Monday, Ordinary 18/Proper 13 -- Aug 4
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Meditation
Monday, Ordinary 18, Proper 13 challenged believers with their expectations and judgments. The Old Testament lesson in Genesis set Laban in pursuit of Jacob and the families with accusations of theft and inappropriately departing secretly instead of allowing Laban to kiss his daughters and grandchildren goodbye.
The undercurrent of hostility simmering between them exploded to the surface.
Laban acknowledged that he had intended to attack Jacob, but God spoke to him and made it clear Jacob was protected and not to be threatened, so he changed his mind.
But he challenged Jacob’s departure, and questioned why. Jacob’s response was terse.
“‘I left without telling you, because I was afraid you would take your daughters away from me. 32 If you find anyone here who has taken your idols, that person will be killed! Your relatives will be my witnesses. You may look for anything that belongs to you and take anything that is yours.’ (Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen Laban’s idols.)” NCV
The search for the gods of Laban failed to produce anything, because Rachel hid the stolen artifacts under the camel seats and sat on them pretending to have ‘the curse’— her time of the month.
When Laban didn’t find the idols, Jacob grew angry enough to say enough was enough. The rest of his frustration bubbled up and he confronted his father-in-law about his dirty tricks how he had made Jacob pay over and over, cheating him out of wages, blaming him for thefts he couldn’t have done, cheating him about his marriage to Rachel. Laban had not treated Jacob fairly from the first, but Jacob responded with respect and diligence. Because of Jacob’s faithfulness, God blessed him and protected him.
Laban’s expectations were that he could cheat his son-in-law and get away with it. Laban made bad judgments. Jacob’s judgments were wiser. God blessed him because of his faithfulness.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome about his appreciation of their faithfulness, and apologized for his not being able to make it to see them. He ended with his acknowledgment of his call to preach the Good News to both the Jew and the non-Jew. He said, “I must serve all people—those who share in Greek culture and those who are less civilized, the educated as well as the ignorant.”
The expectations and judgments of believers are to be inclusive just as God is inclusive and to trust God for protection at all levels, from the small to the big. Just as God protected Jacob, he will protect us. Just as Paul reached out to all people, we can reach out to all people with the Good News. And God will bless us for our faithfulness.
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.
Laban Searches the Tents
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3853/14595852319_a946728679_z_d.jpg Image from page 63 of "The art Bible, comprising the Old and new Testaments : with numerous illustrations" (1896) Internet Archive Book Images 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 18, Proper 13
Bible Readings
http://legacy.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm 17:1-7;Psalm 17:15;Genesis 31:22-42;Romans 1:8-15&version=KJV;ERV;GNT;NCV;CEV (multiple versions)
Monday, Ordinary 18, Proper 13
Psalm 17:1-7 Psalm 17:15
Genesis 31:22-42
Romans 1:8-15
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
Ephesians 6:10-18
King James Version (KJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Single Bible Study chapter to study
Genesis 31:22-42
King James Version (KJV)
22 And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled.
23 And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead.
http://www.wikigallery.org/paintings/319501-320000/319653/painting1.jpg Jacob and Rachel, Abraham Govaerts; Wikipedia CCL
24 And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.
25 Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead.
26 And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters, as captives taken with the sword?
http://www.wikigallery.org/paintings/263501-264000/263626/painting1.jpg the meeting of Jacob and Laban; Gerrit Claesz Bleker, Wikipedia CCL
27 Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?
28 And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in so doing.
29 It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.
http://www.wikigallery.org/paintings/383001-383500/383031/painting1.jpg The Meeting of Jacob and Laban, Francois Verwilt Wikipedia CCL
30 And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father's house, yet wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?
31 And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid: for I said, Peradventure thou wouldest take by force thy daughters from me.
http://www.wikigallery.org/paintings/267501-268000/267720/painting1.jpg Jacob meeting Laban; Pietro Da Cortona (Barrettini) Wikipedia CCL
32 With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.
33 And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the two maidservants' tents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent.
34 Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel's furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not.
35 And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched but found not the images.
36 And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me?
37 Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff, what hast thou found of all thy household stuff? set it here before my brethren and thy brethren, that they may judge betwixt us both.
38 This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten.
http://www.wikigallery.org/paintings/73001-73500/73401/painting1.jpg "Jacob and Laban's Flock 1632" oil on Canvas. Jusepe de Ribera Wikipedia CCL
39 That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night.
40 Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes.
41 Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.
42 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.
http://www.wikigallery.org/paintings/278501-279000/278895/painting1.jpg "A rocky landscape with a stream and classical ruins, with the Reconcilliation of Jacob and Laban" Joachim Govertsz. Camphuysen Wikipedia, CCL
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, watch over us as you watched over Jacob and Paul. Help us to be faithful in all we do as Paul was faithful and Jacob continued to be respectful in the face of Laban cheating him. We want to honor and glorify your name. In Jesus name, Amen
Conclusion
Monday, Ordinary 18, Proper 13 challenged believers to follow Jacob’s footsteps and remain faithful in the face of cheaters and people of ill will. The Apostle Paul commended the Church of Rome for their faithfulness. He reminded them how many need to hear the Good News—the educated and the ignorant, the Jew and non-Jew, as well as those who were in Rome. Paul apologized for the many times his plans to visit them had been thwarted.
Jacob expected that Laban would continue to cheat him, but God intervened and spoke to the deceptive and selfish father-in-law with a deterrent to his plans.
The bottom line is that God protected Jacob and Paul…and intervened when their lives were at risk. God rewarded their faithfulness and God will reward our faithfulness, too.
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.
Monday, Ordinary 18, Proper 13 challenged believers with their expectations and judgments. The Old Testament lesson in Genesis set Laban in pursuit of Jacob and the families with accusations of theft and inappropriately departing secretly instead of allowing Laban to kiss his daughters and grandchildren goodbye.
The undercurrent of hostility simmering between them exploded to the surface.
Laban acknowledged that he had intended to attack Jacob, but God spoke to him and made it clear Jacob was protected and not to be threatened, so he changed his mind.
But he challenged Jacob’s departure, and questioned why. Jacob’s response was terse.
“‘I left without telling you, because I was afraid you would take your daughters away from me. 32 If you find anyone here who has taken your idols, that person will be killed! Your relatives will be my witnesses. You may look for anything that belongs to you and take anything that is yours.’ (Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen Laban’s idols.)” NCV
The search for the gods of Laban failed to produce anything, because Rachel hid the stolen artifacts under the camel seats and sat on them pretending to have ‘the curse’— her time of the month.
When Laban didn’t find the idols, Jacob grew angry enough to say enough was enough. The rest of his frustration bubbled up and he confronted his father-in-law about his dirty tricks how he had made Jacob pay over and over, cheating him out of wages, blaming him for thefts he couldn’t have done, cheating him about his marriage to Rachel. Laban had not treated Jacob fairly from the first, but Jacob responded with respect and diligence. Because of Jacob’s faithfulness, God blessed him and protected him.
Laban’s expectations were that he could cheat his son-in-law and get away with it. Laban made bad judgments. Jacob’s judgments were wiser. God blessed him because of his faithfulness.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome about his appreciation of their faithfulness, and apologized for his not being able to make it to see them. He ended with his acknowledgment of his call to preach the Good News to both the Jew and the non-Jew. He said, “I must serve all people—those who share in Greek culture and those who are less civilized, the educated as well as the ignorant.”
The expectations and judgments of believers are to be inclusive just as God is inclusive and to trust God for protection at all levels, from the small to the big. Just as God protected Jacob, he will protect us. Just as Paul reached out to all people, we can reach out to all people with the Good News. And God will bless us for our faithfulness.
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.
Laban Searches the Tents
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3853/14595852319_a946728679_z_d.jpg Image from page 63 of "The art Bible, comprising the Old and new Testaments : with numerous illustrations" (1896) Internet Archive Book Images 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 18, Proper 13
Bible Readings
http://legacy.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm 17:1-7;Psalm 17:15;Genesis 31:22-42;Romans 1:8-15&version=KJV;ERV;GNT;NCV;CEV (multiple versions)
Monday, Ordinary 18, Proper 13
Psalm 17:1-7 Psalm 17:15
Genesis 31:22-42
Romans 1:8-15
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
Ephesians 6:10-18
King James Version (KJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Single Bible Study chapter to study
Genesis 31:22-42
King James Version (KJV)
22 And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled.
23 And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead.
http://www.wikigallery.org/paintings/319501-320000/319653/painting1.jpg Jacob and Rachel, Abraham Govaerts; Wikipedia CCL
24 And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.
25 Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead.
26 And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters, as captives taken with the sword?
http://www.wikigallery.org/paintings/263501-264000/263626/painting1.jpg the meeting of Jacob and Laban; Gerrit Claesz Bleker, Wikipedia CCL
27 Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?
28 And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in so doing.
29 It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.
http://www.wikigallery.org/paintings/383001-383500/383031/painting1.jpg The Meeting of Jacob and Laban, Francois Verwilt Wikipedia CCL
30 And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father's house, yet wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?
31 And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid: for I said, Peradventure thou wouldest take by force thy daughters from me.
http://www.wikigallery.org/paintings/267501-268000/267720/painting1.jpg Jacob meeting Laban; Pietro Da Cortona (Barrettini) Wikipedia CCL
32 With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.
33 And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the two maidservants' tents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent.
34 Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel's furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not.
35 And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched but found not the images.
36 And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me?
37 Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff, what hast thou found of all thy household stuff? set it here before my brethren and thy brethren, that they may judge betwixt us both.
38 This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten.
http://www.wikigallery.org/paintings/73001-73500/73401/painting1.jpg "Jacob and Laban's Flock 1632" oil on Canvas. Jusepe de Ribera Wikipedia CCL
39 That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night.
40 Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes.
41 Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.
42 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.
http://www.wikigallery.org/paintings/278501-279000/278895/painting1.jpg "A rocky landscape with a stream and classical ruins, with the Reconcilliation of Jacob and Laban" Joachim Govertsz. Camphuysen Wikipedia, CCL
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, watch over us as you watched over Jacob and Paul. Help us to be faithful in all we do as Paul was faithful and Jacob continued to be respectful in the face of Laban cheating him. We want to honor and glorify your name. In Jesus name, Amen
Conclusion
Monday, Ordinary 18, Proper 13 challenged believers to follow Jacob’s footsteps and remain faithful in the face of cheaters and people of ill will. The Apostle Paul commended the Church of Rome for their faithfulness. He reminded them how many need to hear the Good News—the educated and the ignorant, the Jew and non-Jew, as well as those who were in Rome. Paul apologized for the many times his plans to visit them had been thwarted.
Jacob expected that Laban would continue to cheat him, but God intervened and spoke to the deceptive and selfish father-in-law with a deterrent to his plans.
The bottom line is that God protected Jacob and Paul…and intervened when their lives were at risk. God rewarded their faithfulness and God will reward our faithfulness, too.
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.
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