1 Chronicles 4 - Prayer of Jabez

Among the descendents of Judah, is one Jabez.  In the middle of the list of Judah's descendents is a description of this one obscure son.  He is born in pain.  He is a humble man who prays to the God of Israel, "Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might nt bring me pain!" (4:10) God answered his prayer.  It does not say how.  It just says he answered this prayer.

Now, I'm thinking the fact that he prayed for these things and God answered has to be pretty important; otherwise, wide would this man's prayer be placed in the middle of this genealogy?  I have heard many critiques of this prayer.  Yet, I pray it often for others, whom I love.  It is a simple prayer.  Jabez asked God to bless him, to keep him from harm and to enlarge his borders or territories.  The critique I've often heard is that the enlarging territories is about riches.  Some would turn Jabez' humble prayer into a selfish prayer. 

However, for the Christian our borders are on the mission field.  We do not look at this prayer with a magical means to fill our pockets, but a prayer that God would bless us with missions, with outreach to the whole world.  Here and why we would wish our borders to be expanded. 

Who would not want their loved ones to be blessed by the LORD, to be kept from harm and know no pain and to have ever expanding borders to proclaim the praises of God?  Oh, LORD, expand our territory so that we might reach out to even more, to the multitudes, with the Good News of your Kingdom, through Jesus Christ, our LORD.

1 Chronicles 3 - David's Large Family

As I read this list of the descendants of David, I was thinking, "Wow, all those wives and concubines!"  In order to take of all those kids, one would have to have lots of wives.  On the other hand, I've known women to bear close to 2 dozen children and they have done quite well raising them.  In fact, at least the ones I've known, have raised very well adjusted children.  When the family is so large they seem, at least to me, like the young people in the family are closer to each other than in many other families.  They take care of each other with older children looking after and helping to care for the younger. 

In this list of descendents we find one daughter listed.  That would be Tamar.  (see 2 Samuel 13) Remember Tamar's brother Amnon?  He tricked her by being ill into coming to wait on him.  Being his sister, she did and was repaid for her kindness by being raped by Amnon.  David knew about it and was was angry, but didn't do anything.  So after waiting two years, her other brother Absalom had their brother Amnon murdered. That did not turn out so well for this large and prestigious family. 

Today, most of us have much smaller families, but do we know what our sons and daughters are doing?  Do we have sufficient oversight of our children to lead them in the way that they should go.  Do we have sufficient oversight of our children to protect them from harm?  (more on that in chapter 4... )

God's Peace - Judy 

1 Chronicles 2

In our Bible study on Matthew last Wednesday, we once again discussed how the last shall be first and the first last.  As we've gone through the old testament online, we've seen how it is not always the first that is first.  As we read chapter 2, today, we see that Judah is not the first-born of Israel; yet, when it comes to the listing of the Israel's sons' descendents, Judah is first.  It is, in fact, Judah's line that leads to David and to Jesus.  Not everyone in Judah's lineage is an Israelite.  Some are outsiders.   Some are gentiles.

The last shall be first.  Those gentiles and sinners who are seen as last in this world, will end up being among the first in the kingdom of God.

God sent his only begotten Son to deliver all (Jew and Gentile) who would believe  in Him; that they might receive eternal life in His Kingdom.

See you tomorrow with another long list of names!

1 Chronicles 1 - Sons (and daughters)

We begin Chronicles and the review of genealogies.  From Adam to Israel, there are lots of sons' names to remember.  As difficult as it may seem, it is important to attempt to remember some of them.  Many of those names reappear, some with different spellings, so having a general remembrance of who is who in the Bible will help save time later on when you're going to stumble across someone's name and will want to take the time to look them up.  I hate when I have to do that.  I end up surfing the Bible...  for hours... sometimes...

This genealogy is extensive, but not complete, as there are sons missing from the list.  Neither Cain nor Abel are listed as the sons of Adam.  The genealogy of the people whom God calls and establishes as His people begins with Adam and his son, Seth.  This list is a list of the direct lineage of the people who are directly involved with God's plan for the world.  These descendents are the vessels by whom God will ultimately bring His promises to the world.  

Hope that's not too confusing.  Lot's more could be said about why this genealogy is important, but that'll be enough to get you thinking, besides.. just look at all those names you have to memorize!  LOL!  Have a blessed day and know that you too are a descendant - an adopted son or daughter of our Father who is in heaven!

2 Kings 25 - Exiled

The king eats at the king's table...  Only a remnant left in Judah to till the land.  How sad.  The LORD has led His chosen people so far, but they turned their backs on Him and they find themselves exiled from the land He had given them.

I have always found it interesting, that King Jehoiachin, after 37 years in captivity,  is freed by and eats at King Evil-merodoch's table.  After 37 years, it seems, that the people have adjusted (maybe too well?) to being exiled from the land that God had given them.   Being exiled by God, just doesn't sound like something I could ever be comfortable with.  Of course, they weren't totally exiled.  We know that God was with them.  He never left his people, even though, as a people, they had left Him, time and time again.

This final chapter in the book of 2 Kings also reminds me of the desolation that comes with being exiled from the presence of God.  The temple has been torn down.  There is no place left to worship God...  No place to gather to hear His Word.  Zion's fellowship congregation is in Kemi of Russian Karelia.  For years our brothers and sisters in Russia had no place to worship.  The churches of every denomination were torn down or remodeled for other purposes.  Faithful Pastors were exiled to prisons in Siberia.  Although, Christianity suffered a terrible blow, God remained present with the people.  He did not leave them.  With the help of God, they met in private homes and in cemeteries so that they could share God's promises with one another.  Faith remained and has survived.  Congregations are growing and going in this place.  Thanks be to God!

There are times when I wonder if professed Christians understand that apathy toward God and the worship of God leaves Christianity wide open for another exile.  Of course there are multitudes of faithful, but there are also multitudes who say "Lord, Lord," and do not know Him.  I wonder if/when it will happen in this country (USA) that we are no longer free to worship publically, but in order to safeguard our families lives we will have to worship behind closed doors.  May God grant that we don't have to hit this bottom, before the people will turn and receive His Kingdom, His power, His love, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

2 Kings 24

Well, they are on their way into exile and captivity.  Jerusalem is captured.  The LORD is accomplishing what He promised to do because of the evil that was done in the sight of the LORD.

God had given them so much, but they had forgotten how He had delivered them from Egypt.  They had forgotten how they had to wander around in the wilderness for 40 years because of their lack of trust in Him.  Even after receiving the promised land, they did not trust the LORD, their God and followed after and gave offerings to other gods of their own making and imaginations.  And... now they are heading, once again, toward exile and bondage.

What is it exactly about the human race that we just cannot give credit to where credit is due?  Why is it that we insist on NOT giving thanks and glorifying God?

May our hearts be softened and our whole beings turned to Worship the only One who can deliver us...

2 Kings 23 - Extreme Commitment - Extreme Makeover.

Josiah reads the words of the Book of the Covenant to all the people and he and they make a covenant with God.

Today is Pentecost Sunday.  I am up early.  It is an exciting day.  Four of our teens will affirm the covenant of their Baptisms today.  In essense, they will promise that it is their intent to serve God before all other gods and to serve his people.  To put the will of God, before their own.  This makes me very, very nervous!  From reading the book that we have been provided, I know that this is not possible.  False gods are going to creep into their lives.  They, as we all do, will stray from time to time.  But, God is with them; His Word is with them: His Spirit is with them to guide them in His way.  Today, they will make their intent to follow in His way known publically as they each say, "I do, and I ask God to help and guide me."

My granddaughter, is among the four.  She was up way past midnight last night.  She is very excited about today and could not sleep.  She and the other three have been instructed as to God's word found in the Holy Scriptures.  They have been introduced to God's Living Word, Jesus the Christ.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, may they each (and all baptized) come to know God's Word more fully and to know the extreme joy, peace, and love that is found in His Kingdom. 

What an extreme makeover it is when we come to know Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Blessed Pentecost to you all!

2 Kings 22 - God Grant You Peace

Yeah!  Josiah does what is right in the sight of the LORD.  Josiah has the whole collection in the temple turned to workmen to repair the house of the LORD.  The Book of the Law is also found and Josiah rips his clothes in despair as he hears the words and realizes that so many of his fore-fathers have not done what is right in the sight of the LORD.  It is a relief this morning, to hear of a faithful king!

It is a relief to hear of a king who has humbled himself and wept before the LORD.  The LORD heard and blessed Josiah, "Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grace in peace, and your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I will bring upon this place." (22:20)  And... Josiah, lived and reigned, in peace for about another 13 years.

What can I say about all this, this morning?  I wish that I could say, "Yeah! We all do what is right in the sight of the LORD."  Unfortunately, I cannot.  So many run after false gods.  Like many of the kings before Josiah, we worship God and make our offerings to other gods.   Humble yourself and serve the LORD!  There is only one God who can grant you peace!

2 Kings 21 - Children Follow In The Way

Hezekiah did what was right in the sight of God.  Hezekian's son, Manasseh did not did not do what was right.   Manasseh's son, Amon did not.

Sometimes, when children stray away from doing what is right in the sight of God, people will point fingers at the parents.  It's their fault.  The parents must have taught them - this or that.  I have even heard:  "it's in their genes!" 

So what happened to Hezekiah's son?  Hezekiah was a faithful man.  He worshipped only the one God.  Manasseh did not follow what his father taught.  But, Manasseh's son did.  Amon did what his father taught.  Who can tell for sure who will follow in "the way" and who will not? 

There are just too many variables to know why.  All we can do is teach our children what we would have them know and pray.  Lot's of prayers!!!  This Sunday four of our young people at Zion will be affirming their Baptisms through the Rite of Confirmation.  They are excited and I am nervous.  I am not nervous about the service.  I am anxious for their futures?  Do they actually know enough, do they know Jesus well enough, so that once they are confirmed they will actually trust him, so that they will follow in "His Way?"

All we can do is pray for them today, tomorrow, always.