tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112439593032667008.post8470684420083961274..comments2023-04-22T12:31:37.714-07:00Comments on Blogging the Bible: January 13Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15063678082377147197noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112439593032667008.post-52557264783464604042012-01-14T07:52:31.581-08:002012-01-14T07:52:31.581-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112439593032667008.post-37611461618933558372012-01-14T07:43:35.792-08:002012-01-14T07:43:35.792-08:002012 thoughts:
I have been slightly more sympathe...2012 thoughts:<br /><br />I have been slightly more sympathetic to Jacob this year. For one thing, I've realized how God was simply not an active part of his worldview thus far. He feels that he must do everything himself to succeed in life. There is no such thing as just trusting in God to provide. That's why he can lie with a straight face and tell his dad (as Esau) that "God" is who helped him hunt so quickly. He almost seems like a practical atheist at that point. And so then, when he has his "stairway to heaven" vision, he assumes that HE stumbled onto GOD, not that God found Him. Clearly, he has a very skewed view of this God he "happened" to find, which is why he tries to wheel and deal with Him. <br /><br />And even throughout his stay with Laban, God seems to be a convenient cover or excuse for his own deceptions. He uses superstitious means to make the sheep be born a certain way, and then attributes it to "God's" favor. It seems that "God" is code for Jacob's own trickery.<br /><br />--KimAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112439593032667008.post-73098914450793521002010-01-13T18:50:37.977-08:002010-01-13T18:50:37.977-08:00Mom,
I totally thought of you when I read that ver...Mom,<br />I totally thought of you when I read that verse! And I think the preacher used it well; I don't think he took it way out of context or anything. Good thoughts!<br /><br />And Becky, I don't feel like I've "gone over" this at all:). Mainly, I just keep raising the question about how all of these deceptions can add up to God's will. I feel waaaay out of my depth here, but I know that God is omniscient, which itself is a quality totally beyond my comprehension. And so maybe it's not so much that God wanted these people to act this way as that He knew that they WOULD, and He used their free will to accomplish His plans.<br /><br />It also occurs to me that nobody has the Law yet. There is no established code of morality. I'm sure they have consciences and everything, but really, consciences are a pretty horrible guide. For example, by all accounts, it seems like no one's conscience was bothered by the pass-off-wife-as-sister stuff. That move seemed totally justified to Abraham. So they are all living in a world where they are guided by their consciences and maybe the surrounding culture. No wonder they are so morally screwed up! That's probably why God gave them the Law. They clearly need some divine revelation in working out their morality!Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063678082377147197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112439593032667008.post-56688874357340775042010-01-13T13:52:59.747-08:002010-01-13T13:52:59.747-08:00I know you have gone over this already, but I stil...I know you have gone over this already, but I still can't decide what I think about all of the deception going on in this family while God continues to bless them. It does seem like there is very little consequence for it (except for the deceivers being deceived themselves). If I remember my Bible stories, this pattern just continues (with Judah and Tamar, Rahab, etc.--more in the line of Christ). I mean, these are the righteous, famous people of God while other people/peoples are described as being "wicked." It makes me wonder what "righteousness" and "wickedness" really mean. Looking in Hebrews 11, it would seem that these people were righteous because of their faith, not so much for their actions (except where their actions were indicative of their faith). However, Psalms and Proverbs tell us that we still have to do right things and allow ourselves to be disciplined... *Sigh* Here we go again. :)beksterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15724637942561747185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112439593032667008.post-89933584525510943312010-01-13T04:04:57.733-08:002010-01-13T04:04:57.733-08:00(Gen.) It just again reminded me of how blessed I...(Gen.) It just again reminded me of how blessed I am to have a great son-in-law! (Matthew) Thanks to a sermon I once heard at the Gulf Coast church in Florida, Matthew 13:29 has new meaning for me: "According to your faith it will be done to you." While I know that Jesus was speaking to these blind men who wanted their sight, Jesus also simply teaches basic truths...according to your faith, you will receive. Do you think 2010 will be just like 2009? Then you are right b/c according to your faith, it is. Do you think your marriage will never improve; then you're right, b/c according to your faith, it is. If one person thinks he will succeed and the other thinks he will not succeed, then they are both right...b/c according to your faith, it is. Well, I love that verse and it motivates me to maintain a positive outlook on life! I trust God to be with us in 2010...and I already know that NO MATTER WHAT, he is b/c according to your faith, it is.Gagahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09747145949566817043noreply@blogger.com