No Post?

 Sorry about no posts this week for the Bible Reflections. I have been sick but will get caught up later. 

Isaiah 15

 

In one night God tells Isaiah that these two cities will be destroyed. Ar may be the old capital and to see it wiped out in one night would be decimating. As it relates to me/us, this is a good reminder that things happen that we may not imagine and we could see everything changed. Three weeks ago a tornado came through and destroyed houses not four blocks from where we lived. It was close. It could have been us. For me, it is a reminder that my confidence needs to always be centered on God, not things that can quickly change. 

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Job 10

 I don't get this, why is this happening God. This is what Job says in this chapter. It is the question that many ask and it is a very real feeling. It doesn't seem strange that God would create us only to let us sin, only to let us fall into judgment. The truth is that for those in pain, the truth of how God responds in the world won't help. Love is what is needed. It is compassion and sympathy, the very things Job's friends at this point won't be giving.  

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Luke 14

 Count the cost.

Things are pretty good for me right now. Far from perfect and financially nowhere near what is recommended for having at my age for retirement, but still, it's okay. For me, ministry has never been a way to get wealth or to get ahead as most, no, all of my moves further into ministry have cost me financially. That being said, compared to other people I feel mostly secure. The danger for me and maybe for you is that when you are in a place like this are you willing to let it go if it is required to so that you may follow God? 

If you or I aren't then we aren't ready for the kingdom of God. These aren't my words. These are Jesus' and they are uncomfortable. I pray that I am. Sometimes I know I am, other times I hope I am. What I do have to do, all of us need to do, is to ask God to test our hearts and see if we are. I pray that nothing I have will I consider worth more than God. 

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Psalm 12

 Things aren't like they used to be. People aren't honest like they were once. I have heard this many, many times. I may have even said something like it before. However, the world ebbs and flows. There are times when people are more godly and there are times when it seems people are moving actively away from scriptural norms. This was true in David's time also. At the beginning of the chapter David seems to make the same comment, Things aren't like they used to be. It's kind of comforting to know that others have seen times of degrees, but as the Psalmist points out God will judge rightly. 

Genesis 31

 Jacob hasn't always been the most honorable but here in the beginning of the chapter, we see Jacob in a different light. Jacob listens to Go, and Jacob gives God praise for all his increase. He realizes his danger, yes but it is the command of God that causes him to work with his wives (good to see) to leave the land. 

Rachel however doesn't leave well enough alone. She goes in and steals the family gods of her father. These gods weren't just idols but in that area, they also served as deeds to property or proof of ownership. There are also other reasons she might have taken them but they served as a danger which holding on to idols always does. Ultimately, Jacob buries them and any other false God near Bethel (Genesis 35:4), thus making a clean break with all idolatry in his home. 

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Genesis 30

 

What about the mandrakes? Mandrakes were considered at this time a help for women to get pregnant. Leah was upset that her sister wanted them when she already had the affection of her husband and now saw this as her trying to take something else from her. God however used this incident to show that it wasn't medicine, superstition, or human manipulation that was their provision.

Here again, we see people trying to get what they want by manipulation but God is faithful to his covenant in spite of it. Yes, there comes a time when God expects his people to grow up, as it were, but the frequency of Gis mercy is amazing.