The burden of the soul winner

Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Psalm 126:5-6 “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

       He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”

Song of Solomon 5:2 “I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my Beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.”

Here we begin a new calling from the Lord….He is seen out in the night, wet with dew…in prayer for the redemption of the lost. 

       (How many times was Jesus out praying…sometimes all night for the ministry…of His disciples and for those He would preach to. Matthew 14:23, Mark 1:35, Luke 3:21, 5:16, 6:12, 9:18, 11:1)

But there is also the call to us….to identify with Him in prayer and work for the lost.

“He that goeth forth and weepeth”…..we should mourn over the lost.

        Certainly that, if they die in that state, they will go to Hell.   But mourn also for their lives….lost to the Purpose and glory of God.   Lives….wasted on things.

This is the burden of the soul winner,…to be so identified with our Lord, as to long for the redemption of those He paid the full price for.

Paul wrote the Galatians…

     Galatians 4:19 “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,”

Paul tells how he was travailing in birth again….for them.    He had led them to the Lord….and they had turned aside after those who were adding to the gospel…

…so he was praying….and interceding…with great work (pain) before God…that they might repent and…have Christ formed in them

      (Ephesians 2:10 “For we are HIs workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works…”   this “workmanship” is a molded image of Christ in us.)

      When we walk away from the simple gospel of Christ…we must come back to Him….and know again that He is the only Way….by complete surrender to Christ Jesus the Lord, and Him only.

The burden of the soul winner is the Holy Spirit, within  you,….making intercession for the lost….that Christ might be formed in them….by salvation and sanctification.   A life lived to the glory of God.

Romans 8:26-27 “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought:  but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

      And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

The Holy Spirit acts and does according to the will of God in our prayers, when He is not being quenched (stifled).

We have a responsibility to live a life of glory to God….witnessing of His plan of salvation and mercy.

       We cannot deal with people from a position of spiritual superiority….for it is always a saved sinner dealing with a lost sinner.    God’s grace alone has made the difference. 

       Yet at times our words are enough…..other times….we must “pull them out” of the fire….by our prayers and words,…..praying  for the Holy Spirit to have liberty to convict and deal with them.

Jude 20, 22-23 “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

     And of some have compassion, making a difference:

     And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”

“Making a difference” is to show any doubting or fearing soul the truth.  Often things seem alike which are not.

“others save with fear”….those that are very near destruction…”pull them out” (which means to catch, seize)….being careful not to be “burned” yourself.

   “Hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”   Hating…if we love God, we hate that which destroys a soul from coming to God.

     Galatians 6:1 “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

Song of Solomon 5:4 “My Beloved put in His hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for Him.”

    In those days, each door had a hole in it, that whoever came might put something in it, to tell those that were not there….or did not answer, that they had been there.

Here it is the nail-pierced hand….that puts myrrh on the inside…”on the handles of the lock” (verse 5).   This is the final identification to her (us) that it has indeed been Him that was calling us on.

He paid the full price for redemption….and now He calls and waits…

…then He puts myrrh (the oder of His death)…on the lock…..which we had not yet come to open!

Colossians 1:24 “Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His body’s sake, which is the church:”

As Paul, we are called to “suffer” for the lost….praying, interceding, and going out and leading them in….as we are led.

   To suffer in this way….to bring another soul to glory.   For it is Christ in you the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).

And it is Christ in me, you, us….that brings them to Himself.

Disciples–Learners, and Friends

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Come and learn of Him.

If we are born again, we know how to “Come”…for we did come to Him for Salvation.

To learn of Him is to stop thinking we already know…and to hear what He is saying.

A good example is the feeding of the five thousand.

The story is in all four gospels:

Matthew 14:15-21. (Verse 16) “But Jesus said unto them (His disciples), They need not depart; give ye them to eat.”

John 6:5-13. (Verse 5-6) “When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?

And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.”

In all the accounts, Jesus is healing and teaching the multitudes which followed Him into the desert place.

He has compassion on them. For He sees them as sheep, not having a shepherd.

He has let the time pass, because He wants to teach His disciples a lesson.

First: In themselves they can do nothing. “Give ye them to eat.” This showed them that they couldn’t.

Second: If they give what He has blessed,………..there is enough and to spare.

“Bring them (the loaves and fishes) hither to me….and looking up to heaven, He blessed and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled:…”(Matthew 14:18-20)

Lessons from our Lord, includes everything.

From prayer (Luke 11:1-13),

to strife among brethren (Matthew 18:15-17, John 13:34-35),

to faith (Matthew 15:30-31, 17:20),

and forgiveness (Matthew 1 9:21-35).

All this comes down to; learning to walk with Him:

Amos 3:3 ” Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”

As we lose our self-life, we must come to many agreements with Him. This is the learning process.

There must be an Absolute Surrender to Christ; For He must Reign.

This is where we decide, once and for all, that we will follow Christ; wherever He leads.

But it is only by many deliberate acts of the will, that we make Him Lord of our lives, practically.

For it is only through our wills that we submit to His Lordship.

In each instance of obedience, our minds and hearts move the will to decide for Christ.

Friends:

John 15:15 “Henceforth I call ye not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”

These disciples had traveled a long way with Christ, and had determined to go on with Him, although He was hated by the Pharisees.

There is an old saying: “A wise man is he that keeps his friendships in constant repair”

And this is as true with Christ, as well as our other friends.

A man with God can be a majority of One in any situation.

Look at John, the disciple:

When Jesus’s time was come, He went to the garden of Gethsemane to pray.(John 18:1)

The eleven were with Him, but three of the eleven were closest to Him…Peter, James and John.

When Judas and the band of soldiers which were to arrest Him, came; they all fled.

Mark 14:48-52 “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?

I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the Scriptures must be fulfilled.

And they all forsook him, and fled.”

John 18:15 “And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.”

Here John, did not stay outside with Peter, but went into the place of judgement…….the high priest knew him.

This could have been life threatening. But he went into the palace to be with Jesus.

And after they led Jesus away to Pilate? And to Golgotha? John was there

also. None other disciple, but he was.

John 19:25-27 “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

Then saith he to his disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.”

John was a young man; who had fled to save his life….but came back to follow Jesus, not only to find out what would happen to him,…..but to stand with Him, both in the place of judgement and death.

Friends. We, too, can be friends with Christ.

We can stand with Him, not that we won’t fail, but that we will seek Him and stand with Him, after we have.

A wise man is he that keeps his friendships in constant repair.

2 John

2 John1, 3  “The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;

       Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.”

This book is the only letter, written in the New Testament which is to a woman.  Most believe it is addressed to her, to show the Lord’s value of a servant whose ministry may not be out in front of others….but who, none the less, has been a notable blessing…and a light to many….especially her children.

(I want to mention here, that the Lord is the greatest respecter of women.   He mentions them…and our responsibility to help and encourage them.

        There are many women heroes of the Bible, who stood with the Lord against some or many: Deborah, Jael, Rahab, Ruth, Lydia, Dorcus, Pricilla…and when every king of Judah begins his reign, his mother’s name  is mentioned…showing how important the teaching of children is by them.)

John is stressing that truth is the foundation of good works…in love.

It is truth that is emphasized….that love must be in truth.   As Christians we must never love by setting aside the truth….but loving, in truth. (Ephesians 4:15)

Notice in the first three verses, truth is mentioned four times.   John loves her in the truth….and not only her,  but all who are in the Truth…who are in Christ.

Nothing can destroy the truth….for God maintains it…even in the face of all opposition and apostasy.

John greets this lady with the assurance that God the Father will give her grace (the unmerited favor of power), mercy (and how much we need this everyday) and peace, for her.  

      And greets her  from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father in truth and love.

He writes to her in joy, having found that she and her children were walking in truth.

      She had received by the Word to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and also the commandment to love one another…and she had…and taught her children to do the same.

He stresses to her….for she has refreshed the traveling missionaries or preachers, going about to encourage the local churches (what a blessing she has been to her children and all who see her and them Proverbs 31:27-28,31)

….but John stresses that she should be watchful of what these…actually  say, and how they speak of Christ.

2 John 5-6 “And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.

        And this is love,   that we walk after His commandments.   This is the commandment,  That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.”

John gives no new commandment…but what Christ Jesus had already said.

What was this commandment?

       John 13:34 “A new commandment I give unto you,  That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”

How did Jesus love us?   He always loved us…in truth….calling us into the light of His truth….to be sanctified…set aside to Him.

      John 17:19 “And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.”

 (John’s is eminently the gospel which speaks of truth: twenty-seven times it is spoken of, and all but one is spoken by Jesus or about Him.   The last is Pilate asking  “What is truth?”

      Nineteen times Jesus speaks of love in John’s gospel,  the last three times it is mentioned is Peter, in his confession of:  “Thou knowest that I love Thee.” after his three denials.)

So here in this letter to this lady,  John reminds her that we are to love, as brothers and sisters in Christ….but in truth.

      “And this is love, that ye walk after His commandments”

2 John 7 “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh.   This is a deceiver and an antichrist.”

It is easy to want to help those that say “nice” things about Jesus…but we must always be listening to what they say….the doctrine they preach and teach.   

      Jesus Christ is the Son of God, Who was equal with God, yet who came in the flesh…born of a virgin;  Who lived a perfect life…and died as the Lamb of God to take away our sins.   He rose again the third day…HIs sacrifice for us being accepted….. and is now in Heaven, at the right hand of God for us…interceding for us.  

2 John 9  “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God.  He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.”

There were some who denied that Jesus was both God and man….there were some who denied His bodily resurrection….she must be watchful.   They struck at the foundation of truth…”who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh.”

Remember John is writing a simple believer, a woman….full of understanding,…yet one who might be swayed with words…as we all might, if we are not watchful.

We are not to tolerate evil, for such words could destroy the usefulness of a child of God.

      (What trouble has come by the “friends” of Christ in communion with His enemies…till it is openly said that Christian charity must allow those that deny Christ in. 

       But John stresses,  it is love,  in truth, only.)

2 John 8 “Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.”

John, who loved her in the truth, warned her that failure to watch against deceivers was dangerous for her….and her children.   We are to  watch, and keep to the Word of God.

          Faithfulness to Christ should always be first.

In this epistle, all is to be judged on their words….their doctrine. (Matthew 12:34-37)

          The reward here is that of faithfulness to Christ and His Word…”Well done thou good and faithful servant.”

2 John 10  “If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:”

So subtle are the tricks of the Adversary….

…therefore, if any come and confess not that Jesus Christ is the Son of God…come in the flesh….receive him not.

   Nor bid him “Godspeed”….which was a common farewell to Christians…a prayer for God’s blessing on the trip.

This is a reminder for every simple believer…not just teachers or preachers…but each of us to  walk in truth.   To love, but in truth.

          John was going to come, and he would talk more with her then….but this was so important a subject…for the safety of her and her children….that he had to write to warn her…

….and us.

Matthew 6:10 “Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

Years ago, my husband was praying about being filled with the Spirit of God. He was teaching a Sunday school class at the time, and felt that the men in the class could benefit from what the Word says.

      The Lord showed him Song of Solomon 3:6 “Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?”

This seemed an odd verse,(he was thinking Ephesians 5:18, which is a command…but does not say how.)… 

….then the Lord showed him….Joel 2:28-30 (this was quoted by Peter on the day of Pentecost Acts 2:16-19)   “…in those days will I pour out my Spirit.  And I will show wonder in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.”

Pillars of smoke….weak in itself, but a pillar because of the filling (out pouring) of His Spirit.

This is what being filled with the Holy Spirit is about.   We are weak, and unable….in ourselves.   But He is abundant, strong and more than able….in us, and through us.

And we are filled….continually filled with His Spirit, as we are emptied of self….as we deny ourselves…so He can work through us.

The Lord showed him, that as he lifts his hands up to receive these blessings (and they need to be emptied of all the other things we naturally hang on to)…..they come down in him, and through him….by “Thy kingdom come”….by the rule and reign of Christ Jesus, through the Holy Spirit in Him….for it is, “Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.”

And the Lord showed him that He has everything we need to do every task, say every word, and be victorious in our lives….

…and it is summed up in  “Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done in earth…”

And what is the provision that God has made for us…in Christ?

Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.”

Hath blessed us.  All…all spiritual blessings.    That is a Mighty Promise.   

But you say….yes, but it is in heavenly places in Christ….not in me.

Yes,….but we are in Christ.   In fact,  the Lord showed my husband another verse which said this very thing:

Ephesians 2:6 ” Who hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”

We are in Christ (not with, but in)…..as He is in heaven.   And He is in us, as we are here on earth.    The power and blessings which are in Christ…in the heavenly places (and what power that is)…is at our disposal….for we are in Christ…and He in us!

The means of getting that power that we have in Christ in our everyday circumstances….is Matthew 6:10.

We are seated in the heavenlies….in Christ.  And we get what we have in Him in the heavenlies…in us down here…by having His kingdom come.  His Will be done in earth (in me), as it is in heaven.

And His kingdom comes to us, by His Will being done by us.

The power of His authoritive reign within us….is like a pebble in a pond….with ripples going outward.

It is first in me that we feel the most power…to bring us and our life under HIs authority. Our obedience to Him influences others wherever we are.    What a blessing it is to yield to the Holy Spirit…in spirit, soul and body.

And then in ever widening circles in the rest of my life’s circumstances….my church, my home, my job,…in the world to the sphere of my influence…under the power of the Holy Spirit.

Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

        And how is it done in heaven?   

Willingly, joyfully,…completely.

        But also with fulness of power.    And He has it for us….in the rule and reign of His kingdom within us.

All spiritual blessings.   What a promise!   What do we need?   Peace,  strength,  comfort,  joy?   He has all for us….in Him.

How much of Him do you have?   or rather….how much of you does He have?  

Are we yielding to His coming to us with the blessings He has for us……are we raising our hands, by faith and obedience, to receive all He wants to give?

Is His power working against the hurt and bitterness….but still we fail in anger or hasty words?

Are we quick to speak….”yes, Lord”…..but slow to do?

The unity, which is our true life, has been broken by sin….but Christ died to save us from sin….and to give us the fullness of His life within.    

       A life which is so full of goodness…it make us honest and good.

       A life which is so full of peace…it keeps us through storm and sunshine.

       A life which is so full of forgiveness for us….it works that forgiveness to others within us.

       A life which is so full of tireless energy to do us good….it gives us love for others….and strength to do the good works He has called us to do.(Ephesians 2:10)

His life, by His Spirit dwells within us….but are we being filled with His Spirit and power,…as we yield….. to do and be what He has purposed and planned for us?

“I am weak but Thou art strong;

     Jesus keep me from all wrong;

I’ll be satisfied as long

     As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Just a closer walk with Thee, 

    Grant it Jesus is my plea, 

Daily walking close to Thee,

     Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Through this world of toil and snares,

    If I falter Lord,  who cares?

Who with me my burden shares?

None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.”

The Called according to His Purpose

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”

If I am one of the called according to His purpose…..when did He call me? And for what purpose?

The “when” is most interesting:

2 Timothy 1:9 “ Who hath saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began;”

Before anything that is, was….He saw you in Christ Jesus.

Now it is….Who saved us and called us with a Holy Calling….not according to our works.

It is a Holy Calling….not something that we earn,….

…..but to be holy means to be separated unto the Lord….so it is a calling that separates us to Christ and His honor.

We did not come into being, to live for ourselves….to do our own thing.

We are bought with a price, and we are not our own.

But let us consider the “purpose”.

The purpose or reason for my personal existence?

Ecclesiastes 3:11 “He hath made every thing beautiful in His time: also He hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.”

“Also He hath set the world in their heart”….the proper rendering would be “eternity”

“He hath set eternity in their hearts.”

We all have within us a longing for that which is Eternal…..without change….to have fellowship and knowledge of something or Someone…..Who is beyond our understanding….for, if we are honest,…..our hearts feel Him….even when we do not acknowledge Him

This desire is there….and must be satisfied….for without this we know that we are incomplete.

The human heart can know no true rest until it rests in God…..Who created it for Himself.

Run as far as you can and as fast as you can…..you will still find God is there and that there is no escaping Him….He is waiting for you there.

And this is our Purpose…..to know Him, Whom to know aright is to have Eternal life.

Then, our Purpose has to do with faithfully fulfilling the work God has called us to:

Acts 26:16, 18 “But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this Purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and those things which I will appear unto thee.

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith which is in Me.”

Our Purpose has to do with witnessing to others of Christ…..of “opening the eyes” (“open” here means reversing how they see, now)……pulling away the veil of disbelief and scoffing….

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 “For if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, Who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

In Ecclesiastes….”purpose” is mentioned several times….

Ecclesiastes 3:1 “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”

Ecclesiastes 3:17 “I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.”

Ecclesiastes 8:5-6 “Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerned both time and judgment.

Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.”

(How many of us know when we are out of place? Of course, because the Holy Spirit within us….leading us in our purpose for this time, shows us….gives us discernment.)

Our purpose has to do with time….our time here….and what we are doing with it.

Ephesians 1:11-12 “In Whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the Purpose of Him Who worketh all things after the counsel of His own Will:”

That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ.”

Our purpose is to be born again….and come into a personal relationship with Christ Jesus our Lord.

Our purpose is to grow in grace….and the knowledge of Christ (2 Peter 1:2-4)

Our purpose is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind.

Our purpose is to manifest Christ to others.

Isaiah 14:24 “The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so it shall come to pass; and as I have purposed, so it shall it stand:”

The Lord has a Purpose for each life….

….the grand thing is that as born again ones….we can enter into and enjoy our Purpose!

Many fight against the very thing which will bring them Peace and satisfaction….the life Christ has for them.

King Solomon (who was one of the wealthiest monarchs) was happy during the time of building the Temple, which was the Purpose God gave him to do…..but after it was built….

….instead of finding his next Purpose from God….

…..he gave himself to “things…under the sun”….and found them “vanity”, or nothing.

Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 “And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labor; and this was my portion of all my labor.

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.”

In conclusion….Solomon wrote…

Ecclesiastes 12:13 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

Our Purpose before God is like the “light at the end of the tunnel”…..no matter what we must pass through….God has made a way, and given us His Spirit and grace…for it.

And Paul, whose Purpose had been outlined to him by the Lord, even on the road to Damascus, said….”I follow after”

Philippians 3:12 “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”

Are there any sweeter words to life for a Christian than….”I follow after”?

Paul had been active in church building, in missionary work, in taking the gift offerings to other Christians….

….and in prison, cold and alone….he still sought to “follow after” Christ by the letters he wrote the churches, and the encouraging he gave to those who were permitted to visit him.

His Purpose from Christ was his joy, his peace even in troubles, and his life.

Are we “following after”….apprehending what Christ has for us in the Purpose He set us aside for us?

Rahab

Hebrews 11:31 “By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she received the spies with peace.”

Rahab was a Canaanite and a harlot.

Rahab had heard of God and His works, and she believed what she heard about God.

Israel, was coming to possess this land, because God, a wonderful and powerful God, was helping them.

She, therefore, knew in her heart that she was doomed to die with all in Jericho, unless God would extend to her mercy. But how to get this mercy?

Joshua 2:1 “And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy out secretly, saying, Go view you the land even Jericho. And they went, and came into a harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there.”

These spies had come to look over Jericho, but had gotten no further than inside the gate, before they saw they were recognized as strangers.

They quickly ducked into a house on the wall, which was a harlot’s house.

The guards came and told the King of Jericho, that two Israelites had come into the gate; and they thought that they had seen them go into the harlot, Rahab’s house.

The KIng of Jericho sent to Rahab to bring the men out to him.

But Rahab did not. Instead she hid the men of Israel, and told the King that they had gone out as soon as it grew dark. She told him that if they hurried, they might catch them.

From the time they came into her house, she had a plan. She wanted to talk to their God, and knew that they represented Him.

Joshua 2:6,8-11 “But she brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stocks of flax, she had laid in order upon the roof.

And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;

And she said unto them, I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.

For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, which ye utterly destroyed.

And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.”

Wow! Here is her testimony of her belief in God, just by hearing about Him. Pretty amazing!

Romans 10:17-18 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

But I say, have they not heard? Yea verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the earth.”

She then asked for that mercy she had wanted from these men, who were representatives of God.

Joshua 2:12-13 “Now therefore, I pray unto you, swear unto me by the Lord, since I have showed you kindness, that ye will also show kindness unto my father’s house, and give me a true token:

And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.”

This was her request to them, and they agreed; only with three conditions:

Don’t tell anyone about them.

Get and keep everyone of your household in your house, when we come.

And tie a scarlet line, to her window.

Joshua 2:18-20 “Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father’s household, home unto thee.

And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be on his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him.

And if thou utter this our business, we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.”

She agreed; letting them down a window, and telling them to go and hide for three days before returning to their camp.

“And she bound the scarlet line in the window.” (Joshua 2:21)

She did not know when they would come and fight the city; and she wanted to be ready.

This scarlet line would have been bright, and easily seen; even by the returning king of Jericho.

But she believed God, and right then decided to obey Him with all her heart.

(That the Holy Spirit noted the color of the line is something. Some believe this scarlet line to be a type (picture) of Christ Jesus and the covering of His blood upon us. For she tied it to her window as a sign that she and her house were covered by God’s protection.)

It was a few weeks before Israel came to Jericho:

They came to the Jordan River, and camped there three days. (Joshua 3:1-2)

They crossed Jordan, as they did the Red Sea, on dry ground; for the Lord dried up the flooded river for them. It was the tenth day of the first month. (Joshua 4:19)

Then they circumcised all the males. It was a sign of renewed communion with God as His separated people. (Joshua 5:7, 9)

They kept the Passover feast on the fourteenth. (Joshua 5:10)

Then:

For six days the people (yes, all of them) were told to encompass Jericho without saying a word, once each day. The armed men were to go first, then priest blowing rams’ horns, then the Ark of God, then the people. (Joshua 6:8-9)

Then on the seventh day, they were to encompass the city seven times.

Only on the seventh time, when Joshua told them to “Shout”, did they speak.

Then they shouted, and the walls of the city came falling down. (Joshua 6:20)

Except Rahab’s house, on the wall.

Joshua 6:22-23, 25 “But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlot’s house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as you swear unto her.

And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel.

And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father’s household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.”

Rahab was saved, and for a time of cleansing kept without the camp of Israel.

Later she was admitted into Israel, and married Salmon (Matthew 1:5), of the tribe of Judah.

Rahab believed God. And God sought her out, by the spies, because of her belief.

Her faith is recorded in the Old and New Testaments, to show that God sees and honors faith in Him; no matter what sort of person they were before the faith.

Every person born is “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1).

Ephesians 2:4-5 “But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us,

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”

“Quickened” means made alive to God. She heard about God, received the Word and believed….and God, by His grace, saved her.

Rahab was given this mercy; and a life with God, with His people.

All who come to Jesus Christ in faith will have His life, by grace, as well.

The Trumpet sounds

1 Thessalonians 4:15-16 “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

          Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

In the Roman army, there were three trumpet blasts.  As the camp was going about sleeping, or their regular duties….the first trumpet would sound.

       That signified that they were to break camp.  Every tent struck, every fire put out, every wagon loaded.

The second trumpet would sound….and that meant that everyone was to get in the line of march, to move out.  They were just to stand there, ready….till the third, or last trump would sound.

When the third trumpet would sound…they would move out…onward to the next place.

(Matthew 24:31 “And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together HIs elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”)

We are waiting the third trumpet call.   We have been told to “be ready”…to watch for the coming of the Lord…and so we should.

      We are to watch…

Matthew 25:13 “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

Luke 12:40 “Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.”

The Rapture is the next thing on the schedule of God…..and we should be prepared….ready. (“ready” here in this verse,  has to do with inward fitness…not just outward work.)

       How,   for we know not when He will come?

The Lord gave the illustration of two servants…one faithful and wise…and one, who gave way to selfish behavior, because his Lord’s return is “delayed”.

        (He gave this illustration twice Matthew 24:45-51, and Luke 12:42-48)

Luke 12:42-43 “And the Lord said,  Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

       Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.”

There is a blessing waiting for all the servants of the Lord who are faithfully doing HIs Will…no matter the outward circumstances…

….. we are all called to “teach all nations” (Matthew 28:18-20) “teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.”

(Someone has said,  “When the darkness grows stronger…then even  the small light of our candle, will be a great light…shining on the Lord’s Way…and showing the faithfulness of Christ.”)

While the Lord of the household is away….a faithful servant acts as if He is still right beside him, guiding and directing his work….

…and for every Christian,  He is.

Luke 12:35 “Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;”    

     We are called to work for Christ till He comes again.    “Loins girt about”…ready to do anything.  Lights burning….kept up, and shining bright.

(I love the last words of Paul and Peter….they had their lights shining brightly till the end.

        2 Timothy 4:16-17 “At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me:  I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

        Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me;    that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear:   and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.”

Paul was more concerned that the preaching of Jesus Christ might be fully known…then that he was deserted by friends.

2 Peter 1:14-15 “Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ  hath shewed me.

         Moreover I will endeavor that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.”

Peter wrote to remind them of the promises and truths in Christ (verses 3-4)….concerned about them remembering what is in Christ….more than his life.

        These are faithful servants….standing ready to serve till the end.) 

Luke 12:45-46 “But and if that servant say in his heart,  My Lord delayeth His coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

       The Lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for Him, and at  an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.”

There is also a judgment for those that forget that they are simple servants of the Lord…and that begin to  mistreat other Christians….or to misuse the gifts the Lord has given them, selfishly.

        Notice the sin begins in the heart….”If that servant say in his heart…”

The difference between these servants…is the heart.   One keeps the Lord close…in his heart and service…

….the other keeps the Lord at a distance…and becomes content to keep Him far away.

We each have a responsibility to be faithful to Christ Jesus.  And He said that He will come again..

Luke 21:28 “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”

Luke 12:40 “Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of Man cometh at an hour when ye think not.”

We do not know when He will come and sound the last trump for us to go with Him…but we can be ready…prepared for that time….as His faithful servants.

   God’s Word is His revelation to us

   A revelation is a revealing…to take off the cover…to lighten, to appear.   

And God’s Word reveals  to us….Himself.

      John 1:1-4 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

       The same was in the beginning with God.

All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made.

       In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.”

The Lord Jesus is that Word…and bears witness through the Word.

       The Holy Spirit is in our spirits, if we are born again,…and bears witness with our spirits of His life within (Romans 8:16)

       God the Father bears witness through the gathered saints…the corporate ministry of the local church.   There is a special power when saints are gathered together in HIs name….and a special revelation of His Presence and Will when they are gathered together. (Matthew 18:18-20)

Our spirits are most like God, and most sensitive to Him.

    Proverbs 20:27 “The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly.”

Our souls set us apart from all creation…for when God breathed into Adam the breath of life (His Holy Spirit)….man became a living soul…formed to have communion with God.

We have a mind to think God’s thoughts after Him….to understand the Word shown us.

We  have a heart to love Him….and a will to be exercised for His Will and Word.

Our bodies are given as vessels to be of honor to Him.

      2 Timothy 2:15-16,21″Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.

      But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

      If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”

And the Word of God is His revelation to us…revealing…lighting our way…a guide through every work…and the life we are to live here and now.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

        That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

Psalm 119:92-93 “Unless Thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.

        I will never forget Thy precepts: for with them Thou hast quickened me.”

Psalm 119:130 “The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”

Psalm 36:9 “For with Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see light.”

In Thy light shall we see light.   It is always as we come to Him, in HIs Word and prayer, that we receive  the light for our way.

(And light here means more than sight….it means understanding and grace to do.   

Peter says….”..who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light:” 1 Peter 2:9)

1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

To be cleansed from our sin, is to know deliverance from it.

Our eyes are open and we see the truth….and we walk in that truth…getting our sins forgiven through Christ Jesus…and grace for the victory over our sin and self.

John 1:17 “For the Law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

As we acknowledge the truth through the Word that He speaks to us….the Lord’s grace will be applied to us.   

(Think of the amazing power in these two words….truth and grace.   Truth…what light it shines in the dark places!

What freedom it gives!  We need not hide or hang our head….we know the truth and it brings us  into closer communion with Jesus Christ, Who is the Truth.  

     Psalm 91:4 “He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust:  His truth shall be Thy shield and buckler.”

     Grace is the unmerited favor of power…for by grace are ye saved.

It is the ability to do.    God gives us many abilities.

He gives the words to say,…and how to say them.   He gives us the strength to do…healing for hurt,…joy in sorrow….and enables us to be content with all the circumstances of our life.)

God needs to reveal to us…everything.   The darkness and chaos of the world, can close in on us….unless we stay in the light of His Word to us…revealed by the Holy Spirit. 

     But He will reveal everything we need to us, as we walk with Him.

John 8:31-32 “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed; 

     And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

(My husband had a conversation with a man once, as they traveled together.   

     This man, learning that my husband was a preacher….used part of the scripture…”the truth shall make you free”….speaking in a general sense about truth.

      He had not used the whole verse….so my husband started reminding him of the rest of the verse….

“If ye continue in My Word…the Bible…the Word of God…the Lord Jesus said…

…if we continue in it…then we are His disciples…under the Lord’s disapline…and then–we shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

     The man was not happy….for many will fight for a general idea of “truth”….while at the same time refusing the Lord Jesus and His Word…which is Truth… for me.)

The Lord wants us to know…Him.  He is Truth,  He is Light,  He is Life,  He is love.   

Ephesians 1:17-18 “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation   in the knowledge of Him:

     The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling,  and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,”

The Lord wants us to know….Him, and He has given us His Word and the Holy Spirit to guide us into that knowledge.

  The Lord’s revelation…revealing…taking the veil off….is for us personally….through HIs Word that we may know more of Him….for that is what He always wants.  

Let us read it,…and He will speak to us through it.

Living our best life….in Christ

Now when we think of possessing our possessions….we think of our ministries,…and the  promises the Lord has given us.   

    That is right….

….but each Israelite had personal land…land that was to be their home…that they were personally to fight for…and live in.

     In light of their personal possession of their home,  let us consider our personal “home” (everyday life)…that we are to possess….and live in.

   When we are born again,  the Holy Spirit comes within our dead and darkened spirits and enlightens them.   

   We are given faith, and peace with God (Romans 5:1)…here is the beginning of our possessions.

      After God gave  the land…now each Israelite must go and build his life on it…so must we.

God has saved us….now we are to have those “spiritual blessings”, which are in heavenly places in Christ…in us.

And there are things we need to get in our lives…and battles we need to fight to keep the personal peace, joy, and love that has been given us by the Lord.

First we need to displace the “Canaanites”. 

    Israel was to “drive them out”..

…Exodus 23:31-33 “…I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.

     Thou shalt make no covenant with them…

     They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee to sin against Me;…”

They were not to make peace with them….not to leave them in the land, under tribute (Joshua 16:10)…but drive them out because of the influence they would gain over them.

    And we are not to compromise with our old nature which still wants to interfere and rule in our lives.

    So we need to “drive out” every habit we have that is from our old life.  Unbelief and questioning God’s goodness need to be destroyed…or driven out of our thoughts.

    In Hebrews, it is said that the Word needs  to be “mixed” with faith…to destroy unbelief in us.  

    Hebrews 4:2 “For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them:  but the Word preached did not profit them,  not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.”

    As born again ones, we have faith….so when we hear His Word to us…we need to immediately take it back to Him and say…”I believe, help my unbelief….do as Thou has said.”

   Besetting sins need to be overcome. (Hebrews 12:1)

   We are to hold on to the peace God gives us, removing all the things which hinder our peace.(anxiety, fear, anger, hurt)

   When we feel our peace is gone…we need to go to God, remove what hinders,… and have Him renew it.

   Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.”

 “stay our mind on the Lord…and trust in Him”

We are to build our everyday lives  on the Word of God…to read it, know it, and share it.

     Here is where the everyday living for Christ comes in.

    Dueteronomy 11:20 “And thou shalt write them (God’s Word) upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates:”

   On the door posts…that coming in or going out, they would  be reminded that that belong to the Lord.

Paul says that we are “builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:22)  Always showing Him in our lives.

   Their homes were to be a place that said that the Lord was present.     In fact, we are a temple of the living God. (2 Corinthians 6:16)

   The Word was to be on the gates…that those passing by, may see this Word and want to know more of the Lord that is spoken of.

2 Timothy 2:25 “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;”

    And they (and we) are  to “love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Duet.6:5)

    God should always be first.   When God is first…everything else falls into it’s place in our hearts and lives.  He is consulted about everything…He is looked to…He is submitted to, and obeyed.  

    We think of big decisions,  but it is in everything:

 Proverbs 3:4-5 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart;…(again it is with all our heart to Him)

….and lean not unto thine own understanding.

        In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”

Then, they (and we) were to see that their children know the Word of God.

    Dueteronomy 6:7 “And thou shalt teach them (the Lord’s commandments)… diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”

      We might all be surprised how our using the Bible in our everyday lives,  effects others.   (I believe our children first and foremost)   We show that it is very practical…that God speaks for now,…for me.  We show that He is real…and has a real, living influence on me and my life.

      (If you read Deuteronomy 6:20-25, a conversation between child and parent is shown…”when thy son asketh thee in time to come…What mean the testimonies, and the statues, and the judgments, which the Lord…hath commanded you?”

      Then a brief history of deliverances is given….what a testimony that would be!  Ending with, “and it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments…”)

Then they were called to see to the Levite, the strangers, the fatherless and widows.

         Deuteronomy 14:28-29 “At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates:

          And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within they gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.”

        We are called to pray for and be…”kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another.” (Romans 12:10)

        Simply we are be genuinely considerate of our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Praying for them,  and seeking to help them, if we can.

We are called to…”If it be possible, as much that lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” (Romans 12:18)   

       We are not to go along with them….but seek their peace with the Lord Jesus Christ.

God had a great life….full of His Word and blessings…for HIs people, Israel…in their promised land….in their personal home.  

(If you would read the laws concerning their lives in the promised land…there were many times of feasting and rejoicing,  before the Lord…both at the Tabernacle and in their gates.)

God has a great life for us, as well….

       Ours is not a place, but a Person….

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” (Ephesians 1:3)

…”all”…what a tremendous word…describing the numbers, the greatness, the variety of the blessings we have….in our inheritance….in Christ.

Esau and Jacob

Esau is a sad character. A son of Isaac….the first born, destined to have the birth-right.

(The birth-right was not only the double portion of the possessions Isaac had……which every first born should receive……but the covenant blessing. It spoke of the fact that the Messiah would come through his line.)

Yet, he cared nothing for that part of his first-born privileges. He cared for what would show that he was above Jacob.

Esau and Jacob were twins…but were entirely different. There was a struggle with each other, for preeminence, even in the womb.

Genesis 25:22 “And the children struggled together within her;…..And she went to inquire of the Lord.”

Esau loved being over his twin brother, practically more than any thing else.

Genesis 25:24-26 “And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.

And the first came out red, all over like a hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.

And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau’s heel, and his name was called Jacob:….”

But Jacob was also struggling….for preeminence….

…..so the difference was what they wanted.

Esau was a “cunning hunter”….a man of the field. (Genesis 25:27).

He cared for sport….

…..not planting….like his father.

He wanted to be out on his own….not held down by flocks and herds….like Abraham, his grandfather.

The boys divided their family…..their jealousy causing a problem between Isaac and Rebekah.

Isaac loved Esau best…..but only because of the venison he brought to him to eat….it was his favorite.

(A sad commentary of the older life of the promised son. How easy it is to let our spiritual life slide, when we are given everything, like Isaac was!)

Jacob was Rebekah’s favorite…..he was a gardener….and a herdsman. He loved the camp where his grandfather and mother lived (Hebrews 11:9)….and he usually stated close.

Though they are twins…..they are enemies…..sad, but true.

Again I say…..they both struggle for the preeminence……but the difference is in what they are struggling for….

And the thing which brings their desires to the forefront……is food.

Genesis 25:29-34 “And Jacob sod pottage (lentils): and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:

And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with the same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name was called Edom.

And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.

And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?

And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.

Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.”

The Words in scripture are very telling…..

Jacob is not seen in a good light here….he is sneaky, trying to get the birthright without waiting on God.

But Esau is worse:

He sells his best things….for what? A moments satisfaction!

But then (and to me this is the worst of it), he eats, drinks….and goes on his way….

….his conscience does not even seem to bother him…..that he just treated the best of gifts, with so little value…..

…..he is not seen repenting…or moaning over his sin….

(Now, I say this is the worst….for I have failed….badly….but I always feel bad….stricken in heart… troubled till I confess it)

Neither Isaac or Rebekah, like Esau’s life style. It is pretty much….what he wants, he does…without seeking God’s blessing, or theirs.

He takes a wife of the Canaanites, which grieves both of them….for they are godless and idolatrous.

Later Jacob tricks Isaac into officially blessing him, with the covenant blessing….because he dressed up like Esau…like I said, he is sneaky.

Furious, Esau says he will kill Jacob when Isaac dies….

(You would think now would be the time for Isaac to stand up and speak of God’s will (Hebrews 11:20)……but though he recognizes that Jacob was suppose to get the covenant blessing…..he only emphasizes that he could not take back his word.)

To save Jacob,….Jacob is sent on a journey, back to Rebekah’s family, for a wife.

Now, in all of this, God seems to be silent. Neither informing, or correcting.

Why?

(God is often silent when we, ourselves are not seeking Him.

Abraham was a man of altars…five times in scripture Abraham is said to build an altar……but Isaac is said to have built only one.)

Neither do they seem to inquire as how to raise the boys…or correct their faults.

Again, a sad commentary on how life can get away from us….if we are not diligently seeking God’s Word and direction day by day….for ourselves and our family.)

But now God is going to speak. And get Jacob’s attention.

Jacob, by himself, has left the camp of his youth, and set out on a hazardous journey….which would get him the wife he went for….but at a price of almost twenty years of service.

But on the way, God speaks to him…..Jacob is the schemer……but,…who wanted the birth-right….who wanted the Messiah to come from his line….the greatest blessing.

Genesis 28:12-13,15 “And he dreamed, and a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.

And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou lies, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;

And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.”

This is a promise that Jacob will need….and will use especially when he is brought back into the land…….when he is brought face to face with Esau again.

You will notice, that it is never said that God speaks to Esau….

….Esau has chosen his way….a way which does not want God…..only the worldly blessings.

So, that is what he ends up with……wealth….but without personal knowledge of God.

A life, lived…..with lots of things…..but without true meaning in the purpose of God.

After his time of serving Laban, Rebekah’s brother for his wives……Jacob again hears God.

Genesis 31:3 “And the Lord said unto Jacob, return unto the land of thy father’s, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.”

So Jacob returns to the land given Abraham and Isaac and himself from God….but is afraid to meet Esau.

Jacob and Esau meet, but not as Jacob imagines…..for God has seen to Esau, and he does not kill him, but is glad to see him…..telling Jacob all that he owns.

Then he tries to get Jacob to follow him home…..but Jacob excuses himself….and goes another way….not trusting Esau.

Later Isaac dies, and after Esau and Jacob bury him together….they separate….never to work together, or be together…..for they have chosen separate paths….Jacob with God,…though with many failures….

…and Esau to the worldly treasures….all ending in death.

(If you read Genesis 36, you will see his offspring. Taking titles, and seeking wealth, in Mount Seir, which God gave them.

Later when the children of Israel came to claim their inheritance, the children of Esau would not let them come through their land (Numbers 20:17-21)

…..how sad that they still wanted to show superiority over Jacob’s children….which shows how jealousy and envy are easily passed to our children.

The final judgement for Esau’s children came…..hundreds of years later….with the same jealousy and strife….they joined Israel’s enemies and cut off an escape for some of the people of Judah, when Nebuchadnezzar carried Jerusalem into captivity….

Obadiah 3, 13-14, 10 “The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitations is high (Mt. Seir); that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?

Thou shouldest not have entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity, yea, thou shouldest not have looked on their affliction in the day of their calamity, nor have laid hands on their substance in the day of their calamity;

Neither shouldest thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape; neither shouldest thou have delivered up those of his that did remain in the day of distress.

For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off forever.”)

Jacob (the Lord changes his name to Israel)…..goes on through many failures and losses to be the third patriarch…..adding his name to the line of the Christ….

…and at the end, this is what he is looking toward.

Genesis 49:10, 18 “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh (Christ Jesus) come; and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be.

I have waited for Thy salvation, O Lord.”

He tells his children to bury him in the burial place Abraham bought (for at the time he was in Egypt)…..where Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah lay….in the land that God gave them….looking forward to the promise of God….though it were years off.

The way we go…..the journey we take….the people we meet…..all comes down to the choice we make.

It all comes down to what we want…..

…..do we want God in our lives…..are we “building altars” and having communion with God….the God Who will not leave us until He does all that He has spoken to us….

Or are we seeking to settle down in this world….to get our blessings here?

Jesus said, “Follow Me”……and in order to follow Him, we must “leave” everything (our jealousies, personal strife, our relationships)…..including ourselves……in His hands:

Matthew 10:37-39 “He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.

And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me.

He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for My sake shall find it.”

What are we choosing?