God renews his covenant with Abram. At first, I wondered why God had to do that, but then I realized that thirteen years have passed since the events of Genesis 16. Abram is now 99 years old, and his son Ishmael is quite a young man in his own right. In the past, Abram's lack of faith in God's provision of an heir led him to agree to seek to obtain a son through Sarah's maidservant, Hagar. It is time to make a new beginning, to reconfirm the covenant. The former covenant still stands -- Israel is still promised the land -- but this expanded covenant is a little different. In the first place, it is not a royal grant, like the other covenant in Genesis 15. It is more of a suzerain-vassal type of covenant, as explained in this post . Under this type of covenant, the relationship is like a king to his subject. The king would pledge to be his sovereign and protect the subject, who in return was expected to display absolute loyalty and obedience. There were conditions placed upon this relationship, which each side was expected to fulfill.
God repeats his promise to greatly increase Abram's descendants (v.2). Then God begins to explain the terms of the covenant. First, God outlines his own provisions for Abram:
You will be the father of many nations. (v.3)
Your name will be changed from Abram ("Exalted Father" -- probably in reference to God) to Abraham ("father of many"). (v.5)
God promised to make Abraham very fruitful, a father of many nations, and said that kings would come from him. (v.6)
God would establish His covenant with Abraham and with his descendants. It would be an everlasting covenant. (v.7)
The whole land of Canaan would be given to Abraham and his descendants as an "everlasting possession". (v.8)
"I will be their God." (v.8)
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Ten Things You May Not Know About Rocky and Bullwinkle
Alexander Anderson Jr., cartoonist and creator of many beloved characters such as Rocky the flying squirrel, Bullwinkle the moose and Dudley Do-Right died on October 22, 2010 at the age of 90. In tribute, here are ten things which you may not know about the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show and its creators and characters:
1. Inspiration for Bullwinkle came from a dream Anderson had, in which he was seated next to a card-toting moose at a poker game with friends.
2. A Berkeley, CA, Ford car dealership (Bullwinkel Motors) owner named Bullwinkel furnished the inspiration for Bullwinkle's name. Anderson thought the name was interesting and changed some letters in order to come up with Bullwinkle's name.
3. Bullwinkle's favorite line was: "Watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat."
4. Anderson and his frat brother (Jay Ward) -- working out of a garage -- created "Crusader Rabbit", which was one of the first animated series produced for TV. It aired on NBC in the 1950's.
5. Rocky and Bullwinkle lived in the fictional town of Frostbite Falls, Minnesota. It was named after an actual town in northern Minnesota named International Falls. A reporter had called that place the "icebox of America", hence the 'Frostbite' pun.
6. Anderson thought Rocky's ability to fly was more believable than some superheroes, for some squirrels actually do have the ability to fly (or at least glide).
7. Rocky's tagline was "Hokey Smoke!"
8. Name four evildoers who were opposed by Rocky and Bullwinkle. (Answers are at end of list.)
9. In 2000, a feature film "The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle" was released.
10. The middle name of Rocky begins with a 'J'. Some believe the squirrel's actual name is Rocket Jet Squirrel. As a tribute, "The Simpsons" creator, Matt Groening, gave Homer, Bart and Grandpa Abe the same middle initial. Bullwinkle also had "J" as his middle initial. The squirrel and moose may have been given this initial to honor Jay Ward (co-creator) and Bill J. Scott (producer and writer).
_________________________________________________________________________________
(Answer to #8: Boris Badenov, Natasha Fatale, Mister Big, and Fearless Leader. Also, Boris and Natasha were modeled after the Addam's Family couple, Gomez and Morticia. Boris and Natasha were a parody of the Cold War, which was already many years underway before the series aired.)
Note: Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoons can be viewed (free) online at www.hulu.com.
1. Inspiration for Bullwinkle came from a dream Anderson had, in which he was seated next to a card-toting moose at a poker game with friends.
2. A Berkeley, CA, Ford car dealership (Bullwinkel Motors) owner named Bullwinkel furnished the inspiration for Bullwinkle's name. Anderson thought the name was interesting and changed some letters in order to come up with Bullwinkle's name.
3. Bullwinkle's favorite line was: "Watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat."
4. Anderson and his frat brother (Jay Ward) -- working out of a garage -- created "Crusader Rabbit", which was one of the first animated series produced for TV. It aired on NBC in the 1950's.
5. Rocky and Bullwinkle lived in the fictional town of Frostbite Falls, Minnesota. It was named after an actual town in northern Minnesota named International Falls. A reporter had called that place the "icebox of America", hence the 'Frostbite' pun.
6. Anderson thought Rocky's ability to fly was more believable than some superheroes, for some squirrels actually do have the ability to fly (or at least glide).
7. Rocky's tagline was "Hokey Smoke!"
8. Name four evildoers who were opposed by Rocky and Bullwinkle. (Answers are at end of list.)
9. In 2000, a feature film "The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle" was released.
10. The middle name of Rocky begins with a 'J'. Some believe the squirrel's actual name is Rocket Jet Squirrel. As a tribute, "The Simpsons" creator, Matt Groening, gave Homer, Bart and Grandpa Abe the same middle initial. Bullwinkle also had "J" as his middle initial. The squirrel and moose may have been given this initial to honor Jay Ward (co-creator) and Bill J. Scott (producer and writer).
_________________________________________________________________________________
(Answer to #8: Boris Badenov, Natasha Fatale, Mister Big, and Fearless Leader. Also, Boris and Natasha were modeled after the Addam's Family couple, Gomez and Morticia. Boris and Natasha were a parody of the Cold War, which was already many years underway before the series aired.)
Note: Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoons can be viewed (free) online at www.hulu.com.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Hagar and Ishmael (Genesis 16)
Genesis 16 is a very interesting chapter of the Bible. I like that it goes into some detail about the life of Hagar and Ishmael. In God's sight, these are real people, not just incidental characters in the story of His people Israel. Hagar was Sarai's Egyptian maidservant, likely acquired during the time when Abram and Sarai had gone down to Egypt to escape the famine. (Genesis 12:10-16)
Sarai, Abram's wife, had not been able to have any children (Genesis:16:1). After ten years of waiting, she suggested to Abram that he sleep with her servant. That may sound rather odd to us, but in the culture of the time, it was an acceptable way to ensure that an heir was produced. The NIV Study Bible indicates that this custom is found in Old Assyrian marriage contracts, the Code of Hammurapi and the Nuzi tablets. However, it was not exactly a step of faith by Abram and Sarai. They were impatient about God's timing, and, it seems, tried to make things happen by their own hands. As is usually the case, the rest of the story makes it quite clear that this was not the way that God wanted them to proceed.
Abram agrees to Sarai's plan and receives Hagar from Sarai's hand. He sleeps with her and she conceives. Now the trouble begins, for, when Hagar saw that she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. We are not told exactly what transpired between the two women -- was it harsh words, or merely a smug look or two which conveyed this disrespect? At any rate, Sarai is not happy, and begins to blame Abram for the situation: "You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my servant in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me. May the Lord judge between you and me." (Genesis 16:5 NIV) This is pretty ironic, considering that it had been all her own idea!
Abram refuses to get between the two women, which is probably wise! However, I can't help but be disappointed at his lack of leadership as he merely leaves it up to Sarai to settle things with her servant. I suppose that anything Abram might have said to the women would only have inflamed the situation. Also, Sarai and Hagar would eventually have to settle things between themselves anyway. So perhaps Abram's course of action was indeed the best thing to do.
Sarai mistreats Hagar, who flees from her and runs out into the desert. Near a spring that is beside the road to Shur, the angel of the Lord finds Hagar. (Shur is east of Lower Egypt, so Hagar is probably contemplating a trip back to Egypt.) The angel of the Lord asked Hagar where she was going. " 'I'm running away from my mistress Sarai,' she answered." (Genesis 16:8) The angel of the Lord told her, "...'Go back to your mistress and submit to her.' The angel added, 'I will so increase your descendants that they will be too numerous to count.' " (Genesis 16:9)
Who is this one who is called "the angel of the Lord"? 'Angel' means 'messenger', so some people believe that this is just an angel who is tasked with the job of urging Hagar to return to her mistress. However, this angel had given his message in the first person (" I will so increase your descendants.."). The angel of the Lord continues: "You are now with child and you will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the Lord has heard of your misery. He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers." (Genesis 16:11-12)
What is Hagar's reaction to this message? "She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: 'You are the God who sees me,' for she said, 'I have now seen the One who sees me." (Genesis 16:13) Three times in this verse it seems to indicate that the angel is no ordinary messenger:
1)Hagar gave a name to "the Lord who spoke to her", indicating that she was speaking to the Lord Himself.
2)Hagar calls Him "the God who sees me". She wouldn't call an angel 'God'. Also,
3)"I have now seen the One who sees me." Again it sounds like Hagar is speaking of a deity. She is amazed that she can have this contact with God and still live. In fact, the Genesis 16 account goes on to say: "That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; it is still there, between Kadesh and Bered." (Genesis 16:14) Beer Lahai Roi can mean "well of the Living One who sees me". Another equally acceptable translation is "well of the one who sees me and who lives". Either way, it is clear that Hagar has had a surprisingly close encounter with the God who she now recognizes as being real and, to her amazement, quite involved in her life. Her grateful surprise is one of the best parts of this chapter. A mere maidservant, unused to being recognized or consulted about her own desires and needs, finds that God is nearby and knows everything about her past, present and future.
"So Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne. Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael." (Genesis 16:15-16)
Sarai, Abram's wife, had not been able to have any children (Genesis:16:1). After ten years of waiting, she suggested to Abram that he sleep with her servant. That may sound rather odd to us, but in the culture of the time, it was an acceptable way to ensure that an heir was produced. The NIV Study Bible indicates that this custom is found in Old Assyrian marriage contracts, the Code of Hammurapi and the Nuzi tablets. However, it was not exactly a step of faith by Abram and Sarai. They were impatient about God's timing, and, it seems, tried to make things happen by their own hands. As is usually the case, the rest of the story makes it quite clear that this was not the way that God wanted them to proceed.
Abram agrees to Sarai's plan and receives Hagar from Sarai's hand. He sleeps with her and she conceives. Now the trouble begins, for, when Hagar saw that she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. We are not told exactly what transpired between the two women -- was it harsh words, or merely a smug look or two which conveyed this disrespect? At any rate, Sarai is not happy, and begins to blame Abram for the situation: "You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my servant in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me. May the Lord judge between you and me." (Genesis 16:5 NIV) This is pretty ironic, considering that it had been all her own idea!
Abram refuses to get between the two women, which is probably wise! However, I can't help but be disappointed at his lack of leadership as he merely leaves it up to Sarai to settle things with her servant. I suppose that anything Abram might have said to the women would only have inflamed the situation. Also, Sarai and Hagar would eventually have to settle things between themselves anyway. So perhaps Abram's course of action was indeed the best thing to do.
Sarai mistreats Hagar, who flees from her and runs out into the desert. Near a spring that is beside the road to Shur, the angel of the Lord finds Hagar. (Shur is east of Lower Egypt, so Hagar is probably contemplating a trip back to Egypt.) The angel of the Lord asked Hagar where she was going. " 'I'm running away from my mistress Sarai,' she answered." (Genesis 16:8) The angel of the Lord told her, "...'Go back to your mistress and submit to her.' The angel added, 'I will so increase your descendants that they will be too numerous to count.' " (Genesis 16:9)
Who is this one who is called "the angel of the Lord"? 'Angel' means 'messenger', so some people believe that this is just an angel who is tasked with the job of urging Hagar to return to her mistress. However, this angel had given his message in the first person (" I will so increase your descendants.."). The angel of the Lord continues: "You are now with child and you will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the Lord has heard of your misery. He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers." (Genesis 16:11-12)
What is Hagar's reaction to this message? "She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: 'You are the God who sees me,' for she said, 'I have now seen the One who sees me." (Genesis 16:13) Three times in this verse it seems to indicate that the angel is no ordinary messenger:
1)Hagar gave a name to "the Lord who spoke to her", indicating that she was speaking to the Lord Himself.
2)Hagar calls Him "the God who sees me". She wouldn't call an angel 'God'. Also,
3)"I have now seen the One who sees me." Again it sounds like Hagar is speaking of a deity. She is amazed that she can have this contact with God and still live. In fact, the Genesis 16 account goes on to say: "That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; it is still there, between Kadesh and Bered." (Genesis 16:14) Beer Lahai Roi can mean "well of the Living One who sees me". Another equally acceptable translation is "well of the one who sees me and who lives". Either way, it is clear that Hagar has had a surprisingly close encounter with the God who she now recognizes as being real and, to her amazement, quite involved in her life. Her grateful surprise is one of the best parts of this chapter. A mere maidservant, unused to being recognized or consulted about her own desires and needs, finds that God is nearby and knows everything about her past, present and future.
"So Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne. Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael." (Genesis 16:15-16)
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Boundaries
I just thought I would explore a bit about what the Bible has to say about the boundaries of the Promised Land. I know that there are several places in the Scriptures which specify these boundaries, and I wondered if I could look at all of them and make some sort of sense out of the issues which are raised concerning this topic.
First, the evidence. Here are the Scriptures which I have found regarding God giving the Israelites the land. If you come across any which I have missed, please drop me a comment. I am no expert on these matters, but I wanted to see what information the Bible has concerning the boundaries of the Promised Land.
Note: All quotations are in the New International Version of the Bible (NIV).
____________________________________________________
Genesis 12:1 "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you."
____________________________________________________
Genesis 12:5-7 "He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there. Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. The Lord appeared to Abram and said, 'To your offspring I will give this land.' "
____________________________________________________
Later, quarreling arose between the herdsman of Abram and his nephew Lot, for they both had significant livestock.
Genesis 13:8-18 "So Abram said to Lot, 'Let's not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers. Is not the whole land before you? Let's part company. If you go to the left, I'll go to the right; if you go to the right, I'll go to the left.' Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tent toward Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord. The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, 'Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.' So Abram moved his tents and went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the Lord."
____________________________________________________
Genesis 14:13 "Now Abram was living near the great trees of Mamre the Amorite, a brother of Eshcol and Aner, all of whom were allied with Abram." This verse is interesting for several reasons. First, Abram "was living" in this place, not just passing through. Also, Abram and some Amorites are allies. They are peacefully co-existing and even supportive of each other, for these Amorites assist Abram when his nephew Lot is captured by invading kings. So when the Lord later speaks of how the Israelites will be in captivity for about 400 years until the sins of the Amorites have reached their full measure (Gen. 15:13-16), it is not because He has something against these people. They are punished because they are sinners who refuse to repent, not because they are Amorites. Note also that far later, under the Assyrians, the Babylonians and the Romans, the Lord also removes His own people, the Israelites, from their land when they likewise refuse to repent. So, He is not playing favorites here. However, He never says that He has taken back His promise to give the Israelites the land. Their captivity in various nations is so that they will repent and turn to Him.
_____________________________________________________
Genesis 15:7 "...I am the Lord who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it."
_____________________________________________________
Genesis 15:16 "In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure."
_____________________________________________________
Genesis 15:18-21 "On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, 'To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates -- the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites." Note that the boundaries are from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates River. Also, God does not seek to obscure the fact that other peoples are presently living in these lands. As God and as Creator of these lands, He can give them to whomever He wishes. However, knowing something of His character, I do not doubt that even if He removes other peoples from their lands in the process, He does so for a redemptive purpose, so that they may come to know Him. Perhaps as these peoples see how powerful the God of Israel is, they would turn towards Him, the only true God.
There are many other Scriptures which talk about the boundaries of the Promised Land. The ones in this post are only the ones which occur in the Bible from Genesis 1-15, which is about where I am in the Genesis commentary in this blog at the moment. I will continue to post about these as they occur in each Biblical book we are studying, and add them to our list. Each post with such information will have a label of "boundaries of the Promised Land" attached to it so that you can search for all the related posts by clicking on that label.
__________________________________________________
Update 12/11/2012 Now here are Scriptures from the Book of Exodus regarding the boundaries of the land which God promised to the Israelites:
Exodus 23:31 "I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the River." This passage establishes:
First, the evidence. Here are the Scriptures which I have found regarding God giving the Israelites the land. If you come across any which I have missed, please drop me a comment. I am no expert on these matters, but I wanted to see what information the Bible has concerning the boundaries of the Promised Land.
Note: All quotations are in the New International Version of the Bible (NIV).
____________________________________________________
Genesis 12:1 "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you."
____________________________________________________
Genesis 12:5-7 "He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there. Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. The Lord appeared to Abram and said, 'To your offspring I will give this land.' "
____________________________________________________
Later, quarreling arose between the herdsman of Abram and his nephew Lot, for they both had significant livestock.
Genesis 13:8-18 "So Abram said to Lot, 'Let's not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers. Is not the whole land before you? Let's part company. If you go to the left, I'll go to the right; if you go to the right, I'll go to the left.' Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tent toward Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord. The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, 'Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.' So Abram moved his tents and went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the Lord."
____________________________________________________
Genesis 14:13 "Now Abram was living near the great trees of Mamre the Amorite, a brother of Eshcol and Aner, all of whom were allied with Abram." This verse is interesting for several reasons. First, Abram "was living" in this place, not just passing through. Also, Abram and some Amorites are allies. They are peacefully co-existing and even supportive of each other, for these Amorites assist Abram when his nephew Lot is captured by invading kings. So when the Lord later speaks of how the Israelites will be in captivity for about 400 years until the sins of the Amorites have reached their full measure (Gen. 15:13-16), it is not because He has something against these people. They are punished because they are sinners who refuse to repent, not because they are Amorites. Note also that far later, under the Assyrians, the Babylonians and the Romans, the Lord also removes His own people, the Israelites, from their land when they likewise refuse to repent. So, He is not playing favorites here. However, He never says that He has taken back His promise to give the Israelites the land. Their captivity in various nations is so that they will repent and turn to Him.
_____________________________________________________
Genesis 15:7 "...I am the Lord who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it."
_____________________________________________________
Genesis 15:16 "In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure."
_____________________________________________________
Genesis 15:18-21 "On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, 'To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates -- the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites." Note that the boundaries are from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates River. Also, God does not seek to obscure the fact that other peoples are presently living in these lands. As God and as Creator of these lands, He can give them to whomever He wishes. However, knowing something of His character, I do not doubt that even if He removes other peoples from their lands in the process, He does so for a redemptive purpose, so that they may come to know Him. Perhaps as these peoples see how powerful the God of Israel is, they would turn towards Him, the only true God.
There are many other Scriptures which talk about the boundaries of the Promised Land. The ones in this post are only the ones which occur in the Bible from Genesis 1-15, which is about where I am in the Genesis commentary in this blog at the moment. I will continue to post about these as they occur in each Biblical book we are studying, and add them to our list. Each post with such information will have a label of "boundaries of the Promised Land" attached to it so that you can search for all the related posts by clicking on that label.
__________________________________________________
Update 12/11/2012 Now here are Scriptures from the Book of Exodus regarding the boundaries of the land which God promised to the Israelites:
Exodus 23:31 "I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the River." This passage establishes:
- the Red Sea (the modern Gulf of Aqaba) as the southeastern border,
- the Sea of the Philistines (the Mediterranean Sea) as the western border,
- the desert (the northeastern Sinai desert) as the southern border,
- and the river (the Euphrates River) as the northern border.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Some Thoughts about the Land
Some thoughts crossed my mind as I wrote about Genesis 15:7,12-16,17-21 in my last post. In Genesis 15, God definitely and clearly made a royal land grant to Abraham and his descendants. However, some may have problems with the fact that there are already people groups living in the territory named by the grant. At least in the past, it had been the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites,Girgashites and Jebusites. (Genesis 15:18-21 NIV)
These objections still persist to this day. Other people groups maintain that the land of Israel, or parts of it, is their own homeland. How do we deal with this objection? I am not talking here about those who wish to see the Israelites pushed into the sea, or any other such nonsense. It is not going to happen. God will not abandon His people. We have His word on it: 1 Chronicles 17:20-27; Psalm 98:2-3; Psalm 100:5; Isaiah 44:21-22; Micah 7:20 -- to name just a few verses. Psalm 89 is a psalm in praise of God's faithfulness. Especially in verses 19-37, the fact of God's utter love and commitment to Israel is repeated over and over again. One of my teachers used to say that if something in the Bible is repeated, it is important. By that measure, the concept of God's faithfulness to Israel is very important! Also, when God says that He has given Israel the land, you had better believe that the land is exactly what Israel will be given.
Let me pause a moment to say that this does not mean that God is not interested in the other nations. Scripture is equally clear that He wants all nations to come to Him in worship. Almost every book in the Bible repeats this theme. Israel was chosen by God as His people, not because they were more powerful than other nations or somehow more worthy. Scripture makes this very clear in these verses: "The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands." (Deuteronomy 7:6-9 NIV) Isaiah 64:6 notes that "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags;..."
Israel has been given the task of revealing God to the nations. As Israel came in contact with various nations, some have had a good relationship with Israel and some fought against her. Regardless, her task is to reveal God to the nations.
In my last post, the fact came out that God told Abram that his descendants would be enslaved for 400 years, and that one reason why this was so was because the iniquity of the Amorites had not yet reached its full measure. In other words, these Amorites were not yet as sinful as they could be, and God was giving them further time to repent. Now, that is not the only reason the Israelites were enslaved and mistreated. Yet it reveals something of the marvelous wisdom of God in that He is able to work all things out for His own purposes and glory. Even if it is in a strange, roundabout kind of way, the Amorites are reaping a blessing -- additional time to repent instead of being destroyed immediately -- due to their contact with Israel. Remember Genesis 12:2-3? -- "...I will make your name great and you will be a blessing...and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
However, later on, when Israel is escaping from slavery in Egypt, they do return to this same territory. This is many years later, of course, and we are temporarily skipping over a bunch of texts just to get some idea of the ways of God in His dealings with Israel and with the other nations. Moses, the one who led the Israelites out of Egypt, had died, and Joshua had been appointed to lead the Israelites. Now in Joshua chapters 23 and 24, Joshua is giving his farewell address because his own death is imminent. He also gathers the tribes together at Shechem to renew the covenant they had made with the Lord. (Please read both chapters 23 and 24 before continuing here.)
In chapter 23, Joshua reminds the Israelites that God has fought for them. He has allowed them to rout their enemies. Even though they were few, marvelous victories had taken place. Joshua warns them to continue to love the Lord their God and to serve only Him. He warns them not to intermarry with the nations around them, for then they would easily become ensnared to worship their 'gods'. Then they would be destroyed by the Lord, for they would be violating the covenant they had made to serve only Him.
In chapter 24, Joshua prepares to renew the covenant that they had made with the Lord. He recounts highlights of the history of what the Lord had done for Israel. He reminds them how God delivered them from Egypt and how God gave them the land of the Amorites and other peoples as He had promised (Joshua 24:5-18). Joshua warns the Israelites that they cannot serve two masters. They must choose between serving the true God or the gods of the peoples around them. The Israelites choose to follow the Lord.
Later, in the period of the Judges, a troubled time when "...Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit." (Judges 21:25 NIV), Jephthah is chosen by the elders of Gilead to lead them into battle against the Ammonites, who were poised to attack them. In Judges 11:12, we read that "...Jephthah sent messengers to the Ammonite king with the question: 'What do you have against us that you have attacked our country?'" The king replied, "...When Israel came up out of Egypt, they took away my land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, all the way to the Jordan. Now give it back peaceably." (Judges 11:13 NIV)
Jephthah's reply is succinct and thorough. As the New International Version (NIV) Study Bible points out, Jephthah's defense can be divided into three areas:
1)Israel had not taken the land from the Ammonites, but from Sihon, king of the Amorites. Also, it is important to note that Israel had asked permission to pass through the lands of other nations (Edom and Moab) as they traveled to their promised land, and when those nations refused to let them pass through their territory, Israel had skirted those lands, even though this made their travels longer. Israel had only attacked Sihon and the Amorites when he began to attack Israel. (Judges 11:14-22)
2)The Lord gave the Israelites the power to conquer their Amorite attackers. In the eyes of the peoples of that day, territorial disputes were actually settled by whichever god was able to prevail on behalf of his people. As Jephthah notes: "Now since the Lord, the God of Israel, has driven the Amorites out before his people Israel, what right have you to take it over? Will you not take what your god Chemosh gives you? Likewise, whatever the Lord our God has given us, we will possess." (Judges 11:23-24 NIV)
3)The time element. Israel had long possessed the disputed lands. As Jephthah notes, "For three hundred years Israel occupied Heshbon, Aroer, the surrounding settlements and all the towns along the Arnon. Why didn't you retake them during that time?" (Judges 11:26 NIV)
It is interesting to see that some of the same disputes are going on over the land of Israel today. The country is not a theocracy today, as it was then. However, the covenant of God is still in effect, as is His desire for all nations to worship Him, the only true God.
These objections still persist to this day. Other people groups maintain that the land of Israel, or parts of it, is their own homeland. How do we deal with this objection? I am not talking here about those who wish to see the Israelites pushed into the sea, or any other such nonsense. It is not going to happen. God will not abandon His people. We have His word on it: 1 Chronicles 17:20-27; Psalm 98:2-3; Psalm 100:5; Isaiah 44:21-22; Micah 7:20 -- to name just a few verses. Psalm 89 is a psalm in praise of God's faithfulness. Especially in verses 19-37, the fact of God's utter love and commitment to Israel is repeated over and over again. One of my teachers used to say that if something in the Bible is repeated, it is important. By that measure, the concept of God's faithfulness to Israel is very important! Also, when God says that He has given Israel the land, you had better believe that the land is exactly what Israel will be given.
Let me pause a moment to say that this does not mean that God is not interested in the other nations. Scripture is equally clear that He wants all nations to come to Him in worship. Almost every book in the Bible repeats this theme. Israel was chosen by God as His people, not because they were more powerful than other nations or somehow more worthy. Scripture makes this very clear in these verses: "The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands." (Deuteronomy 7:6-9 NIV) Isaiah 64:6 notes that "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags;..."
Israel has been given the task of revealing God to the nations. As Israel came in contact with various nations, some have had a good relationship with Israel and some fought against her. Regardless, her task is to reveal God to the nations.
In my last post, the fact came out that God told Abram that his descendants would be enslaved for 400 years, and that one reason why this was so was because the iniquity of the Amorites had not yet reached its full measure. In other words, these Amorites were not yet as sinful as they could be, and God was giving them further time to repent. Now, that is not the only reason the Israelites were enslaved and mistreated. Yet it reveals something of the marvelous wisdom of God in that He is able to work all things out for His own purposes and glory. Even if it is in a strange, roundabout kind of way, the Amorites are reaping a blessing -- additional time to repent instead of being destroyed immediately -- due to their contact with Israel. Remember Genesis 12:2-3? -- "...I will make your name great and you will be a blessing...and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
However, later on, when Israel is escaping from slavery in Egypt, they do return to this same territory. This is many years later, of course, and we are temporarily skipping over a bunch of texts just to get some idea of the ways of God in His dealings with Israel and with the other nations. Moses, the one who led the Israelites out of Egypt, had died, and Joshua had been appointed to lead the Israelites. Now in Joshua chapters 23 and 24, Joshua is giving his farewell address because his own death is imminent. He also gathers the tribes together at Shechem to renew the covenant they had made with the Lord. (Please read both chapters 23 and 24 before continuing here.)
In chapter 23, Joshua reminds the Israelites that God has fought for them. He has allowed them to rout their enemies. Even though they were few, marvelous victories had taken place. Joshua warns them to continue to love the Lord their God and to serve only Him. He warns them not to intermarry with the nations around them, for then they would easily become ensnared to worship their 'gods'. Then they would be destroyed by the Lord, for they would be violating the covenant they had made to serve only Him.
In chapter 24, Joshua prepares to renew the covenant that they had made with the Lord. He recounts highlights of the history of what the Lord had done for Israel. He reminds them how God delivered them from Egypt and how God gave them the land of the Amorites and other peoples as He had promised (Joshua 24:5-18). Joshua warns the Israelites that they cannot serve two masters. They must choose between serving the true God or the gods of the peoples around them. The Israelites choose to follow the Lord.
Later, in the period of the Judges, a troubled time when "...Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit." (Judges 21:25 NIV), Jephthah is chosen by the elders of Gilead to lead them into battle against the Ammonites, who were poised to attack them. In Judges 11:12, we read that "...Jephthah sent messengers to the Ammonite king with the question: 'What do you have against us that you have attacked our country?'" The king replied, "...When Israel came up out of Egypt, they took away my land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, all the way to the Jordan. Now give it back peaceably." (Judges 11:13 NIV)
Jephthah's reply is succinct and thorough. As the New International Version (NIV) Study Bible points out, Jephthah's defense can be divided into three areas:
1)Israel had not taken the land from the Ammonites, but from Sihon, king of the Amorites. Also, it is important to note that Israel had asked permission to pass through the lands of other nations (Edom and Moab) as they traveled to their promised land, and when those nations refused to let them pass through their territory, Israel had skirted those lands, even though this made their travels longer. Israel had only attacked Sihon and the Amorites when he began to attack Israel. (Judges 11:14-22)
2)The Lord gave the Israelites the power to conquer their Amorite attackers. In the eyes of the peoples of that day, territorial disputes were actually settled by whichever god was able to prevail on behalf of his people. As Jephthah notes: "Now since the Lord, the God of Israel, has driven the Amorites out before his people Israel, what right have you to take it over? Will you not take what your god Chemosh gives you? Likewise, whatever the Lord our God has given us, we will possess." (Judges 11:23-24 NIV)
3)The time element. Israel had long possessed the disputed lands. As Jephthah notes, "For three hundred years Israel occupied Heshbon, Aroer, the surrounding settlements and all the towns along the Arnon. Why didn't you retake them during that time?" (Judges 11:26 NIV)
It is interesting to see that some of the same disputes are going on over the land of Israel today. The country is not a theocracy today, as it was then. However, the covenant of God is still in effect, as is His desire for all nations to worship Him, the only true God.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Two Doubts and a Covenant (Genesis 15:1-21)
Genesis 15 begins with a rather surprising incident. God gives a message to Abram in a vision, and says, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." (Genesis 15:1 NIV) This seems a strange thing to say to a man who has just managed to defeat Kedorlaomer and the three kings allied with him, and successfully rescue not only his nephew, but also the other inhabitants of Sodom who had been captured. Why would Abraham be afraid? He obviously was afraid, or else God, who knows all things, wouldn't have bothered to say this to Abram. I am sure that Abram knew very well that it was not by his own strength that he had accomplished this victory. Now, at least four kings and their armies were likely to be planning some payback. Abram had 318 trained men in his household, but what was that against so many? He probably thought that he and his household would be in danger of being swallowed up by these enemies. God reassures Abram that He will continue to be Abram's shield. The word 'shield' can also mean 'sovereign'. The Bible is full of examples of similar word-plays: God would be both Abram's leader and protection.
God also promised to be Abram's "very great reward". Genesis 13:2 lets us know that Abram was already quite rich in livestock, silver and gold. Yet his heart longed for an heir. At this point, it seemed as though a trusted servant in his household was likely to become his heir, for, as Abram says, "You have given me no children, so a servant in my household will be my heir." (Genesis 15:3 NIV) God had already promised to make Abram into a great nation (Gen. 12:2). Abram is probably speaking out of post-battle exhaustion. He is likely physically tired and also tired of waiting for God to fulfill His promise.
God does not rebuke Abram. Instead, He reassures him that "This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir." (Gen. 15:4 NIV) I must continue to quote from this passage, for it is beautiful: "He took him outside and said, 'Look up at the heavens and count the stars -- if indeed you can count them.' Then he said to him, 'So shall your offspring be.' (Gen. 15:5-6 NIV)
"Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness." (Gen.15:6 NIV) This is the first time that the idea is expressed that righteousness could be obtained by faith. Deeds are great and a necessary evidence of the faith that is in the heart. However, without faith, those same deeds are useless.
God proceeds to cut a covenant with Abram. Why we use the term 'cut' a covenant will be evident in a few more sentences as we read the account. God knows that Abram may be having second thoughts about having given up all of the loot from his battle against the four kings. The future may seem uncertain. God graciously decides to cut a covenant with Abram.
Some covenants in those days were between equals. Each would bind themselves to the other and consider the other a 'brother'. If friendship was impossible, at least they would maintain mutual respect for each other. These are called parity covenants.
Other covenants were between a king and his subject. As long as the subject continued in loyalty and service ("love"), the king would pledge to be his sovereign, and protect him. There was more of a king/subject relationship, and it was conditional upon the subject continuing to show absolute loyalty and obedience. Hence, it is often called a suzerain-vassal covenant.
However, the type of covenant which God sets up with Abram is neither of these types. Instead, God sets up what is called a royal grant. This is an unconditional type of covenant. The king assumes the responsibility for carrying out the grant. It is unconditional and perpetual. This is the type of covenant which God decides to grant to Abram. Often, before a sovereign would make such a grant, he would rehearse at least some of the history between himself and the recipient. This becomes a kind of introduction to the grant, and also serves to remind the subject just why he/she should continue in loving service to the king. God says, "I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it." (Genesis 15:7 NIV) Abram, who was willing to believe that God could give him a son, is still a bit uncertain that he will actually obtain the land. In verse 8 of Genesis chapter 15, Abram said "...O Sovereign Lord, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?" I am glad that this passage is here, because sometimes -- despite all of God's goodness to us -- we, too, are reluctant to believe. Abram is not afraid to be honest with God about his doubts, and God graciously reassures him:
"Bring me a heifer, a goat and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon." Abram brought all these to him, cut them in two and arranged the halves opposite each other; the birds, however, he did not cut in half. Then birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, but Abram drove them away." (Gen. 15:9-11 NIV)
It looks as though preparations are being made for a suzerain-vassal covenant. However, "As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him." (Gen 15:12 NIV) Abram is basically incapacitated, unable to participate in any way except as a witness to this event. The thick and dreadful darkness which came over him was not intended to terrify him, but perhaps to shield him from the presence of the Holy One who walked nearby.
"Then the Lord said to him, 'Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. You, however, will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a good old age. In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.' " (Genesis 15:13-16 NIV)
This was perhaps not exactly what Abram had been expecting. On the surface, it does not seem to be particularly reassuring! However, it establishes the fact that God has His plan, and is able to carry it out. As a side note, the fact that one reason why God was allowing Abram's descendants to be enslaved and mistreated for 400 years was so that the Amorites would have a chance to repent may have been very puzzling to Abram. God's merciful character shines forth here, and also His sovereignty.
"When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, 'To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates -- the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites.' "(Genesis 15:17-21 NIV)
There it is -- the royal grant. God Himself walked through the middle of the cut pieces alone, signifying the self-maledictory oath He was taking: May I be cut in two like these animals if I do not fulfill this covenant. It is also interesting to see how God chooses to do this in the darkness with a blazing torch. What better way to allow Himself, a spiritual being, to be 'seen' by Abram?
In further posts we can explore the physical land indicated by this covenant, and the fact that there are people groups already living in this place. For now, just take a moment to marvel at the wisdom and graciousness of God as He deals with His imperfect servant. Then take a moment to reflect upon how He has dealt with you in your own life. Abram was anxious about the safety and continuation of his family line. These are concerns which often cause anxiety in our own times. God, in His gracious dealings with Abram, not only met these needs, but also gave him a gift which in reality was even more precious: He gives Abram a relationship with Himself. As He said to Abram, "...I am your very great reward." (Genesis 15:1 NIV)
God also promised to be Abram's "very great reward". Genesis 13:2 lets us know that Abram was already quite rich in livestock, silver and gold. Yet his heart longed for an heir. At this point, it seemed as though a trusted servant in his household was likely to become his heir, for, as Abram says, "You have given me no children, so a servant in my household will be my heir." (Genesis 15:3 NIV) God had already promised to make Abram into a great nation (Gen. 12:2). Abram is probably speaking out of post-battle exhaustion. He is likely physically tired and also tired of waiting for God to fulfill His promise.
God does not rebuke Abram. Instead, He reassures him that "This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir." (Gen. 15:4 NIV) I must continue to quote from this passage, for it is beautiful: "He took him outside and said, 'Look up at the heavens and count the stars -- if indeed you can count them.' Then he said to him, 'So shall your offspring be.' (Gen. 15:5-6 NIV)
"Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness." (Gen.15:6 NIV) This is the first time that the idea is expressed that righteousness could be obtained by faith. Deeds are great and a necessary evidence of the faith that is in the heart. However, without faith, those same deeds are useless.
God proceeds to cut a covenant with Abram. Why we use the term 'cut' a covenant will be evident in a few more sentences as we read the account. God knows that Abram may be having second thoughts about having given up all of the loot from his battle against the four kings. The future may seem uncertain. God graciously decides to cut a covenant with Abram.
Some covenants in those days were between equals. Each would bind themselves to the other and consider the other a 'brother'. If friendship was impossible, at least they would maintain mutual respect for each other. These are called parity covenants.
Other covenants were between a king and his subject. As long as the subject continued in loyalty and service ("love"), the king would pledge to be his sovereign, and protect him. There was more of a king/subject relationship, and it was conditional upon the subject continuing to show absolute loyalty and obedience. Hence, it is often called a suzerain-vassal covenant.
However, the type of covenant which God sets up with Abram is neither of these types. Instead, God sets up what is called a royal grant. This is an unconditional type of covenant. The king assumes the responsibility for carrying out the grant. It is unconditional and perpetual. This is the type of covenant which God decides to grant to Abram. Often, before a sovereign would make such a grant, he would rehearse at least some of the history between himself and the recipient. This becomes a kind of introduction to the grant, and also serves to remind the subject just why he/she should continue in loving service to the king. God says, "I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it." (Genesis 15:7 NIV) Abram, who was willing to believe that God could give him a son, is still a bit uncertain that he will actually obtain the land. In verse 8 of Genesis chapter 15, Abram said "...O Sovereign Lord, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?" I am glad that this passage is here, because sometimes -- despite all of God's goodness to us -- we, too, are reluctant to believe. Abram is not afraid to be honest with God about his doubts, and God graciously reassures him:
"Bring me a heifer, a goat and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon." Abram brought all these to him, cut them in two and arranged the halves opposite each other; the birds, however, he did not cut in half. Then birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, but Abram drove them away." (Gen. 15:9-11 NIV)
It looks as though preparations are being made for a suzerain-vassal covenant. However, "As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him." (Gen 15:12 NIV) Abram is basically incapacitated, unable to participate in any way except as a witness to this event. The thick and dreadful darkness which came over him was not intended to terrify him, but perhaps to shield him from the presence of the Holy One who walked nearby.
"Then the Lord said to him, 'Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. You, however, will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a good old age. In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.' " (Genesis 15:13-16 NIV)
This was perhaps not exactly what Abram had been expecting. On the surface, it does not seem to be particularly reassuring! However, it establishes the fact that God has His plan, and is able to carry it out. As a side note, the fact that one reason why God was allowing Abram's descendants to be enslaved and mistreated for 400 years was so that the Amorites would have a chance to repent may have been very puzzling to Abram. God's merciful character shines forth here, and also His sovereignty.
"When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, 'To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates -- the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites.' "(Genesis 15:17-21 NIV)
There it is -- the royal grant. God Himself walked through the middle of the cut pieces alone, signifying the self-maledictory oath He was taking: May I be cut in two like these animals if I do not fulfill this covenant. It is also interesting to see how God chooses to do this in the darkness with a blazing torch. What better way to allow Himself, a spiritual being, to be 'seen' by Abram?
In further posts we can explore the physical land indicated by this covenant, and the fact that there are people groups already living in this place. For now, just take a moment to marvel at the wisdom and graciousness of God as He deals with His imperfect servant. Then take a moment to reflect upon how He has dealt with you in your own life. Abram was anxious about the safety and continuation of his family line. These are concerns which often cause anxiety in our own times. God, in His gracious dealings with Abram, not only met these needs, but also gave him a gift which in reality was even more precious: He gives Abram a relationship with Himself. As He said to Abram, "...I am your very great reward." (Genesis 15:1 NIV)
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Blog Action Day Birthday Gift
October 15th of each year has been chosen as Blog Action Day, a day where bloggers unite around a common theme, and produce posts that have to do with that subject, in order to stir up action in that area. I had never heard of this before, and only stumbled upon it by accident as I was surfing the web. Blog Action Day caught my eye, because it occurs on my birthday. Earlier in that week, relatives had been asking me what I wanted for my birthday, and I had a difficult time coming up with ideas. I mean, I always can use a gift card for bookstores, because I'm an avid reader. I'm thinking about getting a desk, but would really need to pick that out myself. I'm also thinking about buying a video camera, but still need to do some research about which one would be best. Both of these latter things, though, are plans for the future. I have plenty to do before I will have the time to make room for these items. When I read about Blog Action Day, though, I did have an idea.
The topic for Blog Action Day this year is 'Water'. I have always been interested in those organizations which provide community wells and filtering devices for those who do not have access to clean water. One organization in particular which I am familiar with is Samaritan's Purse. In fact, I had just received their 2010 Christmas gift catalog, which outlines some of the projects which donors can indicate they would like to support.
Item # 30 in that catalog is a Household Water Filter. These "require no chemicals or power, instead using a natural biological process to remove disease-causing microorganisms and pollutants." Each costs $100 and lasts a lifetime. That may be more than one individual is able to donate, yet the project could become a great goal for a team effort. Perhaps a class, club or business could collect funds together. Ten friends could donate ten dollars each without too much effort.
Larger donors might consider providing clean water for an entire community. Item #24 in the catalog is a large-scale water filtration system. This costs $10,000 and can provide clean water for 500 families. "Following the earthquake in Haiti, we installed 20 of these filters at camps, orphanages, and medical facilities, along with building latrines and training people in proper hygiene."
So, for my Blog Action Day birthday, I would love it if people donated money to Samaritan's Purse to help others receive clean water. Take a look at the catalog and see if there is a project which catches your interest. After you donate, please take a moment to let me know: www.kaleidoscript.blogspot.com . I hope Samaritan's Purse gets lots of 'presents'! (If you are reading this after October 15th, you can still donate anyway. People will always need clean water, -- which is, after all, the point of this whole exercise...)
The topic for Blog Action Day this year is 'Water'. I have always been interested in those organizations which provide community wells and filtering devices for those who do not have access to clean water. One organization in particular which I am familiar with is Samaritan's Purse. In fact, I had just received their 2010 Christmas gift catalog, which outlines some of the projects which donors can indicate they would like to support.
Item # 30 in that catalog is a Household Water Filter. These "require no chemicals or power, instead using a natural biological process to remove disease-causing microorganisms and pollutants." Each costs $100 and lasts a lifetime. That may be more than one individual is able to donate, yet the project could become a great goal for a team effort. Perhaps a class, club or business could collect funds together. Ten friends could donate ten dollars each without too much effort.
Larger donors might consider providing clean water for an entire community. Item #24 in the catalog is a large-scale water filtration system. This costs $10,000 and can provide clean water for 500 families. "Following the earthquake in Haiti, we installed 20 of these filters at camps, orphanages, and medical facilities, along with building latrines and training people in proper hygiene."
So, for my Blog Action Day birthday, I would love it if people donated money to Samaritan's Purse to help others receive clean water. Take a look at the catalog and see if there is a project which catches your interest. After you donate, please take a moment to let me know: www.kaleidoscript.blogspot.com . I hope Samaritan's Purse gets lots of 'presents'! (If you are reading this after October 15th, you can still donate anyway. People will always need clean water, -- which is, after all, the point of this whole exercise...)
Friday, October 8, 2010
Rout, Rescue and Reward
The previous material about the attacks led by Kedorlaomer and his allies showed that they had pretty much cleared out the surrounding countryside before they arrived to attack Sodom and Gomorrah. The battle began in the Valley of Siddim, four kings against five. The Valley of Siddim was 'full of tar pits' (Genesis 14:10), and when the warriors of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell into the pits and many fled to the hills. Kedorlaomer, Arioch, Amraphel and Tidal seized the valuables from Sodom and Gomorrah and left, taking food supplies and people as well. Abram's nephew Lot, unfortunately, had by now become a resident within Sodom and was among the captives. When a survivor reported this to Abram, he assembled the 318 trained men born in his household, along with Aner, Eschol and Mamre (who, incidentally is described as "Mamre the Amorite" in Gen. 14:13). At first I thought that this was surprising, since I had in previous posts recounted how the Amorites were generally enemies of the Jews, but then I realized that such enmity had not necessarily developed at this part of the story...there is no nation of Israel yet, and Abram is known merely as "Abram the Hebrew" in this same verse. At any rate, Abram assembles his men and allies and pursues them as far as Dan. After routing them, Abram pursues them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus (Genesis 14:15). He brings back all the goods and people, a remarkable achievement, considering the confusion and chaos of war. (However, I suppose it would be likely that the goods and captives would have been kept fairly segregated until after the battle, when they would probably be distributed.) Even so, it was a real accomplishment, and bears the unmistakable fingerprints of having come from the hand of God, who allowed the victory.
God both protected Abram and allowed his name to become 'great' (Genesis 12:2) in the eyes of all nine kings, regardless of their association with the battle. Melchizedek, the king of Sodom, was so impressed that he offered to let Abram keep all the goods and merely return the people. He also set a meal before him and blessed him. However, Abram did not want to leave the impression that Melchizedek, rather than God, had enriched him, so he refused to accept the goods, except for what his men had eaten. However, he gave Melchizedek a tithe, politely recognizing Melchizedek's kingly position over Sodom while still making it clear that "...the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth..." (Gen. 14:16-22) was the only One to whom he would have further obligation. However, Abram allows his allies Aner, Eshcol and Mamre to make their own decisions regarding these matters (Gen. 14.24).
The character of Abram rings through clearly in this passage. He rescues his nephew despite Lot's less than stellar treatment of him. He treats Melchizedek respectfully, even though God had promised that Abram would one day own all the surrounding land (Gen. 13:14-18). He allows his allies the freedom to make their own decisions regarding the reward for their efforts. Most importantly, Abram acknowledges God, who clearly had given him the victory and was quite able to reward him as He saw fit.
God both protected Abram and allowed his name to become 'great' (Genesis 12:2) in the eyes of all nine kings, regardless of their association with the battle. Melchizedek, the king of Sodom, was so impressed that he offered to let Abram keep all the goods and merely return the people. He also set a meal before him and blessed him. However, Abram did not want to leave the impression that Melchizedek, rather than God, had enriched him, so he refused to accept the goods, except for what his men had eaten. However, he gave Melchizedek a tithe, politely recognizing Melchizedek's kingly position over Sodom while still making it clear that "...the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth..." (Gen. 14:16-22) was the only One to whom he would have further obligation. However, Abram allows his allies Aner, Eshcol and Mamre to make their own decisions regarding these matters (Gen. 14.24).
The character of Abram rings through clearly in this passage. He rescues his nephew despite Lot's less than stellar treatment of him. He treats Melchizedek respectfully, even though God had promised that Abram would one day own all the surrounding land (Gen. 13:14-18). He allows his allies the freedom to make their own decisions regarding the reward for their efforts. Most importantly, Abram acknowledges God, who clearly had given him the victory and was quite able to reward him as He saw fit.
Monday, October 4, 2010
About Amalek
As I stated in a previous post (October 4, 2010: Facing Kedolaomer), Abraham's grandson Esau was the grandfather of Amalek. Genesis 36 is a treasure trove of genealogical information which I am still exploring, but so far let's remind ourselves of these connections:
Abraham's sons are Isaac and Ishmael.
Isaac's twin sons are Jacob and Esau.
Jacob is the father of twelve sons, the patriarchs of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Esau's sons are Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.
Eliphaz has Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, Kenaz and Amalek.
The Scripture says Amalek is the son of Timna (Eliphaz's concubine) in Genesis 36:12. No information is given here about the other sons' mothers. I suspect more information will turn up eventually as I go on, because I know I have read somewhere else in Scripture about Timna before.
As the previous post indicated, the Amalekites came to be known as fierce enemies of God's people, and especially associated with those who wanted to wipe out Israel. Also, they seem to be a people which God wanted entirely eliminated. That may seem strange, but perhaps this is because of His covenant with the Israelites, i.e., that He had said that those who curse Israel will themselves be cursed. (Genesis 12:2-3). Also, the retaliation against the enemies of His people always seems to be in proportion to what harm these enemies intend to inflict upon His people. In this case, since the Amalekites wished to completely destroy Israel, it is 'fair' that God would also seek to wipe out the Amalekites. I cannot know the full extent of God's purposes, except as they are revealed in the Bible, but perhaps these Scriptures can shed some light:
AMALEK
Gen. 36 12 (Esau's son Eliphaz has a concubine Timna, who bears Amalek)
Exodus 17:8, 14,16 (Amalekites attack Israelites at Rephidim, Lord vows to blot out Amalek, the Lord would be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation)
Numbers 24:20 (Balaam says Amalek was first among nations, but would come to ruin)
Deuteronomy 25:17 see also I Samuel 15:2 (Amalekites waylaid Israel as they left Egypt)
25:19 ("...you shall blot out the memory of Amalek...")
Judges 5:14 (Amalekites once lived in the hill country of Ephraim)
I Samuel 15:3(Lord will punish Amalekites for waylaying Israel, destroy everything, do not
spare them)
28:18 (Saul does not carry out God's fierce wrath against the Amalekites)
Psalm 83:5-7 (Edom(Esau), Ishmaelites, Moab, Hagrites, Gebal, Ammon, Amalek, Philistia,Tyre and Assyria form an alliance against Israel -- and by association, against God)
AMALEKITES
Numbers 14:45 (Amalekites and Canaanites attack and overwhelm disobedient Israelites)
Judges 6:3 (Amalekites & other eastern peoples invade, ravage crops and animals)
7:12(Midianites, Amalekites & other eastern peoples prepare to attack Israel)
10:12(God had delivered Israel from Egyptians, Amorites, Ammonites, Philistines, Sidonians, Amalekites and Maonites, yet they forsook Him)
I Samuel 14:48 (Saul's military victories against Israel's enemies, including Amalekites)
15:6 (Saul warns Kenites to move away before he attacks Amalekites)
15:20 (Saul claims to have completely destroyed the Amalekites, but has spared Agag)
27:8 (David and men raid Girzites and Amalekites. From ancient times, these lived in the land extending to Shur and Egypt)
30:1 (Amalekites raided Ziklag and the Negev)
II Samuel 1:1 (David returns from defeating the Amalekites)
1:13 ("I am the son of...an Amalekite" David kills him because the man claims to have killed Saul, the Lord's anointed king.)
I Chronicles 4:43 (Simeonites kill the remaining Amalekites who had escaped to the hill country of Seir.)
Interestingly, in the book of Esther it is revealed that the enemy who wanted to systematically wipe out all of the Jews was also likely an Amalekite. Esther 3:1 says that Haman was the "son of Hammedatha, the Agagite". Agag was an Amalekite king.
Another sobering thought that comes to mind is that originally, Esau had the opportunity to be part of the people of God. He sold that birthright (with all of its spiritual aspects as well) by considering it less important than a bowl of stew, and then also lost his father's blessing when his twin brother Jacob deceived blind Isaac into thinking that Jacob was actually Esau. Esau at first consoled himself with the thought of killing his brother, but their mother Rebekah sent Jacob far away to his uncle's house in order to cool off the situation. Years later, Jacob and Esau had a time of reconciliation, yet it seemed an imperfect truce, for Jacob was reluctant to live near Esau. When Esau eventually moves off near Seir, the Edomites come to be known more for their enmity against Jacob/Israel than anything else. Was the grudge and a sense of having been cheated held somewhere deep in Esau's heart, nourished, and passed on to his descendants? It certainly seems that way.
Abraham's sons are Isaac and Ishmael.
Isaac's twin sons are Jacob and Esau.
Jacob is the father of twelve sons, the patriarchs of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Esau's sons are Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.
Eliphaz has Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, Kenaz and Amalek.
The Scripture says Amalek is the son of Timna (Eliphaz's concubine) in Genesis 36:12. No information is given here about the other sons' mothers. I suspect more information will turn up eventually as I go on, because I know I have read somewhere else in Scripture about Timna before.
As the previous post indicated, the Amalekites came to be known as fierce enemies of God's people, and especially associated with those who wanted to wipe out Israel. Also, they seem to be a people which God wanted entirely eliminated. That may seem strange, but perhaps this is because of His covenant with the Israelites, i.e., that He had said that those who curse Israel will themselves be cursed. (Genesis 12:2-3). Also, the retaliation against the enemies of His people always seems to be in proportion to what harm these enemies intend to inflict upon His people. In this case, since the Amalekites wished to completely destroy Israel, it is 'fair' that God would also seek to wipe out the Amalekites. I cannot know the full extent of God's purposes, except as they are revealed in the Bible, but perhaps these Scriptures can shed some light:
AMALEK
Gen. 36 12 (Esau's son Eliphaz has a concubine Timna, who bears Amalek)
Exodus 17:8, 14,16 (Amalekites attack Israelites at Rephidim, Lord vows to blot out Amalek, the Lord would be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation)
Numbers 24:20 (Balaam says Amalek was first among nations, but would come to ruin)
Deuteronomy 25:17 see also I Samuel 15:2 (Amalekites waylaid Israel as they left Egypt)
25:19 ("...you shall blot out the memory of Amalek...")
Judges 5:14 (Amalekites once lived in the hill country of Ephraim)
I Samuel 15:3(Lord will punish Amalekites for waylaying Israel, destroy everything, do not
spare them)
28:18 (Saul does not carry out God's fierce wrath against the Amalekites)
Psalm 83:5-7 (Edom(Esau), Ishmaelites, Moab, Hagrites, Gebal, Ammon, Amalek, Philistia,Tyre and Assyria form an alliance against Israel -- and by association, against God)
AMALEKITES
Numbers 14:45 (Amalekites and Canaanites attack and overwhelm disobedient Israelites)
Judges 6:3 (Amalekites & other eastern peoples invade, ravage crops and animals)
7:12(Midianites, Amalekites & other eastern peoples prepare to attack Israel)
10:12(God had delivered Israel from Egyptians, Amorites, Ammonites, Philistines, Sidonians, Amalekites and Maonites, yet they forsook Him)
I Samuel 14:48 (Saul's military victories against Israel's enemies, including Amalekites)
15:6 (Saul warns Kenites to move away before he attacks Amalekites)
15:20 (Saul claims to have completely destroyed the Amalekites, but has spared Agag)
27:8 (David and men raid Girzites and Amalekites. From ancient times, these lived in the land extending to Shur and Egypt)
30:1 (Amalekites raided Ziklag and the Negev)
II Samuel 1:1 (David returns from defeating the Amalekites)
1:13 ("I am the son of...an Amalekite" David kills him because the man claims to have killed Saul, the Lord's anointed king.)
I Chronicles 4:43 (Simeonites kill the remaining Amalekites who had escaped to the hill country of Seir.)
Interestingly, in the book of Esther it is revealed that the enemy who wanted to systematically wipe out all of the Jews was also likely an Amalekite. Esther 3:1 says that Haman was the "son of Hammedatha, the Agagite". Agag was an Amalekite king.
Another sobering thought that comes to mind is that originally, Esau had the opportunity to be part of the people of God. He sold that birthright (with all of its spiritual aspects as well) by considering it less important than a bowl of stew, and then also lost his father's blessing when his twin brother Jacob deceived blind Isaac into thinking that Jacob was actually Esau. Esau at first consoled himself with the thought of killing his brother, but their mother Rebekah sent Jacob far away to his uncle's house in order to cool off the situation. Years later, Jacob and Esau had a time of reconciliation, yet it seemed an imperfect truce, for Jacob was reluctant to live near Esau. When Esau eventually moves off near Seir, the Edomites come to be known more for their enmity against Jacob/Israel than anything else. Was the grudge and a sense of having been cheated held somewhere deep in Esau's heart, nourished, and passed on to his descendants? It certainly seems that way.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)