Luke 15

WEEK 15                                                      Luke 15

THURSDAY  Reflections

I wish I could remember who it was I was reading when that caused me to look at the parable of the lost sheep differently. The person talked about it in light of the cultural practices of the day and it made great sense.

 

In the past, I have heard the parable of the lost sheep as proof that the people in the church should be allowed to take care of themselves because the only purpose of the church is to win the lost.

 

There are several problems with this idea. The first is we are not commissioned to save souls but to make disciples. Salvation is the first step in disciple-making, just as signing up at the recruiting station is the first step to becoming a soldier. Training comes after for both and is training that lasts for as long as they are soldiers or we are disciples.

 

This brings us back to the parable of the lost sheep. First, the lost sheep were once the shepherds. This seems to indicate that the person was in the fold or for the church they were/are Christians. I understand that in one way that all of humanity is God’s lost sheep so this isn’t a strong argument.

 

The second deals with the way shepherds did their work in ancient times. At times, shepherds were alone but more often they were in groups. Remember the shepherds in Luke’s Gospel, they were together watching over their flocks. This was done for mutual protection and it would prevent in-breeding. The shepherd here in this story didn’t leave the ninety-nine alone but in the care of others. A shepherd leaving ninety-nine sheep alone to save one would soon be a shepherd without a flock. The shepherd did leave but he didn’t leave them unprotected or uncared for.

 

In the church, there has to be a balance between care and seeking. Both need to take place.

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Luk 15:1-32

(1)  Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

(2)  And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

(3)  And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

(4)  What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

(5)  And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

(6)  And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

(7)  I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

(8)  Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?

(9)  And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.

(10)  Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

(11)  And he said, A certain man had two sons:

(12)  And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

(13)  And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

(14)  And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

(15)  And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

(16)  And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

(17)  And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

(18)  I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

(19)  And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

(20)  And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

(21)  And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

(22)  But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

(23)  And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

(24)  For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

(25)  Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.

(26)  And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

(27)  And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

(28)  And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

(29)  And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

(30)  But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

(31)  And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

(32)  It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

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Proverbs 3

WEEK 15                                               Proverbs 3  

WEDNESDAY  Reflections

The nuggets of wisdom fill Proverbs. For me the question is which to choose; the fear of the Lord, the importance of wisdom, confidence, and security found in wisdom? Today I’m drawn to verse 27, “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.”

 

There are times when someone does something nice to you or does good in some other way and they deserve recognition and maybe even reward. Yes, we could say, God will reward them, and he will, but God expects us to do our part. It may be a simple as a thank you or as much as a large cash reward, but they need to be recognized. God wants us to participate in his work which means if we can we should.

 

There are times when someone may deserve a reward or recognition, but we have no way to reward them. If that is the case, this verse excuses you when it adds “when it is in your power to act.” There are times when it isn’t our place or in our power to recognize those who deserve better. Don’t feel guilty, it’s not in your power.

 

This verse isn’t just for those who do volunteer work. This verse would include those who do paid work. If someone has done work for you then they deserved paid. It is the good that they deserve. If you have it, pay them. Don’t put off giving people what they deserve. Why? you may ask. I think the reason is if you don’t do it now you might not do it later, then you will have stolen from them and God doesn’t bless thieves.

 

On a different note and just as true, when you're being paid for a job and it's in your power to do the work right, you need to do that too. Taking from your employer be it things, withholding your expertise, skills, or the time you should spend on a job, then you are stealing just as much as the employer who underpays his workers.

 

Thankfully, God forgives thieves and forgetful people. The key is to try and make it right. Some people say don’t do today what can be put off to tomorrow, but I think God teaches “Don’t put off to tomorrow what should be done today.”

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Pro 3:1-35
(1)  My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
(2)  For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
(3)  Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
(4)  So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
(5)  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
(6)  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
(7)  Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
(8)  It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
(9)  Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
(10)  So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
(11)  My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
(12)  For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
(13)  Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
(14)  For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
(15)  She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
(16)  Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
(17)  Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
(18)  She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
(19)  The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
(20)  By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
(21)  My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
(22)  So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
(23)  Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
(24)  When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
(25)  Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
(26)  For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
(27)  Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
(28)  Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
(29)  Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
(30)  Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
(31)  Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
(32)  For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
(33)  The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
(34)  Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
(35)  The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

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Genesis 33

WEEK 15                                                  Genesis 33  

TUESDAY  Reflections

Here we see the reaction from the reunited Jacob and Esau after years of separation. Jacob made preparations in case Esau who was riding with 400 armed men (a red flag in my mind) was intent on revenge after all these years. However, when the reunion takes place everything seems pleasant enough. We don't know if the peace offering changed Esau or if God had changed his mind but once all was said and done there was no violence.

 

Jacob who ran from Esau in the past, snuck away from his father-in-law, now acts differently. After Jacob's meeting with God, we see him going out in front to meet his brother. To me, it seems like a difference in Jacob from who he was before. Here is some proof to me that after his meeting with God Jacob’s life changed. No, he wasn't perfect, and the switch between being called Israel and Jacob for the rest of the book seems to indicate that he continued to struggle, but a change took place.

 

The lesson for us is that when we really meet God we will begin to change.

 

Final note: Jacob didn't travel to Seir to live next to his brother. We don't know if it was never his intent to and he lied or if he decided afterward to stay in Succoth. What he did decide to do may have been for the best. Though it seems that relations had been repaired between Jacob and Esau, the truth may have been if they were in close contact old issues may have risen again. Perhaps though he didn't use the Mitzaph as he did with Leben, he followed the principle that people who are likely to quarrel shouldn’t be close neighbors.

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Gen 33:1-20
(1)  And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids.
(2)  And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost.
(3)  And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.
(4)  And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.
(5)  And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant.
(6)  Then the handmaidens came near, they and their children, and they bowed themselves.
(7)  And Leah also with her children came near, and bowed themselves: and after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves.
(8)  And he said, What meanest thou by all this drove which I met? And he said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord.
(9)  And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself.
(10)  And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.
(11)  Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it.
(12)  And he said, Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before thee.
(13)  And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die.
(14)  Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I will lead on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir.
(15)  And Esau said, Let me now leave with thee some of the folk that are with me. And he said, What needeth it? let me find grace in the sight of my lord.
(16)  So Esau returned that day on his way unto Seir.
(17)  And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him an house, and made booths for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.
(18)  And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his tent before the city.
(19)  And he bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for an hundred pieces of money.
(20)  And he erected there an altar, and called it Elelohe-Israel.

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Genesis 32

WEEK 15                                              Genesis 32  

MONDAY  Reflections

Jacob’s relationship with God has some interesting turns in this chapter. Jacob recognizes the angel of the Lord and he prays to God when he knows he is facing a dangerous situation with his brother. Yet when The Angel of the Lord, a possible preincarnate visitation of Christ, comes to talk to him he refuses to let him go.

 

This refusing to let the angel go has some wondering if God is limited and if a mere man can hold him in place. On the other side, some argue that God could have broken free at any time but was testing Jacob to see how far he was willing to go to get a blessing from God. I lean to the latter.

 

Often people say they want something but when things get difficult they give up. There may be “good reason” given but only they and God know if it was truly the case. I don’t know why Jacob realized he needed a blessing, but he did and decided he wouldn’t let go until he got one.

 

The name change may seem small to someone but if you have ever had a name you didn’t like you understand what this meant to Jacob. I used to be called Chuckie and Charlie. The names felt belittling and made me feel like I could be dismissed and ignored. After being called Charles by a first-grade teacher, I knew Charles was what I wanted to be. It took years, but the name change has taken place except for a couple of holdouts, whom I kind of feel still dismiss me.  Jacob meant heal-catcher, deceiver, liar. I don’t think this was the person Jacob wanted to be. God gave him the blessing of changing his name and I believe the beginning of a change on the inside. 

 

A final note: Once Israel truly encountered God, he never walked the same. Neither should we.

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Gen 32:1-32
(1)  And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.
(2)  And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.
(3)  And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom.
(4)  And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now:
(5)  And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.
(6)  And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him.
(7)  Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands;
(8)  And said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape.
(9)  And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:
(10)  I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.
(11)  Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children.
(12)  And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.
(13)  And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau his brother;
(14)  Two hundred she goats, and twenty he goats, two hundred ewes, and twenty rams,
(15)  Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals.
(16)  And he delivered them into the hand of his servants, every drove by themselves; and said unto his servants, Pass over before me, and put a space betwixt drove and drove.
(17)  And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother meeteth thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose art thou? and whither goest thou? and whose are these before thee?
(18)  Then thou shalt say, They be thy servant Jacob's; it is a present sent unto my lord Esau: and, behold, also he is behind us.
(19)  And so commanded he the second, and the third, and all that followed the droves, saying, On this manner shall ye speak unto Esau, when ye find him.
(20)  And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob is behind us. For he said, I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me.
(21)  So went the present over before him: and himself lodged that night in the company.
(22)  And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.
(23)  And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had.
(24)  And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
(25)  And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.
(26)  And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
(27)  And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
(28)  And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
(29)  And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
(30)  And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
(31)  And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.
(32)  Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank.

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Isaiah 15

WEEK 14                                                     Isaiah 15  

SATURDAY  Reflections 

Chapter 15 launches another oracle or burden as some translations call it. This time it is against Moab. Moab was related to the Israelites because they were the descendants of Abraham’s nephew Lot. Their relationship with Israel was complicated with good and bad baggage. As scholar Bruce Routeledge put it, “Israel and Moab shared kinship, history, language, institutions, and theology, and that this closeness often led to competition and strife between the two peoples.” Though often an enemy of Israel the prophet here is recording that his heart cries out over them (Is. 15:5). They had done wrong but they are still family.   

 

More on Moab and to read the quote in contexts check out: https://www.bibleodyssey.org/en/places/main-articles/moab#contrib_routledge-bruce

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Isa 15:1-9
(1)  The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence; because in the night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence;
(2)  He is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all their heads shall be baldness, and every beard cut off.
(3)  In their streets they shall gird themselves with sackcloth: on the tops of their houses, and in their streets, every one shall howl, weeping abundantly.
(4)  And Heshbon shall cry, and Elealeh: their voice shall be heard even unto Jahaz: therefore the armed soldiers of Moab shall cry out; his life shall be grievous unto him.
(5)  My heart shall cry out for Moab; his fugitives shall flee unto Zoar, an heifer of three years old: for by the mounting up of Luhith with weeping shall they go it up; for in the way of Horonaim they shall raise up a cry of destruction.
(6)  For the waters of Nimrim shall be desolate: for the hay is withered away, the grass faileth, there is no green thing.
(7)  Therefore the abundance they have gotten, and that which they have laid up, shall they carry away to the brook of the willows.
(8)  For the cry is gone round about the borders of Moab; the howling thereof unto Eglaim, and the howling thereof unto Beerelim.
(9)  For the waters of Dimon shall be full of blood: for I will bring more upon Dimon, lions upon him that escapeth of Moab, and upon the remnant of the land.

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