January 17, 2013
Jacob returned to the place where he’d had the “ladder” vision when first fleeing from Esau. The first time he was at Bethel, he was single, childless and afraid. This second visit, he returned with wives, concubines, servants, camels, donkeys, cattle, sheep and twelve sons. I wonder if he reflected on how far God had brought him since his earlier visit? It’s good to go back to the place where you first felt close to God. It often helps put us back on track when we’ve lost our way. It surely helped Jacob to be reminded of God’s name change (his new identity) and God’s purpose for him.
January 16, 2013
Jacob got a new name after wrestling all night with God. Instead of the name “Jacob,” a name that came from his grasping his twin brother Esau’s heel at birth, (Perhaps we get the phrase “you’re pulling my leg” from this), his name became “Israel,” one who prevailed with God. God gave Jacob a new identity. He went from being the schemer to the spiritual founder of the 12 tribes of Israel. Along with his new name, God caused him to walk with a limp for the rest of his life. Ironically, God pulled Jacob’s leg until it popped out of joint. From that day forward, Jacob began to learn to lean on God rather than his own scheming.
January 15, 2013
When trials and difficulty come don’t doubt God’s presence and care. Didn’t He allow His own Son to suffer in order to fulfill His purpose? And what is God’s purpose for us…? He is making us like Jesus. So don’t fear. God knows what you’re going through. Call on Him for strength and trust Him with your future for He cares for you.
January 14, 2013
This wisdom is best understood as a full and growing knowledge of God’s Word combined with the understanding of how to rightly apply it to life’s circumstances. There is a way of thinking that the world calls wise, but it is foolishness to God and leads to death. The wisdom of God leads to blessing and eternal life.
January 13, 2013
Jacob, sleeping on a rock for a pillow, dreamt of a ladder that connected heaven and earth. He heard God promise that his offspring would fill the earth and that through them all peoples would be blessed. He awoke and named the place “Bethel” (“beth” house + “el” god). I’m sure he meditated on this vision for the rest of his life. I wonder, did he foresee that God’s Son would be born into the line of his son, Judah? Did he understand that God would send Jesus as the Ladder of Love to open the way to heaven for those who would believe?
January 12, 2013
The Hebrew verb “honor” (kabad) may also be translated “give glory to” or “to give weight to, weighty.” The idea is that we recognize the Lord as the Owner and Giver of all things. We give our “firstfruits” to the Lord to show that we put Him first. Many say that they honor God, but it is merely lip service. Do you give “honor” (priority, glory, weight) to the Lord?
January 11, 2013
Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of porridge. This is a picture of one prizing physical and temporal things over spiritual reward. Esau, son of Isaac, son of Abraham, was the rightful heir of the Abrahamic promises, but he had no desire for such things. Which do you prize more? Earthly treasure or eternal reward?
January 10, 2013
Rather than depending on your own wisdom, depend on God’s. Put your utmost confidence in Him and in His Word for your decision-making. And as you do, give Him the credit for everything, worshiping and thanking Him in all things. In so doing, we can stop worrying about tomorrow, entrusting the future into His hands.
January 9, 2013
Lip service or religious ritual are insufficient. The Lord requires a relationship. Thus, He says to the one who only played lip service, “I never knew you.” Do you “know” Him as your Lord and Savior?
January 8, 2013
David addresses this psalm to both the Transcendent Ruler of all the earth, as well as the Immanent Lover of his soul. “O LORD (יְהוָ֤ה Yahweh) meaning “I AM,” a name so holy that the scribes washed their hands before writing it. And “our Lord” (אֲדֹנֵ֗ינוּ Adonenu, from Adonai), the title the Hebrews used to call upon the One who had made them His chosen ones. Jesus follows this prayer formula in His model prayer, yet reverses the order, revealing an even more personal name (“Our Father” personal/close) in the first place and retaining the idea of transcendence (“which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name”) in the second. We learn much about God from both of these prayers, but Jesus alone gives us the right to pray to Him as “our Father.”