Genesis 33; Mark 4
Daily Catechism
QUESTION 8: WHAT IS GOD?
Answer: God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.
Scripture: John 4:24; Psalm 89:14; 90:2; 147:5; James 1:17; Rev- elation 4:8; Exodus 34:6, 7; 1 Timothy 1:17; Numbers 23:19.
Comment: Ask what “infinite” means (there is no limit to how great he is!). What does “eternal” mean? (He never had a beginning and will never have an ending!) Talk about how God can respond to us and yet not be “changeable.” (His character never changes; he acts consistently on the same principles always. Even his responses to us are known and planned long before so that his purposes are unchanging.)
Genesis 33
Ready:
In the previous chapter I read about Jacob meeting some angels and wrestling with God and ultimately he faces the prospect of reuniting with his brother and hoping that it does not result in war. In fear of his brother’s response Jacob is sending gift bearers ahead and he has split up his camp to minimize his losses should there be an attack. He had sent messengers to Esau who return and tell him that Esau has 400 men coming with him to meet Jacob.
Reading thoughts:
A pretty heartwarming picture here of the two brothers reuniting after more than 20 years. The last time Jacob saw Esau he feared for his life because Esau was looking to kill him in bitterness and envy for the way Jacob had acquired the blessing of Isaac. Now they are embracing and offering mutual respect and tears flow. It appears that Esau has been blessed by God (as promised) and he has more then enough wealth as well. So this chapter is pretty much a happy reunion where the escalating tension of “what’s gonna happen” is diffused and the ending is very friendly. In the end Jacob builds a house and some containment for his flock and he also buys some land about 20 miles away where he sets up a tent and builds an alter to God that he calls “God, the God of Israel”.
Key Verses:
Gen 33:1-2, 3-5, 8-9, 15, 19-20
I see the theme as- The joyful reunion of Isaac’s twins- a testament to God's faithfulness.
Rumination thoughts:
v1-3. This might be the most interesting part of the story because I think it is telling in regard to Jacob’s heart. At this point he still fears coming under attack and in final preparation of his immediate family he sends the children and the servants up front and moves his wives to the back of the group. And Joseph he singles out from the other 10 children and he is put even behind the wives. This is interesting that Joseph was singled out and protected differently than the other children. Joseph was indeed the youngest and perhaps he was as young as 3 years old as I try to retrace the birth story of all the kids in chapter 29 and 30 but its hard to say with four different mothers how the sequence of pregnancies may have over lapped and such. Also noticed is how Rachel is the one placed at the rear just ahead of Joseph. It would seem that Jacob values these above all the others. In his defense he himself heads up the order like a man ready to meet danger himself in the protection of his family.
v4-14. This is the surprising reunion of the brothers who were at odds from within the womb. Coming off of a wrestling match where I think Jacob learns that the blessings will come with struggle and with striving he receives a pleasant blessing of a peaceful reunion with Esau. Esau the game hunter and Jacob the quiet one who likes to be on the land dwelling in tents (Gen 25:27). I notice here mostly that Jacob gushes the respect upon Esau and hopefully it is from a pure heart and not just a sense of self-protection. The tearful embrace helps me think that these two are honestly grateful to God for this reunion and they have no ill motive remaining between them. Who knows what has transpired with Esau in the past 20 years but it appears that he has forgiven Jacob of what set him against him those 20 years ago. This teary reunion of brothers is similar to what will happen between Joseph and Benjamin later in Egypt.
v15-20. So here Jacob seems to setup a homestead but then also some other land about 20 miles off he builds an altar to God as a place of worship where he can steal away and have some solitude to get alone with this God who renamed him and now his people have a name- Israel. He calls the altar “God, the God of Israel” and this is probably an important step in the big storyline of the Bible since the patriarch of the whole nation is now in Canaan and is worshiping God who declared that he would be their God and that they would dwell in the land and that they would be a blessing to others and that those who blessed them would be blessed and those who cursed them wold be cursed. It seems that God is making it happen and he is pleased here to bless Esau. Interesting how God chose to make a covenant that would pass through to a third generation patriarch before it is fulfilled in the children who will be “the tribes of Israel” are born. I think the glory of God is made more evident and his sovereign hand in bringing about his purpose is more distinct this way and he makes it clear that it is his election alone that puts this series of patriarchs under his mercy and not their willing or working.
Meaning, Implications, and Significance
1. Against natural expectations, God has reconciled the two men who were at odds their entire childhood. Jacob made the choice to go straight to Esau rather than try to hide from him and God has restored their relationship. The implication for today is that God can restore broken relationships when we engage him in faith and when we are willing to extend respect and forgiveness. The significance for me is that I should seek this in my life as well when I have relational breakdowns. I should trust God and go to the person with a humble heart and a love for God.
Response:
“Private”
Reaction:
“Private”
Mark 4
Ready:
In the previous chapter Mark presented a contrast between how the Pharisees responded to Jesus and how the demons responded and he taught how the body of Christ is our everlasting family.
Reading thoughts:
I see Mark recounting a series of parables by Jesus about how man responds to the Word of God and what it is that brings growth and effectiveness to this truth that gets planted in the mind. Jesus seems to relate the truth landing on someone’s mind with seed landing on the earth. He explains through the series of parables and his actions in the boat that it is God who controls the creation and God who gives growth to the seed and God who reigns. He explains to them that they have a responsibility to scatter this seed but must know that it is not their role to make it grow and in this only God receives the glory. They aught not fear and fret like the men in the boat but merely scatter the seed and trust God to grow it.
Key Verses:
Mark 4:3, 14, 15, 16-17, 18-19, 20, 21, 24-25, 26-27, 31-32, 38-39, 41
I see the theme as- God charges his servants to spread his message to all men, but it is God who will faithfully quicken hearts and give growth in the light of knowledge to some who will gain life by the miracle of God and then sprout into Christ likeness.
Rumination thoughts:
v1-20. This parable of the sower has got to be my favorite parable in the Bible. This picture of the Word of God landing on the hearts of man and how each heart has a different response to it is amazing. I see a picture here of the problem not being the seed, because the seed is the same seed in all cases. The truth is spread and wherever a seed lands there is potential for it to root. The determining factor is the soil. Specifically it is the condition of the soil. Since we know that man is born spiritually dead (Rom 5:12) in rebellion (Eph 2:1-3) as an enemy of God (Rom 5:10) and his will is enslaved to sin (Rom 6:6) it seems clear that every one of us is naturally in the condition of one of the first three soils. But praise be to God! For if God can make water calm or rigid to bear a man’s weight…can he make hard soil soft and tender (Ezek 36:26-27)? I think this teaching is linked here to the way Jesus displays sovereign control over the water and the wind and how the other parable teaches that it is a mystery to man what makes the seed take root int the soil. But the man who meditates on the Word of God that has fallen upon his heart will be like a tree planted by streams of water…read Psalm 1:1-6. I trust that God holds our hearts in his hand (Prov 21:1) and he will give sight (2 Cor 4:4-6). The closest thing to the real deal in this parable is the thorny ground. With Jesus’ explanation here it is clear that the thorny ground can be a description of most Christians at one point or another. We all face the problem of cares of the world (Matt 6:31-33) and the deceitfulness of riches (1 Tim 6:9-10, Mark 10:23, Heb 3:13) and the desire for other things (Exod 20:3, 17, Luke 12:15, Eph 5:5, James 4:4). Our old nature remains (Rom 7:20-23) and this means that life is not a walk in the park but it is a daily fight to set our minds on Christ (Matt 16:23, Rom 8:5-6, Col 3:2-3) and to therefore walk in the Spirit in (Rom 8:4, Gal 5:16-17) order to keep the thorns from growing. And all of that is not owed to our willing and working, but God’s work upon our hearts (Phil 2:13, 2 Cor 3:18) day by day as the mustard seed mysteriously sinks roots into the soil (Mark 4:26-27).
v21-25. I see in this parable a reference to the parable of the talents. In both parables the one who uses what he has is given more and the one who comply has (without making use of it) will have it taken from them. This is a bit like the bird taking the seed from the path and like the master taking the single talent from the wicked servant who merely hid it (like light under a basket). I take there that God gives us his Word and we are to put it to use. We are to apply the truth of God in our life or else it will be taken from us. How does this happen? How would I go from embracing the truth or acknowledging the truth to this being taken from me? See Heb 3:7-19. The crux is presented in Heb 3:12-14 where the author makes it clear that we can have some knowledge of the truth but due to the thorns of sin we become hardened and this is caused by the lies of sin. Soon we are like the Pharisees who hear the truth and it lies there dead and causes no response. But like Peter we know that Christ prays for us (Rom 8:34) and our faith will endure until the end or be restored (Luke 22:31-32) if indeed we are his (Rom 8:10-11, Rom 14:7-9). So applying God’s truth in our lives and keeping our eyes set above is critical to our faith and God intends to keep us in the faith not by invisible glue but by prayer and Bible intake and fellowship and deep roots.
v26-29. This mystery growth feeds the interpretations I have already noted. But I also relate it to evangelism and spreading word everywhere without partiality and knowing that we do not make it take root or grow. How much knowledge of God is needed to become his child?…not much…but it will grow (2 Peter 3:16-18, Col 2:2-3, Eph 1:17-19)!
v30-34. Here what starts as no righteousness but is merely a seed of truth that God sprouts into faith soon becomes a prosperous tree with deep roots that is a blessing to others (branches that birds nest upon) and a picture of the righteousness of God. Birds nesting on a large branch is quite different from them flying over and seeing the seed still sitting there on the surface of the soil looking like a little bite for the taking. Even what you have will be taken away from the one who does not use it!
v35-41. There is surely a message here about resting and trusting God to protect and to provide for me rather than staying up all night in a panic over my circumstances and the deadlines and all that but I focus on the masterful show of sovereign power that Jesus has over the creation. This I have already tied into our hearts by comparing the condition of the soil to the condition of the water. I think Jesus compares our hearts to soil to help us see this. Mountains end up in the sea for those who mysteriously find themselves with a inner trust in God’s ability to do it. The mystery is great…spread the Word!
Meaning, Implications, and Significance
1. I hear a message that God works and grows seeds and builds branches when the heart is softened and when the mind and body act upon the message and apply it to daily life. The implication is that there is a mysterious dance between the believer and God to find and maintain saving faith. The significance to my life is to the mysterious part that God handles but my part in applying the truth daily and in watching over my heart and in encouraging those around me in this pilgrimage we are walking together. See a previous entry titled Pilgrim’s Together on the Path.
Response:
“private”
Reaction:
“Private”
Soli Deo Gloria!
