Saturday, Ordinary 17/Proper 12-- July 26
HealthFitNow
Posts: 1,205 Member
Meditation
Saturday, Ordinary 17, Proper 12 continued the Jacob saga with the birth of his first son, Reuben, from Leah, the older sister of Rachel, whom he loved. Rachel remained childless for a while, and Leah produced more, along with her handmaiden. Now the promise of being a great nation was finally becoming closer to reality. The Twelve Tribes of Israel (Jacob’s new name after he wrestled with God) would be named from the sons.
The Old Testament lesson, while showing the order of the birth of Rueben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah gave insight into the turmoil within the household. Since Jacob had been tricked into marrying Leah, he didn’t love her like he loved Rachel. The Scriptures said that God gave Leah children because she was hated. Rachel’s jealousy could not be contained and she demanded that Jacob give her children. This created strife between Jacob and Rachel, when he declared “Am I God to be able to give you a child?”
Like Sarah before who gave her maid, Hagar, who gave birth to Ishmael, Rachel gave her maid, Bilhah, to her husband, and she became pregnant twice, with Dan and Napthali.
The jealousy of Leah surfaced, and because she no longer could conceive, she gave her maid, Zilpah, who gave birth to Gad and Asher.
Rueben found mandrake roots in the field and brought them to Leah. Rachel bartered time with Jacob for Leah for the mandrake. They were considered a remedy for barrenness. While Rachel was still trying for her own birth child, Leah produced Issachar, Zebulun and then a daughter, Dinah.
Finally, after eleven children, God provided Rachel with Joseph, whom she named for asking God for another son.
Family life seemed to follow a roller coaster ride of unhappiness, jealousy and joy in the birth of progeny for Jacob. One of the beauties of the Bible has been how its people are authentic. They were written about—warts and all.
While the Psalmist wrote of the joy of the Lord and the fulfillment of promises and blessings of the covenant, the New Testament lesson revealed the enmity of some Jews, who refused to follow Jesus. The irony was they were the leadership. They should have known better and been the first to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, but they were contrary and only interested in undermining him. Jesus declared them godless and sinful (evil).
Just as Rachel demanded Jacob give her a child; the Pharisees demanded that Jesus give them a sign that he was the Messiah.
Often, unbelievers will make demands “If you are who you say you are, then you should be able to do something special. Let’s see it.” But Jesus refused to comply with insincere requests. If someone had been asking sincerely for a means to believe, then he would have given them something to enhance their understanding, but for those with no intention of learning anything, he spoke cryptically. He referred to the sign of Jonah and Ninevah—the three days in the whale foreshadowed the death of Jesus and three days in the tomb before his resurrection. He compared the unbelieving Jewish leaders to the people of Ninevah. The Ninevites set the bar of godlessness, so God sent them Jonah.
Jonah’s reluctance to preach to the people of Ninevah was because they were notoriously sinful. Nevertheless, when Jonah preached the Word of God to them, they repented and turned their lives around. The leaders that should have known better were unwilling to receive the word of God from Jesus. Their fate would be worse than Ninevites.
The Queen of Sheba, who traveled from Africa to see Solomon, would be one of those declaring them guilty. Even though the Jews were chosen people of God, Jesus had pointed out two different future comparisons to non-Jews, whose stature would be higher than the Jews that refused to follow Jesus.
For us, we learn that God cares about the individual person, not just the community as a whole. He chose Jacob to carry the line over Esau. He blessed Leah with many children because he cared to give Leah some joy in life and made both Jacob and Rachel wait for their children, while he blessed Leah.
The Queen of Sheba was a foreigner, but God brought her into the Kingdom of God. God went to the Jew first, and then the non-Jew. Some consider they are entitled because of being born into the family of the chosen people. The Pharisees, who failed to follow Jesus, were like that. Jesus showed us that non-Jews, like the Ninevites and the Queen of Sheba would receive the blessing of salvation, while the false unbelievers among the Jews, would see a different end.
We have an obligation to see that we are open to what God will provide. It sometimes entails waiting for longer than we would like, or receiving a different answer than we expect, but the promises will be fulfilled in the perfect time. God cares. About each of us. Leah was hated by Jacob and Rachel, but God cared for her and blessed her individually.
Jesus warned that we must be responsible for our lives and choices. If we struggle, like Leah did, we know that God’s care will empower us to succeed and we will receive the blessing of God.
Thanks be to God.
All Scriptures printed below are in King James Version for copyright purposes. However, clicking on the verse locations will take you to Biblegateway.com where the text is linked to more contemporary versions.
Jacob and Rachel
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b7/Tissot_Jacob_and_Rachel_at_the_Well.jpg Jacob and Rachel at the Well, c. 1896-1902, by James Jacques Joseph Tissot (French, 1836-1902) Wikipedia, CCL
Prayer: Almighty God, Open my eyes that I might see. Open my mind that I might understand. Open my heart that I might make your words a part of me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen
Ordinary 17, Proper 12
Bible Readings
http://legacy.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm 105:1-11, 45b;Genesis 29:31—30:24;Matthew 12:38-42&version=KJV;ERV;GNT;NCV;CEV (multiple versions)
Saturday, Ordinary 17, Proper 12
Psalm 105:1-11
Psalm 105:45
Genesis 29:31-30:24
Matthew 12:38-42
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
Psalm 139:23-24
King James Version (KJV)
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Single Bible Study chapter to study
Matthew 12:38-42
King James Version (KJV)
38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
OBSERVE:
Take a moment and write three observations of the verses. What strikes you? An observation is an observable fact from the Word.
1.
2.
3.
INTERPRETATION:
What do you interpret these verses to mean for you today?
APPLY:
Today, I learned _____________________________________and apply it to my life.
Prayer of Encouragement
Almighty God, help us to be authentic in our requests for your guidance. Watch over us in our challenges that we will be able to be patient for your perfect timing. Equip us to persevere and be ready to receive the blessing. In Jesus name, Amen
Conclusion
Saturday, Ordinary 17, Proper 12 challenged us to be true believers. We can’t be Christian—or Christ followers—in name only. Just because our parents go to church, doesn’t make us a believer. We have individual responsibility to make our relationship with God authentic and true. God knows the difference. Other people can sometimes tell the difference. But we have the clear example of the false Pharisees, who claimed to be superior and entitled but Jesus declared were godless and sinful. Jesus could read the heart. Despite phony external demonstrations of the ‘spirituality’ the Pharisees that rejected Jesus were not going to receive the future blessings on Judgment Day.
We are responsible for our lives. We can’t judge others like Jesus was able to do, but we must see that we accept Jesus into our hearts, that we listen to his directives and obey the Word of God.
Go out and be ready for God to do mighty things in your life—for the glory of God.*
Thank you for visiting ChapLynne’s Daily Encouragement and Bible Study. God bless you.
*If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior and you are seeking, please contact me. A genuine and simple prayer, asking God into your heart for the forgiveness of your sins will also do.
Saturday, Ordinary 17, Proper 12 continued the Jacob saga with the birth of his first son, Reuben, from Leah, the older sister of Rachel, whom he loved. Rachel remained childless for a while, and Leah produced more, along with her handmaiden. Now the promise of being a great nation was finally becoming closer to reality. The Twelve Tribes of Israel (Jacob’s new name after he wrestled with God) would be named from the sons.
The Old Testament lesson, while showing the order of the birth of Rueben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah gave insight into the turmoil within the household. Since Jacob had been tricked into marrying Leah, he didn’t love her like he loved Rachel. The Scriptures said that God gave Leah children because she was hated. Rachel’s jealousy could not be contained and she demanded that Jacob give her children. This created strife between Jacob and Rachel, when he declared “Am I God to be able to give you a child?”
Like Sarah before who gave her maid, Hagar, who gave birth to Ishmael, Rachel gave her maid, Bilhah, to her husband, and she became pregnant twice, with Dan and Napthali.
The jealousy of Leah surfaced, and because she no longer could conceive, she gave her maid, Zilpah, who gave birth to Gad and Asher.
Rueben found mandrake roots in the field and brought them to Leah. Rachel bartered time with Jacob for Leah for the mandrake. They were considered a remedy for barrenness. While Rachel was still trying for her own birth child, Leah produced Issachar, Zebulun and then a daughter, Dinah.
Finally, after eleven children, God provided Rachel with Joseph, whom she named for asking God for another son.
Family life seemed to follow a roller coaster ride of unhappiness, jealousy and joy in the birth of progeny for Jacob. One of the beauties of the Bible has been how its people are authentic. They were written about—warts and all.
While the Psalmist wrote of the joy of the Lord and the fulfillment of promises and blessings of the covenant, the New Testament lesson revealed the enmity of some Jews, who refused to follow Jesus. The irony was they were the leadership. They should have known better and been the first to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, but they were contrary and only interested in undermining him. Jesus declared them godless and sinful (evil).
Just as Rachel demanded Jacob give her a child; the Pharisees demanded that Jesus give them a sign that he was the Messiah.
Often, unbelievers will make demands “If you are who you say you are, then you should be able to do something special. Let’s see it.” But Jesus refused to comply with insincere requests. If someone had been asking sincerely for a means to believe, then he would have given them something to enhance their understanding, but for those with no intention of learning anything, he spoke cryptically. He referred to the sign of Jonah and Ninevah—the three days in the whale foreshadowed the death of Jesus and three days in the tomb before his resurrection. He compared the unbelieving Jewish leaders to the people of Ninevah. The Ninevites set the bar of godlessness, so God sent them Jonah.
Jonah’s reluctance to preach to the people of Ninevah was because they were notoriously sinful. Nevertheless, when Jonah preached the Word of God to them, they repented and turned their lives around. The leaders that should have known better were unwilling to receive the word of God from Jesus. Their fate would be worse than Ninevites.
The Queen of Sheba, who traveled from Africa to see Solomon, would be one of those declaring them guilty. Even though the Jews were chosen people of God, Jesus had pointed out two different future comparisons to non-Jews, whose stature would be higher than the Jews that refused to follow Jesus.
For us, we learn that God cares about the individual person, not just the community as a whole. He chose Jacob to carry the line over Esau. He blessed Leah with many children because he cared to give Leah some joy in life and made both Jacob and Rachel wait for their children, while he blessed Leah.
The Queen of Sheba was a foreigner, but God brought her into the Kingdom of God. God went to the Jew first, and then the non-Jew. Some consider they are entitled because of being born into the family of the chosen people. The Pharisees, who failed to follow Jesus, were like that. Jesus showed us that non-Jews, like the Ninevites and the Queen of Sheba would receive the blessing of salvation, while the false unbelievers among the Jews, would see a different end.
We have an obligation to see that we are open to what God will provide. It sometimes entails waiting for longer than we would like, or receiving a different answer than we expect, but the promises will be fulfilled in the perfect time. God cares. About each of us. Leah was hated by Jacob and Rachel, but God cared for her and blessed her individually.
Jesus warned that we must be responsible for our lives and choices. If we struggle, like Leah did, we know that God’s care will empower us to succeed and we will receive the blessing of God.
Thanks be to God.
All Scriptures printed below are in King James Version for copyright purposes. However, clicking on the verse locations will take you to Biblegateway.com where the text is linked to more contemporary versions.
Jacob and Rachel
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b7/Tissot_Jacob_and_Rachel_at_the_Well.jpg Jacob and Rachel at the Well, c. 1896-1902, by James Jacques Joseph Tissot (French, 1836-1902) Wikipedia, CCL
Prayer: Almighty God, Open my eyes that I might see. Open my mind that I might understand. Open my heart that I might make your words a part of me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen
Ordinary 17, Proper 12
Bible Readings
http://legacy.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm 105:1-11, 45b;Genesis 29:31—30:24;Matthew 12:38-42&version=KJV;ERV;GNT;NCV;CEV (multiple versions)
Saturday, Ordinary 17, Proper 12
Psalm 105:1-11
Psalm 105:45
Genesis 29:31-30:24
Matthew 12:38-42
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
Psalm 139:23-24
King James Version (KJV)
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Single Bible Study chapter to study
Matthew 12:38-42
King James Version (KJV)
38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
OBSERVE:
Take a moment and write three observations of the verses. What strikes you? An observation is an observable fact from the Word.
1.
2.
3.
INTERPRETATION:
What do you interpret these verses to mean for you today?
APPLY:
Today, I learned _____________________________________and apply it to my life.
Prayer of Encouragement
Almighty God, help us to be authentic in our requests for your guidance. Watch over us in our challenges that we will be able to be patient for your perfect timing. Equip us to persevere and be ready to receive the blessing. In Jesus name, Amen
Conclusion
Saturday, Ordinary 17, Proper 12 challenged us to be true believers. We can’t be Christian—or Christ followers—in name only. Just because our parents go to church, doesn’t make us a believer. We have individual responsibility to make our relationship with God authentic and true. God knows the difference. Other people can sometimes tell the difference. But we have the clear example of the false Pharisees, who claimed to be superior and entitled but Jesus declared were godless and sinful. Jesus could read the heart. Despite phony external demonstrations of the ‘spirituality’ the Pharisees that rejected Jesus were not going to receive the future blessings on Judgment Day.
We are responsible for our lives. We can’t judge others like Jesus was able to do, but we must see that we accept Jesus into our hearts, that we listen to his directives and obey the Word of God.
Go out and be ready for God to do mighty things in your life—for the glory of God.*
Thank you for visiting ChapLynne’s Daily Encouragement and Bible Study. God bless you.
*If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior and you are seeking, please contact me. A genuine and simple prayer, asking God into your heart for the forgiveness of your sins will also do.
0
This discussion has been closed.