I deviated to post a review on the latest Passion album. Yes, it is a one word review, because it simply is awesome. Incidentally, I'm also 7th on the Google search results if you type "Passion God of this City". Haha. Anyways today's Bible reading was from Exodus 4-6.
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Do we ever doubt the power of God?
When things don’t seem to be working out, or our circumstances are getting worse and our efforts seem futile, we doubt God is at work. We feel so easily discouraged and burnt out, coming up with excuses to get away from the ‘Christian life’ for a while.
Here in Exodus, Moses was in a similar situation. God had commanded him to lead Israel out of Egypt, but Pharaoh instead doubled the burden of the Israelites, which broke their spirits. God then tells Moses to go tell Pharaoh to let his people go. But Moses then expresses his doubts over his ability to carry it out – pointing out that even his own people would not listen to him. And at this point, God must be feeling rather bemused and angry. After all His promises to Moses to work through him and the displays of His power to Moses, why is Moses now saying that his words are going to be useless? It’s not Moses words that will matter, but it will be God’s outstretched arm that will bring Israel out of Egypt. Thus we see God dismiss Moses’ excuse and charge him to carry out the task.
I believe that today a lot of discouragement and burnout can stem from the fact that we forget who is really at work. Sure, we might be the one labouring, but our labours are in vain if God is not present, for it is by God’s outstretched arm that all His works will be done. God is saying do the work. It doesn’t really matter whether you think you can get results or not. If you have the ability to say a few simple words, then say the few simple words. If you have the ability to carry out a few simple tasks, then carry them out. I’ll deliver the results.
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. – 2 Corinthians 12:9
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
#13: January 30, 2008
Today was the start of Exodus. Exodus begins with the oppression of the Israelites, who have become fruitful in the land of Egypt, and are greatly feared by the Egyptians. Into these circumstances does the story of Moses begin. Today's reading was from Exodus 1-3.
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Why a ‘burning bush’?
Well, it sure attracted Moses’ attention. “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” The bush is described as burning, but not consumed.
But why not a speaking animal? Or a dream? Or writing on the wall? Or a storm cloud? Why a burning bush?
God does not play dice. I don’t think He puts His hand into a bag and pulls out a piece of paper that says “burning bush”. He had a purpose for speaking to Moses through a burning bush. If it was to attract Moses’ attention, I’m pretty certain a speaking animal, dreams, writing appearing on a wall, or a storm cloud would be equally attention grabbing.
So if it’s not to get Moses’ attention, it’s to show something about God. And here’s what I think the symbolism is.
God is like a fire. Hebrews describes Him as a ‘consuming fire’. Yet the bush was clearly not consumed. BUT the place was refined. God called it holy and instructed Moses to take off his sandals. God is a fire. He refines those He has called, who He then justifies, who He then glorifies. We are like metal with impurities. We go into God’s fire and He refines us, only leaving pure metal behind. But to those who have not been called and justified, He does not glorify by refining. He consumes.
It’s quite harsh imagery in a way. The image of God as fire is used several times throughout the Bible. And I think I’ll point it out along the way. But for today, I want to raise something. If we are sons of God, and the Spirit of God is in us, it is a flame that is in us. But how hot is that flame in us? How bright is that flame in the lives of others? Sometimes we cover it with a lampshade. But I believe there’s a need to let it burn bright. To show that God is here with us. And that we are not consumed. Then maybe people will turn aside to see this great sight, and question like Moses: why we are not burned?
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Why a ‘burning bush’?
Well, it sure attracted Moses’ attention. “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” The bush is described as burning, but not consumed.
But why not a speaking animal? Or a dream? Or writing on the wall? Or a storm cloud? Why a burning bush?
God does not play dice. I don’t think He puts His hand into a bag and pulls out a piece of paper that says “burning bush”. He had a purpose for speaking to Moses through a burning bush. If it was to attract Moses’ attention, I’m pretty certain a speaking animal, dreams, writing appearing on a wall, or a storm cloud would be equally attention grabbing.
So if it’s not to get Moses’ attention, it’s to show something about God. And here’s what I think the symbolism is.
God is like a fire. Hebrews describes Him as a ‘consuming fire’. Yet the bush was clearly not consumed. BUT the place was refined. God called it holy and instructed Moses to take off his sandals. God is a fire. He refines those He has called, who He then justifies, who He then glorifies. We are like metal with impurities. We go into God’s fire and He refines us, only leaving pure metal behind. But to those who have not been called and justified, He does not glorify by refining. He consumes.
It’s quite harsh imagery in a way. The image of God as fire is used several times throughout the Bible. And I think I’ll point it out along the way. But for today, I want to raise something. If we are sons of God, and the Spirit of God is in us, it is a flame that is in us. But how hot is that flame in us? How bright is that flame in the lives of others? Sometimes we cover it with a lampshade. But I believe there’s a need to let it burn bright. To show that God is here with us. And that we are not consumed. Then maybe people will turn aside to see this great sight, and question like Moses: why we are not burned?
#12: January 29, 2008
Well. Genesis is finished. Today's reading came from Chapters 48-50. Exodus is up next in the chronology, but that's tomorrow.
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“Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?”
That’s a beautiful statement of love. Joseph’s brothers feared revenge from their younger sibling for all the evil they had caused him in his youth. They came and begged forgiveness for the transgressions they had committed against Joseph. But Joseph replied with an amazing question, “Am I in the place of God?”
It is God’s place to judge evil in this world, not us. Joseph’s recognised this. Furthermore, his response was the complete opposite – he comforted his brothers and assured them that he would continue to provide for them and their families. This act of love seems impossible. But then we turn our attention to what Joseph says in between. He appeals to the sovereign grace of God in assuring his brothers – “do not fear”. Joseph acknowledged that all that had taken place had been ordained by God, that in His grace, God had paved the way forward for His people and used evil for good. The grace of God was sufficient for Joseph’s sense of justice, freeing him to love unconditionally.
The parallels with our world today are striking. There are some truths that are just timeless. When confronted with evil, we should not judge, we should not take revenge, but we should love. “Love your enemies” was one of Jesus’ commands. It’s impossible to do this, aside from the grace of God. As Joseph appealed to it, so we appeal to it today. The grace of God is sufficient to satisfy our needs, and the wrath of God will satisfy the need for judgment.
What is more beautiful today than in the time of Joseph is that both the grace of God and the wrath of God have met in a single place, on the cross of Jesus Christ, where the wrath of God was spent, and the grace of God became available to us.
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“Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?”
That’s a beautiful statement of love. Joseph’s brothers feared revenge from their younger sibling for all the evil they had caused him in his youth. They came and begged forgiveness for the transgressions they had committed against Joseph. But Joseph replied with an amazing question, “Am I in the place of God?”
It is God’s place to judge evil in this world, not us. Joseph’s recognised this. Furthermore, his response was the complete opposite – he comforted his brothers and assured them that he would continue to provide for them and their families. This act of love seems impossible. But then we turn our attention to what Joseph says in between. He appeals to the sovereign grace of God in assuring his brothers – “do not fear”. Joseph acknowledged that all that had taken place had been ordained by God, that in His grace, God had paved the way forward for His people and used evil for good. The grace of God was sufficient for Joseph’s sense of justice, freeing him to love unconditionally.
The parallels with our world today are striking. There are some truths that are just timeless. When confronted with evil, we should not judge, we should not take revenge, but we should love. “Love your enemies” was one of Jesus’ commands. It’s impossible to do this, aside from the grace of God. As Joseph appealed to it, so we appeal to it today. The grace of God is sufficient to satisfy our needs, and the wrath of God will satisfy the need for judgment.
What is more beautiful today than in the time of Joseph is that both the grace of God and the wrath of God have met in a single place, on the cross of Jesus Christ, where the wrath of God was spent, and the grace of God became available to us.
Monday, January 28, 2008
#11: January 28, 2008
Today's reading was from Genesis 46-47. I struggled to frame my thoughts for this post, wrestling with the language and the parallels in the story. So I have a niggling feeling that there might be inaccuracies, which I can't quite pick out at the moment.
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It’s worth sitting up and taking note when God names Himself. In Genesis 46:3, God appears to Jacob in a ‘vision of the night’, and says, “I am God, the God of your father.”
Why does God introduce Himself as the God of Isaac?
Well, in fact, God also introduces Himself to Isaac as the God of Abraham, Isaac’s father. And it was with Abraham that God established His covenant (promise – binding in God’s case), to make him the father of a multitude of nations. That he would be God to his offspring just as He was God to Abraham. And it is by this that Isaac and Jacob know who God really is. The knowledge of God was woven into their family history. Therefore when God appeared to Jacob, and Isaac before him, He would identify Himself as God of their father, and they would instantly understand who He was. And furthermore, they would look at the covenant God had established with Abraham and marvel at God’s faithfulness to His people.
Today, if God was to name Himself before His followers in Jesus, He would no longer need to say “I am the God of your father.” He would say “I am your father.” This is the new covenant, bought with the blood of Jesus, shed for the propitiation of our sin. As Romans phrases it, “we have received the Spirit of sonship”, and we are “heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ”. It is an eternal covenant, that despite the many generations of Christians that have lived and died, we are all still considered children of God - we’re not grandsons or granddaughters, inheriting our faith from our parents, but we inherit our faith from God Himself. God establishes this covenant with each one of us through Jesus Christ, if we are faithful to keep it.
If Isaac, Jacob, and all who followed them took pride in their identity as sons of Abraham, inheriting the covenant of their forefather, how much more pride should we take in being sons of God, inheriting the covenant from God himself - the promise that He will be our God?
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It’s worth sitting up and taking note when God names Himself. In Genesis 46:3, God appears to Jacob in a ‘vision of the night’, and says, “I am God, the God of your father.”
Why does God introduce Himself as the God of Isaac?
Well, in fact, God also introduces Himself to Isaac as the God of Abraham, Isaac’s father. And it was with Abraham that God established His covenant (promise – binding in God’s case), to make him the father of a multitude of nations. That he would be God to his offspring just as He was God to Abraham. And it is by this that Isaac and Jacob know who God really is. The knowledge of God was woven into their family history. Therefore when God appeared to Jacob, and Isaac before him, He would identify Himself as God of their father, and they would instantly understand who He was. And furthermore, they would look at the covenant God had established with Abraham and marvel at God’s faithfulness to His people.
Today, if God was to name Himself before His followers in Jesus, He would no longer need to say “I am the God of your father.” He would say “I am your father.” This is the new covenant, bought with the blood of Jesus, shed for the propitiation of our sin. As Romans phrases it, “we have received the Spirit of sonship”, and we are “heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ”. It is an eternal covenant, that despite the many generations of Christians that have lived and died, we are all still considered children of God - we’re not grandsons or granddaughters, inheriting our faith from our parents, but we inherit our faith from God Himself. God establishes this covenant with each one of us through Jesus Christ, if we are faithful to keep it.
If Isaac, Jacob, and all who followed them took pride in their identity as sons of Abraham, inheriting the covenant of their forefather, how much more pride should we take in being sons of God, inheriting the covenant from God himself - the promise that He will be our God?
Sunday, January 27, 2008
#10: January 27, 2008
Well. Resolution #7 is going good. Today's reading was from Genesis 43-45.
God moves in mysterious ways. Who could have foretold the entire story of Joseph, from the day he was taken away, to the day he was reunited with his brothers? And that Joseph would become Lord of all Egypt? That the entire saga was all part of God’s plan to preserve and prosper his chosen people?
But I think what was even more amazing was that Joseph recognised the hand of God in his life. That despite how things turned out, for better or worse, he knew the hand of God was orchestrating his life, from beginning to end. He testified to it before Pharaoh. He testified to it before his household. He testified to it before his brothers.
Sometimes I wonder if we can say the same thing ourselves. Do we really recognise the sovereignty of God over every aspect of our lives? That He is a God in control? That everything that happens does not happen without His permission? Nothing in history has been a mistake. God does not make mistakes. And thus we are not a mistake. We are in this time and place for a purpose. God has chosen to impart to us a saving knowledge of Jesus – although whether we trust in that is another matter – for a purpose. The purpose comes from the fact that there are many who are not as privileged to know who Jesus really is. Our purpose is thus rather simple: to testify about Jesus before everyone.
Yet as simple as it is, the question I then find myself facing is whether I have the boldness of Joseph to trust in God for everything. Do I really recognise the sovereignty of God over every aspect of my life? For it is from the assurance of God’s sovereignty that courage spills forth. The courage to stand and testify to the grace of God before those who have not heard. And in all honesty, as much as I strive to, there are strongholds in my life where I have not allowed God to break in. And it is with utmost sincerity that I pray for His power to tear down those walls.
God moves in mysterious ways. Who could have foretold the entire story of Joseph, from the day he was taken away, to the day he was reunited with his brothers? And that Joseph would become Lord of all Egypt? That the entire saga was all part of God’s plan to preserve and prosper his chosen people?
But I think what was even more amazing was that Joseph recognised the hand of God in his life. That despite how things turned out, for better or worse, he knew the hand of God was orchestrating his life, from beginning to end. He testified to it before Pharaoh. He testified to it before his household. He testified to it before his brothers.
Sometimes I wonder if we can say the same thing ourselves. Do we really recognise the sovereignty of God over every aspect of our lives? That He is a God in control? That everything that happens does not happen without His permission? Nothing in history has been a mistake. God does not make mistakes. And thus we are not a mistake. We are in this time and place for a purpose. God has chosen to impart to us a saving knowledge of Jesus – although whether we trust in that is another matter – for a purpose. The purpose comes from the fact that there are many who are not as privileged to know who Jesus really is. Our purpose is thus rather simple: to testify about Jesus before everyone.
Yet as simple as it is, the question I then find myself facing is whether I have the boldness of Joseph to trust in God for everything. Do I really recognise the sovereignty of God over every aspect of my life? For it is from the assurance of God’s sovereignty that courage spills forth. The courage to stand and testify to the grace of God before those who have not heard. And in all honesty, as much as I strive to, there are strongholds in my life where I have not allowed God to break in. And it is with utmost sincerity that I pray for His power to tear down those walls.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
#9: January 26, 2008
Reading today was from Genesis 41-42.
Joseph’s story would be on the front cover of every publication if it took place today. He was sold by his brothers to Ishmaelite traders at the age of 17. He was bought by an Egyptian, Potiphar, and quickly rose to prominence in his household, before being thrown in prison despite his innocence. In prison, he again quickly rose to prominence and was placed in charge of the other prisoners by the jailer. Here he met Pharaoh’s chief baker and cupbearer who had been jailed for offences. They each had a dream, both of which Joseph rightly interpreted. And Joseph had asked the cupbearer to remember him when he was restored. But the cupbearer forgot. And so Joseph was left to languish in prison for a couple more years.
Then at the age of 30, (Was it coincidence that Jesus also started His ministry at the age of 30, or that David became King of Israel when he was 30? Curious fact, isn’t it?) Pharaoh had a dream which no one could interpret, and upon the cupbearer’s testimony, Joseph was summoned. Now this is just something that you have to picture in your mind. He was a prisoner when he entered Pharaoh’s court. When he departed, he was Lord of Egypt, second-in-command only with respect to the throne.
It’s an amazing testament to God’s power that Joseph’s fortunes were reversed in the blink of an eye. And it’s not without its parallels today. Through the simple act of trusting Jesus for His propitiation of our sin, and His righteousness imputed to us when we place Him as Lord of our lives, our fortunes are reversed in an instant. We are turned from hell to heaven in a blink of an eye. That is a testament to God’s amazing grace. Like Joseph, if we place our trust in God, we will get the best of this life and the next. It’s that simple, so simple that it become a stumbling block to some. But grace is uncomplicated on our part - it’s something we just need to accept. And that’s reason enough to rejoice.
Joseph’s story would be on the front cover of every publication if it took place today. He was sold by his brothers to Ishmaelite traders at the age of 17. He was bought by an Egyptian, Potiphar, and quickly rose to prominence in his household, before being thrown in prison despite his innocence. In prison, he again quickly rose to prominence and was placed in charge of the other prisoners by the jailer. Here he met Pharaoh’s chief baker and cupbearer who had been jailed for offences. They each had a dream, both of which Joseph rightly interpreted. And Joseph had asked the cupbearer to remember him when he was restored. But the cupbearer forgot. And so Joseph was left to languish in prison for a couple more years.
Then at the age of 30, (Was it coincidence that Jesus also started His ministry at the age of 30, or that David became King of Israel when he was 30? Curious fact, isn’t it?) Pharaoh had a dream which no one could interpret, and upon the cupbearer’s testimony, Joseph was summoned. Now this is just something that you have to picture in your mind. He was a prisoner when he entered Pharaoh’s court. When he departed, he was Lord of Egypt, second-in-command only with respect to the throne.
It’s an amazing testament to God’s power that Joseph’s fortunes were reversed in the blink of an eye. And it’s not without its parallels today. Through the simple act of trusting Jesus for His propitiation of our sin, and His righteousness imputed to us when we place Him as Lord of our lives, our fortunes are reversed in an instant. We are turned from hell to heaven in a blink of an eye. That is a testament to God’s amazing grace. Like Joseph, if we place our trust in God, we will get the best of this life and the next. It’s that simple, so simple that it become a stumbling block to some. But grace is uncomplicated on our part - it’s something we just need to accept. And that’s reason enough to rejoice.
#8: January 25, 2008
Ah. Today's post is a bit late. That's because I had a busy morning. But here it is. Reading taken from Genesis 38-40.
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Joseph’s such an interesting character, really. Again I feel so spoiled for choice when reading these 3 chapters. But there’s always next year!
So I’ll buck the trend. Today’s insight does not concern Joseph. Chapter 39 is an interesting tale of Joseph’s righteousness before God, and so is Chapter 40, and they’re also amazing testaments to God’s faithfulness and sovereignty, but Chapter 38 is the focus of this insight.
You might wonder why there’s a sudden pause in the story of Joseph, as the focus shifts to Judah. Well, simply because Jesus is descended from the lineage of Judah. (That’s why He’s called the Lion of Judah. And logically David and Solomon as well are descended from Judah – but Jesus is the important descendant.) And the genealogy (family tree) is actually pretty messed up. Jump forward to Matthew and we can trace the genealogy of Jesus from this point:
...Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,
Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,
Perez the father of Hezron...
And so on so forth. If you read the story, Tamar was actually the wife of Judah’s first son, but he was wicked in God’s sight and was struck down. The second son was asked to help bear offspring for his brother, but he intentionally avoided his responsibilities and God saw this as wicked and he was struck down too. Then Judah asked Tamar to stay as a widow in his house until his third son was old enough to fulfill that responsibility of fathering her children. But when his third son was old enough, Judah didn't stick to his promise, and so Tamar resorted to a bit of deception, and to cut a long story short, tricked Judah into sleeping with her, and gave birth to the twins Perez and Zerah.
Sounds like such a soap opera. But the fact was Judah slept with his daughter-in-law, and Jesus descended from the firstborn Perez. And that’s the beauty of it. It was not Jesus’ human lineage that made Him righteous, the perfect propitiation (payment by blood) for our sin, but it was His divine identity. And because we’re humans, as Romans phrases it - descendants of Adam, we are sinful by nature and cannot be righteous by our own effort. The only hope for righteousness comes from God, through Jesus Christ. That’s something to be thankful for, because if we were not righteous before God, our ultimate destination is hell.
But God so loved the world that He sent His one and only son, that whosoever believes in Him, will not perish but have eternal life. And if we believe in Jesus, we will follow Jesus. Not just pay Him lip service, but walk His ways, obey His truths and live His life, in obedience to God.
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Joseph’s such an interesting character, really. Again I feel so spoiled for choice when reading these 3 chapters. But there’s always next year!
So I’ll buck the trend. Today’s insight does not concern Joseph. Chapter 39 is an interesting tale of Joseph’s righteousness before God, and so is Chapter 40, and they’re also amazing testaments to God’s faithfulness and sovereignty, but Chapter 38 is the focus of this insight.
You might wonder why there’s a sudden pause in the story of Joseph, as the focus shifts to Judah. Well, simply because Jesus is descended from the lineage of Judah. (That’s why He’s called the Lion of Judah. And logically David and Solomon as well are descended from Judah – but Jesus is the important descendant.) And the genealogy (family tree) is actually pretty messed up. Jump forward to Matthew and we can trace the genealogy of Jesus from this point:
...Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,
Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,
Perez the father of Hezron...
And so on so forth. If you read the story, Tamar was actually the wife of Judah’s first son, but he was wicked in God’s sight and was struck down. The second son was asked to help bear offspring for his brother, but he intentionally avoided his responsibilities and God saw this as wicked and he was struck down too. Then Judah asked Tamar to stay as a widow in his house until his third son was old enough to fulfill that responsibility of fathering her children. But when his third son was old enough, Judah didn't stick to his promise, and so Tamar resorted to a bit of deception, and to cut a long story short, tricked Judah into sleeping with her, and gave birth to the twins Perez and Zerah.
Sounds like such a soap opera. But the fact was Judah slept with his daughter-in-law, and Jesus descended from the firstborn Perez. And that’s the beauty of it. It was not Jesus’ human lineage that made Him righteous, the perfect propitiation (payment by blood) for our sin, but it was His divine identity. And because we’re humans, as Romans phrases it - descendants of Adam, we are sinful by nature and cannot be righteous by our own effort. The only hope for righteousness comes from God, through Jesus Christ. That’s something to be thankful for, because if we were not righteous before God, our ultimate destination is hell.
But God so loved the world that He sent His one and only son, that whosoever believes in Him, will not perish but have eternal life. And if we believe in Jesus, we will follow Jesus. Not just pay Him lip service, but walk His ways, obey His truths and live His life, in obedience to God.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
#7: January 24, 2008
Today's reading was Genesis 35-37.
Joseph is introduced in the last chapters of Genesis. Joseph’s story is intriguing. There’s so much to take out of it.
In Genesis 37, we may judge Joseph’s brothers harshly for selling him into captivity, and lying to Jacob that he had been taken by wild animals. Perhaps we may grant Reuben a reprieve for seeking to spare Joseph’s life, but whether we interpret his motivations as that of gaining favour from his father is another issue. We may grant Judah a partial pardon, for acknowledging that Joseph is his brother, and his refrain from killing him. But what about Joseph?
Joseph was proud. I think it’s obvious that Joseph understood his dreams. His brothers clearly did, and hated him for flaunting his position over them. It clearly wasn’t helped either by him being Jacob’s favourite child, a testament of his multi-coloured robe. (Benjamin had not been born and Rachel was still alive at this point I believe.)
But just because Joseph would be superior over the lives of his family did not mean that he had to flaunt it. It was true but it was disrespectful. The best evidence of this was Jacob’s reaction. He was clearly outraged at Joseph’s lack of respect, but he kept Joseph’s words in his mind.
We could speculate. Perhaps this whole story wouldn’t have taken place if Joseph had not been as proud. God would surely have had His ways of getting Joseph to Egypt. But of course, as is the pattern we’ve constantly observed, God uses human folly for His good purposes.
It’s the same today. Especially for young people. We think we’re better than others in some way, are more talented in some skill, and seek to flaunt it, to show off. It’s sheer pride. What’s worse is that sometimes we think we’re better just because God gives us a special gift, or we seem to have a special position in church, or something along those lines. It’s not the mark of a true Christian. And it clearly has its consequences. Joseph’s brothers’ reactions were not irrational or even unexpected. And if people were to react in the same way today, I would not be the least bit surprised.
So let’s be humble people, no matter how skilful, or talented, or smart, or privileged, or ‘high-up’ we are.
Joseph is introduced in the last chapters of Genesis. Joseph’s story is intriguing. There’s so much to take out of it.
In Genesis 37, we may judge Joseph’s brothers harshly for selling him into captivity, and lying to Jacob that he had been taken by wild animals. Perhaps we may grant Reuben a reprieve for seeking to spare Joseph’s life, but whether we interpret his motivations as that of gaining favour from his father is another issue. We may grant Judah a partial pardon, for acknowledging that Joseph is his brother, and his refrain from killing him. But what about Joseph?
Joseph was proud. I think it’s obvious that Joseph understood his dreams. His brothers clearly did, and hated him for flaunting his position over them. It clearly wasn’t helped either by him being Jacob’s favourite child, a testament of his multi-coloured robe. (Benjamin had not been born and Rachel was still alive at this point I believe.)
But just because Joseph would be superior over the lives of his family did not mean that he had to flaunt it. It was true but it was disrespectful. The best evidence of this was Jacob’s reaction. He was clearly outraged at Joseph’s lack of respect, but he kept Joseph’s words in his mind.
We could speculate. Perhaps this whole story wouldn’t have taken place if Joseph had not been as proud. God would surely have had His ways of getting Joseph to Egypt. But of course, as is the pattern we’ve constantly observed, God uses human folly for His good purposes.
It’s the same today. Especially for young people. We think we’re better than others in some way, are more talented in some skill, and seek to flaunt it, to show off. It’s sheer pride. What’s worse is that sometimes we think we’re better just because God gives us a special gift, or we seem to have a special position in church, or something along those lines. It’s not the mark of a true Christian. And it clearly has its consequences. Joseph’s brothers’ reactions were not irrational or even unexpected. And if people were to react in the same way today, I would not be the least bit surprised.
So let’s be humble people, no matter how skilful, or talented, or smart, or privileged, or ‘high-up’ we are.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
#6: January 23, 2008
Insight from today's reading Genesis 32-34 though it's the final bit of Genesis 32 that's relevant.
This thought has taken quite a while to develop. You could say I’ve spent the morning wrestling with it.
Jacob wrestled with God. That’s pretty amazing. Did Jacob really wrestle God? Or was it someone else? An angel? Is it a spiritual metaphor? Clearly Jacob knew the man was someone significant to have wrestled with him so intensely. But at the end the man clearly blesses Jacob and renames him, and Jacob himself says that he has seen God face to face yet lives. Thus the fundamental truth here is that Jacob wrestled with God.
What does it mean to wrestle with God though? How do you wrestle with God? It’s like asking a baby to wrestle with the Rock or something. It’s kind of a no-brainer who wins. And we look at this wrestling duel, and in fact there’s no victor, until God chooses to push Jacob’s hip out of joint, so he is unable to continue. But Jacob refuses to let go. He’s not going to win, but he will not lose it. He clearly wants a blessing.
It’s not the first time this happens though. Jacob has been wrestling all his life. He wrestled with Esau in his mother’s womb for the privilege of firstborn, and loses it barely but comes out clutching Esau’s heel. He wrestles with Esau his entire childhood for the privilege of his birthright, then for the blessing of Isaac. He wrestles with Laban for his wages.
But this is no ordinary wrestling match. It is in fact a turning point in Jacob’s life. Jacob’s name means ‘he cheats’. I don’t think you would quite fancy a name like that. It is here that God chooses to humble Jacob. All this while, Jacob has always managed to wrestle his victory. But finally he’s up against the ropes, he’s fearful of meeting his brother, and there seems to him that he has little chance of winning this encounter. It is with this desperation that Jacob wrestles this unknown man, and failing to win, clings on to him. God teaches Jacob to cling on to him. And then seeing that Jacob will not let go, it is clear that he has learnt his lesson, and he renames him Israel, which means ‘he strives with God’. And when He departs, Jacob suddenly realises what has just happened and how blessed he truly is.
Is that like us in any way? We wrestle through this life, trying to carve out our niche somewhere. Then suddenly the tables are turned and there seems to be no escape, and in desperation we turn to God and wrestle with Him, seeking His blessing. But there’s no way we can win that fight. Yet the amazing thing is that while we can’t win it, we can choose to not lose it. And in choosing to not lose, we inadvertently cling on to Him, and it is that very act of humility that ensures our victory.
Isn’t it funny how God works?
This thought has taken quite a while to develop. You could say I’ve spent the morning wrestling with it.
Jacob wrestled with God. That’s pretty amazing. Did Jacob really wrestle God? Or was it someone else? An angel? Is it a spiritual metaphor? Clearly Jacob knew the man was someone significant to have wrestled with him so intensely. But at the end the man clearly blesses Jacob and renames him, and Jacob himself says that he has seen God face to face yet lives. Thus the fundamental truth here is that Jacob wrestled with God.
What does it mean to wrestle with God though? How do you wrestle with God? It’s like asking a baby to wrestle with the Rock or something. It’s kind of a no-brainer who wins. And we look at this wrestling duel, and in fact there’s no victor, until God chooses to push Jacob’s hip out of joint, so he is unable to continue. But Jacob refuses to let go. He’s not going to win, but he will not lose it. He clearly wants a blessing.
It’s not the first time this happens though. Jacob has been wrestling all his life. He wrestled with Esau in his mother’s womb for the privilege of firstborn, and loses it barely but comes out clutching Esau’s heel. He wrestles with Esau his entire childhood for the privilege of his birthright, then for the blessing of Isaac. He wrestles with Laban for his wages.
But this is no ordinary wrestling match. It is in fact a turning point in Jacob’s life. Jacob’s name means ‘he cheats’. I don’t think you would quite fancy a name like that. It is here that God chooses to humble Jacob. All this while, Jacob has always managed to wrestle his victory. But finally he’s up against the ropes, he’s fearful of meeting his brother, and there seems to him that he has little chance of winning this encounter. It is with this desperation that Jacob wrestles this unknown man, and failing to win, clings on to him. God teaches Jacob to cling on to him. And then seeing that Jacob will not let go, it is clear that he has learnt his lesson, and he renames him Israel, which means ‘he strives with God’. And when He departs, Jacob suddenly realises what has just happened and how blessed he truly is.
Is that like us in any way? We wrestle through this life, trying to carve out our niche somewhere. Then suddenly the tables are turned and there seems to be no escape, and in desperation we turn to God and wrestle with Him, seeking His blessing. But there’s no way we can win that fight. Yet the amazing thing is that while we can’t win it, we can choose to not lose it. And in choosing to not lose, we inadvertently cling on to Him, and it is that very act of humility that ensures our victory.
Isn’t it funny how God works?
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
#5: January 22, 2008
Insight comes from Genesis 30-31.
The tables are turned on Jacob.
He cheated Esau out of his birthright and blessing. He then had to flee to the household of Laban to escape the wrath of his brother. Here he was cheated by Laban. He was forced to work an extra 7 years to earn the daughter he loved, and in these two chapters, Laban attempted to cheat him out of his wages.
It seems that there’s just a lot of deception going on here.
Yet God was faithful to Jacob and blessed him despite Laban’s tricks. And this is something that we should remember today. Sometimes everything seems so unjust when others get away with their deceitful scheming. Even worse, sometimes we get tempted to resort to our own deceitful scheming to get our bit back. Jacob did not do so though. He followed God’s advice and was duly rewarded.
In a way, this has parallels with the previous story. There Rebekah chose to cheat and God’s plan was fulfilled, but Rebekah was left facing the consequences. Here Jacob chose not to cheat and God’s plan was equally fulfilled, but Jacob left a blessed man. Well in truth he fled. But God protected him from Laban.
It may not be deceitful scheming. It might involve telling a half-truth. Either way, let your conscience judge what deceit is. But if there’s one thing we learn, trusting in God’s faithfulness and persisting in His good and just ways is the surest route to take.
The tables are turned on Jacob.
He cheated Esau out of his birthright and blessing. He then had to flee to the household of Laban to escape the wrath of his brother. Here he was cheated by Laban. He was forced to work an extra 7 years to earn the daughter he loved, and in these two chapters, Laban attempted to cheat him out of his wages.
It seems that there’s just a lot of deception going on here.
Yet God was faithful to Jacob and blessed him despite Laban’s tricks. And this is something that we should remember today. Sometimes everything seems so unjust when others get away with their deceitful scheming. Even worse, sometimes we get tempted to resort to our own deceitful scheming to get our bit back. Jacob did not do so though. He followed God’s advice and was duly rewarded.
In a way, this has parallels with the previous story. There Rebekah chose to cheat and God’s plan was fulfilled, but Rebekah was left facing the consequences. Here Jacob chose not to cheat and God’s plan was equally fulfilled, but Jacob left a blessed man. Well in truth he fled. But God protected him from Laban.
It may not be deceitful scheming. It might involve telling a half-truth. Either way, let your conscience judge what deceit is. But if there’s one thing we learn, trusting in God’s faithfulness and persisting in His good and just ways is the surest route to take.
Monday, January 21, 2008
#4: January 21, 2008
Insight of the day from Genesis 27-29.
I’ve always wondered about this. What would God have done if Rebekah had not chosen to deceive Isaac into blessing Jacob?
Yet in the end, God’s fulfils His promise. It’s strange. I can’t help but feel outraged at the manner in which God’s promise was eventually fulfilled. If God is good, why does He choose to act through this act of sin?
I believe this a beautiful juxtaposition of human free will and divine sovereignty. It’s one way in which this seeming contradiction – that if God is sovereign, then do humans really have free will – is answered. Rebekah had a choice. She chose to trust in her own effort and was left to face the consequences – separation from the son she loved, fear over the lives of both Esau and Jacob, and the knowledge that she was responsible for the enmity between Jacob and Esau. Yet God in His sovereignty foreknew Rebekah’s choice and chose to use an act of sin for His good purposes. If Rachel had chosen to trust in God to fulfil His promise, perhaps things would have turned out differently. Yet either way, God is sovereign, and we are still free to choose.
The key is whether we choose to trust in God, or trust in ourselves. Our tendency is to go for the latter, but if we trust in God, He has promised to work all things for our good. Surely that is the better choice.
I’ve always wondered about this. What would God have done if Rebekah had not chosen to deceive Isaac into blessing Jacob?
Yet in the end, God’s fulfils His promise. It’s strange. I can’t help but feel outraged at the manner in which God’s promise was eventually fulfilled. If God is good, why does He choose to act through this act of sin?
I believe this a beautiful juxtaposition of human free will and divine sovereignty. It’s one way in which this seeming contradiction – that if God is sovereign, then do humans really have free will – is answered. Rebekah had a choice. She chose to trust in her own effort and was left to face the consequences – separation from the son she loved, fear over the lives of both Esau and Jacob, and the knowledge that she was responsible for the enmity between Jacob and Esau. Yet God in His sovereignty foreknew Rebekah’s choice and chose to use an act of sin for His good purposes. If Rachel had chosen to trust in God to fulfil His promise, perhaps things would have turned out differently. Yet either way, God is sovereign, and we are still free to choose.
The key is whether we choose to trust in God, or trust in ourselves. Our tendency is to go for the latter, but if we trust in God, He has promised to work all things for our good. Surely that is the better choice.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
#3: January 20, 2008
Alright, it's time to get real with resolution #7.
Insight of the day comes from today's reading Genesis 25-26.
Why was Jacob picked over Esau? Esau was a rebel. He married two Hittites against the will of his parents. He sold his birthright over a meal. He always looked for instant gratification. And so we are like that sometimes. We think that we aren’t like Esau, not as foolish, not as rebellious, but the fact is that we have given up our birthright in heaven too for instant gratification, the pleasures of this world, to get entangled in this life of sin. But Jacob wasn't any better, was he? If you think about it, and read further, he didn't deserve this birthright - he had won it through his cunning efforts. And sometimes we try to do that - we try to earn our birthright by our own effort and devious ways. But this doesn’t work. We don't deserve it and we can never earn it.
Righteousness comes from God alone, through faith, in Jesus Christ, whose death paid for our punishment, whose obedience is our righteousness. It is the only way we can become children of God, by His grace and mercy.
That's pretty amazing stuff.
Insight of the day comes from today's reading Genesis 25-26.
Why was Jacob picked over Esau? Esau was a rebel. He married two Hittites against the will of his parents. He sold his birthright over a meal. He always looked for instant gratification. And so we are like that sometimes. We think that we aren’t like Esau, not as foolish, not as rebellious, but the fact is that we have given up our birthright in heaven too for instant gratification, the pleasures of this world, to get entangled in this life of sin. But Jacob wasn't any better, was he? If you think about it, and read further, he didn't deserve this birthright - he had won it through his cunning efforts. And sometimes we try to do that - we try to earn our birthright by our own effort and devious ways. But this doesn’t work. We don't deserve it and we can never earn it.
Righteousness comes from God alone, through faith, in Jesus Christ, whose death paid for our punishment, whose obedience is our righteousness. It is the only way we can become children of God, by His grace and mercy.
That's pretty amazing stuff.
Monday, January 07, 2008
#2: January 7, 2008
The 7 should read 2, or the 2 should read 7. Nonetheless, I really should be keeping this up.
But it's 2008, and I figured 8 resolutions for the year ought to be a nice number.
#1: Get a first in my exams. Or well, really just do the best I can.
#2: Figure out something for my summer internship - this looks like more of a half-year resolution.
#3: Finish my chronological Bible reading plan
#4: Spend more time in prayer
#5: Make time to talk to more friends
#6: Forge better relationships with certain individuals, who will not be named here
#7: Update this blog regularly
#8: *private resolution*
Lol. The last one will be kept a secret.
Anyways, like I promised, insight #2:
It would be a bit long to quote the whole bit. But I'm currently reading through Job, and today's chapters are 14-16. The insight today however comes from a bigger overview of the situation in Job. And perhaps there is a key passage here, taken from Job 2:9-10.
[Job's] wife said to him, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!"
He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?"
In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.
The question to contemplate is: Is God responsible for evil?
This question cannot be appropriately addressed in such a short space. But I think that justice, however small, must be done. Firstly, the definition of responsibility is crucial. God is not the origin of evil, He is not the author of evil, but He permits it. For His own purposes God permits evil. Yet God's very nature is goodness, and in Him there is no evil. This is right doctrine, for it is said that Job did not sin when he said that trouble also comes from God. So it seems that we arrive at a contradiction, at yet another question. How can a good God allow evil?
In the book of Job, God chooses to answer this question in pretty spectacular fashion, by revealing Himself. And today, it's even more spectacular when you realise that God has revealed Himself ultimately in the person of Jesus. The answer to how a good God can allow evil is Jesus. Strange answer you might think. In fact the question doesn't even seem to be answered. To answer that question will require much review of many different theological arguments. But stop a moment and think about it: when people are faced by evil, as much as they want to know why it is happening, I believe they want a solution even more. And so Jesus is that solution. He is coming to set things right, while we just hold on a little longer.
But it's 2008, and I figured 8 resolutions for the year ought to be a nice number.
#1: Get a first in my exams. Or well, really just do the best I can.
#2: Figure out something for my summer internship - this looks like more of a half-year resolution.
#3: Finish my chronological Bible reading plan
#4: Spend more time in prayer
#5: Make time to talk to more friends
#6: Forge better relationships with certain individuals, who will not be named here
#7: Update this blog regularly
#8: *private resolution*
Lol. The last one will be kept a secret.
Anyways, like I promised, insight #2:
It would be a bit long to quote the whole bit. But I'm currently reading through Job, and today's chapters are 14-16. The insight today however comes from a bigger overview of the situation in Job. And perhaps there is a key passage here, taken from Job 2:9-10.
[Job's] wife said to him, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!"
He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?"
In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.
The question to contemplate is: Is God responsible for evil?
This question cannot be appropriately addressed in such a short space. But I think that justice, however small, must be done. Firstly, the definition of responsibility is crucial. God is not the origin of evil, He is not the author of evil, but He permits it. For His own purposes God permits evil. Yet God's very nature is goodness, and in Him there is no evil. This is right doctrine, for it is said that Job did not sin when he said that trouble also comes from God. So it seems that we arrive at a contradiction, at yet another question. How can a good God allow evil?
In the book of Job, God chooses to answer this question in pretty spectacular fashion, by revealing Himself. And today, it's even more spectacular when you realise that God has revealed Himself ultimately in the person of Jesus. The answer to how a good God can allow evil is Jesus. Strange answer you might think. In fact the question doesn't even seem to be answered. To answer that question will require much review of many different theological arguments. But stop a moment and think about it: when people are faced by evil, as much as they want to know why it is happening, I believe they want a solution even more. And so Jesus is that solution. He is coming to set things right, while we just hold on a little longer.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
The narrow road or #1: January 1, 2008
I have finally decided to end my blogging hiatus and start anew. It's the dawn of a new year, and it's the perfect time for a fresh start, beginning with the title.
So here I am again explaining why the change of title. Well, life's a journey. And we all choose different roads. Jesus tells us to "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:13-14). I consider myself to have chosen the narrow road. But it's difficult to stay on it, and it's in fact impossible aside from the power of God, who is able to keep us from falling.
And I thought that it is only right for my blog to reflect that sort of life. I mean it's a useful tool to inform people of what I have been doing, but I feel that it should also inform people of what I have been thinking. And so I figured, why not share my personal spiritual insights of the day?
So here's insight #1. This verse leapfrogged into my mind yesterday on New Year's Eve.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4: 6-7
It's interesting that it just says present your requests. It doesn't say anything about your prayers being answered. And yet the peace of God still comes upon us. This doesn't seem to make any sense, but this shouldn't be so surprising - after all the verse does also say that the peace of God transcends all understanding. Yet, I have experienced this strange peace when I present my worries to God. And even more strangely/amazingly, when I do it with a thankful heart, acknowledging what God has already given me despite my worries, I am filled with an unshakable peace that I cannot explain.
And so I plan to keep this truth close to my heart this year. To trust in this promise. To stand in a boat with Jesus while the storms of the world rage around me, knowing full well that He has authority to calm the wind and the waves. And be filled with the assured hope that He will eventually do so in His own time.
So here I am again explaining why the change of title. Well, life's a journey. And we all choose different roads. Jesus tells us to "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:13-14). I consider myself to have chosen the narrow road. But it's difficult to stay on it, and it's in fact impossible aside from the power of God, who is able to keep us from falling.
And I thought that it is only right for my blog to reflect that sort of life. I mean it's a useful tool to inform people of what I have been doing, but I feel that it should also inform people of what I have been thinking. And so I figured, why not share my personal spiritual insights of the day?
So here's insight #1. This verse leapfrogged into my mind yesterday on New Year's Eve.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4: 6-7
It's interesting that it just says present your requests. It doesn't say anything about your prayers being answered. And yet the peace of God still comes upon us. This doesn't seem to make any sense, but this shouldn't be so surprising - after all the verse does also say that the peace of God transcends all understanding. Yet, I have experienced this strange peace when I present my worries to God. And even more strangely/amazingly, when I do it with a thankful heart, acknowledging what God has already given me despite my worries, I am filled with an unshakable peace that I cannot explain.
And so I plan to keep this truth close to my heart this year. To trust in this promise. To stand in a boat with Jesus while the storms of the world rage around me, knowing full well that He has authority to calm the wind and the waves. And be filled with the assured hope that He will eventually do so in His own time.
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