Day Five's Search for Love:
After I left the book of Joshua I headed to the "love" verses in Judges. Nothing there captured my attention. I passed the book of Ruth and entered 1 Samuel. When I arrived at the verse that mentioned "love" it was describing the close knit friendship between David and King Saul's son, Jonathan. Something about this relationship made me stop, and I'm glad I did.
David was King Saul's harp player. One evening Saul took an interest in David and asked to speak with him. After their brief conversation, David met Saul's son, Jonathan, and immediately the two of them hit it off. In 1 Samuel 18:1 it reads: "... Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself." What most likely connected them so quickly was their mutual love for God. It was this love that helped their friendship withstand many tests along the way.
One thing I found very interesting was the fact that Jonathan (the prince and rightful heir to the throne) knew that he would never be King. Why? Because God had chosen David to replace Saul. Jonathan could've been jealous but he wasn't. He loved David so much that he'd rather step aside than lose their friendship.
As I studied their relationship I couldn't help but feel admiration. Their love for each other was selfless and true ... even to the very end.
You see, as David's popularity rose and (God's blessing of) success continued to follow him, King Saul's jealousy toward David grew. On several occasions Jonathan had to warn David of Saul's murderous intentions. Jonathan also came to David's defense more than once and helped to abate Saul's jealousy. Unfortunately, the results never lasted long and Saul's jealousy got worse and worse. Saul wanted David dead, and he would stop at nothing until it was accomplished.
Saul chased David mercilessly until it finally landed him in war. Sadly, Jonathan was killed in battle and soon after Saul fell upon his sword taking his own life.
When David found out about Saul and Jonathan's death he grieved for the both of them. He could have hated Saul, but he didn't. Rather, he chose to write a song of lament and ordered everyone to learn it. 2 Samuel 1:26, the last part of this lament, says: "I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of a woman."
I can hear and feel David's heartache in this song. When he says that Jonathan's love was better than that of a woman, I can feel the depth of his loss. It makes me want to pick up the phone and call my closest friend, Sara. She is my Jonathan. Sara loves the Lord, she's loyal and true, and she's faithful and strong. She is a constant source of encouragement and support. When my husband can't understand what I'm feeling, Sara can. And I'm sure David would've said the same about Jonathan.
Sometimes women just need other women. We understand each other in a way the other sex can't. I think that's why God included this tight-knit friendship in the Word. We can't do life without each other. We need a support system, and not just with our spouses.
So, what does this have to do with God's love, you ask? I don't really know, other than the fact that He must love me to have blessed me with such a wonderful friend like Sara.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Joshua
Day Four's Search for Love:
Although my findings today don't have much to do with God's love for us, I still found them interesting. Since I'm going down the 'love' verses list, my next stop was the chapter of Joshua.
Several times in Joshua there is a call to be "careful to love the Lord your God." The longest verse being in Joshua 22:5: "But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul."
As I read through this verses, I couldn't help but think that for us to love someone we must know them. The Israelites didn't know God in the tangible human sense, and yet they knew God through His actions and character.
My next question was, how were they to love God besides just keeping His commands and walking in His ways? I mean, love is an emotion, a very personal feeling we feel for one we adore.
I headed back to Deuteronomy, back to the initial call to love God. It's a lot to read, but it helped explain it for me...
"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door-frames of your houses and on your gates.
When the LORD your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you... be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
Fear the LORD your God, serve him only... Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you... Be sure to keep the commands of the LORD your God and the stipulations and decrees he has given you. Do what is right and good in the LORD’s sight, so that it may go well with you...
In the future, when your son asks you, “What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the LORD our God has commanded you?” tell him: “We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Before our eyes the LORD sent signs and wonders—great and terrible—on Egypt and Pharaoh and his whole household. But he brought us out from there to bring us in and give us the land he promised on oath to our ancestors. The LORD commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the LORD our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today. And if we are careful to obey all this law before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness” (Deut. 6:5-25).
After reading these verses, I came to the conclusion that as Believers we are called to remember all that God has done for us--how He has rescued us and where He's taking us. As we remember and talk about those times of deliverance, our appreciation, adoration and love for God can't help but grow!
I also thought back to when I first started dating my husband. He was all I could think about, all I talked about, and all I wanted. God clearly desires the same adoration, dependancy and devotion from us.
As I close for the day, I invite you to join me as I spend some time thinking about where I've been, where God's taken me, and where God's (currently) taking me. My immediate thought as I remember the old days is, Oh Mercy! Then again, that's exactly what protected me along the way!
Thank You, Lord!
Although my findings today don't have much to do with God's love for us, I still found them interesting. Since I'm going down the 'love' verses list, my next stop was the chapter of Joshua.
Several times in Joshua there is a call to be "careful to love the Lord your God." The longest verse being in Joshua 22:5: "But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul."
As I read through this verses, I couldn't help but think that for us to love someone we must know them. The Israelites didn't know God in the tangible human sense, and yet they knew God through His actions and character.
My next question was, how were they to love God besides just keeping His commands and walking in His ways? I mean, love is an emotion, a very personal feeling we feel for one we adore.
I headed back to Deuteronomy, back to the initial call to love God. It's a lot to read, but it helped explain it for me...
"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door-frames of your houses and on your gates.
When the LORD your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you... be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
Fear the LORD your God, serve him only... Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you... Be sure to keep the commands of the LORD your God and the stipulations and decrees he has given you. Do what is right and good in the LORD’s sight, so that it may go well with you...
In the future, when your son asks you, “What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the LORD our God has commanded you?” tell him: “We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Before our eyes the LORD sent signs and wonders—great and terrible—on Egypt and Pharaoh and his whole household. But he brought us out from there to bring us in and give us the land he promised on oath to our ancestors. The LORD commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the LORD our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today. And if we are careful to obey all this law before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness” (Deut. 6:5-25).
After reading these verses, I came to the conclusion that as Believers we are called to remember all that God has done for us--how He has rescued us and where He's taking us. As we remember and talk about those times of deliverance, our appreciation, adoration and love for God can't help but grow!
I also thought back to when I first started dating my husband. He was all I could think about, all I talked about, and all I wanted. God clearly desires the same adoration, dependancy and devotion from us.
As I close for the day, I invite you to join me as I spend some time thinking about where I've been, where God's taken me, and where God's (currently) taking me. My immediate thought as I remember the old days is, Oh Mercy! Then again, that's exactly what protected me along the way!
Thank You, Lord!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Deuteronomy
Day Three's Search for Love
Three verses hit me today. They were exactly what I hoped to find. No, rather they were exactly what I needed to find. And I guess that's why it took me a few days to get back to my 'love search.' God's timing is always perfect.
The first verse was found in Deuteronomy 7:6-9, and it reads:
"For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. 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 ancestors 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 commandments."
The second verse was in Deuteronomy 33:3:
"Surely it is you who love the people;
all the holy ones are in your hand.
At your feet they all bow down,
and from you receive instruction
Three verses hit me today. They were exactly what I hoped to find. No, rather they were exactly what I needed to find. And I guess that's why it took me a few days to get back to my 'love search.' God's timing is always perfect.
The first verse was found in Deuteronomy 7:6-9, and it reads:
"For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. 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 ancestors 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 commandments."
The second verse was in Deuteronomy 33:3:
"Surely it is you who love the people;
all the holy ones are in your hand.
At your feet they all bow down,
and from you receive instruction
The third verse was in Deuteronomy 33:12:
“Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him,
for he shields him all day long,
and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.”
for he shields him all day long,
and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.”
Sometimes we simply need to know that we're God's treasured possession; that He's holding us in His hands, shielding us all day long, and resting us between his shoulders.
My youngest son has two "loveys." One's called, "Happy," and the other's called "Troubled." The reason for their names is simple. One has a full smile stitched on his face and the other's smile is only sewn halfway.
Needless to say, Happy is my son's treasured possession. Happy has gone with us on trips, to parks, to plays, and even to a baseball game where he was left in the bathroom and once again recovered in the Lost-and-Found. When my son sees Happy his face lights up. He delights in that little bunny and he loves to rock him, hug him, and kiss him constantly.
I can only imagine the way God sees us... the way God sees me.
When I read the words, "the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders," I pictured a baby being cuddled by its father, or a child being held close in love. These words created a stir in my heart, and reminded me that I can rest secure. Why? Because my Father shields me all day long, and more than that, He holds me close to His heart.
Put On Your Work gLOVEs
What is it about time? Somehow it seems to constantly slip away... From pre-school to baseball, motherhood completely encompasses my life. One thing I keep coming back to is the importance of my support system--my friendships.
Relationships are a gift, but they're work. Sometimes it's easier to let the things of life get in the way than invest the time and work necessary to maintain them.
Last week, as I was cleaning out my front flower bed, I began to think about the many wonderful friendships I possess. As I removed last season's dead plants, dug up the many weedy invaders, and prepared the soil for new plantings, I couldn't help but compare this muddy work with the groundwork of friendship.
Just like the seasons, relationships change. Whether it's distance, different interests, or having children, good friends come and good friends go. I have found that there are times when I need to either prune or remove the 'dead' from my life. Other times I simply want to enjoy and foster the new seedlings that are developing. In either the case, work is required.
Then there's the constant battle with weeds. Similar in relationships, some weed-like issues are small and easy to to pull up, while those that fester tend to grow into big, tall, prickly messes. No matter the situation, all weeds are a nuisance. Even the weeds with the cute, dainty flowers need to go!
One thing's for certain, when facing any type of yard work wearing gloves is best. The same goes for relationships. When we put on our gLOVEs, we keep LOVE at the forefront and our hands clean from the mire of sin. With our gLOVEs in place, we can face the weeds in our relationships without the prickles and the mess.
Ephesians 4: 2 says it perfectly, "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."
Join me outside as I continue to tackle the weeds, not only in my garden but in my relationships.
See Also: Ephesians 5:1-2 & Colossians 3:12-15
Goin' Fishin'
Do you ever find yourself obsessing over a problem? I know I do. Lately my heart has been troubled by a dilemma that seems to constantly turn off and then back on. One day I'll be convinced that everything is okay, then the next time something is said or done, those same old feelings flare right back up. I honestly find myself unsure about how to handle the situation.
As I was praying about it, the Lord quickened my mind to one of my favorite verses, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). I don't know about you, but this is one of those verses that makes me want to wipe my brow and say, "Whew!"
It reminds me of when I was a child spending the weekend at our family's lake house. My dad would take me out onto the boat dock, bait the hook on my fishing pole and hand it to me. He had taught me to not be shy when it came to casting out the line. In fact, he instructed me to pull that pole way back and send the lure out as far as my strength could push it.
This is what God says to do with our anxieties, worries, hurts, fears, problems, and troubles. Imagine yourself putting your problem in your hand, closing your fist tightly around it, lifting your arm up and pulling it back as far as it will go, and then hurling your problem as hard as you can straight at the Lord. Just picture that mess flying right up to heaven. Isn't it freeing knowing we don't have to keep everything bottled up inside? We can cast our cares on to God because he cares for us! And don't forget to see what you catch in return. You may just find that you end up with peace, grace, patience, endurance, and a little bit of character.
What are you doing today? Me? I'm goin' fishin'.
See also: John 16:33 & James 1:2-5
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Exodus
Day Two's search for Love --
The first "love" verse that caught my eye was in Exodus 15, but first I want to lay some groundwork. In Exodus 14 Moses leads the Israelite nation out of slavery and out from under the power and oppression of Pharaoh. As I studied this chapter, it was God's words to Moses that practically flew off the page, "... I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them (the Israelites). But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord."
I've read this story many times, but I must say I thoroughly enjoyed reading it again. I found Pharaoh's duplicity intriguing. He'd given the Israelites their freedom, but once they left he was like, "What did I do? I just sent my free laborers away!" I had to laugh at how quickly his mind was changed. But then again, God did say He would harden Pharaoh's heart. Sure enough God did, and Pharaoh pursued those Israelite workers (along with 600+ chariots, all of his officers, and a full army) with a vengeance.
If you turn back to Exodus 12:33-36 it's even more interesting to read that the Egyptians were (urgently) helping the Israelites to leave. Verse 36 says, "The Lord had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for (which was silver, gold, and clothing); so they (Israel) plundered the Egyptians." Wow! is all I can say. How cool is our God?!
So, going back to my first "love" verse... "In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling" (Exodus 15:13).
This beautiful verse was not only a shout of praise and worship to God, it was actually a line in a song. It was Moses' song of victory after God fulfilled His Word and saved His people! This whole story reminds me that not only is God faithful to His own, He is sovereign, all-knowing, and all-powerful! Praise You, Lord!
The second "love" verse was in Exodus 20:6 - "... but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments." This verse is actually the second part of a sentence from the actual 2nd Commandment (You shall not make for yourself an idol...).
The first part of the sentence is rather daunting in that God makes Himself clear on his stand against worshipping anything other than Himself (money/greed, status/power, drugs/alcohol, sex/pleasure, vanity/image, etc). Basically God says He will punish (revisit, affect) the children for the sins of the father to the 3rd & 4th generation.
I think we can all agree that we've seen the affects of bad choices carry on through the generations. Alcoholism, abuse, selfishness, greed... the list goes on and so does the pain. However, what's wonderful is to compare the years from both spectrums: 3rd/4th generation (punished for sin) VS. 1000 generations (blessed for faithfulness to God). To me, this shows the heart of God. He'll allow the consequences, but when we turn from those things and choose to love Him, the blessings are innumerable!
On a side note, I've actually reminded God of this promise. He knows that I love Him and now that I have kids, my heart is for them (and for their kids, and their kid's kids) to know Him and love Him, as well. Just from diving back into His Word, I am reminded that I can trust God and He will keep His word!
The last "love" verse was in Exodus 34:6-7a, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin."
This was God's response to Moses after he asked to see God's glory. My Life Application Bible study note says it so well, "Notice God did not give Moses a vision of of his power and majesty, but rather of his love. God's glory is revealed in his mercy, grace, compassion, faithfulness, forgiveness, and justice." These qualities and characteristics ARE what make up God's glory!
What a great way to end my study today.
I praise you God, for YOU ARE GLORIOUS!
The first "love" verse that caught my eye was in Exodus 15, but first I want to lay some groundwork. In Exodus 14 Moses leads the Israelite nation out of slavery and out from under the power and oppression of Pharaoh. As I studied this chapter, it was God's words to Moses that practically flew off the page, "... I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them (the Israelites). But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord."
I've read this story many times, but I must say I thoroughly enjoyed reading it again. I found Pharaoh's duplicity intriguing. He'd given the Israelites their freedom, but once they left he was like, "What did I do? I just sent my free laborers away!" I had to laugh at how quickly his mind was changed. But then again, God did say He would harden Pharaoh's heart. Sure enough God did, and Pharaoh pursued those Israelite workers (along with 600+ chariots, all of his officers, and a full army) with a vengeance.
If you turn back to Exodus 12:33-36 it's even more interesting to read that the Egyptians were (urgently) helping the Israelites to leave. Verse 36 says, "The Lord had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for (which was silver, gold, and clothing); so they (Israel) plundered the Egyptians." Wow! is all I can say. How cool is our God?!
So, going back to my first "love" verse... "In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling" (Exodus 15:13).
This beautiful verse was not only a shout of praise and worship to God, it was actually a line in a song. It was Moses' song of victory after God fulfilled His Word and saved His people! This whole story reminds me that not only is God faithful to His own, He is sovereign, all-knowing, and all-powerful! Praise You, Lord!
The second "love" verse was in Exodus 20:6 - "... but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments." This verse is actually the second part of a sentence from the actual 2nd Commandment (You shall not make for yourself an idol...).
The first part of the sentence is rather daunting in that God makes Himself clear on his stand against worshipping anything other than Himself (money/greed, status/power, drugs/alcohol, sex/pleasure, vanity/image, etc). Basically God says He will punish (revisit, affect) the children for the sins of the father to the 3rd & 4th generation.
I think we can all agree that we've seen the affects of bad choices carry on through the generations. Alcoholism, abuse, selfishness, greed... the list goes on and so does the pain. However, what's wonderful is to compare the years from both spectrums: 3rd/4th generation (punished for sin) VS. 1000 generations (blessed for faithfulness to God). To me, this shows the heart of God. He'll allow the consequences, but when we turn from those things and choose to love Him, the blessings are innumerable!
On a side note, I've actually reminded God of this promise. He knows that I love Him and now that I have kids, my heart is for them (and for their kids, and their kid's kids) to know Him and love Him, as well. Just from diving back into His Word, I am reminded that I can trust God and He will keep His word!
The last "love" verse was in Exodus 34:6-7a, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin."
This was God's response to Moses after he asked to see God's glory. My Life Application Bible study note says it so well, "Notice God did not give Moses a vision of of his power and majesty, but rather of his love. God's glory is revealed in his mercy, grace, compassion, faithfulness, forgiveness, and justice." These qualities and characteristics ARE what make up God's glory!
What a great way to end my study today.
I praise you God, for YOU ARE GLORIOUS!
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Genesis
Day One's search for Love --
I never expected what I read today. All I can say is WOW! and OUCH!
The very first mention of the word, "Love" is found in Genesis 20:13 where (while traveling) Abraham tells his wife, Sarah, to lie and say that she is his sister. Why? You ask. To protect himself! You see, Sarah was beautiful and he feared he'd be killed if anyone found out she was his wife. What really struck me, though, was the words he used. He said to Sarah, "This is how you can show you love me: Everywhere we go, say of me, 'He is my brother.'" So, here's this God-fearing man, a man who 'believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness,' not only lying, but telling his wife to do the same to prove her love for him!?! Can you say, manipulation??
(Note, that he pulled this one more than once!!)
The second mention is actually where I thought this whole journey would begin - at the scene where Abraham is willing to sacrifice his one and only son, Isaac, whom he loved (Gen. 22:2). As I ponder this request of God (since He wouldn't have been for the pagan practice of human sacrifice), I am convinced God was testing Abraham's allegiance. Would Abraham be willing to lay down the one thing he treasured most? Would he entrust Isaac to God? Clearly he would and God quickly intervened by providing a ram in his place.
My "Life Application Bible's" study note hit me right between the eyes. It reads, "Notice the parallel between the ram offered on the altar as a substitute for Isaac and Christ offered on the cross as a substitute for us. Whereas God stopped Abraham from sacrificing his son, God did not spare his own Son, Jesus, from dying on the cross. If Jesus had lived, the rest of humankind would have died. God sent his only Son to die for us so that we can be spared from the eternal death we deserve and instead receive eternal life." ... Enough said!
Genesis 24:67 took me to my next "Love" stop. This is where Rebekah became Isaac's wife, and 'he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.' Love is definitely a comfort in life. I think of my own husband and how he's continuously comforted me through my own trials and tribulations. Life is better with another, that's for sure.
But here's another spot where my search got interesting and even a little bit disconcerting. In Genesis 25:28 we read that Isaac had two sons (twins - Esau and Jacob). Esau was born first, but Jacob came out of the womb literally clasping at his heel!! Crazy stuff. If you read the verses before you'll see that Rebekah sought the Lord on why there was such tussling in her pregnant belly. The Lord revealed that she had two nations in her womb and that the older would serve the younger. Anyway, in verse 28 I learned something interesting: Isaac loved Esau and Rebekah loved Jacob. Clearly they had their favorites. I can only imagine how this helped to create even more love amongst the twins.
I moved on to Genesis 29:17-20, 30-33 and the drama got even richer. I learned that Jacob had left his homeland and headed to his uncle's land in Haran. Note that Uncle Laban was the brother of Jacob's mother, Rebekah. Upon his arrival Jacob meets cousin Rachel and the sparks fly. Uncle Laban allows Jacob to work for seven years to get Rachel as his wife, but when the time comes for them to marry Laban tricks him. He gives him his firstborn daughter, Leah, instead. Isn't deceit fun? Of course Jacob says something, and after the bridal week with Leah is complete, Uncle Laban gives him Rachel as his second wife. However, he had to work for seven more years to keep her!!
"Jacob lay with Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah."
Reading this verse made me sad for Leah. In verse 17 it said that Leah had 'weak eyes but Rachel was lovely in form and beautiful.' As I continued to read, it was clear there was no sisterly affection in this household. Reading on it's clear God saw it all as well. "When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren."
Leah went on to name her firstborn son, Reuban - 'because the Lord has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now.' She conceived again and named this son, Simeon - 'because the Lord heard that I'm not loved.' Her third son's name was, Levi - 'now at last my husband will become attached to me.' What was incredibly interesting to me was that by son #4, Leah seemed to get it. This time she named him Judah - 'this time I will praise the Lord!'
Leah realized that it was God who loved her, and (for the time being) His love was enough.
(If you read on, the "how many kids can you bear" feud continued and Leah bore 2 more sons).
The last several places where the word "love" was mentioned involved Jacob and his blatant favoritism toward Joseph and Benjamin, Rachel's only two sons. Many of us know what that favoritism did amongst the brothers. The older brothers sold Joseph into slavery! Oh, such love!
So, you may be asking... what exactly did you learn through all of this??
Well, it's easy really. I learned that if the heroes of the Bible could lie, deceive, manipulate, compete, fight, love and not love, favor and reject, and all around hurt each other WHAT AM I DOING looking to another human being to make me feel loved?? Clearly people are people, and not much has changed through the ages! Without the Holy Spirit directing our steps we are pretty darn selfish and wretched! And that includes myself!
So, once again, all I can say is WOW! and OUCH!
Next stop, Exodus...
I never expected what I read today. All I can say is WOW! and OUCH!
The very first mention of the word, "Love" is found in Genesis 20:13 where (while traveling) Abraham tells his wife, Sarah, to lie and say that she is his sister. Why? You ask. To protect himself! You see, Sarah was beautiful and he feared he'd be killed if anyone found out she was his wife. What really struck me, though, was the words he used. He said to Sarah, "This is how you can show you love me: Everywhere we go, say of me, 'He is my brother.'" So, here's this God-fearing man, a man who 'believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness,' not only lying, but telling his wife to do the same to prove her love for him!?! Can you say, manipulation??
(Note, that he pulled this one more than once!!)
The second mention is actually where I thought this whole journey would begin - at the scene where Abraham is willing to sacrifice his one and only son, Isaac, whom he loved (Gen. 22:2). As I ponder this request of God (since He wouldn't have been for the pagan practice of human sacrifice), I am convinced God was testing Abraham's allegiance. Would Abraham be willing to lay down the one thing he treasured most? Would he entrust Isaac to God? Clearly he would and God quickly intervened by providing a ram in his place.
My "Life Application Bible's" study note hit me right between the eyes. It reads, "Notice the parallel between the ram offered on the altar as a substitute for Isaac and Christ offered on the cross as a substitute for us. Whereas God stopped Abraham from sacrificing his son, God did not spare his own Son, Jesus, from dying on the cross. If Jesus had lived, the rest of humankind would have died. God sent his only Son to die for us so that we can be spared from the eternal death we deserve and instead receive eternal life." ... Enough said!
Genesis 24:67 took me to my next "Love" stop. This is where Rebekah became Isaac's wife, and 'he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.' Love is definitely a comfort in life. I think of my own husband and how he's continuously comforted me through my own trials and tribulations. Life is better with another, that's for sure.
But here's another spot where my search got interesting and even a little bit disconcerting. In Genesis 25:28 we read that Isaac had two sons (twins - Esau and Jacob). Esau was born first, but Jacob came out of the womb literally clasping at his heel!! Crazy stuff. If you read the verses before you'll see that Rebekah sought the Lord on why there was such tussling in her pregnant belly. The Lord revealed that she had two nations in her womb and that the older would serve the younger. Anyway, in verse 28 I learned something interesting: Isaac loved Esau and Rebekah loved Jacob. Clearly they had their favorites. I can only imagine how this helped to create even more love amongst the twins.
I moved on to Genesis 29:17-20, 30-33 and the drama got even richer. I learned that Jacob had left his homeland and headed to his uncle's land in Haran. Note that Uncle Laban was the brother of Jacob's mother, Rebekah. Upon his arrival Jacob meets cousin Rachel and the sparks fly. Uncle Laban allows Jacob to work for seven years to get Rachel as his wife, but when the time comes for them to marry Laban tricks him. He gives him his firstborn daughter, Leah, instead. Isn't deceit fun? Of course Jacob says something, and after the bridal week with Leah is complete, Uncle Laban gives him Rachel as his second wife. However, he had to work for seven more years to keep her!!
"Jacob lay with Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah."
Reading this verse made me sad for Leah. In verse 17 it said that Leah had 'weak eyes but Rachel was lovely in form and beautiful.' As I continued to read, it was clear there was no sisterly affection in this household. Reading on it's clear God saw it all as well. "When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren."
Leah went on to name her firstborn son, Reuban - 'because the Lord has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now.' She conceived again and named this son, Simeon - 'because the Lord heard that I'm not loved.' Her third son's name was, Levi - 'now at last my husband will become attached to me.' What was incredibly interesting to me was that by son #4, Leah seemed to get it. This time she named him Judah - 'this time I will praise the Lord!'
Leah realized that it was God who loved her, and (for the time being) His love was enough.
(If you read on, the "how many kids can you bear" feud continued and Leah bore 2 more sons).
The last several places where the word "love" was mentioned involved Jacob and his blatant favoritism toward Joseph and Benjamin, Rachel's only two sons. Many of us know what that favoritism did amongst the brothers. The older brothers sold Joseph into slavery! Oh, such love!
So, you may be asking... what exactly did you learn through all of this??
Well, it's easy really. I learned that if the heroes of the Bible could lie, deceive, manipulate, compete, fight, love and not love, favor and reject, and all around hurt each other WHAT AM I DOING looking to another human being to make me feel loved?? Clearly people are people, and not much has changed through the ages! Without the Holy Spirit directing our steps we are pretty darn selfish and wretched! And that includes myself!
So, once again, all I can say is WOW! and OUCH!
Next stop, Exodus...
Monday, October 24, 2011
It's Time...
It's not easy to admit this, but as long as I can remember I've been insecure. Although I am a Believer I have been guilty of looking to people to make me feel wanted, loved and valued. Heck, 'people pleaser' should be my middle name!
I would definitely say I like myself, but throughout the years (and probably because of rejection and thus fear) I've struggled with consistently believing and resting in God's love for me. The truth is I know He loves me, that He died for me, that I am bought with the blood and covered, BUT this knowledge has often remained in my head. I'm ready to move these truths from my head to my heart.
The Lord says, "You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity"(Jeremiah 29:13-14).
And with these words in mind, so begins my personal journey...
Today I opened 3 different Bible concordances and printed off the sections under Love(s) -- Loved, Lovely, Loving and Loving-Kindness. My plan is to look up each verse (starting from Genesis and moving forward) and journal anything that bounces off the page to touch my heart.
If you want to join me, feel free to come along...
I'm hopeful that by the end of this quest I will not only know that God loves me, I will know it completely... From (my) Head 2 (my) Heart!
I would definitely say I like myself, but throughout the years (and probably because of rejection and thus fear) I've struggled with consistently believing and resting in God's love for me. The truth is I know He loves me, that He died for me, that I am bought with the blood and covered, BUT this knowledge has often remained in my head. I'm ready to move these truths from my head to my heart.
The Lord says, "You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity"(Jeremiah 29:13-14).
And with these words in mind, so begins my personal journey...
Today I opened 3 different Bible concordances and printed off the sections under Love(s) -- Loved, Lovely, Loving and Loving-Kindness. My plan is to look up each verse (starting from Genesis and moving forward) and journal anything that bounces off the page to touch my heart.
If you want to join me, feel free to come along...
I'm hopeful that by the end of this quest I will not only know that God loves me, I will know it completely... From (my) Head 2 (my) Heart!
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