Archives for 2014

And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her, he seized her and lay with her and humiliated her. Genesis 34:2 (ESV)

In today’s language this would be called rape

Will not their livestock, their property and all their beasts be ours? Only let us agree with them, and they will dwell with us.” Genesis 34:23 (ESV)

Be careful who you enter into agreement with, you are tying yourself to the person and often it is to their benefit and not yours

And as they journeyed, a terror from God fell upon the cities that were around them, so that they did not pursue the sons of Jacob. And Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him, Genesis 35:5–6 (ESV)

As we purify ourselves for his service and move forward in faith, God will deal with our adversaries and those around us.

And God said to him, “I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come from your own body. Genesis 35:11 (ESV)

God reaffirms and reminds Jacob of his promises (concerning the people and the land) on the basis of His self revelation as God Almighty / El Shaddai (the one able to bring his promises to pass because he has all might). One of the major purposes and themes of the Bible is God’s revelation or self disclosure to man.

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ Matthew 25:21 (ESV)

We are called to faithful stewardship of the opportunities and abilities given to us by God. Scholars say one talent was so much money that an average worker would take 19 years to earn it which possibly points to the value we should put on our time, energy, resources and abilities. Like the song that is an anthem for us right now we should serve him with everything. It is encouraging to see the account of the reward that the Lord will give to the faithful slaves (slaves were often like family, more than just a hired servant, nothing like the slavery of modern times) even more joyful responsibility in the kingdom… so we will not be floating around heaven playing harps, we will have joy filled work to do for the king.

But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Matthew 25:26 (ESV)

The climax of this parable is with the last slave, the wicked, slothful and lazy one. Although the parable has encouraged us in the positive sense to invest our lives for the sake of the King and his kingdom the main point is to warn us against lazy inaction, fearful human reasoning and indifference. Let’s not be lazy, we need to wake up, be alert, actively, deliberately and violently serving the king with everything (the 1st and greatest commandment).

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Matthew 25:34 (ESV)

God’s pre-ordained plan for the sheep (his elect) is so sure that it was prepared from the creation of the world. This should encourage us to press on to obtain the sure prize laid up for us through “living out” our lives as disciples.

Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ Matthew 25:45 (ESV)

The way we treat fellow believers, the Jewish people, the poor etc reveals the truth of who we are in our hearts and points to our relationship (or lack of it) with the Lord.

But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. Matthew 26:10 (ESV)

This extravagant worship and sacrifice for Jesus should characterise all believers and should trump any social outreach we are a part of (the 1st command over and above the 2nd). This is one of the reasons her act is remembered in the Gospel accounts as Jesus prophesied.

No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death. There is no discharge from war, nor will wickedness deliver those who are given to it. Ecclesiastes 8:8 (ESV)

A sober reminder and a good point for evangelism

But you said, ‘I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.’ ” Genesis 32:12 (ESV)

Jacob is afraid and so comes to God in humble prayer. He brings Gods promise to him before God in prayer showing that he had faith in the promise and Gods ability to fulfil the promise, although his faith was not perfect as he sent gifts etc to his brother in fear.

And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Genesis 32:24–25 (ESV)

Jacob wrestled with the pre-incarnate Christ. This is called a theophany when God would appear as a man in the old testament. This is not just symbolic, it actually happened but it does point us to the truth that we too need to persevere and wrestle as it were with God in prayer

Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” Genesis 32:28 (ESV)

This is the origin of the name Israel, God blessed Jacob with this new name and it becomes the name of the nation, it basically means to strive and persevere which has been the character of the nation throughout the ages. We should have the same nature to fight and persevere.

Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matthew 24:30–31 (ESV)

This is clear the whole world will know and mourn at the Kings return, this is the answer to all Adventist movements including Rastafarianism, Mormonism, Jehovah Witnesses and any other cult claiming the Lord has already returned in anyway.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Matthew 24:35 (ESV)

Gods word and in this case the specific prophecies of Jesus are settled and eternal. God is sovereign over history and is able to back up his word.

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. Matthew 24:36 (ESV)

This shows the gravity of the incarnation, that the Son was not all knowing in the same way as when he was in his usual state as God

Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Matthew 24:42–43 (ESV)

As individual disciples and as a collective church we need to stay awake and alert because Jesus tells us we will not know when he is coming so we should live everyday with the understanding that he may come today (return or call us home).

but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. Matthew 25:4 (ESV)

The main point in this parable is explained by Jesus himself in verse 13. We must be alert and prepared for the Lord’s return or call. In practical terms this would involve actively living as disciples of Jesus Christ through reading the bible, prayer, fellowship, serving and worshiping.

But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ Matthew 25:9 (ESV)

preparedness and a life lived working out its sanctification in Christ can not be simply transferred, it is the personal responsibility of every believer to eat (the Bible), breathe (Prayer) and live themselves. Each of us must stand individually before God, we can not live through or on behalf of others.

yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times. But God did not permit him to harm me. Genesis 31:7 (ESV)

Jacob’s faith was in God, who is sovereign over our live and so is always in control and will not give us more than we can bear and controls how far our enemies are able to go.

But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” Matthew 24:2 (ESV)

Jesus’ prophecy was fulfilled 40 years later in 70 AD

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. Matthew 24:6 (ESV)

Jesus warns us that we will see persecution and war but encourages us that we should not be shocked or alarmed by this and that this is not a sign of the end (possibly to correct any misunderstanding that difficult times indicate the end)

And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14 (ESV)

This is the great sign (rather than wars, persecution, or bad weather) of the end, when Jesus will return to rule and reign from Jerusalem. The Gospel will be proclaimed to every people group. There are currently 7287 unreached people groups consisting of 2.91 billion people, we must finish the mission.

And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. Matthew 24:22 (ESV)

God takes special care of those he has elected, this should fill us with praise, hope and faith.

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Matthew 24:24 (ESV)

As God’s elect children we can not be ultimately led astray because we are in the Father’s hand, Jesus is our good shepherd and the Holy Spirit is our guide. We are secure in Christ.

For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather. Matthew 24:27–28 (ESV)

This is a good point for cults like Jehovah Witnesses and Rastafarians who say Jesus has already come back. Jesus said when he comes back it will not be in some hidden or secret or exclusive way but the whole world will know beyond any doubt

Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins. Ecclesiastes 7:20 (ESV)

Every person is in need of salvation. Paul makes a great case for this in the opening chapters of Romans.

So my honesty will answer for me later, when you come to look into my wages with you. Every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats and black among the lambs, if found with me, shall be counted stolen.” Genesis 30:33 (ESV)

Jacob’s integrity in his work and dealings with Laban were based on his trust and faith in God. If we trust in the Lord to take care of us there is no need for us to be dishonest or come up with our own schemes

But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. Matthew 22:29 (ESV)

This is great, Jesus in rebuking the Sadducees makes clear to us that we should both know the correct context of scripture and experientially know the power and person of God

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Matthew 22:37 (ESV)

God is uppermost in his own affections, this is the ultimate purpose of our lives, to Love God with everything, using the energy he has provided to serve, honour and glorify him.

If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?” Matthew 22:45 (ESV)

Jesus points the leaders back to the old testament to make it clear that the Messiah is more than just a descendant of David but is the Lord God himself, The Son of the Living God.

But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:8–12 (ESV)

Jesus doesn’t want us to live like the Pharisees who saw themselves as better than the “normal” believers in Israel. This is how we should live in the God’s kingdom, we should be humble and serve well. We are all brothers and are all equal under Christ and should not have priests like Roman Catholicism.

You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell? Matthew 23:33 (ESV)

Jesus boldly confronts, sin, falsehood and hypocrisy and tells them that (without repentance) there is no escape from hell. We can learn for Jesus boldness and unmixed speech.

Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask this. Ecclesiastes 7:10 (ESV)

This is why we should not get sidetracked with relative moralism by looking back at older days and saying things like “what has happened to society?” etc. The fact is evil has always been in the world since the fall and the enemy would like us to be nostalgic.

Instead we should state the truth regardless of how today is different from yesterday, without appealing to relativism in any of its subtle forms.

And behold, the LORD stood above it and said, “I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Genesis 28:13–14 (ESV)

God affirms his promise concerning the land and the people to Jacob just like he had done to Isaac and Abraham. The vision of the ladder also points forward to Jesus who is the only way to God.

Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Genesis 28:15 (ESV)

God doesn’t just see the future, he actively brings his will to pass. This truth should fill us with hope and faith in him.

And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “This time I will praise the LORD.” Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she ceased bearing. Genesis 29:35 (ESV)

God blessed Leah with four sons at this point, when each was born she hoped her relationship with Jacob would improve but with this forth son her focus is no longer on her reluctant husband but on the Lord and she praises God for remembering and blessing her despite man’s hate / indifference.

And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. Matthew 21:30 (ESV)

Agreeing with God verbally and mentally means nothing if we do not obey him

Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. Matthew 21:43 (ESV)

Jesus is dealing with the religious leaders in Israel at this point who have failed to produce fruit for God. This spells the end of the Jewish leaders role in mediating God’s authority as his priests, this now became the responsibility of every believer in Christ both Jew and Gentile. We must seek to have fruitful lives that bring God pleasure.

Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ Matthew 22:9 (ESV)

The call to salvation is to all, we should tell everyone

For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:14 (ESV)

Many are invited, but like in the parable many refuse to come while others try to come on their own terms and do not truly submit to God and his kingdom proving themselves to be false converts and are rejected like the man in the parable. Those who remain at the wedding are the chosen.

It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. Ecclesiastes 7:2 (ESV)

One day each of us will die. We should not stick our heads in the sand as if it will never happen… it will. So we should take note and live our lives in light of that reality, we should leave a good name behind us.

The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. Ecclesiastes 7:4 (ESV)

The wise are conscious of coming death, while the foolish think only of temporal pleasures. The wisdom of acknowledging death will teach us to number our day, use our time wisely and avoid sin.