Josie
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Posts posted by Josie
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This Oregon girl is ready to learn more about God by studying his names. I want to see our God the way the Jews and Christians see God. I'm hoping this will make me a better witness for Christ. Pastor Ralph, your studies....are.... great!!!
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QueenEsther, I agree. Very well said.
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1. Why do we tend to fight our battles "in the flesh" rather than using spiritual weapons? At first, as spiritual babies, we are fragile, irresponsible, milk-drinking infants who lack discernment and strength.But as time passes, we should begin to grow up spiritually . Rom:13; 12. "So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light. 2.Why do we so often mistake the human enemy for the spiritual enemy? We humans,born in sin,use the animal instinct at times. Fight or flight! The shoot first and ask questions later society must stop."Forgive them Father for they know not what they do" Maybe we had better draw from the inner spiritual strength within us first. 3. When will God fight our battles and when won't He? Worshipping and glorifying the Lord comes first. Anything asked in humble obedience to His will would have me believe that our Father would help me. In arrogant rudeness and selfish motives would I know that God would flatly refuse to acknowledge me.
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Q2. (Exodus 3:10-12) Does Moses’ response to God’s call reflect a low self image, true humility, or lack of faith? How does God reassure him? How does God reassure us when we are called to impossible situations?
Moses must have been feeling many things: Many years prior he acted as a rescuer for the Israelies (killing an Egyptian) but they questioned him, somewhat mocked him and he was afraid. Then when Pharaoh wanted to kill him he ran...fled...he knew he had acted wrongfully...yet he knew he had good intentions. He wanted to write the wrongs that were inflicted against the Israelites. Moses must have felt humbled when his plan did not accomplish what he had hoped. Moses might have had low self image as well...raised in royalty like he was an Egyptian yet he wasn't really one of them. And, even though he was Hebrew the Hebrews rejected him also. He probably felt like a misfit...like there was no place for him. I can understand him running.
God reasures him by stating, "I WILL BE WITH YOU", and by clearing spelling out his requests. He tells Moses exactly what he wants and what Moses is to say and do. God reassures us in similar was: He say's he'll always be with us and will never leave us, and he's given us his word as a lamp under our feet. We have "direction" even when we don't fully know the details of his plan.
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Q1. (Exodus 2:11-15a) What do we learn about Moses’ motivations, character, and leadership ability from the incident of him killing the cruel Egyptian taskmaster? What positive things do you see in his character? What negative things do you discern?
Positive: He's observant, aware of injustice, desires to stop injustice and is willing to do something about it.
Negative: He's impulsive, and maybe more focused on the tree (one Egyptian beating a man) instead of the forest (the system in place which allows the Egyptians to cruelly mis-treat Israelites). Moses needed to seek counsel.
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The Jews knew they were God's people...others had to "wash" themselves to "become" one of God's people...not them, so they believed. For them to be baptized meant they had to admit they had sin. They were filled with arrogance and pride...and John the Baptist recognized it and called it. John was to announce Jesus and Jesus came to bring light in dark places.
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I just want to know God's word so I feel equipted to answer questions from non-Christian coworkers. Pastor Ralph has such wonderful insight.
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Q3. (Genesis 32:24-30) Who was the
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Q2. (Genesis 32.9-12) What does Jacobs prayer tell us about his fears? About his faith? About his pride? What are the signs of spiritual growth you see in Jacob since he left Canaan to go to Haran years before?
jacob has fears, like we all do, even when we know that God is with us. But he has faith too. Jacob barely knew God as he started out on his journey to live with Rachel's family, but on his journey home, some years later, he reveals that he relies on God...God is his savior, protector, and he freely calls upon God, believing in him and his promises. He knows God's word is true and that he can count on it.
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Q1. (Genesis 32:1-2) Why does God reveal the angel army to Jacob? To let Jacob know that Hashem has not forgotten him. Jacob and his family are under devine protection.
What is the significance of the presence of this army? The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
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Q5. Why do we often fail to see God’s blessings during the everyday conflicts of our lives? Why do blessings and conflicts so often come at the same time? What hope do we have in the midst of our struggles?
Conflict, like a poke from a thorn, requires an almost impulsive, quick response. When rain falls on our heads we are distracted and can not notice the beautiful flowers growing next to us. Why do blessings and conflicts so often come at the same time? Jesus said in this world you will have troubles; troubles require us to fall to our knees and make contact with God. Contact with God fills us with His spirit of peace which opens our eyes, which lets us see God's blessings and wonders. Our hope in the midst of troubles comes when we know that we can always talk with God, he's there listening. He is our father and he delights in us, wanting us to have every good thing, and that we are always being blessed in His presents no matter how hard the rain falls. -
Q3. (Genesis 31:17-36) Why did Jacob and his family leave without saying good-bye to Laban? In what sense did they deceive Laban? (31:20, 27). Was anything they did unjust or unrighteous? If so, how?
God told Jacob to "now rise and get thee out from this land" (KJV) The important word here is "NOW". Jacob obeyed. Yes, Jacob snuck out the back door, so to speak, probably because he knew Laban would forbid it. Jacob left taking what was his, he did not steal, just avoided the difficulties of an ungodly reaction from Leban.To a Godly person, sneaking his/her children away from him would be wrong; however, Jacob consulted his wives, Leban's daughters, to see how they felt. They wanted to go...they all knew Leban's heart and had seen his unjust, unrighteous ways. Jacob did no wrong doing. Sometimes the best thing to do around ungodly people is to walk away...no explanation needed.
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Q2. (Genesis 30:25-43) At what point do you think Jacob realizes that his breeding techniques are not the cause of his growing wealth? According to Deuteronomy 8:17-18, what danger are we in when our income and assets begin to increase?
I think Jacob started realizing that God was in control when he dreamed. God showed Jacob all the spotted, striped, and mottled goats that were his. Jacob recalled God's promise to bless him. We must be careful not to say in our heart, "My power and a the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth -
Jacob had a deceitful heart, willing to take advantage of others or masquerade and conduct shady deals in the dark in order to get what he wanted or thought he deserved. But he was now in covenant with Yahweh, and God had to deal with this sinful propensity. That may be the main reason God allowed Jacob to be tricked this way. Sometimes the most effective way for someone to realize how his sins hurt other people is to be on the receiving end of that same sin from someone else. Surely there had to be later times out tending his flock of sheep in the solitude of night when Jacob winced with the sting of betrayal and was shamed by the irony. God was teaching Jacob about integrity and honesty. He was teaching him about leadership. And perhaps about the high cost of true love that requires one to sacrifice whatever it takes in order to obtain it.
I agree. I can't think of a thing to add to this accept I find it interesting that twice Jacob deceived to get what he wanted (he deceived Esau for his birthright, and Jacob for his blessing) and twice Jacob had to serve to get what he wanted(which was to obtain Rachel as his wife). That's a powerful lesson in itself.
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Q4. (Genesis 28:22) What does Jacob
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Q3. (Genesis 28:18-21) What did it mean to Jacob to set up the stone? What did anointing the stone mean to him? Why does he do these things? What does he promise God in his vow?
What does the stone mean to Jacob? The stone, set up by Jacob, is a symbol that represents his faith and remembrance to God. It also seems to me that the stone represents to him a reminder, a kind of title, promise or deed, that God is giving the land to Jacob and to his family forever. The anointing of oil, for Jacob, is a physical and symbolic way of cleansing and consecrating something for God. It's a physical confirmation that states he now lives for the LORD...and it's his way of remembering that God's presence is in that place. (I also believe Jacob does these things because he knows actions should confirm words...his action is stating his belief in God.) Jacob promises God that if God watches over him and feeds and clothes him, so he can return safely, that the LORD will be his God and the pillar will be God's house, and he will give a tenth back to God. -
Q2. (Genesis 28:12-15) What did Jacob
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Q1. (Genesis 28:3-4) Why does Isaac bless Jacob, especially after Jacob’s deception? How does this blessing compare to other blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? What are the main elements of Isaac’s blessing?
The first blessing from Isaac to Jacob was much like a "legally signed document" of our day. It was binding because it was signed, though against Isaac's wishes. The second blessing from Isaac may have been his way of helping Jacob realize that yes, Isaac does know that God is in charge, and, that God wants Jacob to know His blessing belongs to him.How do the blessings compare? They are technically the same...which is God's way of showing the world His word is unchanging.
The main elements of Isaac's blessing: Fruitfulness (Jacob will multiply), Land (Canaan), World (the whole world will be blessed because a Messiah from Abraham's seed will save all who call upon Him.)
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Q4. (Genesis 27:33) Why couldn't Isaac reverse his blessing once he discovers Jacob's trickery? What is Isaac's role in this blessing? What is God's role in it?
The blessing Isaac was to give was from God, he could not take back something God told him to give, regardless of how anguished he felt at being deceived. (I'm sure he was trembling in anguish because Isaac particularly loved Esau and wanted to give him the blessing...remember he told Esau "then I will pronounce the blessing that belongs to you, my firstborn son.)I'm sure Isaac was mad at his wife too for the deception, yet Isaac knew full well that, and until recently even here in our country, his spoken word was binding.God used many people
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Q3. (Genesis 27:6-29) God had told Rebekah that Jacob is supposed to rule over Esau (Genesis 25:23). To what extent does this excuse her plan to deceive her husband Isaac? How much responsibility does Jacob bear in the deception?
Rebekah did not go to her husband, her partner, and explain and share about how Esau gave up his birthright. Nor did she remind Issac about what God revealed, that the descendants of the older would serve the descendants of the younger. Instead she told Jacob to take action to deceive Issac; I beleive she encouraged and sparked rivalry in her sons in this way. She assured Jacob that she was fine if the curse for her behavior fell upon her, so Jacob obeyed. Rebecca understood her wrong doing...so did Jacob. God calls us to a righteous life...Rebekah chose wrong to obtain her means. There is no excuse for her wrong doing.Jacob was an adult, and a willing partner in the crime, so to speak. A Godly man wouldn't have done this. A Godly man would have taken his concern and anguish to the Lord for direction, if he wasn't sure what to do. Jacob was equally responsible.
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Pastor Ralph, on 12 November 2009 - 07:08 AM, said:
Q2. Was Rebekah a spiritual woman, that is, interested in spiritual things? Was Isaac a spiritual man? Which do you think was the more spiritually sensitive? What evidence of spirituality do you see in Jacob? In Esau?
Well, what does the scripture say: Rebecca prayed, Isaac prayed more, neither Esau nor Jacob prayed (not that we're aware of anyways). Rebecca encouraged Jacob to "deceive" her husband, a husband God blessed...which she knew about. Jacob acted in beguiling ways tricking Esau...Jacob knew Esau's flaw was self gratification. Nothing is mentioned one way or another whether Issac condoned Jacob for his behavior; we do know, however, that Issac tried to make extra sure that he blessed the right son. So, yes I'd say Issac, though flawed, was a spiritual man trying to follow God's will. Rebecca? The evidence did suggest that she was more like Jacob...relying upon herself to make sure she got what she wanted, instead of going to God for help. (Not unlike myself sometimes, trying to fix my own problems without consulting and relying upon God...and you know what, I am a Christ filled spiritual person. Sometimes I just do the wrong things...so...I guess at those times I am just human, not always spiritually filled.) As for Esau...he cast his whole God given destiny away for a cheap meal. No, I'd say he is not a spiritual person. Was Jacob spiritual...there is no evidence to suggest this. -
Q1. Why does the New Testament condemn Esau for selling his birthright? (Hebrews 12:16-17) What did selling the birthright represent? What does this transaction say about Esau's character and values? What does it reveal about Jacob's character and values?
Esau sold his valuable birthright for a simple, inexpensive meal. Esaus knew that Abraham was his grandfather, the man God spoke to and promised blessings forever, and ever. Esua, being of this important family, showed complete disrespect and unappreciation for what he'd been given. Spoiled. He could care less for valuing his birthrights and responsibilities; in fact he valued his physical appetites more then his family or spiritual desires. God promised Abraham that he'd produce kings of nations through his family, Esua was aware of this. Esua must have believed that life was all about what he wanted when he wanted it. Instant gratification. Jacob clearly saw what Esua was given was valuable indeed, and he wanted it, he wanted it enough to steal it. Jacob's character reveals he's crafty, dishonest, and relys upon himself when it comes to obtaining great things. He did not engage in a wise and respectful act fooling his father
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Hello, my name is Josie and I'm from Oregon State, USA and love it here, although, at the moment the weather is just a bit too cloudy for my taste. I am so excited to start my second JesusWalk Bible Study; I love the way it's set up where everyone can contribute their ideas, and I love reading how God speaks to us all. I'm taking this study to learn just a little bit more about the Old Testament. I've been a Christian for a little over 30 years, and I'm amazed at how the bible always seems new and exciting to me. Can't wait to begin![size="5"][/size]
Q1. Jesus' Prayer Pattern
in 1. Listening for God as a Bible Pattern
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What pattern do you see emerging in Jesus’ prayer life? (He would rise early to be alone with God, thru prayer.) Why do you think he spends Quiet Time with the Father before the day begins? (He was surround by people, needs, worldly cares. He needed to be able to hear God.) How does this prepare him for his ministry? (Being in solitude with God (who is the Word) prepared him for what he came for: to preach the Word to others.) How did the disciple desires for Jesus differ from what Jesus felt impelled to do? (Mark 1:37-38) (The disciples wanted Jesus to attend to the people who came to their door...they wanted Jesus to come to those who had already hear about him, heard the salvation message. Jesus wanted to go preach the Word of God (to preach the salvation message) to those who had not heard of him.) Why? (Jesus came to preach the Word of God.) Do you have a Quiet Time? (No. I am drowning in work and responsibilities.) What could you do to improve the quality of your time with God each day? (Set aside a time for him, ask God to help me commit to it, then do it.)