Last night at supper Mary and I were talking about different parents we knew who are financially helping their grown children. As we discussed this, we sometimes shook our heads, but concluded, “The coolest thing about this is, this is their life and we don’t have to worry ourselves about it.”
Then I mentioned Mary’s dad. He’s been gone now for 20 years, but we still miss him and talk about him. I remember when I asked him if Mary and I could get married. Yes, I asked his permission. I believed I needed to do this, but I was a little intimidated by him. You see, he had a gruff exterior, plus I was afraid he would say no! I recall talking with a friend of mine about this: “What if we says No?” Hal said, “You just have to trust God.” (That friend is now the Executive Pastor at some mega-church in Florida; I think I asked the right brother for advice!)
Anyway, one day when we were in the car driving back to the house I asked him. I think he was as shocked as I was nervous! He batted his eyes (only family will appreciate this), and after stammering a bit, he said, “I don’t know what you want from me, but if you want my blessing, you have it.” Whew, I survived and I’m gonna get married!
Now, back to what we were reminiscing about at supper. Before we got married he told us, probably more than once, “Once you get married y’all are on your own. I ain’t helping y’all out.” Truth is, they did help us out from time to time, but it was unsolicited - it sprang from his love for Mary and his pity on me! We laughed about the time he offered to help us buy a car: “You just sit here, I’ll go talk to the salesman and get you a good deal.” When he came back to us it was clear that the salesman was a better negotiator that Mary’s dad!
His “When you’re married I ain’t helping y’all out” sounds harsh, but it was a good word. I was marrying his daughter and he was telling me he expected me to take care of her, that this responsibility was shifting from him to me. That was good. I needed to know this, think about this, be aware of this. We did not start our life together depending on her dad to get us through or bail us out. So, when he did step in and offer help it was purely a loving and kind move. And, I might add, a welcome one!
Oh, there are so many stories! We were both struck with sadness that he is no longer around for our daughters and that our grandchildren do not have the joy of knowing the real granddaddy.
Friday, September 30, 2016
Thursday, September 29, 2016
A hymn for Thursday
Satisfied
I remember exactly where I was when I first heard this hymn: I was candidating at Bible Covenant Community Church in York. Just before the Sunday night service, I noticed a few people gathered together, discussing something. When the service started, that group made their way to the choir risers and took their places – this was an impromptu choir special! They sang Satisfied. I enjoyed it that night and ever since. You can hear it here – this is simply piano and starts right away.
All my life long I had panted
For a drink from some cool spring,
That I hoped would quench the burning
Of the thirst I felt within.
Hallelujah! I have found Him
Whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longings;
Through His life I now am saved.
Feeding on the husks around me,
Till my strength was almost gone,
Longed my soul for something better,
Only still to hunger on.
Poor I was, and sought for riches,
Something that would satisfy,
But the dust I gathered round me
Only mocked my soul’s sad cry.
Well of water, ever springing,
Bread of life, so rich and free,
Untold wealth that never faileth,
My Redeemer is to me.
Words: Clara T. Williams
Music: Ralph E. Hudson
Of this song she said, “About 1875, I was helping in meetings in Troy, Ohio, where Professor R. E. Hudson conducted the singing, when, just before retiring one night, he asked me to write a song for a book he was preparing to publish. Before sleeping, I wrote Satisfied. In the morning, he composed the music.”
Click here for more on Clara Williams. Be sure to click on each of the tabs on the right.
I remember exactly where I was when I first heard this hymn: I was candidating at Bible Covenant Community Church in York. Just before the Sunday night service, I noticed a few people gathered together, discussing something. When the service started, that group made their way to the choir risers and took their places – this was an impromptu choir special! They sang Satisfied. I enjoyed it that night and ever since. You can hear it here – this is simply piano and starts right away.
All my life long I had panted
For a drink from some cool spring,
That I hoped would quench the burning
Of the thirst I felt within.
Hallelujah! I have found Him
Whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longings;
Through His life I now am saved.
Feeding on the husks around me,
Till my strength was almost gone,
Longed my soul for something better,
Only still to hunger on.
Poor I was, and sought for riches,
Something that would satisfy,
But the dust I gathered round me
Only mocked my soul’s sad cry.
Well of water, ever springing,
Bread of life, so rich and free,
Untold wealth that never faileth,
My Redeemer is to me.
Words: Clara T. Williams
Music: Ralph E. Hudson
Of this song she said, “About 1875, I was helping in meetings in Troy, Ohio, where Professor R. E. Hudson conducted the singing, when, just before retiring one night, he asked me to write a song for a book he was preparing to publish. Before sleeping, I wrote Satisfied. In the morning, he composed the music.”
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Encounter at the well
spring up O well
Numbers 21
Wow! This is a long chapter and a lot happens in it! It is full of difficulties, mysteries, victories, types, and poetry. What a wonderful chapter. Sadly, I am only taking a look at the encounter at the well...
16 And from thence they went to Beer: that is the well whereof the LORD spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water.
they went to Beer – if you recall, Be’er is the Hebrew word for well. This well became so famous it became known simply as “The Well.” And it was here that the Lord said:
Gather the people together, and I will give them water – this is a wonderful promise, I will give them water. I must confess, I live in a land where water is always, readily, easily available. I have no idea what it is to be traveling through waterless places, which is exactly what they were doing. What a precious promise, Gather the people together, and I will give them water. God is our source, our supply, and this is His promise. And in verses 17-18, they found it!
17 Then Israel sang this song
This was an exciting time. I have read that this is the first time Israel sang since Exodus 15. And what is really exciting is we have the actual song! Verses 17-18:
Spring up, O well;
sing ye unto it:
The princes digged the well,
the nobles of the people digged it,
by the lawgiver, with their staves.
This is a very ancient poem/song. God promised water and here it is! And so they sing, Spring up, O well. But notice the song. God said, I will give them water, but when they got to the area, there was no water. They had to dig the well. But they didn’t just look for some muscle bound youths. No, the princes dug it, the nobles dug for this water. As they dug the people sang, Spring up, O well. And I can hear the increase in volume as the water began to spring up! God said, “I will give them water” and He did! Cool, sweet water. What refreshment! What joy!
18 . . . And from the wilderness they went to Mattanah:
19 And from Mattanah to Nahaliel: and from Nahaliel to Bamoth:
20 And from Bamoth in the valley, that is in the country of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looketh toward Jeshimon.
I am not certain, but I am persuaded that while 18-20 are not part of the song, these verses describe in poetical terms this encounter at the well.
And from the wilderness they went to Mattanah – Mattanah means gift of Yahweh
And from Mattanah to Nahaliel – Nahaliel means torrents of God
and from Nahaliel to Bamoth – Bamoth means high place
This well, this torrent of God, was a gift from Yahweh.
I have a chorus book that was published in 1971, and it contains an anonymous song based on this passage:
Spring up, O well, within my soul
Spring up, O well, and overflow
Spring up, O well, flow out from me
Spring up, O well, and set me free
The same chorus book also contains a song written by L. Casebolt, probably based on John 7:38-39:
There’s a river of life flowing out through me
It makes the lame to walk and the blind to see
Opens prison doors, sets the captives free
There’s a river of life flowing out through me
Although I have them, I have never sung these songs. Somebody put them together, altered the melody, and by 1978 it appeared thus, with L. Casebolt as the author:
I’ve got a river of life flowing out from me
Makes the lame to walk and the blind to see
Opens prison doors, sets those captives free
I’ve got a river of life flowing out of me
Spring up, O well, within my soul
Spring up, O well, and make me whole
Spring up, O well, and give to me
That life abundantly
Why all this ado about a simple song? God said, I will give them water. Jesus spoke of water: the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life and again, He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. This scripture is a beautiful picture of this. Spring up, O well, sing ye unto it. When we believed in Jesus, he placed within us a well of water springing up into everlasting life. Amen! Sing to the well, ask it to spring up and become a river flowing out of you!!
Numbers 21
Wow! This is a long chapter and a lot happens in it! It is full of difficulties, mysteries, victories, types, and poetry. What a wonderful chapter. Sadly, I am only taking a look at the encounter at the well...
16 And from thence they went to Beer: that is the well whereof the LORD spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water.
they went to Beer – if you recall, Be’er is the Hebrew word for well. This well became so famous it became known simply as “The Well.” And it was here that the Lord said:
Gather the people together, and I will give them water – this is a wonderful promise, I will give them water. I must confess, I live in a land where water is always, readily, easily available. I have no idea what it is to be traveling through waterless places, which is exactly what they were doing. What a precious promise, Gather the people together, and I will give them water. God is our source, our supply, and this is His promise. And in verses 17-18, they found it!
17 Then Israel sang this song
This was an exciting time. I have read that this is the first time Israel sang since Exodus 15. And what is really exciting is we have the actual song! Verses 17-18:
Spring up, O well;
sing ye unto it:
The princes digged the well,
the nobles of the people digged it,
by the lawgiver, with their staves.
This is a very ancient poem/song. God promised water and here it is! And so they sing, Spring up, O well. But notice the song. God said, I will give them water, but when they got to the area, there was no water. They had to dig the well. But they didn’t just look for some muscle bound youths. No, the princes dug it, the nobles dug for this water. As they dug the people sang, Spring up, O well. And I can hear the increase in volume as the water began to spring up! God said, “I will give them water” and He did! Cool, sweet water. What refreshment! What joy!
18 . . . And from the wilderness they went to Mattanah:
19 And from Mattanah to Nahaliel: and from Nahaliel to Bamoth:
20 And from Bamoth in the valley, that is in the country of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looketh toward Jeshimon.
I am not certain, but I am persuaded that while 18-20 are not part of the song, these verses describe in poetical terms this encounter at the well.
And from the wilderness they went to Mattanah – Mattanah means gift of Yahweh
And from Mattanah to Nahaliel – Nahaliel means torrents of God
and from Nahaliel to Bamoth – Bamoth means high place
This well, this torrent of God, was a gift from Yahweh.
I have a chorus book that was published in 1971, and it contains an anonymous song based on this passage:
Spring up, O well, within my soul
Spring up, O well, and overflow
Spring up, O well, flow out from me
Spring up, O well, and set me free
The same chorus book also contains a song written by L. Casebolt, probably based on John 7:38-39:
There’s a river of life flowing out through me
It makes the lame to walk and the blind to see
Opens prison doors, sets the captives free
There’s a river of life flowing out through me
Although I have them, I have never sung these songs. Somebody put them together, altered the melody, and by 1978 it appeared thus, with L. Casebolt as the author:
I’ve got a river of life flowing out from me
Makes the lame to walk and the blind to see
Opens prison doors, sets those captives free
I’ve got a river of life flowing out of me
Spring up, O well, within my soul
Spring up, O well, and make me whole
Spring up, O well, and give to me
That life abundantly
Why all this ado about a simple song? God said, I will give them water. Jesus spoke of water: the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life and again, He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. This scripture is a beautiful picture of this. Spring up, O well, sing ye unto it. When we believed in Jesus, he placed within us a well of water springing up into everlasting life. Amen! Sing to the well, ask it to spring up and become a river flowing out of you!!
Sunday, September 25, 2016
Herman Eckstein
I think about this brother from time to time. He was one of the men in the first church I pastored, Brent Alliance Church in Pensacola, FL. I liked this brother. He was a quiet and shy man who loved the Lord.
Sunday nights, our songs were often chosen by the congregation. I was remembering the night he picked "Consider the Lillies." It must've been on our song list, but I can't recall the list or how it would've gotten there. You see, I didn't know the chorus!
When Herman called out his choice, I looked at it, said I didn't know this one, then asked him, "Do you know it?" He answered, "No. It just looks like a good one." Isn't that cool?
We didn't sing it that night, I mean, no one knew it, but I promised him I would learn it so we could sing it. I did and we did! We sang it often after that. I liked it so much it made it into the chorus book we published at the next church I pastored, First Alliance Church in Macon, GA. Sadly, we never sang it at the church I pastored in York.
Anyway, I was remembering Herman the other day and thinking about the night he picked this chorus. I looked for it among my song books this morning, found it, and sang it. I really don't know if I know anybody else who knows it, so I have included the sheet music so you can work it out just like I did all those years ago. As you can see, the song spills over onto the next page. Next page? You have to turn the page!
Thursday, September 22, 2016
A hymn for Thursday
Where Jesus Is, ’Tis Heaven There
I can’t remember when I learned this hymn, but I can remember sitting at the piano, playing and singing it quite often in the Fellowship Hall in the church in Macon, GA. I love it. And in an interesting note, this is one of the most popular hymns in Korea. You can listen to it here, just a guy and his guitar.
Since Christ my soul from sin set free,
This world has been a Heav’n to me;
And ’mid earth’s sorrows and its woe,
’Tis Heav’n my Jesus here to know.
O hallelujah, yes, ’tis Heav’n,
’Tis Heav’n to know my sins forgiv’n,
On land or sea, what matters where?
Where Jesus is, ’tis Heaven there.
Once Heaven seemed a far off place,
Till Jesus showed His smiling face;
Now it’s begun within my soul,
’Twill last while endless ages roll.
What matters where on earth we dwell?
On mountain top, or in the dell,
In cottage, or a mansion fair,
Where Jesus is, ’tis Heaven there.
Words: Charles J. Butler (in The Chorus of Praise, edited by James M. Black,1898)
Music: James M. Black
Black was an active member of the Pine Street Methodist Episcopal Church from 1904 until his death, serving as a song leader and Sunday school teacher. He also found time to edit a dozen Gospel song books, write almost 1,500 songs, and serve on the commission for the 1905 Methodist hymnal. Perhaps a more familiar hymn of his: When the Roll is Called Up Yonder
Here it is done beautifully in Korean
I can’t remember when I learned this hymn, but I can remember sitting at the piano, playing and singing it quite often in the Fellowship Hall in the church in Macon, GA. I love it. And in an interesting note, this is one of the most popular hymns in Korea. You can listen to it here, just a guy and his guitar.
Since Christ my soul from sin set free,
This world has been a Heav’n to me;
And ’mid earth’s sorrows and its woe,
’Tis Heav’n my Jesus here to know.
O hallelujah, yes, ’tis Heav’n,
’Tis Heav’n to know my sins forgiv’n,
On land or sea, what matters where?
Where Jesus is, ’tis Heaven there.
Once Heaven seemed a far off place,
Till Jesus showed His smiling face;
Now it’s begun within my soul,
’Twill last while endless ages roll.
What matters where on earth we dwell?
On mountain top, or in the dell,
In cottage, or a mansion fair,
Where Jesus is, ’tis Heaven there.
Words: Charles J. Butler (in The Chorus of Praise, edited by James M. Black,1898)
Music: James M. Black
Black was an active member of the Pine Street Methodist Episcopal Church from 1904 until his death, serving as a song leader and Sunday school teacher. He also found time to edit a dozen Gospel song books, write almost 1,500 songs, and serve on the commission for the 1905 Methodist hymnal. Perhaps a more familiar hymn of his: When the Roll is Called Up Yonder
Here it is done beautifully in Korean
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Encounter at the well
Exodus 15
And they came to Elim
1-19 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord
Amen! and, Praise the Lord! There are two songs we used to sing from this great song:
The Horse and Rider (from verses 1&2)
I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously:
the horse and rider are thrown into the sea. (2x)
The Lord, my God, my strength, my song
Is now become my victory! (2x)
The Lord is God and I will praise Him
My father’s God and I will exalt Him! (2x)
Who is Like Unto Thee (from verse 11)
Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
Who is like unto thee?
20-21 And Miriam...took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. Amen!
22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.
Three days without finding water. I imagine they are growing concerned.
23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.
24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?
25 And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,
26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
This is an amazing and wonderful passage! They came to water but it was not drinkable and they murmured. Murmuring reflects a lack of faith. They are supposed to be learning but instead they are murmuring. Moses cried out to God and God answered and provided for the people. And in so doing He reveals more of Himself to Israel through His name, Yahweh Rapha - I am Yahweh that healeth thee. There is much in this passage for us today, but it doesn’t take place by a well so I must move on.
27 And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.
Here, in the last verse of this chapter, we finally come to the well. Actually, twelve wells! And a grove of palm trees!!
Matthew Henry says of this encounter at the well:
“Though God may, for a time, order his people to encamp by the waters of Marah, yet that shall not always be their lot. See how changeable our condition is in this world, from better to worse, from worse to better. Let us therefore learn both how to be abased and how to abound. Here were twelve wells for their supply, one for every tribe, that they might not strive for water, as their fathers had sometimes done; and, for their pleasure, there were seventy palm-trees, under the shadow of which their great men might repose themselves. Note, God can find places of refreshment for his people even in the wilderness of this world, wells in the valley of Baca, lest they should faint in their mind with perpetual fatigue: yet, whatever our delights may be in the land of our pilgrimage, we must remember that we do but encamp by them for a time, that here we have no continuing city.”
A.B. Simpson explains the significance of the encounter at Marah and says it refers to the promise and provision of divine healing. And after explaining Marah, he goes on to speak of the wells of Elim:
“Once more, the blessing that follows divine healing is finely expressed in the sequel to this ancient incident. "They came to Elim where were twelve wells of water and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters." There is something exquisite about this sentence. It seems to be a sort of crystallized poem. The very tones fall upon the ear with strange sweetness. We can almost imagine that we feel the balm of the soft tropical air, hear the rustling of the palm trees, and see the sparkling waters from Elim's wells. How refreshing the shade; how exhilarating the fountains; how delightful the rest; how heavenly the overshadowing cloud! It is like a scene from the land of Beulah. It speaks to the deepest senses of the soul of the love of the Lord and the peace of God that passeth all understanding. And this is just the experience to which divine healing introduces the soul; the spiritual blessing is even richer than the physical. How real Christ seems to us; how we come to know the Lord as never before, and how He rests us and sheds the fragrance of His love and joy through every sense of our spiritual and physical being until the heart finds utterance in the inspired song, "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
Reader, have you made this great discovery? It is hidden somewhere in your Bible. Perhaps the very trial that has crushed you is God's opportunity for revealing it to you. God grant that the old story may be reproduced in your life. "He cried unto the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree, which when he had cast into the water, the waters were made sweet."”
What a blessing this was after wandering three days without water. What abundance! This wasn’t just barely enough water, this was twelve wells of water! And not just water, but shade!
They should have been in the Promised Land, but through unbelief they were stuck in the wilderness, and God is taking them from trial to trial to prove them, and there he proved them, that is, will they look to God in their trials. Sadly, when they got to Marah they murmured, but Moses interceded for them and God healed the waters. How awesome is that? He also made for them a statute and an ordinance ... And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken ... Now he blesses them with twelve wells.
This is a picture of our spiritual life: God saves us from our Egypt and intends that we make a straight path to the Promised Land, but, like Israel, many of us don’t enter the land right away, instead we wander in the wilderness. God is with us even in the wilderness, and He uses our trials and troubles to prove us, to see whether we will trust Him in our troubles. And how often is a Marah followed by an Elim? But as we learn from this chapter, even Marah can be turned into a blessing!
And they came to Elim
1-19 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord
Amen! and, Praise the Lord! There are two songs we used to sing from this great song:
The Horse and Rider (from verses 1&2)
I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously:
the horse and rider are thrown into the sea. (2x)
The Lord, my God, my strength, my song
Is now become my victory! (2x)
The Lord is God and I will praise Him
My father’s God and I will exalt Him! (2x)
Who is Like Unto Thee (from verse 11)
Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
Who is like unto thee?
20-21 And Miriam...took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. Amen!
22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.
Three days without finding water. I imagine they are growing concerned.
23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.
24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?
25 And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,
26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
This is an amazing and wonderful passage! They came to water but it was not drinkable and they murmured. Murmuring reflects a lack of faith. They are supposed to be learning but instead they are murmuring. Moses cried out to God and God answered and provided for the people. And in so doing He reveals more of Himself to Israel through His name, Yahweh Rapha - I am Yahweh that healeth thee. There is much in this passage for us today, but it doesn’t take place by a well so I must move on.
27 And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.
Here, in the last verse of this chapter, we finally come to the well. Actually, twelve wells! And a grove of palm trees!!
Matthew Henry says of this encounter at the well:
“Though God may, for a time, order his people to encamp by the waters of Marah, yet that shall not always be their lot. See how changeable our condition is in this world, from better to worse, from worse to better. Let us therefore learn both how to be abased and how to abound. Here were twelve wells for their supply, one for every tribe, that they might not strive for water, as their fathers had sometimes done; and, for their pleasure, there were seventy palm-trees, under the shadow of which their great men might repose themselves. Note, God can find places of refreshment for his people even in the wilderness of this world, wells in the valley of Baca, lest they should faint in their mind with perpetual fatigue: yet, whatever our delights may be in the land of our pilgrimage, we must remember that we do but encamp by them for a time, that here we have no continuing city.”
A.B. Simpson explains the significance of the encounter at Marah and says it refers to the promise and provision of divine healing. And after explaining Marah, he goes on to speak of the wells of Elim:
“Once more, the blessing that follows divine healing is finely expressed in the sequel to this ancient incident. "They came to Elim where were twelve wells of water and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters." There is something exquisite about this sentence. It seems to be a sort of crystallized poem. The very tones fall upon the ear with strange sweetness. We can almost imagine that we feel the balm of the soft tropical air, hear the rustling of the palm trees, and see the sparkling waters from Elim's wells. How refreshing the shade; how exhilarating the fountains; how delightful the rest; how heavenly the overshadowing cloud! It is like a scene from the land of Beulah. It speaks to the deepest senses of the soul of the love of the Lord and the peace of God that passeth all understanding. And this is just the experience to which divine healing introduces the soul; the spiritual blessing is even richer than the physical. How real Christ seems to us; how we come to know the Lord as never before, and how He rests us and sheds the fragrance of His love and joy through every sense of our spiritual and physical being until the heart finds utterance in the inspired song, "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
Reader, have you made this great discovery? It is hidden somewhere in your Bible. Perhaps the very trial that has crushed you is God's opportunity for revealing it to you. God grant that the old story may be reproduced in your life. "He cried unto the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree, which when he had cast into the water, the waters were made sweet."”
What a blessing this was after wandering three days without water. What abundance! This wasn’t just barely enough water, this was twelve wells of water! And not just water, but shade!
They should have been in the Promised Land, but through unbelief they were stuck in the wilderness, and God is taking them from trial to trial to prove them, and there he proved them, that is, will they look to God in their trials. Sadly, when they got to Marah they murmured, but Moses interceded for them and God healed the waters. How awesome is that? He also made for them a statute and an ordinance ... And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken ... Now he blesses them with twelve wells.
This is a picture of our spiritual life: God saves us from our Egypt and intends that we make a straight path to the Promised Land, but, like Israel, many of us don’t enter the land right away, instead we wander in the wilderness. God is with us even in the wilderness, and He uses our trials and troubles to prove us, to see whether we will trust Him in our troubles. And how often is a Marah followed by an Elim? But as we learn from this chapter, even Marah can be turned into a blessing!
Thursday, September 15, 2016
A hymn for Thursday
Arise, My Soul, Arise
You can hear it here This is rather quiet, and the recording begins on the second stanza, but very nice
Arise, my soul, arise; shake off thy guilty fears;
The bleeding sacrifice in my behalf appears:
Before the throne my surety stands,
Before the throne my surety stands,
My name is written on His hands.
He ever lives above, for me to intercede;
His all redeeming love, His precious blood, to plead:
His blood atoned for all our race,
His blood atoned for all our race,
And sprinkles now the throne of grace.
Five bleeding wounds He bears; received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers; they strongly plead for me:
“Forgive him, O forgive,” they cry,
“Forgive him, O forgive,” they cry,
“Nor let that ransomed sinner die!”
The Father hears Him pray, His dear anointed One;
He cannot turn away, the presence of His Son;
His Spirit answers to the blood,
His Spirit answers to the blood,
And tells me I am born of God.
I am now reconciled; His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear:
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And “Father, Abba, Father,” cry.
Words: Charles Wesley, Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1742.
Music: Lenox, Lewis Edson, 1782
Charles Wesley wrote that last stanza, “My God is reconciled...” and I would often change it to "I am now". I don’t believe God needed to be reconciled, we did. The sin was ours, the fault was ours, the problem was ours. We were the ones who needed to be reconciled, have the enmity removed. There was no fault or blame on God's part.
You can hear it here This is rather quiet, and the recording begins on the second stanza, but very nice
Arise, my soul, arise; shake off thy guilty fears;
The bleeding sacrifice in my behalf appears:
Before the throne my surety stands,
Before the throne my surety stands,
My name is written on His hands.
He ever lives above, for me to intercede;
His all redeeming love, His precious blood, to plead:
His blood atoned for all our race,
His blood atoned for all our race,
And sprinkles now the throne of grace.
Five bleeding wounds He bears; received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers; they strongly plead for me:
“Forgive him, O forgive,” they cry,
“Forgive him, O forgive,” they cry,
“Nor let that ransomed sinner die!”
The Father hears Him pray, His dear anointed One;
He cannot turn away, the presence of His Son;
His Spirit answers to the blood,
His Spirit answers to the blood,
And tells me I am born of God.
I am now reconciled; His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear:
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And “Father, Abba, Father,” cry.
Words: Charles Wesley, Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1742.
Music: Lenox, Lewis Edson, 1782
Charles Wesley wrote that last stanza, “My God is reconciled...” and I would often change it to "I am now". I don’t believe God needed to be reconciled, we did. The sin was ours, the fault was ours, the problem was ours. We were the ones who needed to be reconciled, have the enmity removed. There was no fault or blame on God's part.
This may be the original tune
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Encounter at the well
Exodus 2
Moses at the well
15 Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.
Now when Pharaoh heard this thing – see verses 11-14
But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh – Moses was in a lot of trouble, his photo was in every post office in Egypt!
and he sat down by a well – this must have been a common thing, but from what we’ve seen so far this is a signal: there’s about to be an encounter at the well!
16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock.
had seven daughters – and I thought having four was a blessing!
they came...to water their father's flock – we’ve seen this before, unmarried women were often the shepherdesses of their family’s flock.
they came and drew water, and filled the troughs – this is hard work, and time consuming.
17 And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.
And the shepherds came and drove them away – it would appear that abusive jerks have always been around.
but Moses stood up – I like this, he stood up, he’d been sitting and resting but when he saw what was happening, he stood up. He's about to intervene on their behalf.
and helped them - he defended them and drove the shepherds off; one man against several; they who were so tough against women, melted like butter before a man
and watered their flock – it seems like he not only helped them, he himself watered the flock. I don’t think Moses had some secret agenda, as in, I could get something out of this, I believe he was a good man, ready to help the oppressed whenever possible. That’s what had gotten him into trouble back in Egypt.
18 And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day?
They must have been frequently so abused by the shepherds because Reuel is surprised at how soon they have returned, “Y’all back already?”
19 And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock.
Boy do they have news today! How did they know Moses was an Egyptian? He clearly still had on his Egypt clothes. He left Egypt with only the clothes on his back.
20 And he said unto his daughters, And where is he? why is it that ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread.
“Why did you leave him at the well?” He wanted to offer him thanks and hospitality.
Sometimes I wonder what Reuel did, because it looks like he just sat on the porch all day while everyone around him worked. Surely he was busy with other stuff...
21 And Moses was content to dwell with the man…
Reuel must have offered him this opportunity, I don’t think Moses just up and decided to stay without being asked. But when it was offered, Moses accepted. After all, it’s not like he had several options!
21 ...and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter.
22 And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land.
We have seen this several times. They didn’t have farmersonly.com so when their daughter found a young man at the well they offered him a job and, well, you know the rest of the story! So Moses joins the ranks of those who sat by a well and found a wife.
23 And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.
24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.
25 And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.
And it came to pass in process of time – like 40 years.
The first 40 years of his life Moses was raised to be a somebody. He was also a man aware of a call from God to help the oppressed people of God, but when his first attempt in Egypt failed, he had to flee. He spent the next 40 years being a nobody, being emptied of all his Egyptian self-importance. I wrote about this a few years ago, I called it The Backside of the Desert. You can read it here.
This encounter at the well is not just another woman goes to well for water and finds a husband story. No, this is the fall of Moses, How to go from the house of Pharaoh to the backside of the desert. This is the beginning of the refining of Moses. He will spend the next 40 years in the middle of nowhere, being a nobody. But God is in this, even though Moses doesn’t know it. Truth is, this thing is bigger than Moses.
Since I'm not looking for a wife, I can avoid wells, but how would this apply to me? I believe that is addressed in The Backside of the Desert.
Moses at the well
15 Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.
Now when Pharaoh heard this thing – see verses 11-14
But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh – Moses was in a lot of trouble, his photo was in every post office in Egypt!
and he sat down by a well – this must have been a common thing, but from what we’ve seen so far this is a signal: there’s about to be an encounter at the well!
16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock.
had seven daughters – and I thought having four was a blessing!
they came...to water their father's flock – we’ve seen this before, unmarried women were often the shepherdesses of their family’s flock.
they came and drew water, and filled the troughs – this is hard work, and time consuming.
17 And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.
And the shepherds came and drove them away – it would appear that abusive jerks have always been around.
but Moses stood up – I like this, he stood up, he’d been sitting and resting but when he saw what was happening, he stood up. He's about to intervene on their behalf.
and helped them - he defended them and drove the shepherds off; one man against several; they who were so tough against women, melted like butter before a man
and watered their flock – it seems like he not only helped them, he himself watered the flock. I don’t think Moses had some secret agenda, as in, I could get something out of this, I believe he was a good man, ready to help the oppressed whenever possible. That’s what had gotten him into trouble back in Egypt.
18 And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day?
They must have been frequently so abused by the shepherds because Reuel is surprised at how soon they have returned, “Y’all back already?”
19 And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock.
Boy do they have news today! How did they know Moses was an Egyptian? He clearly still had on his Egypt clothes. He left Egypt with only the clothes on his back.
20 And he said unto his daughters, And where is he? why is it that ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread.
“Why did you leave him at the well?” He wanted to offer him thanks and hospitality.
Sometimes I wonder what Reuel did, because it looks like he just sat on the porch all day while everyone around him worked. Surely he was busy with other stuff...
21 And Moses was content to dwell with the man…
Reuel must have offered him this opportunity, I don’t think Moses just up and decided to stay without being asked. But when it was offered, Moses accepted. After all, it’s not like he had several options!
21 ...and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter.
22 And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land.
We have seen this several times. They didn’t have farmersonly.com so when their daughter found a young man at the well they offered him a job and, well, you know the rest of the story! So Moses joins the ranks of those who sat by a well and found a wife.
23 And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.
24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.
25 And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.
And it came to pass in process of time – like 40 years.
The first 40 years of his life Moses was raised to be a somebody. He was also a man aware of a call from God to help the oppressed people of God, but when his first attempt in Egypt failed, he had to flee. He spent the next 40 years being a nobody, being emptied of all his Egyptian self-importance. I wrote about this a few years ago, I called it The Backside of the Desert. You can read it here.
This encounter at the well is not just another woman goes to well for water and finds a husband story. No, this is the fall of Moses, How to go from the house of Pharaoh to the backside of the desert. This is the beginning of the refining of Moses. He will spend the next 40 years in the middle of nowhere, being a nobody. But God is in this, even though Moses doesn’t know it. Truth is, this thing is bigger than Moses.
Since I'm not looking for a wife, I can avoid wells, but how would this apply to me? I believe that is addressed in The Backside of the Desert.
Thursday, September 8, 2016
A hymn for Thursday
Still Sweeter Every Day
You can hear it here
To Jesus every day I find my heart is closer drawn,
He’s fairer than the glory of the gold and purple dawn;
He’s all my fancy pictures in its fairest dreams, and more,
Each day He grows still sweeter than He was the day before.
The half cannot be fancied this side the golden shore;
O there He’ll be still sweeter than He ever was before.
His glory broke upon me when I saw Him from afar,
He’s fairer than the lily, brighter than the morning star;
He fills and satisfies my longing spirit o’er and o’er,
Each day He grows still sweeter than He was the day before.
My heart is sometimes heavy, but He comes with sweet relief,
He folds me to His bosom when I droop with blighting grief;
I love the Christ who all my burdens in His body bore,
Each day He grows still sweeter than He was the day before.
Words: William C. Martin, 1899
Music: C. Austin Miles
In 1892 Miles abandoned his career as a pharmacist and wrote his first Gospel song. He went on to be a prolific hymn-writer. He said of his life work: “It is as a writer of gospel songs I am proud to be known, for in that way I may be of the most use to my Master, whom I serve willingly although not as efficiently as is my desire.”
You can hear it here
To Jesus every day I find my heart is closer drawn,
He’s fairer than the glory of the gold and purple dawn;
He’s all my fancy pictures in its fairest dreams, and more,
Each day He grows still sweeter than He was the day before.
The half cannot be fancied this side the golden shore;
O there He’ll be still sweeter than He ever was before.
His glory broke upon me when I saw Him from afar,
He’s fairer than the lily, brighter than the morning star;
He fills and satisfies my longing spirit o’er and o’er,
Each day He grows still sweeter than He was the day before.
My heart is sometimes heavy, but He comes with sweet relief,
He folds me to His bosom when I droop with blighting grief;
I love the Christ who all my burdens in His body bore,
Each day He grows still sweeter than He was the day before.
Words: William C. Martin, 1899
Music: C. Austin Miles
In 1892 Miles abandoned his career as a pharmacist and wrote his first Gospel song. He went on to be a prolific hymn-writer. He said of his life work: “It is as a writer of gospel songs I am proud to be known, for in that way I may be of the most use to my Master, whom I serve willingly although not as efficiently as is my desire.”
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Just who were those girls these boys married?
Just who were those girls these boys married?
or
The state of marriage in Genesis
If you have been following my Encounter at the well posts, you have probably noticed that marriage in these stories is a family affair. Here’s what it looks like:
Abram married Sarai – his half-sister
Isaac married Rebekah – his first cousin once removed
Jacob married Leah & Rachel – his first cousins; and sisters
Are we talking incest?
In 20 States in the US you can marry your first cousin and only 4 states do not allow marriages between first cousins once removed. So, this is not as unusual as we might think. I have read that it is estimated that as many as 80% of the marriages in human history have been between first or second cousins. So this is not really a problem. But what about marrying your half sister? This is probably frowned upon in most communities. Then there is the matter of Jacob marrying two sisters. Later on the Law forbids this, “Thou shalt not take a wife in addition to her sister, as a rival, to uncover her nakedness in opposition to her, while she is yet living (Leviticus 18:18). First, it was not Jacob’s intention to marry both of them! And according to Jewish tradition, Bilhah and Zilpah were actually sisters of Rachel and Leah, so he wound up marrying four sisters! But that was never his plan. Second, the Law had not been given yet, so Leviticus 18:18 was not yet in effect. And this may have been one of the reason for the later prohibition.
Clearly, God took these unusual situations and used them toward His plan. The fact that Abraham married his half sister and Jacob married four sisters does not mean God has put his stamp of approval on these arrangements, this is just how it happened. God met them where they were.
Arranged marriages
While this strikes us as abhorrent, this has been the common form of marriage for most of world history. In Rebekah’s case, they asked her if she approved of this arrangement.
Dowry
This is another ancient custom that is despised by modern, western culture. There were two types of dowry: that provided by the women’s family, that provided by the man’s family. In Genesis the husband’s family provides the dowry. I’m not arguing for or against dowry, I’m simply pointing out that this is an ancient custom and that it is only modern society that does not practice this.
Polygamy
Abraham was married to Sarah and in the course of time she suggested he take Hagar to wife. Then of course there’s Jacob! Polygamy has been practiced in many cultures throughout history. Am I suggesting that this is part of God’s original plan for marriage? No. This is one of the many ways that sin has affected human life. Just because something is recorded in the Scriptures does not mean it is approved or recommended. It just happened and this is the true record. Actually, the two accounts of polygamy reflect unhappy home lives.
Wedding Ceremony
They seem to have held a feast of some sort. It either lasted a week or the honeymoon did. Another instance of things being done differently today. Today, we have a single day event in which the bride’s family spends tens of thousands of dollars, but no week long feast!
One thing that is consistent throughout Genesis, which does reflect God’s original plan when he instituted marriage – all marriages were between a man and a woman. There is not a single instance of any other kind of marriage. We do encounter a couple of cities where an alternative lifestyle is practiced, but they come to a sudden and drastic end.
So, what is the state of marriage in Genesis? It is thriving. Each generation is marrying as well as promoting and arranging marriages for the next generation. In fact, people are so sold on marriage that men sometimes marry two, three, even four women! But, when a man married, it was always to a woman, and when a woman married, it was always to a man. It also appears that love was involved – Isaac loved Rebekah, Jacob loved Rachel. I can only hope that Rebekah and Rachel loved them back. Leah probably loved Jacob.
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Encounter at the well
Genesis 29
Jacob & Rachel
The actual encounter is in chapter 29, but there is so much that goes into this story: family life started off so happily for Isaac and Rebekah, then over the years went down hill. It would be funny if it weren’t so sad.
Isaac and Rebekah had two sons. Sadly, the two sons didn’t get along and each parent had a known favorite. Family strife and division was the norm. Esau married two Hittite girls; mom and dad weren’t happy about it either (26:34-35). Then Rebekah and Jacob conspired to steal Isaac’s blessing. Naturally, Esau was a little ticked off about this and threatened to kill Jacob (ch 27), so Rebekah connived again - this time she persuaded Isaac to send Jacob back to her family to get a wife (27:46-28:2), and Isaac sent Jacob off with the Abrahamic blessing (28:3-5). Meanwhile, out of spite, Esau married a girl from Ishmael’s line (28:6-9). 10-22 On his way Jacob had an encounter with God, in which He revealed Himself to Jacob and renewed the covenant of Abraham with him (28:10-22). Whew!
29:1 Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east.
2 And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well's mouth.
3 And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well's mouth in his place.
I like how the Bible often skips over the time factor – it took Jacob nearly as long to get here as it did the servant earlier, but everybody then knew that, so it wasn’t worth stating.
behold a well in the field - We finally get to a well!
4 And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.
5 And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him.
6 And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.
7 And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them.
8 And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and they roll the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep.
Just as Abraham’s servant, after a long journey Jacob arrives at the right well.
We cannot, until... then – there were rules governing the use of this well. It may have been Laban’s well and they had to wait for Rachel.
9 And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep: for she kept them.
10 And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.
Rachel came with her father's sheep: for she kept them – she was the shepherd; women didn't just sit at home and cook and clean.
rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock - While the servant sat back and let Rebekah do all the work, here, Jacob does all the work.
11 And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.
12 And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's brother, and that he was Rebekah's son: and she ran and told her father.
And Jacob kissed Rachel – on the cheek! This is a family reunion.
And Jacob told Rachel – “I am Rebekah’s boy!”
and she ran – these girls were always excited to meet new folks at the well!
13 And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things.
14 And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.
Laban...ran...embraced...kissed, and brought him to his house – “Welcome home, boy.”
This encounter at the well ends here, but the story has just begun to get interesting...
Laban offered to pay Jacob to work with him (14-15). Laban had two daughters, Leah, who was “of no comely countenance” (Josephus), and Rachel, who was “was shapely and beautiful” (Tanakh) (16-17); Jacob offers to work seven years for Rachel. Remember, Jacob had been sent back here to get a wife, well, here is a “beautiful and well favoured” girl. Since Jacob had nothing to offer, he offered his services to Laban. Laban agreed.
Jacob worked his seven years and claims the promise (20-21). Laban prepared a feast and then gave him . . . Leah (22-27)! Jacob has been tricked! He who pulled fast ones on Esau has had one pulled on him. What I don’t understand is how he didn’t know it was Leah until the morning. Josephus said, “Jacob lay with her (Leah) that night, as being both in drink and in the dark.” But still... And, can you imagine being Leah? This story takes such a sad turn here. After his week with Leah, Laban gave him Rachel (28-30). Leah got a feast, Rachel did not; Leah had a week, did Rachel also get a week? and he loved also Rachel more than Leah: this sad state of affairs will cloud the rest of their lives.
31-35 begins, And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated. This does not mean despised, with the emotion we attach to the word hate. Jacob loved Rachel more than he did Leah, and Leah less than Rachel and everybody could see it. Obviously Jacob didn’t despise Leah, he kept visiting her tent! And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated he opened her womb. The Lord took up Leah’s cause and she bore four children, four boys; their names reflect the sadness in Leah’s heart.
This is not a good portrait of Jacob. He appears to be a self-centered man, and not the sharpest tool in the shed – after all, here is a woman who loves him, who wants him, and who keeps bearing him sons, yet he continues to offer her less affection than Rachel. What a sad home. Believe it or not, it gets worse!
What do we learn from this encounter at the well? In itself, not much, but as part of the broader picture, a lot. Jacob is not an example of faith, or lovingkindness, or righteousness, or holiness. While Esau was a profane person, defiled by a root of bitterness, Jacob was a self-centered trickster or supplanter. So this is a picture of grace. Jacob has nothing to commend himself yet he inherits the blessing, he inherits the covenant. Jacob is the father of the twelve tribes purely by God’s grace. And God, by this very grace does a work in Jacob. God will continue to work in him until Jacob becomes a different man: Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. This is the grace that works in us: God takes me just as I am, but He doesn’t leave me just as I am, He transforms me through the power of the cross and of the Holy Spirit. Thank you, Lord!
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Grace, grace, God's grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God's grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!
Jacob & Rachel
The actual encounter is in chapter 29, but there is so much that goes into this story: family life started off so happily for Isaac and Rebekah, then over the years went down hill. It would be funny if it weren’t so sad.
Isaac and Rebekah had two sons. Sadly, the two sons didn’t get along and each parent had a known favorite. Family strife and division was the norm. Esau married two Hittite girls; mom and dad weren’t happy about it either (26:34-35). Then Rebekah and Jacob conspired to steal Isaac’s blessing. Naturally, Esau was a little ticked off about this and threatened to kill Jacob (ch 27), so Rebekah connived again - this time she persuaded Isaac to send Jacob back to her family to get a wife (27:46-28:2), and Isaac sent Jacob off with the Abrahamic blessing (28:3-5). Meanwhile, out of spite, Esau married a girl from Ishmael’s line (28:6-9). 10-22 On his way Jacob had an encounter with God, in which He revealed Himself to Jacob and renewed the covenant of Abraham with him (28:10-22). Whew!
29:1 Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east.
2 And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well's mouth.
3 And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well's mouth in his place.
I like how the Bible often skips over the time factor – it took Jacob nearly as long to get here as it did the servant earlier, but everybody then knew that, so it wasn’t worth stating.
behold a well in the field - We finally get to a well!
4 And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.
5 And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him.
6 And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.
7 And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them.
8 And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and they roll the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep.
Just as Abraham’s servant, after a long journey Jacob arrives at the right well.
We cannot, until... then – there were rules governing the use of this well. It may have been Laban’s well and they had to wait for Rachel.
9 And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep: for she kept them.
10 And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.
Rachel came with her father's sheep: for she kept them – she was the shepherd; women didn't just sit at home and cook and clean.
rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock - While the servant sat back and let Rebekah do all the work, here, Jacob does all the work.
11 And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.
12 And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's brother, and that he was Rebekah's son: and she ran and told her father.
And Jacob kissed Rachel – on the cheek! This is a family reunion.
And Jacob told Rachel – “I am Rebekah’s boy!”
and she ran – these girls were always excited to meet new folks at the well!
13 And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things.
14 And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.
Laban...ran...embraced...kissed, and brought him to his house – “Welcome home, boy.”
This encounter at the well ends here, but the story has just begun to get interesting...
Laban offered to pay Jacob to work with him (14-15). Laban had two daughters, Leah, who was “of no comely countenance” (Josephus), and Rachel, who was “was shapely and beautiful” (Tanakh) (16-17); Jacob offers to work seven years for Rachel. Remember, Jacob had been sent back here to get a wife, well, here is a “beautiful and well favoured” girl. Since Jacob had nothing to offer, he offered his services to Laban. Laban agreed.
Jacob worked his seven years and claims the promise (20-21). Laban prepared a feast and then gave him . . . Leah (22-27)! Jacob has been tricked! He who pulled fast ones on Esau has had one pulled on him. What I don’t understand is how he didn’t know it was Leah until the morning. Josephus said, “Jacob lay with her (Leah) that night, as being both in drink and in the dark.” But still... And, can you imagine being Leah? This story takes such a sad turn here. After his week with Leah, Laban gave him Rachel (28-30). Leah got a feast, Rachel did not; Leah had a week, did Rachel also get a week? and he loved also Rachel more than Leah: this sad state of affairs will cloud the rest of their lives.
31-35 begins, And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated. This does not mean despised, with the emotion we attach to the word hate. Jacob loved Rachel more than he did Leah, and Leah less than Rachel and everybody could see it. Obviously Jacob didn’t despise Leah, he kept visiting her tent! And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated he opened her womb. The Lord took up Leah’s cause and she bore four children, four boys; their names reflect the sadness in Leah’s heart.
This is not a good portrait of Jacob. He appears to be a self-centered man, and not the sharpest tool in the shed – after all, here is a woman who loves him, who wants him, and who keeps bearing him sons, yet he continues to offer her less affection than Rachel. What a sad home. Believe it or not, it gets worse!
What do we learn from this encounter at the well? In itself, not much, but as part of the broader picture, a lot. Jacob is not an example of faith, or lovingkindness, or righteousness, or holiness. While Esau was a profane person, defiled by a root of bitterness, Jacob was a self-centered trickster or supplanter. So this is a picture of grace. Jacob has nothing to commend himself yet he inherits the blessing, he inherits the covenant. Jacob is the father of the twelve tribes purely by God’s grace. And God, by this very grace does a work in Jacob. God will continue to work in him until Jacob becomes a different man: Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. This is the grace that works in us: God takes me just as I am, but He doesn’t leave me just as I am, He transforms me through the power of the cross and of the Holy Spirit. Thank you, Lord!
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Grace, grace, God's grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God's grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!
Thursday, September 1, 2016
A hymn for Thursday
O Boundless Salvation
O boundless salvation! deep ocean of love,
O fullness of mercy, Christ brought from above,
The whole world redeeming, so rich and so free,
Now flowing for all men, now flowing for all men,
Now flowing for all men, come, roll over me!
My sins they are many, their stains are so deep,
And bitter the tears of remorse that I weep;
But weeping is useless; thou great crimson sea,
Thy waters can cleanse me, thy waters can cleanse me,
Thy waters can cleanse me, come, roll over me!
The tide now is flowing, I’m touching the wave,
I hear the loud call of 'the Mighty to Save;'
My faith’s growing bolder, delivered I’ll be;
I plunge ’neath the waters, I plunge ’neath the waters,
I plunge ’neath the waters they roll over me.
And now, hallelujah! the rest of my days
Shall gladly be spent in promoting His praise
Who opened His bosom to pour out this sea
Of boundless salvation, of boundless salvation,
Of boundless salvation for you and for me.
(this link will allow you to hear the sung song)
William Booth, 1893
Boundless Salvation is also called The Founder’s Song, though Booth wrote many songs. General Booth wrote it to be sung at an evangelistic campaign being held at Exeter Hall in London. The crusade was called the Boundless Salvation Campaign, and this song was first sung November 14, 1893, during that campaign. Originally, the chorus Heavenly Gales are Blowing was sung between each of the verses. The words were first published in the Salvation Army magazine, The War Cry, on December 23, 1893.
The heavenly gales are blowing,
The cleansing stream is flowing,
Beneath its waves I am going,
Hallelujah, praise the Lord!
O boundless salvation! deep ocean of love,
O fullness of mercy, Christ brought from above,
The whole world redeeming, so rich and so free,
Now flowing for all men, now flowing for all men,
Now flowing for all men, come, roll over me!
My sins they are many, their stains are so deep,
And bitter the tears of remorse that I weep;
But weeping is useless; thou great crimson sea,
Thy waters can cleanse me, thy waters can cleanse me,
Thy waters can cleanse me, come, roll over me!
The tide now is flowing, I’m touching the wave,
I hear the loud call of 'the Mighty to Save;'
My faith’s growing bolder, delivered I’ll be;
I plunge ’neath the waters, I plunge ’neath the waters,
I plunge ’neath the waters they roll over me.
And now, hallelujah! the rest of my days
Shall gladly be spent in promoting His praise
Who opened His bosom to pour out this sea
Of boundless salvation, of boundless salvation,
Of boundless salvation for you and for me.
(this link will allow you to hear the sung song)
William Booth, 1893
Boundless Salvation is also called The Founder’s Song, though Booth wrote many songs. General Booth wrote it to be sung at an evangelistic campaign being held at Exeter Hall in London. The crusade was called the Boundless Salvation Campaign, and this song was first sung November 14, 1893, during that campaign. Originally, the chorus Heavenly Gales are Blowing was sung between each of the verses. The words were first published in the Salvation Army magazine, The War Cry, on December 23, 1893.
The heavenly gales are blowing,
The cleansing stream is flowing,
Beneath its waves I am going,
Hallelujah, praise the Lord!
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