Superman's Flaws

Reading 32: Judges 16

I don't understand why Samson stayed with her?? She was obviously trying to do something to him...perhaps he was blinded by his lust for her?

Samson has been captured, tricked by the woman he thought he loved. He has been sold out, had his eyes gouged out...ouch...and is being carried off in gold shackles. And I love the line that follows:

But the hair on his head began to grow again after it had been shaved.

With God there is always a second chance. Samson was a royal screw up. He made bad choices from the very beginning of this chapter, BUT the hair on his head began to grow again.

God never gives up on us. Even though our wrong decisions land us in gold shackles sometimes...there's always another chance. That's the wonderful grace of God!

Loud and Clear

Day 25: Deuteronomy 28 (I caught up off line)

Amazing blessings, "small" requirement.

All these blessings could be yours IF you obey the Lord your God. It's noteworthy to me that the blessings don't simply make my own life 'better', but these types of blessings listed also affect the people around me.

My city, my children, my 'flocks', my food, my land. Everything in my life, everyone in my life benefits (essentially) when I choose to obey the Lord.

I'm writing these two phrases on a card this week:

You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. (maybe put this on a door)

If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom

Reading 20: Exodus 32
Reading 21: Leviticus 26

As I reflect on the possibilities of ministry and chances for the future, I'm in constant reflection on whether or not we are "following God's lead". I think it's important to take time to check the direction of our efforts.

I do believe that we can be in the center of God's will, and experience difficulties, struggles, and conflict, the Leviticus passage says that obeying God's lead results in:

rain and fruition of crops
peace
fearlessness
victory over enemies
fruitful and increase in numbers
so many blessing, just keeps piling up
God will walk among you
you will walk with head held high

the contrast is:
life waste away
defeat
hard work with no results
constant hunger for 'more'
fearful hearts

The Ten Commandments

Reading 18: Exodus 20

I keep coming back to the very first phrase of this chapter:

"And God spoke all these words"

It was important to the writer that we understand these are God's rules, from God's very mouth. These are not arbitrary laws, created to oppress a people just escaping from oppression. These are encouragements to pattern a lifestyle.

If I could take these commandments to heart in my own life, think of how much easier life could be? I heard a sermon once on the fact that the first 4 govern my relationship with God, and the last 6 govern my relationship with other people.

1. No other gods
2. No false images
3. No misusing God's name
(in other words, just 'cause you tack God's name on to it doesn't mean He endorses it.)
4. Keep the Sabbath
5. Honor mom and dad
6. No murdering
7. No adultery
8. No stealing
9. No lying
10. No coveting other people's stuff

A Long Forgiveness

Reading 14: Genesis 45

Joseph forgave his brothers. A long hard road that eventually led him to the top of the local economy, and he just forgave them.

Joseph chose the higher road in his situation. He was able to see the bigger picture, the picture that involved God weaving the details together. He was able be objective in his situation.

In the passing of time in my own life, am I taking an objective view? It's rather helpful, in taking a look at the whole of my life and "connecting the dots" of how God has pieced together His story in my life's events.

Something Undeserved

Reading 11: Genesis 28

The story continues. This is quite the dysfunctional family...

Isaac blesses Jacob once more (odd...maybe he wasn't as upset with being tricked as previously thought, otherwise why bless him a second time??) and tells him to marry a daughter of his uncle Laban. (ewww..but completely acceptable in the time frame)

There is a quick shot of how Esau really prefers to please his parents rather than frustrate them. After hearing that his father dislikes Canaanite women, he goes out and marries another wife that happens to not be Canaanite (and also happens to be a relative...).

Jacob makes a vow to God that starts with 'IF'. "If God does _________, then He will be my God." If? Can one really make demands of God? Is it safe to give God ultimatums? Unfortunately I know I do it all the time. A lot of my "promises to God" begin with "If...".

I think that the stories of the OT tend to allow for a chance to 'bargain' with God. We see in person after person this thread of making covenants with conditions. Covenants that are truly attempts at upholding the original Abrahamic covenant.

Hmmmm....so, in my own life, what am I bargaining with God about?

Jacob gets the blesssing

Reading 10: Genesis 27

There is a GREAT Liz Curtis Higgs novel series based on this very story. If you've not read, I strong recommend it. Find information here.

Jacob steals the blessing. Honestly, in our modern society and my cultural understanding, I've never completely understood why Isaac couldn't just take back his blessing and give it to the son it was intended for...but that's not the point.

Jacob does only what his mother tells him, and ends up alienating himself from his entire family. But what a blessing to steal!

May God give you of heaven's dew and of earth's richness—

an abundance of grain and new wine.

May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you.

Be lord over your brothers,

and may the sons of your mother bow down to you.

May those who curse you be cursed

and those who bless you be blessed.