Poor Jacob

We’re reading in (Genesis 35) (ESV) A lot is going on in Jacob’s life in this chapter. God told him to pack up and go to Bethel. Jacob ordered his family to put away the foreign gods they’d brought with them, and hid them under an oak, or terebinth tree that was near Shechem. When they got to Bethel, he built an altar to the LORD, as the LORD had told him to. God again blessed him and renamed him Israel again.

Rachel went into labor while they were on their way to Ephrath (Bethlehem), and died giving birth to Benjamin. After Jacob/Israel buried Rachel, he went on to beyond a town called Eder. Here, he set up camp again. Here, his son Reuben lay with Bilhah, Israel’s concubine. (Genesis 49:4) Jacob/Israel, speaking to his son Reuben, says, “Unstable as water, you shall not have preeminence, because you went up to your father’s bed; then you defiled it—he went up to my couch!” (1Chron. 5:1) tells us that Reuben, though he was the firstborn, lost his birthright to the sons of Joseph (second to the youngest) because he defiled his father’s bed. (Deut. 27:20) (Leviticus 18:18) What was that God had said to Rebekah in (Genesis 25:23)? “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.” Rebekah was Jacob’s mother. One has to wonder if that is really a blessing, or a curse. I believe it can be either, depending on the people, and the choices they make. This is where those generational curses come into play. It’s also where the passing on of the right knowledge, or wisdom, and standards and boundaries make all the difference. (Deut. 4:9, 11:19) (Proverbs 1:8, 6:20) I know there are scripture references in the letters of the apostles that deal with those standards and boundaries, and blessings and curses, as well.

Jacob finally made it home to Hebron. His father, Isaac, died at 180 years old. Jacob and Esau, together, buried him.

Chapter 36 gives us a listing of Esau’s descendants. Jacob’s descendants are listed in Chapter 35. Learning about their lives will be interesting, to say the least. I’m sure they can teach us something, too.

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Not To Be Taken Lightly

In (Genesis 33) Jacob had a happy reunion with his brother Esau. Esau actually ran to greet Jacob when he saw him, and the two embraced and wept. But, we can see there was seemingly still some fear in Jacob. We do see Jacob calling Esau “lord,” though. By this we can tell Jacob knew, and possibly, accepted the truth. His brother was the true head of the family. The one thing we don’t see in this story is the two brothers communicating about what had caused the rift between them, and dealing with the unfinished business. But still, that unfinished business… (Matt. 5:24) tells us to “first go and be reconciled, and then leave our gifts at the altar.” The reason reconciliation is important is so that we can finish unfinished business, clear the air, and get our hearts back in alignment with one another. This is more important than any gift. (Matt. 18:15-17)

We can also see how fear can cause us to make the wrong decisions. He was unwilling to allow any of Esau’s men to stay behind with him and his people. Esau returned to his home at Seir. Instead of following Esau to Seir, Jacob went to Succoth and set up camp there. From there, Jacob went on to Shechem, bought some land, and settled there with his family. (Deut. 28:67) In the morning you shall say, ‘If only it were evening!’ and at evening you shall say, ‘If only it were morning!’ because of the dread that your heart shall feel, and the sights that your eyes shall see. Isn’t it amazing how we can just destroy ourselves with all the stuff we imagine when we allow fear to rule our hearts? That’s why it’s so important to keep it real. There is no need for fear when we live truthfully. The truth will always uphold us.

(Genesis 34:1-12) gives us the story of Dinah, Jacob’s daughter, being defiled by one of Hamor’s sons. These were the same men from whom Jacob bought the land. I can’t help thinking this whole thing might have been avoided had Jacob taken the family and followed Esau to Seir. Esau had wanted that. In verses 13-31, we see Jacob’s sons taking matters into their own hands, and by deception exacting revenge on Hamor’s family. Jacob wasn’t happy with his sons; and, now he had reason to fear the people who lived around them, as well. (Romans 12:17) tells us not to repay anyone evil for evil. (Romans 12:18) tells us to live peaceably with everyone, if possible. No, Dinah should not have been raped. But, that doesn’t excuse deception and murder. Two wrongs don’t make one right. One other thing – Those men agreed to be circumcised, and were circumcised, which made them participants in the same covenant with God. That’s not something to be taken lightly. Apparently, Jacob’s sons were not aware of, or forgot, that that covenant was a covenant with God, not with them. God says “touch not my anointed ones, and do my prophets no harm.” (1Chron. 16:22)

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How’s Your Limp?

Why she always knows…(Genesis 30:49-50) “The LORD watch between you and me, when we are out of one another’s sight. f you oppress my daughters, or if you take wives besides my daughters, although no one is with us, see, God is witness between you and me.” -And why Mom and Dad always find out. LOL

Jacob and Laban made a covenant at Galeed, which means “witness,” and also called Mizpah, which means “watchpost.” (Genesis 30:52-53), saying, “This heap is a witness, and the pillar is a witness, that I will not pass over this heap to you, and you will not pass over this heap and this pillar to me, to do harm. The God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.” Laban kissed his daughters and grandchildren goodbye the next morning, and returned to his home.

Now, Jacob, who ran to Laban to escape Esau, sends messengers ahead to Esau to let him know he’s coming home. (Genesis 32:1-12) There’s a lesson here for us. You never know when you may have to go back to where you came from. My dad taught us to always “leave the place better than when you arrived, or better than the way you found it.” Jacob and Esau had unfinished business, didn’t they? Jacob had cheated Esau twice. But this time, Jacob hits his knees and goes before God. (verses 9-12) YAY! That’s what we all learn the hard way, I think. First thing you do is take it to Jesus! And, Jacob reminded God of what He had instructed him to do, and what He had promised him. I don’t know how many of you know this, but when you speak God’s word out loud, you’re not just reciting or rehearsing it. You’re planting seeds of faith (faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God)(Romans 10:17). You’re also putting the devil on notice: 1) that you know God’s Word, and your rights. 2) That God’s got you. 3) that you are standing on God’s Word. Then, Jacob sent his servants ahead to meet Esau, with presents. Don’t we always get a happy welcome when we’ve got presents for everyone? (Proverbs 18:16)

Jacob spends the night across the river, and this is when he wrestle with the angel all night long. This is also when Jacob’s name was changed to Israel, which means, “he struggles with God.” Jacob’s hip was put out of joint by the angel. Jacob walked with a limp for the rest of his life. How many of you know that might just make you decide to be a little more dependent on God? Let me tell you what my “limp” has done for me. I learned to take charge of my health. I learned to educate myself about that “limp,” which is Systemic Inflammatory Disorder, and caused Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. I learned to modify my diet and lifestyle, which helped me to live an otherwise healthy life thus far-with some minor setbacks. But all of those have been cured or become manageable. And, I learned all of this because I first learned to listen to God. Let me tell you, He is always with us. He is always for us. He will always lead and guide us! (Matt. 28:20) (Romans 8:31) (John 16:13)

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Oh, Man; How Long Does It Take?

(Genesis 31:19-21)Now while Laban was out shearing his sheep, Rachel stole her father’s household idols. Moreover, Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him that he was running away. So he fled with all his possessions, crossed the Euphrates, and headed for the hill country of Gilead.

When I read this passage, I had to wonder what was going on in Rachel’s mind. “Household idols,” or “household gods,” as some versions use, either way, are idolatry. “You shall have no other gods besides me,” comes to mind. (Exodus 20:3) Of course, the law hadn’t been given yet. But, those two women had witnessed God’s power in Jacob’s life; and most recently, with the flocks. I also thought of the comfort that familiar things bring when you’re moving. Having grown up in the military, I know what it’s like to be uprooted and find oneself in a completely strange place. I know my mother cherished the things she’d brought with her from Germany. They brought her great comfort.

What I don’t get is why Jacob, knowing that God is with him, and having witnessed God’s power, was afraid to tell Laban the truth. He could have said, “Look, I’ve served you 14 years for your daughters, plus six more just because, and you wanted to cheat me again. It’s time for me to leave with my family because apparently, there is bad blood between us now too.” Oh, yes, Laban went in hot pursuit of them all. God warned him not to say anything good or bad to Jacob, but Laban did confront him about just picking up and running away, and about the stolen household idols. Rachel hid them under the saddle of a camel, and lied to her father, saying she couldn’t stand up because she was on her period. It’s a small wonder that God, again made Jacob face the truth when He changed his name from Jacob to Israel. Jacob means he deceives, and Israel means He struggles with God. Hmmm…But that comes a little later on.

Right now, the family is packed up and on their way back to Canaan.

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How About Peace?

My apologies for this late message. I was very fatigued on Thursday, and just couldn’t put one together then. I spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day mostly resting from all the hub-bub. I was very fortunate to get a room, so I was able to relax a little bit.

Christmas Eve in Germany, everyone lights a candle to leave in the window. It’s a sign to weary travelers that the home is one that will welcome them; but, the candle is also lit to honor the coming of our Lord, Jesus. Usually, a little prayer is said, and the candle lit at dusk. It burns until dawn. It’s been a tradition in our homes and our families for as long as I can remember. So, I said my prayer, and lit my candle on Christmas Eve, as usual. There’s something, really, to be said for the passing down of knowledge and tradition.

This was the theme of one of Rick Steve’s programs, which I was fortunate enough to catch yesterday. Rick Steve’s travels the world over and gives us guided armchair tours, so to speak. Yesterday’s program was about Christmas in Europe. What a wonderful treat for me. I got to “go home” for a little while.

Then, I saw the news. Between the mall shooting, the attacks on Ukraine, even as they’re trying to celebrate Christmas, and Mr. Putin’s message that he is “ready to negotiate,” I was pretty sickened. Jesus came into the world to bring peace between us and God. He came to empower us to be at peace with one another. When we follow God’s Word, and Jesus’ example, we can do just that. And so, this song comes to mind on this day after Christmas, 2022.

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Joy! Joy! Joy!

Merry Christmas, everyone! One of my favorite Choirs!

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Oh, Holy Night!

(Luke 1-2:35) gives us the story of Mary, Joseph, and our Lord, Jesus. When I think of it, I’m filled with a mix of emotions. Mary must have been awestruck by the angel’s announcement. But think what it meant to be found pregnant and not yet married in that day. Can you imagine the wagging tongues? Can you imagine the sly looks? Can you imagine the fear and uncertainty that may have gnawed at her heart, and Joseph’s too, trying to destroy God’s will for the three of them? The devil is a liar! And, as usual, God’s got your back! I hope you’ll read the story, and be inspired, strengthened, and overjoyed by it. It is confirmation of God’s great love for mankind.

One of my favorite songs of all time is Ave Maria. Nobody sings it like Connie Francis does.

https://www.google.com/search?q=ave+maria+connie+francis&rlz=1C1GCEA_enUS1037US1037&oq=ave+maria+connie+francis&aqs=chrome..69i57.3224j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:5712d79d,vid:9CSYPDx8IRc

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Oh, Yes! He’s Got Our Backs

(Genesis 30:25-43) (ESV) Here we have the story of Jacob, after serving his father in law for 14 years, wanting to leave with his wives and children, and go back to his homeland. By now, Jacob had made his father in law, Laban, a very wealthy man. Picking up with verse 34…Laban said, “Good! Let it be as you have said.” But that day Laban removed the male goats that were striped and spotted, and all the female goats that were speckled and spotted, every one that had white on it, and every lamb that was black, and put them in the charge of his sons. And he set a distance of three days’ journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob pastured the rest of Laban’s flock. Can you see how that seed of deception that Jacob planted all those years ago is following him? Satan keeps very accurate records; and, he’s always ready to attack. However, God is always a billion steps ahead of everyone. (Psalm 50:10) (Exodus 14:19) (Psalm 85:13) (Isaiah 52:12) – (Verses 37-43) tell us what Jacob did, and how he became very wealthy himself.

Of course, this doesn’t make Laban, or his sons, any happier with Jacob. In (Genesis 31:3) God tells Jacob to leave and go home; promising to be with him. (Genesis 31:6-12) “You know that I have served your father with all my strength, yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times. But God did not permit him to harm me. If he said, ‘The spotted shall be your wages,’ then all the flock bore spotted; and if he said, ‘The striped shall be your wages,’ then all the flock bore striped. Thus God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me. In the breeding season of the flock I lifted up my eyes and saw in a dream that the goats that mated with the flock were striped, spotted, and mottled. Then the angel of God said to me in the dream, ‘Jacob,’ and I said, ‘Here I am!’ And he said, ‘Lift up your eyes and see, all the goats that mate with the flock are striped, spotted, and mottled, for I have seen all that Laban is doing to you.” (Psalm 16:7) “I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.” (Jeremiah 17:10) (Romans 2:6)

This story reminds me of what we learn in (1cor. 2:16) “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.” And you can see that what Jesus said is true. “…and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:20)

I am absolutely positive that you can find many more scriptural references to add to the ones I’ve listed here. The point is that we just keep doing what God would have us to do, and let Him worry about what everybody else is up to. God’s got our backs; always. (Philippians 4:9) (Psalm 37:37)

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Jacob’s Ladder

I wanted to post this just before Christmas, because I believe it speaks of Christ’s coming, of his being the door through which our reconciliation with, and restoration to God happens, and of our being able to access the throne of grace without fear.

(Genesis 29:10-22) Jacob left Beersheba and went toward Haran. And he came to a certain place and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! 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. 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.” Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.” And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”

So early in the morning Jacob took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. He called the name of that place Bethel, but the name of the city was Luz at the first. Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God, and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God’s house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you.”

This speaks to me of Christ’s coming to pay the price for all the sin of mankind, for once and for all time, and of our divine authority being restored to us. (John 3:13) (John 6:38) It also speaks of our growing in faith “from strength to strength and glory to glory. There are some fantastic interpretations on the subject at Wikipedia.com. (John 1:51) “And he (Jesus) said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” He gives his angels charge of us, lest we dash a foot against a stone. (Luke 4:11) (Isaiah 63:9) (1Sam. 2:9) (Matt. 3:16) The Spirit of God descends on Jesus at his baptism. We all receive that spirit when we’re baptized into Christ Jesus; and we can be baptized in the Holy Spirit. (Deut. 3:3) (John 3:31)

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Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, December 21, 2022, 12:44 p.m.

Midweek Break

I apologize for this morning’s missing post. The computer lab was closed yesterday, and I wasn’t able to get one done. I worked on my latest winter scarf instead.

I know how busy the week before Christmas is, and I thought I’d share and idea with you. This should make a wonderful supper dish for you on a cold winter night; and quickly.

A pot of great baked beans is always awesome on a winter night. Try cooking up some country style beef ribs, then cut them into bite sized pieces. Make your favorite pot of baked beans. Great Value has some Sweet Hickory Baked Beans that you can just toss into a pan and heat. Add the cooked rib chunks, and about 1/2 cup collard greens to the mixture, heat through, and enjoy. Quick and easy, and deliciously warming. PS-you can cut the meat into bite sized pieces before you cook it, and then braise it in a pan on the stove instead of having to roast it.

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