Revelation 21:22-27 ~ those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life

Revelation 21:22-27

And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, 25 and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there.

26 They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. 27 But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!

3 Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!

5 For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.


The Lord's Presence. You do realize when you read Revelation, God looks less and less like George Burns.

God inhales our prayers, Revelation says. Coincidentally - we, the people, have recently found our sense of smell is large part of learning. Before we feel too disconnected from God's above Heavenly Throne, described with 12 Thrones and just like this photo. Let us remember we are made in the image of God before Adam had his rib removed for companionship, care, warmth and love. And let us remember in Genesis Chapter One - God speaks many words. Recently the Big Bang Theory has become multiple Bangs.

Perhaps God, who favored Jesus to return to Him in physical body, Is something like aspects of Morgan Freeman and George Burns, after all. 3,000 pages of the Scriptures and not once does He invite us to help Him judge others. He might just have a monopoly on being Creator of the Universe. I do think its entirely possible when we move, live and dwell with HIM - we are actually saying that He IS the Universe. Not far away at all. We live within Him.

How many gates would be required to meet us our need for our senses to be assured of Him???

… Thou shalt call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1: 21


…Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world! John 1:29

…for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing His riches on all who call on Him. Romans 10:12

..and our hands have handled, of the Word of Life 1 John 1:1

…we have and advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ The Righteous 1 John 2:1

… For “everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved.”. Romans 10:13

…And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. John 1: 34

…are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. 1 Peter 2:25


…I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

…through the knowledge of the Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. II Peter 2: 20

..a name written King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Revelation 19:16

…Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved. Mark 16:16

…The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world… John 1:9

...you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God...1 Corinthians 6:11

…I am Alpha & Omega the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come

The Almighty Revelation 1:8

.

Images of Heaven are illusive. Jesus told us they would be. Yet to those departed in the Lord:

Matthew 13
1 And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.

To those departed to His Kingdom. And those living His Path, Jesus says:

John 20:29
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Only one gate is needed. Believe in Jesus Christ. 

Deuteronomy 33:12
“The beloved of the Lord dwells in safety. The High God surrounds him all day long, and dwells between his shoulders.”

Matthew 12:18
Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.

Romans 9:25
Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’ and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’”

1 Corinthians 4:17
My beloved and faithful child in the Lord

1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Ephesians 1:6
To the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

Philippians 4:1
Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

Colossians 1:13
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.

2 Thessalonians 2:13
But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first-fruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

2 Timothy 1:2
My beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Philemon 1:16
no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Hebrews 6:9
Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation.

Jude 1:17
But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles [The Gospels] of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:17
For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved

1 John 3:21
Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God.

1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

1 John 4:11
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

…We have found the

Messiah which is the Christ...John 1:41

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Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13 ~ Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son!

Magi, by James Tissot

Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13

1 Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son!

2 May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice!

7 In his days may righteousness flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more!

8 May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth!

10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render him tribute, may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts!

11 May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!

12 For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper.

13 He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.

Matthew 2

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Knock, knock.
And they sang their song...to Herod.


We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar.
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.

O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect Light.

Born a king on Bethlehem's plain,
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign.

Frankincense to offer have I.
Incense owns a Deity nigh.
Prayer and praising all men raising,
Worship Him, God on high.

O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect Light.


Those Noble Majestic Men Seeking Jesus Christ the Lord certainly put their foot in it.

John 3:8
The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit

Philippians 2:23b
I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me


Haven't all believers Wished, Wanted, Prayed, Longed, Asked, Hoped, Felt Less Than Intelligent by speaking up and hearing - that Law & Order donk noise at our 'attempt' to help someone.

A CLONKER.

"Not Meant To Witness To THE LIGHT OF GOD."

Pwuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuewwwwwwwwwwwwwww BoooooooooooooooooooMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.

Okay. Fail.

Except, except, EXCEPT...

Who do we BELIEVE is Sovereign?

Haven't you seen Frank Capra, James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore tell us about Sovereignty in "It's a Wonderful Life".

There was a theme to this Movie.

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

This Romans 8 Scripture passage God reminds us, the work He gives is - to Believe Him.

1 Corinthians 3
6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building.



Next time you have that terrible feeling your talents are not given. Next time you feel like you were called not to speak up, because the last time was so dreadful. Next time your inner teenager tells you, you Are Unworthy - hum:

<>< !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Psalm 68 ~ to Him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens; behold, He sends out His voice, His mighty voice.

2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer. ~ Revelation 6

Psalm 68

God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered;
and those who hate him shall flee before him!
2 As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away;
as wax melts before fire,
so the wicked shall perish before God!
3 But the righteous shall be glad;
they shall exult before God;
they shall be jubilant with joy!

4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name;
lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts;
his name is the Lord;
exult before him!
5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows
is God in his holy habitation.
6 God settles the solitary in a home;
he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,
but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.

7 O God, when you went out before your people,
when you marched through the wilderness, Selah
8 the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain,
before God, the One of Sinai,
before God, the God of Israel.
9 Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad;
you restored your inheritance as it languished;
10 your flock found a dwelling in it;
in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.

11 The Lord gives the word;
the women who announce the news are a great host:
12 “The kings of the armies—they flee, they flee!”
The women at home divide the spoil—
13 though you men lie among the sheepfolds—
the wings of a dove covered with silver,
its pinions with shimmering gold.
14 When the Almighty scatters kings there,
let snow fall on Zalmon.

15 O mountain of God, mountain of Bashan;
O many-peaked mountain, mountain of Bashan!
16 Why do you look with hatred, O many-peaked mountain,
at the mount that God desired for his abode,
yes, where the Lord will dwell forever?
17 The chariots of God are twice ten thousand,
thousands upon thousands;
the Lord is among them; Sinai is now in the sanctuary.
18 You ascended on high,
leading a host of captives in your train
and receiving gifts among men,
even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there.

19 Blessed be the Lord,
who daily bears us up;
God is our salvation. Selah
20 Our God is a God of salvation,
and to God, the Lord, belong deliverances from death.
21 But God will strike the heads of his enemies,
the hairy crown of him who walks in his guilty ways.
22 The Lord said,
“I will bring them back from Bashan,
I will bring them back from the depths of the sea,
23 that you may strike your feet in their blood,
that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from the foe.”

24 Your procession is seen, O God,
the procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary—
25 the singers in front, the musicians last,
between them virgins playing tambourines:
26 “Bless God in the great congregation,
the Lord, O you who are of Israel's fountain!”
27 There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead,
the princes of Judah in their throng,
the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.

28 Summon your power, O God,
the power, O God, by which you have worked for us.
29 Because of your temple at Jerusalem
kings shall bear gifts to you.
30 Rebuke the beasts that dwell among the reeds,
the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples.
Trample underfoot those who lust after tribute;
scatter the peoples who delight in war.
31 Nobles shall come from Egypt;
Cush shall hasten to stretch out her hands to God.

32 O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God;
sing praises to the Lord, Selah
33 to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens;
behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.
34 Ascribe power to God,
whose majesty is over Israel,
and whose power is in the skies.
35 Awesome is God from his sanctuary;
the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people.
Blessed be God!

Life is a little like a garden, an analogy from the book 'The Shack'. If our soul is God's Garden, and I loved reading the analogy, then when one pet has indeed gone on to His Kingdom, then there is a place in the garden to love and tend again.

Perhaps you have puzzles in life you wonder about. One of mine was a dear loved one in Pennsylvania and I were discussing "Heaven is for Real" and she said Jesus is not recorded as having a horse. We debated the ride into Jerusalem where the Gospel writers - depending where they were in the crowd or in the telling - say Jesus had a colt and donkey or just a donkey. However I triumphed by saying God could have sent a John Deere tractor for Elijah or Rolls Royce or Bentley. Even a Bugatti.

Instead the Lord sent from Heaven the horses pulling Elijah bodily to ascend. Proving with out doubt, for believers, there are animals in Heaven.

And adding some credence to the Book turned into a movie "Heaven is for Real" opening in April 2004. Recall with me Jesus was born in a ... stable. Colton Burpo's trip to Heaven has a lot of very "Real" components.

And So our topic is pets - what were Jacob and David learning as the watched over their flocks. Both had some fiercely loyal and protection of their flocks.

This one is too cute to pass up.

and one more

John 1:35-42 ~ Stand

John 1:35-42

35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).

Jacob walked a line. Genesis 34 has him being asked by a rapist for his daughter.

Gen 35
The sons of Jacob had come in from the field as soon as they heard of it, and the men were indignant and very angry, because he had done an outrageous thing in Israel by lying with Jacob's daughter, for such a thing must not be done.

8 But Hamor spoke with them, saying, “The soul of my son Shechem longs for your daughter. Please give her to him to be his wife. 9 Make marriages with us. Give your daughters to us, and take our daughters for yourselves. 10 You shall dwell with us, and the land shall be open to you. Dwell and trade in it, and get property in it.”

Andrew, Simon's brother was from one of the wealthiest families in Capernaum. Affording him the time to be a disciple of John the Baptist. God granting him the heart to go and find Jesus and to tell Peter of Jesus. God equipping Andrew to live the life God called him to live.

Jacob was also seeking God. And that day brought him a different opportunity. To find the neighbor heavies want his raped daughter as wife and the bride-price is a blending within a community of heavies. Eventually Jacob would probably find he was asked to lean on others when this occasion happened to other daughters.

The two Scriptures are how vast are the stories of those who seek God. Called to be One Body of Christ.

If this did not involve the Bible, Jacob's terrible day would make an excellent Western Movie. There is no cavalry, no government, no police force.

Ecclesiastes 3

16 And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. 17 I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. 18 I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

Did Jacob have another choice?
Jesus left Israel in the hands of the Romans.

Saul was a murderer for righteousness sake. Old Testament meets New Testament.

Jesus did not care to see King Ahab covet Naboth's vineyard. Just perhaps Jacob really did not have another choice. We only know God did not leave Jacob. The action was not rash, but was filled with the fear of self-preservation. We see this more in our day-to-day of movies and tv - how fear calms rash reaction with the barrel of death's gaze.

YET we would always pray to be the disciples of Jesus who move on to please Him. We would never want to adapt the slogan die on our feet and not our knees.

Ecclesiastes 3 has this generation's approval - we sing this.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.


Jacob had another choice - Abraham had men who wanted Sarah and he was also cunning with them. Yet Abraham never rushed to kill. Wars occurred during Abraham's day. Jacob was being pushed out of his birth country it would seem. How could that be fair?

Jacob eventually was called in hunger to leave the promised land. Perhaps if Jacob had not been in such a hurry to protect what was his, life would have been better for all of Jacob's family.

The Banner to live under is Give! Justice with Mercy! Walk Humbly with the Lord! 

IS called for by God. God eventually left the privilege of the promised ones because they lorded over others so deeply. Abraham left a legacy of working with those around him. But Cmon... Hamor wasn't the one you would want to work with. God was calling Jacob away. Yet not deserting him. And let us not forget before we go past discernment into Judgment, which God never calls us to help Him Judge hearts - perhaps Hamor and company were not going to let Jacob go - only God knows.


Worship the Lord and serve Him only. Mt 4:10
Repent. Mt 4:17
Follow me. Mt 4:19
Shine your light before me and do good deeds. Mt 5:16
Your righteousness must surpass the Pharisees Mt 5:20
Settle matters quickly. Mt 5:25
Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow from you. Mt 5:42.
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Mt 5:44
Give to the needy. Mt 6:2
Pray. Mt 6:5
Forgive people who sin against you. Mt. 6:14 18:35
Fast from food once in awhile. Mt 6:16
Treat people the way you’d like to be treated. Mt 7:12
Enter through the narrow gate. Mt 7:13
Do God’s will. Mt 7:21
Acknowledge Jesus before men. Mt 10:32
Honor your father and mother. Mt 15:4 19:19
Be humble. Mt 18:4
Confront the person you have a conflict with. Mt 18:15
Love your neighbor as yourself. Mt 19:19 & 22:39
Serve everyone. Mt 20:26-28 & 23:11
Love God with all your heart, soul and mind. Mt 22:37
Feed, clothes, visit and invite in the poor and needy. Mt 25:35
Make disciples and baptize them. Mt 28:19

We take all of this discussion and say this: 


Psalm 1

Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish. 

Extrapolate and say worthy the ones who would stand in the congregation of the righteous. Pushing past the hassle and pull of life to lift up God and Worship Him. The Body of Christ has many components. Welcome to all worshiping Father God. 

Stand Together to Worship.

Father God, be our problem solver Father God. Dwell in all aspects of our being. Guide us and lead us. Help us each day to give our talents to you. To trust you that our good prayers and efforts are blessed by you. Help us to remember how Abraham was merciful and not rash. Allowing You, Jesus, to be our Rock. Amen.

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Psalm 68 ~ O God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, Selah

Psalm 68

God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered;
and those who hate him shall flee before him!
2 As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away;
as wax melts before fire,
so the wicked shall perish before God!
3 But the righteous shall be glad;
they shall exult before God;
they shall be jubilant with joy!

4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name;
lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts;
his name is the Lord;
exult before him!
5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows
is God in his holy habitation.
6 God settles the solitary in a home;
he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,
but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.

7 O God, when you went out before your people,
when you marched through the wilderness, Selah
8 the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain,
before God, the One of Sinai,
before God, the God of Israel.
9 Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad;
you restored your inheritance as it languished;
10 your flock found a dwelling in it;
in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.

11 The Lord gives the word;
the women who announce the news are a great host:
12 “The kings of the armies—they flee, they flee!”
The women at home divide the spoil—
13 though you men lie among the sheepfolds—
the wings of a dove covered with silver,
its pinions with shimmering gold.
14 When the Almighty scatters kings there,
let snow fall on Zalmon.

15 O mountain of God, mountain of Bashan;
O many-peaked mountain, mountain of Bashan!
16 Why do you look with hatred, O many-peaked mountain,
at the mount that God desired for his abode,
yes, where the Lord will dwell forever?
17 The chariots of God are twice ten thousand,
thousands upon thousands;
the Lord is among them; Sinai is now in the sanctuary.
18 You ascended on high,
leading a host of captives in your train
and receiving gifts among men,
even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there.

19 Blessed be the Lord,
who daily bears us up;
God is our salvation. Selah
20 Our God is a God of salvation,
and to God, the Lord, belong deliverances from death.
21 But God will strike the heads of his enemies,
the hairy crown of him who walks in his guilty ways.
22 The Lord said,
“I will bring them back from Bashan,
I will bring them back from the depths of the sea,
23 that you may strike your feet in their blood,
that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from the foe.”

24 Your procession is seen, O God,
the procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary—
25 the singers in front, the musicians last,
between them virgins playing tambourines:
26 “Bless God in the great congregation,
the Lord, O you who are of Israel's fountain!”
27 There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead,
the princes of Judah in their throng,
the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.

28 Summon your power, O God,
the power, O God, by which you have worked for us.
29 Because of your temple at Jerusalem
kings shall bear gifts to you.
30 Rebuke the beasts that dwell among the reeds,
the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples.
Trample underfoot those who lust after tribute;
scatter the peoples who delight in war.
31 Nobles shall come from Egypt;
Cush shall hasten to stretch out her hands to God.

32 O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God;
sing praises to the Lord, Selah
33 to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens;
behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.
34 Ascribe power to God,
whose majesty is over Israel,
and whose power is in the skies.
35 Awesome is God from his sanctuary;
the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people.
Blessed be God!

  

The Meeting of Esau and Jacob, by Tissot

Genesis 33

 And Jacob lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, Esau was coming, and four hundred men with him. So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two female servants. 2 And he put the servants with their children in front, then Leah with her children, and Rachel and Joseph last of all. 3 He himself went on before them, bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

4 But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. 5 And when Esau lifted up his eyes and saw the women and children, he said, “Who are these with you?” Jacob said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.” 6 Then the servants drew near, they and their children, and bowed down. 7 Leah likewise and her children drew near and bowed down. And last Joseph and Rachel drew near, and they bowed down. 8 Esau said, “What do you mean by all this company that I met?” Jacob answered, “To find favor in the sight of my lord.” 9 But Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.” 10 Jacob said, “No, please, if I have found favor in your sight, then accept my present from my hand. For I have seen your face, which is like seeing the face of God, and you have accepted me. 11 Please accept my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” Thus he urged him, and he took it.

12 Then Esau said, “Let us journey on our way, and I will go ahead of you.” 13 But Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are frail, and that the nursing flocks and herds are a care to me. If they are driven hard for one day, all the flocks will die. 14 Let my lord pass on ahead of his servant, and I will lead on slowly, at the pace of the livestock that are ahead of me and at the pace of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir.”

15 So Esau said, “Let me leave with you some of the people who are with me.” But he said, “What need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord.” 16 So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir. 17 But Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built himself a house and made booths for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.

18 And Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, on his way from Paddan-aram, and he camped before the city. 19 And from the sons of Hamor, Shechem's father, he bought for a hundred pieces of money the piece of land on which he had pitched his tent. 20 There he erected an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel.

Unlike the way we often picture good saints - Jacob doesn't want to leave the world and be more ivory tower. Jacob/Israel for his travels, is not headed to the Ivory Tower with his saints. This is an important statement for us. God is  not  seeking Jacob to build Him a Temple, but is establishing His Path.  Jesus also told us our lives are His Temple.

Monasteries in the Old Testament? Must be a New Testament thing. Oh. Hey. Um. Yes, there are monasteries. The Essenes of the Dead Sea Scrolls. And 2 Kings 2:1-15 - the sons of the prophets who were in Bethel during Elijah - but no, Jacob has a tribe to shelter and go forth with. Jacob is not told to gather multitudes to him and be a gatherer of mankind. 

Instead Jacob believes he has stolen a blessing, but Jacob is chosen for his willingness just to bless the people God has given him. 

This is indeed more of a quiet life, if not harrowing, that Paul says should be sought.  Jacob is to say what Joshua would say years down this Path. As for me and my house, We shall serve the Lord.  Joshua 24:15. 

Jacob verbally declares God is his in his difficult times.  He is putting His Light to shine before men. And what Jacob is saying is expect me to be flawed, but expect that my banner is His - mercy with judgment, walking with God in His expectations.  

God, when you went out before your people,
when you marched through the wilderness, Selah

And God is going forth, recall with me, with this mottled group. There are goats and lambs in Genesis 30 as a literary reference not to the unblemished offerings to the Temple of God, but how life is a constant conflict like the Cross. God intersecting mankind. God likes this Jacob so well, He gives a more Fatherly intervention than Isaac - coming like the Prodigal's Father to wrestle Jacob for a blessing, not leaving the fight without a mark.

And Jacob is a prime example of the reason God left Solomon for the Wisdom Solomon chose. Solomon spent many years in the High Places trying to get the Lord to respond to Solomon again.. In similar paths,  Jacob's commitment even to one wife has waned and he protects the child he values above all others. Solomon did not find a woman of value - Jacob doesn't either. Commitment is value.

Jacob values the blessing of God, eventually Esau wanders off not to have his descendents number Esau as of supreme value to them. Jacob is going to have his children return and want God's banner as their own.

More of value than silver and gold are ideas. Jacob believes he is blessed and conveys a blessing. Understanding that blessings are from God and limitless and blesses all of his children and starts again in Jacob's grandchildren.

32 O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God;
sing praises to the Lord, Selah
to Him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens;
behold, He sends out His voice, His mighty voice.

 Ascribe power to God,
whose majesty is over Israel,
and whose power is in the skies.

Awesome is God from His sanctuary;
the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to His people.

Blessed be God!


Jacob looks to God. For a blessing. And a blessing is bestowed, power and strength in a rocky life, willingness to be a blessing,  for the blessing of faith.

Psalm 134

Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,
who stand by night in the house of the Lord!
2 Lift up your hands to the holy place
and bless the Lord!

3 May the Lord bless you from Zion,
he who made heaven and earth!



Thank You, Father God, for Your blessings of comfort. For Your Faithfulness. In Jesus Christ's Love. Amen

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2 Kings 20:1-11 ~ and prayed to the Lord, saying, 3 “Now, O Lord, please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.”

2 Kings 20:1-11

1 In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover.’” 2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, saying, 3 “Now, O Lord, please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 4 And before Isaiah had gone out of the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him: 5 “Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord, 6 and I will add fifteen years to your life. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city for my own sake and for my servant David's sake.” 7 And Isaiah said, “Bring a cake of figs. And let them take and lay it on the boil, that he may recover.”

8 And Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “What shall be the sign that the Lord will heal me, and that I shall go up to the house of the Lord on the third day?” 9 And Isaiah said, “This shall be the sign to you from the Lord, that the Lord will do the thing that he has promised: shall the shadow go forward ten steps, or go back ten steps?” 10 And Hezekiah answered, “It is an easy thing for the shadow to lengthen ten steps. Rather let the shadow go back ten steps.” 11 And Isaiah the prophet called to the Lord, and he brought the shadow back ten steps, by which it had gone down on the steps of Ahaz.


God's gonna do what God's gonna do. Go with Bob. No changing that tough luck.  It is what it is.

Many times God repeats Scripture to do what people in education are taught - teach by retelling.


Matthew 6
3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Matthew 6
6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Matthew 6
18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Matthew 6 - with the aspect of rewards so frequently mentioned is - where - Jesus gives us The Lord's Prayer.



Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Ephesians 6:8
Knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

Ephesians 1:18
Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints



John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Ephesians 1
In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.

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