“Death, Birth, and Everything in Between”

January 23, 2024

January 23, 2024

Read Genesis 25-27, Psalm 23

What kind of childhood did you have growing up with your family? Chances are that if you had at least one brother or sister you had your fair share of squabbles as a child.  Hopefully those will go away as you became an adult. There is a lot of ground covered in these three chapters of Genesis. Genesis 25 starts with Abraham passing away at the ripe old age of 175. The chapter gives us some background on Abraham’s wives that he took after Sarah died and the children that each bore. Apparently, Ismael comes back and both he and Isaac bury their father, Abraham.

The latter part of Genesis 25 describes the birth of Isaac and Rebekah’s twins, Jacob and Esau. These two boys fight from the very start, even from the womb, “The babies jostled each other within her” v. 22. And as it came time to give birth to them, “After this, his brother came out, with his hand grasping Esau’s heel” v. 26. The boys continue to fight over food and birthrights and ultimately over their father’s blessing when Isaac is about to die. An interesting discussion in these chapters is the revelation to Rebekah that Jacob the younger will be stronger and “the older will serve the younger” v. 23. Are Rebekah’s actions right, to help her son Jacob steal the birthright from Esau? Did she believe she was helping Jacob take his rightful place or were they sinful in deceiving her husband and other son Esau? There is plenty of blame to go on the whole family. Each of the parents showed favoritism toward a child and the children often acted impulsively with each other making careless choices with consequences.  

Genesis 26 tells a familiar story but with different characters. We find Isaac moves south to the land ruled by Abimelech because of a famine. Are we shocked at what takes place? Isaac apparently has picked up some bad habits from growing up around his father, namely covering your own rear. Isaac too lies to Abimelech for the same reason as his wife Rebekah. This time Sarah is not his sister, but his cousin. Some critics have suggested that this repeat in Genesis is just an error that occurred in copying the manuscripts over time, but a careful read of the texts shows nothing like this. The accounts are far different to be just a simple copyist error.

Psalm 23 is probably the most well-known chapters in the Bible. This psalm of David is beloved and memorized by so many. I would encourage you to slow down and read it carefully. You may know it and can quote it for memory, but take the time to meditate on each phrase and what it means. Shepherding was the most common occupation of the Israelites, and they would have easily identified with the theme. One thing I would point out to you is the personal nature of this psalm. The Lord is “my” shepherd, he makes “me” lie down, for you are with “me.” Often the slant against the Old Testament is that character of God is not very personal in nature. This just comes from a incomplete few of Scripture. Psalm 23 shows us that God is our shepherd.

What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, themes do you see? What words repeat and bring attention to you? Add your thoughts below.

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Posted by John Weldon

“Test”

January 22, 2024

January 22, 2024

Read Genesis 21-24, Psalm 22

When have you had a really big test in your life? I remember in college as a music major, my final exams on my cello were before 3-4 instructors and how I did in the final performance test of the semester determined if I passed or failed. I used to get ulcers in my mouth about 2 weeks after finals were over from the stress. Not many people look forward to a test. Knowing we will be tested keeps us on our toes and prepared to learn the material. Even if we fail a test, we can still learn from it and adapt for the next time.

In Genesis 21 we find Abraham sending his son Ismael away. In Genesis 22 we find God testing Abraham with his son Isaac. The descriptive instructions from the Lord remind us of how badly Abraham had wanted a son. “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about” v. 2. The son he had waited 25 years for was now being asked to become a sacrifice to the Lord. This reminds me of the rich man who came to Jesus in Matthew 19 who Jesus challenged to take all he had and sell it and give it to the poor, then come and follow Jesus.

There are several allusions to Jesus and the cross in this passage. The same area where Abraham took his son Isaac is very close to where Jerusalem is today. It’s been noted that Isaac the supposed sacrifice carried the wood just as Jesus carried the cross. Abraham took the fire and knife a symbol of judgment from God on his Son on the cross. As Isaac and his father are walking up the mountain, unaware Isaac asks his father “where is the lamb for the burnt offering” v. 7. Abaham’s response of faith is one that foreshadows to the New Testament, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son” v. 8. The journey up the mountain takes three days or part of the three different days which we can relate to Jesus in the tomb. Many of these are allegorical comparisons and we must be careful to say this is intentional by God. At the very least, it does make you think.

Some may struggle with the idea that God would demand a human sacrifice such as this and that Abraham would almost go through with it. First, we should note that Abraham did not sacrifice his son, it was stopped by God beforehand. God knew that he would also put a stop to it. Human sacrifice was more prevalent in Old Testament times. Many other Canaanite and other religious commonly practiced this. To the reader in the twenty-first century, no doubt this seems so strange. Abraham’s statement to Isaac can be seen as a great statement of faith. He had confidence that God would provide a lamb.

Proponents of a theology called “open theism” will point to a passage like this as proof that God does not know what the human response will be until it is in play. Open Theism is defined as though omniscient; God does not know what we will freely do in the future. Likewise, God is not bound to a set behavior or will because His will interacts with creation. This is a heresy. So how should we take the statement, “Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” v. 12 God’s knowing is relayed in human language as to experience something. God already knew that Abraham would be obedient, but until Abraham followed through with it, Abraham did not experience the test that God had given.

Psalm 22, is a psalm of David that is a messianic psalm. The very first words of the psalm are quoted my Jesus on the cross. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” v. 1. As you read through the rest of the psalm you will notice many other descriptions that really connect to the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. They hurl insults and mock him, they have pierced his hands and feet, divide his garments among them and cast lots for his clothing.

Do you think God would test you like He did Abraham? What tests might God put you through in order for you to learn what He desires you to learn? What else do you see in these chapters? What words and phrases, and themes stand out to you? Write your answers below.

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Posted by John Weldon

“Resolution”

January 21, 2024

January 21, 2024

Read Genesis 21, Psalm 21, John 21

What’s the longest you have ever waited for something? Maybe as a kid you counted down the days until summer or graduation. Maybe you waited for a upcoming family vacation or time to retire from a job. There is no good way around it, waiting can be tough. Here in Genesis 21 we finally have the birth of Isaac that was promised 25 years ago. “Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised” v. 1. God keeps his promises and was gracious to Sarah. “Sarah said, ‘God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me’” v. 6. Laughter from before from Sarah was steeped in disbelief, now Sarah’s laughter was full of joy. The name Isaac means “he laughs.”

The later part of Genesis 21 can seem rather to harsh. Sarah wishes to send Hagar and Ismael away and then God confirms it to Abraham. We might question, “What kind of God would do this to people like Hagar and her son?” God’s response, “Do not be so distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned” v. 12. Abraham did not know the fate of his son Ismael, but God did. We only have to read a few verses more to see how God would take care of Hagar and Ismael too. God provided water and the ability for Hagar and Ismael to become part of a family. The pain of sending a person away might seem harsh, but if it has a greater good of protecting the promise to Abraham through Isaac then it was the right thing to do.

In Psalm 21 we have another psalm of David. He rejoices in God’s strength and protection over him. David recognized that God had delivered him from his enemies. God’s plan had come to pass. The last verses are a theme of judgment for David’s enemies. “Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies; your right hand will seize your foes. 9 At the time of your appearing you will make them like a fiery furnace” vv. 8-9. Fire, is a image of judgment often in the Bible. Fire refines and purifies things that pass through it or it will burn up the things that are not of value or that will last.

John 21 is the last chapter of the Gospel of John. Like many final chapters in a book, John 21 offers some much needed resolution, especially to Peter. In John 18, you remember Peter denies Jesus three times in Jesus’ trails. Jesus told Peter he would do it. Three times Jesus asks, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” v. 15. Peter’s feelings are hurt because Jesus seems to repeat the question over. Many have pointed out that there is forgiveness for each denial that Peter spoke of earlier.

The four Gospels are book-ended at the beginning of Matthew and the end of John with a similar scene. John 21 opens with the disciples returning to shore after being out all-night fishing. They had caught nothing the Scripture says, “So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus” vv. 3-4. Keep in mind that the disciples had not recognized Jesus yet. Now go to Matthew 4 and you will find the narrative of Jesus calling the first disciples, specifically Peter and Andrew. This is where they meet Jesus for the first time, and it was while they had attempted to cast their nets for fish. Both times, Jesus does the miraculous and helps them bring in the biggest haul of fish. This is when they realized who Jesus was when he told them again where to cast their nets and catch fish. How has Jesus returned to you again and again and shown himself faithful and forgiving? Is there anything in your life you need to confront the Savior about?

What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you?
Write your thoughts below.

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Posted by John Weldon

Project Isaac

January 23, 2010

A few weeks ago  I started to look at challenging the youth in some different ways through the Bible studies on Wednesday night.  The Theme of “Tests” came to mind and I thought we would compare some of the people of the Bible and see how they were tested.  I started with the scripture “the testing of your faith develops perseverance. (James 1:3) where it states that the tests we go through are for our benefit.  God begin to bring back different places in the Bible where He tested the faith of various people.  One of the first people to come to mind was Abraham and how he was tested with his willingness to give up the one thing that he had hoped for all his life.  (Gen. 22)  Once he got it, would he give it up for God.  Just what was his one thing he wanted most?  Why a son and someone to carry on the family name.

I’ve thought a lot about what I might do if I was in his shoes. I’m not sure I’d be as obedient as Abraham was. I’d have to know without a shadow of doubt that that’s what God wanted before I moved one inch. Abraham waited 25 years for God to fulfill his promise and even after trying things on his own, God kept His promise to Abraham (Gen 12:1-3) and years later it came true. If you want more back ground on the Bible story you can go to the Bible Study tab and download the PDF.

As I was laying out the details of the Bible study I felt led to try something similar to what Abraham experience. I pondered what do I think that I just can’t do with out, What brings me real joy and satisfaction? The first answer I came up with was my job, I love working with students and building relationships with them. I realized that I couldn’t quit my job and still keep a happy house so I looked for something else in the same arena that I might give up for God. Facebook/Myspace came to mind. I really love talking and interacting with the youth, but does that stand over my devotion to God? Do I spend too much time on the internet and not enough time in God’s word? I decided that in the month of February I would sacrifice my time online on Facebook and Myspace and give more time to my relationship with God. I nic named it Project Isaac after the example of Abraham. I am really looking forward to what it may do for me and for my family. I may even get a few more hours of sleep. I will keep a running journal from time to time and may even post a few of the entries here.

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Posted by John Weldon