Genesis 49 ~ Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob; listen to your father Israel.

Jacob Blesses his Sons, painted by Dr. Harry Anderson

 


Genesis 49 ~    New International Version


Then Jacob called for his sons and said: “Gather around so I can tell you what will happen to you in days to come.

2 “Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob;
listen to your father Israel.

3 “Reuben, you are my firstborn,
my might, the first sign of my strength,
excelling in honor, excelling in power.
4 Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel,
for you went up onto your father’s bed,
onto my couch and defiled it.

5 “Simeon and Levi are brothers—
their swords are weapons of violence.
6 Let me not enter their council,
let me not join their assembly,
for they have killed men in their anger
and hamstrung oxen as they pleased.
7 Cursed be their anger, so fierce,
and their fury, so cruel!
I will scatter them in Jacob
and disperse them in Israel.

8 “Judah, your brothers will praise you;
your hand will be on the neck of your enemies;
your father’s sons will bow down to you.
9 You are a lion’s cub, Judah;
you return from the prey, my son.
Like a lion he crouches and lies down,
like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?
10 The scepter will not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
until he to whom it belongs shall come
and the obedience of the nations shall be his.
11 He will tether his donkey to a vine,
his colt to the choicest branch;
he will wash his garments in wine,
his robes in the blood of grapes.
12 His eyes will be darker than wine,
his teeth whiter than milk.

13 “Zebulun will live by the seashore
and become a haven for ships;
his border will extend toward Sidon.

14 “Issachar is a rawboned donkey
lying down among the sheep pens.
15 When he sees how good is his resting place
and how pleasant is his land,
he will bend his shoulder to the burden
and submit to forced labor.

16 “Dan will provide justice for his people
as one of the tribes of Israel.
17 Dan will be a snake by the roadside,
a viper along the path,
that bites the horse’s heels
so that its rider tumbles backward.

18 “I look for your deliverance, Lord.

19 “Gad will be attacked by a band of raiders,
but he will attack them at their heels.

20 “Asher’s food will be rich;
he will provide delicacies fit for a king.

21 “Naphtali is a doe set free
that bears beautiful fawns.

22 “Joseph is a fruitful vine,
a fruitful vine near a spring,
whose branches climb over a wall.
23 With bitterness archers attacked him;
they shot at him with hostility.
24 But his bow remained steady,
his strong arms stayed limber,
because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob,
because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,
25 because of your father’s God, who helps you,
because of the Almighty, who blesses you
with blessings of the skies above,
blessings of the deep springs below,
blessings of the breast and womb.

26 Your father’s blessings are greater
than the blessings of the ancient mountains,
thanthe bounty of the age-old hills.
Let all these rest on the head of Joseph,
on the brow of the prince among his brothers.

27 “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf;
in the morning he devours the prey,
in the evening he divides the plunder.”

28 All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them, giving each the blessing appropriate to him.


29 Then he gave them these instructions: “I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite, 30 the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre in Canaan, which Abraham bought along with the field as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite. 31 There Abraham and his wife Sarah were buried, there Isaac and his wife Rebekah were buried, and there I buried Leah. 32 The field and the cave in it were bought from the Hittites.”

33 When Jacob had finished giving instructions to his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed, breathed his last and was gathered to his people.


Attitudes and Blessings of Christmas

Jacob believed he was the descendant carrying Abraham's blessing. "I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” He seems, to me, to be very positive as he wants to bless his children. This is not a man fading away, but relinquishing his spirit in gratitude and verve. The Blessings Thief, interestingly enough, wants all his 12 sons to be blessed.

This summer I was having a emotional day. I went to the grocery store with my son and the clerk said to me, with great enthusiasm and sparkling eyes, "God Gives You What you Need for Each Day, hang on to that." Jacob lived this.

Psalm 68:19
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Selah
and/or King James Bible
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.

Jacob is telling us of his life remembrances ~ as a father, as a child of God, and as - Father God.

Jacob is gathering his life together - to go on. Look at this with me a unique way; not as a man with 11 children, but a lifetime of memories.


Biblical illustrations by Balage Balogh

Reuben ~ recall with me, tried to save Joseph. In personality, Rueben stands out in Scripture, however Reuben has laid to waste his relationship with his father over Jacob's concubine, Bilhah. Jacob and Bilhah had two sons, Dan and Naphtali. God is telling us sexual sin can cross boundaries and cause irreparable harm.

Simeon and Levi ~  have astonished Jacob with the ability to have supreme violence towards mankind and animals. How quickly humanity can destroy. Here is Jacob, called Israel, telling us families can have moments that stun and take the breathe away. We can see this two ways, a depressing event in the middle of our Disney 2012 Christmas or we can recall things in our family we would like to have improved, with merely a thought. Even God's chosen saints have these events. Newtown, Connecticut for some of us, has become our town.

Judah ~  The Lion of the Tribe of Judah, is of course, JESUS. And we are celebrating a birthday each year of God willing to come to us. In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. We Rejoice in the Days God has blessed us. God is in His Heaven and all is right with the world. He will tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch. Palm Sunday Events. 

Zebulun ~ a haven. Life forces compel us like the Mighty Mississippi river. We rejoice in the times of haven, days stretching before us like sunlight on water.

Psalm 107:30
They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven

Issachar ~ a work in progress, a work horse.

How good is his resting place and how pleasant is his land. In Ecclesiastes 5 we learn about this. Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.

Dan ~  providing justice for his people. Dan's verse is inspiring, a man of valor. For the days of our lives when we have so much appreciation for being protected and spoken up for.

Proverbs 29:4
By justice a king builds up the land, but he who exacts gifts tears it down.

Matthew 5:25
"Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison."

Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.

Gad ~ can be relied upon to give all that back.

James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Asher ~ is gifted. Don't we love to see the gifts our children have.


Proverbs 18:16
A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great.

1 Corinthians 12:4
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.

Deer lithograph by Samuel Howell

Naphtali ~ is a doe set free, that bears beautiful fawns. We are, obviously, treated to a moment in Jacob's memories of Naphtali's mercy. And the reward of seeing the unusual and appreciated fawns the next year.

Ephesians 2:4-6
God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

Benjamin  ~ Jacob's treasured son with his wife Rachael, this passage seems to suggest Benjamin is a yuppie with determination and skill.  As Benjamin's  life develops - he gives back blessings to others.

Ephesians 4:13
Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

Of all the gifts we could possibly give our children, this Christmas or always, what we would provide for them......

Joseph~ here we reach the crux of this passage. Forgiveness. Trust. Blessings.  Jacob, Israel, wrestler of blessings, believed Joseph was killed by a wild animal. His sons are never recorded asking for forgiveness. And yet, importantly, Jacob wishes to bless his sons. An example of Father God.

Jacob had a life with misery, upon occasion, yet he believes himself to be the bearer of Almighty God's blessing. Jacob has joy in discovering, God has raised his beloved son. What has Jacob enjoyed about learning about Joseph, the man? 

But his bow remained steady,
his strong arms stayed limber,

because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob,
because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,

because of your father’s God,

who helps you,
because of the Almighty,

who blesses you
with blessings



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Isaiah 61 ~ Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed.

Oak of Mamre old view, near Hebron, Palestine. Created by De Bar, published 1882

Historic Photo of the tree in Hebron, Oak of Mamre. Circa 1865.  For many, many years the Oak acorns were prorogationed from the old Oak.


Isaiah 61

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners^[blind]
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.
5 Strangers will shepherd your flocks;
foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
6 And you will be called priests of the Lord,
you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
and in their riches you will boast.

7 Instead of your shame
you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,
and everlasting joy will be yours.

8 “For I, the Lord, love justice;
I hate robbery and wrongdoing.
In my faithfulness I will reward my people
and make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Their descendants will be known among the nations
and their offspring among the peoples.
All who see them will acknowledge
that they are a people the Lord has blessed.”

10 I delight greatly in the Lord;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness
and praise spring up before all nations.

A long time ago, we had a home in our neighborhood, a colonial with blue shutters and shake wooden roof. Above the house was an amazing giant of an American Elm. The great tree was almost a Sequoia with a base of at least a six foot diameter. It made the house have a hidden and majestic quality. The neighbors agreed it was a delight to see when you turned into the main street. One day there was a ferocious roar and a team worked for two days to cut down the tree. The new owner of the house proclaimed the healthy tree to be too big and dangerous. One of the cutters told him the tree was older than the Declaration of Independence, it was a shame the tree had not been in the Dallas Arboretum.

The owner was amazed the neighbors were not pleased. He said he had to protect the shake roof. Unfortunately for him, a huge wind came up and destroyed the roof later in the year and the insurance would not pay to replace the shake roof. He was rather horrified and said he'd bought the house for the unusual roof. If the tree had been there to shelter the roof.....



 to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.

Now this is a true analogy. Stories in the Scriptures repeat and repeat. Abraham traveled a long way to dwell in the land promised to him.  After a long journey, these Oaks were an oasis, and called the Oaks of Mamre

Genesis 13:18
So Abram went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he pitched his tents. There he built an altar to the LORD.


Genesis 18:1
The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day.

Genesis 12:3
"I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

How long did Abraham and his children look forward to the Oaks of Mamre being home? And what happened to this blessing?

Genesis 35:27
Jacob came home to his father Isaac in Mamre, near Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had stayed.

Isaiah knew of Abraham's Mamre Oaks. The Oaks of Righteousness. Because for millenniums Oaks were reseeded to keep Abraham's Oak Grove going. Hebron, the city of Sarah and Abraham is also known for their venerated graves.  The Tomb of the Patriarchs, in Hebron.

God rejoices in HIS creation. The Cedars built the Temple.

Psalm 29:5
The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.

Psalm 80:10
The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches.



Psalm 104:16
The trees of the LORD are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.

Queen Victoria planted this area of the forest and built the wall.

Isaiah also gives us a theme for the city in which he dwells, Jerusalem.

They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.
5 Strangers will shepherd your flocks;
foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
6 And you will be called priests of the Lord,
you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
and in their riches you will boast.

David worked for 22 year without any apparent vision of success other than an anointing of God. Upon Saul's death, a concubine's son was crowned. And still David believed. Upon being crowned later, David, of the Tribe of Judah, decided to move the capital from Shiloh to Jerusalem. All the way back to Joshua, who succeeded Moses, the Tribe of Judah had been unable to claim the area around Jerusalem. This is why Jerusalem is called the City of David.

 The Temple of the LORD was entirely covered with gold.



Isaiah knew of these blessings through Hezekiah, who inherited the promises of David (if you look at the genealogy of Jesus, you will see Jesus claims both Hezekiah and Abraham). Hezekiah had a very practical father, King Ahaz. Ahaz was busy in his reign directing nature worship on the hills. All very poetic to be sure. Howeever Ahaz was hoping for the Temple, with the great trees, and then gold over the entire Temple, to be forgotten and broken into bits to keep the Assyrian army at bay. Hezekiah started with this practicality, and later listened to Isaiah to have the greatest reign in Israel after Solomon. His people were the only, in all of the Old or New Testament, who flocked to give to the LORD until they were asked to quit giving.


I delight greatly in the Lord;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness
and praise spring up before all nations.

Father God, we ask to participate in the blessing you gave Abraham. We ask to be blessed and to be a blessing in return. When life gives us cursing, give us the power to discern if we are to rebuke that evil will flee or to wait patiently upon You. Give us the ability to be peacemakers and the ability to turn and depart. Let us remember to see with Your eyes mercy and Love. We thank you for the good news of Jesus Christ, healing the broken hearted, a crown of beauty, joy and the ability to have a heart for praise. Help us to grow into Oaks of Righteousness, bringing further Good News of the Love You give us. We would like to be the people You have blessed. In the Highest Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.





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Zephaniah 1 ~ For the day of the LORD is near

We love miracles. Miracles display faith, hope and love. However the first Christmas was strewn with something we are familiar with ... stress. No trumpets went off as Mary, heavily pregnant traveled by donkey, 90 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem. No rose petals were thrown. No welcome was held in Bethlehem for her. This is Christmas. A lot of work.

These are Holy Days. People reflect on their life. This week I've spoken with two women who have lost children. The first woman was told by the hospital counselor she and her husband would never recover, to live life under the tragedy. This IS NOT Accurate. We believe in the Lord's Promises, we know our children will be as Isaiah says in the 49th Chapter, learning the hills and the highways of Heaven on the shoulders of the one given their care. Should a mother not remember her child, due, I guess to illness, the child is important to the LORD.

Tonight on the way to a party, we passed a huge accident scene and the officials were arriving. We never know what life has ahead of us. Losing a loved one, can make us nervous, but we lean and trust in the Lord, say a prayer and go on. To a party where we learn the serene woman next to us lost a son to a drunk driver. Gone, not forgotten, not forsaken, trusting God to care for the loved one until the glorious day God reunites us.

Shall we sulk or pout if we are not as happy in the happiest season. Pout if someone gives us their burdens. No. Mary did not have an easy Christmas. Joseph, Elizabeth and the mute priest Zechariah did not have an easy time of these miracles. A day of the Lord.

The Annunciation, painted by Henry Ossawa Tanner

The Road to Bethlehem, by Joseph Brickley

THE FAMILY TREE OF JOSIAH

JOSIAH
______________|______________
|	|
Jehoahaz	Jehoiakim
2 Kings 23:30	2 Kings 23:34,36
	_______|_______
	|	|
	Jehoiachin	Zedekiah

Jeremiah did not stand completely alone; The Book of Zephaniah, first chapter and first verse: “Zephaniah son of Cushi son of Gedaliah son of Amariah son of Hezekiah, (Hezekiah was a King of the Davidic Line) in the days of King Josiah son of Amon of Judah” (1:1, NRSV). The authorshiop is lengthier than most and contains two features. The name Cushi, Zephaniah’s father, means ‘Ethiopian’. In Judah, genealogy was extremely important in the inclusion of God's covenant with Abraham and descendants, the author establishes his Hebrew lineage. Zephaniah does not shrink from condemning Cushites or Ethiopians. Zephaniah was a prophet during Josiah and warned of future events hoping to enact change to avoid calamity.


Zephaniah 1

1 The word of the Lord that came to Zephaniah the son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.

2 “I will utterly sweep away everything
from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord.
3 “I will sweep away man and beast;
I will sweep away the birds of the heavens
and the fish of the sea,
and the rubble with the wicked.
I will cut off mankind
from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord.
4 “I will stretch out my hand against Judah
and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem;
and I will cut off from this place the remnant of Baal
and the name of the idolatrous priests along with the priests,
5 those who bow down on the roofs
to the host of the heavens,
those who bow down and swear to the Lord
and yet swear by Milcom,
6 those who have turned back from following the Lord,
who do not seek the Lord or inquire of him.”

7 Be silent before the Lord God!
For the day of the Lord is near;
the Lord has prepared a sacrifice
and consecrated his guests.
8 And on the day of the Lord's sacrifice—
“I will punish the officials and the king's sons
and all who array themselves in foreign attire.
9 On that day I will punish
everyone who leaps over the threshold,
and those who fill their master's house
with violence and fraud.

10 “On that day,” declares the Lord,
“a cry will be heard from the Fish Gate,
a wail from the Second Quarter,
a loud crash from the hills.
11 Wail, O inhabitants of the Mortar!
For all the traders are no more;
all who weigh out silver are cut off.
12 At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps,
and I will punish the men
who are complacent,
those who say in their hearts,
‘The Lord will not do good,
nor will he do ill.’
13 Their goods shall be plundered,
and their houses laid waste.
Though they build houses,
they shall not inhabit them;
though they plant vineyards,
they shall not drink wine from them.”

14 The great day of the Lord is near,
near and hastening fast;
the sound of the day of the Lord is bitter;
the mighty man cries aloud there.
15 A day of wrath is that day,
a day of distress and anguish,
a day of ruin and devastation,
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and thick darkness,
16 a day of trumpet blast and battle cry
against the fortified cities
and against the lofty battlements.

17 I will bring distress on mankind,
so that they shall walk like the blind,
because they have sinned against the Lord;
their blood shall be poured out like dust,
and their flesh like dung.
18 Neither their silver nor their gold
shall be able to deliver them
on the day of the wrath of the Lord.
In the fire of his jealousy,
all the earth shall be consumed;
for a full and sudden end
he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth.


The Word of God is living and active, how will we relate to Zephaniah being part of the Christmas Season. Rather easily. Doing the Lord's work isn't all about acclaim, position and happiness.

Luke 2:19, 33-35
Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

When Christianity began to spread through the Roman Empire in 16 years, even without media, some of the repetitious complaints were,  how could we worship "a god" who was crucified. A criminal. A loser. A god who would let a son die. The answer is difficult and is for all of us.

God knew what was in the heart of mankind. Each year we celebrate, in good years and miserable years. God chose our condition to learn what exactly life was like for the poor, for the popular, for those in desperate need.

Luke 2:52
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Psalm 68:19
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Selah and/or
King James Bible
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.

Psalm 55:22
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.

Romans 3:22
We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are

( * Romans 10:13
"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

 * Joel 2:32
And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved."

* Romans 10:9
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

* Do these contradict or contain added information. No. God is telling us, belief is required when we cry out to Him. Crying out to HIM, is belief when we work on our salvation asking for mercy and love from God who is steadfast in love. This means crying out with a help intention and not a casual assist. )

1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

(With the explanation
Ephesians 6:18
Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication)


In this Season,  I would be very remiss if I didn't  say, I am not suffering. I lost a daughter at birth 4 years ago, and this is the season I have listened to others tell me about the place they have made in their heart for children in Heaven.  Reject this; suffering is permanent - Suffering is Not Permanent.  Believing in the Lord eases our burdens, daily.  Eases our burdens as we care for others. Remember what Jesus did for His Mother. Provision is made for those Jesus loved and had changed lives. Jesus is not recorded ~ once in the Scriptures saying,  you will never recover.


John 19:26
When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son."

Luke 8:52
Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. "Stop wailing," Jesus said. "She is not dead but asleep."

Jesus knew all about life. And the Scriptures say:

Matthew 11:19
The Son of Man came eating and drinking

Luke 7:34
The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks

The Lord loves to be asked in faith. The first sign of Jesus as God, was His Mother, insisting HE make wine for a wedding. For the Glory of God, Jesus made wine.

Father God, each Christmas Season we rejoice You have come into the world as Light. As a child, leading us to peace. Let us remember You see us as we are and You choose to dwell among us as life, as the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Help us each day to recognize YOU and be a blessing for YOU. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.




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Genesis 20 ~ And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.”

Keeping the dream alive. Painted by Lars  Justinen.   Abraham and Sarah.

Genesis 20

From there Abraham journeyed toward the territory of the Negeb and lived between Kadesh and Shur; and he sojourned in Gerar. 2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man's wife.” 4 Now Abimelech had not approached her. So he said, “Lord, will you kill an innocent people? 5 Did he not himself say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this.” 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.”

8 So Abimelech rose early in the morning and called all his servants and told them all these things. And the men were very much afraid. 9 Then Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, “What have you done to us? And how have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and my kingdom a great sin? You have done to me things that ought not to be done.” 10 And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What did you see, that you did this thing?” 11 Abraham said, “I did it because I thought, ‘There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’ 12 Besides, she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father though not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife. 13 And when God caused me to wander from my father's house, I said to her, ‘This is the kindness you must do me: at every place to which we come, say of me, “He is my brother.”’”

14 Then Abimelech took sheep and oxen, and male servants and female servants, and gave them to Abraham, and returned Sarah his wife to him. 15 And Abimelech said, “Behold, my land is before you; dwell where it pleases you.” 16 To Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. It is a sign of your innocence in the eyes of all who are with you, and before everyone you are vindicated.” 17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, and also healed his wife and female slaves so that they bore children. 18 For the Lord had closed all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham's wife.


~ the integrity of your heart

Is where God is most concerned.  Scriptures always point out  Jesus is Lord. Even the stories of Abraham, tell us Jesus is Lord. Jesus said this is so. And Scripture tells us people have flaws. Romans also points out all are flawed. 

John 8:58
Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

This story has a parallel. Mary was the mother of sons and daughters.

Mark 6:3
Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him.

Matthew 12:46
While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him.

Matthew 13:56
Aren't all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?"

Luke 4:22
All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. "Isn't this Joseph's son?" they asked.

Jesus at the well speaking to a woman who had integrity in her heart. Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence. Jesus, the Pharisees see, has more disciples than John. Jesus understands popularity and numbers are not key to God and HIS plans. Jesus walks away to spend time alone.

John 4:3-6, 19-26

3 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee. 4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.




19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”

21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.

23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you — I am he.”



And very important, almost overlooked portion of Scriptures:


John 1:47-49
47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”

48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”

49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”





John 8:32
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

John 1:4,5
In Him was life, and that life was the Light of all mankind. ⁵ The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.



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Psalm 126 ~ Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”

Psalm 126

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us;
we are glad.

4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like streams in the Negeb!
5 Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.


Galatians 5:22-23
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.


Zechariah 13:9b
They will call upon my name,
and I will answer them.
I will say, ‘They are my people’;
and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’”


Ephesians 4:2
With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love


1 Timothy 6:10-12
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. 11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Luke 24:47-49a
That repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you.

Advent is a time of expectation and preparation. We leave the year with Jesus choosing to live our lives and share our human condition. The life we have had, we reflect upon at Christmas. Without gratitude life looks pointless. Giving thanks is one of the few gifts we can give the LORD, gifts HE did not bestow upon us.


Luke 2:14

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Father God, Holy is Your name. Your will be done on this earth, as in Heaven. Be our peace. Let the message of God's saving grace pour Your Love on this life. The word YOU sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ, Lord of all. In Jesus Christ, may the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable and pleasing to YOU, our rock and redeemer. "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" Amen.

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Psalm 115 ~ The house of Israel trusts in the LORD, who is their help and shield.

 Psalm 115

1
 Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name give glory because of your faithfulness and love.
 2 
Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?"
3
Our God is in heaven; whatever God wills is done.
4
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
5
They have mouths but do not speak, eyes but do not see.
6
They have ears but do not hear, noses but do not smell.
7
They have hands but do not feel, feet but do not walk, and no sound rises from their throats.
8
Their makers shall be like them, all who trust in them.
9
The house of Israel trusts in the LORD, who is their help and shield.
10
The house of Aaron trusts in the LORD, who is their help and shield.
11
Those who fear the LORD trust in the LORD, who is their help and shield.
12
The LORD remembers us and will bless us, will bless the house of Israel, will bless the house of Aaron,
13
Will bless those who fear the LORD, small and great alike.
14
May the LORD increase your number, you and your descendants.
15
May you be blessed by the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
16
4 The heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth is given to us.
17
The dead do not praise the LORD, all those gone down into silence.
18
It is we who bless the LORD, both now and forever. Hallelujah!

Christmas card of the Three Magi seeking and finding Jesus. Christianity is referred to as a religion, but instead it's a relationship and claims Jesus sent to us to give us eternal life:

Luke 11:5
Then Jesus said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.'

7 "Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

9 "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.



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Isaiah 45:23 ~ my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear.

Isaiah 11:6
The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them.

Isaiah 65:25
The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but dust will be the serpent's food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain," says the LORD.

Romans 14:11
It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'"

Isaiah 45:23
By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear.

Philippians 2:10-11
At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


Romans 10:9
If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.


2 Thessalonians 3:5
May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.


Psalm 133:3
It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.


2 Thessalonians 2:16
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.


Ephesians 6:23
Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


Jude 1:24-25
To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.



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