Racing through the generations

After a few days of not being very well i am catching up on my reading before tonights Bible Reading Group and so here are some very basic and general thoughts on Genesis 29-41!

Their's a lovely romantic story about how far a man will go for the love of a woman as Jacob ends up serving years on Laban's farm to win the hand of his daughter Rachel. But yet again, things never go smoothly. Why anyone ever trusted an oath or promise made to them is beyond me, because they seem to be broken left, right and centre when it suits. Laban is at fault this time - happily taking Jacob's loyal service for 7 years and then negating on his promise of Rachel's hand in marriage in return. In the end he gets Rachel, accompanied by younger Leah for the promise of 7 more years labour. Jacob settles for this as his love for Rachel is so strong.

Lots of sons follow as well as the inevitable envy and rivalry between two competing wives as to who can produce the best dynasty. Jacob negotiates a parting with Laban, they agree and lo and behold! Jacob tricks and deceives Laban completely and makes off with the best flock.

after much messing around Jacob and Laban agree on what seems like a fairly serious and binding agreement before Jacob heads off to meet Esau who he first plies with gifts and blessings to try and win his favour. If it wasn't clear to me before, it is now, that Jacob is incapable of speaking to anyone straightly and honestly. His way is to deal with flattery and manipulation, never wanting to upset anyone but deceiving them afterwards. A totally damaging way to deal with people.

Jacob then wrestles with God, a strange and mysterious story - often used as a symbol for our intellectual and emotional wrestling with God over tragedy and doubt before the grand reunion with Esau - who incidentally seems rather non-plussed by all the over-the-top gifts and just wants to make up. Again Jacob agrees to meet him again in a little while and then does the opposite.

Another disturbing account in Chapter 34 involving the rape of Dinah and the honour killings to avenge the shame. But not before a pacifying agreement has been reached with the town for their conversion through circumcision and then during their recovery the place is ransacked.

Jacob recieves a change of name to Israel, at Bethel, where he consecrates himself to meet with God in a clear and deliberate way - challenge for us today when we gather for worship/prayer perhaps? - then we trot through Esau's descendents before reaching one of my heroes of the OT - Joseph.

Joseph in a nutshell:

- greatly gifted lacked grace to go with it - sometimes we can have too much gift for our level of grace!
- sold for pieces of silver - wasn't someone else treated the same way
- served faithfully in whatever situation he was in - God wants our best wherever we are
- in face of temptation flees doesn't dally with it
- in prison - grows in grace - acknowledges that any interpreting abilities he has come from God
- faithfully delivers messages from the Lord even when they are hard
- but tries to help his own cause rather than let God's time overrule
- eventually wins out after learning that all the glory and honour for his abilities go to God

God's purposes working out despite his servants best efforts!

Soap opera families & their wells

So we head into the story of Isaac and his family which feels at times like reading the script from a dysfunctional family who are the main characters in a sitcom. Twins are born with very different personalities and characteristics and their relationships within the family are plagued by being favoured by mum, Rebekah or dad, Isaac. This leads to the twins being played off each other - perhaps as weapons used by mum and dad to get at each other.

Firstly, Jacob steels the birthright of the first born son, Esau. He takes advantage of his hunger and finds a weak moment to manoeuvre himself up the 'food chain' and take Esau's place and be in line for the inheritance of the firstborn.

Secondly, Jacob tricks old Isaac - once again, buoyed on by his mother - into passing on the paternal blessing - the equivalent of a modern day will in many ways, which was solemn and binding as an oath - to himself.

What is striking is that once again, through manipulation and scheming the purposes of God seem to be fulfilled. Perhaps its these verses that so many Christians base their conduct on!

I've skipped over the fact that Isaac repeats Abraham's misjudgement of passing off his wife for his sister to protect himself as there isn't time today but just two things to note before i go to cook the family meal...

The unplugging of wells - i love this sense of generations before finding the source of life-giving water and later generations re-discovering them and opening them up again for their benefit and blessing. Its so great to see in my lifetime the church (in particular Methodism) re-discover the old wells of long ago with a fresh desire to plant churches of all different kinds, a thrust for discipleship and mission, a renewed commitment to prayer and a fresh challenge to engage with God's word and grow in holiness. These are the great discoveries of the past. As much as we need pioneers to find the brand new ways God is moving and shaping the world and its people, we need people who will search the scriptures and watch the land closely to see where the old springs have been and to work to unplug those old wells of before in churches, in towns, even in people's lives, that fresh, life-giving water - the living water from which we will never thirst, is experienced and drunk deep again.

And lastly, after Jacob's affirming and God-given dream, as a response to God's goodness to Him he spontaneously offers a tenth of everything the Lord has given Him. Once again, the principle of tithing is present even before its command is given. It's encouraging to me and perhaps challenging to others that this principle of Christian giving isn't just tucked away in one obsucre reference, but this principle appears time and time again within God's word and is one God's people would do well to respond to.

Rites of passage

So Gen 23 brings with it the death of Sarah and Abraham's eagerness to do the right thing when it comes to arranging her burial place. Endless parallels with similar pastoral situations i face month in month out, (why are we surprised - Abraham had to deal with very real human issues like us) where the final act of devotion and love from a loved one is to make sure they have a fitting tribute and celebration and that they are laid to rest appropriately. Despite the repeated offer of a gift of a burial place from the Hittites, the fact that Abraham pays for this burial plot is a matter of honour and pride so eventually they settle on a site and a price.

Then on to a wedding for Isaac. The servant is despatched by Abraham to find a suitable wife and a match is found and arranged. Although this does not appear to be a forced marriage, i can't help but notice that Rebekah and Isaac are committed to each other by their families representatives before they've even set eyes on each other. This time the contrast to common pastoral practice is striking. I conducted a wedding on saturday, a great and wonderful occasion, where people were full of joy and happiness. But the couple had grown together over time. They had no doubt, got together from an initial attraction, physical or emotional, but had spent time journeying together, even starting a family together before they decided to get married. Perhaps as well they felt the leading of God's Spirit throughout that process and up to and including their wedding. Such a contrast though from the selection process for Rebekah, which relies on either divine sovereignty or chance depending how you look at it.

Anyway, it seems like the end of the Abrahamic era is at large and we head on with the new generation tomorrow.

Abraham and sons...

So trawling through Gen 17-22 and a mix of strange and significant stories. Firstly, covenant of circumcision is introduced and Abraham and his 13 year old son are circumcised - ouch! I guess for them its something they would never forget and also sets the pattern for all the covenant people onwards.

Secondly, Abraham is visited by three mysterious visitors from afar. Unsure whether these are mystics, angels or even perhaps a symbolic picture of trinity? Whatever they are it is clear that they speak authoritatively on behalf of the Lord.

Thirdly, continuing in Gen 18 is a great piece of bartering between Abraham and God. God decrees the destruction of Sodom for awful things but Abraham steps in to convince God to relent a little to satisfy Abraham's sense of moral justice. Abraham's bartering is received positively and God amends His original plans for destruction. Surely, a real encouragement to pray! God's mind can be changed by the intercession of His people. If it works for Abraham then surely it will work for us. Perhaps i am being challenged to pray more directly and specifically for things and then keep badgering until there's a result.

Chapter 19 is rather unpalatable for a number of reasons to do with incest and the exploitation of women, a sexual desperation on a city wide scale expressed through homosexuality before we arrive at Abraham's treaty with Abimelek. It appears at first that Abraham has not learnt the lesson from years before. Perhaps he should have written lines, Bart Simpson style - 'i will not pass of my wife as my sister...' but i guess its really encouraging that a great hero of the faith sometimes doesn't learn overly quickly. It seems i'm in good company. Of course, it appears that through Abraham's scheming - great blessing comes and he receives a prizely sum as part of this treaty.

This seems to be the case so often - and i imagine this is what gives weight to the argument that 'religious writings' are written post the event to justify behaviour. We can see echoes of this as the Moabites and Ammonites, soon to be arch enemies of Israel are those born of incest between Lot and his daughters. Is this written to justify prejudice in later generations?

Then on to the birth of Isaac, the child of promise and to the famous story of his almost sacrifice. Once again a beautiful picture of aspects of the cross. Abraham willingly sacrifices his own son on an altar of wood - the links between Jesus being sacrificed on the 'altar' of a wooden cross are clear.

That concludes my first week through Genesis - quite a winding tale of people and circumstances - what is clear throughout is the theme, however presented, of God's faithfulness and plan working itself out no matter what the characters face or do. How great it is to know, that God does work despite us and with us.

From Noah to Abraham - more dodgy biblical studies

Writing this late at night after a crazy day so claim even less inspiration than normal. Reading from the end of the story of Noah to the beginning of Abram. Noticed a couple of things that made me think.

Firstly, when Noah gets drunk from the wine in his vineyard, innocently the story suggests, Ham his son sees him naked and draws attention to him rather than covering him up discretely. For this mistake of Ham's, Canann gets punished - in fact Noah curses the young Canaan for the foolishness of his father. That led me to wonder secondly, whether the 'justification' for the aggressive conquest of Canaan comes from this passage - that in the communities of the day, the descendants of Canaan were despised and pictured in negative terms for this reason. Maybe it was the other way round. The Jewish nation were so prejudiced against their former neighbours that they 'wrote in' to their religious history something that confirmed and 'justified' their hatred and suspicion?

Secondly, am really challenged as i write this, because my theology and view of scripture is being disturbed (as in shuffled around) somewhat. As i read this primitive literature, its seems so much like justification for actions from the future. It reads as though it is written hundreds of years later attempting to rationalise and explain, maybe even deify, events of their past. A decidedly different style and feel though as we enter the story of Abram and prepare to see more of Jesus in God's covenant of grace.

Lastly, hadn't realised Nimrod helicopters may well have their name based on Gen 10:8ff, and the tower of babel seems a random story somewhat that fits into the context of my thinking above.

Am sure someone out there can correct my erroneous biblical scholarship?

Noah - the first picture of salvation

So today i moved through Genesis 6-9 and took in the fascinating story of Noah. There are lovely little bits where 'God remembered Noah' and others and its a great bit of story telling - almost designed in some ways for a young audience.

Reflecting as i read, that this is the first salvation/rescue story in Scripture. This is the first time that the idea of God saving people and His creation (however limited a part of creation) enters the fore and its hard to read the story at face value and not read it through the lens of Jesus.

I've so often told people that we understand the OT through the lens of the NT and vice versa, and think there is much in that, certainly if we read Scripture as one narrative rather than proof texting - but am also aware of the failures of exegesis in this way. For now, i'll continue with my poor exegesis - this is a devotional exercise, not a scholarly one!

Lots of parallels with the cross in terms of salvation. Firstly, that God makes a way out from His judgement. He never seems to leave humanity without a choice of escape, and in the ark of Noah and in the cross, God offers a way of rescue for all.

There is the wooden ark that is the passage to rescue, as well as the wooden cross of Calvary, as well as God's assurance following the flood of safety and love. The rainbow is a great picture of God's promises and His faithfulness. A sign of God's continued rescue and love for generations. It is a reminder of the faithfulness and mercy of God, in many ways like the empty cross and empty tomb.

There is much to be questioned and challenge in this story, but for me, its exciting that 3 days in to this journey through scripture, already salvation and rescue take centre stage.

Favouritism, liturgy and Enoch

Day two of Bible readings takes me through Genesis 4&5 looking at Cain & Abel and then descending generations to Noah.

Firstly, reading Gen 4 and not noticed the favouritism God shows to Abel. I guess I'm so used to pedalling the story that God loves everyone equally and receives their varied offerings with equal gratitude - something i still believe is true - that this sense of arbitrary favouritism to Abel's offering seems so harsh. Am happy to read this literature as myth - but if it is some kind of theological myth there is theological truth here - but what is that? That God is sovereign? That God does have favourites? Perhaps the point is more about how trivial an issue can spark rage and revenge leading to murder in humanity and how frail our moral sense/passion can be?

Then into Chapter 5 with its lilting poetic liturgy of the generations - telling in a couple of phrases the story of each generation and in its repetition showing the frailty and temporariness of human lives and existence. But i love how all of a sudden the repetition and rhythm is broken as we come to Enoch. Am aware of how often this happens in Scripture that a pattern is broken to say a little extra about one person or situation. Jabez i guess is the 'famous' example. But here, in just a few words, it is said of Enoch, what so many followers of Jesus would love to have on their gravestone. 'Enoch walked faithfully with God...' What a great epitaph that would be. There is no mention of the exploits of Enoch, of his ministry successes or how influential he was on the world around him, just that he 'walked faithfully with God...'.

Am challenged by that wonderful word this morning. How much could that be said of me? How much to i place ministry 'success' above and beyond simply walking closely with God? How will today be different because i am keen to be an Enoch?    

In the beginning

So today I began a challenge that i've always wanted to undertake but have always put off to another time. I am reading the Bible from cover to cover in canonical order (i.e. beginning in Genesis and ending in Revelation). I've already read my reading for this morning Genesis 1-3 and noticed some interesting questions which i would love some insight into from the two people likely to read this post. More on that in a bit.

Because i'm useless at being disciplined i have invited a group of people from the circuit to join me in this endeavour, something that has received a really good numerical response (to my surprise). And so about 15 of us are reading the Bible together from cover to cover and meeting weekly in two classes (small groups) to share our experiences, discuss what we've read, pray for one another and spur each other on through Leviticus and Proverbs in particular. I'm attempting to be just a participant in this process and not the leader/teacher - we shall see how successful this is!

2 questions arose today from my reading of Genesis 1-3. Firstly, Gen 2:17 - God tells Adam & Eve not to eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil for if they do, they will die. They do but don't. I.e. they eat, but are still alive. Is God lying? (btw i am not reading this text as scientific history but more as poetry/liturgy but still?) Or does God mean that by eating the fruit, sin enters the world which leads to death? Were Adam and Eve immortal until eating the fruit?

Secondly, noticed that in Gen 3:16 as part of God's curse after the fall, man assumes dominion over woman. If this is post-fall, then this gives weight to the argument re: male headship is not what God intended. But, taking some NT passages in mind, is this the way to organise ourselves in a fallen world?

Just musings, any input would be gratefully received, but if not, my reading group will surely have some interesting insights.