Today's reading is from Genesis 24:52-26:16; Matthew 8:18-34; Psalm 10:1-15; Proverbs 3:7-8
Genesis 24:52-26:16
52-61 Abraham's servant bows to God again, this time when he hears their response. Then gives to the entire family including Rebekah. He receives great hospitality from the family as well. The next day the servant wanted to leave but the brother wanted her to stay for 10 days. When the servant insisted he inquired about what Rebekah wanted. She said she was good to go. So she left with her nurse along with the blessing of her family.
62-67 Isaac was meditating when Rebekah arrived. She covered her face with a veil when sh realized who he was. They were married in the tent of their parents. Isaac loved Rebekah and was comforted after his moms death.
Genesis 25
1-11 Abraham got remarried after Sarah had passed away. Her name is Keturah and they had 6 kids together. We learn about two of their sons: Jokshan's line and Midian's. We learn that Abraham leaves everything he owns to Isaac but gave gifts to all his other sons before sending them away- east of Isaac before he dies, which happens at 175 yrs old. They bury him with Sarah (See link from yesterdays blog). Gods blessing stays with Isaac after Abraham is dead.
Verses 12-18 is the family line of Ishmael. He has 12 sons who become tribal rulers of their camps. He died at 137. His descendants settled near the eastern border of Egypt and lived in hostility towards everyone related to them.
Jacob and Esau
19-26 Isaac prays to God when they are not having kids, and God answered with twins who, from the womb "jostled" in her. When she asked God about it, He told her that their were two distinct peoples/nations that will be separated from each other. One stronger then the other, and the oldest serving the youngest. Esau came out hairy and red. His brother Jacob came out grasping at his heel.
27-28 Esau was a hunter & daddy's boy. Jacob was a homeboy and a mommas boy.
29-34 Jacob was making food one day and a hungry Esau was desperate for some. He let his hunger control him and Jacob took full advantage by bribing him with is birthright. Not only did he let his hunger control him but it says he "despised" his birthright. He didn't place much value on it.
I wonder what gifts we are given that we "despise" by neglecting or not placing enough value on them. Do we treasure our ability to pray to God or to read his word? Or do we take certain things for granted?
Genesis 26
1-11 Isaac gets to meet Abimelek too. It's not clear if this is the same Abimelek but Isaac sure pulls a card from his daddy's handbook. He pretends Rebekah is his sister out the same fear Abraham pulled his stunt. Abimelek catches him in his lie and calls him on it and then lectures him about it but also issues a warning to the people not to touch Rebekah. We see that patterns set by parents are often repeated by kids- good ones and bad ones!
12-16 Isaac becomes so blessed by God that the Philistines where he is now living (because of the famine) become envious so they fill up his wells with dirt. Also some similar struggles to what Abraham had to deal with- only Abraham had his well taken from him.
Abimelek asks him to move away because he has become too powerful. I guess he doesn't want a war started between his people and Isaac.
Matthew 8:18-34
18-22
The Cost of Following Jesus is high. There is no luxury that goes with it but a unsettled feeling of not being at home and you must be ready to follow him without having other things that take priority that may be important to your family members or yourself.
23-27
Jesus Calms the Storm when it starts to sweep waves over the boat. The disciples had gotten scared, but Jesus asks them why they are afraid and says their faith is small. They are amazed at the power he has over nature.
28-34
Jesus Restores Two Demon-Possessed Men who are so violent everyone is afraid of them. They recognize who Jesus is and are very afraid. They beg to be driven out into the pigs. He does, and the herd drowns themselves in a lake. The herders of these pigs go telling people in the town- who react to the herders by all come out to meet Jesus. The reaction of everyone in the town is to ask Jesus to leave.
He is not thanked, wanted or appreciated. How much good does God do for people today who respond by not wanting him involved in their lives either?
Psalm 10:1-15
Sometimes it seems like wicked men win. Sometimes it seems like those who mock God and have no room for God, these men that harm others sometimes seem to prosper and it seems like God is not there. He leaves the innocent crushed and a trail of innocent victims in his destruction as he figures God wont notice. He does not see evil punished so David begs God to come to their defense and call them into account because he does see their pain and cares for their sadness enough to intervene.
David knows that God does intervene to help the oppressed and the vulnerable and hold accountable the wicked who abuse them.
Proverbs 3:7-8
A healthy way of living is not to think you know what is best but rather to fear the LORD and reject what is bad.
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