226 - Men have given their hearts to idols

Chareen's Thoughts

Hello I'm back.  I do confess that I am learning just how much I let life get in the way of spending time in the word.  There always seems something else more pressing or interesting to look at on the web and Pinterest has become a little bit of an addiction, so many beautiful things and wonderful people who share their knowledge.

I have been struggling with my journey through the old testament.  It can be so monotonous.  I am however back in the saddle and looking forward to hearing His word for the day.

The Prophet Ezekiel

Today

• I jump in at the book of Ezekiel and start with a section titled Jerusalem's adultery.
• We start with Hypocrites
• Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts and put the stumbling block of their iniquity and guilt before their faces; should I permit Myself to be inquired of at all by them? (AMP) Mortal man, he said, these men have given their hearts to idols and are letting idols lead them into sin. Do they think I will give them an answer? (GNT) Ezekiel 14:3
• Therefore speak to them and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Every man of the house of Israel who takes his idols [of self-will and unsubmissiveness] into his heart and puts the stumbling block of his iniquity [idols of silver and gold] before his face, and yet comes to the prophet [to inquire of him], I the Lord will answer him, answer him according to the multitude of his idols, ... Ezekiel 14:4
• The Lord has declared his intent towards those who have idols in their hearts.
• The Lord explains the depth of devastation He will bring to a land that is faithless to Him.  He explains that even the faith of the father can not save the family. He explains using the names of Noah, Daniel and Job.
• He explains that He will make the land a desolate place.
• The Lord continues and declares His covenant with Israel. 
• I have always felt a little on the edge about piercing my ears because of the different arguments for and against piercing.  Today I read this and my heart is at ease: And I put a ring on your nostril and earrings in your ears and a beautiful crown upon your head! Ezekiel 16:12 This is what the Lord said about Israel.
• He mourns over Jerusalem's unfaithfulness and adultery.
• Moreover, you have taken your sons and your daughters whom you have borne to Me, and you have sacrificed them [to your idols] to be destroyed. Were your harlotries too little, That you have slain My children and delivered them up, in setting them apart and causing them to pass through the fire for [your idols]? Ezekiel 16:20-21 I grieved as I read these verses. I thought of all the little ones being sacrificed in abortion and walking through the fires of medical waste. It's still this way today. I was touched by the words He used He called them MY children. It made me realise that they are not ours they are HIS.
• Part of His judgement is a reduction in food and provision.

I feel so blessed to be back.  A little like the prodigal returned. 
Blessings
Chareen

187 - The peaceful kingdom.

Kathleen's thoughts
Assyria's coming destruction.

Isaiah 20: 1-6 The sing to Egypt and Cush.

Isaiah 23:1-18 Judgment against Tyre.

Isaiah 10: 5-19 Assyria, God's instrument

Isaiah 10: 20-23 Remnant of Israel to be saved.

Isaiah 10: 24-27 Judgment against Assyria

Isaiah10: 28-34 The invader attacks.

Isaiah 11: 1-9 The peaceful kingdom.

Isaiah 11: 10-16 The exiles will return.

Isaiah 12: 1-6 Hymn of thanksgiving.

Chapter 11...The peaceful kingdom... is a beautiful chapter of the return of God's people and how we will all be living together with all God's creatures. Can you imagine walking up to a lion and just patting it and walking by snakes. What a glorious day that will be walking in the presence of the Lord. The thanksgiving hymn is beautiful too. A hymn of celebration Give thanks to the Lord; proclaim His name! Celebrate His deeds among the peoples. Declare that His name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for He has done glorious things. Let this be know throughout the earth. Cry out and sing citizen of Zion, for the Holy One of Israel is among you in His greatness.

Gods' blessings
Kathleen.

187- Behold, God, my salvation!

Chareen's Thoughts

• Today the reading started with the Lord asking Isaiah to walk around naked.  Reading this made me realise just how obedient prophets were and just how much the Lord asked of their station.  I always had a romantic notion of being a prophet for the Lord but now I am coming to realise that the gift of being a prophet comes at a high price.
• We continue reading about His judgements on Tyre and Assyria.
• We read about how the Lord will lay Tyre to waste for 70 years which was fulfilled in 572 BC. (source). 
• But her gain and her hire [the profits of Tyre’s new prosperity] will be [a]dedicated to the Lord [eventually]; it will not be treasured or stored up, for her gain will be used for those who dwell in the presence of the Lord [the ministers], that they may eat sufficiently and have durable and stately clothing [suitable for those who minister at God’s altar]. Isaiah 23:18 This came to pass in the New Testament. Eusebius (Hist. 10:4) says that “when the church of God was founded in Tyre..., much of its wealth was consecrated to God... and was presented for the support of the ministry.” Jerome, also writing in the fourth century a.d., says that the wealth of the churches of Tyre “was not treasured up or hidden but was given to those who dwelt before the Lord.” (Source)
• He promises that there will be a remnant of Israel.
• Isaiah prophesies about Jesus:
  Isaiah 11:1-9
  Amplified Bible (AMP)
  11 And there shall come forth a Shoot out of the stock of Jesse [David’s father], and a Branch out of his roots shall grow and bear fruit.(A) (This is the source text for the tradition of the Jesse Tree traditionally used at Christmas/Advent)
  2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the reverential and obedient fear of the Lord—
  3 And shall make Him of quick understanding, and His delight shall be in the reverential and obedient fear of the Lord. And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, neither decide by the hearing of His ears;
  4 But with righteousness and justice shall He judge the poor and decide with fairness for the meek, the poor, and the downtrodden of the earth; and He shall smite the earth and the oppressor with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.
  5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of His waist and faithfulness the girdle of His loins.
  6 And the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the young lion and the fatted domestic animal together; and a little child shall lead them.
  7 And the cow and the bear shall feed side by side, their young shall lie down together, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
  8 And the sucking child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den.
  9 They shall not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. 
• The Lord promises that the exiles will return and Isaiah gives thanks.

2 Behold, God, my salvation! I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and song; yes, He has become my salvation.

3 Therefore with joy will you draw water from the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:2-3 
 He is our portion and strength
Blessings
Chareen

25 - Jacob tells his sons what will happen to them

Kathleen’s thoughts

Genesis 40 -50

Before Jacobs’s death He calls in his sons and tells each one of them what is going to happen to them. I love Joseph one. He is a fruitful vine a fruitful vine beside a spring; its branches cli move the wall. The archers attacked him, shot at him, and were hostile toward him. Yet his bow remained steady, a and his strong arms were made agile by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, by the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, by the God of your father who helps you, and bye the Almighty who blesses you with blessings of the heavens above, blessings of the deep that lies below, and blessings of the breasts and the womb. The blessings of your father excel the blessings of my ancestors and the bounty of the eternal hills May they rest on the head of Joseph, on the crown of the prince of his brothers.

His sons are the tribes of Israel, 12 in all, and this was what their father said to them. He blessed them, and he blessed each one with a suitable blessing.

After this he gave instructions to be buried at the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre in Canaan. Abraham and his wife Sarah, Isaac and his wife Rebekah and Leah were buried there.

I find this interesting it took 40 days to complete the embalming of Jacob and 70 days of mourning.

Joseph lived to 110 years. Joseph said to his brothers, I am about to die. Joseph made the Israelites take an oath When God comes to your aid, you are to carry my bones up from here. He did not want to be buried in Egypt; they embalmed and placed him in a coffin in Egypt.

Exodus 1 Joseph and his brothers and all that generation died.

Blessings
Kathleen

25 - God planned it for good

Picture by Harry Anderson from Abraham Father of the Faithful

Chareen's Thoughts:

• Genesis 49 Jacobs prophecy / blessing of his sons and their families.
• Genesis 50:15-21 These verses are the pinnacle of the story of Joseph.  How many could forgive and see His hand in their situation the way Joseph did ?  Imagine the blessing that would flow in our lives if we could truly forgive and bless those who intend to harm us ? If only I could practice that sort of deep forgetting forgiveness in the close relationships that I am in ?  Oh Lord help me !

You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result .... Genesis 50:19

Our God is so good.  How often when things look bad to our earthly eyes do we lean on our own understanding and ultimately miss His goodness towards us ?

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; Proverbs 3:5
Blessings
Chareen

24 – Joseph reunited with his father and Provision instead of famine.

Kathleen’s thoughts

Genesis 43 – 48

Joseph is reunited with his brothers. I can imagine the delight in Joseph heart when he finally met his brothers and then his brother Benjamin. Imagine sending the brothers off with food knowing these are my brothers and they have not recognised him, and then having to wait another wee while for them to return for more food. It’s an amazing story.

It would have been a wonderful day when his father was finally able to see Joseph but I wonder if they ever told Jacob the truth in what they did. The forgiveness in Joseph’s heart is amazing and to have stayed true to the Lord living in Egypt must have been very hard, and yet his faith and love for God never left him.

Jacob went to live in Egypt and Joseph as per Pharaoh’s instruction gave them the best land and he supplied all their needs, what a blessing. The one thing I find very strange was Jacob only meeting Joseph’s sons near his death bed. Jacob lived in the land of Egypt for 17 years when he finally met them. Jacob blessed Joseph’s sons.

This I find interesting Ephraim was on Jacobs left and Manesseh was on Jacobs’s right but Israel stretched out his right hand and put it on the head of Ephraim the younger and crossing his hands, put his left on Manesseh’s head although Manesseh was the first born.

Joseph noticed this and told his father and Joseph said I know my son, I know! He too will become a tribe, and he too will be great nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his offspring will become a populous nation” So he blessed them that way.

When Israel spoke He invoked blessings by you saying May God make you like Ephraim and Manessheh” putting Ephraim before Manesseh. If you go back to chapter 41 the meaning of their names Manesseh “God has made me forget all my hardship in my father’s house and Ephraim God has made me fruitful line the land of my affliction.

Jacob’s life span was 147 and He told Joseph not to bury him in Egypt and told him to bury him in his father’s place

Blessings

Kathleen.

24 - Do not argue on the way

Joseph reunited with his family.

Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Please come near me,' and they came near. "I am Joseph, your brother," he said, "the one you sold into Egypt. And now don't be worried or angry with yourselves for selling me here, because God sent me ahead of you to preserve life. Genesis 45:4-5
Therefore it was not you who sent me here but God. Genesis 45:8




Chareen's Thoughts:

• What is it with the members of Jacobs family declaring death upon a thief ?  First Isaac declares death to Rebecca and now the brothers over a silver cup ! Genesis 44:9
• Genesis 45:20 Do not be concerned about your belongings, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours. The Israelite s arrived receiving the best of the land and departed with the best of the land.  
• 70 people arrived in Egypt. 70 in the house of Israel! Genesis 46:27
• Genesis 45:24 "Don't argue on the way." A very interesting parting instruction from Joseph.
• Genesis 48:1-21 How interesting that when Jacob (Israel) prays a blessing over Joseph's two sons the younger is given a greater blessing / prophesy than the older.  Once again history is repeated. It happened between Jacob and Esau and now between Manasseh and Ephraim.  The way of our Lord is not our ways. Holy is His name.

This week I have really had on my heart about arguing and contention and strife.  As I read today's reading I really felt I need to take Genesis 45:24 and add it to my keys.
"Don't argue on the way."
For where two walk in agreement the Lord commands a blessing Psalm 133:1-3
Blessings
Chareen
 

For Further Reading:

Why were shepherds detestable to the Egyptians ? over at Ferrell's Travel Blog.
Those Who Know by Rabbi Labbel Lam
Parsha Q&A

23 - When Dreams Come True

Genesis 42:6

Chareen's Thoughts:

• Thirteen years of slavery and life in prison before Joseph was released to be second in charge of Egypt. Genesis 37:2 He was 17 years old when he left to find his brothers and was sold a slave and 30 years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh. Genesis 41:46 13 humbling years of training in wisdom and understanding of who God was in his life.
• Can you imagine having so much food stored up that you stop measuring it ? Actually so much food that it is beyond measure ? I can't even picture so much food especially when we see so much famine in the world today. Genesis 41:49
• Genesis 38:6-30 The story of Judah and Tamar. I found the fact that Judah's son spilling his seed on the ground being evil in the sight of the Lord and the Lord killing him for it an interesting part of the story. I also found it interesting that the LORD blessed her with twins after she had been cheated twice by the family of Judah. Once by the son of Judah (Onan) and once by Judah himself.
• Genesis 41:57 The whole world came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, for the famine was so severe all over the earth. Imagine that the WHOLE world came to the servant of the most high to buy food.  A famine all over the earth.  I did not realise that this famine was a world wide phenomenon I always pictured it to be in Egypt and the surrounding land but it was not.
• Genesis 42:6 Imagine the feeling of seeing your dream come true ? Your family are bowing before you but do not recognise you ?
• Genesis 42:1-28 It gives me such a feeling of anticipation reading how Joseph treated his family when they were before him. The way that the brothers still were living under the weight of their sin from years before.  How as each negative blow was dealt they said among themselves how they are suffering for what they did to their brother.
• Genesis 42: 29-38 Jacobs response to the request to have his youngest son return to Egypt.  I can feel his heartache as I read this account.  I have never given his words much thought till today. 20+ years had passed since he had lost his son Joseph yet the ache of that loss is still raw and vivid in Jacob. 
• Genesis 43:1-14 Israel concedes allowing Benjamin to return with his older brothers to Egypt to secure the release of his captive brother.  The life of one to secure the release of the other.

 Philippians 1:6 ... He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.

The story of Joseph is a story of hope and fulfillment.  A story of completion and healing. I forget so easily in my struggles that actually He is in control and He is the one growing me, shaping me and molding me for a good work and He will perfect this and bring it to full completion.

Blessings
Chareen

For Further Reading:

• The Truth Ministries:  Is Joseph in Egyptian History ? Really encouraging read and interresting history time line of Egypt. 
• The Pyramids at Sakkara.  Lots of photo's of Egyptian building in Joseph's time.
• The Famine Stele on the Island of Sehel. Is a translation of a stone engraving about the history in Egypt.
• Zaphenath-Paneah over at Steven Sauke. An interresting look at the name translations and meanings.
• What does Joseph's Egyptian name "Zaphenath-paneah" actually mean ? by Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel.
• An Innocent Man Imprisoned for Life by Gail Purath  over at WOW Writing on the Word.

21 – Deceit, Jealousy and hatred

Kathleen’s thoughts

Genesis 34 -39

Jacobs sons deceive Shechem and his father Hamor which Jacob says to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me, making me odious to the inhabitants of the land the Canaanites and the Perizzites.

In Gen 35:11-15 God’s promise to Jacob. I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply a nation, indeed an assembly of nations will come from you, and kings will descend from you. The land that I gave Abraham and Isaac I will give to you. And I will give the land to your descendants after you. God withdrew from Jacob. Jacob made a marker anointed it with oil a called the place where God had spoken with him Bethel.

Jacobs beloved Rachel dies in child birth.

Jacob had 12 sons.

Joseph…Jacob loved Joseph and his brothers were jealous of him. Joseph dreams and tells his brothers and they mock him. His brothers had hatred towards Jacob and wanted to kill him.

Jacob gives his son Joseph a coat of many colours and it’s this coat that is taken back to his father with goat’s blood on it by his brothers to say that he had died. His father is in deep mourning. The sad thing here is Joseph’s brothers lied to their father and their hearts were in a bad place by selling their brother to the Midianites who sold Joseph to Potiphar an office of Pharaoh and the captain of the guard.

I wonder how these brothers could live with themselves doing that to their brother. But God’s plan is at work.

Blessings

Kathleen.

21 - Get rid of foreign gods that are among you

Well it definately takes more than twenty one days to form and keep a habit! I am playing catch up.

Joseph's Coat Brought to Jacob
by Giovanni Andrea de Ferrari, c. 1640

Chareen's Thoughts:

• Genesis 35:2  ... "Get rid of the foreign gods that are among you. Purify yourselves and change your clothes. I love this verse. Get rid of the foreign gods and purify yourself.  This is true for us today.  I have wondered what foreign gods we bring home with us with out even realising that they are foreign gods ? 
• Genesis 35:11-15 God reaffirms his covenant with Jacob.
• Genesis 37 chronicles the Joseph's journey to Egypt and his sale to Potiphar.
• 1 Chronicles 2:3 ...., was evil in the LORD'S sight, so He put him to death. I was a little shocked when I read this.  Just how evil does one need to be for the LORD to intervene and put you to death ?  When I think about some of the attrocities that man has commited in history this man must have been really bad.  Genesis 38:7
• In Genesis 38 we read about Tamar.  This has inspired me to read the book Tamar by Francine Rivers.  Did you know that Tamar is in the Lineage of Jesus ?   Matthew 1:3

Todays reading has me thinking about idols in our homes and hearts.

Blessings
Chareen


For further study:

• A Capsule History of Rachels Tomb. This is interresting because the word says Genesis 35:20 states:  Jacob set up a marker on her grave; it is the marker at Rachel's grave to this day. 
• Rachels Grave over at My Jewish Learning - The Tombstone, the Unveiling, and Visiting the Grave
• Historical evidence of Joseph and Potiphar
• Some interresting historical insights about Potiphar and Joseph over at Enduring Word.com

20 – Reunion of Esau and Jacob who is now named Israel by God

Kathleen’s thoughts

Genesis 31 -34

Laban is given permission from Jacob to check the tents for his idols but is fooled by his daughter Rachel as she was sitting on them giving a feeble excuse as to why she cannot stand up with respect in front of her father.

Jacob is afraid of meeting his brother Esau and his preparation in doing so by dividing his portions of wealth as well as protecting his wives and sons.

Jacob wrestles with an angel leaving him with a dislocated hip socket. But Jacob would not let the angel go until he blessed him. The angel asked him “what is your name” “Jacob” he replied. The angel said “ Your name will no longer be Jacob it will be Israel because you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed”

What I found interesting that to this day the Israelites don’t eat the thigh muscle that is at the hip socket: because the angel struck Jacob’s hip socket at the thigh muscle.

In chapter 33 I note the 7 times that Jacob bowed to his brother Esau. I see this as a completion of the battle between brothers and the bowing of 7 times is to say let this end and be friends. I love the way Esau runs up and hugs his brother a beautiful reunion.

Shecham the son of Hamor the Hivite rapes Dinah who is Jacobs & Leah’s daughter, Then Shecham pleas for Dinah to be his wife.

Blessings

Kathleen

20 - Wrestle with the Lord for a blessing

Jacob Wrestling with the Angel  Genesis 32:24-32 (Gustave Dore 3/01/1855)

Chareen's Thoughts:

• It's taken 20 years for Jacobs change of heart. I finally see a glimmer of this change in Jacob's prayer: I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness You have shown Your servant. ...(Genesis 32:10) In Genesis 32: 1-23 we read all about his fear of Esau. It is good to read and see he comprehends what he did to his brother all those years ago and just how his brother felt about it. 
• Sadly he still does not keep his word with his brother.  He says you go on ahead and I will slowly catch up. So Esau trusts him and moves on but Israel does not keep going he stops buys land and sets up his tent. 
• It's only after this change of heart that the Lord changes his name. He is now known as Israel (One who wrestled with God for a blessing) Genesis 35:10 and Genesis 32:28
• It's interresting to note that as God builds the house of Israel He changes names as He brings about change. (Abram - Abraham, Sarai - Sarah, Jacob - Israel)

As I read about Israels wrestle for a blessing I felt this in another key for me to take to heart.


Sometimes we need to be on our knees and wrestle with Him for a blessing. There is no shame in this.





Blessings
Chareen