Day 15
Genesis 31:1-55
(31)
So it turns out I was wrong yesterday; it was God who was influencing the strength and the frequency of the sheep and goats Laban decided to pay Jacob with. Jacob wasn't influencing much by himself. I wasn't the only one to think that, though. At the very start of the chapter, Laban's sons are overheard saying that Jacob is profiting from what he essentially stole from Laban. Jacob also notices that his cousin's attitude towards him has cooled somewhat. After consulting with his wives, he decides to head back to his father's household, taking his wives, children and possessions with him. Jacob also decides to leave without notifying Laban. Three days later, Laban notices and heads out after Jacob. Laban eventually catches up to Jacob's party, and expresses understandable annoyance at not being able to say goodbye to his daughters and grandchildren. Jacob replies that he was afraid Laban would take his daughters back by force should he try to leave - a reasonable assumption given Laban's history of deception when it comes to his daughters.
Another point raised is that someone has stolen Laban's household gods. Laban believes it was Jacob. Jacob, not knowing that it was actually Rachel who stole the gods, declares that if Laban can find anything of his in the camp, he can take it, and that the thief would be killed should they turn out to be in Jacob's camp. Jacob's resolve on that particular issue wasn't put to the test, however, as Rachel feigned being on her period and sat on the gods. The chapter finishes with the two cousins agreeing a covenant between them. The covenant laid down that neither man could enter the other's territory to harm the other.
Matthew 12:1-21
(12:1-21)
In this segment, the Pharisees try to catch Jesus out for the first time. First of all, they point out the fact that Jesus' disciples broke the law by working on the Sabbath. Jesus counters the statement with Biblical references. Jesus is then asked if it is legal to heal on the Sabbath. Jesus argues that is still lawful to do good on the Sabbath, and promptly heals a man with a shrivelled hand. Jesus then removes himself from the public gaze for a bit. People followed him regardless, and he healed their sick. Again, this all happens to fulfil prophesy.
This chapter provides further evidence of God keeping his promises; it took him a while when it came to promises regarding the Messiah, but they still came to fruition. The passage is also the beginning of a warning of the perseverance of our enemies; Jesus has been quite counter-cultural quite publicly - of course the Pharisees are less than pleased with him. So when their initial attempts to discredit him fail, they plot the best way to kill him.
Psalm 9:13-20
(9:13-20)
David is continuing to praise God for his deliverance. David has had to be patient in receiving this deliverance. So he's very well placed to say "But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish". It's very encouraging to hear that sometimes. Sometimes it might seem as though God has forgotten us. Worse still, it can feel like he's ignoring us. This line tells us to be patient. God will come through for us.
Genesis 31:1-55
(31)
So it turns out I was wrong yesterday; it was God who was influencing the strength and the frequency of the sheep and goats Laban decided to pay Jacob with. Jacob wasn't influencing much by himself. I wasn't the only one to think that, though. At the very start of the chapter, Laban's sons are overheard saying that Jacob is profiting from what he essentially stole from Laban. Jacob also notices that his cousin's attitude towards him has cooled somewhat. After consulting with his wives, he decides to head back to his father's household, taking his wives, children and possessions with him. Jacob also decides to leave without notifying Laban. Three days later, Laban notices and heads out after Jacob. Laban eventually catches up to Jacob's party, and expresses understandable annoyance at not being able to say goodbye to his daughters and grandchildren. Jacob replies that he was afraid Laban would take his daughters back by force should he try to leave - a reasonable assumption given Laban's history of deception when it comes to his daughters.
Another point raised is that someone has stolen Laban's household gods. Laban believes it was Jacob. Jacob, not knowing that it was actually Rachel who stole the gods, declares that if Laban can find anything of his in the camp, he can take it, and that the thief would be killed should they turn out to be in Jacob's camp. Jacob's resolve on that particular issue wasn't put to the test, however, as Rachel feigned being on her period and sat on the gods. The chapter finishes with the two cousins agreeing a covenant between them. The covenant laid down that neither man could enter the other's territory to harm the other.
Matthew 12:1-21
(12:1-21)
In this segment, the Pharisees try to catch Jesus out for the first time. First of all, they point out the fact that Jesus' disciples broke the law by working on the Sabbath. Jesus counters the statement with Biblical references. Jesus is then asked if it is legal to heal on the Sabbath. Jesus argues that is still lawful to do good on the Sabbath, and promptly heals a man with a shrivelled hand. Jesus then removes himself from the public gaze for a bit. People followed him regardless, and he healed their sick. Again, this all happens to fulfil prophesy.
This chapter provides further evidence of God keeping his promises; it took him a while when it came to promises regarding the Messiah, but they still came to fruition. The passage is also the beginning of a warning of the perseverance of our enemies; Jesus has been quite counter-cultural quite publicly - of course the Pharisees are less than pleased with him. So when their initial attempts to discredit him fail, they plot the best way to kill him.
Psalm 9:13-20
(9:13-20)
David is continuing to praise God for his deliverance. David has had to be patient in receiving this deliverance. So he's very well placed to say "But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish". It's very encouraging to hear that sometimes. Sometimes it might seem as though God has forgotten us. Worse still, it can feel like he's ignoring us. This line tells us to be patient. God will come through for us.
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