Folly of Idolatry
One of my favourite books is Tim Keller's "Counterfeit Gods". It is a no that continues speaking to me and helps me to understand a lot of scripture in light of my own fallen nature and idolatry. Anyway, the reading from Genesis today was actually one that Keller used in is book, the story of Jacob being deceived by Laban. Blinded by his lust (idolatry of Rachel), he didn't realise he was being deceived by Laban. So that got me thinking about idolatry of course as I read on, and in Esther, I couldn't help but notice how Haman was himself exhibiting signs of idolatry. He was in a privileged position already, and yet because of his high self image (idolatry of self), he could not enjoy it just because Mordecai had no fear of him. Quite sad really, especially given the rest of the story... Man I love Esther!!
Unnamed But Quite Present
I already mentioned that God does not "appear" in the book of Esther - no LORD, no God, etc. nonetheless, it's not hard to discern how God shows up even when unnamed. And here in Esther 4, we see this happening. Esther tells Mordecai about the law forbidding anyone from approaching the king. And to this, Mordecai answers "For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish." Amazing! Here's the covenant restated in different words. The Jews, as the covenant people, indeed will be saved. And then here's the kicker, Mordecai continues: "And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" And there is sovereignty. The belief that God is I. Control even when it doesn't see, like it at all.
No One Righteous, Not One
Genesis 27 is one of those passages where it is difficult to see any good at all. One messed up family with all playing their evil part... There are the parents playing favourite, the older brother who doesn't care about his family, and of course, Jacob the younger brother who deceives his way into a blessing he was supposed to get anyway. I guess the only good thing that comes out of this is that it does set the stage for God's sovereign work of building up the chosen family, Israel. But one wonders, if they had just trusted in Yahweh, how much easier would things have been for them?
Sins of the Father
It's incredible to read this story in Genesis 26 of Isaac and Abimelech, king of the Philistines, if only because I had read it at least twice before, albeit with Abraham doing the lying about Sarah. First of all, it's just plain wrong and cowardly for these men to have lied about their wives being their sister in order to avoid possible trouble. But more importantly, it is also a lack of faith in Yahweh, who has already promised his blessing to them, that lead to that cowardice. Quite sad indeed...
Sovereignty in the Big Matters
Yesterday, I made some comments about God's sovereignty being shown in small matters such as finding a wife for Isaac (in Genesis 24). I realize of course large and small are two measures that need to be considered in context, and so I thought that today, as I begin reading Esther, I would put how "small" the matter of finding a wife for Isaac (as I would suspect that most would disagree with my considering it "small") into perspective. Esther is a problematic book for several reasons, not the least of which is the fact that the term "God" or "Yahweh" does not appear in the story. It seems a book that has nothing at all to do with God, and yet it has everything to do with Him. God's sovereignty is seen throughout the book, with Esther 1 standing as the introduction to the situation in which God's sovereignty will be seen in a huge way. To be sure, it is a pretty horrible thing that happened. A patriarchal society would have no problems at all with what happened to Queen Vashti, while ours would question what right the King had to demand so much from her. Nonetheless, whatever way you view their dispute and the results, God's sovereignty was at work to bring about his divine purpose.
Sovereignty in the Small Matters
Genesis 24 has another one of those "LOL" verses in the a bible (which I love). On oath to find a wife for Isaac, Abraham's servant asks God for a sign regarding the young woman he is to choose for him. Pretty much right after that, he meets Rebekah, who fulfills the sign exactly. P that's the context of the verse, "The man gazed at her in silence to learn whether the LORD had prospered his journey or not." I can just imagine the servant in kind of this confused/amazed state.. I find it amusing. Hahaha. Anyway, some observations: 1) The servant praying to Yahweh is a testimony of Abraham as a master/employer. He's obviously taught everyone in his household, including the lowly servants, that Yahweh is the only true God. 2) God is obviously concerned over even the small matters such as finding Isaac a wife. Not that I think finding a wife should on love the kind of sign this servant asked God for. Just the principle of God's sovereignty in this small matter is helpful to know. 3) Rebekah's obedience is amazing to see, even though she clearly comes from a household that had respect for, but did not completely believe in Yahweh. Did she herself believe at this point? Or was she being prompted in her heart by the truth? Either way, she defied (it would seem) her family's wishes for her to stay longer, and in a way, trusted in Yahweh through her obedience to Abraham's servant.
Genesis 22 on Worship
I can't let Genesis 22 pass by without comment because it is one of my favourite passages concerning worship. Yes. Worship. Because of what Abraham said to his servants: "I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you." Obviously with the sacrifice of Isaac in mind, Abraham calls what he is about to do "worship", nonetheless. With that said... 1) Worship is merely a response to God's initiative in our lives. Just as he called Abraham, who answered "Here am I". 2) Worship is often a calling to do something difficult. No, it isn't just what we do on Sunday mornings. It is much more. 3) Worship is a form of sacrifice. Giving up something that you love or cherish, in faith that God's sovereignty reigns. 4) Worship is not purely emotional (though it can contain emotion), but just as Abraham rationally made preparation to sacrifice Isaac, worship needs to be prepared for and made ready. Finally, 5) Worship is an expression of faith in God's gift of Resurrection Life. Amen!
Misconceptions
This is the second time Abraham has lied about Sarah being his sister. And this time he gives an "explanation" (more like an excuse) for why he does this. Abraham said, "I did it because I thought, there is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife." I wonder how often Christians sin or lie when they make the mistake of thinking that God isn't big enough to reveal themselves to those who they think don't know him..
In the Scriptures
Reading Acts 18 and Nehemiah 8 together really allows us to see a great reaction to scripture, heard properly. In Nehemiah, the situation was, having lost the scriptures for generations due to the exile, the people of Israel seem to be hearing it afresh. Troubled, though, they were weeping, only to be exhorted not to "for the joy of the LOrD is your strength. Indeed in Acts 18, we see why as Paul, and late Apollos, "expertly" showed how Jesus is the true Messiah of the Hebrew scriptures.
Sodom and Gomorrah
There have been many comments of course already made about Genesis 18, and Abraham's boldness to bargain with God. But I think more than that, this almost comedic episode of Abraham pleading is an indictment against the evil of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham manages to "convince" God not to destroy the city for just 10 righteous people (starting at 50) and even that many was not found! Certainly this is a foreshadowing of what happens in the next chapter which lays out in detail how depraved these people were.