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JANUARY 14
Genesis 30:1-31:16
Genesis 30
Vs. 1-13 If this had been a comedy, Jacob would have been the comic
hero, having women thrown at him. Actually this had to have been poison to the
family and all of the relationships. Years later, after Rachel's death, Reuben
will lose his firstborn right, by bedding Bilhah. Bilhah was Rachel's maid and
the mother to Dan and Naphtali. She was also his father's wife. That act was
one of ego and resentment, making a statement in the family regarding what he
thought of these baby wars and whose branch was superior. Even then, years
later, the unloved wife was still being fought for.
Vs. 14-21 The point of this story has to do with God taking a part in
these wars on behalf of Leah. The mandrakes were supposed to have some power
for pregnancy and were looked at as an aphrodisiac. Who knows how old Reuben
was at this time. He could have been 9 or 10. This event was probably impressed
on his mind. Anyway, Leah apparently hadn't been with Jacob for a while and the
Lord blessed her with two more sons and a daughter. She should have been the
wife of honor. And God did it. Incidentally, Leah will be the only one of these
women who is buried in the family burial plot with Abraham and Sarah, and Isaac
and Rebekah.
V. 18 This verse is a shocker. Not only were the emotions of Leah and
Rachel damaged in having to share the same husband, but because of the
"baby wars," they also damaged themselves by giving their maids to
Jacob. Look at what Leah says as she names Issachar. God was making up for her
loss and what she had endured. This is very sad.
Vs. 22-24 Rachel will only have two children, Joseph now, and Benjamin
at her death. Joseph will be a much honored child and God will make him a
blessing to Israel. Benjamin will be the line of Israel's first king.
You might wonder, as I do, how long all of this has taken and where we
are in Jacob's life. If you look at 31:38 and 41, you'll see the
entire time breakdown. It looks like Joseph's birth came at the 14-year point.
Jacob would have fulfilled the years for his wives. The next verses will be a
summary of those final six years. If all the births are given chronologically, as
it appears, then all the births occurred within 7 years. That seems a little
improbable, in that, with 12 kids and 9-month pregnancies and women getting
pregnant right away, that would still be nine years. Even with some overlap of
pregnant people, 7 years seems to be pushing it. And then it would mean that no
one was pregnant during the last 6 years when Jacob was working for his flocks.
It is safe to say we might be missing something here and that good guesses are
only guesses.
Vs. 25-43 Since Jacob knew Laban well, he had to come up with some way
to have his herds immediately identifiable. Had Laban been a good guy, he would
have just given Jacob what he needed and sent him on his way. This entire
episode reeks of dysfunction and conniving.
V. 34 I don't know much about sheep and goats, but apparently the
speckled ones were rarer than the solid colored ones. Notice that Laban really
expected he had the better end of the deal.
Vs. 35-36 Then crafty old Uncle Laban removed the striped, speckled,
and spotted, three days away.
V. 37 God was helping Jacob. That would have been enough. If Jacob had
sat down with his family and told them to watch how God would bless them, he
would have taught the children faith and brought a spiritual element into the
family. Instead, Jacob helped Jacob, too. The sticks had nothing to do with
genetics. This was all God's work and it would have happened without Jacob's
conniving. Jacob was teaching his family that while it might be true that God
was there, God helps those who help themselves. And Jacob got a few ulcers for
all of his trouble. Plus, his kids were learning not to trust the Lord.
Genesis 31
Vs. 1-2 Now these accusations from Laban's sons might have come anyway,
but since Jacob was doing "stick tricks," these guys associated
Jacob's growth with Jacob, not with God. In a way, Jacob stole the glory from
God by being so involved in the process. I'm convinced God would have given him
all of this without his effort, and everyone would have seen it was God. Jacob
would have looked innocent.
V. 3 It was at this point of animosity and threat that God tells Jacob
to return.
Vs. 4-16 This is Jacob's pep talk to his family to get the support of
Leah and Rachel to leave.
V. 7 This is something we didn't see in the last chapter. Apparently
Laban saw that things were going too well for Jacob. Laban knew that God was
blessing Jacob (30:27), but in this war with Jacob, Laban thought his own skill
at trickery could win the day.
Vs. 11-12 In all of this God revealed to Jacob that it was really His
working to give Jacob the victory.
V. 13 This was the Lord's call to Jacob to return.
Vs. 14-16 If you have no other mission in life to unite you, nothing
unites you better than a common enemy. Laban's treatment of Jacob united the
girls against Dad. Notice that the words of Rachel and Leah are only bitter.
Life in the present was all they could see. There is nothing regarding the
promise. The plan of redemption is forgotten here.
Unfortunately, this reminds me of a lot of churches. They are concerned
about the sin in the world and the democrats and abortion. They are united
against a common enemy. But the love of Christ and the compassion for the lost
are not what softens their hearts to follow Christ into the harvest, making disciples,
who make disciples. They sound OK and their services look Christian, but they,
like Jacob's family, are lost on earth.
Matthew 10:1-25
This isn't really the calling of the Twelve. Matthew is simply telling
us who they were as Jesus' sends them out to preach. Luke is more
chronological. The selection of the Twelve was really just before the Sermon on
the Mount.
Vs. 2-4 Jesus sent them out in twos. Notice the groupings. Jesus sent
the brothers out together. In John 1:45, Philip called Nathanael (Bartholomew) to
come see Jesus, so they were good friends. Then you have two rag-tags, Thomas
and Matthew. Next comes the father-son team. These guys are interesting because
it appears that James was the brother of Matthew, whose father was also
Alpheaus. Thaddeaus is called "Judas, the son of James," in Luke
6:16. It appears that Thaddeaus was the son of one of the two James who
followed Jesus and the most likely candidate for his father would be James, the
son of Alpheaus. It looks like Matthew's brother and nephew were part of the
Twelve. Finally, comes Simon the zealot (patriot) and Judas the traitor.
Vs. 5-8 This mission was only directed toward Israel. Notice that they
were to preach everywhere as they went, and look at what the message was.
Imagine today if you just said to someone that God is coming and all men will
have to give account for their lives. This is a basic message and
"icebreaker." Finally, He reminded them that the power was from God
and they shouldn't do anything for pay.
V. 9-10 The word acquire can
mean they were to take nothing and they were to receive nothing. The money
belts were to remain empty at all times. That is also seen in not taking a bag,
an extra shirt or sandals. Notice that Jesus mentions they should take no staff
and then says the laborer deserves his
food. Since a walking staff wasn't necessary for a journey, the staff might
have been "the staff of life," bread.
Jesus sends them out with nothing. Why? The focus is to be on the
mission and looking to God. They needed to learn that God would provide. This
is almost impossible to learn here, in the western world, where we have so much
and can get a line of credit when we need it. We are so surrounded by all
manner of distraction that you wonder how God ever teaches us this focus and
dependence. Many never get it and never develop as disciples.
Vs. 11-15 Notice that Jesus doesn’t teach them how to attract a crowd
or craft the message for men's ears. To be fair, they had heard Jesus preach
and do this enough, so that they had the basic pattern of what to do. Rather
than focus them on technique, Jesus was getting them to see that God would go
before them. Neither acceptance nor rejection was to be seen as their fault.
Their only responsibility was to go and to preach that very simple message in
full dependence on God. They would be used as God's tools to make men accept or
reject Him.
Vs. 16-22 Welcome to following Jesus! Notice that God is in charge of
all of this. It is not the result of poor preaching. In fact, it might be the
result of good preaching.
V. 18 This is God's doing.
Vs. 19-20 This is the context of this verse. Many Sunday school
teachers claim this verse to make up for poor class preparation. J
Vs. 21-22 I understand the one who
endures to the end will be saved, as referring to being saved from the
emotional damage and damage to one's faith that would occur if a person caved
in, denied Christ and hid to avoid pain. Even today, those who live a lukewarm
Christianity often get hurt because they don't take seriously the danger
involved in following Christ in this life. Their faith is uninformed and
ineffectual; their marriages and families suffer, and there is no fruit. They
live knowing that more is promised, but their only purpose is theoretical and
centered on Sunday morning. They are the seed sown among the thorns. During
times of persecution, that kind of faith will hurt you and the effect of caving
in and hiding will damage you.
V. 23 This is a funny way for God to plan their itinerary, but if you
look at Acts, this is exactly what happened to Paul.
Vs. 24-25 This is interesting. Jesus has already used this illustration
with the disciples, showing them that if they were "log ridden"
disciples, they would produce the same. Here, this illustration is used both to
encourage them and to take the edge off of their pride and trust in technique.
If Jesus Himself was not believed on or followed by all, they shouldn't expect
to do any better than the Son of God, God Himself.
Is this really discipleship? Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:12, all who desire to live a godly life in
Christ Jesus will be persecuted. A godly life involves living for the
mission in the harvest, sharing the message with the lost, becoming and making
disciples. This will automatically bring persecution (and reward). The fact
that our lives are so quiet and peaceful on this planet of death is almost an
indictment against us as disciples.
Psalm 12:1-8
David had been a trusted and famous soldier in King Saul's army. He had
been a regular in the palace and had known many of the high officials. David
was the king's son-in-law. Now he was on the run and living in caves. Those
whom he knew were now lying about him to the people. The people he had saved in
battle were betraying him to Saul. The entire city of priests, families and all,
had been viciously slaughtered by Saul; and the people passively accepted it.
David was still running.
V. 1 It could be that the godly
one referred to here was the high priest who died along with his entire
family and village. (1 Samuel 22:16-23)
Vs. 2-4 This would have been the actions and motives of those who
served around King Saul. Every man was dishonest and lying and flattering and
living as if God were either dead or absent. After all, God did nothing when
this high priest and his family were killed.
Vs. 5-6 But David knew better. God is not mocked and injustice is never
hidden from Him. God was already moving. But David's hope was in the sure Words
of the Lord.
Vs. 7-8 In all of the confusion David knew that God would protect him.
David held on to the promise made to him by God and he drew close to
the Word of God. David didn't give into despair but he hoped in the Word. That
is what "saved" him from damage.
We usually don't sense the pressure of living in a world that is
totally marinated in sin. It is a part of everything and is closer to us than
our noses. To say this seems objectionable and like something the religious
would say. But when you read in Romans 3:10-12, None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for
God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does
good, not even one - you realize this is reality. Our hearts and lives are
fragile because of this. Only the love and grace of God, and His Spirit,
sustain us. While wanting to stay true to God (understanding by His grace
alone, what "true" is), as disciples, we need to have compassion on
those who are lost and have no clue. They want us to be like them so they can
feel better about themselves, not realizing they are really dead in their sin.
God will guard us, if we let Him, by hearing His Word and doing it. Only then
can we reach out to help those who are lost.
Proverbs 3:13-15
Do we really believe that wisdom from God is something to strive after
and that it is more precious than
anything on this silly planet?
This sounds like Jesus talking about the hidden treasure and the pearl
of great price, both of which are really claiming Him as Savior and Lord. Is He
precious enough to us to forsake everything on this planet and follow Him in
the harvest, without stuff, dependent on Him alone, totally focused on His
mission for us on this dying planet? I think wisdom says, "Yes."
Please Read
the Following Disclaimer
I'm writing the Reading Notes to and
for those who are following a One Year Bible and are interested in growing
deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the
growth of a discipleship culture in the church, that is, groups of 3-4
disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to
reach out and make disciples, who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most
universal and important discipleship manual we have and it is the key to our
growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here,
or what we are to be doing, or whom we are to be following. My comments are
only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of
God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are
designed to keep us, as disciples, focused on Christ and our role in His
harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be
willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their
growth as disciples, making disciples in the harvest.
If you would like a more descriptive
commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary (BKC).
I read the BKC in doing background for the Reading Notes and refer to it quite
often. I also make reference to maps or charts in the BKC, though I will only
note where those resources can be found. Often you can do a search for these
and find them in Google books. Buying both volumes of the Bible Knowledge
Commentary would be a good idea.
I am not endorsing any particular
One Year Bible translation; in fact, I read something you probably don't, Die
Revidierte Lutherbibel, 1984. Unless noted, all Scripture quotes are from the
ESV Bible.
Anyone reading along with us is
welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own
observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition
or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any
point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as
I understand it. Often there is a breadth of opinion on certain events, both
historical and prophetic. Many of my views come from my church background,
theological training and my personal study.
I'm
doing this with discipleship in mind, meaning, I'm writing out thoughts that
will keep discipleship and our growth as disciples applied to what we are
reading. Remember, the real focus of the Reading Notes is to be a supplement,
a disciple’s commentary, giving motivation and insight so that we will keep
following our Lord in the harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples, who
make disciples. Being in the Word every
day, sitting at Jesus’ feet, learning directly from Him, is the essential
essence of being and making disciples.
May the Lord bless you as you follow
Him in the harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples, who make disciples. Dan
The daily installments of the Reading Notes can be found at http://fencerail.blogspot.com/
If you would like documents containing an entire month of the
Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
If you would like a full presentation of discipleship read Simply Disciples*Making Disciples.
Or if you are struggling with insomnia and would like a long
boring dissertation on disciple making, these can both be found on https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
Reading Notes ©, Dan Kachikis 2011
The One Year Bible © by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton
Illinois 60189
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright ©
2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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