[This article is reprinted from our best-selling book ADVENTIST TOMORROW—Fresh Ideas While Waiting for Jesus by Jack Hoehn. Details on how to order your own copy are shown elsewhere on this page.] People knew Jesus. They knew his mother. They had seen him grow up in Nazareth. His followers knew him–a fantastic young man, riveting, […] Source: https://atoday.org/jesus-alone-the-transfiguration-changed-everything/
Thursday: The Death of Rachel
Read Genesis 35:15-29. What other woes did Jacob face within his dysfunctional family?
As soon as Jacob leaves Bethel, three interrelated incidents mark the last step of his journey toward the Promised Land: Jacob’s last son was born; Rachel died; and Reuben, Jacob’s first son from Leah, slept with Jacob’s concubine. Though the text doesn’t say why the young man would do something so evil, it could have been that he wanted to somehow defile the birth of Jacob’s last son and to humiliate the memory of Rachel. We just don’t know.
Image © Lifeway Collection at Goodsalt.com
The birth of Jacob’s last son is linked to Bethlehem (Genesis 35:19), which is within the confines of the Promised Land. This birth is, then, the first fulfillment of God’s promise for the future of Israel. The midwife, prophetically, addresses Rachel with the very words God used to reassure Abraham: “Do not fear” (Genesis 35:17, NKJV, compare with Genesis 15:1).
Significantly, Jacob changes the name that the dying Rachel had given to her son, Ben-Oni, meaning “son of my sorrow” to signify her pain, into Benjamin, meaning “son of the right hand,” perhaps implying the direction of the south in order to express his hope in the Promised Land and all that God said He would do for His people after they had settled there.
Yet during this time Reuben has sexual relations with Bilhah, his father’s concubine and Rachel’s maidservant (Genesis 35:25, Genesis 30:3). We just don’t know why he did this scandalous act, other than as another example of human depravity.
Amazingly, Jacob does not respond to this horrible violation, even though he is told about it (Genesis 35:22). Perhaps at this point in his life, Jacob trusts God that He will fulfill His word despite the sin and evil at times that goes on around him.
It is this precise lesson of faith that is implied in the list of Jacob’s 12 sons, who will be the ancestors of Israel (Genesis 35:22-26). Not the most savory and kindest of people, as we will see. Yet despite all the problems, all the dysfunction, even outright evil, such as Reuben with Bilhah, God’s will was going to be fulfilled through this family, no matter how messed up this family really was.
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Even despite human error, God’s ultimate purposes will be fulfilled. Imagine what would happen if people cooperated, if they obeyed Him. How much easier; that is, with less human suffering and stress and delay, could God’s will then be accomplished? |
Amen!
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NY Conf Prez: “I personally do not believe that more laws will curb gun violence.”
31 May 2022 | On May 18, 2022, North American Division, Atlantic Union Conference, Northeastern Conference, and New York Conference leaders issued a statement about the racially motivated May 14, 2022, shooting in Buffalo, New York, U.S., where an 18-year-old gunman killed 10 when he opened fire in a supermarket. Miguel Crespo, president of the New […] Source: https://atoday.org/ny-conference-head-comprehensive-gun-control-response-should-be-pro-active-and-reactive/
Forth Valley District in Scotland celebrates eight baptisms
One year almost to the week from the reopening of our churches from COVID in 2021, the Forth Valley District of the Scottish Mission (Edinburgh, Scotland), welcomed eight new persons into our global fellowship of believers. Four of the baptisms were done indoors at the Hope House Dunfermline Church. The following four were outdoor baptisms in a reservoir in the Pentland near Edinburgh: two from the Edinburgh Adventist Community Church and two from the Musselburgh Adventist Community Church. In…Source: https://adventist.uk/news/article/go/2022-06-01/forth-valley-district-in-scotland-celebrates-eight-baptisms/
Let God Be the One to Pay You Back
Yet your father has deceived me and changed my wages ten times, but God did not allow him to hurt me. Genesis 31:7 NKJV
I love how Jacob realized that, even though Laban had cheated him, Laban was not able to hurt him. In Genesis 33, when Jacob tries to repay what he has cheated Esau, Esau tells Jacob that he has plenty and does not need to be repaid. God took care of Jacob when Laban cheated Jacob, and God took care of Esau when Jacob cheated Esau.
But Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.” Genesis 33:9 NKJV
This is an important lesson on what our attitude should be towards those who have wronged us.
Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the Lord to handle the matter. Proverbs 20:22 NLT
A while back, after a friend had wrongfully taken money from me, I was reading,
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Romans 12:19 KJV
While I had read this many times before, this particular time I saw it in a new light. Yes, it is true that people will hang on their own gallows, Yet rather than just seeing those who have wronged us getting paid back for their wrong, I saw God was telling me, He would repay me what my friend had wrongfully taken.
In Philemon 1:17-18 NLT Paul is pleading for everyone to give Onesimus a second chance in the ministry. Paul tells them,
So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, PAUL, WRITE THIS WITH MY OWN HAND: I WILL REPAY IT. AND I WON’T MENTION THAT YOU OWE ME YOUR VERY SOUL!
Likewise I heard God telling me in Romans 12, “if your friend has robbed you, don’t worry. I will pay you back what they owe you. Don’t take it out on him. Leave him alone, and let Me make it right.”
That is exactly what happened. Right after I read Romans 12, another friend called who had bought some new furniture and wanted to give me their old furniture even thought it was still in excellent condition. God has continued to bless me in many other ways. God has more than paid me back for what my friend had stolen from me.
Amen!(0)
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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/let-god-be-the-one-to-pay-you-back/
