Old Testament
1. After the plague God asks for another census to be taken. This gives us a chance to review several of the "stories."
2. From Reuben's clan we have Dathan and Abiram. Remember they joined forces with Korah in a rebellion against Moses. Korah was swallowed up by the earth and 250 others were devoured in flames.
3. From Judah's clan we have Onan. Remember the "sin of Onan." According to the text, after God had killed Onan's older brother Er, Judah asked Onan to have sex with Tamar, Er's former wife, so that the offspring could be declared Er's heir. Onan didn't seem to object to the sex itself, but seed upon the ground, so that there wouldn't be any offspring he couldn't claim as his own; the passage goes on to state that for this act, a displeased Yahweh (God) killed him.
The text emphasises the social and legal situation, with Judah explaining what Onan must do and why; the plain reading of the text is that Onan was killed because he refused to follow instructions. Onan's role in the story is thus as the brother abusing his obligations by agreeing to sexual involvement with his dead brother's wife, but refusing to allow her to become pregnant as a result. But we know that the story of Tamar and Judah goes beyond these incidents.
4. There are now over 600,000 Israelites to make an army. A far cry from the small group of individuals who joined Joseph in Egypt.
New Testament
5. Anna, another prophet(ess) speaks expectantly of Jesus, and His coming to "rescue" Jerusalem. What do we learn about Anna
-- She was an aged Jewish prophetess who prophesied about Jesus at the Temple of Jerusalem.
-- She was a daughter of Phanuel.
-- She was a member of the tribe of Asher.
-- She was widowed after seven years of marriage (her husband is not named).
--She was a devout Jew who regularly practiced prayer and fasting.
6. We next really see Jesus when He is talking to the teacher at the Temple at the age of 12. He amazed the teachers of the Law by His understanding.
- But the most striking note is that afterward, Jesus "went down to Nazareth with [His parents] and was obedient to them."
- Though the Son of God and far beyond His parents understanding even as a Child, Jesus fulfilled the commandment that ordained, "Honor your mother and father."
Psalm
7. "With God’s help we will do mighty things"
Proverbs
8. "...it’s safer not to guarantee another person’s debt."
See you next post...
Showing posts with label Tamar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tamar. Show all posts
Monday, March 17, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
Genesis 42:18-43:34; Matthew 13:47-14:12; Psalm 18:16-36; Proverbs 4:7-10 (New Living Translation)
1. The first problem we see in this story is that Joseph is the favored son. This just aggravates the brothers. And it destroys any possibility of a good relationship.
2. Do we treat our children differently? Of course we do. The important question we need to ask ourselves is, "Why?" Do we treat them differently because they are more good looking, because they are smarter. Perhaps because they are more like us. Perhaps one gives you a little less heart-ache. Consider, if you're not too freaked out about the idea- what am I leaving as a legacy? What will their relationship be like once I'm gone (dead). Will they love each other, care for each other...watch out for each other? Just some thoughts.
3. Anyway, the brothers hated Joseph. Between the dreams, the special coat and his father's obvious preference.
4. Without reading more into the scripture than it says, we don't really know how Joseph said these things, or what kind of attitude he brought to the table. But it does say that his father scolded him.
5. So the brothers plot to get rid of the "boy wonder"
6. It doesn't say who suggested killing Joseph. Reuben intercedes and offers to let him die of neglect...but he had planned to secretly rescuing Joseph at a later time.
7. He's put into the cistern. However, they think better of this when there is an opportunity to profit from this. Get rid of the brat and make money too.
8. Jacob is distraught.
9. Joseph is sold to Potiphar in Egypt.
10. Then there is the story of Judah and Tamar. Judah was deceitful inn that he never planned to have Shelah marry Tamar. Tamar was deceitful in pretending to be a prostitute to have a child. She escaped death by being wise enough to have gotten a "guarantee"
11. The reading from Matthew tell us that there is no neutral ground. You are either with Christ or against Him. As with many other things in life, by our actions and our deeds, we are either helping or making things worse.
12. Things are rarely what they seem. When you are angry about something, about to jump someone about something...if you really stop, and think...the thing that you're ranting about is not what's bothering you. In the Matthew scripture, I don't think these people were really worried that Jesus was Satan or the "prince of demons." I think they were worried that the prophesy was being fulfilled. They had been wrong all this time in their assumptions about how things would be. Here was the Son of God...really here. Not dressed as a warrior or a king. A lowly carpenter's son...hanging out with lowly fisherman (not the chief priests)...here to redeem us...WOW!
13. Every good thing I have comes from you.
see ya next post.
2. Do we treat our children differently? Of course we do. The important question we need to ask ourselves is, "Why?" Do we treat them differently because they are more good looking, because they are smarter. Perhaps because they are more like us. Perhaps one gives you a little less heart-ache. Consider, if you're not too freaked out about the idea- what am I leaving as a legacy? What will their relationship be like once I'm gone (dead). Will they love each other, care for each other...watch out for each other? Just some thoughts.
3. Anyway, the brothers hated Joseph. Between the dreams, the special coat and his father's obvious preference.
4. Without reading more into the scripture than it says, we don't really know how Joseph said these things, or what kind of attitude he brought to the table. But it does say that his father scolded him.
5. So the brothers plot to get rid of the "boy wonder"
6. It doesn't say who suggested killing Joseph. Reuben intercedes and offers to let him die of neglect...but he had planned to secretly rescuing Joseph at a later time.
7. He's put into the cistern. However, they think better of this when there is an opportunity to profit from this. Get rid of the brat and make money too.
8. Jacob is distraught.
9. Joseph is sold to Potiphar in Egypt.
10. Then there is the story of Judah and Tamar. Judah was deceitful inn that he never planned to have Shelah marry Tamar. Tamar was deceitful in pretending to be a prostitute to have a child. She escaped death by being wise enough to have gotten a "guarantee"
11. The reading from Matthew tell us that there is no neutral ground. You are either with Christ or against Him. As with many other things in life, by our actions and our deeds, we are either helping or making things worse.
12. Things are rarely what they seem. When you are angry about something, about to jump someone about something...if you really stop, and think...the thing that you're ranting about is not what's bothering you. In the Matthew scripture, I don't think these people were really worried that Jesus was Satan or the "prince of demons." I think they were worried that the prophesy was being fulfilled. They had been wrong all this time in their assumptions about how things would be. Here was the Son of God...really here. Not dressed as a warrior or a king. A lowly carpenter's son...hanging out with lowly fisherman (not the chief priests)...here to redeem us...WOW!
13. Every good thing I have comes from you.
see ya next post.
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