When Jesus walked the earth, God's word was central to life. It was the everyday conversation of the community. They were brought together by the text, and they even agreed on a text of the week. This same ancient rythmn is available to us today! Join us in reading and commenting on what is know as the "Parashah." Imagine a community whose unity is rooted in the very word of God!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
TOW Nov 11-18
This week's Parsha is:
Genesis 28:10-32:3 Hosea 12:13-14:10 John 1:19-1:51
"Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."- John 1:49
Rabbi, surely You are the Son of God, the King of Israel and of our hearts! And when we think we've seen Your glory, You reveal even more. You amaze us Jesus.
Can someone please explain how a stripped and speckled stick made the sheep give birth to stripped and speckled lambs?? Seriously, am I missing something??
On a serious note...isn't the imagery simply beautiful in these passages. Jacob's dream of the ladder with Angels descending and ascending. This is the very same ladder that is Jesus in John 1:51. I also love the comparison between Jacob rolling away the stone to water Rachel's sheep and Jesus being the ultimate living water that restores us all.
I love what Ryan says...how often we forget or fail to see that G-d is amongst us. Let's open our eyes...let us see His blessings...let us stand together in unity claiming the power of our Lord. For as Psalm 133 says, "how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity...for there is where the Lord bestows his blessings, his life forevermore."
favorite verse from TOW: "and we will say no more, 'Our God' to the work of our hands. In you the orphan finds mercy." hmmm funny how that connects to last Sunday's sermon eh? an orphan strives to prove himself, take care of himself, find SECURITY in the works of his hands...not in God.
13 Pains as of a woman in childbirth come to him, but he is a child without wisdom; when the time arrives, he does not come to the opening of the womb.-Hosea 13:13 are we so unwise that we sometimes choose the necessary self-pity and self-loathing (pains) that comes with "the death of the flesh" so much that we do not accept God's mercy, redemption, compassion when the time is ripe to do so? When we are offered new life from our previous "sin?"(Hosea 13:12)
The story that really hit me hard tonight was Leah and her four pregnancies. "When the Lord saw that Leah was hated he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren."(Gen 29:31) Okay so I got fresh insight on this tonight, it has NOTHING to do with Rachel, Jacob, or God wil-nilly favoring Leah...but rather, the condition/healing of Leah's heart. It would suck to be the lesser of two wives. So what does God do? Does he admonish Jacob? No, for Jacob is human and thus is subject to favoritism and "hate." Rather, he deals directly with Leah herself by using the very thing that Women used to prove themselves (make a name for themselves) in that day and age...child bearing. Reuben- "now my husband will love me" Simeon- "because I was hated, the Lord heard" (feelings of entitlement for the wrongs committed against us?) Levi- Jacob will be "attached" to Leah and FINALLY she gets it after four bloody, painful, crazy pregnancy processes JUDAH- "This time I will praise the LORD"-Gen 29:35 Jesus came from what tribe everyone? JUDAH, God used Leah's hurt and her only way of proving herself to ultimately after 4 long times get her to recognize that God is the only source for her. Finally, Jacob's acceptance, love, and attention meant nothing, she was going to praise the Lord. I love that God was patient enough to give her three children before that. And I love that Jesus came from the tribe that stands for "praise," and not some worldly way of using our feeble and imperfect "works" (in Leah's case childbearing).
I love Brooke's observation on Jesus being compared to the ladder. He is the "gate to heaven" or the "house of God." Interestingly, the word "ABBA" contains the hebrew letters "aleph" (stands for "strong") and "bat" (stands for "house"). Jesus is our "strong house." In 1Peter it says that we are "being built into spiritual houses." We are being transformed into the image of the God who originally created us in his image.
Genesis 28:10-22 ----------------- This text brings to mind the following text. Deu 4:5- See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today? Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. Remember the day you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, when he said to me, “Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they may learn to revere me as long as they live in the land and may teach them to their children.” ------------------------ The common day is filled with much activity. There are chores to be accomplished, jobs to be done, wages to be earned and let us not forget FUN! There is fun to be had as well. Football games to watch. Children to play with and friends to share time with.
We take pictures of special events an not so special events. The entrance of the digital age has allowed us the opportunity to capture things in our lives and share them with others anywhere in the world in a matter of minutes.
Jacob has his first "personal" encounter with God. It was probably at a much needed time as well. He had received the blessing and the inheritance of his father. Yet, he is running from his brothers anger and hoping to find a wife. I am sure his mother shared with him the words God had spoken to her about his future. Like everyone else, I am sure he is prone to doubt, fear and sadness. Things haven't really turned out the way he anticpated. Now he finds himself alone, traveling to new places and wondering why the promise hasn't been fulfilled. In his turmoil, God meets him and refreshes the promise on a personal level. It becomes something he has heard from God himself and Jacob takes ownership of it. In a way, he is marking the day of his witness. He is tying on his heart a memory of what God has promised and the hope that he is clinging to.
What is it that you are clinging to? What things has God done in your life that have been written on your heart? Have you testified to the great things God has or is doing in your life? If not, perphaps this is a challenge to take sometime and discover them. If you can't see them, you probably haven't been paying attention.
Don't let them slip away unremembered or unnoticed. They are precious gifts. Gifts are best enjoyed when they are shared and sometimes regifted over and over again.
Genesis 29 Humble Pie ---------------- God is such a fabulous Father and Teacher isn't he? This portion of Jacobs trip turns into a time of discipleship and instruction on how to live with God. God takes him under his wing of protection. Gives him a glimpse of the future and a passion for his "bride" Rachel. In the wake of the excitement and promises, he becomes super human in strength moving a stone that would normally take several people to do so (the power of faith and hope).
Yet, God makes it clear that although God is for him. It isn't going to be easy. He has to learn from his mistakes so God gives him a taste of his own medicine through Laban. Laban "tricks" Jacob (the deceiver) into marrying Leah. Leah is apparently willing to obligue Laban in the deception. Probably thinking like so many women do, she falls into the "I can make him love me" trap. Or, "I can change him". Who was deceived here? Leah learn in the long run that really God is the only one who satifies though. So although, she didn't get the man, she discovered the only love that really satifies. (tragedy and comedy all wrapped into one package)
Jacob seems to have sold himself into slavery to his uncle Laban over the love for a woman. He puts the marriage of Rachel up on credit and Laban keeps increasng the interest rate on the purchase. Laban sounds like a real gangster godfather...why is the theme song for the Sopranos going through my mind?
Jacob is using a combination of genetic breeding techniques to have strong animals. However, he is also practicing a folkloristic belief that what the animals see during mating has an effect on the appearance of their young.
Laban takes away the genetic disposition for flawed animals by giving them to his sons. This is an attempt to cheat Jacob.
The goats (normally dark in the Near East)seeing the white shoots produced kids with white patches. Likewise, the lambs where positioned to see the dark flocks of Laban's pasture producing streaks in the sheep.
I guess it goes to show that even when we place faith in things that are not Godly. God will bless us anyhow if he knows that he will be able to use it to his purposes later.
Genesis 31 In this portion of the text, despite Laban's ill intentions and treatment of his daughters and Jacob. Jacob looks to faith and God for help. Despite the poor treatment, Jacob accepted the ill treatment of his uncle with grace and humility to the point of going beyond what is asked of him ("that which is torn by beasts") to prove himself a servant above all things and only giving his best efforts despite the humiliation.
Yet, when God tells him to go. He does not take on an attitude of fear or grumbling. He picks up his family and leaves. Obediance.....This implies a deepened relationship with God.
The end result, God gives Jacob guidance. Deliveres him and his family from bondage and fulfills the promises that He had given Jacob on his departure from home at Bethel.
Don't miss the reminding comments through the mouths of Laban's sons' towards Jacob. "Jacob has taken all that was our father's and from that which was our father's he has built up all this wealth." The implication that Jacob is taking their inheritance. Perhaps, this is a reminder to be humble before Essu upon returning home. Remember what you did to your brother Jacob!
Does anyone else find it interesting that it is the imperfect goats and lambs that Jacob flees with and are used to establish his household with. Also, that God basicly tells Laban in a dream that if he fears Jacobs God he had better not have any dealings with Jacob.
Even the children of the evil one can't deny the power of God and his presence or their personal doubt when confronted with the truth.
9 comments:
The conviction that hits us frequently...
"Surely the Lord is in this place and I was not aware of it."
His House!
His Name!
His Name claiming our name!
His glory revealed everywhere!
Us simply claiming Him!
shalom
Ryan
Rabbi, surely You are the Son of God, the King of Israel and of our hearts! And when we think we've seen Your glory, You reveal even more. You amaze us Jesus.
Can someone please explain how a stripped and speckled stick made the sheep give birth to stripped and speckled lambs?? Seriously, am I missing something??
On a serious note...isn't the imagery simply beautiful in these passages. Jacob's dream of the ladder with Angels descending and ascending. This is the very same ladder that is Jesus in John 1:51. I also love the comparison between Jacob rolling away the stone to water Rachel's sheep and Jesus being the ultimate living water that restores us all.
I love what Ryan says...how often we forget or fail to see that G-d is amongst us. Let's open our eyes...let us see His blessings...let us stand together in unity claiming the power of our Lord. For as Psalm 133 says, "how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity...for there is where the Lord bestows his blessings, his life forevermore."
favorite verse from TOW: "and we will say no more, 'Our God' to the work of our hands. In you the orphan finds mercy." hmmm funny how that connects to last Sunday's sermon eh? an orphan strives to prove himself, take care of himself, find SECURITY in the works of his hands...not in God.
13 Pains as of a woman in childbirth come to him,
but he is a child without wisdom;
when the time arrives,
he does not come to the opening of the womb.-Hosea 13:13
are we so unwise that we sometimes choose the necessary self-pity and self-loathing (pains) that comes with "the death of the flesh" so much that we do not accept God's mercy, redemption, compassion when the time is ripe to do so? When we are offered new life from our previous "sin?"(Hosea 13:12)
The story that really hit me hard tonight was Leah and her four pregnancies. "When the Lord saw that Leah was hated he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren."(Gen 29:31) Okay so I got fresh insight on this tonight, it has NOTHING to do with Rachel, Jacob, or God wil-nilly favoring Leah...but rather, the condition/healing of Leah's heart. It would suck to be the lesser of two wives. So what does God do? Does he admonish Jacob? No, for Jacob is human and thus is subject to favoritism and "hate." Rather, he deals directly with Leah herself by using the very thing that Women used to prove themselves (make a name for themselves) in that day and age...child bearing.
Reuben- "now my husband will love me"
Simeon- "because I was hated, the Lord heard" (feelings of entitlement for the wrongs committed against us?)
Levi- Jacob will be "attached" to Leah
and FINALLY she gets it after four bloody, painful, crazy pregnancy processes
JUDAH- "This time I will praise the LORD"-Gen 29:35 Jesus came from what tribe everyone? JUDAH, God used Leah's hurt and her only way of proving herself to ultimately after 4 long times get her to recognize that God is the only source for her. Finally, Jacob's acceptance, love, and attention meant nothing, she was going to praise the Lord. I love that God was patient enough to give her three children before that. And I love that Jesus came from the tribe that stands for "praise," and not some worldly way of using our feeble and imperfect "works" (in Leah's case childbearing).
I love Brooke's observation on Jesus being compared to the ladder. He is the "gate to heaven" or the "house of God." Interestingly, the word "ABBA" contains the hebrew letters "aleph" (stands for "strong") and "bat" (stands for "house"). Jesus is our "strong house." In 1Peter it says that we are "being built into spiritual houses." We are being transformed into the image of the God who originally created us in his image.
Genesis 28:10-22
-----------------
This text brings to mind the following text.
Deu 4:5- See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it.
Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him?
And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today? Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. Remember the day you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, when he said to me, “Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they may learn to revere me as long as they live in the land and may teach them to their children.”
------------------------
The common day is filled with much activity. There are chores to be accomplished, jobs to be done, wages to be earned and let us not forget FUN! There is fun to be had as well. Football games to watch. Children to play with and friends to share time with.
We take pictures of special events an not so special events. The entrance of the digital age has allowed us the opportunity to capture things in our lives and share them with others anywhere in the world in a matter of minutes.
Jacob has his first "personal" encounter with God. It was probably at a much needed time as well. He had received the blessing and the inheritance of his father. Yet, he is running from his brothers anger and hoping to find a wife. I am sure his mother shared with him the words God had spoken to her about his future. Like everyone else, I am sure he is prone to doubt, fear and sadness. Things haven't really turned out the way he anticpated. Now he finds himself alone, traveling to new places and wondering why the promise hasn't been fulfilled.
In his turmoil, God meets him and refreshes the promise on a personal level. It becomes something he has heard from God himself and Jacob takes ownership of it. In a way, he is marking the day of his witness. He is tying on his heart a memory of what God has promised and the hope that he is clinging to.
What is it that you are clinging to? What things has God done in your life that have been written on your heart? Have you testified to the great things God has or is doing in your life? If not, perphaps this is a challenge to take sometime and discover them. If you can't see them, you probably haven't been paying attention.
Don't let them slip away unremembered or unnoticed. They are precious gifts. Gifts are best enjoyed when they are shared and sometimes regifted over and over again.
Genesis 29
Humble Pie
----------------
God is such a fabulous Father and Teacher isn't he? This portion of Jacobs trip turns into a time of discipleship and instruction on how to live with God.
God takes him under his wing of protection. Gives him a glimpse of the future and a passion for his "bride" Rachel. In the wake of the excitement and promises, he becomes super human in strength moving a stone that would normally take several people to do so (the power of faith and hope).
Yet, God makes it clear that although God is for him. It isn't going to be easy. He has to learn from his mistakes so God gives him a taste of his own medicine through Laban. Laban "tricks" Jacob (the deceiver) into marrying Leah. Leah is apparently willing to obligue Laban in the deception. Probably thinking like so many women do, she falls into the "I can make him love me" trap. Or, "I can change him". Who was deceived here? Leah learn in the long run that really God is the only one who satifies though. So although, she didn't get the man, she discovered the only love that really satifies. (tragedy and comedy all wrapped into one package)
Jacob seems to have sold himself into slavery to his uncle Laban over the love for a woman. He puts the marriage of Rachel up on credit and Laban keeps increasng the interest rate on the purchase. Laban sounds like a real gangster godfather...why is the theme song for the Sopranos going through my mind?
Brooke!
Jacob is using a combination of genetic breeding techniques to have strong animals. However, he is also practicing a folkloristic belief that what the animals see during mating has an effect on the appearance of their young.
Laban takes away the genetic disposition for flawed animals by giving them to his sons. This is an attempt to cheat Jacob.
The goats (normally dark in the Near East)seeing the white shoots produced kids with white patches. Likewise, the lambs where positioned to see the dark flocks of Laban's pasture producing streaks in the sheep.
I guess it goes to show that even when we place faith in things that are not Godly. God will bless us anyhow if he knows that he will be able to use it to his purposes later.
Genesis 31
In this portion of the text, despite Laban's ill intentions and treatment of his daughters and Jacob. Jacob looks to faith and God for help. Despite the poor treatment, Jacob accepted the ill treatment of his uncle with grace and humility to the point of going beyond what is asked of him ("that which is torn by beasts") to prove himself a servant above all things and only giving his best efforts despite the humiliation.
Yet, when God tells him to go. He does not take on an attitude of fear or grumbling. He picks up his family and leaves. Obediance.....This implies a deepened relationship with God.
The end result, God gives Jacob guidance. Deliveres him and his family from bondage and fulfills the promises that He had given Jacob on his departure from home at Bethel.
Don't miss the reminding comments through the mouths of Laban's sons' towards Jacob. "Jacob has taken all that was our father's and from that which was our father's he has built up all this wealth." The implication that Jacob is taking their inheritance. Perhaps, this is a reminder to be humble before Essu upon returning home. Remember what you did to your brother Jacob!
Does anyone else find it interesting that it is the imperfect goats and lambs that Jacob flees with and are used to establish his household with. Also, that God basicly tells Laban in a dream that if he fears Jacobs God he had better not have any dealings with Jacob.
Even the children of the evil one can't deny the power of God and his presence or their personal doubt when confronted with the truth.
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