Today's Reading
Today, Genesis begins with one of the classic questions in Scripture: "Will you go with this man?" After all the bargaining and arrangements were done, the choice still lay with Rebekah. The future of God's people was permanently marked by her choice. When she and Isaac had twins, it immediately set up something that happened numerous times in the Bible: sibling rivalry. Notice the damaging effects that happen when each parent has a favorite.
Notice today that Isaac picked up a very bad habit from his dad. Then notice how the growth of the population started numerous conflicts over who got to live where. The ancient Philistines and the modern Palestinians...same people!
In Matthew today we meet people who, like us, start to follow Jesus. But the way is often difficult. Almost as if to demonstrate Jesus' words about the cost of discipleship, the storm came up on the lake and Jesus was asleep. When have you felt that He was sleeping when a storm came up in your life?
In the last part of the passage, Jesus sends some demons into pigs. On the one hand, pigs were "unclean" and Jews didn't eat pork. On the other hand, those pigs were worth money to these people from the other side of the lake. What do you make of that?
Psalms today talks about life's difficulties. "The wicked" might be compared to difficulties we have with a company or our workplace or someone we do business with. Try to think of a time when you felt out of control and uncared for.
Proverbs introduces us to the idea of "fearing" God. This doesn't mean to cower, but to have a deep, awesome respect for Him.
Many of you are really getting in to this. Remember, if you lose a day, let it go and join us on the current day. Little by little you are learning the character of God.
Questions? Comments?
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What I great reading! I had forgotten many of the details of this story, like the fact that Abe remarried or the fact that Ishmael helped Isaac bury their dad- for some reason I thought Ishmael was out of the region... Do you think Isaac and Ishmael got along at all?
ReplyDeleteIt's crazy to me that Abe and Isaac can trust God so completely when some things, but then not trust Him when it came to the safety of their wives. But then I suppose I'm probably like that too; it seems like there's always something I can't quite loosen my grip on...
I have a comment about the pigs; I think Jesus demonstrated once again how much He cares for us. I say this in reference to Jesus commanding the demons to leave the people and enter the pigs, prior to sending the pigs into the water to drown.
ReplyDeleteWhether or not the pigs drowning ultimately destroyed the demons, we are not really told. However, if Jesus simply wanted to rid other people from demons he could have sent the possessed "people" into the water. (Analogous to killing sinners to help prevent the spread of sin). Instead, He waited to cast the demons into the pigs, killed the pigs, and saved the people. (But only after being asked to do so...be careful what you ask for!)
Ironically, Jesus once again turned evil against itself. He did exactly as the demons asked, He put them into the pigs (He failed to mention that he was going to drown the pigs.) Likewise, He submitted and died on the cross, just as Satan wanted. Jesus failed to mention He would rise from the dead thus conquering Satan yet again.
Brian, your observation of the similarity between the pigs and what happened with the cross is powerful. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI like Proverbs 3:7-8. It is comforting.
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