Bibledoorajar Applauds the Stouthearted And Warns Beasts of Burden

Jacob/Israel continues to focus on the futures of the seed of the women in his life. To continue his focus on Leah, he calls forth Zebulon and Issachar and speaks with them. For the tribe of Zebulon, Jacob says they will become a haven for ships. They indeed settled between the Mediterranean and the Sea of Galilee. If they looked at the east they saw sea. If they looked to the west they saw sea. Thus, Zebulon's tribe became a haven for ships. The birth of this sixth son to Leah established in her mind a more glorious dwelling place with Jacob. And indeed Jacob did give her a place of honor when he buried her near his final dwelling place. Zebulon and his people would also be given a place of honor and they became known for their industry and faithfulness in times of trouble. When David's army needed recruits Zebulon sent more soldiers than all of the other tribes. And the Bible says they were stouthearted and courageous not falling out of rank (See 1 Chron. 12:33). Later, Jesus would also settle near the Sea of Galilee. There He remained the most stouthearted and courageous of them all. May we all follow our King as did Zebulon theirs.

                     Truehearted, wholehearted, faithful and loyal
                     King of our lives, by Thy grace we will be
                     Under the standard exalted and royal
                     Strong in Thy strength we will battle for Thee.
                                             George Stebbins

Now Issachar was to be a strong donkey. There were lots of them. According to a census in Numbers, they were third in size of all the tribes at that time of numbering. Jacob had said that this "donkey" would shoulder burden, but unlike Zebulon, they would have a tendency to quit when the going got tough. They were for hire, but if things got too tough they could get pretty "donkey like" and refuse to go on preferring the "rest that was good and the land that was pleasant." Most of the time the donkey is used to shoulder a burden and becomes enslaved to the will of its' master. The tribe of Issachar was strong and had a good land assigned to them but they did not like to fight for it. When I feel like a burdened down donkey, I try to envision Christ triumphantly riding with me. He will provide strength to complete the task if I will but yield to Him. With Him, I can go all they way for a triumphal entry into Glory!

Bibledoorajar: Strong and Courageous and Highly Productive

 We have been eavesdropping on Jacob/Israel blessing each of his sons. When Israel came to Leah's fourth son, Judah(praise), he bestowed a wonderful blessing. Jacob/Israel declared that this Judah would be a lion, powerful and strong to lead and to destroy enemies. Also the tribe would be a productive and fruitful one, greatly admired by the other tribes. From this tribe would come Israel's kings and Israel further said that this authority would never leave the tribe until Shiloh(the Man of Rest) came. The tribe of Judah went on to produce many kings that led and called for obedience by the strength of the sword. They had vineyards planted and their produce from the land was paramount. But when Shiloh came from this tribe, war and blood as a part of Judah's authority would end. At that time kingship, productivity and fruitfulness would take on spiritual dimensions. Shiloh would be the Lion of Judah according to Israel but He would come in like a cub lion. His authority would go forth by His words and it would be heard and obeyed throughout the lands as others spread the words. Obedience would come as a result of preaching not physical power. When Peter attempted to gain authority in the Garden through the power of the sword Jesus put a stop to it. Shiloh's kingdom was to be distinguished from the other kingdoms of this world. At first it would appear that the "cub lion" was weak and would be conquered by his enemies. But Israel said NO! He would descend into seeming defeat but the blessing of his death would be declared over and over by the preachers and the reality of the Coming King in Glory would be believed and the promises would be accepted and obeyed throughout eternity. What a wonderful blessing Jacob/Israel gave to "Praise." Maybe you need to praise the Father for preachers today who share these words with you. Where would the Kingdom be without them?

"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers...."  Ephesians 4:11

Bibledoor Celebrates Blessings

While we are in the midst of reviewing Israel's predictions about the clans his sons would generate, Bibledoorajar is on the road celebrating Rebecca's 70th with family and friends. This morning I awoke high up in a tower located in a Bed and Breakfast in East Texas. Today, I am grateful for a good friend who arranged this wonderful blessing and to the Father who has granted me these 70 years. I feel good and with His grace hope to keep on sharing about Him and His wonderful ways for some time to come. Like Jacob/Israel my travels will come to an end one day though and I will share the same promise Joseph gave Israel: "Yes, I will take you to the Land of Promise." How could I not feel blessed and be happy about that Greater Promise from the Son even as I look out and down on the piney woods of East Texas? I trust you share that Promise with me. If not, why not now? It was a great blessing of God that Joseph was able to go into the foreign land of Egypt and maintain his allegiance to the God of his fathers and expose the Gentiles to Him. And further, how great for him to realize that he was being used for God's purposes. But greater still is the blessing of the Holy Son being willing to give up royal rights and come to earth to expose His Father to us. Because of the Father....because of the Father....because of the Father. Thank you Father.

Bibledoorajar Observes the Power to Bless

      What did Israel/Jacob see in the future of his second and third born sons? They received the same blessing for the same evil deed. They had been instruments of cruelty. They had wiped out all the men of Shechem in retaliation for the rape of their sister Dinah (Genesis 34:25-29). This did not seem to be that big of a deal at the time. Jacob really said very little about it, but obviously moved by the Spirit, he remembered the event wrapped in its' spiritual significance. I guess it is true that our past can come back to haunt us. Though forgiven, the consequences of behavior live on. And oh, what ramifications it can have!
       It seemed that one of the biggest problems with Simeon and Levi's  behavior had been the degree of their anger. Apparently there is a fierceness of anger than is rooted in self-will rather than in godly, righteous anger. "Be angry and do not sin"(Ephesians 4:26). "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger…be put away from you" "Ephesians 4:31). God's people simply cannot have their way with anger; godliness must be the pursuit at all costs. As a result of the two brothers committing this great sin which stemmed from ungodly anger, they were to be divided in the new nation. This was particularly true of Simeon. His tribe became smaller and smaller and finally became the smallest of all the tribes. For Levi, the prophecy of being divided and scattered became a blessing. Because of demonstrating paramount faithfulness during the golden calf episode (See Exodus 32: 26ff), the tribe was scattered throughout the whole nation of Israel. Their inheritance was the Lord, not land. And from this tribe we see the evolution of Israel's priests living among the people.
     In the sphere of counseling, it is said that people do not improve their lot in life because they do not fix. That is, they refuse to handle their feelings within their families or communities correctly. Perhaps the story of Simeon and Levi helps underscore that observation. Anything need fixing?

Bibledoorajar Examines The First Shall Be Last

 Isaac had met with the Pharoah and knowing he would not live much longer he prepares to give each of his sons a blessing. We might think of these statements as prophecies also because he told them what would befall them in the last days. Each son would be patriarch of a tribe or here called a nation, but each would have a different place in the future land of Israel. Such telling of these great secrets concerning the end of time was very significant as to how the various tribes would experience Israel. Just think of God allowing Jacob in his status as Israel(spiritual leader) to know what would occur to his children who were sons of both Jacob/ Israel(knew of their physical and spiritual identity and destiny). God had given Israel a place of spiritual maturity but it was a constant battle against Jacob to maintain it.  So it was for his sons. 

For his first son, Reuben,  there was stark news that though he had claim to the inheritance rights of the firstborn he forfeited the excellent spiritual and social position through pride and immorality.  Reuben’s immorality with his father’s concubine Bilhah (the mother of his brothers Dan and Naphtali) is recorded in Genesis 35:22. Now, Israel says that the rights of blessing, priesthood and ruling authority will be divided rather than centralized in his firstborn.

 

The tribe of Reuben never did excel. No prophet, no judge, or no king came from the tribe of Reuben. Reuben is an example of how the first can be last. Listen to what God the Father's firstborn said:

 ..."When the priests heard this they were utterly amazed. "Then who, they asked, 'can be saved?' Jesus looked at them and said, 'humanly this is impossible, but with God everything is possible, Peter replied, 'look, we have left everything and followed you. So what will we have?' Jesus said to them, 'Yes, I tell you that in the REGENERATED world, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel. Everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times more, and he will obtain eternal life. But many who are FIRST SHALL BE LAST, AND MANY WHO ARE LAST WILL BE FIRST. Matthew 18:

 (Matthew 19:25-30).

   God looks for stable character in those who will lead His people. Reuben just didn't have it. As it is said in our culture, character counts and so do blessing. Best be counting them and remaining true.

Bibledoorajar Travels

     Bibledoorajar has traveled to Houston today to be with a nephew who needs hand surgery. We have come here for him to have the surgery done by one of the best. The best. The best is so important when you have a great need, is it not?
      Jacob had moved a family of seventy to be with the best because they all had a great need. He had met his son Joseph, known in Egypt as Zaphenath-paneah. He learned that Pharoah gave him the name when he elevated him to his high position because Pharoah had felt that Joseph was surely Divinely blessed having many god-like characteristics. This observation was not new to Jacob for he had indeed seen God-like characteristics in his son before. But now, there was great power associated with Joseph's Egyptian name and, further, Pharoah himself expressed an interest in meeting and talking with Jacob. The elevation of his favorite son was amazing to the father. To meet with the Pharoah himself because of his son was even more amazing. As they sat and talked Jacob told the Pharoah all about his earthly journey and told the Pharoah he was now able to die because he had seen his special son and experienced all of his provision. Jacob had also lived to see the ones who had been so cruel to Joseph rejoice in him and acknowledge his greatness.
      One day the Greater Son will take those who know him to meet the Father, the Possessor of Heaven and Earth. There the Father will be most interested in talking with the Faithful. Can you envision yourself having a conversation with the Most High God? If you know the Son, the conversation(s) will indeed take place. If you haven't met and acknowledged the power of the Son to bring you to the Father, perhaps now would be the time to do just that.

" Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen."  Rev. 1:7

All, even those who were so cruel to Him, will see Him.  It will surely happen.


Bibledoorajar: What's Goshen like?

So, all of Joseph's family came to Egypt. But with conditions. By Joseph's decree and with the Pharoah's blessing they were to live in but one part of the land: Goshen.  Joseph placed his family in a separate part of Egypt so that all would realize that their existence was distinctive from others living in Egypt. And there Joseph would meet his family's needs and they would prosper.

Growing up, I can remember being exposed to church groups whose name started with Goshen. I did not realize then that the goals of those church leaders included their members being distinctive from the world around them.  But later I understood their desire;  the flock would understand that they were set apart, saved, and would be helped and loved to the end in a Goshen like community.

Goshen is in the world but not of it. Sometimes it is difficult to remember where home is. But if we ease away from it and choose to live somewhere else, we usually find the taste of living elsewhere bitter indeed.

The Goshen of Egypt prepares us for the Prodigal Son story. Best to get on home now.

Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.
                      J. Wilbur Chapman