Day 36: Immigrants and Hypocrites

Genesis 46, 47, 48 & Matthew 23:1-22

These passages talk to us about the most well-known immigrants in the Bible, and the people whom Jesus labeled hypocrites. The immigrants would become the nation of Israel. The hypocrites would later come from the religious leadership of that nation.

Genesis 46

Can you imagine the stress of being an immigrant from the promised land to Egypt? Jacob had left his homeland before, to find a wife, but this more would be the last of his life. No doubt Jacob was anxious. But God spoke to him, reassured him that God would be present, even in Egypt.

This should offer us comfort as well. We cannot go anywhere God is not already there. God is not stuck in one place, and neither are we.

Jacob takes his enormous family and moves to Egypt. They settle in the land of Goshen, a robust land, the best land in Egypt. They settle there because shepherds were abhorrent to the Egyptians. I wonder what kind of biases I hold today that are cultural instead of Biblical.

Genesis 47:

Joseph leads his family to the best land and then asks Pharaoh to let them settle there. Pharaoh agrees and gives them the care of his own flocks as well. He knows the blessing of Joseph’s God must be with his family also. Jacob is brought to Pharaoh and he blesses Pharaoh. I wish we had the words of that blessing.

Then we are told that Joseph continued to sell food to the Egyptians for the remaining years of the famine. However, I am disturbed by his actions. He has already collected all the money in the land. The people are still hungry and so he takes ownership of their livestock in exchange for food. They are still hungry and so the next year he takes their land and the people themselves as payment for food.

This leaves Pharaoh with a ton of wealth, Josephs family with their land, and the priests of Pharaoh with their land. This sets up a system that become reliant on slavery to keep economically afloat. No one owns their own selves; how can they advance out of the yoke of slavery? It is this situation that later leads to the enslavement of the Israelites by the Egyptians.

Genesis 48:

Jacob falls ill and asks Joseph to bring his sons to him. The boys are brought and Jacob claims them as his own sons and offers them an inheritance just like Simeon and Reuben. Then Jacob blesses the boys. However, he blesses the youngest with the eldest sons blessing. Joseph is upset, but Jacob says, they will both be blessed, by Ephraim will be before Manasseh. Jacob is continuing the pattern of youngest before oldest. The unexpected; that’s what we can expect from God.

Matthew 23:1-22

This passage talks about being hypocrites and the need to be a servant rather than a ruler. Again, Jesus is lifting up the unexpected role of servant as something to be esteemed instead of despised.

Jesus advises the disciples to hold the Messiah as their teacher and example, instead of seeking glory for yourself. The religion that was being practiced in Jesus’ day focused on works and works righteousness, rather than on God’s blessing and works being our response to God’s love This view keeps people comparing their actions to others instead of being thankful for the grace they have received and offering that grace to those they encounter.

Day 35: Reunited and All You Need is Love

Genesis 43, 44, 45 Matthew 22:23-46

In these chapters, we see Joseph and his brothers reunited. We also here Jesus proclaim that love is the greatest commandment.

Genesis 43:

The famine continues to wreak havoc. Joseph’s brothers are in need once more and Jacob/Israel tells them to go to Egypt. They refuse to go without Benjamin because they fear Joseph. Jacob loads them with gifts and sends them on their way with the boy after Judah agrees to be personally responsible for his wellbeing.

When they arrive, they are reunited with Simeon. They are all aloud to get presentable before a meal with Joseph. At the meal, Joseph does not sit with them, because Egyptians don’t eat with Hebrews. However, he sends food to their table. He sends Benjamin five times the amount he sends the others.

Joseph is pouring out affection on Benjamin without telling his brothers his identity. He has love for Benjamin at least.

Genesis 44:

Perhaps in a misguided attempt to love Benjamin, Joseph has his cup planted in Benjamin’s bag before the brothers leave. While they are on their way he has his servant go to them and check their bags for stolen items. The brothers agree that whoever has taken it may be returned to be a servant, and the rest will go home. When the cup is found in Benjamin’s bag they tear their clothing.

They return to Joseph and offer to all stay as slaves. Joseph turns them down. Then Judah pulls him aside and assures him that Jacob will die if the boy is not returned. Judah offers himself in exchange.

How the brothers have changed over time! They will not abandon Benjamin as they did Joseph so many years ago. Perhaps they saw what it did to their father. Or perhaps, like the Grinch, their hearts grew three sizes that day.

Genesis 45:

Joseph is overcome with emotion and reveals himself to his brothers. They are reunited. Joseph is not angry for their actions, he can see now how God used them for good and blessing.

Sometime hindsight is the best way we see God acting. I wonder what our lives might look like if we were constantly watching for God’s surprising action, instead of looking back where it has already occurred.

Matthew 22:23-46

The Sadducees and Pharisees are at it again! The Sadducees, who do not believe in the resurrection, are asking Jesus questions about the resurrection. They only want to trip him up. But he surprises them saying that people will not marry or be given in marriage in the time to come. That sort of family structure and the social constructs that go along with it won’t be needed because everyone will care for everyone else. The kingdom of God will not be divided by families or loyalties, it will be united in God.

The Pharisees then ask what is the greatest commandment. Jesus tells them to love the Lord your God will all your heart, soul, mind and the second is like it, to love your neighbor as yourself. These two simple phrases sum up the 10 commandments perfectly. Love is really the greatest action, verb, task we can accomplish.

Day 34: Land of Dreams and Dual Citizenship

Genesis 41, 42 & Matthew 22:1-22

Joseph continues to interpret one dream after another. Jesus speaks of citizenship in a new way.

Genesis 41:

Joseph is again asked to interpret a dream. In this case Pharaoh has two dreams and they are disturbing to say the least. At this point, two years after his restoration to position, the cupbearer remembers that there is someone he knows who correctly interpreted his own dream. Joseph is cleaned up and brought to the Pharaoh. When asked to interpret the dream he says he cannot do so, but that God will do so. Some of his arrogance has gone out of him, and he credits God with the gift of interpretation.

Joseph tells the Pharaoh to prepare for seven years of plenty and seven years of famine. (That number 7 for completeness once more) Pharaoh puts Joseph in charge of making all the necessary preparations so that Egypt will not starve in the famine. Joseph goes from the jail house to the big house. Joseph marries an Egyptian woman and is given an Egyptian name. These things help Joseph assimilate into Egyptian culture and might have made him a bit more palatable to the people as a ruler.

Genesis 42:

The famine is far reaching and Israel/Jacob sends his sons to collect food from Egypt. When they arrive they do not know that Joseph their brother is the one in charge of handing out food. Joseph puts them through the ringer, accusing them of spying and putting them in prison. They are in jail for 3 days and then allowed to return home and get their younger brother, Benjamin (Joseph’s only full brother) Rueben says that this is judgement for the way they treated Joseph. Simeon is bound and stays behind while the rest of the brothers return with the much needed food to their father. Israel/Jacob hears their account, but refuses to let Benjamin go to Egypt, so Simeon stays in jail a while.

Matthew 22:1-14

This parable is a difficult one to hear. Everyone was invited to the wedding, in fact three invitations were issued. However, one person shows up and refuses to put on the wedding attire. This is like going to the Oscars in a rumpled shirt and dirty jeans, not designer, and not cool. The host has him thrown out and beat.

That seems like a pretty petty thing to me, but I don’t live with the same cultural norms and standards of Jesus’ day. I think the point of this passage is that we are all invited to the kingdom of God, and accepting that invitation means we have to be willing to change. We must be willing to cloth ourselves in the righteousness of Christ in order to participate in the kingdom.

Jesus also tackles taxes in this passage and tells Christians that they have dual-citizenship. Citizens of heaven and earth. There are things we will have to do as citizens that we may not like, taxes were put into the common pot and some of this money was used to finance pagan temples of the day. However, our personal gifts, talents, and holdings we can use in accordance with our heavenly citizenship.

Day 33: Talent and Truth

Genesis 39, 40 & Matthew 21:23-46

Joseph’s talent shines in these readings from Genesis. In Matthew we learn of the importance of truth.

Genesis 39:

Joseph is sold into slavery and sent off to the land of Egypt. Very quickly his talent is put to good use in the house of Potiphar, a wealthy and powerful man. Joseph becomes the head of the household, running almost all day to day affairs.

Not only does Joseph have managing talent, he is apparently good looking as well. Potiphar’s wife notices this outward talent and tries to seduce Joseph multiple times. Eventually she gets close enough to take his cloak, his outer garment, and convinces others that he tried to rape her. Joseph is thrown into prison for attempted rape.

While Joseph’s talent is a main part of the story, his character should not take a back seat. The Life Application Bible says this in its discussion of Joseph’s situation. “We need to be careful that we are not guilty of over-emphasizing talent and under-emphasizing character. Both qualities are important, but character matters far more in the long run.”

Genesis 40:

Joseph here shows a talent for interpreting dreams. The dreamer is now the dream whisperer. He correctly interprets the dreams of the chief cupbearer and chief baker. He asks the cupbearer to remember him, but it slips his mind for a while.

Matthew 21:23-46

In this passage the Pharisees begin trying to catch Jesus in heresies very frequently. The interesting thing to me is that they seem only to be interested in the truth if it supports their own views and causes. That unfortunately still seems to be the case today.

Verses 28-32 always get on my nerves. Perhaps that’s because my mother quoted them at me non-stop as a teenager. I know Mom, I know, saying yes and doing the thing are not the same! Many people say yes Lord with their lips and deny God by their actions.

In verses 33-46 Jesus is talking to the religious leaders. He gets them very interested in this story about justice and then flips the tables. The kingdom of God has been given to you, but because you have failed to acknowledge God’s rightful role it will be taken from you and given to those who will produce fruit. That truth hurts!

Day 32: Joseph and a donkey ride

Genesis 36, 37, 38 & Matthew 21:1-22

These passages introduce us to the world of Joseph and show us the beginning of Jesus’ journey to the cross in Matthew. Both pieces of scripture deal with how God’s work is perceived by others with power or expectations of power.

Genesis 36

This chapter is a synopsis of the lineage of Esau. Esau is known as the father of the Edomite tribes. I find it interesting that the grandsons are categorized by which of Esau’s wives were their grandmother, but it makes logical sense to divide them that way as they all have the same grandfather.

Genesis 37

Here we are introduced to an arrogant seventeen year old Joseph. He knew he was his father’s favorite, and so did all of his brothers. Joseph did not act graciously and this helped lead to an animosity developing between Joseph and his brothers. I often wonder what advise grown Joseph might offer teenage Joseph.

The brothers have been off with the herds, farther than they had said they would go, and Jacob/Israel sends Joseph to find them. The brother’s see Joseph from a far distance and hatch a plan to kill him. Reuben concocts a plan to throw Joseph into a cistern and retrieve him later. However, before Rueben can rescue Joseph, traders come along and Judah comes up with the idea to sell Joseph rather than kill him themselves. Joseph is sold for 20 pieces of silver.

Genesis 38

I just have to say, for Judah to be the mighty lion and line of David, Judah made some pretty poor choices. Here we learn of Judah’s mistreatment of his daughter-in-law Tamar. The whole point of levirate marriage was to provide for a widow without children. The idea was that the brother would marry the widow and give her a son. That son would inherit the dead father’s portion and would be able to provide for the widow. By not allowing Tamar to get pregnant, Judah’s second son was doing two things. One, keeping her from the protection she was entitled to, and two using her for his sexual gratification without risking his portion of his brother’s inheritance.

Judah adds insult to injury by sending Tamar back to her parents’ house in mourning cloths. She must live as a widow without the benefits of protection. She is essentially captive, unable to marry someone else because she is promised to the youngest son. Judah does not let his youngest son marry Tamar, so Tamar takes matters into her own hands.

Through an awkward and bizarre set of events, Tamar and Judah sleep together and Tamar gets pregnant. When it is revealed that she is expecting the people wish to punish her. She however provides proof that the child is Judah’s and Judah calls her more righteous than he. And people say the Bible is boring!!

Matthew 21:1-22

This passage is the account of Jesus’ triumphal entry to Jerusalem during what will come to be called Holy Week. Jesus is honored by people who have little honor in society. He then goes into the temple and cleanses it from people doing business rather than helping with worship.

Day 31: Power Plays

**** Trigger Warning: These passages in Genesis deal with difficult subjects including rape ****

Genesis 33, 34, 35 & Matthew 20: 17-34

Power is always a hot topic for conversation. This holds true in both the Old and New Testament. Jacob and his family face issues of power in the Promised Land. Jesus deals with the disciples being power hungry in Matthew.

Genesis 33:

After his night of wrestling, Jacob is ready to approach his brother Esau. He divides up his children and wives, taking care to place Rachel and her son Joseph at the rear of the group. This would give them the most protected place. Jacob then goes forward bowing to the ground to meet Esau.

Esau runs to Jacob and embraces him, kisses him, rejoices in his homecoming. This is not the greeting Jacob is expecting to receive. He seems to be waiting for the other shoe to drop. Esau extends an invitation for Jacob and his whole family to join Esau’s family. Jacob again lies. He tells Esau that they will be there soon, but that they will travel slowly with children and animals in tow.

Instead, Jacob and his family settle near the land of Shechem in an area they called Succoth. Here Jacob’s problems only grow.

Genesis 34:

We hear once again about Dinah, Jacob’s only known daughter. However, she is never given a voice. We are only told what happened to her and how the men in her presence reacted. Too often this is still the case with women who are raped or abused. Their voices are silenced. Their power is limited. They are often left to deal with the trauma themselves, without a support network.

Dinah is raped by Shechem, the man the town gets its name from. He sees her, thinks she is beautiful and rapes her. Let me note here that these were all his actions, no matter if she was wearing a revealing headdress, or had coal outlining her eyes, or had on sparkly jewelry. He chose to rape her. Dinah bears zero responsibility in this act.

The man’s father tries to make things better by offering to buy Dinah as a wife for Shechem. The horror of this I cannot begin to express. The position they propose to put this poor girl in is tragic, and enraging. Jacob waits for his son’s before deciding what to do.

I wish Jacob had just told them no. I wish that Jacob had held his daughter up and offered her solace. I wish he had at least given her a chance to speak. Instead the brothers hatch a plan for revenge.

They agree to a marriage, but only if all the men in the city are circumcised. So, the men agree. Three days later, while they are still in pain from having the “procedure” Levi and Simeon attack the city, killing every male by the sword.

 Then the other brothers come and ransack the village, carrying off all they can and making them their prey. I think that’s a fancy word for rape and pillaged. Is this a case of eye for an eye gone wrong? Do they not understand that what they have done will not help their sister and in fact harmed many more innocent women and children?

Power is an awful thing to fight over, and many terrible deeds are done to gain the honor and power back.

Sadly, we will not hear from or about Dinah again.

Genesis 35:

Jacob takes his family to Bethel after his sons have massacred the men of Shechem. He tells his people to purify themselves and to set aside any idols or gods they got from Shechem. This is a way of making themselves clean again so that they may be in God’s presence once more.

During this trip, we learn that Deborah, Rachel’s nurse, dies. She must have been special to the family to be mentioned here and her place of burial noted.

Here again God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, perhaps a reclaiming or a reminding of the covenant they had discussed earlier. Jacob is now Israel.

Then Rachel has a difficult labor. She dies in childbirth using her last breath to name her son Ben-oni meaning son of my sorrow. Israel changes the boy’s name to Benjamin meaning son of the south. It really bothers me that he would change the boy’s name, especially given the circumstances of her death and his reported love for Rachel, but it was within his power to do so.

These power issues have affected Israel’s sons. How do we know that? Because Reuben sleeps with his father’s concubine. This would have been seen as an attack against his father’s place in the family. It was a grab for power.

When Isaac dies, at 180 years of age, we are told that both Jacob and Esau burry him. There seems to be at least some understanding between these two for them to come together in this instance.

Matthew 20:17-34

Jesus talks for the third time in Matthew about his upcoming death and resurrection. Yet somehow, when it does happen, none of the disciples believe it! Why are we so often surprised by God’s actions? Specifically, those that God has said would happen time and time again?

After this statement, Jesus is met by the mother of James and John. She is a pushy or gutsy woman. She asks Jesus to give her sons the positions of honor at his right and left hand once he comes into his kingdom. This is a push for power and prestige. It angers the other disciples, and I’m sure embarrassed the two young men!

Jesus tells the disciples that this who is greatest business is counterproductive. They are not to seek power but rather to seek to serve one another.

This is one of the most unique teachings of the Christian faith. Jesus tells us that service should be our main concern, not status. As if to demonstrate this fact, Jesus then heals two blind men he encounters on the road. He uses his power to serve them, not to make them serve him.

Day 30: Dreamers and Workers

Genesis 31,32 & Matthew 20:1-16

Sometimes we make delineations between Dreamers and Workers. Dreamers, we tend to think, are those who waste their time waiting for things to come to them. Workers, on the other hand, are seen as salt of the earth type people. In the scriptures for today we get a different take on dreamers and workers.

Genesis 31:

God tells Jacob that the times has come to return to the land of his father Isaac. In a dream, God shows Jacob that all he has amassed has been because of God’s blessing. It is now time to take that blessing and return home. Jacob tells his wives of this revelation and they agree to go with Jacob stating that there is nothing left for them in their father’s house.

Rachel gathers up her things to leave and takes some extra souvenirs, her father’s household gods. These were totems of gods said to be a blessing to the household. They were often used in divination and were important to the inheritance system. Perhaps Rachel wanted to assure her family of these blessings, or keep her father from going to the gods to find out where they were heading.

Laban learns of their sneaking away and catches up to the group seven days later (again with the seven!) God speaks to Laban in a dream telling him to speak neither good nor bad to Jacob when he confronts him. Laban tells Jacob of his conversation with God. He also asks where his household gods have gone. Jacob, not knowing Rachel has stolen them, says he will put to death anyone found with the gods. After a thorough search, everywhere except Rachel’s saddlebags, the gods are not found.  Jacob tells Laban that twenty years of servitude is more than enough.

The two men make a peace between them and set up a pillar of stones. Neither will pass with the intention of harming the other, as God is their witness. Laban lets Jacob keep the flocks, women and children. Jacob agrees to not harm them and to take no other wives.

Genesis 32:

The last time Jacob had seen his brother Esau, some twenty years ago, Esau had been ready to murder Jacob. With this thought in mind, Jacob sends word to his brother that he is coming. Jacob’s messenger returns saying Esau is coming to meet Jacob, with a delegation of 400 men. Jacob fears a massacre.

Jacob divides his group in two camps in hopes of saving at least half of what he has. Jacob prays to God for help. He recites again the promises God made. This is an example of praying scripture. While God’s promise has not yet been written down, it has been spoken. Jacob is reminding himself of God’s word. Something we all should do especially in times of trial.

He culls his herds and sends out hundreds of goats, sheep, camels, cows, and donkeys. Jacob has them keep space between them, hoping that five separate herds as gifts might soften the blow of his return.

Then Jacob does the unthinkable. He sends his whole family across the Euphrates River and goes back to the other side. He waits there overnight by himself. Jacob wrestles with a man there all night long. He refuses to let go until the man gives him a blessing. The man changes Jacobs name from Jacob to Israel meaning one who struggles with God and overcame.

Was it a literal wrestling match? Or was that a metaphor for Jacob’s dark night of the soul? Given what we have seen of Jacob’s character it is quite possible he was considering running away and saving his own skin. Historically this has been Jacob’s MO. But here, he battles with God and overcomes his fears. He moves on remembering God’s promise.

Matthew 20:1-16

Have you ever met someone who felt they had “special status” in the church? You know who I mean, right? Those that trace their heritage back four or more generations, or that claim their family pew has been occupied longer than any other? Have you ever been that person yourself?

This parable is about God’s grace. God has given us all grace through Jesus Christ. It is the SAME grace regardless of when we experienced it for the first time.

The Pharisees and Sadducees claimed a special place in God’s kingdom. Some claimed it due to lineage, others due to their excellent rule following. They were upset when Jesus was offering common riffraff the same or equal status in the kingdom of God. It was viewed as unfair at the least. Jesus points out here that God never gives less than is promised and God’s generosity to others is not to be called into question.

Day 29: Hellos & Goodbyes

Genesis 29, 30 & Matthew 19

The passages for today offer us hellos in the life of Jacob and some goodbyes in the life of Jesus. These hellos will change Jacob’s life forever. The goodbyes will echo in the ear of every disciple of Christ.

Genesis 29:

Jacob goes to the land of Paddan Aram, his mother’s homeland. He sits at a well in the area waiting for people to approach. Wells were gathering places in communities. Daily people came to the well for water in order to survive. Jacob knew this would be a good place to learn more about his mother’s family.

Rachel approaches leading her father’s flocks. It was not unheard of for women and girls to care for flocks, remember Rebekah was found at a well and watered Abraham’s servant’s camels. Jacob shows chivalry, he wants the stone moved so that Rachel can water her flocks. This is not the custom of the day. Economy of labor is important. To roll the stone away for each flock and then return it to its place is unnecessary labor. It is better to wait for everyone to gather and water all at once.

This reminds me of putting away the groceries with my children. They always want to put one thing away at a time which leads to repetitive trips to the pantry and the endless opening and closing of the fridge and freezer doors.

Jacob rolls away the stone for Rachel and in their conversation reveals their relationship. Jacob then says his hellos to Laban, his uncle.

Jacob works for Laban for a month and Laban finally sits down to talk about wages. Jacob and Laban strike a deal. Laban agrees to let Jacob work seven years (there is that number of completion once more) in order to wed Rachel.

We then learn that the trickster is tricked! Laban sends Leah instead of Rachel to Jacob’s tent on the wedding night. Jacob sleeps with her and then cries foul in the morning. This is one of the many times I want to smack a man in scriptures upside the head. Laban’s solution is to let Jacob marry Rachel for seven more years of work. This time Jacob takes his bride upfront.

Names are interesting in the Bible, and the names of Jacob’s children tell a story on their own. Leah has Reuben meaning he has seen my misery, then Simeon meaning he has heard or not loved, then Levi meaning attached, and Judah meaning praise.

Genesis 30:

Rachel cannot have her own children and she gives Bilhah her slave girl to Jacob in order to have children through her. (Don’t even get me started on my personal feelings toward this practice. It’s enough to say that it makes me ill) Bilhah’s sons are named Dan meaning God has vindicated, and Naphtali meaning struggle. Leah follows in Rachel’s footsteps and gives her slave girl Zilpah to Jacob. Zilpah’s sons are called Gad meaning troop or good fortune, and Asher meaning happy. Then Leah exchanges mandrake for a night with Jacob and winds up with a son named Issachar meaning reward. She then has another son named Zebulun meaning honored. As an afterthought, we are told she has a daughter sometime later named Dinah. Rachel finally conceives and has a son named Joseph meaning he adds.

Jacob’s family has grown and he decides it is time to leave. He cannot leave without a method of support for this large tribe of 12 children and 4 wives.  Jacob and Laban strike another deal. This one for sheep. Laban agrees that all spotted or dark lambs will be Jacob’s and all others will belong to Laban. Laban tries to trick his son-in-law by having his sons take all of the spotted and dark animals out of the flocks and tend them a three days journey away.

Jacob somehow manages to figure out animal husbandry to a degree that I do not understand (or by Divine assistance) and winds up with large flocks of strong specked and dark animals.

Matthew 19

This chapter of Matthew talks about goodbyes, as in divorce and the goodbye of a wealthy young man who wished to be a disciple.

John had been put in prison largely because of his teaching on divorce and marriage. The leaders are trying to put Jesus in the same boat. They want him to openly say something controversial so that they will be able to have him arrested.

This discussion of divorce is, at its heart I believe a civil rights issue for women.

Hear me out. Women were seen as property in these days and in the days of the Old Testament. We just read in Genies 29 & 30 how they were bought and sold. Women were easy to put aside especially if they had no children or no male children.

Moses’ made divorce harder because of the hardness of men’s hearts. Moses said you must give a certificate of divorce to a woman in order to set her aside. It became a public act, no longer a quiet personal matter. Remember Abraham and Hagar?

Jesus here says that marriage should be a commitment and that men should honor that commitment to their wives. A divorced woman had no rights, they had even less protection than widows. This statement is a way to protect women in a society that too often saw women as property instead of persons.

While he is giving hope to those with low standing Jesus again reminds the disciples about the importance of children. Those that are lowly in this world are exalted in God’s kingdom.

Jesus then goes on to speak about the Kingdom of Heaven being unlike the earth. He tells a young wealthy man to follow the commandments and he will inherit eternal life. The young man however wants more to do to prove his piety. Jesus invites him to be perfect by giving up all that he has to join the way. The young man says his goodbye at this point. We are left with the idea that he cannot part with his financial blessings, even for the blessing of God.

Day 27: More Children and Little Children

Genesis 25, 26 & Matthew 18:1-20

Genesis 25:

Abraham marries a woman named Keturah in his old age, presumably after Sarah dies. She gives him six sons. Abraham gives each of these son’s gifts, but then sends them away so that they cannot compete with Isaac, the child of the promise. Perhaps Abraham had finally learned a little about wives and children from his experiences with Hagar and Ishmael.

Abraham reaches 175 years of age before he dies. We are told that he is buried by Isaac and Ishmael, in the same land he bought to bury Sarah. It is interesting that the other sons are not present.

Ishmael’s family is mentioned briefly. Ishmael has 12 sons who become 12 tribes. He died at 137 years of age. It is interesting that the phrase translated by the NRSV as “settled down alongside” can also be translated to mean “fell upon, made raids against.” This speaks to the view that Ishmael and his children were wild and violent. This may have been true, or it may have been the perception Israelites wanted to enforce to explain their dislike of those tribes.

More children are born in this book! This time we hear of Esau and Jacob. There is trouble from the start with these twins. Esau, meaning red, and Jacob meaning takes by the heel, start their life wrestling in the womb with one another. This foreshadows their tumultuous relationship.

Genesis 26

Isaac echoes his father’s mistake by trying to pass Rebekah off as his sitter to Abimelech and his people. When Abimelech learns of this he is upset and orders everyone to stay away from Rebekah. He later sees them as an even bigger threat and tells them to move on from his lands.

Isaac begins digging wells that his father had originally dug. Each one is contested. The third well, however, is not fought over and so he calls it Rehoboth, or room. Finally Isaac feels he has the room his family needs to grow.

Meanwhile, Esau marries not one, but two local women both Hittites. They make life bitter for Isaac and Rebekah.

Matthew 18:1-20

The disciples are so often worried about their place in the kingdom of God. They are ambitious. They want to get in on the ground floor of the new world order. Imagine their surprise when they ask what it will take to be the greatest and they are pointed toward little children.

Jesus talks about having the faith of a child, the kind of faith that trusts completely because it’s never known anything else. Children were not held up in that society, in fact they were not really seen as anything other than property at worse and extensions of their parents at best.

Then Jesus talks about a model of conflict resolution. This model is fantastic! It keeps people from manipulating and triangulation one another. There is transparency and accountability. And at the end in verse 18 the you mentioned is plural. This is referring to the power of the church assembly to remove someone from the community who is a chronic trouble maker. A great idea in theory, but not always practiced well.

Day 26: A Wife for Isaac and Strange Things

Genesis 23, 24 and Matthew 17

In these passages we learn of a wife being chosen for Isaac. We also hear of some strange things happening on a mountainside with Jesus.

Gen 23:

Sarah dies at the age of 127. Abraham goes and buys the land to bury her. This is important. This is the first piece of land Abraham actually owns in the Promised Land. Abraham has continued to be a nomad, taking his flocks where there is food and water. He has not settled down anywhere. He buys the land so that he will be allowed access to it to be buried there himself.

Gen 24:

This chapter deals with finding a wife for Isaac. This is a BIG DEAL! Abraham knew that without a wife for his son the line would not continue. He wanted Isaac to marry one of his kinsmen, not someone from a local tribe. This was Abraham’s way of assuring that Isaac would continue to walk in the way of God and not fall to the temptation of worshipping local idols.

I don’t really understand ancient promise making, but this hand under the thigh business seems odd. It would put the promise maker and promise receiver in a vulnerable position to say the least.

There is an interesting focus on the young woman’s choice to come with the servant or not. Typically this choice would be made by the family, but it is clear here that the woman will be allowed to speak for herself. Under no circumstance is Isaac to go to the land of Abraham’s relatives. He does not want Isaac to settle there because it would be abandoning God’s Promised Land.

We meet Rebekah who gives amazing hospitality, watering not only the servant, but his 10 camels. The servant sees this as an answer to prayer and seeks to learn more about her and her willingness to marry. When all is arranged, the servant thanks God publicly for God’s actions.

How often do we publicly thank God for what we have received?

Matthew 17:

Strange Things are happening in the beginning of Matthew 17. The first 9 verses give us the Matthew account of the Transfiguration. You can find Sunday’s sermon on this passage HERE.

After the Transfiguration, Jesus is brought a boy with epilepsy that his disciples could not cure. Jesus’ response is to cure the boy, but also to cry out in exasperated tones about this corrupt generation. This is not the first, not the last time Jesus in Matthew will make such comments. The people have clung to the version of faith they have been taught, a version that has been corrupted by those in power.

Jesus gives the famous Mustard Seed comparison. Faith will produce fruit, and more fruit then is expected. As if to illustrate this point, Jesus and Peter have a chat about money. Temple tithes were due and Jesus and Peter had not paid them. Jesus points out that as the son of God he shouldn’t have to pay. But, because those in charge don’t understand that point, they will pay. And God will provide. He sends Peter fishing and tells him that in the mouth of the first fish he catches will be a coin that is exactly the cost of two temple dues. God provides what you need when you need it.

Bible in One year: Day 8

Genesis 20, 21, 22 and Matthew 6:19-34

The readings for today are some of the most popular and most troubling readings in the scriptures. I pray that God grants us all the ears to hear and eyes to understand these passages today.

Genesis 20

Abraham, a newly minted child of the covenant, cannot help himself. In today's reading he goes back to his old ways of doing things. Once more he plays the "she's my sister" card in order to save his own skin. My heart hurts for Sarah once more in this account. Abraham hands her over to be used by Abimelec.

This time God intervenes more directly telling Abimelec in a dream that he is sleeping with a married woman and that God will punish him for this action. This is news to Abimelec who confronts Abraham and is given a "She is my sister, and wife" response that to me is a complete lack of owning up to the situation. The writer goes on to tell us that all of Abimelec's wives and slaves had become barren because of his relationship with Sarah. (An interesting if not strange tidbit)

Genesis 21

The much-anticipated birth of the child of the covenant is celebrate in this chapter of Genesis. Isaac, child of laughter comes into the world with much celebration. Abraham celebrates fatherhood at the tender age of 100. Abraham fulfills the sign of the covenant having Isaac circumcised at eight days old. This reading is the picture of family happiness we have been hoping Sarah and Abraham would receive. At least if we look at the close up view.

The wide-angle lens picks up a much different family portrait. The camera pans out and we see that Sarah is still jealous of Hagar and her son Ishmael. This jealousy has gone underground during the pregnancy and birth, but during the infancy and toddler-hood of her son, Sarah sees that Ishmael is no longer a small child, but growing into a young man. She once more, sends Hagar and Ismael out into the wilderness in order to secure her son's place in the family.

I cannot begin to imagine the day-to-day life of a woman such as Sarah or Hagar. My life is more than a world away. I want to say that I could never be as cruel or as self-serving as Sarah, but I know that is not the case. I've just never been put to that test. What I find really interesting about this reading is God's action.

God shows Hagar water when she is convinced Ishmael will die. God offers comfort and solace. In verse 20, we are told that "God was with the boy and he grew up." God did not abandon Hagar and Ishmael even thought Abraham and Sarah cast them out. Likewise, God does not abandon any of God's children who may feel rejection at the hands of fellow believers.

Genesis 22

This reading is perhaps one of the most difficult for me to understand. I am a mother. I have three precious beautiful children. I cannot imagine for an instant sacrificing them to God. Even if God told me to do so. I'm not sure what to do with this passage.

Some commentaries I have read state that God was testing Abraham's loyalty. Perhaps the boy had become so important to Abraham that he was no longer trusting in God's promises but was instead trusting in the life and legacy he knew his son would provide. Others say that Abraham knew God would not really make this claim and going along with it was Abraham's way of testing God. The evidence given for this is that Abraham tells his son that God himself will provide the lamb for the offering.

What do you think these passages have to tell us about God and our relationship with God?

Matthew 6:19-34

Catchy phrases from Jesus! Many of these passages are "Meme worthy", meaning they are the kinds of statements that are easily quoted and apply to many situations. Store up treasures in heaven. No one can serve two masters. Don't worry, be happy!  This part of the sermon on the mount is recognizable in much of my culture.

However, making these sayings of Jesus into pithy quotes takes away their weight and bite. There is real soul-searching to be done in order to live lives based on these principles. God is willing and able to help us lead lives that rely less on this world and much more on God's kingdom. What good news for us all!

Bible in One Year: Day 4

February 4, 2017 Genesis 10, 11, 12; Matthew 4

Today's readings include another genealogy, or three, a lot of Babel, wife swap, and an odd conversation partner.

Genesis 10

This chapter contains the generations of descendants of Noah. While at first these genealogies are overwhelming, there is a benefit to reading them. This particular section tells us a lot about what the Israelite faith believed happened after the flood. The children did not stay in the same area, but spread over the land. Note that Canaan's family become the ones who populate areas such as Sodom and Gomorrah, making it even easier to revile them later.

Genesis 11

The Tower of Babel is another one of those great stories of the faith. I remember hearing about it in Sunday School and then wondering what God thought about all of our advances technologically and building wise. I admit being nervous to stand on the top floor of the tallest building in my hometown (21 stories high) because I was scared God might think it was too high.

What do you think is the importance of including this account in scripture? What question might the editors have been trying to answer with these words?

 Next we have the genealogy of Shem in more detail. Here we are given the ancestors of Abram, who will play a very significant role in the upcoming chapters. Of note is that here Abram's wife is mentioned by name as is his brother's wife.

Genesis 12

Abram is a different sort of fellow. We see him follow God's command without much obvious questioning. He moves with his wife away from family and friends. God promises to give his descendants this land. But there is a catch. We have already been told that Sarai is barren. How might this take place?

Abram, the great father of the faith, loses some esteem in my eyes for the way he acts in this chapter. When they come to Egypt, in order to save his own skin, he lies and says that his wife is his sister. (Okay, so she's his half-sister, but still, his wife!) Sarai is placed with the household of Pharaoh and becomes Pharaoh's wife. Abram benefits from this arrangement with flocks and goods. When Pharaoh learns he has been tricked, after all kinds of bad things have happened to him and his house, he orders them to leave. Abram gains his wealth by selling Sarai, and it's not the only time he will attempt this trick.

Matthew 4

This passage begins after the baptism of Jesus. He goes out into the wilderness and stays for 40 days. During this time he is tempted by Satan. He is offered food, miracles and power. But Jesus time and time again refutes the devil, knowing his call and purpose to be much bigger than a contest in the desert. The devil leaves and angels come and minister to his needs.

We then learn how Jesus came to be in Nazareth and hear the calling of his first disciples. I would like to say that I would have been willing to follow Jesus if he had walked up and said "Follow me." but I not sure that I would have been that brave. Having the whole story it seems like the obvious choice, bt without the rest of scripture to help interpret this act, I think I might have found it foolish.

As Jesus continues to minister, people continue to be drawn to him and his teachings. Matthew tells us he was known throughout the land and went about curing the sick, healing those with major illnesses and casting out demons. I think often we try to limit Jesus' healing and influence to the past, but the word of God is still powerful and healing today.

Bible in one Year: Day 3

February 3, 2017 Genesis 7, 8, 9 & Matthew 3

Our Readings for today continue the look at the first books of the Old and New Testament.

Genesis 7

Every time I hear the flood story I am reminded of a song we used to sing as children in Sunday School called "Rise and Shine". It was all about the children's story of the ark, where Noah put animals on by twosies, twosies. However, the account we have says he took pairs of unclean animals and then seven pairs of clean animals and birds.

He took the beginning of herds/flocks of clean animals. The significance behind this is two-fold. One, it tells us that clean and unclean foods were so important to the tellers of the story that here, even before the giving of the law, there is a point made that clean animals were available. Two, it allows Noah to have appropriate animals to sacrifice in worship. Again, this is important to the tellers of the story. Noah would not have yet "known" these rules, but they are mentioned here as a way of explaining why Noah and his family were spared. Essentially because of their righteousness in the mind of the author.

What stands out to you about the story as it is written verses how you may have it in your memory?

This is the first record in the Bible of rain. I'm not sure if rains had come before, but this is the first mention. I can't help but imagine how it would have felt to see water coming down from the sky for the first time. I would imagine there would have been a fear that the whole sky was going to collapse. I also imagine what it must have felt like to be Noah and his family, safe in the ark, knowing that everyone else they knew had drowned. I'm not really sure where to put that emotion.

Genesis 8

Noah and his family members were inside the ark for at least 150 days and nights. (If that doesn't sound to bad to you, remember that this family included three daughter-in-laws.) As the days passed and the rain ceased Noah began sending out birds to see if there might be enough dry land. Eventually the bird he sent did not return and they left the ark. What is the first thing Noah does? Builds an altar.

Noah's first reaction is one of praise and thanksgiving. He offers a sacrifice, he worships. When we have been through trials and tribulation our first inclination should be worship, a recognition that God, greater than us, has been in control the whole time. Worship is about honoring God and placing God first.

Genesis 9

This passage is one of my favorite and least favorite ones in the whole book of Genesis. God tells Noah and his family that the whole of the earth is at their use, but not to abuse that privilege. God also makes a covenant with humanity. The rainbow.

What I like about this covenant is not that we get a pretty thing to hang in the sky and draw pictures of and sing sentimental songs about.  What I like is that it is a one-sided covenant. God establishes this with the earth and does not require anything of the earth to keep this covenant. God is the one with power and control. God uses the rainbow as a reminder to God-self of the promise made.

I am not a fan of what follows. Noah is a wine maker. As he is a righteous man, I can only assume that being a wine maker is not bad. However, he gets so intoxicated by his creation as to fall asleep naked in a place he could be seen. As I understand things, nakedness was not a sin, but viewing another's nakedness put you in the place of sinning, being shamed. In walks Ham. Ham sees what's going on and runs to tell his brothers. His brothers walk backwards with a coat between them so that they may cover their father without being embarrassed themselves.

When Noah awakes he learns what has happened and curses Canaan. Canaan is Ham's youngest son. That seems so unfair to me. What did he do wrong? It doesn't sit well for some reason.

Matthew 3

We are introduced to John the Baptist in this chapter. John is a wild man, with unkempt hair, strange clothing and an even stranger diet. He come on the scene preaching repentance. He says God can raise up children of Abraham from the stones, a quote in another Gospel attributed to Jesus.

John is a man who drew great interest and curiosity. But he did not seek to capitalize on that, only to prepare people for the coming of Christ.

Jesus comes to John seeking baptism. John's reply is that John should be seeking Jesus to do this for him. They work out their differences and John proceeds to baptize Jesus. The Spirit of God alights on Jesus and a voice from heaven says "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."

I have been honored to baptize several individuals through my ministry and each time I feel this sense of the Holy. Each time I feel unworthy to do the task I am asked to do. Each time I am reminded that we are all beloved children of God, claimed by God's Spirit. Each time I leave knowing I have been in the presence of God.