses that He would harden Pharaoh's heart. But we find out later that there is a reason for this hardening of the heart. God gave Moses the entire plan.
Going back to Moses' excuses, can we draw some conclusions concerning ourselves? How often have all of us offered up the same or similar excuses when God calls us to do His work?
We must remember that God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called!
Notice the verse about Pharaoh ordering that all baby boys be thrown into the Nile. Moses' mother was obedient to the order. She did add a little detail however when she placed him in a basket first. When Moses was found by Pharaoh’s daughter, she gave him back to his mother to take care of him, and not only take care of him, but she paid Moses’ mother to do it! Isn’t it just like God? He does more for us than we could ever imagine!
How did Pharaoh's daughter know Moses was a Hebrew baby? Could it be because he was circumcised?
The angel of the Lord appeared to Moses from within a bush. God spoke to Moses from within the bush. Can we connect some dots here???
Our granddaughter, age 5 when retelling this story, related that God told Moses to take off his sandals because they were on fire.
God asked Moses to go to Egypt to bring the Israelites out. Moses offered up:
EXCUSES, EXCUSES, EXCUSES
1. Moses: "Who am I that I should go?"
God: "I will go with you."
2. Moses: "What is your name?"
God: "I AM."
3. Moses: "What if they don't believe me?"
God: "You will show them signs and wonders."
4. Moses: "I don't speak very well."
God: "I will help you speak."
5. Moses’ fifth excuse as to why he couldn’t go was “O Lord, please send someone else to do it.”
At this final excuse, the Lord's anger burned against Moses and so God says He will send Moses' brother Aaron. Interestingly, Aaron was already on his way.
Pay very close attention to the staff that is mentioned over the next few days' readings. There is great significance to this staff.
God also told Moses that He would harden Pharaoh's heart. But we find out later that there is a reason for this hardening of the heart. God gave Moses the entire plan.
Going back to Moses' excuses, can we draw some conclusions concerning ourselves? How often have all of us offered up the same or similar excuses when God calls us to do His work?
We must remember that God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called!
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Click on this link (or copy and paste this link) for a beautiful video showing the banners for the 12 tribes of Israel. The pictures were taken at a Messianic Jew conference in Portland Oregon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZKkln_GeLM
Jacob singles out the sons of Joseph saying that Manasseh will become a nation and Ephraim will become a group of nations.
Jacob pronounces blessings on his sons. Their sins are not forgotten in the blessings that are given out. Reuben slept with Rachel’s maidservant. The men of Shechem were killed by Simeon and Levi. They are held accountable when the time comes for the blessings. It is at this point that Judah is given the scepter promise, the line of kingship. Later the kings will rightfully come only from the line of Judah. Pay careful attention to the blessings of Judah. Can you see a connection there with Jesus? Check out verse 10 in Chapter 49, "until he comes to whom it belongs" . KJV says "until Shiloh comes". Shiloh is the name of the Messiah in the Jewish Talmud. Hmmm....
Verse 11 - He will tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch;
The Hebrew definition for vine is Israel (figuratively). God, the Father chose Israel. His Son chose those who will believe in Him (that would be us). Hmmm....again....
See other connections???
Joseph’s response to his brothers concern that he held a grudge against them is laid to rest when Joseph makes this great statement, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good…”
How many times in our lives can we look back on events in our lives that seemed at the time to be devastating and yet God intended it for good? Time to take another look back at our lives???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZKkln_GeLM
Jacob singles out the sons of Joseph saying that Manasseh will become a nation and Ephraim will become a group of nations.
Jacob pronounces blessings on his sons. Their sins are not forgotten in the blessings that are given out. Reuben slept with Rachel’s maidservant. The men of Shechem were killed by Simeon and Levi. They are held accountable when the time comes for the blessings. It is at this point that Judah is given the scepter promise, the line of kingship. Later the kings will rightfully come only from the line of Judah. Pay careful attention to the blessings of Judah. Can you see a connection there with Jesus? Check out verse 10 in Chapter 49, "until he comes to whom it belongs" . KJV says "until Shiloh comes". Shiloh is the name of the Messiah in the Jewish Talmud. Hmmm....
Verse 11 - He will tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch;
The Hebrew definition for vine is Israel (figuratively). God, the Father chose Israel. His Son chose those who will believe in Him (that would be us). Hmmm....again....
See other connections???
Joseph’s response to his brothers concern that he held a grudge against them is laid to rest when Joseph makes this great statement, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good…”
How many times in our lives can we look back on events in our lives that seemed at the time to be devastating and yet God intended it for good? Time to take another look back at our lives???
Friday, January 20, 2012
Joseph sent word to his father Jacob to come to live in Egypt. He told him not to bother about his belongings, that the best of Egypt would be his. Yet Jacob took all his possessions with him. He held on to what he had. This speaks volumes about trust. Is it that Jacob didn’t quite trust that he would be provided for?
Quite reminiscent of the Jewish people. God sent His Son, Jesus, the new covenant, and they held on to the old.
Same thing happened to some of the early Gentile Christians. They still held on to the pagan customs and traditions of their familiar gods, even though they were believers in Jesus.
Many times Christians hold on to secular customs and traditions, many of them contrary to God's Word.
Often we think of Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob, during this time of famine as being a young boy or a young man. The truth is he was old enough to have ten sons.
As the famine becomes more and more severe, the Egyptians no longer have the money to buy grain. They begin to sell their livestock and eventually they sell their land and themselves into servitude. This sets the stage for the Israelites to acquire property and become dominant in the land of Egypt. At this point the Egyptians are becoming servants to the Israelites. The Israelites held on to the dominance of the Egyptians as long as any of Jacob's sons were alive.
Gradually this situation was reversed. The Israelites later allowed themselves to become slaves to the Egyptians.
So, how about us believers in Jesus, do we allow ourselves to become slaves to the world or do we become slaves of THE WORD!
Quite reminiscent of the Jewish people. God sent His Son, Jesus, the new covenant, and they held on to the old.
Same thing happened to some of the early Gentile Christians. They still held on to the pagan customs and traditions of their familiar gods, even though they were believers in Jesus.
Many times Christians hold on to secular customs and traditions, many of them contrary to God's Word.
Often we think of Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob, during this time of famine as being a young boy or a young man. The truth is he was old enough to have ten sons.
As the famine becomes more and more severe, the Egyptians no longer have the money to buy grain. They begin to sell their livestock and eventually they sell their land and themselves into servitude. This sets the stage for the Israelites to acquire property and become dominant in the land of Egypt. At this point the Egyptians are becoming servants to the Israelites. The Israelites held on to the dominance of the Egyptians as long as any of Jacob's sons were alive.
Gradually this situation was reversed. The Israelites later allowed themselves to become slaves to the Egyptians.
So, how about us believers in Jesus, do we allow ourselves to become slaves to the world or do we become slaves of THE WORD!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
What must Joseph have thought when he saw the fulfillment of his dream of sheaves bowing down as his brothers bowed down before him?
What is the significance of Reuben offering both his sons as “hostage” in the situation concerning the return of Benjamin? Why offer his sons, why did he not offer himself? Could it be that if Reuben's sons were killed, then Reuben would suffer as Jacob suffered at the loss of Benjamin and Joseph?
Wonder what the brothers thought when Joseph seated them in order of their birth? It says they were astonished. And what's this with Joseph giving Benjamin five times as much food?
Judah presents himself as a protector of Benjamin. It is the beginning of the alliance with Judah and Benjamin as they will later be known as the Jews.
Later, Judah’s character surfaces once again as he offers himself in place of Benjamin (a foreshadowing of Jesus’ offer). His willingness to defend Benjamin, to honor his father, and be willing to substitute himself is another reason the line of the Messiah comes through Judah.
Great verse hidden away in today's reading - "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God."
How often in our lives can we look at bad things that happen to us and yet see the hand of God at work? Maybe, it's time to stop and reflect.
What is the significance of Reuben offering both his sons as “hostage” in the situation concerning the return of Benjamin? Why offer his sons, why did he not offer himself? Could it be that if Reuben's sons were killed, then Reuben would suffer as Jacob suffered at the loss of Benjamin and Joseph?
Wonder what the brothers thought when Joseph seated them in order of their birth? It says they were astonished. And what's this with Joseph giving Benjamin five times as much food?
Judah presents himself as a protector of Benjamin. It is the beginning of the alliance with Judah and Benjamin as they will later be known as the Jews.
Later, Judah’s character surfaces once again as he offers himself in place of Benjamin (a foreshadowing of Jesus’ offer). His willingness to defend Benjamin, to honor his father, and be willing to substitute himself is another reason the line of the Messiah comes through Judah.
Great verse hidden away in today's reading - "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God."
How often in our lives can we look at bad things that happen to us and yet see the hand of God at work? Maybe, it's time to stop and reflect.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
“The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered…”
Joseph prospered? As a slave? How can this be?
When we have God's presence with us we will prosper…not by the world’s standards, but certainly by God’s standards. This is a great lesson for us. Serve the Lord, no matter our station in life.
We couldn’t help but notice the similarities between Joseph and the prophet Daniel. Daniel also prospered while he was in captivity in Babylon.
Joseph refused to succumb to the temptation of Potiphar’s wife and called it a sin against God. Joseph's character certainly was displayed at this time. Other historical writings tell us that Potiphar knew Joseph's character and also the character of his wife and believed Joseph. However, in order to save face with his wife and his servants, he sent Joseph to jail. The jail in which Joseph was placed was different from the Roman jails of Jesus' day. In many cases the jails were more like houses. Depending on the person and their crime, often it was more like house arrest instead of being thrown into a dark and damp dungeon.
Notice when Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream, he gave God the credit. Even Pharaoh knew that the spirit of God was in Joseph.
At this point in the Biblical timeline, Pharaoh places Joseph as second-in-command in all Egypt. Joseph was 30 when he entered into service with Pharaoh. He was about 17 when he first came to Egypt.
God provided an abundance harvest for seven years. They were able to store up huge quantities of grain and still have an abundance.
Notice that Israel (Jacob) protects Benjamin and refuses to let him go with the brothers to Egypt to get grain. Later the tribe of Benjamin will also be protected.
Wonder why Joseph didn't go to see his family in Canaan once he was no longer a slave? Guess he was a little busy running things in Egypt!
Joseph prospered? As a slave? How can this be?
When we have God's presence with us we will prosper…not by the world’s standards, but certainly by God’s standards. This is a great lesson for us. Serve the Lord, no matter our station in life.
We couldn’t help but notice the similarities between Joseph and the prophet Daniel. Daniel also prospered while he was in captivity in Babylon.
Joseph refused to succumb to the temptation of Potiphar’s wife and called it a sin against God. Joseph's character certainly was displayed at this time. Other historical writings tell us that Potiphar knew Joseph's character and also the character of his wife and believed Joseph. However, in order to save face with his wife and his servants, he sent Joseph to jail. The jail in which Joseph was placed was different from the Roman jails of Jesus' day. In many cases the jails were more like houses. Depending on the person and their crime, often it was more like house arrest instead of being thrown into a dark and damp dungeon.
Notice when Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream, he gave God the credit. Even Pharaoh knew that the spirit of God was in Joseph.
At this point in the Biblical timeline, Pharaoh places Joseph as second-in-command in all Egypt. Joseph was 30 when he entered into service with Pharaoh. He was about 17 when he first came to Egypt.
God provided an abundance harvest for seven years. They were able to store up huge quantities of grain and still have an abundance.
Notice that Israel (Jacob) protects Benjamin and refuses to let him go with the brothers to Egypt to get grain. Later the tribe of Benjamin will also be protected.
Wonder why Joseph didn't go to see his family in Canaan once he was no longer a slave? Guess he was a little busy running things in Egypt!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
DISCUSSION SESSION
Come prepared to share with others what God's Word has revealed to you this past month. We want to hear what you have to say. This is the time for comments, questions, clarifications, etc. We will meet at our home on Monday night, January 30 at 7:00 pm. Please let us know if you plan to attend. Email us for directions. Hope you will be able to join us.
Come prepared to share with others what God's Word has revealed to you this past month. We want to hear what you have to say. This is the time for comments, questions, clarifications, etc. We will meet at our home on Monday night, January 30 at 7:00 pm. Please let us know if you plan to attend. Email us for directions. Hope you will be able to join us.
Joseph's multi-colored coat was a major source of contention between Joseph and his brothers. It was a symbol that Jacob loved Joseph more than his other sons. This coat was probably of a kind worn by royalty, long-sleeved, ankle length and colorful. Most coats were knee length, short sleeve and plain.
His brothers already hated him and then when Joseph told them about his dreams, they hated him all the more. Joseph’s brothers’ jealousy had reached a crescendo when they plotted to kill him. Joseph was sold more than once before he reached Potiphar's house.
Mention is made of a shrine prostitute. These people committed the act of prostitution as an act of worship, committed by both men and women. They did this for the glory of their false gods. Judah, thinking he was with a shrine prostitute, was with his daughter-in-law, who conceived and gave birth to twin sons.
The daughters of Lot have something in common with Tamar. Later in the timeline they will have something in common with another Biblical character. All have prominent roles in the genealogy of Jesus. Just another example of how God uses events laden with sin to fulfill His later and greater purpose.
When Jacob was mourning the supposed death of Joseph, his daughters (plural) came to comfort him. Does this mean Jacob had other daughters beside Dinah?
His brothers already hated him and then when Joseph told them about his dreams, they hated him all the more. Joseph’s brothers’ jealousy had reached a crescendo when they plotted to kill him. Joseph was sold more than once before he reached Potiphar's house.
Mention is made of a shrine prostitute. These people committed the act of prostitution as an act of worship, committed by both men and women. They did this for the glory of their false gods. Judah, thinking he was with a shrine prostitute, was with his daughter-in-law, who conceived and gave birth to twin sons.
The daughters of Lot have something in common with Tamar. Later in the timeline they will have something in common with another Biblical character. All have prominent roles in the genealogy of Jesus. Just another example of how God uses events laden with sin to fulfill His later and greater purpose.
When Jacob was mourning the supposed death of Joseph, his daughters (plural) came to comfort him. Does this mean Jacob had other daughters beside Dinah?
Monday, January 16, 2012
Today's reading is full of genealogies. While we may think genealogies are insignificant as reading material, they are very significant in documenting genealogy.
As an act of defiance toward Isaac, Esau married Canaanite women including Ishmael’s daughters. These are the women that Abraham didn't want Isaac to marry.The land of Canaan was given to Jacob as part of the blessing, passed from Abraham through Isaac. Esau was excluded from this blessing. By moving to the hill country of Seir, Esau was paving the way for Jacob to claim his promised blessing.
When God makes a promise, He makes a way for that promise to be fulfilled.
Can we all ponder some examples from our lives? Have there been times we have wondered in amazement at the way God honors His promises? Are all of us as faithful as God is?2Ti 2:13
If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful because he cannot be untrue to himself.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
WOW! Dinah’s brothers certainly took some drastic measures in their response to the rape. First of all they bargained with the men of Shechem to be circumcised, then while the men were still in pain, Dinah's brothers killed them. They will pay for this later when their father Jacob gives out the blessings.
By using circumcision in this way, they defiled the symbol of the covenant between God and Abraham. The brothers Simeon and Levi lost part of their inheritance because of this.
To his credit, Jacob tells his people to rid themselves of all the foreign gods they have with them, which they do. However, instead of destroying them, he buries them under the oak at Shechem.
God reemphasizes Jacob's name change to Israel. Did Jacob forget? Or did Jacob slip back into some old ways of doing things and God had to remind him that with the change of name comes a change in character?
Since Rachel had great difficulty in giving birth, the birth of Benjamin may have been a breech birth. Interesting that this birth took place near Bethlehem. Another significant birth also took place in Bethlehem.
Reuben sins with Isaac's concubine. Later Jacob takes away part of Reuben's inheritance. Just another example that "sin has consequences".
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Why did Rachel steal her father’s household "gods"? Was it because she believed that the household "gods" had powers and she thought her father could find out from these "gods" where she had gone with Jacob.
Amazing example of an encounter with God the Son when Jacob wrestles with the “man”. He wrestled with God to secure a blessing. Do we wrestle with God to secure a blessing or do we wrestle with God in defiance in order to get away from His authority?
Jacob's name is changed to Israel. When there is a change of name there is a change of character. When we become believers we take on His name. When we take on His name, we take on His character. That of course means we change our way of doing things, we change our character, we become a new creation, His creation.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Friday, January 13, 2012
In response to Jacob’s cry of deception concerning the substitution of Leah for Rachael, Laban responds with “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one.”
When we look at all the times that God bypasses the firstborn in favor of younger sons, it seems as if God says repeatedly that man’s ways are not His ways. God is telling us He doesn’t play by our rules.
If God set down the rules of marriage in the Garden of Eden to be between one man and one woman, why does Jacob have two wives and two concubines? Even though the custom of the day allowed such a thing, it was still contrary to God's plan. Another example of how God's people are called to be different from the world around them. No matter what the custom of our day is, we should always seek God's ways and not the ways of the world. However, as usual, God used Jacob to fulfill His plans anyway!
What on earth is the significance with the speckled, spotted, dark and light colored lambs, goats, and sheep? And what’s the deal with the white striped branches?
The manipulation of the colored animals was purely a matter of dominate and recessive genes. Jacob received more of the speckled and spotted, lambs, goats, and sheep simply because that was in the genetic code. The striped branches had nothing to do with it, except for the fact that Jacob appears to be superstitious. Not a good thing!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Jacob received the birthright earlier when Esau bargained for a bowl of soup. Jacob deceitfully received the blessing, which gave him and his future descendants riches and power. The birthright was the scepter promise which gave him the right for future generations to be kings. The birthright was a legitimate purchase from Esau. The blessing was stolen.
Rebekah fears for Jacob's life and sends him away to Haren. This was not a short journey. It was between 600 and 700 miles away.
What is the significance of angels ascending and descending from heaven in the dream that Jacob had? Does it have something to do with angels interacting with humans now? Jesus told the disciple Nathanael that he too would see something similar.
John 1:51
He then added, "I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
Jacob names the place Bethel, which means house of God. It is here that God confirms the promise that He made earlier to Abraham and He offers this same promise to Jacob. Bethel became an important center for worship but later became a center for idol worship, which the prophet Hosea condemned. Isn't that just like Satan? He takes a place for worship of God and turns it into something evil. This makes us want to guard closely our place of worship and be careful to keep evil from slipping in.
Rebekah fears for Jacob's life and sends him away to Haren. This was not a short journey. It was between 600 and 700 miles away.
What is the significance of angels ascending and descending from heaven in the dream that Jacob had? Does it have something to do with angels interacting with humans now? Jesus told the disciple Nathanael that he too would see something similar.
John 1:51
He then added, "I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
Jacob names the place Bethel, which means house of God. It is here that God confirms the promise that He made earlier to Abraham and He offers this same promise to Jacob. Bethel became an important center for worship but later became a center for idol worship, which the prophet Hosea condemned. Isn't that just like Satan? He takes a place for worship of God and turns it into something evil. This makes us want to guard closely our place of worship and be careful to keep evil from slipping in.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
The second wife of Abraham is often forgotten. After the death of Sarah, Abraham took another wife named Keturah and she bore him six sons. He even had sons by his concubines. He was 100 years old when Isaac was born, and then he fathered more children after age 100!
An interesting side note -Abraham and Sarah's burial site is a place of contention among Muslims, Jews, and Christians. No surprise there, scripture tells us that the descendants of Ishmael "lived in hostility toward all their brothers." Gen 25:18
And so they do...even now.
In the commentary on page 52 it mentions that the major events of the first 2500 years have been chronicled as only a brief outline. There are however other writings that fill in many details.
Isaac and Rebekah waited 20 years for the birth of their only sons, Esau and Jacob.
Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of soup. This was a legitimate transaction, unfair though it may seem.
When there is another famine in the land Isaac heads south toward Egypt. Sound familiar? Isaac lands in Gerar which is near Egypt in southern Israel. There Isaac lies to the men in the land telling them that Rebekah is his sister. Sound familiar?
To his credit, Isaac obeys God's instructions to stay away from Egypt. And there Isaac is blessed tremendously.
Gen 26:24
That night the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham."
God promised Isaac that He would bless him because of what his father Abraham had done. Does that make us want to be obedient to the Lord knowing that it will bless our children and future generations? A point to ponder, wouldn't you say?
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Abraham sent his servant quite a distance to find a wife for Isaac. Nahor was about 600 miles north from where Abraham was living. It was between the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers near the Turkey border.
Abraham's servant prayed a very specific prayer for requirements of a wife for Isaac. The hospitality of the day required that women at the well offered water to travelers, but it was not the custom to offer to water the animals. When Rebekah offered to water the ten camels, she understood how many camels there were and how much water that would be for that many thirsty camels. Estimates are that it would take about 25 gallons of water per camel after a week's journey. Wonder how many trips she made back down into that well.
Notice when the servant prayed, his prayer was answered even before he had finished praying. Similar to what happens to the prophet Daniel
Dan 9:23
As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the message and understand the vision:
Can we be sure that as soon as we begin to pray that God will hear and answer our prayers? Are there some things that may hinder our prayers?James 4:3
When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
Abraham's servant's motives were pure. It was an unselfish prayer on his part. He didn't ask for success for himself, only that God would show kindness to his master.
How is it with us believers? Do we pray with the wrong motives or attitude or do we pray in faith that God will answer our prayers in His way and in His time?
Ps 5:3
In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
Do we lay our requests before Him and wait in expectation for the perfect answer? Wouldn't that be a great way to start every day?
Monday, January 9, 2012
Gen 22:1-2
Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."
God told Abraham to take his ONLY son. Even though Abraham had another son, Ishmael, by Hagar, Isaac was the son of promise.
Notice all the parallels to Jesus in the sacrificing of Isaac. It was a three day journey for Abraham and Isaac. It was a three day journey for Jesus from the cross to the resurrection. Isaac carried the wood for the sacrifice. Jesus carried the wooden cross for His sacrifice. Isaac submitted to the will of his father. Jesus submitted to the will of His Father. Isaac was saved by the substitution of another sacrifice. We are saved by the sacrifice of Jesus. The place of Isaac's near sacrifice was Mount Moriah, the same place that Solomon built the temple (2 Chron 3:1), and the same place Jesus was crucified, Jerusalem.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Wouldn’t you think that Abraham would have learned his lesson when he went to Egypt? But no, he had to lie to Abimelech and tell him that Sarah was his sister, getting in even more trouble. Oh, what a tangled web we weave.....
God spoke to Abimelech telling him that Abraham was a prophet. Hmm...never quite thought of Abraham in that way before.
Finally Sarah conceives, after waiting 25 long years. What a great lesson for us to learn...to believe that God keeps His promises, no matter how long we must wait to see the fulfillment, or how slow God seems.
2 Pet 3:9a
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.
Claimed any of the Lord's promises today?
God spoke to Abimelech telling him that Abraham was a prophet. Hmm...never quite thought of Abraham in that way before.
Finally Sarah conceives, after waiting 25 long years. What a great lesson for us to learn...to believe that God keeps His promises, no matter how long we must wait to see the fulfillment, or how slow God seems.
2 Pet 3:9a
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.
Claimed any of the Lord's promises today?
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Sarah laughed at the thought of having a child at her advanced age. God responded with
"Is anything too hard for the Lord?"
Isn't this a verse we should claim on a daily basis? Indeed, IS anything too hard for the Lord?
When Abraham interacted with the three men, he spoke of the… “Judge of all the earth…” Who is the Judge of all the earth? And how did Abraham know that? We know from John 5:22 that Jesus is the judge of all the earth, so that must mean that one of the three men was indeed the Son of God.
Why did Abraham bargain with the Lord for ten people? He started bargaining for 50 righteous people. Did he think that Lot had some influence on the sinful people there? He must have thought that surely Lot could have influenced that many people. How is it with us as Christians? Do we have influence over at least 50 people?
Notice that the angels had to practically drag Lot and his family from Sodom. They didn't seem to want to leave.
Why did Lot’s wife look back? What exactly is a “pillar of salt”? Was this city Lot's wife's hometown? Did she look longingly back at the life she had there? This city was definitely "sin city".
Before we become Christians we are dead in our sins. We are citizens of "Sin City". Once we become believers in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior we are then citizens of "The Kingdom of Heaven". Shouldn't we live then as if we are citizens of the Kingdom? We should never look back at the life we had in "Sin City".
(Email us for the writing - "Kingdom Living in a Foreign Land".)
Concerning Lot's two daughters getting their father drunk - were they so desensitized to the sexual perversion in Sodom that they saw nothing wrong with having sexual relations with their father?
Now concerning Lot, "And they made their father drink wine that night: and the first-born went in, and lay with her father; and he knew not when she lay down, nor when she arose". The same thing happened with the second daughter.
This scripture does not say that Lot was unaware of the actual act of intercourse, only that he was unaware when his daughters lay down nor when they got up. It says nothing about the act itself. So was Lot aware of that? If so, had he become desensitized to the sexual perversion of Sodom as well?
How is it with us as Christians? Have we become desensitized to any and all sexual perversion?
"Is anything too hard for the Lord?"
Isn't this a verse we should claim on a daily basis? Indeed, IS anything too hard for the Lord?
When Abraham interacted with the three men, he spoke of the… “Judge of all the earth…” Who is the Judge of all the earth? And how did Abraham know that? We know from John 5:22 that Jesus is the judge of all the earth, so that must mean that one of the three men was indeed the Son of God.
Why did Abraham bargain with the Lord for ten people? He started bargaining for 50 righteous people. Did he think that Lot had some influence on the sinful people there? He must have thought that surely Lot could have influenced that many people. How is it with us as Christians? Do we have influence over at least 50 people?
Notice that the angels had to practically drag Lot and his family from Sodom. They didn't seem to want to leave.
Why did Lot’s wife look back? What exactly is a “pillar of salt”? Was this city Lot's wife's hometown? Did she look longingly back at the life she had there? This city was definitely "sin city".
Before we become Christians we are dead in our sins. We are citizens of "Sin City". Once we become believers in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior we are then citizens of "The Kingdom of Heaven". Shouldn't we live then as if we are citizens of the Kingdom? We should never look back at the life we had in "Sin City".
(Email us for the writing - "Kingdom Living in a Foreign Land".)
Concerning Lot's two daughters getting their father drunk - were they so desensitized to the sexual perversion in Sodom that they saw nothing wrong with having sexual relations with their father?
Now concerning Lot, "And they made their father drink wine that night: and the first-born went in, and lay with her father; and he knew not when she lay down, nor when she arose". The same thing happened with the second daughter.
This scripture does not say that Lot was unaware of the actual act of intercourse, only that he was unaware when his daughters lay down nor when they got up. It says nothing about the act itself. So was Lot aware of that? If so, had he become desensitized to the sexual perversion of Sodom as well?
How is it with us as Christians? Have we become desensitized to any and all sexual perversion?
Friday, January 6, 2012
One of our e-bible study friends mentioned that the study notes for today's reading reminded her of the old hymn Trust and Obey. When I read her email I was immediately "transported" back to my hometown church in Jonesborough, Tennessee. I could hear our pastor's voice as he announced the number of the hymn. I knew it by heart. I can still hear my parents' voices as they sang those familiar words. Maybe this hymn can bring back memories for you too. Contemplate God's great promises for you as you read (or sing) the words to Trust and Obey.
Some words are in larger print. In order for us to really claim those great promises of God, we MUST lay our lives on the altar and be obedient to Him!
- When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.- Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
- Refrain:
- Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey. - Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey. - But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey. - Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go; Never fear, only trust and obey.
Who is "the word of the Lord" and "the angel of the Lord"? In many instances in Scripture these two phrases are synonymous for the Son of God, the pre-incarnate Jesus. Abram asks God for a sign of His promise to bless Abram's descendants. This covenant is extremely significant.
God promises Abram the land, not the land of Israel as we know it today. These borders listed in Gen. 15:17-21 include the land from Baghdad to Cairo and from Turkey to the Persian Gulf.
(Email us for a map of the boundaries of this land) 
All Abram had to do was to walk the land and claim it. Again, did Abram obey? NO.
God also tells Abram that his descendants will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. And so they were.
Exo 12:40
And the time that the sons of Israel lived in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years.
When Sarai offered Hagar to Abraham, so that she and Abraham could have a child, she was trying to "help God out". Sarai was doing what was culturally acceptable but it was morally wrong. How often do we as Christians do and say things that are acceptable by the world, but wrong by God's standards?
Notice when Hagar runs away, the angel of the Lord promises her something. "I will so increase your descendants that they will be too numerous to count." Does a simple angel have this kind of power? Hagar knew who this angel was. She identifies him as God, as the "God who sees me".
Gen. 16:13.
Again Abram didn't trust God or wait patiently on Him. And look what happened. If Abram had trusted God to take care of him during the famine and had not gone to Egypt, there would have been no Hagar and no Ishmael.
God institutes the sign of circumcision as a confirmation of His covenant and He changes the names of Abram and Sarai. This circumcision is a foreshadowing of circumcision of the heart.
Notice also that Isaac was not conceived until after Abraham's circumcision. And God makes it clear to Abraham that His covenant is with Isaac and not Ishmael.
Lessons to be learned from Abraham? If only we would obey God completely and trust Him completely and wait patiently on Him, life would be so much easier, wouldn't it???
God promises Abram the land, not the land of Israel as we know it today. These borders listed in Gen. 15:17-21 include the land from Baghdad to Cairo and from Turkey to the Persian Gulf.
(Email us for a map of the boundaries of this land) All Abram had to do was to walk the land and claim it. Again, did Abram obey? NO.God also tells Abram that his descendants will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. And so they were.
Exo 12:40
And the time that the sons of Israel lived in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years.
When Sarai offered Hagar to Abraham, so that she and Abraham could have a child, she was trying to "help God out". Sarai was doing what was culturally acceptable but it was morally wrong. How often do we as Christians do and say things that are acceptable by the world, but wrong by God's standards?
Notice when Hagar runs away, the angel of the Lord promises her something. "I will so increase your descendants that they will be too numerous to count." Does a simple angel have this kind of power? Hagar knew who this angel was. She identifies him as God, as the "God who sees me".
Gen. 16:13.
Again Abram didn't trust God or wait patiently on Him. And look what happened. If Abram had trusted God to take care of him during the famine and had not gone to Egypt, there would have been no Hagar and no Ishmael.
God institutes the sign of circumcision as a confirmation of His covenant and He changes the names of Abram and Sarai. This circumcision is a foreshadowing of circumcision of the heart.
Notice also that Isaac was not conceived until after Abraham's circumcision. And God makes it clear to Abraham that His covenant is with Isaac and not Ishmael.
Lessons to be learned from Abraham? If only we would obey God completely and trust Him completely and wait patiently on Him, life would be so much easier, wouldn't it???
Thursday, January 5, 2012
God told Abram to leave his country, his people, his father’s household and go. Yet, Abram took possessions, and people, including Lot. He didn’t obey God completely. Incomplete obedience is disobedience . How often do we obey God only when it's something we want to do, completely ignoring other things that we should do? Complete obedience is not an easy thing to do.
Back to Abram. He next decided to go to Egypt, instead of trusting God to provide for him during the famine. If Abram had taken only what God told him to take, he wouldn’t have had to worry about taking care of all his entourage. (see the writing on the website www.philandpatti.com under Chronological Chronicles II "Disobedient Abraham".)
In this context of people living lives of 200+ years, a man of 75 would be considered middle age.
Abram is fearful of the Egyptian men so he passes Sarai as his sister. Pharaoh in effect "pays" Abram for the "use" of Sarai when he takes Sarai into his harem. It may have taken years for Sarai to be completely prepared to actually become Pharaoh's wife.
When Abram leaves Egypt, he goes to the land of Canaan and there he and Lot discover that there isn't enough room for both of them and so Abram gives Lot a choice of where to go. Lot chooses the fertile land (keep in mind that at this time the land surrounding that area was fertile - not so now - it is a desolate place) and pitches his tent among the cities of the plain near Sodom. Bad idea!
Notice God tells Abram that He will give him all the land that Abram can see. God tells Abram to walk the length and breadth of the land. This "walking the land" was to show the people there that Abram was claiming the land as his own. But did Abram walk the land? Well, read it for yourself. (Gen. 13:18)
Abram was not a perfect man. He sinned. But God used him anyway! None of us are perfect. We all sin. But God can use us anyway!
Then this man...Melchizedek...just who is He anyway??? See the book of Hebrews. It explains it very clearly!
Back to Abram. He next decided to go to Egypt, instead of trusting God to provide for him during the famine. If Abram had taken only what God told him to take, he wouldn’t have had to worry about taking care of all his entourage. (see the writing on the website www.philandpatti.com under Chronological Chronicles II "Disobedient Abraham".)
In this context of people living lives of 200+ years, a man of 75 would be considered middle age.
Abram is fearful of the Egyptian men so he passes Sarai as his sister. Pharaoh in effect "pays" Abram for the "use" of Sarai when he takes Sarai into his harem. It may have taken years for Sarai to be completely prepared to actually become Pharaoh's wife.
When Abram leaves Egypt, he goes to the land of Canaan and there he and Lot discover that there isn't enough room for both of them and so Abram gives Lot a choice of where to go. Lot chooses the fertile land (keep in mind that at this time the land surrounding that area was fertile - not so now - it is a desolate place) and pitches his tent among the cities of the plain near Sodom. Bad idea!
Notice God tells Abram that He will give him all the land that Abram can see. God tells Abram to walk the length and breadth of the land. This "walking the land" was to show the people there that Abram was claiming the land as his own. But did Abram walk the land? Well, read it for yourself. (Gen. 13:18)
Abram was not a perfect man. He sinned. But God used him anyway! None of us are perfect. We all sin. But God can use us anyway!
Then this man...Melchizedek...just who is He anyway??? See the book of Hebrews. It explains it very clearly!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Gen 11:1
Now the whole world had one language and a common speech.
Gen 11:4
Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth."
In Gen. 9:1 God tells Noah and his family to “fill the earth”. God didn’t say to go build cities for yourselves. Cities often require leaders who lead the people away from the authority of God.
The people wanted to “make a name for ourselves”. What “name”? And they didn't want to be scattered. Yet this is exactly what God wanted them to do. In fact, that is exactly what He DID do. Sounds as if pride was creeping in and we know what happens with pride.
Gen 11:4
Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth."
Is there anything significant that the people built the Tower of Babel out of brick instead of stone? Stone is something found in nature, something created by God, each one unique. Brick is man-made and uniform in appearance. Seems as if the people wanted to do things on their own, and not do things God's way. Isn't that just like us? Do we often make our own plans and then ask God to bless them instead of asking God what His plans are for us?
Another interesting thing - the Hebrew word for mortar is the same root word used in the word for materialism. The ways of the world are what bound the people together in the days of the Tower of Babel. The people in those days rebelled against God. Anything changed today? The words of the prophets are very clear. In the last days there will be a great confederation of rebellion and worldwide religious apostasy. There will eventually be a one world political and religious system in place (the bricks in the Tower of Babel), all bound together with a common love of materialism (the mortar in the Tower).
Once the people were scattered and their language confused, they congregated in groups with common languages, creating ethnic clans.
People begin to live shorter lives after the flood. Why? The protection of the canopy was gone, and the people were subjected to solar and cosmic radiation of which they were not accustomed. Before the flood the canopy prevented radiation from striking harshly against the earth. The atmospheric gas was higher in oxygen than it is now and air pressure was approximately twice what it is now. After the flood when the canopy fell radiation damaged cell structure of the human body, oxygen ratio was lowered and pressure diminished.
The things that caused longer life is gone...all because of...sin!
Now the whole world had one language and a common speech.
Gen 11:4
Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth."
In Gen. 9:1 God tells Noah and his family to “fill the earth”. God didn’t say to go build cities for yourselves. Cities often require leaders who lead the people away from the authority of God.
The people wanted to “make a name for ourselves”. What “name”? And they didn't want to be scattered. Yet this is exactly what God wanted them to do. In fact, that is exactly what He DID do. Sounds as if pride was creeping in and we know what happens with pride.
Gen 11:4
Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth."
Is there anything significant that the people built the Tower of Babel out of brick instead of stone? Stone is something found in nature, something created by God, each one unique. Brick is man-made and uniform in appearance. Seems as if the people wanted to do things on their own, and not do things God's way. Isn't that just like us? Do we often make our own plans and then ask God to bless them instead of asking God what His plans are for us?
Another interesting thing - the Hebrew word for mortar is the same root word used in the word for materialism. The ways of the world are what bound the people together in the days of the Tower of Babel. The people in those days rebelled against God. Anything changed today? The words of the prophets are very clear. In the last days there will be a great confederation of rebellion and worldwide religious apostasy. There will eventually be a one world political and religious system in place (the bricks in the Tower of Babel), all bound together with a common love of materialism (the mortar in the Tower).
Once the people were scattered and their language confused, they congregated in groups with common languages, creating ethnic clans.
People begin to live shorter lives after the flood. Why? The protection of the canopy was gone, and the people were subjected to solar and cosmic radiation of which they were not accustomed. Before the flood the canopy prevented radiation from striking harshly against the earth. The atmospheric gas was higher in oxygen than it is now and air pressure was approximately twice what it is now. After the flood when the canopy fell radiation damaged cell structure of the human body, oxygen ratio was lowered and pressure diminished.
The things that caused longer life is gone...all because of...sin!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
The “sons of God” were the godly descendants of Seth. The “daughters of men” were the ungodly descendants of Cain. The Nephilim were giants intellectually and physically.
(1Jn 3:10) You can tell God's children from the devil's children, because those who belong to the devil refuse to do right or to love each other.
Gen 6:5
The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.
What a condemning verse...every inclination and evil all the time.
Gen 6:6
The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.
He was displeased in the very center of His being.
And so God sent the flood.
Scripture says that Noah was blameless? Noah was not without sin. It means he sinned but was not held to account for his sins.
Did Noah and Mrs. Noah only have the three sons or did they have other children? Seems that there were lots of years before their births for Mrs. Noah to bear many, many children. And yet, only three were saved from the flood. What does that say about the other children they may have had?
Noah took two of every unclean animal and seven of every kind of clean animal. The animals came willingly to the ark.
Gen 7:11
In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, on the seventeenth day of the second month-- on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened.
The floodgates of heaven opened when the heavy water vapor above the earth (the canopy) fell. Water trapped inside the earth's crust gushed out when the crust of the earth was broken by earthquake activity. See the Creation study for more details.
When Noah sent out the raven it "kept flying back and forth". Seems as if the raven didn't return to the ark, but just kept flying. The waters had not yet receded so was the raven feasting on dead things that had floated to the surface?
Notice when the animals came out of the ark they came out in an orderly manner…one kind after another. It wasn't a stampede. Wonder of they came out in alphabetical order? Aardvarks first???
The first thing Noah did when he left the ark was to offer a sacrifice to God. Look how God reacted. … “he said in his heart….” . And God was pleased with Noah's sacrifice.
Gen 8:21
The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: "Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.
What a great illustration of God’s mercy and grace. Even though every inclination was still evil.
Before the flood, animals were not afraid of man. After the flood they were. Why? The animals were now allowed by God for food for man. The animals had reason to be afraid of man.
Why did the rainbow make such an impact on Noah and his family? Why did God use the rainbow as a sign? We see rainbows all the time. Could it be that the canopy that covered the earth was the reason? Could it be that they had never seen a rainbow before?
Why did Noah curse Ham’s son? It was Ham who did a disrespectful thing to Noah, yet it was Ham's descendants who will suffer the consequences.
This is a classic example of how when we sin, it often affects more than just the sinner. Other people often get hurt in the process.
Look back at Gen 6:6. Shouldn't that make people want to everything we can to keep from filling God's heart with pain?
(1Jn 3:10) You can tell God's children from the devil's children, because those who belong to the devil refuse to do right or to love each other.
Gen 6:5
The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.
What a condemning verse...every inclination and evil all the time.
Gen 6:6
The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.
He was displeased in the very center of His being.
And so God sent the flood.
Scripture says that Noah was blameless? Noah was not without sin. It means he sinned but was not held to account for his sins.
Did Noah and Mrs. Noah only have the three sons or did they have other children? Seems that there were lots of years before their births for Mrs. Noah to bear many, many children. And yet, only three were saved from the flood. What does that say about the other children they may have had?
Noah took two of every unclean animal and seven of every kind of clean animal. The animals came willingly to the ark.
Gen 7:11
In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, on the seventeenth day of the second month-- on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened.
The floodgates of heaven opened when the heavy water vapor above the earth (the canopy) fell. Water trapped inside the earth's crust gushed out when the crust of the earth was broken by earthquake activity. See the Creation study for more details.
When Noah sent out the raven it "kept flying back and forth". Seems as if the raven didn't return to the ark, but just kept flying. The waters had not yet receded so was the raven feasting on dead things that had floated to the surface?
Notice when the animals came out of the ark they came out in an orderly manner…one kind after another. It wasn't a stampede. Wonder of they came out in alphabetical order? Aardvarks first???
The first thing Noah did when he left the ark was to offer a sacrifice to God. Look how God reacted. … “he said in his heart….” . And God was pleased with Noah's sacrifice.
Gen 8:21
The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: "Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.
What a great illustration of God’s mercy and grace. Even though every inclination was still evil.
Before the flood, animals were not afraid of man. After the flood they were. Why? The animals were now allowed by God for food for man. The animals had reason to be afraid of man.
Why did the rainbow make such an impact on Noah and his family? Why did God use the rainbow as a sign? We see rainbows all the time. Could it be that the canopy that covered the earth was the reason? Could it be that they had never seen a rainbow before?
Why did Noah curse Ham’s son? It was Ham who did a disrespectful thing to Noah, yet it was Ham's descendants who will suffer the consequences.
This is a classic example of how when we sin, it often affects more than just the sinner. Other people often get hurt in the process.
Look back at Gen 6:6. Shouldn't that make people want to everything we can to keep from filling God's heart with pain?
Monday, January 2, 2012
Can we even begin to imagine how wonderful life was for Adam and Eve? Ever wondered how long they lived in the garden before the fall?
Why was Abel’s offering more pleasing to God than Cain’s offering? Could it be because of the attitude of the giver? Did Cain give his best? Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil. But, (implying a contrast) Abel brought fat portions from the firstborn of the flock. Abel's offering required the killing of an animal demonstrating that he was bringing more than just an offering, he was bringing a sacrifice. Abel knew that he needed forgiveness of his sins, and that could only come with the blood of an animal sacrifice. However, if he was bringing only an offering, that should have been done from the firstfruits.
Hebrews 9:22
In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
Could it be that Cain had so sense of sin or need of atonement? Did he think he didn't need to be forgiven.
Gen 4:7
If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."
Just as Satan tempted Eve, he is crouching at our door waiting to tempt us as well.
1 Pet 5:8
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Notice the ages of the people listed in the genealogies. Why did people live so long before the flood? Email for an updated copy of the Creation study. It explains all about the protective canopy that allowed people to have longer and healthier lives.
Why was Abel’s offering more pleasing to God than Cain’s offering? Could it be because of the attitude of the giver? Did Cain give his best? Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil. But, (implying a contrast) Abel brought fat portions from the firstborn of the flock. Abel's offering required the killing of an animal demonstrating that he was bringing more than just an offering, he was bringing a sacrifice. Abel knew that he needed forgiveness of his sins, and that could only come with the blood of an animal sacrifice. However, if he was bringing only an offering, that should have been done from the firstfruits.
Hebrews 9:22
In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
Could it be that Cain had so sense of sin or need of atonement? Did he think he didn't need to be forgiven.
Gen 4:7
If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."
Just as Satan tempted Eve, he is crouching at our door waiting to tempt us as well.
1 Pet 5:8
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Notice the ages of the people listed in the genealogies. Why did people live so long before the flood? Email for an updated copy of the Creation study. It explains all about the protective canopy that allowed people to have longer and healthier lives.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
"In the beginning, God..."
What beautiful words to start the new year...in the beginning. These words appear at the start of the Old Testament, in the psalms, at the start of the book of John and the book of Hebrews. Beginnings permeate God's Word. He is the God of new beginnings. Praise God, He doesn't look at our past, but He meets us where we are...right now...at this very moment. Every moment for us is a new beginning with Him!
In Genesis on Day 1 light is created. Yet God did not create the sun until Day 4. Light (day) is good. Dark (night) is bad. Contrast this to Jesus, the light of the world and Satan, the prince of darkness.
John 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Rev 21:23
The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.
Jesus was the light at the beginning and He will be the light at the end.
At the end of the first six days of creation, these words are written, "And there was evening and morning...". These words were not written at the end of the seventh day. God had completely finished creating. We are living the seventh day. These words are the reason that the Jewish day begins at sundown. Evening comes first.
When Satan tempted Eve to sin, he used doubt as his tool, "Did God really say...". He planted a seed of doubt. Which is exactly what he still does with each of us. He tries to place a bit of doubt in the mind of believers.
One of the consequences of Eve's disobedience was that her pains in childbearing would increase. This implies that there were babies born to Adam and Eve before the fall.
God sacrificed the first animals as a covering for their nakedness, a foreshadowing of the sacrifices to follow, sacrifices that had to be done for the atonement for sin, a covering of the sin temporarily. Sacrifices had to be done repeatedly in order for sins to be "covered".
Aren't we glad that Jesus became our permanent sacrifice, our atonement for sins forever!
Heb 10:22
let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
He didn't just cover our sins, but He cleansed us from a guilty conscience. Let us draw near to Him as He desires to draw near to us.
What beautiful words to start the new year...in the beginning. These words appear at the start of the Old Testament, in the psalms, at the start of the book of John and the book of Hebrews. Beginnings permeate God's Word. He is the God of new beginnings. Praise God, He doesn't look at our past, but He meets us where we are...right now...at this very moment. Every moment for us is a new beginning with Him!
In Genesis on Day 1 light is created. Yet God did not create the sun until Day 4. Light (day) is good. Dark (night) is bad. Contrast this to Jesus, the light of the world and Satan, the prince of darkness.
John 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Rev 21:23
The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.
Jesus was the light at the beginning and He will be the light at the end.
At the end of the first six days of creation, these words are written, "And there was evening and morning...". These words were not written at the end of the seventh day. God had completely finished creating. We are living the seventh day. These words are the reason that the Jewish day begins at sundown. Evening comes first.
When Satan tempted Eve to sin, he used doubt as his tool, "Did God really say...". He planted a seed of doubt. Which is exactly what he still does with each of us. He tries to place a bit of doubt in the mind of believers.
One of the consequences of Eve's disobedience was that her pains in childbearing would increase. This implies that there were babies born to Adam and Eve before the fall.
God sacrificed the first animals as a covering for their nakedness, a foreshadowing of the sacrifices to follow, sacrifices that had to be done for the atonement for sin, a covering of the sin temporarily. Sacrifices had to be done repeatedly in order for sins to be "covered".
Aren't we glad that Jesus became our permanent sacrifice, our atonement for sins forever!
Heb 10:22
let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
He didn't just cover our sins, but He cleansed us from a guilty conscience. Let us draw near to Him as He desires to draw near to us.
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