Well, as we come to a close in our brief look at the life of Rebecca, we find she has successfully assisted Jacob in deceiving his father. The blessing is secure in the midst of deceit.
"Crime speaks to the wicked. I perceive this in my heart; before his eyes there is no fear of God.
For the way he sees it, crime makes his life easy---that is until his wrongs are discovered. Then he is hated." Psalm 36:1-2
God's plan for Jacob was "slightly" adjusted by he and his Mom. Now when Esau finds out about the deceit, even though guilty himself, he hates his brother. But God will intervene and continue His plan for both brothers.
"Lord, in the heavens is your grace; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God, your judgements are like the great deep. You save man and beast, Lord." Psalm 36: 5-6
When God has a specific plan He announces it very clearly as He did with Jacob. Here is another announcement that He clearly made:
"...Don't be afraid, because I am here announcing to you Good News that will bring great joy to all the people. This VERY DAY, in the town of David, there was born to you a Deliverer who is the Messiah, the Lord." Luke 2: 10
"IN THE HIGHEST HEAVEN, GLORY TO GOD!
AND ON EARTH, PEACE AMONG PEOPLE OF GOOD WILL!"
Luke 2:14
"May that be truly said of all us, and all of us! And so as Tiny Tim said:
GOD BLESS US EVERY ONE!"
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Monday, December 24, 2012
Monday, December 17, 2012
Bibledoorajar Looks at our Deceit
"There is no one righteous, not even one!
No one understands,
no one seeks God,
all have turned away
and at the same time become useless;
there is no one who shows kindness, not a single one!"
Romans 39ff
Sometimes it is hard to read of the failings of the O.T. figures because it forces us to look at our own behavior. But in looking at the failings of our lady, Rebecca, we must realize that ALL OF THE FAMILY deceived in some way, thus underscording what the N.T. tells us, that ALL have fallen short of the glory of God.
Rebecca overheard a conversation between Isaac and his son Esau. From the conversation she realized that it was Isaac's intent to give his blessing to Esau IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD before his death. This, even though Esau had shown little regard for God's plans and even though it overrode what God said He would do. Isaac proceeded with tradition instead of going with God's direction. Rebecca loved Jacob and she also knew what God had told her about her sons. She intreated Jacob to deceive his father. She even covered Jacob's concern about a curse falling on them for the deceit. She was willing to take the curse on herself. The main aspect of the father's blessing was that the seed of the chosen son would establish a people to bring a Savior into the world. Rebecca was willing to deceive to "help God" bring this promise about. How tempting it is for us all to "help God out" at times. Not seeing any activity on God's part, we make our own plans. Or we try to help ourselves out as Jacob did by trying to get God's blessing the wrong way. He honored Rebecca but he failed to give the higher honor to God. When his mother said, "just listen to me" that is exactly what Jacob did.
The malevolent nature of the human will is exactly what God was taking the steps necessary for the world and its' residents to receive the good news that we could be reconciled to Him. All of the deceitful seed of Jacob would have to be assisted by God because of their impurity and it was only by His grace that he declared the seed of Jacob (Israel) pure. Today, He saves an evil people through His grace as we accept the righteousness of His son. Now that is something to say Merry Christmas about! What a great gift!
"The Holy Spirit will come over you,
the power of God will cover you.
Therefore the holy child born to you
will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:35
It seems He does not need our deceit to establish His justice and righteousness. Let's adopt Mary's attitude for His plans for us: "My sould magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior, who has taken notice of His servant-girl in her humble position." Luke 1: 47ff
No one understands,
no one seeks God,
all have turned away
and at the same time become useless;
there is no one who shows kindness, not a single one!"
Romans 39ff
Sometimes it is hard to read of the failings of the O.T. figures because it forces us to look at our own behavior. But in looking at the failings of our lady, Rebecca, we must realize that ALL OF THE FAMILY deceived in some way, thus underscording what the N.T. tells us, that ALL have fallen short of the glory of God.
Rebecca overheard a conversation between Isaac and his son Esau. From the conversation she realized that it was Isaac's intent to give his blessing to Esau IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD before his death. This, even though Esau had shown little regard for God's plans and even though it overrode what God said He would do. Isaac proceeded with tradition instead of going with God's direction. Rebecca loved Jacob and she also knew what God had told her about her sons. She intreated Jacob to deceive his father. She even covered Jacob's concern about a curse falling on them for the deceit. She was willing to take the curse on herself. The main aspect of the father's blessing was that the seed of the chosen son would establish a people to bring a Savior into the world. Rebecca was willing to deceive to "help God" bring this promise about. How tempting it is for us all to "help God out" at times. Not seeing any activity on God's part, we make our own plans. Or we try to help ourselves out as Jacob did by trying to get God's blessing the wrong way. He honored Rebecca but he failed to give the higher honor to God. When his mother said, "just listen to me" that is exactly what Jacob did.
The malevolent nature of the human will is exactly what God was taking the steps necessary for the world and its' residents to receive the good news that we could be reconciled to Him. All of the deceitful seed of Jacob would have to be assisted by God because of their impurity and it was only by His grace that he declared the seed of Jacob (Israel) pure. Today, He saves an evil people through His grace as we accept the righteousness of His son. Now that is something to say Merry Christmas about! What a great gift!
"The Holy Spirit will come over you,
the power of God will cover you.
Therefore the holy child born to you
will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:35
It seems He does not need our deceit to establish His justice and righteousness. Let's adopt Mary's attitude for His plans for us: "My sould magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior, who has taken notice of His servant-girl in her humble position." Luke 1: 47ff
Monday, December 10, 2012
Bibledoorajar observes Rebecca Get involved inGod's Process
God had established the route of man back to Him. Through Abraham He announced that without faith it would be impossible to please Him. But He was yet to establish the means that His will would be accomplished in the earth. He needed a man to continue the process. Not a man like Abraham whom God had so wonderfully shown his eternal home and given the glorious promises, but a man in need of God to direct his path toward those promises. A man, though not perfect, through whom God would establish a people and start the wonderful process of reconciliation. The selection was prenatal in nature. And the mother wondered about it .God gave her information. One son would be selected over the other for the particular destiny.
"Mrs. Morel instinctively knows that Paul will become famous and known. More importantly, she feels that her destiny will be carried out through Paul."
Book Notes on Sons and Lovers by D.H. Lawrence
Most mothers wonder about the futures of their sons and many do everything in their power to foster that future. We find Rebecca doing the same thing. During this season, she can be contrasted to another mother who gave birth to a son, a very special Son indeed.
"she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger"
Luke 2:7
"But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart"
Luke 2:19
Now we are called to treasure Him and ponder His goodness and light.
"Said the NIGHT WIND to the little lamb
Do you see what I see....
Said the LAMB to the shepherd boy
Do you hear what I hear....
Said the SHEPHERD BOY to the mighty king
Do you know what I know?
Said the KING to the people everywhere
Listen to what I say
Pray for peace people every where
Listen to what I say
The child, the child sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light."
Do you Hear What I Hear?
Whatsoever goodness and light you have received this season be sure and pass it on.
"Mrs. Morel instinctively knows that Paul will become famous and known. More importantly, she feels that her destiny will be carried out through Paul."
Book Notes on Sons and Lovers by D.H. Lawrence
Most mothers wonder about the futures of their sons and many do everything in their power to foster that future. We find Rebecca doing the same thing. During this season, she can be contrasted to another mother who gave birth to a son, a very special Son indeed.
"she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger"
Luke 2:7
"But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart"
Luke 2:19
Now we are called to treasure Him and ponder His goodness and light.
"Said the NIGHT WIND to the little lamb
Do you see what I see....
Said the LAMB to the shepherd boy
Do you hear what I hear....
Said the SHEPHERD BOY to the mighty king
Do you know what I know?
Said the KING to the people everywhere
Listen to what I say
Pray for peace people every where
Listen to what I say
The child, the child sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light."
Do you Hear What I Hear?
Whatsoever goodness and light you have received this season be sure and pass it on.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Bibledoorajar Looks at Parental Advice and Sin
We last discussed the behavior that led to the lament of Esau. With carelessness of thought he allowed his brother to induce a commitment to give up the portion the father was to give him as the firstborn.
It seems clear from the record that Isaac, now very old, had not understood that this had taken place. It is not as clear what Rebecca may have known. However, we know that sooner or later she would make the decision to further help Jacob secure the blessing from Isaac. We know the parents were talking with Esau about godly behavior because they implored him to not marry among the Canaanite women, but rather to pursue a relationship consistent with God's purposes. However, Esau did not follow his parental advice and married not only outside of the promise ( a step too often taken today) but he married two Hittite women at the same time, Judith and Bashemath. Esau was becoming more and more separated from the morals and values of his parents. The record records that this brought great grief to his parents. To disrespect the wishes of both God and his parents led the Holy Spirit to record this about Rebecca's eldest son in Hebrews:
"Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright." Heb. 12:16
This comment is found in one of the Christian's primary sources of truth on faith in God and a belief in His ways as a major factor in spiritual survivability. Esau is called profane. He ruined the gracious gifts of God for his life by desecration of the principles and values that God was establishing in a future people.
I can hear Isaac and Rebecca imploring with their son. "Please, please." It is an imploring that continues to this day; "son, daughter, do not stray from the principles of God and certainly don't throw off Christianity for a lower life." Indeed, even as we mature, Christians have to help each other remember that even though we have the combination of God's power and His forgiveness, it does not mean that we are immune to major delusions or temptations. Just yesterday, the preacher warned, don't be deluded by this "spirit of hopelessness about our country's current situation." Don't be hopeless which could make you subject to temptations and other delusions." It is a good thing to remember that our hope is in God and our primary thought processes must be to secure our spiritual position. Unlike Esau, we must not let the evil one rule our minds and thoughts. We may have to fight, but in the Lord's might we can win.
It seems clear from the record that Isaac, now very old, had not understood that this had taken place. It is not as clear what Rebecca may have known. However, we know that sooner or later she would make the decision to further help Jacob secure the blessing from Isaac. We know the parents were talking with Esau about godly behavior because they implored him to not marry among the Canaanite women, but rather to pursue a relationship consistent with God's purposes. However, Esau did not follow his parental advice and married not only outside of the promise ( a step too often taken today) but he married two Hittite women at the same time, Judith and Bashemath. Esau was becoming more and more separated from the morals and values of his parents. The record records that this brought great grief to his parents. To disrespect the wishes of both God and his parents led the Holy Spirit to record this about Rebecca's eldest son in Hebrews:
"Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright." Heb. 12:16
This comment is found in one of the Christian's primary sources of truth on faith in God and a belief in His ways as a major factor in spiritual survivability. Esau is called profane. He ruined the gracious gifts of God for his life by desecration of the principles and values that God was establishing in a future people.
I can hear Isaac and Rebecca imploring with their son. "Please, please." It is an imploring that continues to this day; "son, daughter, do not stray from the principles of God and certainly don't throw off Christianity for a lower life." Indeed, even as we mature, Christians have to help each other remember that even though we have the combination of God's power and His forgiveness, it does not mean that we are immune to major delusions or temptations. Just yesterday, the preacher warned, don't be deluded by this "spirit of hopelessness about our country's current situation." Don't be hopeless which could make you subject to temptations and other delusions." It is a good thing to remember that our hope is in God and our primary thought processes must be to secure our spiritual position. Unlike Esau, we must not let the evil one rule our minds and thoughts. We may have to fight, but in the Lord's might we can win.
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