Repost: Hannah

I started reading the book of 1 Samuel this morning.  The first two chapters are the only ones written about Samuel's mother, Hannah.  What a great woman of faith she was.  I wrote quite a lengthy post about her in 2015 and wanted to re-post it here today.

 

I feel like the Apostle Paul in Galatians 6:11 "Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you."  This is a long post, so grab some water, tea or coffee...

Studying Hannah was a great reminder to me.  When I thought of Hannah, I thought of a woman who prayed and God answered.  This happened, but there were many years of sorrow before her broken prayer and God's beautiful answer.  There was so much in just two chapters.

Verses: 1 Samuel 1:1-28, 1 Samuel 2:1-10, 18-21

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings
Hannah was married to Elkanah.  Matthew Henry said, "It is probable that Elkanah married Hannah first, and, because he had not children by her so soon as he hoped, he married Peninnah, who bore him children indeed, but was in other things a vexation to him. Thus are men often beaten with rods of their own making." 

Hannah did eventually have children, first Samuel whom she gave back to God, and then three more sons and two daughters (1 Samuel 2:21) 

What is she most known for? Victories? Defeats? How can I be like her? How can I avoid being like her?

This is the third polygamous marriage that I have studied this year (Abraham and Sarah/Hagar and Jacob and Rachel/Leah.)  There was not harmony in any of these homes.  All three times it was because of the husband's greater love toward one who was barren and the fruitfulness of the other.  "The conduct of Peninnah was most unbecoming. But domestic broils in the houses of polygamists are of frequent occurrence, and the most fruitful cause of them has always been jealousy of the husband’s superior affection, as in this case of Hannah."  (A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments by Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown)

We don't know how many children there were, but John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible said, "how many Peninnah had is not said, perhaps ten; see 1Samuel 1:8."  1 Samuel 1:6-7 says, "And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb. And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat."  If Peninnah really did have ten children, then her provoking, and Hannah's barrenness, went on for a decade or more!  This was not a simple, light teasing.  "Some render it, "because she thundered" against her; that is, Peninnah was exceeding loud and clamorous with her reproaches and scoffs, which were grievously provoking to Hannah." (John Gill)

It's so easy to think this happened quickly because it's all in one chapter, but Hannah's suffering went on for many years.  She finally reached a breaking point.  She wept and could not eat.  "Hannah wept at the insults, reproaches, and scoffs, cast at her by her antagonist; insomuch that she could not eat of the peace offerings, though her husband always gave her the best part and portion of them; but her grief took away her stomach and appetite, that she could not eat."  (John Gill)

[Funny side note:  I have never been so upset that I could not eat!  There are times when I get busy and don't eat when I need to, but my body quickly lets me know.  I tend to have low blood sugar and I can go from happy to hangry (hungry with a side of angry) in a matter of seconds!  Les knows when I say, "I have a food headache," that it's time to get this girl some food.]

In the middle of a time of celebration, Hannah made her way to the house of God.  I don't believe this is the first time that Hannah prayed, but she did pray with great intensity.  "Her prayer was with strong crying and tears; it was very fervent and affectionate; she prayed most vehemently, and wept bitterly." (John Gill)

During this time of prayer, two things happened.  Hannah vowed a vow and Eli the priest took note of her.

Hannah vowed, "O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head." (I Samuel 1:11)

I find this commentary very interesting: "Samuel, as a descendent of Levi, was the Lord's property, from twenty-five years of age till fifty; but the vow here implies that he should be consecrated to the Lord from his infancy to his death, and that he should not only act as a Levite, but as a Nazarite." (Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge by Canne, Browne, Blayney, Scott, and others about 1880, with introduction by R. A. Torrey. TSK)  So Samuel would have spent time in the temple, but Hannah dedicated him to a greater degree than called.

The next thing that happened is really interesting to me.  I Samuel 1:12 says, "And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth."  I've always imagined Eli hitting Hannah's mouth, but John Gill said he "observed the motion of her lips, and no doubt her distorted countenance, and uplifted eyes and hands, but chiefly the former; not knowing what the woman was at, and what could be the meaning of such motions."  The Hebrew word there is "shâmar" which means to "beware, be circumspect, take heed, keep, mark, look narrowly, observe."

There's a lot to be said about Eli (I'm working on a separate post because this one is too long already!) but he did stop Hannah in the midst of her prayers, thinking she was drunk.  "The suspicion of the aged priest seems to indicate that the vice of intemperance was neither uncommon nor confined to one sex in those times of disorder." (JFB)

"Hannah did not retort the charge, and upbraid Eli with the wicked conduct of his own sons. When we are at any time unjustly censured, we have need to set a double watch before the door of our lips, that we do not return censure for censure. Hannah thought it enough to clear herself, and so must we. Eli was willing to acknowledge his mistake. Hannah went away with satisfaction of mind. She had herself by prayer committed her case to God, and Eli had prayed for her. Prayer is heart's ease to a gracious soul. Prayer will smooth the countenance; it should do so."  (Matthew Henry)

Eli said, "Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him."  "He found he was mistaken in her, and that her discourse was not only sober and rational, but religious and spiritual; and therefore dismisses her in peace.  The God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him; which may be considered either as a prayer for her, he joining with her in a request to the Lord, that what she had asked might be granted; or as a prophecy that so it would be, it being revealed to him by the Holy Ghost, as the high priest of the Lord; or impressed by an impulse upon his spirit that the favour asked would be given; and therefore she might go home in peace, and with satisfaction of mind." (John Gill)

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?
It was after Hannah's time of prayer that she was able to reset.   She said to Eli, "Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight." Then she went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.  Hannah's faith was so strong that before Samuel was even conceived her countenance changed.  "A beautiful example of the composing influence of prayer. Hannah had cast her burden upon the Lord, and so her own spirit was relieved of its load. She now returned to the family feast, and ate her portion with a cheerful heart." (Albert Barnes)

We know that Samuel was conceived not long after Hannah's prayer.  She then stayed home from the yearly trip to the tabernacle until Samuel was weaned.  John Gill gave a very thorough explanation of what it meant to be weaned: "there was a three fold weaning of children in old times; the first from their mother's milk, when three years old; the second from their tender age, and care of a dry nurse, when seven years old; the third from childish manners, when at twelve years of age; and that it is this last and metaphorical weaning which is here meant, when Samuel was twelve years of age, and fit to serve in the temple."  

The Hebrew word for "young" used in 1 Samuel 1:24 is "nah'-ar" meaning "a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication a servant."  This makes sense to me.  I don't think Samuel was still a toddler when Hannah handed him off to Eli, but he was a young child.

1 Samuel chapter 2 opens with Hannah singing!  What a difference answered prayer made in her life!  Ten verses she sang and rejoiced. "My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.  There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.  The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.  The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.   The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them.  He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.  The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed."

Matthew Henry's commentary: "Hannah's heart rejoiced, not in Samuel, but in the Lord. She looks beyond the gift, and praises the Giver. She rejoiced in the salvation of the Lord, and in expectation of His coming, who is the whole salvation of his people. The strong are soon weakened, and the weak are soon strengthened, when God pleases. Are we poor? God made us poor, which is a good reason why we should be content, and make up our minds to our condition. Are we rich? God made us rich, which is a good reason why we should be thankful, and serve him cheerfully, and do good with the abundance he gives us. He respects not man's wisdom or fancied excellences, but chooses those whom the world accounts foolish, teaching them to feel their guilt, and to value his free and precious salvation. This prophecy looks to the kingdom of Christ, that kingdom of grace, of which Hannah speaks, after having spoken largely of the kingdom of providence. And here is the first time that we meet with the name MESSIAH, or his Anointed. The subjects of Christ's kingdom will be safe, and the enemies of it will be ruined; for the Anointed, the Lord Christ, is able to save, and to destroy."

Hannah is mentioned just a couple more times in this chapter, then she is never named in the Bible again.  Chapter 2 verse 19 says, "Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice."  Hannah left him in Eli's hands, but continued to take care of him when she saw him each year.  "This was an outer coat to wear over others, and this also was such an one as the priests wore; it is the same word that is used for the priest's robe, (Exodus 28:4,) and this, it is very likely, was altogether of her own spinning, and weaving, and making up; which were works women did in those times: and this Hannah did partly out of her great love to her son Samuel, and partly to lessen the expense that Eli, or the congregation, were at in the maintenance of him." (John Gill)  "She undertook to find him with clothes during his apprenticeship at the tabernacle, and took care he should be well provided, that he might appear the more decent and sightly in his ministration, and to encourage him in his towardly beginnings."  (Matthew Henry)

And finally, "And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home.  And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters."  She prayed for a single child and God gave her five more!  "What is lent to the Lord will certainly be repaid with interest, to our unspeakable advantage, and oftentimes in kind. Hannah resigns one child to God, and is recompensed with five."  (Matthew Henry)

This is just a beautiful story!  We know that Samuel was an amazing man of God and he was greatly influenced by this godly mother.

Naomi and Ruth

My Bible reading yesterday and today included the book of Ruth.  It's such a beautiful story.  I studied Naomi and Ruth in 2015 while studying women of the Bible.  You can read my full posts here and here.

I particularly like the commentary on chapter 3, verse 18.  It is one of my favorite verses, beautiful words of wisdom from Naomi, "Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day."  Elder Morton told me to "sit still" many times as a single young lady.  "Naomi believes that Ruth has won his heart, and that therefore he will not be easy till he knows whether she be his or no. This she gives as a reason why Ruth should sit still and not perplex herself about it, that Boaz had undertaken it, and he would be sure to manage it well. Much more reason have good Christians to be careful for nothing, but cast their care on God, because he has promised to care for them: and what need have we to care if he do? Sit still, and see how the matter will fall, for the Lord will perfect that which concerns thee, and will make it to work for good to thee. Your strength is to sit still."

 

Matthew Henry wraps it all up very beautifully, "Ruth bore a son, through whom thousands and myriads were born to God; and in being the lineal ancestor of Christ, she was instrumental in the happiness of all that shall be saved by him; even of us Gentiles, as well as those of Jewish descent. She was a witness for God to the Gentile world, that he had not utterly forsaken them, but that in due time they should become one with his chosen people, and partake of his salvation."

 

Two women from completely different backgrounds, found common ground in the God they served. "They say of Ruth that she loved Naomi, and therefore was better to her than seven sons. See how God in his providence sometimes makes up the want and loss of those relations from whom we expected most comfort in those from whom we expected least. The bonds of love prove stronger than those of nature, and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother; so here there was a daughter-in-law better than an own child."  (Matthew Henry)

Spring Cleaning

I know I've been pretty quiet over here.  I've been busy spring cleaning.  We had to dig up all our Canna lilies, that's all 24 of our Canna lilies!  They are loving where they are, so much that they decided to keep on growing, moving into our yard.  They are now in pots and we're hoping that will keep them contained a little better.  The plan going forward is to thin them out each year, removing old roots, and watching them grow some more!

 

In addition to gardening, I also washed all the windows inside our house, plus the outside of all the downstairs windows.  Les will do the outside of the upstairs.  The windows were in desperate need - we spent two years redoing our landscaping so there was a lot of dust, dirt and grime.

 

 

 

Les has other things on his list.  That includes replacing all the handles on our showers.  The insides were corroded and we had trouble turning the water on.  They are working great now!

 

Yesterday I started in on my kitchen.  I took everything out of every drawer and cupboard.  My dining room table is now covered with things ready for Goodwill.  Does anyone really need three crock pots?   I'm getting rid of glasses and vases, along with a lot of miscellaneous pots and pans.  I also put any expired food in the trash.  I really don't like doing that, but when I say "expired" I'm talking expired in 2003!  Yes, it was past time.

I have to say, it's hard work but so satisfying!

Overtaken

I hope you all had a wonderful Resurrection Sunday!  Ours was magnificent.  Our youth department did a drama both Sunday morning and Sunday night.  Les and I were the representatives from the senior saints department - he was the narrator and I helped with the singing.  Our youth did a great job.  I am so thankful for what happened that weekend more than two thousand years ago.

My Bible reading this weekend included Deuteronomy chapter 28.  I can't read that chapter without remembering a time when Elder Morton told me that the blessings of God would overtake me.  I've written about it before, but as I sit here this morning, still basking in thankfulness for the ultimate sacrifice, I'm reminded again of just how blessed I am.

Deuteronomy 28:1-3 says:

1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.
3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.

This chapter goes on to list many, many ways the blessings of God are promised.  But in verse 15, the tone changes:

15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:
16 Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field.

This chapter has 68 verses -  14 are dedicated to blessings, while the other 54 focus on curses!  So while I am overwhelmed by blessings, I am equally thankful that I have not been overtaken by curses.  The curses of the unfaithful far outnumber the blessings of the faithful.

I don't know why there are those who live righteously and still have a life of pain.  I don't understand why Rod was born with hemophilia and was taken from us too soon.  I don't know why Mom was stricken with cancer when she was only 50.  While I don't understand and I'm certainly undeserving, I never, ever, want to be unthankful!  So this post is simply to take the time to say, "Thank You, Lord."

Joy to the World!

I know we don't usually say Joy to the World on Resurrection Sunday, but that is truly when the joy happened!  My favorite song for this morning is "Easter Song" written by Keith Green.  You can hear his version here.  Second Chapter of Acts does a fabulous job with it, too (listen here).  Turn up the volume and sing along!

Hear the bells ringing
They're singing that you can be born again
Hear the bells ringing
They're singing Christ is risen from the dead

The angel up on the tombstone
Said He is risen, just as He said
Quickly now, go tell his disciples
That Jesus Christ is no longer dead

Joy to the world, He is risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah, hallelujah

Hear the bells ringing
They're singing that we can be born again
Hear the bells ringing, they're singing
Christ is risen from the dead

The angel up on the tombstone
Said He is risen, just as He said
Quickly now, go tell his disciples
That Jesus Christ is no longer dead

Joy to the world, He is risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah!

Encouragers

We had our monthly youth service at Victory Tabernacle last night.  Our guest speaker was missionary Nathan Weidner.  He and his wife have been waiting for more than two years to go back to the Philippines.  We are thanking God that the door is finally opening and they will be heading that way in June after their darling boy, Clark Judah, turns one.

Bro. Weidner preached about one of my favorite subjects - encouragement!  It's a subject I've written about quite a bit.  The tag "encourage" is found in over 350 of my posts.  His text was from Acts 4:36, "And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus."  Being "surnamed" meant that the apostles nicknamed him Barnabas.  Son of consolation means encourager or one who exhorts. 

Many of the posts I've written about encouragement were after I had been encouraged.  I reread many of them while working on this post and decided to share this one from nearly ten years ago, titled Encouragement:

It's funny how encouragement works.  At about the 15 mile mark of Saturday's marathon, I met Alison.  It was her first marathon and she was really starting to feel it.  I asked if she would like some company and she said yes.

You see, I remember my first marathon.  It's only been 5 months.  There were some really lonely miles.  Miles when I thought, "What am I doing here?  Why did I think I could finish this?  This is the dumbest thing I've ever done!  What was I thinking?"  Many miles I questioned my ability and my sanity.  So when Alison said it was her first marathon, I knew she was heading towards the lonely miles and I wanted to help her through them.

We ran the final 11 miles together.  We took walk breaks.  We drank water.  And we chatted.  About life.  Our families.  Running.  But the entire time, we kept moving, getting closer to the finish line.  Somewhere in those miles, Alison told me that when I joined her, she was starting to wonder if she was going to be able to finish.  "I'm glad you came along when you did."

As much as I'd like to take credit for getting her across the finish line, I can honestly say she helped me, too.  I never felt lonely or isolated.  I wasn't fast, but the miles seem to fly.

"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour."

Ecclesiastes 4:9

So it's funny how encouragement works.  The encourager gets encouraged!  This doesn't just happen during a marathon.  Look around, there is someone in need of encouragement today.  And when you see them pick up the pace again, with a smile and look of determination, you'll be encouraged, too.

I'm thankful for encouragement today.  The times I've given and the times I've received. 

 

 

Memories, New and Old

I took a quick trip to Fresno last week.  My purpose was two-fold - I met my new great nephew and attended the funeral of Irene Wilkinson.

 

New Memories

My niece, Lauren, gave birth to Robert Michael "Bo" Bane on February 12th.  He is named for both his great grandfathers (Lauren and Jordan's grandpas are both Robert) and for his maternal grandfather (Lauren's dad, Mike.)  This event made my sister a grandmother!  

 

I have enjoyed receiving almost daily pictures, but I really wanted to meet this little guy in person.  I drove up to Fresno on Thursday and spent all afternoon with Kim.  Krysten, Lauren and Bo came over for dinner and we enjoyed a few hours of catching up... and oohing and aahing!  Bo is a handsome little sweetheart!  (I won't be posting any pictures of him here without his mama's permission.)

I couldn't help but think how much my Mom and Dad would have loved Bo.  They loved their grandkids so much.  In fact, one of my earliest posts was called "When Mom Became Grandma."  

Kim and I enjoyed a walk around her neighborhood on Friday morning.  It is so flat there!  I'm use to hills from the moment I leave our house.  But the weather was perfect and we just enjoyed some sister time.

Old Memories

I have written about our dear friend, Irene Wilkinson, many times.  She was my Mom's best friend.  Their friendship lasted for decades.  Irene was a constant in my life growing up.  I even spent my first Christmas with her because Rod was in the hospital!  She was a true, true friend.

 

I probably knew this, but had forgotten.  Irene was the cousin of my uncle Ken Gilstrap (their mothers were sisters.)  Ken is married to my mom's sister, Joyce.  It was good to see them along with their daughter, Marcia, and granddaughter, Jessica.  So while we weren't related by blood, Irene has always felt like family to us.

The memorial service was beautiful - it was the celebration of a life well lived.  Stories of Irene as the ladies leader of Truth Tabernacle - making peanut brittle that helped pay for the new church building.  She was a Sunday school teacher (mine when I was about 3 or 4) and worked for over 20 years at Truth Tabernacle Christian School.  Sharon Killian read remarks from many of the students that Irene taught through the years.  Many talked about her wonderful hugs and how she taught them to read.

My drive home was filled with reflection.  I'm so thankful for so many.  Those who have known me the longest and the little guy I just met!

Repost: When Satan Runs Amok in the Streets

I received an email yesterday from a modest clothing company called Kosher Casual.  According to their website: "The Kosher Casual mission is to make high-quality clothing basics that are modest, affordable and comfortable - to not only look good, but to live in."  The email said, "Happy Purim!"  This reminded me of a Sunday school lesson that Les taught.  I blogged about it in 2015, but wanted to re-post it today as Purim begins at sundown.

 

Our adult Sunday school class has been studying Feasts and Celebrations this quarter.  This past Sunday, Les taught a fabulous lesson about the Festival of Purim.  This is the celebration that was instituted after the Jews were delivered from Haman's wicked plot in the book of Esther.

This feast is still celebrated each year in March. It covers two days, the first being the Fast of Esther, followed by the Festival of Purim. This particular fast has one purpose - to remember God’s deliverance of the Jews from Haman’s attempt at extermination.  We don't usually fast to remember, but to ask God for something.  I know I have never fasted in remembrance of what God has done for me.  The next day, during the Festival of Purim, is a time of joyful celebration.

Les concluded the lesson by sharing a story of Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II.  400,000 Jews were rounded up and 300,000 were eventually killed.  It was a dark time.  There was nothing to celebrate, but Rabbi Kalonymos Kalman said:

"In the Zohar it is written that Yom Kippurim means Yom ke Purim, ‘a day just like Purim’. That is to say, just as on yom Kippur – whether you like it or not – you must fast on orders of the Holy One, blessed be He; so you must rejoice on Purim. Even if Satan runs amok in the streets, you have to be happy, it is the will of God."

If anyone had a reason not to celebrate, it was these Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto.  It is said that young Gerer Hasidim courageously emerged from their bunkers in the Warsaw Ghetto on the festival of Purim in 1943 and danced in the spirit of this joyous festival.

It often seems like Satan runs amok in the streets of America, but we must rejoice, it is the will of God.  We serve the God of deliverance and He will come through for us! 

The Cult of Celebrity

Today's devotional was another good one!

 

In a survey of millennials, 50% of young adults said that a major life goal was to become famous. In the past people wanted to be famous for doing something. Now, celebrity has become an end in itself. It has attained god-like characteristics. Not only do people want to be famous, they idolize those who have achieved celebrity status. This widespread interest in famous individuals has been described as ‘the cult of celebrity’.

Fame to the ambitious is like salt water to the thirsty. The more you get, the more you want. Madonna, who at one stage was probably the most famous woman on the planet, said, ‘I won’t be happy until I am as famous as God.’

 

I've written before about my dear brother, Rod, my hero.  He was never a celebrity but I was talking to someone on Sunday who still remembers him almost 28 years after his passing.  His life was brief but significant.  This reminded me of something I heard Dennis Prager say:

The vast majority of those who are famous are not significant and the vast majority of those who are significant are not famous.

The people who have had a significant impact on my life are not, and probably never will be, famous.  I may not be famous, but I pray that my life will be significant.

 

Fame is fleeting.  The list of celebrities who have committed suicide since the turn of the century is staggering.  Three of the four gospels records words of Jesus about gaining the whole world:

Matthew 16:26  "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"
Mark 8:36  "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
Luke 9:25  "For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?"

I like the way John Gill's Exposition of the Bible broke Matthew 16:26 down:

For what is a man profited,.... Such persons, though they are only seeking their own profit, will find themselves most sadly mistaken; for of what advantage will it be to such a man, 

 

if he shall gain the whole world; all that is precious and valuable in it; all the power, pleasures, and riches of it; if with Alexander, he had the government of the whole world, and with Solomon, all the delights of it; and was possessed with the wealth of Croesus, and Crassus,

and lose his own soul? If that should be consigned to everlasting torment and misery, be banished from the divine presence, and continually feel the gnawings of the worm of conscience that never dies, and the fierceness of the fire of God's wrath, that shall never be quenched, he will have a miserable bargain of it.

Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Or, "for the redemption" of it. If he had the whole world to give, and would give it, it would not be a sufficient ransom for it; the redemption of an immortal soul requires a greater price than gold and silver, or any corruptible thing; nothing short of the blood and life of Christ, is a proper exchange, or ransom price for it.

Take this whole world, but give me Jesus!

57 Cents

 

The devotional in my Bible reading this morning had a wonderful story:

Hattie May Wiatt, a six-year-old girl, lived near Grace Baptist Church in Philadelphia, PA. The Sunday school was very crowded. Russell H. Conwell, the minister, told her that one day they would have buildings big enough to allow everyone to attend. She said, ‘I hope you will. It is so crowded I am afraid to go there alone.’ He replied, ‘When we get the money we will construct one large enough to get all the children in.’

Two years later, in 1886, Hattie May died. After the funeral Hattie’s mother gave the minister a little bag they had found under their daughter’s pillow containing 57 cents in change that she had saved up. Alongside it was a note in her handwriting: ‘To help build bigger so that more children can go to Sunday school.’

The minister changed all the money into pennies and offered each one for sale. He received $250 – and 54 of the cents were given back. The $250 was itself changed into pennies and sold by the newly formed ‘Wiatt Mite Society’. In this way, her 57 cents *kept on multiplying*.

Twenty-six years later, in a talk entitled, ‘The history of the 57 cents’, the minister explained the results of her 57-cent donation: a church with a membership of over 5,600 people, a hospital where tens of thousands of people had been treated, 80,000 young people going through university, 2,000 people going out to preach the gospel – all this happened ‘because Hattie May Wiatt invested her 57 cents’.

Today's reading included Mark chapter 8, the story of Jesus multiplying loaves and fishes to feed 4,000.  Jesus didn't make the food appear out of nothing - He took what the disciples gave Him, then He multiplied it.  

 

Exodus chapters 35 and 36 were also part of today's reading.  This is about building the tabernacle. Chapter 35 verse 5 says, "Take ye from among you an offering unto the Lord: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it..."  The people responded in verse 21-29:

"And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the Lord's offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments. And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the Lord. And every man, with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair, and red skins of rams, and badgers' skins, brought them. Every one that did offer an offering of silver and brass brought the Lord's offering: and every man, with whom was found shittim wood for any work of the service, brought it. And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen. And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats' hair. And the rulers brought onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate; And spice, and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense. The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the Lord, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the Lord had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses."

Every one, every man, every woman.  It wasn't a billionaire or a few millionaires who donated from their abundance.  Every one gave willingly of what they had.  Chapter 36 tells us the result of this willingness:

"And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the Lord commanded to make.  And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.  For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much."

God's kingdom has never been built from the abundance of one person.  He uses everyone who is willing.  God's math doesn't work like ours.  Don't hold back because you don't think what you have is enough ~ 57 cents, seven loaves, a few fishes, whatever you give willingly will be what God will use.

A Winter Getaway

Sometime in early December Les received a text message from his brother, Lance.  Lance and his wife, Monica, were planning a cruise out of Los Angeles and wanted to see us while they were out here if possible.  They also invited us to take the cruise with them.  

 

 

With all the COVID restrictions going on we were a little unsure about cruising.  We talked to our neighbors and they had cruised three times last year and said it was great.  Our travel agent had  taken four cruises last year.  They all said they felt very safe.  Cruise lines require all passengers and crew members to be fully vaccinated and a COVID test is required two days before sailing.  Prices were great, so we decided to go for it!

 

Lance and Monica arrived in Los Angeles on Friday, February 4th.  They had received ten inches of snow the previous day and were looking forward to the warmth and sunshine. We sailed from San Pedro on our 7 Day Mexican Riviera Cruise on the Majestic Princess on Saturday, February 5th.  The ship holds approximately 3,500 passengers and only about 1,000 were on board.  It felt like we had the ship to ourselves many times!

 

Sunday was a full day at sea.  Les and I found a secluded place on the Lido deck, away from the pools and just enjoyed the mild weather.  We were able to order food from the Medallion App and it was delivered to us on the deck.  The only thing we had to pay for were our Diet Cokes!

 

The Majestic has what is called a Seawalk: "At 60 feet long, cantilevered 128 feet above the waves and extending 28 feet beyond the edge of the ship, it affords thrilling vistas of the ever-changing seascape."  This was really cool to walk across!

 

Sunday was also Lance and Monica's 29th wedding anniversary.  Our waiter and a couple of others sang "Happy Anniversary" to them and brought a piece of cake that we all enjoyed.

As I continued working on this post, I realized it was going to be way too long!  I've decided to break it in to two posts.  Today I'll only write about our time on board.  My next post will be about our three excursion days. 

 

 

We spotted whales and a pod of dolphins from our ship.  We knew where the whales were by watching the smaller boats on the move.  We got much closer to whales on our excursions. 

 

Thursday and Friday were both full days at sea as we sailed north back to Los Angeles.  The days kind of blur together as we enjoyed sitting on the deck and also sitting on our private balcony.  We saw giant sea turtles in the water at one point!

And it wouldn't be a cruise without lots of good food!  We really enjoyed the pizza and calzones from Alfredo's:

We were on a first name basis with Depak, the "Swirls Girl" as we called her.  She sweetly served soft served ice cream.

 

God served up His speciality on a daily basis ~ beautiful sunrises and sunsets!

It was a truly relaxing time ~ the best kind of vacation that feels like it lasted a long time!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Full Moon Edition

The moon was spectacular as I headed out for my run this morning:

P.S.  We took a little getaway last week.  I'm working on that post and hope to have it up tomorrow.

The Women of Genesis

As I mentioned earlier this week, I finished reading the book of Genesis.  While I was re-reading the account of the beginning of mankind and the nation of Israel, I thought many times of the women in Genesis that I had studied in 2015.  I just re-read each of my posts and thought I'd share the links and a recap of each one here.  (To read the complete posts, clink of the name of each woman.)

Eve

The first lady of humanity, Eve will forever be known as the one who listened to Satan's voice and partook of the fruit that led to the fall of man.  Forget "the devil made me do it." I've said more than once "It's all Eve's fault!"

 

It wasn't until I studied the entire writings about Eve that I had a change of heart towards her.  Yes, she failed to obey the one rule that God gave her.  But somewhere along the way, after losing both Cain and Able, she found the courage to trust that what God said was true.  It was Eve who named the baby Seth in Genesis 4:25.  It was Eve who said God has appointed another seed. One commentary pointed out the use of the word "seed" here instead of "son" or "child." She didn't give up on the promise of God when it seemed the promise died.  That verse contains the final recorded words of Eve.  A woman who had been cursed and banished, trusted in a merciful God to provide the promised seed.  And God did just that, in the man Christ Jesus.

 

Hagar

Although Sarah is introduced in the Bible before Hagar, I studied Hagar first.  Hagar was Sarah and Abraham's "solution" to Sarah's barrenness.  She was not God's solution.  

 

Twice Hagar is on her own.  The first time is after she conceives Ishmael and despises Sarah.  She then flees only to be told by an angel to return and submit.  I think Hagar had the attitude, "I'm sitting down, but I'm standing up on the inside."  She submitted her actions but not her heart.

 

Hagar's lack of submission must have continued and bled into the way she raised Ishmael.  Genesis 17:18 says, "And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!"  Ishmael was thirteen years old at this time, about a year before Isaac was born.  I have to wonder if he was already showing signs of loving the Egyptian ways more than the ways of the God of Abraham.  What was his mother teaching him?  It appears that her influence was greater than Abraham's.

 

The final straw happened when Isaac was weaned in Genesis 21.  The celebration of Isaac's weaning finds Ishmael mocking.  A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments by Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown says, "Ishmael was aware of the great change in his prospects, and under the impulse of irritated or resentful feelings, in which he was probably joined by his mother, treated the young heir with derision and probably some violence."  That's a lot stronger than mocking!   These are not the actions of a mother and child who are submissive to their mistress.

 

Matthew Henry's commentary put it this way, "If Hagar and Ishmael had conducted themselves well in Abraham's family, they might have continued there; but they threw themselves out by their own pride and insolence, which were thus justly chastised."

 

Sarah

There is so much that could be said about Sarah, but just go read the entire post!  A couple of key points:

 

Sarah is the example of a submissive wife.  Many chapters in Genesis are devoted to the journeys of Abraham and Sarah.  She started in Ur with him. They traveled nearly 2,000 miles together.  Sarah's submission is significant, because when she does speak up, Abraham listens. 

When it came to Hagar and Ishmael, I believe Sarah had not only a God-given right, but a responsibility to protect her son.  Isaac was the promised seed.  She may have thought that her days were short (although Isaac was 37 when she died.)  She and Abraham would be gone and who would Isaac have to guide him?  His wild, older half-brother.  She had to cut Ishmael's influence out of Isaac's life.  Abraham was partially blinded by his love for his son, Ishmael, but God supported Sarah.  Genesis 21:12 says, "And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called."

 

The Genesis Record says:

It really was not possible for the two families to exist together, and Abraham should follow Sarah’s request, even though it would go against his own personal feelings and would no doubt seem harsh to others around them. Sometimes it is necessary for God’s people, if they are truly going to be in the will of God and to enjoy the fullness of His blessing, to separate completely from those who might be a source of friction and carnality, even though such separation will be difficult and will give others (who don’t understand the spiritual issues involved) occasion to criticize and ridicule.

Rebekah

My post about Rebekah is one of my longer ones.  It's hard to separate Rebekah from Jacob and Esau.  But first we read about the first arranged marriage in the Bible.  One major characteristic of Rebekah was her ability to make quick decisions.  When Abraham's servant urged them to leave immediately (her family wanted her to wait at least ten days) she quickly agreed. "Her decision was right. One should not go ahead of the Lord’s will, but neither should he lag behind, once that will is known."

In chapter 25 we learn that Rebekah has been barren for the first twenty years of their marriage (verse 26).  After Isaac entreated the Lord, "Rebekah his wife conceived. And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger." 

 

This promise from God, that the elder would serve the younger, I believe, played a large role in how the two sons were raised.  I've always been troubled by how Isaac and Rebekah each had favorites.  Verse 28 says, "And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob."

 

When Isaac called Esau to prepare venison so he could bestow the blessing on him, Rebekah heard and took matters into her own hands.  This one act of Rebekah turned their family upside down.  Jacob received the blessing and Esau was furious.   

 

I can only imagine the regret that Rebekah lived with in her latter years.  She never saw Jacob again.  God said "the elder will serve the younger."  She should have trusted that.  She should have believed that even if Isaac gave Esau the blessing, God was still going to accomplish His plan.  The bottom line, deception may accomplish God's plan, but He doesn't need our help!

 

Rachel

I think many of us get a little mad at Rachel because Jacob loved her and not Leah.  The truth is, Rachel suffered too.  For seven years she was promised or "engaged" to Jacob.  But when the day finally came, her father made the decision to hold Rachel back and give Leah to Jacob instead.  Several commentaries agree that Leah was not actually hated, but not loved so much as she ought to have been.  Because of Jacob's preference for Rachel, Leah seems to get more sympathy, in my opinion.

We live in a society that places great importance on beauty and sometimes we try to counter balance that by putting characteristics on beautiful women that aren't true.  We paint them with a brush of pride and meanness that may not be there, while making the less beautiful the kinder person.  Those stereotypes are just that - stereotypes.  I've known beautiful women who were both kind and loving and I've known beautiful women who were mean and spiteful.  I've also known women who would not be considered beautiful by this world's standard that fell in one of these categories. What really matters is "Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised." (Proverbs 31:30)

 

Even after Rachel became Jacob's wife, her struggles continued.  She was barren for many years while Leah gave Jacob son after son.  She told Jacob, "Give me children or else I die."  But it wasn't Jacob who caused the barrenness.  It seems that at some point, Rachel finally took her barrenness to the Lord.

 

The name she chose for her son when he was born, Joseph, can be derived both from “Taken Away” and “May He Add,” thus indicating both her thanksgiving and her faith that God would give her yet another son. (The Genesis Record)  "God remembered Rachel,” in the best time for her, after he had taught her the lessons of dependence and patience. “Joseph.” There is a remote allusion to her gratitude for the reproach of barrenness taken away. But there is also hope in the name. (Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible) 

Leah

It is always difficult to separate Leah from Rachel, their lives were so entwined.  It's interesting how we interpret what is said about Leah's appearance. The Genesis Record says, "Since they were sisters, however, there must have been a considerable family resemblance between them, so that Leah could not have been too homely. The only specific weakness that is mentioned is that she was “tender-eyed.”"

There were different opinions on Leah being "tender eyed."  One said that her eyes were the only thing attractive about her.  I found it interesting that one commentary pointed out Leah being tender eyed meant she had soft blue eyes - thought a blemish.  I'm glad Les doesn't think that way!

 

No one ever likes to be second place, but that was certainly what happened to Leah.  She was not Jacob's wife by choice.  Leah gave her sons names that reflected how she was feeling at the time of their birth.  The Genesis Record says, "She acknowledged that her sons were given by the Lord in response to her prayers and her difficult position in the home. The fourth of her sons, Judah, was the only one whose name did not reflect her own personal situation, his name being a simple expression of praise to God. It is perhaps significant that this is the one through whom God intended one day to bring the Messiah into the world." Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible said, "It is remarkable that the wife of priority, but not of preference, is the mother of the seed in whom all nations are to be blessed."

 

There is a final sad story in the life of Leah which takes us to her daughter, Dinah...

 

Dinah 

Dinah's story leaves me so sad.  The daughter of Jacob and Leah, granddaughter of Isaac and Rebekah, great granddaughter of Abraham and Sarah.  What a family lineage!  But Dinah went out to see the daughters of the land.  Her pretense was to see the daughters of the land, to see how they dressed, and how they danced, and what was fashionable among them. She went to see, yet that was not all, she went to be seen too; she went to see the daughters of the land, but, it may be, with some thoughts of the sons of the land too.

Her curiosity about things outside the safety of her family set in motion great tragedy.  She was raped by Shechem.  This lead to revenge.  Two of her brothers, Simeon and Levi, set a plan in motion that would allow them to kill all the men of the city.

Seven years after studying Dinah, I still think of her with sadness.  We never read another word about her.  We don't know how she spent the rest of her life.  Did you marry?  Have children?  The Bible is completely silent about Dinah from that point on.

Tamar

I did not study Tamar with the other women of Genesis.  She is one of four women named in Matthew chapter one in the direct lineage of Christ.  Her story is so unusual.  She married Judah's oldest son, Er.  Er was wicked and God slew him.  Tamar was then given to Judah's second son who was also slain by God.  You have to ask, "Judah, what kind of sons are you raising?"

Judah then put a restriction on Tamar, "Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown."  "She could not marry in any other family so long as Judah would retain her in his." (1599 Geneva Bible Translation Notes)

 

We don't know how long Tamar waited, but Judah never offered his third son to her.  She finally took matters into her own hand.  She pretended to be a prostitute and Judah walked right into her trap.  When he found out about it three months later he was quick to judge her and demand she be put to death.  Judah changed his tune pretty quickly when he realized he was the other guilty party.

 

We read the words "scarlet thread" for the first time in the Bible when Tamar is giving birth to her twin sons.  It is that scarlet thread of redemption that we see throughout the Bible and Tamar, a woman not born into the nation of Israel, is part of that thread that links Jesus Christ to Abraham.

We don't read anymore of Tamar.  Most commentaries agree that Judah provided for her but he did not marry her  In spite of her background and her sins, she is still named in the genealogy of Jesus.

Move Past It!

This year I am working on reading my Bible through again.  I love using YouVersion.  I'm following "Bible in One Year 2022 with Nicky Gumbel."  Each day includes a devotional that ties together readings from the Old and New Testament along with verses from Psalms or Proverbs.   I finished Genesis this morning and was reminded of something I wrote about Joseph, it was originally posted on January 16, 2010:

 

I've been reading the story of Joseph and a new realization hit. I'm familiar with his response to his brothers, "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." (Genesis 50:20) But I had never thought about the fact that he did nothing to Potiphar's wife once he became second in command in Egypt.

 

An additional chapter in Genesis could have been written. We could have read about Potiphar, his wife, and entire household being hauled off to prison. Here was Joseph's opportunity for revenge! He could have told Pharaoh all about his problems with that woman, but as far as I can tell, he moved on. There were seven years of plenty to work and plan for before seven years of famine. He had work to do - he was too busy for grudges!

 

What a tremendous example! How many times have you or I been hurt, talked about, or mistreated and then we sit around waiting for the one who has wrong us to be paid back? We can't get on with the task at hand because we're too busy plotting our revenge and having imaginary conversation that usually never take place. There is too much work to do! Grudges only hurt the one carrying them. The best thing we can do is move on.

2010 is still relatively new (although it seems to be moving at the speed of light!). How about it? Can you leave 2009 and its hurts behind? I know this, there is plenty to do!  (*2022 got here in the blink of an eye, didn't it?)

 

This reminded me of another post I wrote about forgiveness.  The entire post can be read here, but the Purpose of the Church was a fabulous message we heard in Hawaii.  These bullet points about liberation are so good.  In light of Joseph's life, he truly did escape the prison of unforgiveness.

 

Liberation
There are two things that lock you in prison that you cannot escape - a lie and unforgiveness.
Unforgiveness causes chaos and health issues.
Forgiveness is not an option.  Your best life cannot happen if you won't release the junk you hold on to.
Revenge means that you become God.  It never works.
Baptism frees us from our past.  God forgives us, but He can't forgive FOR us.
True forgiveness cannot happen unless you give up all control and hope for revenge.

Happy New Year?

Can you see the moon?

I think this is the latest I have ever posted for the first time in a new year.  What happened?  I kicked off 2022 by running a half marathon on New Year's Day.  It was windy, but I got it done.  We started revival at church on Tuesday night, January 4th, and by the time we got home I was feeling feverish and achy.  I woke up Wednesday feeling horrible and so did Les.  Chills, fever, cough, the works.  We tested negative for COVID, so it appears we "just" had the flu.  The worst of it was over for me after a few days, while Les got hit a bit harder.

 

 

Last week I felt back to normal and revival continued at church.  This week started off good, then we got our COVID booster on Tuesday.  Like clockwork we both started feeling sick by that night.  This lasted about 24 hours and now the only thing left is a dull ache in my upper arm at the injection site.  I've told several people that we are just getting all the yucky stuff out of the way in January and now the rest of 2022 is going to be fantastic!

I went for a trail run this morning and it was wonderful!  We got a lot of rain in late December and a little bit this week so the trail is in fantastic shape.  I ran four miles before turning around.  All the pictures in this post are from this morning's run.  At about 4.6 miles I saw two cows - one on each side of the trail.  Neither of them were the least bit interested in me.

I finished 2021 down a total of 32 pounds.  I had been down 33 but picked up a pound over Christmas.  As of this morning I am down a total of 34.5.  One pound from the goal weight I set a little over a year ago!  It's been slow but steady.  I've enjoyed birthdays, weddings, and other celebrations.  We've traveled, eaten out, eaten pizza and ice cream.  What I've done is gone back to the basics of tracking what I eat and eating reasonable portions.  My running is better than it has been in years.

We're closing out our third week of revival and it has been so good. We've had many services where we just lingered in the altars.  God is still moving and I'm excited to see what He has in store for 2022!