all those names

Genesis 46-47

 

After ignorantly but valiantly wading through a hundred and fifty names in 1 Chronicles and Genesis that were transmutilated into English from the original Hebrew, I thought to myself, "Maybe I should investigate the proper pronunciation of the Hebrew names."  I did a quick search and found two interesting websites:

1) http://www.zionism-israel.com/old_testament/Names_pronunciation.html

2) http://www.pfrs.org/jewish/hr09.html

 

Now, I have no way of confirming the validity of these claims, but it seems consistent with what I've heard a few respected, seminary-educated Brothers say.  Henceforth, I shall attempt to integrate these rules of pronunciation into my reading of the Scriptures.  Granted, it doesn't make an enormous theological difference, but it does help elucidate some of the meanings.  And it helps me get into the cultural mindset of the ancient Israelites, which is fun.

 

I think this is cool - Gen. 47:7-10:

7 Joseph then brought his father Jacob and presented him before Pharaoh, and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. 8 Then Pharaoh said to Jacob, "How many years have you lived?"   9 Jacob said to Pharaoh, "My pilgrimage has lasted 130 years. My years have been few and hard, and they have not surpassed the years of my fathers during their pilgrimages." 10 So Jacob blessed Pharaoh and departed from Pharaoh's presence.

Not only did Jacob bless Pharaoh (as opposed to the other way around, which subtly indicates Jacob's superiority over Pharaoh), but I just think it's cool that Jacob used the term "pilgrimage."  It's like John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress; we Christians are on a pilgrimage of sanctification from spiritual birth (justification) to final glorification.  It's neat to see an OT example of someone on a mission/journey of following the LORD.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray that I will live in your presence today.  LORD, I want to know your will and obey you in a humble and genuine fellowship.  Lord, I ask that you will use me in my pilgrimage to help others get started on a pilgrimage and to encourage others along in their pilgrimage.  Lord, I ask that you bless me and expand my territory.  May I live according to your grace.  I pray this in the name of my Savior, Iesous Christos.  Amen.

meeting with Pastor

I had a wonderful meeting with the Pastor of our congregation this afternoon.  I posed a couple of theological questions and a few practical/lifestyle questions.  He confirmed several of my theological conclusions, which I believe are now not regurgitated doctrines, but internalized, tested, and approved.  To be academically honest, I momentarily suspended the beliefs taught to me as a child and tested them against Scripture, and I feel like, even though what I now believe is very similar to what I was taught, it is genuinely "my own" theology, in as much as anything could be "mine".

 

The main point that I came away with regarding the practical questions of financial and time stewardship is that we must keep a balance, closely in-tune with the Holy Spirit.  We must live our lives in awareness and appreciation of the presence of God.  The passage he directed me to was 2 Timothy 2:15-22 about working to live a life of purity and approval of the LORD (which is another confirmation in itself - I chose 2 Timothy 2:22 as the mission statement verse for the Bible Life Group we started a few weeks ago!).

 

Praise the LORD for Pastors who care for the people in their flock.  Praise the LORD for speaking through His Scriptures and His servants.  Praise the LORD!

Lordship attributes

Genesis 45-46

 

45:5 ... It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives.

 

Joseph is a picture of Christ.  The Father sent His Son to suffer and then sit down at the right hand of the throne of God.  He did this so that you and I could be saved from spiritual starvation.  From the perspective of the theologian John Frame, it is a demonstration of His "Lordship attribute" of control; He is able to save, and He does save.

 

I also think it's cool that God confirmed Jacob's move from Canaan to Egypt (46:2-4).  This is not only a confirmation of God's prophecy to Abraham in Genesis 15 (thus demonstrating His Lordship attribute of authority), but it is also a demonstration of His Lordship attribute of presence.  It is so comforting to know that our God intervenes in our lives, and He speaks to us.

 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son Jesus to suffer the Cross - your obedient Servant.  Lord, I praise you for your goodness.  I praise you for the way you were tender with Jacob, that you comforted him and assured him.  Lord, I pray that you will speak to me.  Please give me guidance; I am lost without you.  I am nothing apart from you.  Lord, I want to abide in you; please abide in me.  I pray this in the name of the True Vine, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

reading deep

Genesis 42-44

 

The concept of substitutionary punishment glistens in this story:

42:19 (ESV)  ... let one of your brothers remain confined where you are in custody, and let the rest go and carry grain for the famine of your households ...

 

Maybe I'm reading too deep, but I think this verse is a picture of Christ.  He bore the punishment of our sin, our sin against Him.  Not only are we released from custody, but by grace through faith we become Brothers with Christ, and we are enabled and commanded to "go and carry [spiritual food] for the [spiritual] famine of [mankind]."  How cool is that?

 

Again, I may be over-analyzing, but I think there is a picture of the trinitarian-unity in Genesis 44:30:

(BBE)  ... because his life and the boy's life are one ...
(CEV)  ... He loves him so much ...
(GNB)  ... His life is wrapped up with the life of the boy ...

(LITV)  ... his soul being bound to his soul ...

 

The Father and Son are One in Life, Love, and Spirit.  Pretty sweet!

 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word that gives pictures of your principles.  Lord, please turn my heart toward you.  I pray that I will live your Word by sharing the hope of being set free through Christ's substitutionary punishment.  I pray that I will be one with You as Christ prayed that I will be one with You.  I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Jehovah's Sovereignty

Genesis 40-41

 

I am impressed with a "small-scale turbulence" or "local variable" sovereignty (to use an environmental fluid mechanics term or computer programming term, respectively) complimenting a "large-scale turbulence" or "global variable" sovereignty.  Jehovah is clearly in control of Joseph's life, and He even works good from Joseph's brothers' intended evil.  They meant it for harm, but Jehovah used their ploy to (1) develop Joseph's character and (2) place him in leadership of the most powerful nation in the world.  Joseph was then able to administrate one of the most widespread and sustained hunger relief programs in history!  Joseph's steady, faithful obedience allows him to be used by Jehovah, and Joseph is faithful to give Jehovah the credit. (Genesis 15:12-14) And that's just the small-scale sovereignty!

 

The "large-scale turbulence" sovereignty plays off of Genesis 15:12-14,  where Jehovah promises Abraham that his descendants will be slaves for 400 years, but that He would save them.  Jehovah allowed/controlled these circumstances such that Jacob and his family would end up in Egypt, so that their descendants would become slaves, so that Jehovah could show His power and reveal His identity to the Israelites.

 

Truth:  Jehovah allows/ordains trials to grow my character and reveal Himself to me and others in my life.

 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I praise you for being in control.  Thank you that you never allow me to be tempted or tried beyond what I can bear, but by grace through faith, I may obey you.  Lord, I pray that I will seek your face and not only your hand.  I beg you to reveal yourself to me, and may I demonstrate a faithfulness toward you like Joseph did.  I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

obedience

Genesis 33-35

 

I attended a retreat this weekend with about 50 men from our church, and the emphasis of the retreat was implementing evangelism and discipleship strategies through activities that men enjoy (like golf, hunting, fishing, running, etc.).  After a great message from our Pastor last night and wonderful prayer time, I was excited about reading my Bible this morning, and I prayed for the LORD to speak to me.

 

I was blown away by 35:1-10.  God told Jacob to go to Bethel.  He told his family to purify themselves for their trip.  The fear of the LORD fell on those around them as they travelled through, and Jacob built an altar to the LORD at Bethel and worshiped Him.  "God appeared to him again and blessed him,"  and God changed his name to Israel.

 

Application: When the LORD gives us direction, we must purify ourselves and obey.  When we have worshiped with obedience, He will reveal Himself to us, and we will find our identity in Him.

 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for this wonderful weekend of spiritual renewal.  Thank you, LORD, for speaking through your Word to me this morning.  Lord, I pray that I will obey you in faithful purity - that I will offer myself as a holy and pleasing sacrifice in faithful obedience through the grace of your Son.  Lord, please reveal yourself to me, and may I find my true identity in You.  I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

 

 

the LORD's blessing

Genesis 28-30

 

As Jacob is running away from his immediate family (to his paternal uncle's family), the LORD revealed Himself to Jacob in a dream and renewed His covenant with Abraham and Isaac.  The LORD proceeds to bless Jacob with wives, sons, and wealth as he works for his uncle Laban for at least 14 years.

 

It is a blessing even to know of the LORD, but it is incredible to know Him personally!  What's more, by grace through faith, we may cooperate with Him to accomplish His superior plan!  Can you believe it?!!!  The thought of a weak, depraved, and finite being like myself actually cooperating with the perfectly-holy, infinite Creator of the universe just boggles the mind.  How absurd!  No, dear friend - it is made possible by the shed blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.

 

The LORD has blessed me more than I could realize, even if I spent the rest of my life trying.  He has blessed me with my compassionate and beautiful wife (my high school sweetheart) who seeks the LORD.  He has saved my marriage from destruction and turned my drifting heart toward Him again and again.  He blessed me with godly parents, wonderful brothers, and a great life growing up on the farm.  Plenty of food, clean water to drink; elementary, middle, and high school, collegiate, and graduate educations; these are blessings that even many in the US are not afforded. 

 

Why did God choose to bless Jacob?  Why has He blessed me so much, while others do not experience so much blessing, and some have not even heard His Name?  Is it because of something I did?  No way!  It is because of His mercy and grace!  I am humbled when I think about how He has blessed me, because I am worthless - before Christ, I was just an object of wrath.  ( Ephesians 2:1-10)

Lamentations 3:22-23

22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,

       for his compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning;

       great is your faithfulness.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for your infinite love that keeps us from the fires of Hell and damnation.  Thank you for revealing yourself to us, not only so that we may know of you, but that we may know you as a dear Father through the Son.  Lord, it is hard to believe that when in Faith I obey you, then I am actually cooperating with you to accomplish your good plan for my life and others around me.  Lord, as you blessed Jacob in the Abrahamic covenant, I pray that you will bless me in the New Covenant.  Lord, I pray that you will make me an Overcomer!  I ask you this in the precious name of Jesus Christ, the perfect Lamb that takes away the sins of the world.  Amen.