12/1/18 – Genesis 25, Genesis 26 Matthew 10:1-31 Proverbs 1:20-33
Gen 25:1-3 – Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah. She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. Jokshan fathered Sheba and Dedan
Abraham had many sons. Legitimate sons – unlike Ishmael. After Sarah he married another woman called Keturah. Many of these would be the father of nations. Midian would become a nation – a one where Moses would, years later find refuge.
That does not mean all of the sons of Abraham are entitled to the inheritance and the promise. That was given to Isaac and the nation of Israel. Abraham even wanted to give that promise to Ishmael at one point but God said no. The land, the promise of being a chosen people, the blessing of the nations – that was all given to Israel and saw it’s grand fulfilment through Jesus Christ. He came through no other one than the line of Isaac.
God doesn’t make a plan B. He doesn’t need to. His plan for your life does not need a backup, it needs faithfulness and obedience from you.
Gen 26:34 – When Esau was forty years old, he took Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite to be his wife, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite, and they made life bitter for Isaac and Rebekah.
It’s an easy verse to miss this one. But it shows some interesting elements to this story we often gloss over. First – this is often portrayed as young men fighting over the blessing, but not so. When Esau was 40 he took Judith as his wife and also Basemath – that means the fighting over the blessing took place when he was over 40! 2 women that his family disapproved of! This was not a happy household, Rebekah and Esau clearly had issues, which doesn’t excuse what Jacob does – but put some context behind why his mum pushed him to do so.
Matt 10:16 – “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”
We are getting sent to a world that does not understand us. A world that is dangerous. A pack of wolves is the most dangerous place for a sheep to hang out. So we must be wise. There will be temptation and compromise in every direction. But in our wisdom we must ensure we do not lose something vital. Our innocence. The world will want to take that from you – to harden you so you are no longer shocked by sin. We are called into an unholy world – but we must maintain our holiness!
Matt 10:29-30 – Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.
Why are we so anxious? It’s because we don’t fully understand who God is. We worship the one who is so big and so awesome, even one sparrow falling to the ground, He knows about. Every hair on your head is numbered. He knows you on a cellular level. He knows every thought – every portion that builds your DNA.
Do not fear – to not be anxious. You are more valuable than sparrows. Every thought, every struggle you ever have, He is right there in the midst of it. Does that mean life will be easy? No, of course not – but it means in every storm we know He’s there with us, and He’s already seen the end of it.
