Gospel Reading Guide -February 20-26, 2012

How do I use this guide?

John 18:15-18; 25-27

Earlier that evening Jesus interrupted his meal with his disciples to deliver some disturbing news. He is leaving and where he is going his disciples cannot follow. You have to admire Peter’s brash resolve. He announces that he will die for Jesus. Jesus, however, sees a different future for Peter and predicts that he will deny him three times that very night.

Following the meal, Jesus takes his disciples out to the Garden of Gethsemane, just outside the city of Jerusalem. While Jesus is praying (and the disciples are sleeping), Judas appears with a crowd of soldiers and to arrest Jesus. Peter tries to play the hero and cuts off the ear of the high priest’s servant, but Jesus quickly puts a stop to the Peter’s resistance and heals the servant. The disciples scatter, but Peter and one other disciple followed Jesus at a distance.

What wins out that evening, Peter’s resolve or Jesus’ prediction? Why does Peter fail? When Jesus predicted Peter’s failure, Peter offered Jesus his resolve to stay faithful. What do you think Jesus  wanted from Peter instead? Peter is a pillar of the early church. Why is his colossal failure preserved for us? What does it teach us?

John 18:28-38

The Pharisees and teachers of the law believed that entering a non-Jewish home, where Jewish law practices concerning cleanliness were not practiced, would make them unclean.  Jewish law prohibited anyone who was ceremonially unclean from celebrating the Passover. This is why the Jewish officials escorting Jesus refused to enter the palace of the Roman governor. But this only serves to expose the hypocrisy of Jesus’ adversaries. It was unlawful to enter the home of a Gentile, but it is permissable to bring trumped up charges against the Son of God.

Pilate clearly wants this whole thing to go away and commands the Jewish officials to judge Jesus according to their law. Why do Jesus’ enemies reject this suggestion? Who, according to verse 32, is orchestrating the details of Jesus’ death?

The Jewish authorities hoped to present Jesus as a threat to Roman authority, so their charge was that Jesus claimed to be the “King of the Jews”. The penalty for insurrection in the Roman Empire was death by crucifixion. Does Jesus consider himself to be a king? What makes Jesus’ kingdom different from the kingdoms of our world? What does this tell us about following King Jesus today?

Luke 18:9-14

Parables or short stories was a favorite teaching method of Jesus. What problem causes Jesus to tell this parable? Here’s a little background to clarify Jesus’ point. The Pharisees were a sect of Judaism that was well respected by the average person on the street in Israel. Their respect came from their zeal in keeping Jewish law and tradition and protecting the Jewish identity while their nation was occupied by the Romans. Pharisees were national heroes, whereas tax collectors were traitors. Not only did tax collectors work for the occupying Roman Empire, they often became rich by overcharging their own people. So these two men went to the temple to pray …

Which of these men goes home justified (forgiven and declared to be innocent)? Why? What virtue does God value most highly?

John 17:1-8

It’s the dead of night in the Garden of Gethsemane and Jesus kneels in the darkness to pray. He is desperate because he knows that the next day he will go to the cross. In a most remarkable chapter, John allows us to listen in on Jesus’ prayer.

What do we learn about Jesus’ relationship with his Father?  What do they do for each other?  How does Jesus bring glory to his Father?  How does Jesus’ obedience to his Father impact us?  

John 17:9-19

John 17 is commonly known as Jesus’ “High Priestly Prayer.”  Priests represent the people before God and in this prayer Jesus is representing us before his Father by praying for us.  Imagine.

Verse 9 tells us that Jesus is praying for his disciples, “his own.” How did these disciples come to belong to Jesus? What did Jesus do for his disciples while he was with them?  What does Jesus ask the Father to do for his disciples in his absence?  In case you were wondering, “to sanctify someone” is to make them holy, or to use Christian language, to make someone like Jesus.

John 17:20-26

This is where the prayer gets exciting.  Jesus extends his prayer beyond his disciples to those who will receive the message from the disciples.  That means us!  What is Jesus’ prayer for us?  What is Jesus most concerned about and why?

John 12:44-50
What does it mean for Jesus to be the light of the world? What does his light illuminate? Who does he point us to?

When we believe in Jesus, we also believe in _____________________.

When we see Jesus, we also see _______________________.

Jesus came to save the world. Who judges those who hear Jesus’ words, but do not keep them? Who directs Jesus’ mission and guides his words? What is the purpose of God the Father’s commands?

 

New Testament Reading Guide – February 20-26, 2012

How do I use this reading guide?

Philippians 2:1-13

What is the life pattern that Christ left for us to follow? Where did Jesus begin? Where did he go? Where did God the Father take him in the end? What would it would like for you to follow that same life pattern (go back and look at verses 2-4)?

There is a mystery, a paradox, that runs through Paul’s letter to the Philippians concerning how we grow as a follower of Christ. On the one hand, our growth is a work of God …

Philippians 2:13 … it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Yet we also have some hard work to do as we follow Jesus …

Philippians 2:12 … continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.

What does it look like for us to work out our salvation as God works in us?  What does God do?  What do we do?

Philippians 3:1-11

The question: “Do followers of Jesus need to be circumcised and follow the Jewish laws and traditions?” was a question that troubled the church in Paul’s day.  Many Jewish Christians argued forcefully that non-Jews who became Christians must also be made to follow Jewish customs. Paul argues against this teaching calling it “confidence in the flesh”.

Why did Paul have more reason that most Jews of his time to have “confidence in the flesh”? What is worth more to Paul than his Jewish identity and all his accomplishments? What is it that is a source of pride for you? What would it look like for you to let go of these things and instead base your self-worth on the fact that you belong to Jesus?

Hebrews 12:1-14

The book of Hebrews was written to a Jewish group of followers of Jesus who were undergoing a difficult time of persecution. Life was so hard for them, they were considering abandoning their faith in Jesus and returning to the safety of the Judaism they had been born into. This book was written to encourage them to cling to Jesus and to persevere in their new faith.

In chapter 11, the writer provided examples of persevering faith from their Jewish history and now in chapter 12 the writer starts to point us to Jesus. How can the example of Jesus encourage us to hold on to our faith even when life gets difficult?

How are we called to see the hardships that God allows in our lives? For the writer of Hebrews hardship = _____________? How does hardship mean that God still loves us? What is the purpose of struggle in our lives? What good can come of it?

While we struggle to hold on to our faith in the face of hardship, we are still called to go on the offensive. What are we to put our effort into? Why is living in peace so important?

Philippians 3:12-21

What does Paul do realizing that he is not yet been made perfect? What role does Paul play in his struggle to follow Jesus? What role does Christ play? What is the goal that Paul pursues? What does he let go of in order to pursue that goal?

Christianity is more than a set of beliefs for Paul. It is also a way of life. How does this way of life contrast to the world’s way of life? What is the primary citizenship of a Christian? What is a Christian’s hope? How does this new identity and new hope affect the way a Christian should live today? How would the Philippian Christians know what the Christian life looked like?

Philippians 4:1-9

Chapter 4 begins “therefore …” But therefore what and why? Here is what chapter 4 is responding to.

Philippians 3:20 Our citizenship is in heaven.  And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ … therefore … [chapter 4]

How are we to live on today with this promise as our tomorrow?  What are we to do and not do? List out the commands you see in verses 1-9.

Philippians 4:10-20

Paul is appreciative of the concern the Philippians gave him while he suffered.  Why doesn’t Paul need or demand their support? What has Paul learned as he followed Jesus? Why was the Philippian gift so important even though it wasn’t ‘needed’?

Hebrews 2:10-18

?How is it that we are brothers (that would include women) of Jesus? Why did Jesus become our brother, and share in our humanity “Abraham’s descendants” was a Jewish way of referring to God’s people. Through the coming of Jesus Christ, all those who put their faith in Him are considered to be descendents of Abraham and heirs to the promises that God had given him. For more on these promises see Genesis 12:1-3. What new role has Jesus taken on because he became a human being? In what two ways can Jesus now help us with our struggle with sin?

Old Testament Reading Guide -February 20-26, 2012

How do I use this reading guide?

Genesis 30:1-24        Rachel Advises Jacob

At the time of Jacob, there was not much writing going on. History was probably learned by word of mouth from one generation to the next.  As this story unfolds, it becomes clear that if the history was passed from father to son, there were certain unpleasant details left out which may explain why the same mistakes keep occurring.  Fortunately for us, Moses has left us a written record of the events which happened to Abraham and his offspring not leaving out the unfavorable details.  From these we glean that Isaac appears to be the only one who had managed to avoid certain pitfalls (i.e., temptations to “short cuts”).

We have seen that Sarah thought she could “help” the LORD along with his promise to provide an heir and son to Abraham.  She came up with the scathingly brilliant idea of giving Abraham a concubine who might provide him with a son.  That was fine until the child (Ishmael) was born.  As we have seen, things deteriorate quickly thereafter.  The upshot is that the LORD meant what he said when he promised that Abraham’s heir will be born of Sarah.  All this proved to be very funny to both Abraham and Sarah and so they carried the joke further by naming their child “Isaac” meaning “he laughs”.  (Actually it is the LORD who names Abraham’s son in Genesis Chapter 17 verse 19.)

If this oral history was transmitted to Jacob the details surrounding Ishmael and Isaac may have been omitted.  If Jacob knew that the “maidservant” was used to bring about the LORD’s will, then he paid it no heed.

We saw last week that Jacob was cheated (that in itself, is funny) by Laban into working fourteen years in order to win Rachel’s hand.  Leah, Rachel’s older sister, is given to Jacob as wages for seven (!) years of labor.  She proves to be fertile and bears Jacob quickly four sons (Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah).  But Rachel is preferred by Jacob to Leah.  Rachel, to this point, is barren.  Naturally, this does not sit well with her.  What is Rachel’s solution to this problem?
[“Here is Bilhah, my maidservant.  Sleep with her so that she can bear children for me and that through her I too can build a family.”  (Genesis 30:3 NIV)]

This plan works as well for Rachel as it did for Sarah.  What happened?
[Jacob slept with Bilhah and she became pregnant and she bore him a son.  “Then Rachel said, ‘God has vindicated me; he has listened to my plea and given me a son.’  Because of this she named him Dan.” {meaning “he has vindicated”}. (Gen. 30:6 NIV)]

Again, as “luck” would have it, Bilhah conceives and bares another son.  What does Rachel name him and why?
[Rachel names this boy Naphtali which means my struggle, for she said: “I have had a great struggle with my sister, and I have won.” (Gen. 30:8 NIV)]

Not to be outdone, and ever unsatisfied with things the way they are, Leah devises a similar scheme using one of her maidservants.  What does she do and why?
[Because Leah appears now to be barren, she sends her servant Zilpah to sleep with Jacob and he, of course, gains a son by her.]

What name is given to this latest member of Jacob’s family?
[He is named “Gad” which can mean “good fortune” or, less romantically, “a troop” – take your pick.]

If Rachel can have two boys by her maidservant, so can Leah.  Thus Zilpah again sleeps with Jacob and bears him yet another son – Asher by name.  What does the bible tell us Asher means?
[“Then Leah said, ‘How happy I am!  The women will call me happy.  So she named him Asher.” (Genesis 30:13 NIV)]

What kind of business deal do Rachel and Leah make that reminds us of a deal between Jacob and Esau?
[Rachel barters for some mandrakes Reuben (Leah’s son) brought home for his mother.  Leah is not favored by Jacob as compared to Rachel.  Rachel agrees to “let” Leah sleep with Jacob if Leah will give the mandrakes to her.  This amounts to prostitution.  A similar business arrangement was made between Jacob and Esau when Esau traded his birthright for a bowl of red stew. (Genesis Chapter 25 verses 29-34)  When Jacob comes in from the fields that night Leah announces to him that she has “hired” him; that he must sleep with her.  The bible does not tell us how Jacob “felt” about being “used” in this fashion.]

What is the end result of this bartering between Leah and Rachel?
[The LORD opens Leah’s womb and she conceives yet another son, this time, Issachar, which means reward. “Then Leah said, ‘God has rewarded me for giving my maidservant to my husband.’ So she named him Issachar.” (Genesis 30:18 NIV)  I don’t know if Leah is correct in her interpretation of the facts.  The LORD likes to work through people not to be manipulated by them. – j.t.]

How does the LORD continue to favor Leah?
[Leah conceives again (!) and bears Jacob a sixth son: Zebulun.  “Then Leah said, ‘God has presented me with a precious gift.  This time my husband will treat me with honor, because I have borne him six sons.’  So she named him Zebulun.” (Genesis 30:20 NIV)]

Up to this point Jacob has ten sons:
By Leah –
1. Reuben meaning “see, a son” and sounds like (in Hebrew) “he has seen my misery. (v. 29:32)
2. Simeon meaning “one who hears”.  (v. 29:33)
3. Levi meaning “attached”. (v. 29:34)
4. Judah meaning “praised”. (v. 29:35)

By Bilhah (of Rachel) –
5. Dan meaning “he has vindicated”. (v. 30:6)
6. Naphtali meaning “my struggle” (v. 30:7)

By Zilpah (of Leah) –
7. Gad meaning “good fortune” or “a troop” (v. 30:11)
8. Asher meaning “happy” (v. 30:12)

By Leah (again) –
9. Issachar meaning “reward” (v. 30:18)
10.  Zebulun meaning “honor” (v. 30:30)

We are not done yet.  Leah also gave birth to a girl and named her “Dinah” (v. 30:21).  Dinah will play a pivotal role in Chapter 34.  We are not told here what Dinah actually means.  (She was a girl, after all.)

Finally, what happens to Rachel in verse 22?
[“Then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and opened her womb.  She became pregnant and gave birth to a son and said, ‘God has taken away my disgrace.’  She named him Joseph [yes, that one – the dreamer] and said, ‘May the LORD add to me another son.’” (Genesis 30:22-24 NIV)]

Genesis 31:1-24        Jacob Flees From Laban

Laban had acknowledged that because of Jacob he, Laban, had prospered, but now that  Jacob wanted to return to the land of his birth.  Jacob also prospered greatly during that time.  Laban did not want Jacob to leave fearing that his prosperity would then cease.  Laban had tried to cheat (!) Jacob over and over again.  “If he said, ‘The speckled ones will be your wages,’ then all the flocks gave birth to speckled young; and if he said, ‘The streaked ones will be your wages,’ then all the flocks bore streaked young.  So God has taken away your father’s livestock and has given them to me.” (Genesis 31:8-9 NIV)

Jacob had a dream once in mating season, how do you interpret it?
[The dream is telling Jacob that the spotted and speckled sheep and goats were made that way by God because Laban tried to cheat Jacob out of his wages.]

What is Rachel’s and Leah’s response to this development?
[They pretty much agree with Jacob that this is the LORD’s doing.  “Then Rachel and Leah replied, ‘Do we still have any share in the inheritance of our father’s estate?  Does he not regard us as foreigners?  Not only has he sold us, but he has used up what was paid for us.  Surely all the wealth that God took away from our father belongs to us and our children.’”  (Genesis 31:14-16 NIV)]

So Jacob left with his wife and twelve children (eleven sons and one daughter) and returned to go to his father Isaac in the land Canaan.  What tricky thing did Rachel do?  What was Jacob’s last deceit with respect to Laban?
[Rachel steals Laban’s household gods and Jacob deceives Laban by leaving without telling him.]

While it took three days before Laban found out that Jacob had fled with his family and his flocks, he wasted no time in pursuing Jacob.  He caught up with him after seven (!) days.  How then does God intervene in this matter?
[“Then God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and said to him, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, whether good or bad.”  (Genesis 31:24 NIV)]

Genesis 31:25-50       Laban Catches Up With Jacob

What song and dance does Laban give Jacob for his indignation at Jacob’s departure without notice?
[Laban {I believe} feigns hurt and outrage at Jacob’s departure; that he did not have any opportunity to say good-bye to his daughters and grandchildren, nor did he have the opportunity to celebrate the departure with a party (or feast).

Then Laban drops a bomb!  What was it?
[He accuses Jacob of stealing his household gods and idols.  “Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the gods.” (Genesis 31:32 NIV)

How does Rachel “dance” around this predicament?
[She “claims” to be having her period and is unable to rise.  Actually, she is sitting on the household gods.   (Genesis 31:34-35)  Please note that deception follows  and pervades this family.]

To say the least, Jacob is righteously indignant.  He then launches into a long tirade of how honest he is and, how he suffered loss without whining for over the twenty years he was with Laban.  He was laying it on pretty thick.  “I worked for you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks, and you changed my wages ten times.  If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, you would surely have sent me away empty-handed.  But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands, and last night he rebuked you. {See Gen. 31:24} ” (Genesis 31:41-42 NIV)

How do Laban and Jacob resolve their differences?
[They make a covenant between them.  They pile a bunch of stones in a heap.  “Laban said, ‘This heap is a witness between you and me today. That is why it was called Galeed {means “witness heap”}.  It was also called Mizpah {which means “watchtower”}, because he said, ‘May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other.  If you mistreat my daughters or if you take any wives besides my daughters, even though no one is with us, remember that God is a witness between you and me.’” (Genesis 31:48-52 NIV)]

Genesis 32:3-21      Jacob Extends to Esau the “Olive Branch” (Peace)

As Jacob approaches Seir in the land of Edom, he sends emissaries to his brother in order to establish peace (or reconciliation) between them.  He informs Esau how rich he has become and how much God has blessed him.  “Now I am sending this message to my lord, that I may find favor in your eyes.” (Genesis 32:5)

Of course, Jacob had reason to be fearful of his brother.  When last we saw Esau he was breathing threats against Jacob and just waiting for Isaac to die so that he could carry them out. (Gen. 27:41)  When Jacob’s messengers returned they told him that Esau was coming to meet him with four hundred men.  A show of force?  What is Jacob’s plan?
[Jacob divides his family and his wealth into two parts so that if Esau had plans for evil and not for good that all would not be lost.]

Jacob reminds the “God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac” of what?
[Jacob reminds God that he told Jacob to return to the land of his birth and that he would prosper his family and begs that God would deliver him and his family from the hand of Esau.  “But you have said, ‘I will surely prosper you and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.’” (Genesis 32:12 NIV)]

Apparently that was not good enough…

Jacob decides to bribe his brother into peace.  What does he offer?
[“… he selected a gift for his brother Esau: two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, thirty female camels with their young, forty cows and ten bulls, and twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys.” (Genesis 32:14-16 NIV)  “For he thought, ‘I will pacify him with these gifts I am sending on ahead; later, when I see him, perhaps he will receive me.” (Genesis 32:20 NIV)]

Genesis 32:22-33:17     Jacob Receives a New Name (Israel)

Jacob has sent everyone else ahead and he is left alone.  What happens that night?
[Jacob wrestles with a man all night long.  Jacob does not over power the man, but the man does not over power Jacob either.]

What does the “man” do to Jacob as they wrestle?
[He touches the socket of Jacob’s hip “so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man”. (Genesis 32:25 NIV)]

What does Jacob require of the “man”?
[Jacob wants him to bless him.]

What does the man do for Jacob?
[The man gives Jacob a new name: Israel which means “he struggles with God”. {NIV footnotes}]

What does Jacob (Israel) name the place of the struggle?
[Jacob calls the place Peniel (which means “face of God”)  It is also called Penuel.]

Why does Jacob name the place Peniel?
[“So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, ‘It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.’” (Genesis 32:30 NIV)]

What physical affliction will Jacob suffer for the rest of his life?
[He will limp because his hip socket is out of place. (Gen. 32:31)]

What was the surprise waiting for Jacob when he meets Esau?
[While Esau had reason enough to kill his brother Jacob, rather he rushes to meet him and kisses him on the neck.  Jesus recounts a similar scene in Luke 15 in the parable of the Prodigal Son.  There are striking similarities as well as contrasts:  in both cases it was the younger son who was the offending party; both went to far countries for a long time; both return home with lowered expectations (Jacob to his brother who probably hates him; the Prodigal to his father who improbably loves him); both are very surprised at the final outcome.  Jacob was prophesied to receive the blessing of Isaac as the firstborn (though he used deception to accomplish it); the prodigal was the second born but only wanted his inheritance; The prodigal wanted his father to treat him as the “hired help” and Jacob only wanted peace with Esau.  Jacob was willing to lavish on Esau all that the father of the Prodigal had heaped on his son.]

How do we know that Jacob was fully reconciled to Esau?
[Jacob insists that the gift he offers to Esau be accepted even though Esau has great wealth of his own.  “But Esau said, ‘I already have plenty, my brother.  Keep what you have for yourself.’  ‘No, please!’ said Jacob.  ‘If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me.  For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably.’”  (Genesis 33:9-10 NIV)]

Jacob declines an offer by Esau to escort him to his destination.  Jacob went to Succoth instead and built shelters for himself and his animals.  In fine Hebrew tradition, Succoth means something too: shelters! (Gen. 33:17)

Genesis 34              The Rape of Dinah

This chapter is not part of our reading as outlined in the “Office” of the Book of Common Prayer.

… So let’s take a peek at Chapter 34…

Dinah, Leah’s daughter, went out to visit with the women of the land.  She was spotted by Shechem the son of Hamor and for him, at least, it was love (lust) at first sight.  Shechem takes her and rapes her.  He is quite remorseful and, along with his father Hamor, go to see Jacob to make an honest woman of Dinah.  Jacob is deeply grieved by this and relates it to his sons.  Dinah’s brothers (only the sons of Leah, I believe) devised an evil plan of revenge.  They tell Shechem that their sister cannot marry an uncircumcised man for that would be an abomination.  They agree that all of Shechem’s men be circumcised.  So all of Shechem’s men were circumcised – that indicates to me there was some honor in Shechem’s attempt.  Anyway, while Shechem and his men were healing two of Dinah’s brothers, Simeon and Levi, take it upon themselves to enter Shechem’s camp and slaughter all of the men.  Apparently they felt that rape was a capital crime.  “Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, ‘You have brought trouble on me by making me a stench to the Canaanites and the Perizzites, the people living in this land.  We are few in number, and if they join forces against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed.’  But they replied, ‘Should he have treated our sister like a prostitute?’” (Genesis 34:30-31 NIV)

Genesis 35:1-20       Jacob Returns to Bethel

Bethel was the first place where Abraham camped after he left Haran.  He set up an altar there.  Also it was here that Jacob had his famous dream of the angels ascending and descending on a stairway from heaven.  Here it was that God renews his promise to Jacob that “… Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth…” (Genesis 28:14).  Let’s just say that Bethel hold some importance in Hebrew history.

What does Jacob tell all of his people to do upon setting out?
[“So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, ‘Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes.’” (Genesis 35:2 NIV)]

What is the first thing Jacob does upon arrival in Bethel?
[The first thing that Jacob does upon arrival in Bethel is to build an altar to the LORD.  “…and he called the place El Bethel, because it was there that God revealed himself to him.”  (Genesis 35:7 NIV)]

What does Jacob remember of his return trip from Paddan Aram?
[“And God said to him, ‘I am God Almighty, be fruitful and increase in number.  A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will come from your body.  The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.’”  (Genesis 35:11-12 NIV)]  This is a fufillment of a promise that Jacob made to God in Genesis 28:20-22.

Tragedy strikes Jacob.  What was it?
[Rachel dies in childbirth.  She gives birth to a son.]

What does Rachel name her son?  What does Jacob name her son?
[Rachel names her son Ben-Oni {meaning “son of my trouble” NIV Footnotes}.  Jacob renames him Benjamin {meaning “son of my right hand”}.]

Where is Rachel buried?
[She is buried in Ephrath (that is Bethlehem).]

What very devastating thing happens next?
[Reuben took it upon himself to sleep with Jacob’s concubine Bilhah (Rachel’s handmaid).  This is similar to a declaration of war between father and son.]  NIV Study Bible Notes p. 61:
“35:22 Reuben’s act was an arrogant and premature claim to the rights of the firstborn (see 2 Sam. 3:7; 12:8; 16:21; 1 Kings 2:22).  For this he would lose his legal status as firstborn (see Gen. 49:3-4; 1 Chron. 5:1).”  [Personally, I think it is much worse than this.  I think it is an act of complete disrespect for his father and, in this case, given that Bilhah was Rachel’s handmaid, I’m sure it pained Jacob all the more. – j.t.]

The next few verses recount the sons (and not the daughter) of Jacob and who their mothers were.  Note that all but one of Jacob’s children (including Dinah) were born in Paddan Aram and only Benjamin was born in the land of Canaan.

This chapter closes with the death of Isaac.  Who was there and how old was Isaac when he died?
[Isaac was 180 years old and both of his sons were with him when he died.]

Proverbs 1:20-33         Warning Against Rejecting Wisdom

How is wisdom characterized in verses 20-21?
[Wisdom is personified.  “She” takes on the characteristics of a person.  “She calls; she raises her voice; and she makes her speech.]

Do you hear the pleading of the writer in these two verses?

To whom does she pose her rhetorical questions?
[She speaks to the “simple ones” the “mockers” and the “fools”.  Wisdom wants to “sell” the benefits of herself over folly.  Wisdom represents life whereas folly always represents death.  Wisdom is not to be confused with knowledge.]

What is the benefit of positively responding to rebuke?
[“I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you.”]

Verses 24 and 25 reiterate the same ideas: reject me; no one gave heed; ignored my advice; not accept my rebuke.  What is the consequence of this?
[“I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you – when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you.” (Proverbs 1:26-27 NIV)]

What are the further consequences of rejecting wisdom (truth)?
[“Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me.”  (Proverbs 1:28 NIV)]

This same theme comes up in Jeremiah in Chapter 29 verses 11-13: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

With what is the hatred of knowledge equated?
[The hatred of knowledge is equal to not choosing “to fear the LORD”.]

What exactly is the “fear of the LORD”?
[That is a good question.  Verse 7 of this chapter tells us “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.”  That doesn’t really help.  I got some help from the ESV Study Bible Notes on page 1134: 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.  This is the core maxim of the book: the quest for wisdom begins with the fear of the LORD (cf. 9:10 and Ps. 111:10, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom”).  “Knowledge” and “wisdom” are closely tied together in Proverbs: “knowledge” tends to focus on correct understanding of the world and oneself as creatures of the magnificent and loving God, while “wisdom” is the acquired skill of applying that knowledge rightly, or “skill in the art of godly living”.  …  The reason that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of both knowledge and wisdom is that the moral life begins with reverence and humility before the Maker and Redeemer.  The idea of a quest for knowledge sets biblical wisdom in the broad context of the ancient Near Eastern quest for truth, and this verse also validates such a quest as legitimate and good.  Thus it affirms a kind of “creational revelation,” the idea that one can find moral and theological truth through observing the world.  At the same time, it distinguishes the biblical pursuit of knowledge and wisdom from those of the surrounding cultures, for it asserts that submission to the Lord is foundational to the attainment of real understanding. (cf. Pa. 111:10; Prov. 9:10).  By using the covenant name “the LORD” in preference to the more generic “God,” this verse makes the point that truth is found through Israel’s God.  (For fearing the Lord in Proverbs as the right response to his covenant, see 1:29; 2:5; 3:7; 8:13; 10:27; 14:2, 26-27; 15:16, 33; 16:6; 19:23; 22:4; 23:17; 24:21; 31:30.)  In addition, the verse asserts that fools despise wisdom and instruction, thus setting up the alternative between the two ways of wisdom and folly.  This contrast dominates the entire book, as the way of wisdom, righteousness, and the fear of the Lord is set against the way of folly, evil, and scoffing.”

The “fear of the LORD” is also seen as a profound respect for the LORD.  It must also be admitted that this fear has in it a sense of terror.  We saw earlier that Jacob had wrestled with God all night and “I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” (Gen. 32:30 ESV)  So there is a very real sense of terror when encountering God.  That attitude seems, somehow, to be lost on us today.]

What is the fate of those who will not accept “Wisdom’s” advice?
[“…they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.” (Proverbs 1:31 NIV)]

Waywardness and complacency are somewhat equated with what result?
[Waywardness will kill the simple; complacency will destroy fools.]

What are the benefits of listening to “Wisdom”?
[“… but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease without harm.” (Proverbs 1:33 NIV)  This verse might be especially meaningful given the amount of fear and terror we think we live under.  Most of our fears stem directly from a lack of belief in God and what he is able to do for us.]

Finding Jesus in Lent

We tend to emphasize the positive in our tradition. We enjoy the anticipation of Advent, the marvel of Christmas and the joy of Easter. But the season of Lent? Not so much. There are a number of things that turn us off. It’s morose. Dreary. It’s about works. It’s a Catholic thing. Why should we have a season of mourning when we have Jesus?

I will not deny that Lent is a somber time of year. Take for instance Psalm 95, one of the psalms that is traditionally read on Ash Wednesday, the opening day of Lent.

Psalm 95:8-11 Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day in Massah in the desert, where your fathers tested and tried me, though they had seen what I did. For forty years I was angry with that generation; I said, ‘They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they have not known my ways.” So I declared on oath in my anger, “They shall never enter my rest.”

Psalm 95 is all about human failure and a warning not to repeat it. It recalls the temptation of Israel in the Sinai Desert. Soon after God rescued them from their slavery in Egypt by parting the Red Sea, he led them into the desert where they were tempted. Water was scarce and food rations ran dangerously low. Unbelief rumbled through the camp even though God had miraculously rescued them from the Egyptian army just days before.  Their faith was extinguished with the words: “God  has brought us out of Egypt only to have us die of thirst in the desert.” Their failure to trust condemned an entire generation to wander the desert  for forty years never to enter the promised land. Their failure is held up as a warning to us. “Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”

Lent reminds us that we too are in the desert. Jesus has set us free from our bondage to sin and death, but we live in the desert for we have not yet entered the promised land, heaven. Our wilderness struggle is the same as Israel’s, to hold on to our faith and to trust God. Lent is forty days to remind us of Israel’s forty years of wandering. In Israel we see our sin, our fears and our unbelief. Lent is a time to sober time to examine our hearts and confess these failings to God.

But Lent is 40 days for another reason. Jesus was tempted for forty days in the wilderness. But where we failed,  Jesus triumphed and he did it for us. The Apostle Paul tells us that the sin of Adam in the Garden of Eden (see Genesis 3) made all of us sinners. As sons and daughters of Adam, unbelief is the default setting of our heart.

Romans 5:19 … through the disobedience of the one man, the many [that's us] became sinners …

But Jesus, not content to allow us to die in our sin, entered our world and retraced the steps of our story. He entered the wilderness of our failure and was tempted in every way we were, but he overcame it. And here is the good news:

Romans 5:19 … so also through the obedience of the one man, the many became righteous.

Jesus’ obedience counts for us. His victory over sin means that all who cling to him by faith are considered by God to forgiven, clean, righteous and free. Adam’s sin made us sinners, but Jesus’ obedience has made us right with God. Lent tells me that Jesus succeeded where I failed and he did it for me.

So, I have been learning to see Jesus all through the season of Lent. Take the tradition of fasting or “giving something up for Lent.” I used to believe that it was a “works” thing, something I do in order to get God on my good side. I give up chocolate and somehow God through tears of gratitude gets me a raise at work. But that’s not it all.

I fast, or in my case I am going to give up the news, not so I can impress God, but so that I can have a daily reminder of the suffering and temptation that Jesus underwent for us during those forty days in the wilderness. When I deny myself something I crave, it causes me to remember the hunger pains that Christ that he endured for us. I repent and humbly return to the Father, because I know that I am accepted and forgiven, not for my obedience, but because of the obedience of Christ.

It is easy to see the beauty of the gospel in Christmas and Easter, but I believe that Lent holds out for willing to embrace its dark themes so of the most brilliant vistas of God’s grace. May you see Jesus during this season of Lent.

Gospel Reading Guide -February 13-19, 2012

How do I use this guide?

John 7:37-52

“The Feast” or the Feast of Tabernacles was one of the three major feasts on the Jewish calendar.  This holiday commemorated Israel’s 40 years of wandering in the desert before they entered the Promised Land. It was a celebration of God’s faithfulness for he provided “daily bread” or “manna” when the people were hungry and when they were dying of thirst, God caused drinking water to flow from rocks in the desert. Jesus draws on this miracle as he begins to teach in the temple. Central to Jesus’ teaching is the idea that He is the fulfillment of Israel’s story.

In the Old Testament God caused water to flow from rocks in the desert, who or what is the miracle water that Jesus offers? What will this water do? What does it take to receive this water? When would the people receive this water?

Moses spoke this prophecy in his farewell speech to Israel:

Deuteronomy 18:15 The Lord will raise up a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.

This “prophet like Moses” became known in Israel as the “the prophet.” Some of the people begin to wonder if Jesus just might be the prophet Moses spoke of. Why do some, including the Pharisees, reject the possibility that Jesus is The Prophet? What don’t they know about Jesus’ story? (See Luke 2 – Jesus was raised in Nazareth in Galilee, but he was born in ____________ because _____________.)

Why were the Pharisees unsuccessful in their attempt to arrest Jesus? What do the temple guards see in Jesus?

Notice who comes to the aid of Jesus. Nicodemus (see John 3:1-21), who we met earlier in this gospel, asks the chief priests and the Pharisees why they are not giving Jesus a fair hearing.

John 7:53-8:11

The Feast of Tabernacles has come to a close and the pilgrims who traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast have now returned home. The feast may be over, but the Pharisees continue to see Jesus as a threat to their authority and they seek to trap and destroy him. In the woman caught in the act of adultery, they believe they have found their opportunity.

The idea is put Jesus in the position where he must side either with Old Testament Law or the Roman authorities. The penalty for adultery in the Law of Moses was indeed death, although it is curious as to why only the woman was brought before Jesus, because the Law demanded the lives of both the woman and the man. Already the Pharisees are in violation of the Law.

Here’s the problem. If Jesus says, “yes, stone her” then He would have been in trouble with the Roman authorities, because only the Roman Empire had the right to impose capital punishment. The Pharisees would have been able to portray Jesus to the Romans as someone who was fomenting insurrection. If Jesus says “no” they would portrayed Jesus as someone who did not believe in Jewish Law and Tradition.

How does Jesus stop these men in their tracks and rescue this woman? Who else in this story deserves judgment under the Law of Moses? How is this woman called to respond to Jesus’ gracious act of forgiveness? How are we called to respond?

Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions …

John 8:12-20

John has collected a series of “I am …” statements that Jesus made throughout his ministry. In this week’s reading Jesus declares, “I am the light of the world.”

What does Jesus promise to those who follow him as the light of the world?

In Jewish law you needed to have two witnesses to bear account of something. Here it seems to the Pharisees that Jesus is bearing witness for himself. Who does Jesus put forward as his 2 witnesses? Why was that such an audacious thing to say? What are the Pharisees missing here?

John 8:21-32

“I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin.  Where I go, you cannot come.”
Jesus begins to push back against the Pharisees and speaking as The Prophet that he is, he warns them that they are under God’s judgment if they do not change.

What must the Pharisees do or believe in order to avoid dying in their sin? What are they choosing not to ‘see’ and understand? Origin in Middle Eastern culture is extremely important. No one gets to speak on their own authority. Who you are is based on where you come from and the identity of your family. Notice that Jesus speaks to those same questions. Where is Jesus from? Who is his father?

Some of the Jews listening to Jesus put their faith in him. What advice does Jesus have for them? What must they do to be true disciples or followers of Jesus?

John 8:33-47

When Jesus offers freedom to the Jews who began to follow him, they are deeply offended. As natural born citizens of the nation of Israel they believed, as we say in New England, they were “all set.” To be full-blooded descendents of Abraham securely placed them among God’s people or so they believed.

What are all men and women slaves to whether they be Jewish or not? According to Jesus, what does it take to be a true descendant of Abraham or a child of God? Is it a matter of genetics or something else? What does it take to be a child of the devil?

To be a true child of Abraham, you must do the things Abraham did (verse 39). What did Abraham do? He simply believed the promises of God and lived his life accordingly.

John 8:47-59

How does Jesus explain the unbelief of his hearers? Notice that this explanation further infuriates the crowd. Remember that they believed that they were “all set” because of their status as biological descendants of Abraham. They believed that pagans like the Romans, prostitutes, and tax collectors were the real sinners. But Jesus goes after these religious and moral people and boldly says, “No, the enemy lies within.” That’s why the wild charges start flying. “You are a Samaritan [fighting words for a Jew in those days] and demon-possessed.”

How does Jesus answer the charge of being demon-possessed? What is his mission? What motivates him?

“Are you greater than our father Abraham?” That indeed is the central question. If the answer is “yes” then Jesus is indeed God and must be followed and obeyed. If your answer is “no” then Jesus was either a lunatic or a bold-faced liar. As GK Chesterton and CS Lewis pointed out, there is no middle ground. There is no possibility that he was just a nice teacher. Jesus’ life and ministry does not leave open that possibility.

The phrase “I am” was one of the sacred names of God. What is Jesus claiming when he says, “before Abraham was, I am!”?  The penalty under the Law of Moses for blasphemy (claiming to be God when you are not is a good example) was death by stoning. How did the crowds interpret what Jesus claimed? How does Jesus get away?

Mark 10:23-31

Wealth, especially when it was experienced by those who were outwardly moral, was considered to be a sign of God’s favor. Yet, when a rich young man came to Jesus asking for eternal life, Jesus asks this man to sell his possessions, give the money to the poor, and come follow him. He goes away sad and the disciples are shocked. It was assumed that wealthy people who had received their riches through virtuous living and hard work would be among the first to receive eternal life. But Jesus declares, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”

How does Jesus answer the disciples question, “Who then can be saved?” What promise does Jesus offer to those who leave everything to follow Him? When will the rewards be experienced? Read verse 30 closely.

New Testament Reading Guide – February 13-19, 2012

How do I use this reading guide?

Hebrews 13:1-16

The letter to the Hebrews was written to a particular church what was made up of converts from Judaism. Because they were members of a what was regarded as new religion, these Christians faced persecution from the Roman authorities and they were ostracized by the Jewish community. Life was hard and they wondered if they had made the right decision. Maybe we should abandon our faith in Jesus?  That is the question that is being addressed.

Hebrews is a letter encouraging these Christians, and ourselves, to keep on keeping on.

What is this church encouraged to do and not do as they endured persecution? List out the commands to you see in verses 1 – 16.

The central theme of this letter is that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament Law and rituals.. In verse 11 we see yet another example. How is Jesus’ crucifixion compared to the Old Testament sacrifices? Why are they encouraged to share in Jesus’ shame? What hope is held out for them?  (verse 14).

Hebrews 13:17-25

Some final exhortations about leadership in the church as the letter draws to a close. Why should leaders be submitted to and prayed for?

The final prayer and blessing (verses 20-21). It is said that God the Father originates his plans, God the Son carries them out, and God the Holy Spirit supplies the power. How do you see this ‘Trinity’ pattern work itself out in this closing prayer? What is God being asked to do?

Lest we forget that this is a personal letter that has preserved for our benefit, Hebrews ends with some personal greetings.

Romans 12:1-8

After having spent the first half of the letter to the Romans describing the love and grace of God given to us in Jesus Christ, Paul now describes the life of love we are to live in response to God’s love.

What does it mean for us to worship in response to what God has done for us in Christ? What pattern don’t we conform to anymore? How do we live this new life?

In what ways are we called to see ourselves differently?
What image does Paul use to describe the church? Where do we, as individuals, fit into that picture? How is this a change from the way we normally see ourselves?  What determines our role in the church or as Paul describes it, “the body of Christ”?

Romans 12:9-21

If you boiled down Jesus’ way of life or his ethical teaching it would boil down to two commands:  love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. If you reduced it to one word, that word would be ‘love’. Paul in these verses fleshes out for us Jesus’ vision of love.  What does love look like within the church (verses 9-13)? How are we to express love to those outside the church. (verse 14-21)? Which challenges you more?

Romans 13:1-14

How are Christians called to relate to the governments they live under?  Why?  Do you think this includes corrupt and oppressive governments?  Think about the government the Roman Christians lived under.

How does Paul summarize the second half of the Ten Commandments (Romans 13:9-10)?  What are we to do as we wait for the return of Jesus (this is what Paul means by ‘the night is almost over the day is almost here’)?  Should we spend time speculating about when Jesus is coming or is God calling us to do something else?

Romans 14:1-23

In a church there are going to be some people who have stronger faith and others who have weaker faith.  For Paul, strong faith is related to a better understanding of Jesus, the gospel, and how it is lived out. In this chapter, those with stronger faith understood that there is no problem with eating meat or that the special holidays from Judaism no longer needed to be honored. But those of weaker faith had not yet come to that level of wisdom. So what do you do if there is a difference of opinion?  How are those of strong faith to treat those of weak faith?  Why?

What freedom has Paul chosen not to exercise?  Why?  For what purpose are we sometimes called to give up our rights and freedoms?

1 Timothy 3:14-4:10

1 Timothy is a letter from Paul to Timothy, Paul’s “son in the faith”.  Timothy was a young missionary who was personally mentored by Paul.  He traveled with Paul planting churches across the Roman Empire.  At the time this letter was written, Timothy is now on his own.  Paul continues to guide him through letters such as this one. “I am writing these instructions so that … you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household …” (1 Timothy 3:14-15)

What is the foundational truth upon which the church is built? ‘He’ in verse 16 is Jesus. His appearance = Jesus’ birth. His vindication = resurrection. “Taken up in glory” = Jesus’ ascension to heaven.

What challenges will the church face?  In the Roman Empire, the dominant intellectual force was the remnants of Greek philosophy.  The Greeks taught the physical world was evil while the spiritual world was good.  These ideas began to filter their way into the church.  Since the physical world was evil, some Christian teachers taught against marriage and indulging in certain foods.  These pleasures were marked as ‘worldly’ and therefore evil. Does Paul agree with the Greeks?  Is the physical world good or bad?  Why or why not? How does Paul compare being spiritual to physical training? How are they similar? How are they different?

Old Testament Reading Guide -February 13-19, 2012

How do I use this reading guide?

Genesis 25:19-34            Jacob and Esau

While we won’t be discussing it here, the first part of Chapter 25 of Genesis tells us that Abraham got married again after Sarah died.  His second wife’s name was Keturah and she bore to Abraham six more sons.  When Abraham died (at the age of 175 years) he left all that he had to Isaac.  (Abraham had distributed gifts while he lived to the sons of Keturah.)

So, Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah but, alas, she was found to be “barren”.  What does Isaac do about this?  He had to do something to make sure he had children otherwise what happens to the promise the LORD had made?
[He prays “to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren”. (v. 25:21 NIV)]

What is the difference here between Abraham/Sarah, and Isaac/Rebekah?
[The LORD had promised Abraham that he would have a son by Sarah, but the LORD’s timing is woefully slow for us.  We, like Abraham, want things to happen now; we, like Abraham, cannot wait for the LORD.  So Sarah takes matters into her own hands and tells Abraham to get himself a child from her servant Hagar.  That is Sarah’s solution to the problem.  We saw how that worked out.  Isaac’s solution was a much better one: he prayed to the LORD to provide him with a son.]

What was the result of Isaac’s prayer for a son?
[Rebekah conceived of twins: Esau and Jacob.]

Something troubles Rebekah while she is pregnant.  What is it?
[The twins in her womb begin to fight.  I think Rebekah was afraid she would miscarry of her baby.]

What does Rebekah do and what does she find out?
[Rebekah prays to the LORD and the first thing she finds out is that she is going to have twins – boys.  The next thing is a prophecy: “… the older will serve the younger.” (v. 25:23b NIV)  We have to respect both Isaac and Rebekah because it seems that their first recourse to a problem (certainly at this point) is to go the LORD in prayer.  Unhappily, as we shall see, that tendency does not continue.]

Since, as we have seen, names which are given in the Old Testament are meaningful, what is the significance of the names of Esau and Jacob?
[Esau may mean “hairy”; “… and his whole body was like a hairy garment”. (v. 25:25 NIV)  Esau and his descendents will also become known as Edom (a perennial enemy of the Jews [Israel] which may mean “red”: “The first to come out was red.” (v. 25:25 NIV)  Esau was ruddy and hairy; this will play an important role later in Esau’s life.  “His brother came out, with his hand grasping Esau’s heel…” (v. 25:26 NIV)  So Jacob actually means “he grasps the heel” [from the footnotes of the NIV], which, because of what happens later, came to mean “deceiver”.]

We know that Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born to him; how old was Isaac when his sons were born to him?
[Isaac was sixty years old when Esau and Jacob were born.)]

Now the trouble begins.  It will be important to remember the promise that the LORD made to Rebekah regarding her sons: i.e., “… and the older will serve the younger” (v. 25:23b NIV).  Why, do you suppose, Isaac loves Esau over Jacob?
[I believe that Isaac loves Esau as is first-born son.  To him belongs the inheritance (Isaac’s).  The thing is we don’t know if Isaac was ever aware of the prophecy that Rebekah had received from the LORD regarding Jacob – that he would inherit as a first-born son should.  Esau was the outdoorsman and he became an experienced hunter and Isaac “…had a taste for wild game…” (v. 25:28 NIV)]

“… but Rebekah loved Jacob.” (v. 25:28b NIV)  Why would Rebekah prefer Jacob over Esau?
[In truth, the Scripture does not tell us why Rebekah preferred Jacob, but perhaps her maternal instinct to protect the younger and less-favored son kicked in.  Perhaps she remembered the prophecy of the Lord.  Actually, I doubt she remembered the prophecy regarding her younger son given what happens next.]

Phase One

The next scene is phase one of Jacob’s plan to usurp Esau’s favor with Isaac (through deception).  What is significant about the stew?  (This is a minor detail but it proves of some importance in verse 25:30.)  What does Esau say about himself which sounds rather exaggerated?  What is the cost of that exaggeration?
[The significant thing about the stew is that Esau describes it as being “red”.  In verse 25:30 “That is why he [Esau] is also called Edom.”  Esau claims to be famished unto death.  “Look, I am about to die. … What good is the birthright to me?” (v. 25:32 NIV)  So Jacob requires Esau to surrender his birthright (as the first-born) for a bowl of (red) stew.  In the NIV Study Bible notes p. 46: “25:33 Swear to me first.  A verbal oath was all that was required to make the transaction legal and forever binding.”  Times certainly have changed: today such a notion would be laughable.]

Verse 25:34b sums up Esau’s attitude: “So Esau despised his birthright.”

Genesis 26:1-6 and 12-33       Isaac and Abimelech

In the first six verses of Chapter 26 we learn that Isaac went to see Abimelech of Philistia.  Many of the events of Isaac’s encounter with Abimelech are similar to those of his father Abraham’s dealings with another king of the same name (though unlikely the same man).  Verse two tells us that the LORD appeared to Isaac.  While the bible doesn’t tell us how that appearing happened, I think it was by means of a dream (for that was usually how the LORD met with people in those days).  What are the LORD’s instructions to Isaac?
[The LORD tells Isaac to remain in Gerar and not to go to Egypt.  Further, the LORD promises to increase Isaac’s blessings and then re-confirms the covenant or oath the LORD made to Abraham about his many offspring and that he would give them all the land of Canaan.]

While we can see several similarities between Abraham’s journey among the Philistines and Isaac’s, what is a striking difference?
[Abraham created a ruckus when first he entered the land of the Philistines by telling Sarah to admit that she was Abraham’s sister and not his wife.   Abimelech (I) bribed Abraham to leave his land so that the LORD would not destroy his people.  Isaac, on the other hand, was greatly blessed by the Lord and his flocks and herds multiplied thus making him very rich among the Philistines.  While they drove (and bribed) Abraham to leave, this Abimelech (II) commanded Isaac to leave because he was getting too powerful.  Isaac was not bribed.]

Isaac then digs a couple of wells over which the Philistines dispute.  He abandons them and finally digs a well where there is no dispute.  What does he call this well?  What does it mean?
[“He moved on from there and dug another well, and no one quarreled over it.  He named it Rehoboth, saying, ‘Now the LORD has given us room and we will flourish in the land.’” (v. 26:22 NIV)  As indicated in the notes in the NIV, Rehoboth means “room”.]

We continue with the parallels in Abraham’s and Isaac’s lives.  Abraham makes a treaty with Abimelech (I) at Beersheba (“can mean ‘well of the oath’ or ‘well of seven’” NIV footnotes).  Isaac makes a treaty with Abimelech (II) also at Beersheba.

Genesis 27:1-29                    Jacob and Esau (Phase Two)

We have already seen that it is God’s plan that Jacob receive Isaac’s inheritance. (Gen. 25:23)  Since it appears that God cannot be trusted to keep his word, what do Jacob and Rebekah plan to secure the blessing to Jacob?
[They devise a scheme to deceive the blind Isaac by substituting Jacob for Esau.  Jacob lies to his father (who is on his deathbed!) telling Isaac that he is actually Esau.  Rebekah is complicit in this deception for she told Jacob exactly what he needed to do to get the blessing.  So Isaac blesses Jacob thinking he is Esau.  Keep in mind that the firstborn received a double potion of the inheritance.]

Did you ever wonder how things might have unfolded had everyone believed that God could be trusted to perform what he promised?

Genesis 27:30-45         Esau’s Portion

Esau had been sent on an errand to kill and prepare wild game for a meal for his father.  While he is gone Jacob pulls off his great caper.  Unawares, Esau returns with a hot meal (wild game) and presents it to Isaac who now is suspicious of having been tricked.  Isaac now knows that he has been deceived but he cannot withdraw his blessing from Jacob so Esau has to settle for second best.  What is Esau’s response to these events?
[“Isn’t he rightly named Jacob (deceiver)?  He has deceived me these two times: He took my birthright (which Esau actually sold), and now he’s taken my blessing!” {v. 27:36 NIV}

What kind of blessing can Isaac give to Esau?
[None, really.  “Your dwelling will be away from the earth’s richness, away from the dew of heaven above.  You will live by the sword and you will serve your brother.  But when you grow restless you will throw his yoke from off your neck.” (v. 27:39-40 NIV)]
What are Esau’s plans for Jacob?
[Very naturally, Esau holds a grudge against Jacob and plans to kill him once their father dies.

What is Rebekah’s advice to Jacob?
[She tells Jacob to go to her brother Laban until Esau’s passion subsides.  Jacob will learn he holds no candle to Laban when it comes to deception.]

Genesis 27:46-28:4                    Rebekah and Isaac’s Marital Plans for Jacob

What is Rebekah’s worry about Jacob’s bride?
[“If Jacob takes a wife from among the women of this land, from the Hittite women like these, my life will not be worth living.” (v. 27:46 NIV)

What is Isaac’s advice?
[“Go at once to Paddan Aram, to the house of your mother’s father Bethuel.  Take a wife for yourself there, from among the daughters of Laban, your mother’s brother.” (v. 28:2 NIV)]

Genesis 29:1-20                        Jacob Meets His Match

Who is one of the first people that Jacob meets in Paddan Aram?  What is the connection?
[Jacob meets Rachel who happens to be his cousin – daughter of his mother’s brother (Laban).  It was love at first sight.]

How was Jacob received by Laban?
[He was embraced with: “You are my own flesh and blood.” (v. 29:14 NIV)]

Now the education begins.  What bargain does Laban make with Jacob for wages?
[Jacob agrees to work for Laban for seven (!) years to win the hand of Rachel.]

Genesis 29:21-35                   Jacob and Leah and Rachel

What goes wrong?
[Laban tricks Jacob.  Jacob had agreed to work for Laban for seven (!) years for the hand of Rachel. Jacob thought he was working for Rachel, but Laban married off his elder daughter Leah to Jacob instead.]

What is the irony of this event?
[Jacob calls Laban a “deceiver”; the very name he was given at birth.  He was tricked by someone who was better at it (deceiving) than he.]

What was Laban’s excuse for the “sleight of hand” played against Jacob?
[“It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one.”  (v. 29:27 NIV)]

What is the next bargain Jacob makes?
[Jacob agrees again to work another seven (!) years, this time for Rachel.]

What is the “bridal week” referred to in verse 27?
[It is a seven year period.]

What happened to Leah as a result of Jacob’s dealings with Laban?
[Jacob preferred Rachel to Leah.  “He loved Rachel more than Leah.” (v. 29:30 NIV)]

How did the LORD come to Leah’s rescue?
[“When the LORD saw that Leah was not loved, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.” (v. 29:31 NIV)]

How many times had Leah given birth during this time?  What were the names of her children?

[Leah gave birth four times: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah.  Reuben is the firstborn who loses his status as firstborn for what amounts to rebellion (or usurpation); Levi will be ancestor of both Moses and Aaron; and Judah is the ancestor of both David and Jesus.]

Gospel Reading Guide -February 6-12, 2012

How do I use this guide?

John 6:27-40

Pandemonium spread like wildfire through the hills beside the sea of Galilee. Jesus of Nazareth, one of their native sons, had fed a crowd of 5000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish. Crowds of people, believing Jesus to be the Messiah and wanting to make Him king, went on a frantic search for him. They found him on the far side of the lake.

Jesus understands that the crowd that pursue him are  motivated by and working for food that spoils.  What greater food are the crowds called to work for? What kind of work does God require for the food that endures to eternal life (see verse 29)?

One reason the crowds are so energized is that Jesus reminds them of Moses who led Israel from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land. While Israel wandered in the desert, God provided daily bread or “manna” that fell like dew on the ground. They believed it was Moses who gave them “bread from heaven.” Jesus had given them a taste of Moses. They wanted him to do it again but Jesus has a greater bread in mind.

Who or what  is the true bread or bread of life that comes down from heaven? What happens to those who come to Jesus? Why doesn’t everyone come? Who is able to come to Jesus? What is Jesus’ mission on earth? Whose will is He carrying out?

John 6:41-51

The crowds who pursued Jesus were hoping for someone who would miraculously give them free food. Jesus announces that the true bread is not the bread he fed the 5000 with. The true bread is Himself. How do the crowds respond to Jesus’ announcement that he is the true manna (see Exodus chapter 16) or bread from heaven? Why are they skeptical?

How does Jesus explain their unbelief? What does Jesus say here about how people come to him? Who draws the people to Jesus? How does Jesus relate Himself to the Father here in this passage? What happens to those who believe according to verse 47?

In what way is Jesus a greater bread than the manna that Israel’s forefathers ate in the desert? What will happen to those who eat the “flesh” of Jesus?

John 6:52-59

Much of Jesus’ teaching emphasized that He was the fulfillment of Israel’s story. In this conversation, Jesus is making the point that the “manna” or “the daily bread from heaven” that kept Israel alive during their wanderings in the desert (see Exodus chapter 16) was a picture of Himself.  Jesus argues that He is the true “manna” or “bread from heaven” from Israel’s story.

What is promised to those who eat the “flesh” of Jesus and drink his “blood”? What do you think Jesus means by all of this?

John 6:60-71

It almost seems that Jesus is going out of his way to turn-off his crowds of adoring fans.  Jesus has argued that he, not the food he gave the 5000 people nor the manna that Israel ate in the desert (see Exodus chapter 16) was the true bread, but He, His body was the true bread. Now cannibalism is abhorrent in most cultures, especially in Jewish culture and so the crowds are beginning to be repulsed by Jesus.  Even his disciples are begging him to tone down his teaching.

How does Jesus react to the restlessness of the crowds and the skepticism and even the desertion of some of his own disciples? Why?

What does it take for someone to accept Jesus’ teaching? Why is Jesus not surprised that some reject Him? Why does Peter decide not to leave even though he doesn’t fully understand Jesus’ hard teaching? (I’m not sure I fully understand what Jesus is saying.) What can Peter teach us about the nature of faith and doubt? How does Jesus explain Peter’s faith? Why will one of the 12 turn away?

John 7:1-13

Why does Jesus want to stay in Galilee and away from Judea? There is a time for Jesus to die, but Jesus will decide where and when his death occur.  Why were Jesus’ brothers interested in having him go to Jerusalem (which was the capital of Judea)? Why does Jesus refuse their advice?

You can almost see Jesus’ brothers point. The Jews traveled to Jerusalem three times a year to worship God at the temple. These times of worship coincided with one of the three feast days in the Jewish Calendar. So, if you wanted to start a movement in Israel, why not go when massive crowds of people flocked to Jerusalem. There would come a time when Jesus would go to the Feast of the Passover in public, but that would be the time when he was ready to die.

What do the people in Jerusalem think of Jesus? Why do they speak of Jesus only in hushed tones?

John 7:14-36

There will be in a time when Jesus is ready to ride into Jerusalem publicly on a donkey. But he will only come that way when he is ready to die. But now is not the time, so Jesus enters the city secretly.

How do the crowds react to Jesus’ teaching? What does Jesus have to say about His own teaching? What are the marks of someone who speaks the truth? How does Jesus bear these marks?

Why does Jesus say to the crowds, “not one of you keeps the law (of Moses – think 10 Commandments)”?

Jesus’ one miracle is the feeding of the five thousand with five loaves and two fish. This is what made Him so popular. But Jesus is more than a miracle-worker and his mission is greater than filling the stomachs of the people with food. Jesus is God and as God He alone has the right to interpret the Law. Jesus was hated by the religious authorities because He dared to heal people on the Sabbath, the day of rest when work was forbidden. He did this to highlight the hypocrisy of the religious authorities. Rather than acknowledge that Jesus was right and they were wrong, the religious leaders plotted Jesus’ death.

Mark 10:13-22

Children in the ancient world did not have the social standing that they have today. We worship youth today in our culture and maybe overly so, but in Jesus’ day, children were often marginalized as we do the poor, the ugly and the elderly. How does Jesus view those who are not valued by our world? How are people to enter the kingdom of God? Who are they to identify with?

New Testament Reading Guide – February 6-12, 2012

How do I use this reading guide?

Hebrews 11:1-12

Why we do what we do is often more important than what we do. That is the heart of the Christian faith. It is not about doing the right things so much as doing the right things with the proper motivation. For the writer of Hebrews, true spirituality is motivated by faith, a life that is moved by trusting in God.  “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” Hebrews 11:6

How does the writer of Hebrews define faith? (See Hebrews 1:1-2 and 1:6) What do we learn about faith through the lives of Abel, Enoch, Noah and Abraham? Who would faith look like right now in your life?

Hebrews 11:13-22

From yesterday’s reading we learned that “faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1) What did the Old Testament saints (Abel, Enoch, Noah and Abraham from yesterdays reading) share in common in their faith experiences?  What did they NOT receive during their lifetimes? How did they view this world in comparison to the next one? What were they all looking and longing for? How does God look upon this kind of faith (see verse 16)?

How is this kind of God-pleasing faith expressed in the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph? For background on Abraham’s and Joseph’s story see Genesis 22:1-19 and Genesis 50:24-26.  Reading these passages will help you make sense of this section of Hebrews.

Hebrews 11:23-31

The writer continues to take us through the heroes of the Old Testament to show us the faith that they all possessed. How did faith and trust in God motivate Moses’ parents, Moses, the Israelites at Jericho and the prostitute Rahab to live courageous lives that were pleasing to God? Again, you might find some reading in the Old Testament will be helpful here:

• Moses’ parents – Exodus 2:1-11.
• The Israelites crossing the Red Sea – Exodus 13:17-14:31.
• The fall of Jericho and the story of Rahab – Joshua 5:13-6:27.

Hebrews 11:32 – 12:2

While all the Old Testament heroes had faith in common, but their lives took very different paths. Compare the descriptions of the lives of the faithful in verses 32-35a to the descriptions in verses 35b-38. What does this tell us about what can we expect in our own faith journeys? What “disappointment” did all these faithful men and women experience (see verse 39)? How did God feel about them? Why?

The writer of Hebrews now turns his attention to us as he begins chapter 12. Why did the writer spend an entire chapter (chapter 11) relating to us the stories of the Old Testament saints? How are these stories designed to move us?

What metaphor does the writer use to describe our lives? Where are we headed? Why are we called to fix our eyes on Jesus? What do we see in Him?

Hebrews 12:3-11

Let’s take a step back for a moment and look at the book of Hebrews as a whole. The book of Hebrews was written to a Jewish group of followers of Jesus who were undergoing a difficult time of persecution. Life was so hard for them, they were considering abandoning their faith in Jesus and returning to the safety of the Judaism they had been born into. This book was written to encourage them to cling to Jesus and to persevere in their new faith.

In chapter 11, the writer provided examples of persevering faith from their Jewish history and now in chapter 12 the writer starts to point us to Jesus. How can the example of Jesus encourage us to hold on to our faith even when life gets difficult?

How are we called to see the hardships that God allows in our lives? For the writer of Hebrews hardship = _____________? How does hardship mean that God still loves us? What is the purpose of struggle in our lives? What good can come of it?

Hebrews 12:12-19

What pitfalls does the writer of Hebrews warn us against? What kinds of things can cause us to give up?

What can we learn from Esau’s failure? For more information you can read his story in Genesis 25:19-34. You might remember from our readings in chapter 11 that the Old Testament faith heroes willingly suffered in this world because they valued the next world more than the present one. In what way did Esau have the opposite values? What did he lose? Why?

“The mountain that cannot be touched.” (12:18) The writer of Hebrews is reminding his readers of the scene when God gave Israel the 10 Commandments (the Law) at Mount Sinai. In the Old Testament, the people were told to stay away because they could not approach a holy God in their sinful state. Why would you want to go back to that, when Jesus has made us holy and now God tells all people to come and be reconciled to Him?

2 Timothy 2:14-21

The book of Timothy is a letter from the apostle Paul to his “dear son” (spiritual son) Timothy. Timothy had traveled with Paul on his missionary journeys learning to become a missionary in his own right. At some point, Timothy reached a level of maturity and was sent out on his own. Paul continued his relationship with Timothy through letters such as this one, passing on to him encouragement and wisdom.

What is Timothy called to warn his congregation against? What is Timothy to encourage his people to become? (vs. 15)  What “infection” has infiltrated the church? Why is Paul confident that this church will survive? (vs. 19)

Old Testament Reading Guide -February 6-12, 2012

How do I use this reading guide?

Genesis 19:1-29            Judgment Comes to Sodom & Gomorrah    

What does Lot do that mimics what Abraham had done when visited by three strangers?
[“… he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground.” (v. 19:1 NIV)   He then urges,  or rather insists, that they spend the night at his house where he can prepare a meal for them and give them refreshment.]

What demand is made of Lot by the men of the city of Sodom?
(v. 19:5)

What bargain does Lot try to make with the men of Sodom in exchange for his visitors?
[Lot offers his two virgin daughters to the depraved men of Sodom only to protect his visitors.  Lot does “a shocking, cowardly, and inexcusable act (even if he intended this only as a bluff, or expected the offer to be rejected).  The reaction of the crowd only confirms the truly evil nature of their intentions.” (From the ESV Study Bible notes p. 83)

What charge do the men of Sodom bring against Lot?
[“This fellow came here as an alien, and now he wants to play the judge!” (v. 19:9 NIV)

What do Lot’s visitors do to the men of Sodom in retaliation?
[They reached out and pulled Lot back into the house and struck all the men outside with blindness. (v. 19:10)]

What is the mission of Lot’s two visitors?
[“… we are going to destroy this place.  The outcry to the LORD against its people is so great that he has sent us to destroy it.” (v. 19:13 NIV)

What do we learn about Lot’s two virgin daughters in verse 14?
[We find out that they are engaged (betrothed).]

Lot tries urgently to warn his prospective sons-in-law about the destruction about to be visited on Sodom.  What is their reaction to the news?
(v. 19:14)

The visiting angels are fierce in their mission to save Lot and his family.  What do they do to hurry Lot’s departure from Sodom?  Why?
[“When he {Lot} hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them.” (v. 19:16 NIV)]

What is the parting warning given to Lot by the visiting angels?
[“Flee for your lives!  Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain.  Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!” (v. 19:17 NIV)  The command “Don’t look back…” will be crucial in a few verses to follow.]

Verses 19:18-22 speak of a bargain of sorts that Lot makes with the angels.  Lot thinks that he is unable to make it to the mountains before the judgment befalls Sodom, and so suggests that he be allowed to go to “Zoar” (meaning “small”) to wait out the planned calamity.  Here the angels tell him that he must hurry “because I cannot do anything until you reach it.” (v. 19:22 NIV)  That begs the question: why would Lot not have enough time to get to the mountains?  The angel was going to wait anyway…  (I don’t know the answer to that one. j.t.)  So the LORD rains down destruction on both Sodom and Gomorrah and wipes out every form of life there.

What was Mrs. Lot’s fatal mistake?
[“But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.” (v. 19:26 NIV)  Jesus refers to Lot’s wife in Luke 17:30-32.]

Abraham sees the destruction from afar and from his perspective it is like dense smoke as from a furnace.  The important phrase in verse 29 is “he [God] remembered Abraham…”

Genesis 21:1-21             The Birth of Isaac (“God has brought me laughter”)

Speaking of “remembering Abraham” it is now about a year later and…  What promise was fulfilled?
[“Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what he had promised.  Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him.  Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him. (v. 21:1-3 NIV)

Keep in mind that names were very significant in biblical times.  What does “Isaac” mean?
[From the footnotes in the NIV we learn that Isaac means “he laughs”.]

What is significant about Isaac’s name?
[Way back in Chapter 17 the LORD announced to Abraham that he would have a son by Sarah.  Abraham prostrated himself in homage to the Lord but while in that position he sniggered thinking, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old?” (v. 17:17 NIV).  Abraham denied laughing but thought the notion of having a baby at age 100 ludicrous.  Interestingly, and unaware of what Abraham had done, once Sarah had heard this good news her reaction was very much the same as her husband’s.]

Sarah and Hagar go head-to-head once again but this time Sarah has a bargaining chip.  What does Sarah demand of Abraham and what promises does the Lord make to him (two promises)?
[Sarah demands that Abraham send Hagar and Ishmael away; the Lord reiterates that “it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned”; and “I will make the son of the maidservant into a nation also, because he is your offspring.” (vv. 21:12-13 NIV) emphasis added]

So, the next morning, Abraham sends Hagar and Ishmael off with some provisions and “a skin of water”.  The two wander in the desert until the water was gone and then they sat down to die.  She saw a “bowshot” away from her son because she could not watch the boy die.  What happens next?  What is the significance of “bowshot”?
[Hagar and Ishmael were not present when the LORD had promised Abraham that he would make of Ishmael a great nation for they were despondent.  An angel of the LORD opened Hagar’s eyes to reveal a well of water.  The LORD, at that time, made to Hagar the same promise regarding Ishmael as he had made to Abraham.  The “bowshot” is significant because in time Ishmael will become an archer. (v. 21:20)]

Genesis 22:1-18              Isaac’s Life on the Line

What great demand does the LORD make of Abraham?  Considering the demand, what must Abraham believe the LORD will do?  What very innocent question does Isaac raise?  What is Abraham’s answer to this?
[The LORD demands (asks) Abraham to take his only son and offer him as a burnt offering.  While the Bible does not tell us this, it is reasonable to assume that Abraham must have believed that the LORD would raise his son from the dead after the sacrifice if the LORD were to be true to his promises.  Isaac: “The fire and wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” (v. 22:7 NIV)  Abraham: “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering.” (v. 22:8)

What is the LORD’s response to Abraham’s obedience? 
[“… the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, ‘Abraham! Abraham!’  ‘Here I am,’ he replied. ‘Do not lay a hand on the boy,’ he said.  ‘Do not do anything to him.  Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son. … ‘I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore….’ (vv. 22:11-12; 16-17 NIV)]

Christians can easily see a parallel between this event and the event of Jesus’ death with one major difference.  While God stayed Abraham’s hand as he was about to offer his son on the altar, the LORD did not stay his own hand from offering his son, his only son on Calvary.  Interestingly enough, these two events, though separated by hundreds of years, occur in virtually the same place.  It is believed that the Temple (The Dome of the Rock) was built on the very place where Abraham was to offer up Isaac.

Genesis 23:1-20          The Death and Burial of Sarah

How old was Sarah when she died?  (How old then was Isaac?  How old was Abraham at this time?)
[Sarah was 127 years old when she died.  Isaac then would have to be thirty-seven years old.  Abraham would be been 137 years old.)

Notice the deference that Abraham displays as he buys the property he needs in order to bury Sarah.  How do the Hittites view Abraham?

How much money does Abraham pay for the land?
[Abraham paid four hundred shekels (or about ten pounds) of silver for the land.]

Genesis 24:1-27           Isaac and Rebekah

Isaac was pushing forty and Abraham was “now old and well advanced in years” and he reckoned that it was time to find a bride for Isaac.  One cannot have a great nation if one does not have children.  A wife comes in handy when it comes to child-bearing.  Abraham enlists the aid of his chief servant in this endeavor and makes him take an oath.  What is the unusual nature of this oath (unusual to us, that is)?
[Abraham makes the servant put his hand under Abraham’s thigh to swear.  He promises not to find a wife from among the Canaanites, but to go to Abraham’s ancestral homeland to search.]

Why is Abraham so adamant about Isaac’s not going back to the land of the Chaldeans (Abraham’s ancestral home)?
[“The LORD … will send his angel before you so that you can get a wife for my son from there.” (v. 24:7)  I think it may have to do with “going backwards”.  Remember Lot’s wife who looked back.  The Lord called Abraham out of Ur (of the Chaldeans) and brought him to Canaan with the promise that one day his posterity will possess that land.  He didn’t want to “go back”. – j.t.]

Once the servant enters the town of Nahor (in the land of Abraham’s birth) what does he pray?
[“Then he prayed, ‘O LORD, God of my master Abraham, give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham.  See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water.  May it be that when I say to a girl, “Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,” and she says, “Drink, and I’ll water your camels too” – let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac.  By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.’” (v. 24:12-14 NIV)]

As it happens Abraham’s servant stumbles right in the middle of Abraham’s distant family.  Rebekah is the girl who happens to be drawing the water that evening.  She is granddaughter to Nahor (who, if you remember, is Abraham’s brother – still confusing).

What does Abraham’s servant do to Rebekah?
[He gives her a gold nose ring and a couple of bracelets.  This amounted to engagement by proxy.  He was making a pledge for Isaac to Rebekah.  Now all he needed her to do was to accept.]

Genesis 24:28-51            The Engagement is Finalized

Hospitality is shown to Abraham’s servant (quite unlike the kind of hospitality we are accustomed to today).  The servant then replays the events that had just happened outside.  Whom do we meet for the first time?
[We meet Rebekah’s brother Laban.  He will be instrumental in the story of Jacob many years later.]

What is Laban and Bethuel’s response to the servant’s offer of Isaac as husband to Rebekah?
[“Laban and Bethuel answered, ‘This is from the LORD; we can say nothing to you one way or the other.  Here is Rebekah; take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, as the LORD has directed.’” (v. 24:50-51 NIV)]

Genesis 24:52-67            Rebekah Leaves for Her New Home.

Abraham’s servant then showered Bethuel and Laban with the riches Abraham had sent along.  Kind of like sealing the deal.

The next morning Abraham’s servant was fully prepared to return to Abraham.  What was Bethuel and Laban’s delay?
[Bethuel and Laban wanted Rebekah to remain at home another ten days.]

The servant of Abraham has a sense of urgency in his departure. I think that he may be afraid that Bethuel and Laban may change their minds, or worse, that Abraham may die in the meantime.  The truth is the scripture does not tell us.

Who gets the final decision?
[Rebekah had the final say.  I think that that was unusual.  In a patriarchal society (such as that one) the women very rarely had any say over their futures.]

How does this story culminate?
[There was Isaac meditating in the field and he notices camels afar off approaching.  He then goes out to meet the small caravan.  Rebekah asks Abraham’s servant who is approaching and he tells her that it is Isaac (the son of) his master.  She covers her face with a veil and then goes off with Isaac into Sarah’s tent and Isaac then marries Rebekah.  The bible tells us that Isaac was then comforted after his mother’s death.]