Make Myself Known

Exodus 6:2-4 ESV

2 God spoke to Moses and said to him, “I am the Lord. 3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by my name the Lord I did not make myself known to them. 4 I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they lived as sojourners. 

God reveals Himself in a new way. He did this and will do this again through His Son Jesus, our Lord.  The earth eagerly awaits the revealing of His children. 

A Fine Way Of Rejecting

Mark 7:9 ESV

9 And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! 

Mark 7:13

13 thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do. ” 

It is important to understand and seek the word of God. Do not rest on traditions or philosophies of men. Instead place your trust in Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and the faithful witness of Jesus, the beloved Son. 

Reborn

Consider that the same Holy Spirit that brought forth the manifestation of God in the flesh allows us to be born again in the Spirit. The Son of Man enables us to be children of God. The Spirit begets spirit. Into this light we are reborn.

Their Hearts Were Hardened

Mark 6:51-52 ESV

51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. 

Jesus did not harden their hearts, but found them to be so. It would take time and the Spirit for them to truly see. 

He Marveled

Mark 6:3-6 ESV

3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us? ” And they took offense at him. 4 And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household. ” 5 And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And he marveled because of their unbelief. 

And he went about among the villages teaching. 

He came into His own creation, but they did not recognize Him. 

On Dry Ground

Exodus 4:9 ESV

9 If they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground. ” 

It will take the spilled blood of Jesus to cleanse the land. In it there is life.  

It Was Restored

Exodus 4:6-7 ESV

6 Again, the Lord said to him, “Put your hand inside your cloak. ” And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. 7 Then God said, “Put your hand back inside your cloak. ” So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. 

God displays the healing that is to come, removing the power and stain of sin in our lives. How this is to happen is intimated in the third sign. 

His Staff

Exodus 4:1-5 ESV

1 Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you. ’” 2 The Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand? ” He said, “A staff. ” 3 And he said, “Throw it on the ground. ” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. 4 But the Lord said to Moses, “Put out your hand and catch it by the tail”—so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand— 5 “that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you. ” 

Perhaps this sign speaks of Satan, who began as chief angel of God, only to fall to the ground and turn into something else. Moses was afraid. God told him to reach out and take hold of the serpent by the tail. God gave Moses power over the snake. God would use His Son to defeat death. 

His staff, it comforts me. 

God Honors Both

Mark 5:18-20

18 As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. 19 And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you. ” 20 And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled. 

For most people our witness for the Lord takes place where we are. Some are called to distant places and foreign souls, but most of us are called to be the light for family, friends, and community. God honors both. 

Be Attitudes

The way of a blessed life

To live and be in the kingdom

To be

An Arrow Loosed

Psalms 25:12 ESV

12 Who is the man who fears the Lord? 

Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. 

With gentle rain

From the clouds of heaven

He waters the seed

That has fallen to earth

To rise and take flight

Like an arrow loosed from God's bow

In the way He has chosen

Enough For The Day

Mark 4:33-34 ESV

33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. 34 He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything. 

As we seek we will find

The Lord gives to His children 

Bread enough for the day

Ears To Hear

Mark 4:9 ESV

9 And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear. ” 

This is the one who has turned to the Lord, who has opens the door of his heart and makes the way of the Lord straight in the wilderness. 

Lift Up Your Heads

Psalms 24:8-10 ESV

8 Who is this King of glory? 

The Lord, strong and mighty, 

the Lord, mighty in battle! 

9 Lift up your heads, O gates! 

And lift them up, O ancient doors, 

that the King of glory may come in. 

10 Who is this King of glory? 

The Lord of hosts, 

he is the King of glory! 

Selah 

Open the door

The gates to my heart

Lift up my eyes

With Your strong and mighty hand

Enter my Glorious King

And let Your light and peace reign

A Withered Hand

Mark 3:1 ESV

1 Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. 

The fruit of God's chosen people had spoiled. With a withered and useless hand they reached for God. Jesus would show mercy and healing. He entered the synagogue to reclaim creation, to restore that which was lost.

Choice Vine

Genesis 49:11-12 ESV

11 Binding his foal to the vine 

and his donkey's colt to the choice vine, 

he has washed his garments in wine 

and his vesture in the blood of grapes. 

12 His eyes are darker than wine, 

and his teeth whiter than milk. 

Jacob blesses Judah and speaks of the coming of Jesus. The choice wine referred to here implies a reddish color, speaking to the spilling of Jesus' blood and the wine of the new kingdom. It is our choice to drink from the loving cup.

Stretch Out Your Hand

Mark 3:5

5 And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand. ” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. 

Angry, but grieving at the same time, His mercy is extended to overflowing. He asks all of us to stretch out our hands and be healed. 

Delight In The Light

Psalms 111:2 (ESV)
2 Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them.

Creation abounds with the touch of His hand
Ponder these things
Let His joy fill you
Delight in the light

Why I Came Out

Mark 1:36-38 (ESV) 
36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 
37 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” 
38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” 

It is true everyone is looking for Jesus, whether they recognize this or not. That is why He came, that He might be found.

It Is Enough

Genesis 45:28 ESV

28 And Israel said, “It is enough; Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die. ” 

These things are written so that we might believe. Jesus is still alive. We will see Him again. It is enough. 

Every Shepherd

Genesis 46:33-34 ESV

33 When Pharaoh calls you and says, ‘What is your occupation? ’ 34 you shall say, ‘Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we and our fathers,’ in order that you may dwell in the land of Goshen, for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians. ” 

Yet Jesus is the Great Shepherd, rejected and despised, the very salvation of God. 

And they were keeping their flocks by night when the angels sang.

The Ends Of The Earth

Psalms 22:27-28 ESV

27 All the ends of the earth shall remember 

and turn to the Lord, 

and all the families of the nations 

shall worship before you. 

28 For kingship belongs to the Lord, 

and he rules over the nations. 

We have seen the kingdom first-fruits arrive and will see the harvest in the fullness of time. 

A Seed Will Fall

Psalms 22:30 KJV

30 A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. 

A seed will fall to earth and will take root in the soil it finds. It will flourish and the fruit will be pleasing to the Lord.  

Heavens Torn Open

Mark 1:10 (ESV) 
10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 

When His spirit departed from the cross, the temple veil was torn, giving access to the Holy of Holies.

Forsaken

Matthew 27:46 (ESV) ⁴⁶ And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

It's hard to imagine what Jesus must have felt that was beyond all the human suffering born here, but consider that the Son had always been with the Father and now experiences being cutoff from the presence of God. That can only mean that the Holy Spirit, that John witnessed descend on Jesus as He rose from the water of baptism to His ministry of salvation, had departed. This had to happen when He became our sin, for there is no room for sin in God's presence.  He did this for us.

Jesus knows what it means to be thrown into outer darkness, the absence of God.

See To It

Matthew 27:24-25 ESV

24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man's blood;   see to it yourselves. ” 25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children! ” 

Pilate charges the crowd with the same thing the chief priests did with Judas,  "see to it yourselves.". He delivers Jesus, just as Judas delivered Him to the Jews, but declares himself innocent. 

None of them see what they are doing. 

Innocent Blood

Matthew 27:3-4 ESV

3 Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood. ” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself. ” 

KJV

 4  Saying, I have 
  sinned[ aina G264 ἁμαρτάνω * hamartanō * ham-ar-tan'-o * Perhaps from G1 (as a negative particle) and the base of G3313; properly to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), that is, (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin: - for your faults, offend, sin, trespass. [LEX] [Find] ] in that I have betrayed the innocent 
  blood.[ an,nn G129 αἷμα * aima * hah'ee-mah * Of uncertain derivation; blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specifically (the atoning blood of Christ); by implication bloodshed, also kindred: - blood.

How tightly entwined are the ideas of blood and wine, so much so that Jesus lifted His cup and said drink of my blood poured out for you. 

Innocent blood was spilled. The chief priests and elders did not care. "What is that to us?"

It Happens Everyday

Matthew 26:26-29 ESV

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body. ” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. ” 

As He fed the multitudes, He once again breaks bread for all. This time it is the bread of life. The new wine of the kingdom has been poured out. 

It happens every day. 

What Will You Give Me?

Matthew 26:14-16 ESV

 Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you? ” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him. 

Judas makes his own covenant, betraying Jesus and seeking an opportunity to do it again. God used this choice, this decision by Judas, for the salvation of man. God knew this was going to happen because all things are before Him, and He sees the end from the beginning. 

Has Revealed

Genesis 41:25 ESV

25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 

He has revealed what He done. He has revealed His Son. He has revealed what He is going to do. It is in His word, given and received through the Holy Spirit. It is in His children, written on their hearts. 

Get It Right

Matthew 25:31-33 ESV

31   “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 

Our faith expressed in love determines where we end up. I want to get it right. 

Good And Faithful Servant

Matthew 25:20-21 ESV

20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more. ’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.   You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master. ’ 

Matthew 25:28-30

28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29   For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ’ 

We have the bread of life. We are to break the bread, give thanks, eat and share. Jesus fed the crowds by the increase of what little the disciples had, what He was given to work with.  In the abundance, everyone was satisfied and there was some leftover. 

We don't have control sometimes of what comes our way, but how we respond is up to us. Doing nothing we lose everything.

We have the grace of life as a gift. Let us be the good and faithful servant. 

Pleased To Reveal

Galatians 1:15-16 ESV

15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; 

How fitting is the nature of Paul's revelation of Jesus.  The gospel reveals and works in the hearts of men.  Scripture goes on to say that there would come a time when we would no longer be taught by just men, but God Himself.  God alone is our Father, and His Spirit dwells with our spirit.  We have the benefit of His Word, which the Holy Spirit inspired and interprets for us.

All who place their trust in the Lord were predestined for His grace.  May the Son be revealed in all we do. 

The Faithful And Wise Servant

Matthew 24:45-47

45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46   Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 47 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 

He who partakes of the bread of life and shares it with others is and will blessed. 

They Were Unaware

Matthew 24:37-39

37   For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38   For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 

Jesus came the first time as foretold, announced, and with signs. The time of His next coming is known only to the Father. 

Until You Say

Matthew 23:37-39 ESV

37   “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! 38 See, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. ’” 

In Matthew chapter 21, this was shouted as He approached and entered Jerusalem. They will get it right the next time.  Our time is now.

‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. ’”

Let The Words

Psalms 19:14 ESV

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart 

be acceptable in your sight, 

O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. 

Amen

Declare

Psalms 19:1-2 ESV

1 The heavens declare the glory of God, 

and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 

2 Day to day pours out speech, 

and night to night reveals knowledge. 

The word translated as declare embodies the idea of an epiphany and celebration. Imagine the angels in the sky above the shepherds when Jesus was born singing Glory to God in the Highest!   

H5608 ספר * sâphar * saw-far' * A primitive root; properly to score with a mark as a tally or record, that is, (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively to recount, that is, celebrate: - commune, (ac-) count, declare, number, + penknife, reckon, scribe, shew forth, speak, talk, tell (out), writer.

You Show Yourself

Psalms 18:25-28 ESV

25 With the merciful you show yourself merciful; 

with the blameless man you show yourself blameless; 

26 with the purified you show yourself pure; 

and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous. 

27 For you save a humble people, 

but the haughty eyes you bring down. 

28 For it is you who light my lamp; 

the Lord my God lightens my darkness. 

The nature of the heart informs the eyes of a man. It is God Who brings light to the darkness of the heart. It is He that purifies. Through His mercy we can be merciful. 

What we think of God often speaks more about us than Him. That is why He can look different, even though He does not change. 

Our Rock

Psalms 18:46 ESV

46 The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock, 

and exalted be the God of my salvation— 

Our rock is the living Lord

Upon which we find our rest

The salvation of that life shared with us

Give praise to His name

Few Are Chosen

Matthew 22:12-14 ESV

12 And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment? ’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ’ 14 For many are called, but few are chosen. ” 

Many hear God calling, but don't seek to obey His word. Through obedience we don the wedding garments of the coming feast. Our love for Him is shown in this way. 

We are then ready. 

Upon This Rock

Upon this rock

Jesus said after Peter declared Him to be the Messiah

The rock is the acknowledgement and recognition of the Savior

The church as temple

With Christ its cornerstone

We are the uncut stones built up into the temple of God. 

A white stone

Covered by the righteousness of Christ

Given a new name

In His name

Falls On

Matthew 21:42-44 ESV

42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: 

“‘The stone that the builders rejected 

has become the cornerstone; 

this was the Lord's doing, 

and it is marvelous in our eyes’? 

43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. 44 And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him. ” 

Again Jesus refers to Scripture as He speaks to the Pharisees. He is the fulfillment of God's message and purpose, the cornerstone of salvation. We either fall on this stone, or the stone falls on us. Broken, we find new life. Crushed, we remain in the grip of death. 

Prevailed

Genesis 32:28 ESV

28 Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed. ” 

No longer the man he was, Jacob is given a new name. He did not defeat God, but got to a new place of understanding. He hung on to the man he wrestled until he received a blessing. He sought God until he found Him. God was no longer just the God of his father, but was now more fully his own. He had "seen" God for himself. 

To Your Offspring

Genesis 28:4

4 May he give the blessing of Abraham to you and to your offspring with you, that you may take possession of the land of your sojournings that God gave to Abraham! ” 

Isaac blesses Jacob before sending him away to seek a bride from his own people. The faith of Abraham has passed to Isaac, who passes it to his son. 

We today receive this same promise. We pass through this land as sojourners now, but there will come a day when it will be restored as God intended. Those placing their faith and trust His Son will inherit this land, for we are the offspring of the promise. 

I Choose To Give

Matthew 20:11-15 ESV

11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, 12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat. ’ 13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 15   Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity? ’ 

Jesus said earlier in this parable that the owner would pay the workers what is right. Judgement and justice are in His hand, and I am grateful for His choice and mercy. 

Whose Portion Is In This Life

Psalms 17:13-14 ESV

13 Arise, O Lord! Confront him, subdue him! 

Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword, 

14 from men by your hand, O Lord, 

from men of the world whose portion is in this life. 

You fill their womb with treasure; 

they are satisfied with children, 

and they leave their abundance to their infants. 

Those who find their worth in this world will experience that old adage and truth, "you can't take it with you". Their reward or portion remains behind when breath leaves. 

Apple Of Your Eye

Psalms 17:8 ESV

8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; 

hide me in the shadow of your wings, 

A poetic reference to the pupil of the eye, an "apple". Keep your eye on me, the palmist says, your protection around me. 

This phrase may be the basis for the tradition that it was an apple Eve plucked from the tree in disobedience. 

A Smooth Man

Genesis 27:11-12 ESV

11 But Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, “Behold, my brother Esau is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man. 12 Perhaps my father will feel me, and I shall seem to be mocking him and bring a curse upon myself and not a blessing. ” 

KJV

11 And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth 

     [ aj H2509 חלק * châlâq * khaw-        lawk' * From H2505; smooth (especially of tongue): - flattering, smooth. 

man

12  My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver;

The Hebrew word for smooth carries the nuance of a flattering tongue, commonly associated with the deceptive and disingenuous. 

Let Our Eyes Be Opened

Matthew 20:25-28 ESV

25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26   It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. ” 

Matthew 20:29-33

29 And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. 30 And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David! ” 31 The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David! ” 32 And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you? ” 33 They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened. ” 

Two sets of two men, seeking something from Jesus.  Two seek glory. Two seek mercy. He opened the eyes of all four.

A Beautiful Inheritance

Psalm 16:5-6 ESV

5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; 

you hold my lot. 

6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; 

indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. 

When we lift the cup and eat bread in remembrance of Jesus, we acknowledge and proclaim his salvation, our beautiful inheritance. We drink the new wine, transformed from the ceremonial water of cleansing which prepared the way to the righteousness of God. We eat the bread of life, freshly fallen to earth, by the very hand of the Father, and we are sustained in the wilderness journey. 

We have found a most pleasant pasture.  

But The Beginning

Acts 16:30-31

30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved? ” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household. ” 

Believing means living in the grace of God. Not merely thinking it, but doing it. 

Believing is but the beginning. 

He Laid His Hands

Matthew 19:13-15 ESV

13 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, 14 but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven. ” 15 And he laid his hands on them and went away. 

He laid His hands on many, opening their eyes and healing. The Greek word below is translated here as "laid". I'm unsure if this is where our word epiphany derives, but it comes to mind. Moments of revelation,confirmation, and peace come as the Holy Spirit touches us. As His children, we receive.  We should make every effort to make sure nothing hinders our coming,

G2007 ἐπιτίθημι * epitithēmi * ep-ee-tith'-ay-mee * From G1909 and G5087; to impose (in a friendly or hostile sense): - add unto, lade, lay upon, put (up) on, set on

Like This Child

Matthew 18:2-5

2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4   Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 

5   “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 

A humble spirit reflects Jesus Christ, for how else can one be for one that perceives and receives the Son?

Beautiful

Genesis 29:16-18

16 Now Laban had two daughters. The name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. 18 Jacob loved Rachel. And he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel. ” 

Again the younger is chosen over the older. This theme is repeated here and elsewhere, a precurser of the coming new covenant.  The old covenant only exposed sin and the weakness of men. The new covenant offers salvation. It is a beautiful thing.

The first will be last and the last will be first.  The wages of the one hired at the eleventh hour are equal to the one hired at the first hour.

Kept You

Genesis 20:6-7

6 Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not let you touch her. 7 Now then, return the man's wife, for he is a prophet, so that he will pray for you, and you shall live. But if you do not return her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours. ” 

Paul speaks of conscience in his letters.  He tells us that whether a matter is right or wrong for a person is ultimately between that person and God. Here the king is kept from sinning by God, though he didn't know any better. He had not knowingly disobeyed God's will.  Even in the king's ignorance, God was in control and present.  

Paul tells us to live for and to the Lord. The Holy Spirit speaks to us through our conscience. It may look different from person to person, depending on where they are in their walk with the Lord and the sensitivity of conscience, but there is one Spirit. We may disagree on some matters, but there is only one judge. He is just and true. 

His mercy is for all.

What Is That To You?

John 21:21-23 ESV

21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man? ” 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me! ” 23 So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? ” 

What the Lord does with or for another person is more the Lord's business than ours.  Here is an example of something misunderstood and spread as what was said.  How many times has this and does this happen?  It is not up to us to judge or compare ourselves with others.  Let us work out our own salvation as given by God.  That should keep us busy enough.  

It Is So

Psalms 19:7-9 ESV

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, 

reviving the soul; 

the testimony of the Lord is sure, 

making wise the simple; 

8 the precepts of the Lord are right, 

rejoicing the heart; 

the commandment of the Lord is pure, 

enlightening the eyes; 

9 the fear of the Lord is clean, 

enduring forever; 

the rules of the Lord are true, 

and righteous altogether. 

Perfect life and wisdom

Through His word

Just and true

The eternal light

Reflecting pure light

Altogether righteous 

That righteousness 

He gives to us

His very Son He sent

That it might be so

Let the heart made alive

Cry out His name

With joy lift up praise

For it is so

In Vain

Matthew 15:7-9 ESV

7   You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: 

8   “‘This people honors me with their lips, 

but their heart is far from me; 

9 in vain do they worship me, 

teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. ’” 

Having the form of godliness they are not Godly.  Appearances can be deceiving.  The heart is hidden from our eyes, but not from God. Seek His commandments. 

Do not be mislead by good intentioned men or those who deceive. Let the Word and Holy Spirit confirm and guide you into the truth. 

Leave The Dead

Matthew 8:22 ESV

22 And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead. ” 

Jesus did not leave much room here for debate or tolerance. Today He would be judged by many as unchristian and intolerant. Some consider themselves enlightened and speak of Jesus as a gifted and good man, but not the only way or the way to God. His teaching is viewed as quaint and though some of it useful, he didn't get everything right. His words, which He said were from His Father, can be taken or left. 

For many the concept of being a Christian has evolved away from Christ. 

His words will stand. 

We can argue, but His is the last word. 

No Offense Intended

Matthew 15:12-14 ESV

12 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying? ” 13 He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. 14 Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit. ” 

Those offended by Jesus are like the weeds among the wheat. Neither have a place in the kingdom of God. No offense intended. Just quoting Scripture.

Don't Go There

Genesis 24:5-7 ESV

5 The servant said to him, “Perhaps the woman may not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I then take your son back to the land from which you came? ” 6 Abraham said to him, “See to it that you do not take my son back there. 7 The Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and from the land of my kindred, and who spoke to me and swore to me, ‘To your offspring I will give this land,’ he will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there. 

Jesus has gone before us and will come back for the church.

See that you don't look or go back.  

Bring Them Here To Me

Matthew 14:17-18 ESV

17 They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish. ” 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me. ” 

Taking what we have, Jesus can do anything. We have enough if we take it to Him. 

Beheaded

Matthew 14:6-10 ESV

6 But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, 7 so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter. ” 9 And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. 10 He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, 

It could also be said Herod tried to cut off the head of the church, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Though slain, He was raised up. The truth cannot be buried. 

Refined In A Furnace

Psalm 12 NIV

    6  And the words of the LORD are flawless,* like silver refined* in a furnace* of clay, purified seven times. 

That word is given and abides in these jars of clay, you and me. By it we are purified and refined in this furnace of life. 

Just Sojourners

We are all just sojourners here.

Weeds

Matthew 13:28-30

28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this. ’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them? ’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn. ’” 

We should all take comfort that God allows for the weeds along with the wheat. I for one was a weed, until God's mercy worked in my life. It is only by that mercy that I stand as a child of God.

We cannot judge who will be what or when, but we know all things are possible for God.

We wait for the harvest, grateful for His patience.

Because

Genesis 22:15-18

15 And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven 16 and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice. ” 

Jesus speaks to Abraham and to us. I will bless you because you have obeyed my voice. 

By His name He has sworn. By His name He saves. By His name He blesses. 

Spirit To Spirit

As we give utterance of our spirit within responding to Holy Spirit, we might be described as speaking in tongues. Song, dance, art, prayer, any sort of human expression can be infused with Spirit. Even the English language can be a vehicle for the life of God , for Spirit conversation. 

The presence of the Spirit allows and enables Spirit words to be spoken and heard. At times it is possible to feel the heat of the tongue of fire, a warming in the heart, both quiet and certain, imparting a peace and joy beyond words. Spirit to Spirit. 

No Joke

Genesis 19:14 AMP

14 And Lot went out and spoke to his sons- in- law, who were to marry his daughters, and said, Up, get out of this place, for the Lord will spoil and destroy this city! But he seemed to his sons- in- law to be[ only] joking. 

God's message to the world is foolishness to those who are perishing. So it was and is. 

Just As He Said

Genesis 18:13-14

13 The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old? ’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son. ” 

The Lord does unexpected things and does them at His appointed times. We are often skeptical, then surprised to learn, or learn again, that there is nothing too hard for the Lord. 

He Who is beyond time causes things to happen at just the right time. 

Let us join Sarah's laughter because we know the son did come just as the Lord said. Christ, the Anointed One, came just as He said. He will come again, just as He said.  

God's Elect

Romans 9:8-13 ESV

8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. 9 For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son. ” 10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— 12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger. ” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. ” 

Who are the children of God but those who believe God? God has elected to establish His family this way, by choice rather than circumstance. 

God gave His only Son for all so this could happen. His voice goes out to all. The Word has gone forth. 

Circumcised Of The Heart

Genesis 17:14 ESV

14 Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant. ” 

This foreshadows the circumcision of the heart that Paul refers to as the mark of the children of God. It is written that those without the mark will be cut off. The Holy Spirit is given as a seal of that promise and the guarantee of that which will come. 

But A Sword

Matthew 10:34

34   “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 

His word shakes the peace and wisdom of the world, to turn the world to the truth and peace of God. 

So Shall Your Offspring Be

Genesis 15:4-6

4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir. ” 5 And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them. ” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be. ” 6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness. 

Previously Abraham's offspring had been likened to fill the land as numerous as dust. 

Here as stars. Maybe it is a difference between the blessing of Ishmael and Isaac, the child of promise.  

The Word Is The Reason

1 Peter 3:15-16ESV
15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

The word translated here as reason is the Greek word logos, often translated as word. We reason with words. We think using language, just as we do to communicate with others.
Jesus is called The Word in John's gospel, for He expresses God's message to us. He is the reason for our hope, our anticipation of the glory to come.

I Will Enter Your House

Psalms 5:7-8 ESV

7 But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, 

will enter your house. 

I will bow down toward your holy temple 

in the fear of you. 

8 Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness 

because of my enemies; 

make your way straight before me. 

It is only through His love that we enter His presence. He leads us and shows the way. 

Recognizing our Holy God is the beginning of wisdom. Bowing before Him leads to righteousness. The door is open before us. 

Will And Will Not

Mark 13:31

31   Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 

It may seem as if the world has always been, but the Bible teaches otherwise. There was a beginning. 

There will a new heaven and earth, a new beginning. His words will come to pass, and His will be done.

I Will Write

Deuteronomy 10:1-3

1 “At that time the Lord said to me, ‘Cut for yourself two tablets of stone like the first, and come up to me on the mountain and make an ark of wood. 2 And I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets that you broke, and you shall put them in the ark. ’ 3 So I made an ark of acacia wood, and cut two tablets of stone like the first, and went up the mountain with the two tablets in my hand. 

The second rendition of the commandments was specified to be placed in the ark. The original tablets of the law were broken. This foreshadowed the need for the coming Christ and His fulfilling of the law to be written on each heart, the old and new covenants.

We Give Flesh

As we are filled with the Holy Spirit, so then we give flesh to the Christ within. 

God is revealed in the trinity, and the revelation of other continues as the body of Christ grows. 

Babel Reworked

Matthew 5:20

20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 

When we accept Jesus we take on His righteousness. This exceeds the best efforts of man, of anything possible with our efforts. This our key to the kingdom of heaven. Attempting salvation by works is like trying to rebuild the Tower of Babel.

Male And Female

Genesis 5:1-2

 This is the book of the generations of Adam. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. 2 Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and named them Man when they were created. 

Man is created in the likeness of God, and it says "male and female he created them". Together they are named man. 

The Son of Man, Jesus, will come back for his bride which is the church, taken from the earth as Eve was fashioned from Adam's rib. 

The bride is the body of Christ. 

Upon his return, we will celebrate the marriage of the groom and bride with a great feast. We make ready. This is our hope, joy, and expectation. 

We are in Christ, who is the radiance of our Father. 

One Gospel

Galatians 1:6-9 ESV

6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. 

Strong words from Paul. There is one gospel, even as there is one Spirit and one body of Christ, the church. 

We should be careful what we receive. We reflect who we are and whose we are. Let us not distort the light of the world. 

Of Babies And Infants

Psalms 8:1-2 ESV

1 O Lord, our Lord, 

how majestic is your name in all the earth! 

You have set your glory above the heavens. 

2 Out of the mouth of babies and infants, 

you have established strength because of your foes, 

to still the enemy and the avenger. 

Out of mouth of babies and infants, the most helpless and weak, comes the strength of the Lord. We are perfected in this fashion, and the accuser loses his sting. 

How Majestic Is Your Name 

When I Awake

Psalms 17:15 ESV

15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; 

when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness. 

We begin to awake when we are reborn in the Spirit.  The flame of His Spirit comes to dwell in our hearts and gives light to His face. His righteousness comes into view. The thing we feared as death is overcome, and becomes but an awakening in His presence.