Psalm 13

WEEK 16                                                  Psalm 13  

WEDNESDAY  Reflections

The Bible I am looking at now has a caption* above chapter 13: "A prayer of distress and faith." It perfectly describes the psalm. There are times in our lives when we probably utter a prayer exactly like this. A prayer that says everything is going wrong, but I am still going to trust God. This is not a prayer of defeat though. This is a prayer of defiance. It is the prayer of someone who knows that faith in God has greater rewards than anything we can see. Yet it is a prayer for help.

 

This prayer reminds me of the three Hebrew children who stand before the king and say "God is more than able to save us, but if not we will not bow" (Daniel 3:17-18 my own paraphrase).

 

There are times when we may feel forgotten and forsaken, we aren't. We need to keep trusting even when things don't go right. We don't see the whole story, God does and he will reward us even if it isn't in this life. This faith may not be the defiant kind that stands up to the king, but if it holds on to God in weakness then it will prevail. In fact, it may be the stronger faith, though it looks weaker.

 

Keep holding on.

 

*Captions are added by the publisher of this Bible to help the reader find or understand the content in a portion of the Bible. They are not a part of the original text but can be useful.

LISTEN HERE

Psa 13:1-6
(1)  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
(2)  How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
(3)  Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
(4)  Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
(5)  But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

(6)  I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

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Genesis 35

WEEK 16                                                Genesis 35  

TUESDAY  Reflections

 Genesis 35:2 “...Put away the strange gods that are among you...”

 

In this chapter, Jacob makes the journey which takes him from being the one God promised to be in covenant with, to being in covenant with him. It starts with a call from God, which is always the case. God reaches out to us. After that call Jacob accepts the call and does something which we may not have realized he was doing before, stops worshiping other gods. He not only makes that decision for himself but for all those that are part of his family.

 

We don’t hear if there are any complaints, though I am sure there were, we do see that Jacob hides these idols away and leaves them behind. This is a great reminder of what we should do with our idols. Don’t just stop worshiping them, leave them behind. Why? Because it is easy to start worshiping what you still carry with you.

 

Finally, I notice once Jacob set aside the idols it says the fear of the Lord fell on the nations around him. This is a reminder that when we are doing what God wants, living how God wants us to, he will protect us so we can complete the work we are called to do. No, I am not saying there will never be trouble, sorrow, suffering or death, (look at the life of Paul, there was plenty). What I am saying is that we do not need to worry because God will give us what we need to complete the task he has set before us.

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Gen 35:1-29
(1)  And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.
(2)  Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:
(3)  And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.
(4)  And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem.
(5)  And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob.
(6)  So Jacob came to Luz, which is in the land of Canaan, that is, Bethel, he and all the people that were with him.
(7)  And he built there an altar, and called the place Elbethel: because there God appeared unto him, when he fled from the face of his brother.
(8)  But Deborah Rebekah's nurse died, and she was buried beneath Bethel under an oak: and the name of it was called Allonbachuth.
(9)  And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram, and blessed him.
(10)  And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.
(11)  And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;
(12)  And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land.
(13)  And God went up from him in the place where he talked with him.
(14)  And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon.
(15)  And Jacob called the name of the place where God spake with him, Bethel.
(16)  And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour.
(17)  And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also.
(18)  And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin.
(19)  And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.
(20)  And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel's grave unto this day.
(21)  And Israel journeyed, and spread his tent beyond the tower of Edar.
(22)  And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine: and Israel heard it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve:
(23)  The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun:
(24)  The sons of Rachel; Joseph, and Benjamin:
(25)  And the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid; Dan, and Naphtali:
(26)  And the sons of Zilpah, Leah's handmaid; Gad, and Asher: these are the sons of Jacob, which were born to him in Padanaram.
(27)  And Jacob came unto Isaac his father unto Mamre, unto the city of Arbah, which is Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned.
(28)  And the days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore years.
(29)  And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.

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Genesis 34

WEEK 16                                                Genesis 34  

MONDAY  Reflection

This chapter doesn't look at the actions of God but the actions of men. In this case, the actions specifically of Simeon and Levi. As the story goes these two brothers were angry that Shechem raped their sister (reading this in the King James Version this might be missed). Since Shechem was the son of a king he may have thought there would be no consequences. Perhaps because he thought he loved her and now wanted to marry Dinah he could maybe make it right (it's impossible to tell).

 

There are two things that stand out, first the utter absence of Jacob's thoughts or actions. Where is the father who should have stood up for his daughter? It is no wonder that Diane’s brothers felt they need to step in. It seems Dad kept silent. Second, was the way Simeon and Levi used what was intended as holy (circumcision) to exact revenge. I wish it were not true, but people have used the doctrines of the church to inflict pain on people. I want to point out that I believe Shechem needed to be punished, but what Simeon and Levi did was not punish but exacting revenge. On a side note, they made a profit off the revenge too, which truly bothers me.

 

When we see this story, we have a great example of the anti-hero. This is an example of everything a follower of God should not be. We need to stand against wrong and not ignore it. We also shouldn't use God’s word to seek revenge, and we shouldn’t use evil to get a profit.

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Gen 34:1-31

(1)  And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.

(2)  And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her.

(3)  And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the damsel, and spake kindly unto the damsel.

(4)  And Shechem spake unto his father Hamor, saying, Get me this damsel to wife.

(5)  And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter: now his sons were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they were come.

(6)  And Hamor the father of Shechem went out unto Jacob to commune with him.

(7)  And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob's daughter; which thing ought not to be done.

(8)  And Hamor communed with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longeth for your daughter: I pray you give her him to wife.

(9)  And make ye marriages with us, and give your daughters unto us, and take our daughters unto you.

(10)  And ye shall dwell with us: and the land shall be before you; dwell and trade ye therein, and get you possessions therein.

(11)  And Shechem said unto her father and unto her brethren, Let me find grace in your eyes, and what ye shall say unto me I will give.

(12)  Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as ye shall say unto me: but give me the damsel to wife.

(13)  And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister:

(14)  And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us:

(15)  But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we be, that every male of you be circumcised;

(16)  Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.

(17)  But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised; then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone.

(18)  And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son.

(19)  And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter: and he was more honourable than all the house of his father.

(20)  And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the gate of their city, and communed with the men of their city, saying,

(21)  These men are peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein; for the land, behold, it is large enough for them; let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.

(22)  Only herein will the men consent unto us for to dwell with us, to be one people, if every male among us be circumcised, as they are circumcised.

(23)  Shall not their cattle and their substance and every beast of theirs be ours? only let us consent unto them, and they will dwell with us.

(24)  And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.

(25)  And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.

(26)  And they slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem's house, and went out.

(27)  The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister.

(28)  They took their sheep, and their oxen, and their asses, and that which was in the city, and that which was in the field,

(29)  And all their wealth, and all their little ones, and their wives took they captive, and spoiled even all that was in the house.

(30)  And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.

(31)  And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?

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Isaiah 16

WEEK 15                                               Isaiah 16  

SATURDAY  Reflections

The Oracle/burden of Moab continues in this chapter. Two things stand out here, one is that the author mentions the pride of Moab again as part of the reason for their fall. The second is that the author cries out for people to shelter the refugees from Moab. 

 

For some enemies of the children of Israel, there is no cry of sympathy, no words of regret, or pleas for mercy. For others, the refugees are condemned to be hunted down by their enemies and wiped out. Yet here God is instructing people to shelter the fugitives.

 

Some may try to use this as proof all refugees need to be taken in. There is scripture for not treating refugees wrong, this scripture isn’t proof for that. It is a sign of God giving instruction for his people to give comfort to the people while he was destroying the nation.

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Isa 16:1-14
(1)  Send ye the lamb to the ruler of the land from Sela to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion.
(2)  For it shall be, that, as a wandering bird cast out of the nest, so the daughters of Moab shall be at the fords of Arnon.
(3)  Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; bewray not him that wandereth.
(4)  Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler: for the extortioner is at an end, the spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land.
(5)  And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.
(6)  We have heard of the pride of Moab; he is very proud: even of his haughtiness, and his pride, and his wrath: but his lies shall not be so.
(7)  Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab, every one shall howl: for the foundations of Kirhareseth shall ye mourn; surely they are stricken.
(8)  For the fields of Heshbon languish, and the vine of Sibmah: the lords of the heathen have broken down the principal plants thereof, they are come even unto Jazer, they wandered through the wilderness: her branches are stretched out, they are gone over the sea.
(9)  Therefore I will bewail with the weeping of Jazer the vine of Sibmah: I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh: for the shouting for thy summer fruits and for thy harvest is fallen.
(10)  And gladness is taken away, and joy out of the plentiful field; and in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither shall there be shouting: the treaders shall tread out no wine in their presses; I have made their vintage shouting to cease.
(11)  Wherefore my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kirharesh.
(12)  And it shall come to pass, when it is seen that Moab is weary on the high place, that he shall come to his sanctuary to pray; but he shall not prevail.
(13)  This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning Moab since that time.
(14)  But now the LORD hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude; and the remnant shall be very small and feeble.

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Job 11

WEEK 15                                               Job 11

FRIDAY  Reflections

Zophar the Naamathite begins to share what the three friends seem to have already agreed upon, Job must have sinned grievously. They believe Job deserves everything that has happened to him.  

They assume the only reason for bad things to happen to Job is that he has been bad. In their minds, as with many even today, bad things really only happen to people who have done something wrong. 

 

They take the stand as many do who see people out of work, that they must be lazy. Yes, some maybe, but not all. Yes, if you are living contrary to God’s principles you are very likely to suffer, but Job reminds us that isn’t always the case.

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Job 11:1-20
(1)  Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
(2)  Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?
(3)  Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?
(4)  For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.
(5)  But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;
(6)  And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.
(7)  Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?
(8)  It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?
(9)  The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
(10)  If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?
(11)  For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it?
(12)  For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt.
(13)  If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him;
(14)  If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.
(15)  For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:
(16)  Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:
(17)  And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.
(18)  And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety.
(19)  Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.
(20)  But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.

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