Bibledoorajar asks whatever happened to Esau?

     While we have been following the life of Jacob, now Israel, it is good to note Esau's journey because we will see his progeny develop as an enemy of Israel. We know that early on, Esau took two wives from heathen peoples and we know that his parents were very disappointed and did not approve of his actions. Later, we find Jacob meeting Esau and we see that both men had established significant households. But it was not in the plan of God for Esau to be the father of the nation that would birth his son. That honor, solely decided by God, would go to Israel. However, God did bless Esau and his clan grew in power to the point that he successfully joined with other chieftans in war to claim lands. He eventually wound up in Seir, an area that had been held by powerful men. God gave this land to Esau and his children just as he gave land to Israel. There was a great deal of intermarriage in Esau's clan, also some illegitimacy, and thus the clan grew in its' heathen aspects. If you follow Israel's history you will find that these peoples, the Edomites, often joined in war with other clans against Israel. So, while Israel and his brother Esau parted amicably and settled in different areas, it does not mean that there was never any interactions between their progeny. To the Edomites we owe the mule. Anah, an illegitimate, crossbred a mare with a donkey and the result was what we know as the mule, an illegitimate breed. These are the dealings of God with Edom and the primary lesson from them is evil continues to beget evil.

     We are approaching the new year and people often make resolutions. Would now not be a good one to evaluate which land in which you are presently dwell ? Do you need to be transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light? We have just learned that Jesus came to earth with the power to do just that. How great a grace is that? A grace that ensures He will not only move you into a new "land" but be with you, teaching you and chastising you to the very end. Consider the move. There are many great things available in the Kingdom of Light!

Bibledoorajar looks at Single Most Difficult Moments

     Jacob had returned to Bethel and had received two great promises from God. He was to continue the journey to the land of Promise. Yet, he was soon to face the single most difficult experience of his life's journey. His wife was pregnant and frail. Her nurse, Deborah was old. She died at a time when Rachel needed her the most. So, we see Jacob burying her under an oak and calling it the Oak of Tears. I am sure that Rachel's sorrows increased at this point, but still the group journeyed onward. Finally word came from the rear echelon: Rachel can go no further. She bore her last son, attached to his name that of sorrow, and then she died. But Jacob, having reached her, took the boy and declared that he would be called Benjamin and would be like a staff to Jacob in his old age. It is clear from this story that the purity and holiness that God longs for in His people sometimes is seared in by sorrows.

  This week we celebrate the birth of another son--God's Son. The Bible says that of this Son,  and the future that lay before him, his earthly mother pondered. That is, she weighed in her mind with thoroughness and care his chances of success in life.  This week, we all have a chance to rethink how the baby Jesus turned out. What do you think and how has Truth Himself impacted your life's journey? As the debate rages about what to call the holiday this week, I hope you are secure in your weighing of it. For me, the baby was real and His was the most successful life of all. He came just as the world needed Him the most. Therefore, I say, Merry, Merry Christmas!

Bibledoorajar Looks More Closely at Returning to Bethel

35 Then God said to Jacob, “Go up to Bethel and settle there, and build an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau.”

2 So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes. 3 Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.” 4 So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods they had and the rings in their ears, and Jacob buried them under the oak at Shechem.

              O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
               It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
              Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
             Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
              A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
             For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
             Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
             O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
            O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
            O Holy Night , O night divine!

          Placide Cappeaude Roquemaune in the year 1847.

At this time of year, all of earth is aware of the birth of Christ. Each of us in some way returns to Bethlehem and acknowledges our sin and error and the need for a means of rejoicing. We are compelled by the Christmas lyrics to fall on our needs and hear the angel voices that remind us to return to our first love--that joyful time when we accepted our Savior. He has indeed answered us in the days of our distress just as he did Jacob. Jacob knew his family could not continue in sin or wear the earrings that enslaved them to other gods. Today is a good day for us to join Jacob in burying such things. God is calling with a " thrill of hope", and compels "falling on your knees".

Bibledoorajar Underscores Repentance In This World

"This world is not my home, I'm just a passing thru.
My treasures are laid up some where beyond the blue;
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door.

They're all expecting me and that's one thing I know, My
Savior pardoned me and now I onward go...

O Lord, You know I have no friend like You, If heaven's not
my home then Lord what will I do. The angels beckon me from
heaven's open door, And I can't feel at home in this world anymore."

                                         A traditional Spiritual

     As we have seen, God never intended for Jacob to finish his journey in Shechem.  It was not that God did not have the power to sustain Jacob in Shechem for indeed He did. His power and might saw him through many an episode there. But the place where Jacob was to end had to be a holy place. In verse 5 of the chaper (Gen. 31) we learn that Jacob and his family journeyed. The discipline of God that gently brought Jacob to realize he must move on toward a more holy place happened in Shechem. It was not that Jacob stopped believing that God was the God of Israel in Shechem, for indeed he called it El-Elohe-Israel. God was his in Shechem, but in holy Belthel, He was God of His House. His kingdom embraces all aspects of life: spiritual as well as temporal. God was after a corporate house, not just the obedience of the one man Jacob. From all Jacob's family would Israel spring. Jacob AND his household had to see and participate in the Holy who was building a kingdom. The Holy One's work was not isolated, nor was it hit and miss.
     In a Christmas scene, we see hundreds journeying to Bethlehem, the "house of bread".  Each Jew was to go to the holy place as required by authority. Among them was Mary and Joseph. They journeyed while Mary was experiencing the advanced stages of pregnancy. They had an idea of the glory of God, but they were about to really see the fullness of God's glory.  For there in humble surroundings His Son was made flesh. What a finish to a journey!
     I remember visiting the church in Israel built at the place where Jesus was supposed to have been born. The place was in a cave in the rear of the church. As I approached the place,  I realized that I would not be able to complete the journey, unless I bowed low to enter the opening. Ever God, it was as if he was telling me, the journey calls for humility; the journey calls for you to allow Me to guide you. At this time when we honor the birth of the Son and think of the glory of it all, it is a good time to make sure we are bowed low and trusting God for help in completing our journey both as an individual and as a part of His eternal family.

Bibledoorajar Compares Sparkling Jewelry

     When God told Jacob to arise and to return to Bethel, the house of God, he required the women to shed their elaborate jewelries. As evidence that this particular jewelry his family was wearing was associated with superstitious behavior, we see Jacob burying it under an oak tree in Shechem prior to their moving out. This scene is further evidence of how far the family had moved away from embracing Elohim as their only Source. Historians have unearthed many of these amulets over the years and have been able to trace their use in appealing to various gods or to the warding off of evil spirits. Don't want an evil spirit to go up your nose? Put a nose  ring on and wallah safety has come! In Jesus's time the men wore little boxes(philacteries) on their foreheads with holy scripture in them as an anti-venom of the more evil adornments present in their societies.
     The Bible speaks often about our God adorning His people with layers of beauty. It becomes our task to remember the spiritual adornments that He has given us and to not to be concerned with giving power to the  physical or material substance around us. God told Jacob: go back to Bethel to the place where Jacob had seen Him and build an altar there. There is in this statement similar tones as to that found later in the first of the Ten Commandments: no gods before Me. It was this searing command that prompted Jacob to get to burying.
    I remember one young man who had been raised in God's ways by a church going family. But as he matured and mingled with the world, he trusted more and more the things of the world. He had certain books, and certain music--all designed to help him cope with life. When the Spirit prompted him to return to "Bethel" he built a fire and burned all the books and music that had led him away from the One true God. He's older now and he has never looked back, but has continuously pursued the adornments of God. To be with him is a pleasure because it is a time to share the spiritual gifts with which we have been adorned. It is a reminder of where we are to place our faith and our trust: it is a reminder that His adornments sparkle with greater intensity than any thing we could place upon our bodies.

Bibledoorajar Applauds Jacob's Response

     We have been following the progress Jacob the man made to becoming Israel the Prince. On our last visit, we remarked on his humiliation following the violation of his daughter Dinah. What conviction of heart did Jacob feel as he dealt with the events surrounding the violation of Dinah? Just how humiliated did this father feel at the city gate following these terrible events?  It is clear to me that Jacob inventoried his life and its' most recent happenings and that his life status and that of his family came up wanting. He must have been convicted that his bringing his family to Shechem had led to serious reversals in their walk with God. And so Jacob is to be commended for 1) burying all the family idols at Shechem and 2) returning to Bethel in the midst of his sorrows. Luz (light): Bethel (House of God) was seen as the greater need now.
     As we approach the Day of Thanks, it would behoove us all to look at our most recent responses in life. Are we living at a place that has drawn us closer to Him? Have we given our sorrows to Him as He gave His for us? Think of those early pilgrims who chose to honor God with a harvest feast after a serious drought broke. The drought may have brought concerns and even sorrows, but God was faithful to the small group. May we find Luz and the House of God ever to be the place for us. Happy Thanksgiving!

Bibledoorajar: "Arise and Go to Your Bethel"

     How much can we identify with the spiritual ups and downs of Jacob? God had changed his name to Israel, Prince of God, but on so many occasions he remained Jacob- his flesh showing forth. Now, we find him a property owner in a idol oriented town. When newly married Rachel wanted to take her idol with her as they left her father's house, she had to hide it in her belongings. Now, idols are commonplace in the family's experience because Jacob planted his family in Shechem amid worldly and ungodly people. Jacob's experience with God was not that of his children and when his only daughter sought her own experiences she did so in the ungodly place of Jacob's choosing. The results were not pretty; lowering standards of living never are. Each of us can speak of the results of these types of life altering decisions in our own lives and in the lives of those we know and love.
     But at least, here is a good thing. After the sad affair with Dinah and the murder of her predators by her brothers, Jacob says to his family: "Let us arise, and go up to Bethel". God propels Jacob to regain lost spiritual ground. His family is still the source of future spiritual realities and must move toward that reality. God has a way of bringing his children back to the need we have to spend time in Bethel, the house of God. We are stirred to challenge the coarseness and the dryness we have allowed to enter our hearts. We realize our witness among others has waned. The apostle Paul spoke often of our need to follow God's leading as we confront the flesh. To return to our most blessed spiritual places is to renew us in a way that only the Holy Spirit can. To return to our "Bethels"  places us amid worship and fellowship of a more glorious kind. There we will be renewed and rekindled. When Jacob used the word "arise" it carried with it intent and purpose. How badly do you need to return to your Bethel? How motivated are you to "arise" and do so? May we all listen to the stirrings of the Spirit and respond accordingly so that our witness can remain strong and true. Amen.

Bibledoorajar looks at two women at Shechem

      Jacob left Esau and came to Shechem a crossroads in the area. Its' location made traverse for trade easier and it also had plenty of water. These and other factors probably entered into Jacob's decision to buy land and live there. Even if God had intended for Jacob to stay in Shechem it would have not been for the length of time that he did so. Abraham did not tarry there very long at all for God had him on a path to Canaan where much greater destinies would play out. This was also true of Jacob whose name had been changed to Israel, Prince of God. But Jacob stopped the process,  paid for land, erected tents and dug a well. Surely Jacob had no idea that a terrible thing would happen to his only daughter there. Nor did he realize the action two of his sons would take after the event. You can read the story for yourselves in Genesis 34; it details a terrible ending for a girl who just went out to visit some of the local women.
     Years later Christ himself sat on the edge of the well Jacob had dug and taught a Samaritan woman. John 4:6 speaks of it. In Genesis the well is all about sin and judgement, but in John it is all about sin and redemption. The destiny of Israel to bring forth a Messiah is found playing out at Jacob's well.



"You've heard of Messiah, well I am the One,
I am called Jesus, God's only Son,
It's to people like you my Father sent me,
Drink from My cup, I'll set you free."

I rushed from the well and ran into town,
I called for the people to gather around,
"There's a man at the well who says Messiah has come,
He told me my life, every thing I had done."

I went to the well a woman in sin,
When I left that well I had Jesus within,
The curse on my lips had been changed into praise,
I'll never more thirst the rest of my days.

That Man at the well, His praises I'll sing,
I drank of the water, new life it did bring,
My life which was empty is now full and free,
Because of that water God's Son gave to me.

Portion of The Woman at the Well by Edward Potts

     It's a good story to share. Pass it on.

Bibledoorajar Emphasizes Worship

     We said last week that Jacob was in many ways still the Jacob with whom we started our journey. But in many ways he is not the same man. After his wonderful redemptive encounter with his brother, he built an altar. He may not have reached perfection, but he definitely had met God in the encounter with Esau and he knew it. His declaration about God at the altar speaks much of his increased relationship with God and his reverence for Him. God was Jacob's God and Jacob was on his way to becoming a mature son of God. I believe that building this altar may have been the most mature thing Jacob had done to date. An altar that declared that God was God and that he was the God of Israel. You know people can come up with bad ideas about the supremacy of our Father. Remember Peter's attempt to help?
     "Peter said to Jesus, 'It's good that we're here, Lord.
       I'll put up three shelters if you want---one for you, one for Moses
       and one for Elijah. (Matthew 17:4). "
    It was great that Peter wanted to help on the occasion, but he totally missed the importance of being in the presence of his glorified Lord. Of all the interesting stories about Moses and Elijah and their service to God, none outstrips the "old story of Jesus and His love". For the Jew, it was Shema first--Listen, the Lord thy God is One...For Peter, God spoke just as loudly..."This is my Son, whom I love...listen to Him. The fallibility of Jacob and that of Peter, gives me hope for the rest of us. Their human difficulties encourage me to go on in the hope of the Lord. Lord, I'm at the altar, help me to listen! Help me to praise Your Son above all other and help me to listen to the One who it is that dwells in me. Amen.

Bibledoorajar Looks at Victory over Stress and Distress

Sometimes the night was beautiful
Sometimes the sky was so far away
Sometimes it seemed to steep so close
You could touch it but your heart would break
Sometimes the morning came too soon
Sometimes the day could be so hot
There was so worth much left to do
But so much you'd already done

Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise you
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise you
And I will seek You in the morning
And I will learn to walk in Your ways
And step by step You'll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days.
                                       Rich Mullins


Jacob has faced Esau and found him to be gracious. There may be much more that God was to do in his life, but Jacob was much closer to truly believing--truly believing that he had a special relationship with God. After the two brothers had wept tears of reconciliation, Jacob went to meet Rachel, his beloved, to tell her they were safe and well received by Esau. They may have all been convinced that God could not help them as they faced Esau, but they had now found out how untrue that thought was. Feeling safe, Jacob shares the treasure of his family with Esau.The stress and distress lightened.  After this wonderful meeting, Esau returned to his home in Seir which surprisingly means "hairy" (God allowed Esau to grasp this land from a Hovite named Seir). But Jacob does not go to the place which God had told him. Instead of going on to Canaan Jacob camped at Shechem. This campsite was to be a stopping place on the way to Canaan but Jacob decided to dwell there. Abram sojourned there on his way, but Jacob decided to live there and bought land from the father of a young man named Shechem. It was a mistake that would have serious consequences for Jacob and his family. But there is at least a redeeming feature of the stop. Jacob built an altar there to God. He named it El-Elohe-Israel. El means God and Elohe means God so Jacob was making a declaration that God was the God of Jacob. That was personal progress and a declaration as stated in the song above--"I will follow You all of my days." Today, I declare God as El-Elohe-Rebecca and declare "I will follow Him all of my days". How about you?

Jacob Sees the Face of God AGAIN

     Jacob has kept moving toward the one he had offended. He has placed his family in as much a place of safety as he can. Now, the moment arrives. He is face to face with Esau. How was he received by the offended? Esau, the potential murderer, had come to fully welcome his brother. Upon this reception Jacob wept. It is good at this point to see some tender feeling manifested in Jacob. The Father had definitely been working on his emotions and his guilt little by little. And, sure, Jacob was still Jacob, but definitely a softer, more gentle man. Jacob the natural man did every thing he could to humble himself before Esau even to the point of bowing seven times. How surprised do you think Jacob was when he got that hug?
     In Matthew 18, Jesus describes in detail how one of his followers should handle the difficulty of having offended someone. It is our natural inclination to avoid such an encounter fearing a terrible outcome. We, like Jacob, feel "I have seen thy face as though I have seen the face of God." Truly God is in these times--we are fearful of approaching the offended, but fearful of God in not doing so. It is a beautiful thing when the offended receives well and accepts our difficulties and fears in taking this action. Jacob and Esau were the issue of the same parents, both had come from their mother's body. As Christians, it is especially important for us to remember that we are all a part of the Body of Christ. We must examine our actions to see if they have led to offenses and handle them face to face as Jesus said knowing that the face of God is importantly present at these times. The body of Christ is not to be rendered asunder and left to languish according to God. The miracle of forgiveness with all its' inherent healing should, indeed must, be allowed to work.  

Bibledoorajar Likes the Source of Jacob's Endurance

     You have to admit, Jacob has been through a lot on his journey to the promised land. Endurance is a word that comes to mind. Just where did Jacob get that gift of endurance? I say through inheritance. Yes, as the Duck Dynasty boys say, inheritance may be inheri tense at times but for Jacob it has turned out to be a blessing because God has been a part of it. From the grandfather, Jacob has learned about faith. From the father, Jacob has learned about being a son. And masterminding all of this learning has been the Almighty, the heavenly Father.
      Of course, God's involvement is a fundamental question for all believers. Does God have the ability and desire to help us live a life of faith and spiritual stability?  Some may believe we are on our own, but the events of Jacob's life say otherwise. In the face of harsh trials, Jacob was forced to face his fears and to determine if he truly believed God would deliver him. Which would be the greater, Jacob's trials or God's power to help him? How real were the promises God made to him? How real are the promises God has made to you through His Son? His claim is to transform your every experience and circumstance into a blessing if you are a believer. This is what led the apostle Paul to cite this key promise of God made for you and me:

     "We know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).

Herein lies the strength of endurance. Behind our endurance is the power of our Almighty God--our Father. We can decide to take the next step. Praise Him.

Bibledoorajar Approaches Esau with Jacob

     Our journey with Jacob continues. God has been teaching him that even though He had gifted Jacob with great human capability, ultimately he can only accomplish his spiritual destiny with God's help.  It was quite a wrestling contest, but because of God's power,  Jacob fell on Him unable to do anything else at that time in his own strength.  So strong was Jacob's natural self, God had to touch his thigh to limit him.  Experts tell us that a human's thigh is the strongest muscle in the body. If our thighs are diseased or injured, we become handicapped and our natural ability is limited. His story tells us this: 1) it is not natural to rest upon the promises of God; 2) enjoying a life with Christ is a learning process, and, 3) we can only be truly transformed to God's pleasure with the help of the Holy Spirit. So the story repeats. As John said, "I must decrease and He must increase." To do this we must submit to the process and learn to really enjoy this place of faith and, like Jacobm we must submit our fears to God. Jacob was afraid Esau would not only kill him but also his sons and their mothers. Jacob was not aware that he was wrong. He was not believing God completely.
     Yesterday afternoon, we took our 10 year old niece (who is quite bright and mature for her age in many ways) to see Grace Unplugged, a new Christian film. In the film, Grace had been raised in church and raised by godly parents. She had been gifted with a beautiful voice and she craved stardom. Her parents wanted her to serve God with her talent. As the story played out, it became clear that Grace had been exposed repeatedly to the promises of God, but she had never learned to own them as her own. Wondering why things were going so wrong, she had some moments to reflect on her relationship with God. What followed was realization, repentance and acceptance of God's ways.
Any Christian who truly "puts his hand to the plow" must allow the Spirit to transform our strengths (which in the Light may be a weakness) and our fears. It's discipline and we run from it just as Grace did in the movie. But it is, and always must be, part of our response to God's promises. It is, after all,
for our sakes. We may think we are greatly overshadowed by the maturity of some Christians, but our growth and our maturity is just as important as theirs as we seek to honor God. Let mature Christians be an inspiration, not a limitation in your life. Speaking of saintly inspiration:

                    And I shall see Him face to face,
                    And tell the story--saved by grace."
                                                
                                                              Fannie Crosby
                                

Bibledoorajar Speaks of Being Honest About Ourselves

     Bibledoorjar is on the road and today is visiting with a nephew and his family. Our great niece, Hannah, is six and she loves to teach school and put on plays. Visiting family joins with Mom and Dad to be successful actors or good students. Today, following a play in which Mom and Dad were actors and the aunts were the audience, the parents were declared great actors. When the aunts were placed in acting roles, we were declared SO BAD. It seems we couldn't even pretend to be a good SnowWhite or a wicked witch!
     For twenty years or so, God had been working with Jacob revealing to him his need for spiritual development and for more reliance on God's wisdom. For twenty years Jacob has vacillated between scheming and deceiving and learning to pray to God for His help. Sometimes he was great at scheming and sometimes he showed promise at relying on God. How patient God was to not give up on Jacob. Jacob was His man, called to carry out a great role, patriarchy,  in the history of God with people. Therefore, God did not give up on him even at times when there was more acting than spirituality.
    God wants to move us all away from trying to deceive others with our spiritual "acting" to a more honest and less pretense a confession that we still fall prey to scheming and deceiving. Thank Him for every time He helps you with this. Thank Him for His faithfulness to continue to help us. Esau may be before us, but we have a Great Helper in the Holy Spirit. He will complete His work, but He delights when we recognize the need for it. I have told Hannah today that it's not so much if what we say is "what can I do about....? but rather, Lord, what do you want me to do about...?" Lord, thank you for helping us with this lesson of life.

Bibledoorajar reflects on a Name

Jacob wrestled with the Angel of the Lord. At first, it looked as if he was prevailing, but then Jacob realized he was not and, as he lost natural strength, he clung to the Angel. The Angel could have thrown him off but Jacob was allowed to cling to Him. At that point, when all his natural strength was subdued, God told Jacob that He was giving him a new name. Instead of Jacob, the Supplanter, one who can best life by force or treachery, he would be known as Israel, Prince of God, one who walks in the strength of God. At Peniel (face of God), God showed Jacob what He had not shown him before. He showed him His love reflected in His strength. God was pleased that Jacob had shown his strength to both God and man and had prevailed. Jacob wanted to know His Name, but God simply answered, "Why are you asking My Name?" But there in that place face to face with God, Jacob was blessed.

Jacob had been touched by the Hand of God and though he wiggled and squirmed, he eventually gave in and let God love him. Isn't that what we all have to do on our journey to our final habitation? As the song says, "shackled by a heavy burden, 'neath a load of guilt and shame, Then the hand of Jesus touched, And now I am no longer the same. He touched me, oh, He touched and oh, the JOY that floods my soul..."

At this meeting with God, here is what the scripture says:

    "Jacob called the place Piniel, 'because I have seen God face to face, yet my life is spared.' As the sun rose upon him he went on past Piniel limping at the hip. This is why, to this day, the people of Israel do not eat the thigh muscle that passes along the hip socket--because the man struck Jacob's hip at its socket (Genesis 32:30 ff)." Jacob was limping and knew he could not be a Prince of God without His help but there was joy now in his heart.

Jews who remain kosher reflect the act of meeting God by observing this food restraint. Believers, who have been touched by Jesus know they cannot be a joyful servant of God who honors Him without His help. But now, we know just how much He wants to bless and help us as we stay on the path. He's wonderful!

Bibledoor ajar supports Aloneness with God for true transformation

" We purchase books on how to get transformation. We invite speakers, invent programs and make noise as the prophets of Baal did to get God's attention. Perhaps at best we get a splash of what we are looking for, for a day or two. But on the following prayer meeting, we often look in vain for just one of the new converts who were at the altar last Sunday. Too often once again we are forced to say with Jeremiah: The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. (Jer. 8:20). Enduring transformation seldom occurs unless a man has a personal, private, protracted encounter with his God on a regular basis."

                          Reimar Schultze

God knew that Jacob needed a real breakthrough and understanding of the blessings he was being granted by his God in order to face his foremost enemy. Passivity, or especially his natural conniving, would not lead Jacob into the fullness of his inheritance. It is sometimes very difficult to realize how little we speak the truth, how devious and lying we can be to attempt a status in life, even a spiritual one, but these are the very attributes with which the Spirit of Truth has a problem. We all want to be more spiritually assertive in the face of our "enemies" and the enemies of the Kingdom, and we would do well if we could ponder the source of true spiritual ability. May we see what Jacob saw--a renewal of strength and truth that can come only by securing it supernaturally. The last thing Jacob needed was to approach Esau without joyful vigor received from God. Only this vigor would free him from the thoughts of being confined by the strength of Esau.

Jesus had many enemies within and without the religious community while He carried out His ministry. Yet, He resisted the "holy" men and confronted all enemies of God with a joyful vigor stemming from His undeniable relationship with God. Yes, meeting Esau was a challenge for Jacob, but it was a challenge on the road to a greater place. He was not being called to share the glory of Jacob with Esau, but rather the glory of his God. This is what Esau needed to witness. Indeed, this is what the world needs to witness as the enemy tries so hard to destroy our destiny. Try to envision the vertical and horizontal relationships that Jesus prayed for and so wanted the world to see. (The glory that You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and You in Me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that You sent Me and loved them even as you loved me. John 17).

Bibledoorajar Looks to Our Path Being Ordered

Jacob has been following a path established by God. By his prayers, we know that he realized he had been called to have a covenant relationship with God. We know that he had been given many wonderful promises having to do with his new relationship, the spiritual one. There is little doubt that Jacob could not see how God was in his life, but we still see the glimmers of the natural man striving to order his path as he sees fit. He had tried to order the path to Esau with natural efforts, but it seems that at this juncture, God allowed it but is having none of that! In one last valiant protective effort, Jacob sent the wives, the maids and the children over the brook Jabbok which means interestingly enough, "emptying". Now, it appears, Jacob is just  where he is wanted--alone with no more options, except with God. While alone, a man appeared and began to wrestle with him. How long did they wrestle? They wrestled until Jacob no longer had strength, but could only lean on the Man for support. At that moment of release, the Man touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh causing the natural man to have a limp.
Who is powerful enough to master human impulses? This story answers that question. The angel of the covenant--Jesus Christ. Do you consider it a wonderful prize to have found yourself completely leaning on Jesus? Do you walk with a "gimp" and are grateful for it?  Probably all of us who have truly received the gift of salvation can remember our time "on the ropes" when we learned to truly lean on Jesus for we were out of strength to do it on our own. How wonderful when that grace truly emerges in our lives at times like this and we gladly draw our strength from Him.

      "Tarry with me, O my Savior, For the day is passing by,
       See the shades of evening gather, And the night is drawing nigh.
       Tarry with me, blessed Savior; Leave me not till morning light;
        For I'm lonely here without Thee: Tarry with me thru the night."

                                                  Mrs. C.S. Smith, circa 1852

Bibledoorajar Says Follow Your Path

"My calling is quite clear to me. What God will make of it I do not know....I must follow the path. Perhaps it will not be such a long one. (Phil. 1:23). But it is a fine thing to have realized my calling...I believe its nobility will become plain to us only in coming times and events. If only we can hold out."

                      Dietrich Bonhoeffer On Approaching Fears About the Nazis and the Church

Jacob had realized the path that he was on. Like Bonhoeffer, he was not sure how long or how difficult that path would be. He had done some things he knew to do and had prayed for God to help him. We can read the account of his prayer and know that his words were good, but only God can look on a servant's heart. Only God can see the path clearly. Jacob did the last thing he knew to do. He sent an emissary with a gift for Esau with the hopes that his men would present it with all humility. He went so far as to coach them as to how to present the gift. It is not a bad thing to try to make friends with someone who is angry with you and it is a good thing to be the emissary for the one offended.

Jesus humbly came to earth as an emissary for an offended God. He presented the gifts of God for three years and then He gave the greatest gift of all--His life. He handled being an emissary so well that God said He was well pleased with his representation of Him. The gift was accepted--job well done even though the path was extremely hard. A way had been made for you and me to live in peace with the Father. We can go home without fear. Thank you Father for a great emissary. Praise His name!

Bibledoorajar Looks again at Fear Vs. Faith

     Jacob had left Laban with great feelings of confidence in God's protection. When Laban caught up, Jacob did not fear him. But now, as he approaches his brother Esau, the picture is entirely different. Perhaps it is because Jacob never plotted to do evil toward Laban, but rather depended on God to prosper him always in that situation. But Jacob had plotted evil against his brother Esau. It was serious plotting that was clothed in deception. Jacob's mother had told him to flee to her brother's house and when Esau had gotten over his feelings of being duped, she would send for him. She never sent for Jacob. A message that your brother has forgiven you never came to Jacob. And so now Jacob is going home with great promises from God, including angel visitations, but he is still very anxious about this meeting. He sends intelligence ahead to bring back information about Esau. The word comes that Esau is coming toward Jacob with four hundred men, Edomites, for this is the line that Esau fathered. They are known in the Bible for their warlike characteristics.
     This message brings great fear and distress to Jacob. Immediately he begins to think of what he can do. He decided to divide his family and servants into two camps. If Esau attacked one, then maybe the other would be spared.  Having taken this action prior to seeking God, Jacob then prays. Isn't this so characteristic of God's people: "when all else fails, pray".  Jacob had taken action, but did not have complete confidence in his plan and so he prayed.  His appeal to God was based on great truths. That God was the strong One; that God was the God who had done great things for his father and grandfather. That God was the One who said He would create a multitude of people from Jacob's seed. So Jacob questioned, based on all of that involvement with my family, would you please deliver me from my brother Esau? At least he remembered that he was not worthy of half of what God had done for him and told God so.
      Fear Vs. Faith: ever the challenge for the believer. Seek this week for God's wisdom first as you face your fears. He is able and deserves to be the first influence on our decisions.

Bibledoorajar says "don't forget the angels!"

     After Jacob and Laban had parted on amicable grounds, Jacob thought of what was before him: Esau. His flesh was afraid even though he knew God was with him. And, the most powerful thing to remember in this story, is that God knew his servant Jacob and just what help he would need. Jacob is thinking in human time and is fearful because he remembers his nasty actions toward his brother. God is thinking in kairos time and is not bound by the same constraints. It is God's time for Jacob to return and He will prepare the way. The story says that as the humbled obedient Jacob and his group left, Jacob encountered a very important event. "And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him (Genesis 32:1)".  What an encouragement to Jacob. Think of the strength such a presentation by God added to this believer's faith.
     I remember a time when 2 missionary friends and I were attempting to get from Francis Schaefer's
headquarters in Switzerland to a Youth With a Mission base nearby. The one lady lived in Switzerland and kind of knew her way around so we other two were completely dependent on her to get us to our destination. We got off the bus thinking we were in the right place. A heavy snow started and our guide did not know which way to go. We saw no buildings or further more anyone to ask. Our guide became afraid that the buses might quit running because of the snow and we could be stranded. Fear began to build. Just as we were praying we were MET by a young man who came literally out of nowhere. He said, "are you going to Youth With A Mission?" We said, "yes we are trying to get there, but we do not know which way to go!" He said, "follow me, I am going there, too, it's just over there." He escorted us to the door. We were greeted and all four of us went inside. We spent the night there but we never saw the young man again!
We looked at each other and said, surely God sent that angel to help us. No, you will never be able to convince us otherwise, because we were the ones who experienced the meeting and the gracious welcoming. We will never forget the kairos timing; it was perfect.
     Jacob, too, was strengthened by his meeting with the angels of God. He said, "This is God's host; and he called the name of that place Mahanaim (Genesis 32:1)". Why Mahanaim? It means two camps. Jacob was not alone. He shared his camp with that of God. What better company can you have than that?

Bibledoorajar says "Thy Speech Betray Thee"

     I have often said if I could just solve the communication problems of the world and its' inhabitants I would become a millionaire. Many have written about effective communication and listening skills over the years, but still our speech often betrays us. This is what the maid told Peter when he denied to the crowd that he knew Jesus even as the Holy One had predicted that he would. When Laban caught up to Jacob we see evidence that Laban knew something of Jacob's God, but we also see by his speech that he did not know Him. After a lengthy discussion where both men expressed their views, it was agreed that they would reach a peace covenant allowing Jacob to go where he wanted to be.  This was followed by a sacrifice to God to which Laban did not object. Then they ate bread together. At this place Jacob took a stone and set it up for a pillar to witness the covenant made between he and Laban. However, by his speech we know Laban  was not fully persuaded to honor Jacob's God. He spoke in Chaldean, a heathen's language, using its' word for "heap of witness". But Jacob spoke in Hebrew using its' word for "heap of witness". Jacob's speech told the tale; he was the true believer. He spoke the language of God's people while Laban chose the language of the world. How much Jacob must have believed God to so order his speech in Hebrew. They spent the night in peace and on the next morning Laban kissed his sons and daughters and bid them goodbye. God had prevailed.
     Even as we attempt to negotiate in a world that uses a different speech than ours, God will prevail to see that we walk toward Him. As we live, speaking His language,  He will do for us what He did for Jacob. Our peace covenant with Him will always be honored. We share the Bread with others. And God will arrange our circumstances so we can come to Him while in the world even though the world speaks a different language. As the children say, "God is Great, God is Good, let us thank Him for our Food." Amen
   

Bibledoorajar declares "The Race is On"

     After Jacob had talked with his wives and had seen that they gave him their support (they had their own grievances against their father) he observed that Laban had gone three days journey away from home for a sheep shearing event. Jacob took advantage of this time and stole away with just what God had given to him in terms of livestock and family. As he set out he had the confidence of knowing that God had told him to go. And yet, surely his humanity must have recognized that before him was a brother (Esau) whom he had mistreated and a father-in-law behind him who would be very angry about his leaving. But at that moment getting away from Laban was a greater threat than meeting his brother. And true to the nature of the world, as soon as Laban heard that Jacob had left, the race was on to bring them back to his home and his world. Laban expended great effort to catch up to Jacob and his family, following with a great entourage for seven days until he did so.
     Jesus said this world was not our home and to take care when it wants to ensnare us. The world will tell us we prosper because of it. Jesus says His people prosper because God is ever behind the scenes making sure that it occurs. And, that is exactly what happened to Laban. God got involved during the pursuit of Jacob. In these kinds of races, God will win. God is ever mindful of His own and His purposes even if they do not sense His presence. Jacob could rest on the words of God replete with promise. Today, you and I have the same ability as the world tries to lure us back to previously known places. But we take heart for the Holy Spirit is ever leading us to our real home. It is what Jesus died for and ever lives for--to see that God's own get home to our promised land. Allelujah.


"It's been such a long time, since I started this journey, but heaven gets closer, with each passing day. Tho my feet may grow weary, I'll not stumble or stray, for He leads me each step of the way.

Each step I take brings me closer to that city, built by the master's scarred hands | The price has been paid, my sin's are forgiven, and He leads me each step of the way."

                                                                                            Mike Bowling, et.al.


"Steal away, steal away, steal away to Jesus
Steal away, steal away home
I ain't got long to stay here."

                               Negro Spiritual

Bibledoorajar Reports God Sees Everything

      "Be not dismayed whate'er betide, God will take care of you;
        Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you.

        No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you;
        Lean, weary one, upon His breast, God will take care of you.

       God will take care of you, Thru ev'ry day, O'er all the way;
        He will take care of you, God will take care of you. "

                                                 Civilla D. Marin about 1904

The name Civilla is not found among any American public records. Perhaps her parents wanted her to always be civil to those around her. Perhaps they thought that in naming their baby girl Civilla other people would always be prompted to treat her civilly. But thanks to Cruella De Vil we know that the Civillas of this world can be mistreated. And Civilla D. Marin must have experienced some of that as she was motivated to pen the hymn above.

I am impressed with how civil Jacob, who entered the world a deceiver,  treated Laban fairly. Surely he had kept the vow he made to God.  And, likewise, I am impressed with how uncivilly Laban treated Jacob. Surely his vows were not made to God. And, most importantly, I am very impressed with how God saw everything that was going on between civil and cruel. The lesson here seems to be that God can and will prosper us in the midst of difficult relationships as we try to make a living. And, a greater lesson is that He is watching so closely that He can remove His anointed ones from bad situations and deliver us into a better ones. The angel of God called to Jacob and Jacob replied "here I am". What followed was God's instruction to Jacob about what he was to do in the face of Laban's (and his sons) changed feelings toward him. He reminded Jacob of who He was: "I am the God of Beit-El, where you anointed a standing-stone with oil, where you vowed your vow to me. Now get up, get out of this land, and return to the land where you were born."

If you are a Christian and dealing with uncivil behavior, God is calling you to remember who you knew He was when you accepted His gift of salvation. Pray. Expect a message like Jacob got. Share with brothers and sisters. God may speak through them. Network with other Christians. Your next opportunity may be on their lips. Trust God to work; He sees everything! You are a member of God's Beit--His House.

Bibledoorajar appraises justice and suffering

 "This is what the Lord says: 'A voice is heard in Ramah; lamenting and bitter weeping. It is Rachel
weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted for her children, because they are no longer alive.' This is what the Lord says: Stop your weeping, and dry your eyes, for your work will be rewarded."

                                                                      Jeremiah 31: 14-17

Jacob had a new son, but he had lost the love of his life. She died sorrowful; her life cut short. Perhaps she thought she had made a mistake leaving the safety of her home with her father. Perhaps she was so weak and helpless that she wondered if her children would be able to make it to the promised land. Anyway, years later, those descendants, sinful and weak would be taken captive by the Babylonians
(some scholars say Assyria).  They were gathered in Ramah, a city given by God to the descendants of Benjamin before being taken into Babylon (Assyria). They were a miserable lot who had given their hearts over to other gods and who in the main did not value the gifts God had given them. God said Rachel had every reason to be crying, but He told the people to stop their weeping, dry their eyes, for their work would be rewarded.

What a great thing that even as the church sorrows over not being able to rescue those of their number who have been lost to the world, He reassures us through these Bible stories that our work, our efforts, even if unsuccessful, will be rewarded. How great is it that God does not give up. He is always extending His power. His Spirit is always leading. The challenge today is not to give up and to stop our weeping, dry our eyes, and keep on being a servant of the Lord in this troubled world and in the troubled church. Come on, He will help us. He will comfort our hearts.

Bibledoorajar Examines Proper Foundations

     Jacob and his large family left Laban's home. The story gives us one more possibility as to why God wanted them to leave. Laban kept idols. These household items as they were called were used by Laban and his family to discern things. Maybe Rachel took the idol because she did not want her Dad to be able to discern information about their whereabouts. Or, sadly, Rachel may have been an idolator. The story is not clear as to why she took it, but it is clear that she wanted to keep it, for she hid it under the saddle of her camel. God sees to it that Laban searches and finds the idol. So the party got underway with Laban having the ability to seek help from his idol.  Rachel was pregnant with her second child. Pregnancy and riding a camel, Ouch! I rode one of those animals while in Israel and it is not the most comfortable ride around even when you are not pregnant. 
     Once, when frustrated, Rachel had told Jacob to give her children lest she die. Now, she rode a camel carrying her second child. Along the way she gave birth to her second son and when weak and dying she named him Benjamin and commented: he is the son of my sorrow. But her husband took his twelfth son and held him toward God and proclaimed: this is the son of my right hand. With the birth of the 12th, the foundation of the nation Israel was accomplished. God Himself was involved with this earthly endeavor to ensure that there would be twelve tribes of Israel. Twelve was the proper number from God's point of view for this plan to move forward.
    Many years later, the Messiah that Leah, Rachel, Zilpah and Bilhah all wondered about would come to earth as the Son of God's Hand. Before He returned to Glory, he would establish His church with pillars of twelve apostles. How wonderful is God's intent that spiritual foundations be established properly. We can believe the lessons we learn as we follow the twelve tribes each having their distinct role in the Israeli experience. Likewise, we can believe the lessons and instructions left for us by the twelve apostles as we live out the vision God has for the Church of Christ. The apostle Peter declared that we are living stones being added all the time to the structure. Israel was a masterful and colorful nation as they marched out by their tribes each with their distinct images. So, as God looks down surely He has an image of a church built on a proper foundation seeking to do His will. Each stone shines with a gift or gifts to help move the kingdom of God forward, achieving great things for Him. Today, remember your gifting(s). Walk in them. Please God because you are built on the proper foundation and give Him praise that He has graced your life with gifts to help others see and find the life giving words of Christ and His twelve apostles.

Bibledoorajar says "When God Remembers..."

     Jacob now had 10 sons. Leah and her maid servant had been the most productive. Rachel, although her maid had given sons, had remained unproductive no matter how often Jacob "put his shoes under her bed".  But now, now something other worldly would happen. God would remember and a baby was coming because of His remembrance of her. Jacob's eleventh son would be very special with a God ordained destiny and he would at last be born to Rachel. Although all of Jacob's wives presented him with sons, each to be a part of the 12 tribes, this son, the eleventh son, was destined to show forth an example of what God intended to do in the fullness of time with  his own Son. When he was born, Rachel named him Joseph which means God will add or increaser. Rachel  said, "God will add to her another son". The Bible does not record a comment from Jacob at this son's birth, but later in the story we will see just how beloved he was by his father. But for now Jacob had a lot on his mind.
     For a long time, he had watched his father-in-law treat him unfairly in their business arrangements. Even amidst this unfairness, Laban had had to admit that he was only being blessed because of Jacob. This was true because every time Laban changed the plan in order to get the upper hand, God remembered his servant Jacob and gave him increase opposite of Laban's plans. Although Jacob had asked Laban once to let him leave, God had not told him to do so. Laban plotted again. Jacob had been patient during all Laban's maneuverings to get and keep the upper hand, but now Laban's sons were also adding to Jacob's misery.  Now, God told Jacob to leave Laban's home and to return to the promised land and to live out his destiny there.  Now, there was a future savior of God's people to think about in the mix. It was God's time for Jacob to take his wives and his children and leave.  Jacob called his wives out to the field where he was at work and shared the reasoning for leaving. No doubt as they listened, each woman wondered if one of the children before them would be the promised Messiah. Yes, Laban was their Dad, but a future king must be protected at all costs.
     Laban had been blessed because of another. You too, have been blessed because of another.  "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only son (John 3:16)". One day He will come and take us to the Promised Land because God will remember. You can count on it. Hallelujah!

Bibledoorajar Talks of Mandrakes and Sexuality

     Reuben, Jacob's oldest, has now matured to the point that he has some understanding of the supposed ability of mandrakes to make one fertile. While Reuben later used his sexuality inappropriately with Bilhah, at this point in the story he has harvested the plants and has brought them to his mother, Leah. One wonders if he was now old enough to sense or know the rivalry between Jacob's two wives and had decided to help his mother. Rachel saw the boy with the plants and negotiated with her sister for some so that she might become fertile. Jacob must have been spending most of his time with Rachel because Leah commented: "Isn't it enough that you have taken away my husband? Do you have to take my son's mandrakes too?" So a deal was struck. Rachel would get the mandrakes in exchange for Leah getting to sleep with Jacob that night. The text does not say if the mandrakes were used by Leah in some way before she slept with Jacob, but it does reveal that she conceived and bore a son whom she named Issachar which means hire or reward. Her words were "God has given me my hire, because I gave my slave-girl to my husband."

     The race to have sons; the use of exotic plants to have sons; the blessings and judgments of God in the race. What a mix!!! It certainly points up the old human adage "do all you can and let God do the rest!" This is the fifth son that Leah has given to Jacob herself. With men, blessings and judgments come from God. Clearly, Leah is seeking vindication against her sister in the race to produce the line from which God said to Abraham that a Messiah would come. And just as clearly God is involved in Leah's affairs with or without the mandrakes. All of this leads us to ponder the old human adage and to assure ourselves that we have elevated God to the top in all our plans and efforts. It truly is, "If the Lord wills." Isn't it?

Bibledoorajar looks at Happiness

"I'm Happy today, oh yes I'm happy today

In Jesus Christ I'm happy today

Because He's taken all my sins away

And that's why I'm happy today."

Unknown

     Zilpah's second son with Jacob is linked to her first. Leah named him Asher because she said she was "happy". Asher was the eighth son of Jacob.  This made perfect sense to Leah because happiness depends on good fortune, something that she thought she possessed through the birth of her Zilpah's sons.  Happiness in one's life depends on chance and with the coming of two sons through Zilpah Leah thought she had found happiness. If I chance to find a buried treasure, it will indeed make me happy. But my happiness is not dependent on finding buried treasure. Rather, I look to Jesus who never assured me of happiness unless I made sure I was bouncing off His term--blessedness. It is far different because He does not promise good fortune, He promises a condition within that has peace of soul no matter what our life fortune is. Good or bad fortune matters not if Jesus lives in my heart even though it is human nature to want only good fortune. You might take a moment to read the Beatitudes of Jesus again this week. They can be found In Matthew 5 and Luke 6. Jesus consistently uses the term blessed. So, our little song above is accurate if, and only if, we know our happiness does not come by chance, but by the wonderful involvement of our Heavenly Father in our lives. Are you including Him? Can you be assured of a happy (blessed) week?

"Blessed are the hearts that can bend

They will never be broken."

Camus

Today we have an opportunity to be at peace within, able to bend with what life brings because He lives. Could there be a greater blessing? Have a great week walking in peace and happiness.

Bibledoorajar Salutes Fathers In the Struggle to Provide

      With the score four to two and with Rachel having declared she had prevailed against her sister, Leah took action. She thrust her handmade Zilpah forward to Jacob and encouraged him to bring another child into the world with the maid. Jacob complied and soon Gad arrived. Gad was Jacob's seventh son and at his birth Leah observed, "a troop cometh " and she called him Gad which means "in fortune".
     On yesterday, I was privileged to share a meal with four fathers. As we sat and ate and visited together there was much laughter and joy. Big children and little children were everywhere. But as I sat there and looked at each father, I realized that I knew a lot about the oppositions and struggles each man had faced in the life time of his children. One had endured the "troops coming" against him and his children and had reached older age having six children who had given him grandchildren who were now giving him great grands. I had personal knowledge of some of the agonies that he had had to endure. Though not a perfect man, he had certainly been patient in the face of adverse times within his family. He had not left; he endured. Another had faced life's difficulties and had considered ending his difficulty through death. However, he overcame those thoughts and continued his struggle finding joy in his progeny and their children. Next was a young father, virile and capable. A hard worker, he sees a bright future and is yet to see the many "troops coming".  The last was a man I do not know too well, but I know the "troops" came and he lost his children to be raised by others. Now he lives alone, seeking to find happiness through the children and family of another man.
     The Bible declares that in this world we will have tribulation. The spirit of God moved through Leah to declare this with the birth of Jacob's seventh child. With things coming at them from all directions, people have to find that last direction, the one where from deep within ourselves we look up and find good fortune in believing that God will sustain us and shape us. He will bring us to a place of peace and joy if we let Him prevail in our lives. Remember, God sees the end of our lives and He knows the plans He has for us. Center down and endure the storms with Him at the helm.

 "The winds and the waves shall obey Thy will,
Peace, be still!
Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea,
Or demons or men, or whatever it be,
No waters can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean, and earth, and skies;
They all shall sweetly obey Thy will,
Peace, be still! Peace, be still!
They all shall sweetly obey Thy will,
Peace, peace, be still!"
                                           Mary Baker

Bibledoorajar Looks at Wrestling for Power

I've got the power hey yeah heh
I've got the power
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh yeah-eah-eah-eah-eah-eah
I've got the power
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh yeah-eah-eah-eah-eah-eah
Gettin' kinda heavy

The Power by Snap

     When Bilhah had a second son for Jacob, Rachel commented: "With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed." (Genesis 30:8). Rachel exalts in the power she is feeling with the birth of Naphthali ("wrestling"). How common is wrestling for power and authority in our relationships? How much are we empowered by our passion to succeed? Rachel refused to suffer defeat at the hands of her sister. After two children to Leah's four, she declared that she had prevailed. It was as if after experiencing success with the first child by Bilhah (which spoke of God's judgement and His dealings with her), she takes that experience of having been dealt with by the Lord as a great spiritual accomplishment. Now she speaks of prevailing and she takes great pride in it. But be wary Rachel, having the power all by yourself can "get kinda heavy." We all have the capacity to wriggle and squirm and bring to bear every resource we can muster to accomplish what we want, can we not? We all have our "ways".
     Have you ever been around someone who spoke of their prevailing  over a difficulty repeatedly and with great pride? Sometimes you just want to say, "do you ever suffer defeat?" Have you ever just reached a point where you had to let God prevail? Careful. We will see this word prevailing again both in the life of Jacob and the history of Israel. Remember, as long as Moses held his hands up, Israel prevailed against the enemy?
     True spiritual prevailing is not that done in one's own power, but rather in submitting to God to give the power and to render to Himself the glory. When living in Alabama, I would often compliment the preacher on a fine sermon delivery. He was usually careful to say, "may God get the glory." I always liked that because he was really saying, "I did not prevail (do not have the power), God did (has the power)."  This week evaluate what you are doing in your own strength and how much you have let God have the power in your life. Continue to realize what it means to know the God of Jacob intimately and to allow His life changing power through work of the Spirit into your daily life.

Bibledoorajar looks at God and Envy

     "When Rachel saw that she was not bearing children for Jacob, she ENVIED her sister and said to Jacob, 'Give me children or I will die!' this made Jacob ANGRY at Rachel; he answered, "Am I in God's place? He's the one who is denying you children." She said, "here is my maid, Bilhah. Go, sleep with her, and let her give birth to a child that will be laid on my knees, so that through her I too can BUILD a family." So she gave him Bilhah her slave-girl as his wife, and Jacob went in and slept with her. Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son. Rachel said, "God has JUDGED in my favor; indeed he has heard me and has given me a son. Therefore she called him Dan which means He judged."
                         Genesis 30: 1-6

     The theme in the birth of Jacob's first four sons was one of mercy toward the unloved Leah. Now, in this scene, we see Rachel becoming envious of her to the point that she railed at her husband to give her children or she was going to die! John Michael Montgomery wrote a song about marriage until death and giving his spouse everything he could (I Swear). I'm sure when Jacob married Rachel, whom he loved so much, he wanted to give her everything he could. Seeing her so upset with his inadequacies to do so must have been very difficult to deal with. However, he turned her wrath from him by rightly pointing out that he could not be put in the place of God. He further was willing to say that God might be judging her because he, Jacob, did not mind participating in the production of a son with the woman he loved. So, considering the facts, which included God's involvement in the matter, she gave her slave-girl to Jacob with the intent of producing a lap child via her. So Jacob had intercourse with the girl and she produced a son. When it came to naming the child, Rachel chose Dan, citing that God had judged in her favor.
     We can now see a pattern forming that we will see over and over again in the history of Israel and of you, me, and the church. God is merciful to the sinful unlovable person, the sinful unlovable nation, the sinful unlovable church. But He also moves in judgement at times of envy and bad behavior. However,  he is always about His creative work of forming a person, a body, suitable to serve the One True Holy God.
     Scripture lists envy right up there with murder and adultery. It also declares that it is love that can drive these things from the heart of a person or a nation. Perhaps God saw Rachel's motives as Paul described in 1 Corinthians 13:1:

                   "If I speak in the tongues of men and angels and have not love, I am but a
                    clanging cymbal".

      Thank God for his great love that overwhelms our negative emotions that can lead to negative words!  Even in these early roots of God's dealings with people,  we see a wonderful, holy shaping taking place.  Everything, in the fulness of time, will be accomplished through His mercy and judgement. Today, I am thinking of how through Leah's sons we see the beginnings of the priesthood and Messianic tribes of Israel and we also become aware of God's judgement with the birth of Dan. Consider Romans 11:22ff.  this week and if you are pregnant think about not naming your baby girl Bilhah ("trouble, terror, worthlessness").God bless!

Bibledoorajar Thinks of Memorial Day

I awoke this morning thinking of all who had gone before me and what they had given to secure my future. I read a story about a 90 year old woman who traveled to the WWII museum in New Orleans.
She hoped to see a picture of the boy she dated in High School and to whom she had given a diary just before he joined the Marines. The diary never made it back to her but years later she was surprised to find it in the museum, a memorial to the young soldier's life. He had said in the diary that it would be a memorial to his days in the Marines. One of the first things he wrote before he was shot between the eyes by an enemy sniper, was that he hoped whoever found the diary would return it to that girl who filled his heart in high school and to whose memory he  had clinged. That girl, now 90, had hoped to see a picture, maybe of him working with some of his fellow Marines, but instead she found his memorial to his life and her enduring influence on it.

We often disregard our connection to others and how the doings of our lives affect them and us. We discount many things that under the Divine become "dots" that connect much more than we realize. The Bible tells that human connections, if bad, can lead to Divine retribution, if good, to Divine blessings. Laban took advantage of Jacob in many ways thinking he would prosper. And he did prosper because God was prospering Jacob, not because his wily ways garnered the blessings. Laban's ways perplexed Jacob, but he waited patiently for God to make plain His way for him. Jacob was in a strange land and pressing questions about whether he should leave began to be a part of Jacob's thought processes.

Today, we think of all those whose thought processes led them to agree to put their lives on the line for our freedoms. We honor God for all the ways He blessed during these horrible encounters and for all the thoughts that turned to Him in times of trouble. I hope many of them are written in God's book of remembrance--the Lamb's Book of Life. Have you considered whether yours is recorded there as an everlasting memorial to His goodness?

Bibledoorajar emphasizes God's Need to Form Character

     For the last several lessons we have been looking at how God formed Leah's realization of His great power to give her sons even though her husband did not love her. After number four, she seemed to finally understand the importance of giving her praise to the eternal One. As we mentioned, the name of her fourth son, Judah, was given with only praise to Him in mind. Well, ole Dad had been collecting sons from the woman he did not love, so, how was he doing on his learning curve? Remember, he had already recognized the all powerful nature of God on the way to his uncle's house and knew that he would be His servant. The text implies that Jacob got the point. But still God was at work. The fact that Jacob took the right of the firstborn, Esau, meant that Jacob needed to see the wickedness of this action. So, for four babies straight, the rights of the firstborn, Leah, were emphasized. Laban had put Jacob in a position where he had to serve both the right of the firstborn and Laban his human master. Clearly, Jacob was going to have to learn patience and how to wait on God's timing. This was surely something he had been unwilling to do while in the home of his father, Isaac.
     On a personal note, I have recently moved to live full time the Texas home. It was a move that I thought would have happened about four years ago. I made a big announcement to my church family that I would be selling my place in Alabama and moving to Texas. But God saw fit to take the "I" out of the equation and reminded me of His timing and His ways. I had to be reminded of how much better it is to say, "as the Lord wills." Once on a less proud footing, a peaceful approach to the sell occurred. During that time of waiting, God provided miraculously and I was able to make many necessary changes to the house and belongings that would enhance the sell.  And, I was still able to pay expenses on two places which was getting more difficult to do. When the necessary changes were completed, and when I had declared the house would sell in His timing, it sold and did so very quickly.  How great it is for us, when we keep things in perspective and recognize that God is in control and is always teaching us valuable lessons all along the way. How much He wants His children to reflect His characteristics! Thank you Father for shaping our lives.

      "Have thine own way Lord, have thine own way,
       Hold o'er my being absolute sway."

     When Adelaide Pollard wrote this hymn, she was learning a godly lesson. She had wanted to go to
Africa as a missionary, but had been unable to raise the necessary funds. Despondent, she attended a prayer meeting. There an elderly woman prayed, "it does not matter what You do Lord, just have Your own way in our lives." That night, Adelaide penned the four verses of this hymn before she retired for the evening. Lesson learned. Find a hymnal and read all four. It will give you peace.

Bibledoorajar Observes God's Next Move

The "score" according to the sisters is now Leah: 4, Rachel: 0. But according to the power of God it is not a score but a step in a process of grace and mercy that will ultimately form the foundation of the nation of Israel. God, having redeemed Leah, and made her to feel she is His, and that He is totally aware of her and her needs, will still move in His power. However, after four sons, He does close the womb of Leah but not before she realized that, though unworthy, she was truly blessed by God. It was God that set His love on her, not Jacob. God had something else to which He must give His attention. That something was Rachel and her attitude toward her sister and their husband.    

With a score of 0, Rachel was having a hard time coping. Jacob's great love for her may have been rewarding, but apparently it was not enough to quell the envy boiling up within. She took stock of the situation and found herself wanting. Her great envy became evident when she retaliated against her husband. As Yoda said in Star Wars, "envy leads to jealousy, jealousy leads to hate, hate leads to anger, anger leads to the dark side." Well, Jacob saw (and probably felt) Rachel's dark side. With great anger, Rachel demanded of him, "give me children, or I am going to die!" Jacob was flabbergasted. He told Rachel that she had confused him with God, that it was God that was denying her what she wanted. But here in the story, alas, we are told not that Rachel humbled herself and sought God. We are simply told of her second option if Jacob could not be God for her.

Envy led God's people to turn over Jesus to Pilate.  Matthew 27:18 reports that Pilate knew they had turned Jesus over to him because this "green-eyed monster" dwelt in their hearts. Their darkest side cried out to save the criminal, Bararbbus, not Jesus. The Bible lists envy as one of the deadly sins. In Proverbs 14: 30 we read:
         
 " A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."

The goal is to approach life peacefully, content in whatever state we find ourselves. I once her a preacher tell a story about a Christian woman who lived next door to an atheist. Every day he heard her shout praise the Lord and it grated on his nerves. There came a time when the Christian experienced financial reversals, even to the point of having no food. One morning, as she arose and went to her porch, she found groceries. She, of course, praised the Lord! This infuriated the atheist and he said,
 "there is no God, I put the groceries there!" The Christian lady praised the Lord and said, "Lord, not only did you supply me with food, You made Satan pay for them!" The atheist could not disturb her peace. I pray all, including myself, will have just this attitude this week no matter what challenges are before us.
    

Bibledoorajar Applauds God's Material Creativity

     "Oh, Jacob, I'm pregnant again!" God has been demonstrating His ability to open doors for the kingdom of Israel to be established. With this fourth son, God will be well on his way to establishing a house of Jacob. Leah must have been ecstatic at God's creativity within her for this time she named her son Judah. The name means praise and with this birth she said she would now praise the Lord. The focus is off the husband and his desire for her and more on God Himself. To establish a house of Jacob is surely God's arena and Leah recognizes this as she gives birth to her fourth son.  Now we begin to see the seed of a people put on earth to praise God multiplying and, Leah started the praise parade.

When Jesus came to earth, the Jews (Judah) told him they recognized their lineage through the patriarchs but they did not want to give praise to God for Jesus. Jesus told them that praising the Father for the gift of Jesus would exactly be what the patriarchs would be doing if they were there because that is what they did when they were living. But most continued to have this problem of not praising God for Jesus. Even the ones to whom He greatly ministered had this problem. Sometimes the foreigners did better than the children of the house of Jacob:

Jesus said, weren't ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found coming back to give glory to God except this foreigner?
                                                                   Luke 17: 17-18

In Acts we find that God opened the door for foreigners to join the kingdom via the church. We would be grafted in as a real "Jew" because of our inward turning toward God through Jesus and accepting our ability to give Him praise and glory.

On the contrary, the real Jew is one inwardly; and true circumcision is of the heart, spiritual, not literal, so that his praise comes not from other people but from God.
                                                       
                                The apostle Paul writing in Romans 2: 29

So welcome each other,  just as the Messiah has welcomed you into God's glory. For I say that the Messiah became a servant of the Jewish people in order to show God's truthfulness by making good His promises to the patriarchs, and in order to show His mercy by causing Gentiles to glorify God.

                                                         Romans 15: 11ff.

I like to think that God opened a window of awareness in the heart of Leah about His glorious part in the creation of her children and she was compelled to give Him praise and glory. How about you? Have you allowed God to compel you to bring Him praise and glory? Jesus said He was the door to this wonderful place in the kingdom. Have you dealt with the compelling going on in your heart to give Him all the praise and glory?
                                                                 

Bibledoorajaar Reports On God's Loving Kindness

"Once more she conceived and had a son; and she said, "Now this time my husband will be joined to me, because I have borne him three sons."
                                                                         Genesis 29: 34-35

 So Leah, sure that God was establishing her relationship with Jacob,  named the boy Levi which means joining. Three times God's loving kindness and goodness toward the unloved Leah had resulted in sons. It was His kindness toward Leah that made her productive, but His goodness also can be seen in His providing the sons for the patriarch who would provide the seedbed for the children of Israel and a coming Messiah. God loves to identify with the lost and the unloved. Just think how happy He made Leah with these sons. Did she love Him more than the man she was trying to get? I don't know, but clearly we know she knew of His care for her in her dilemma. Are you in a dilemma? Are you lost and at your wits end? Do you believe that God loves you enough to help you? I say with a resounding YES, he does. He sent His Son on a mission of loving kindness and goodness to people just like you and me.

"For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which is lost."
                                                                       Luke 19:10

He is excellent at displaying the loving kindness and goodness of the Father.  The Father said so Himself.

"And the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in whom I am well pleased."
                                                                                 Luke 4:22

Trust Him today with your life, its' productivity and its' ability to be pleasing to God.
                                                                              

Bibledoorajar Looks at Progeny

       "Children are a gift from God, the fruit of the womb is a reward. The children born when one is young, are like arrows in the hand of a warrior. How blessed is the man who has filled his quiver with them; he will not have to be embarrassed when contending with foes at the city gate."
  
                                                                                   Psalm 127: 3-5

If the psalmist was correct all those years later, then truly Leah was going to do her part to see that Jacob's quiver was full! Quickly she became pregnant again as her sister Rachel remained barren. The second fruit of her womb she named Simeon, which means hearing. Sure that God was blessing her womb because her husband did not love her, Leah proclaimed His role in the naming of her son. Since Rachel remained barren, Leah felt that Jacob's pride in his sons would soon win him over to her. All this time, Jacob is busy working off a fourteen year debt to Laban for his two wives. In the power of producing two sons, Leah might render Rachel defeated.  But so far Rachel is holding her peace, although surely she is watching all this with a heavy heart. When will she take action? Will her actions be wise? Will it be now, with the score Leah 2, Rachel 0?

"Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him demonstrate it by the good way of life, by actions done in the humility that grows out of wisdom. But if you harbor in your hearts bitter jealousy and selfish ambitions, don't boast and attack the truth with lies. This wisdom is not the kind that comes down from above; on the contrary, it is worldly, not spiritual, demonic. For where there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there will be disharmony and every foul practice. But the wisdom from above is, first of all, pure, then peaceful, kind, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. And peacemakers who sow seed in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."

                                                                                                   James 3: 13-18

         

Bibledoorajar Looks at Getting to Know Your Spouse(s)

 Young Son: Is it true, Dad, I heard that in some parts of Africa a man doesn't know his wife until he marries her?
Dad: That happens in most countries, son.

Jacob is a man with two wives to get to know. One he accepts with all his heart and the other whom he must accept even though his heart is not in it. Two wives means dual blessings, but two also means the capacity for division and/or opposition within the home. In the home of Jacob we will see God at work, but we will also see the enemy's inspiration for malcontent. Not only were there two wives but they were sisters! But even with all this marital chaos, Jacob's house will be a beginning for God's plan for a great house of His own.

Here's the problem in a nutshell: each wife had her own point of view and she did not cease to express it!  And when the children started coming there was more than enough room for bickering and jealousy.  The interesting part of this story for me is how much God plays a role in the conception and delivery of Jacob's children. Early on in the marriages, God saw that Leah was unloved. So, he made her fertile and she conceived. She delivered a child that she called Reuben which means "see, a son". She gave the credit to God, that the Lord had seen just how humiliated she was within the home and had given her a son so that her husband would love her. Leah 1; Rachel 0. And life goes on.

Bibledoorajar looks at Home

Christian experts have said that to have a happy home at least four things need to be present: 1)Affection must be high, 2) marriage must be in the Lord, 3)marriages should be established with the good will of parents and close friends, and 4) a man should see how he can make a livelihood. If you were fortunate to have been brought up in such a home as this you have been truly blessed. For those who grew up in homes that were established on lessor grounds have felt the pain in so many ways.

Let's take a look at how Jacob was doing. We know he truly loved Rachel for the text tells us so. He served seven years for her as if it was but a few days. We know his parents wanted him to seek a wife from godly stock and that he did. He did not take his wife as he could have from the peoples from which Esau did. When it was time for Jacob to leave his parents his father, out of good will, called him to him and blessed him as he sent him away. Jacob's best interest was his parent's goal. When Jacob sought Rachel, he consulted with her father. Lastly, Jacob found himself in a wealthy land and there seemed to be reason to feel he could support a family.

Jacob had met every criteria that Christian experts have agreed upon. In the love relationship between Jacob and Rachel we can see reflected the great love relationship that Jesus has for His bride. Affection runs high, for He gave Himself in death for us. Ours marriage with the Lord will be one made in Heaven planned for and directed by the Father. All the resources of the Father's realm will be at Christ's disposal to care for His bride.  For Jesus, the wait will seem like a few days for He loves us so. Is that how you feel about the time you are now spending waiting for Him to return and sweep you into that beautifully prepared wedding feast?

Bibledoorajar looks at God's Wisdom and the Motives of People

                              "... in my dream, I seemed to see a woman
                                both young and fair; along a plain she gathered
                                flowers, and even as she sang, she said:
                               Whoever asks my name, know that I'm Leah,
                                and I apply my lovely hands to fashion
                                a garland of the flowers I have gathered."

                                                         Purgatorio by Dante

Jacob had set as his goal to live for God. God had set as His goal for Jacob to father a great nation. Jacob had declared that if God would bless Him, he would follow Him. He had found the girl of his dreams and was ready to move forward. But his uncle disappointed him by giving him Leah in marriage instead. But Laban calmly says that it is the custom for the elder to marry first and that Jacob could also have Rachel in exchange for another seven years of labor. Some would call this unfair persecution, but Jacob immediately agreed to the seven years in order to gain the one he dearly loved. It sets the scene for much human conflict. Two women and one man and a price to be paid for both.

It seems that in God's realm there is often a price to be paid in following Him and accomplishing what He desires. People disappoint yet through these experiences God's will moves forward. Isn't it wonderful that God's will can be accomplished in spite of questionable motives and hard situations?
Jacob was willing to do whatever was necessary to get Rachel. Are you willing to take steps no matter how costly or hurtful to achieve something for God? Can you endure the ways of a fellow Christian in order to accomplish a ministry goal? Leah was needed by God and, though she became a thorn in the flesh of Rachel, she produced six of Jacob's sons. Remember no price we pay for accomplishments in God's realm can ever outweigh the price He paid when He gave us Jesus. Faith calls for endurance.

Bibledoorajar Looks at Self Preservation

                                   "Be not dismayed, whate' er betide,
                                    God will take care of you.
                                    Beneath His wings of love abide
                                    God will take care of you.

                                    God will take care of you,
                                    Through every day o'er all the way;
                                     He will take care of you,
                                     God will take care of you.

                                                   Words by Civilla D. Martin
                                                   Music by W. Stillman Martin

Jacob had come to his uncle's house and community and had enjoyed a month of hospitality. Now we see that Uncle Laban is evaluating his own struggle for his sustenance and prosperity. Why not put Jacob to work in the daily struggle for bread? He asked Jacob specifically what his wages would be under that circumstance. Jacob felt a fair wage would be seven years to work for bread but also for Rachel, the woman of his dreams. Here we see a community living out "by the sweat of your brow shall you get bread".  But Jacob's plan was to get much more; he intended to earn the girl that he loved. Clearly he expected no crookedness from Laban. Because of his great love for Rachel, the seven years would not be so hard that he could not imagine Rachel being his at the end.

Finally, the seven years passed and Jacob claimed his bride. Laban planned the celebration and that night Jacob went in to his new wife. Apparently there was no problem until Jacob saw his bride in the daylight.  Shocked, he was not looking at his beloved, but rather her sister whom he did not love. Leah was not as attractive as Rachel and her eye trouble was noticeable. The story speaks of her tender eyes and this is felt best interpreted as weak by most scholars. Some say she may have been cross-eyed. Whatever the exact trouble, Leah seems to not have seen the mismatch as a problem even though she had to have known that Jacob was in love with her sister. It seems that Leah, too, would express a little craftiness in gaining sustenance for her future. Or, maybe like some of her future progeny, she just didn't get it! Jacob was dismayed and complained to Laban about what he had done to him. It was a wakeup call that Jacob was going to have to expend great efforts to get what he wanted as a part of Laban's community. He had a wife and Laban wasn't budging! But, God was watching all of this and as Jacob sweated, Laban connived, and Leah and Rachel kept quiet, God was planning great blessings for Jacob. Be not dismayed our timing is not God's timing; our ways are not God's ways. His power to bless inept human efforts in order to carry out His will for them and others is always present and always active. Let's not get in His way!