Category Archives: Parenting

Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Obeying God, Parenting, Traditions / Holidays

Will You Follow The Traditions of Man? or God?

It is important to remember what Jehovah has done for us. He is our Creator and Lord. He is all powerful, all knowing, and present at all times in all places. Still He takes time to know each one of us and He loves each one of us as a father. Sometimes He dwells on a certain instruction to emphasize it so that we pay attention and do not miss it. Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread is one of those.  As we read through Exodus 12, we experience God’s instruction about celebrating these as remembrance of God setting His people free from bondage in Egypt.

Given how much the Christian church today distances itself from these God-commanded celebrations, we may be tempted to think… “Ok, glad I am done with Exodus 12 and can get on with the story.” God however, is not done commanding and emphasizing to us that we should celebrate Passover and Feast of Unleavened bread in remembrance of His actions on behalf of His people. He comes back to it in Exodus 13.

Exodus 13:1-16

Consecration of the Firstborn

      1Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2“Sanctify to Me every firstborn, the first offspring of every womb among the sons of Israel, both of man and beast; it belongs to Me.”

      3Moses said to the people, “Remember this day in which you went out from Egypt, from the house of slavery; for by a powerful hand the LORD brought you out from this place. And nothing leavened shall be eaten. 4“On this day in the month of Abib, you are about to go forth. 5“It shall be when the LORD brings you to the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Hivite and the Jebusite, which He swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, that you shall observe this rite in this month. 6“For seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the LORD. 7“Unleavened bread shall be eaten throughout the seven days; and nothing leavened shall be seen among you, nor shall any leaven be seen among you in all your borders. 8“You shall tell your son on that day, saying, ‘It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ 9“And it shall serve as a sign to you on your hand, and as a reminder on your forehead, that the law of the LORD may be in your mouth; for with a powerful hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt. 10“Therefore, you shall keep this ordinance at its appointed time from year to year.

      11“Now when the LORD brings you to the land of the Canaanite, as He swore to you and to your fathers, and gives it to you, 12you shall devote to the LORD the first offspring of every womb, and the first offspring of every beast that you own; the males belong to the LORD. 13“But every first offspring of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, but if you do not redeem it, then you shall break its neck; and every firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem. 14“And it shall be when your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is this?’ then you shall say to him, ‘With a powerful hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery. 15‘It came about, when Pharaoh was stubborn about letting us go, that the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of beast. Therefore, I sacrifice to the LORD the males, the first offspring of every womb, but every firstborn of my sons I redeem.’ 16“So it shall serve as a sign on your hand and as phylacteries on your forehead, for with a powerful hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt.”

You may find yourself asking, “Why is this so important to God? The church has not taught me to celebrate it.” God tells us why it is important to Him… the church is wrong not to teach Jesus’ followers to honor Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread.

 8“You shall tell your son on that day, saying, ‘It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ 9“And it shall serve as a sign to you on your hand, and as a reminder on your forehead, that the law of the LORD may be in your mouth; for with a powerful hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt. 10“Therefore, you shall keep this ordinance at its appointed time from year to year.

and again…

 14“And it shall be when your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is this?’ then you shall say to him, ‘With a powerful hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery. 15‘It came about, when Pharaoh was stubborn about letting us go, that the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of beast. Therefore, I sacrifice to the LORD the males, the first offspring of every womb, but every firstborn of my sons I redeem.’ 16“So it shall serve as a sign on your hand and as phylacteries on your forehead, for with a powerful hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt.”

Our heavenly Father wants us to remember His love and power in setting His people free from bondage in Egypt. Although we could have a longer discussion on how to celebrate today, it really should be a short discussion regarding whether or not we should celebrate today… God said we should. Once we make the decision to do it, then we take the next step and begin to study how… that is the journey my family and I are on today. We find great joy in obeying God’s instruction more completely and as we do it also becomes more evident the power of God’s plan even to teach our children about His power and love for us.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Children, Marriage, Parenting, Share the Good News

Follow God’s Plan For Family and Work Relationsips

Paul takes us back to basics with a message on the Christian family. Considering how many homes are broken homes due to divorce or sex before marriage leading to children out of wedlock, “broken homes” are common. This does not even touch on families which are formed by same sex couples, which is a new, growing kind of broken home in our culture.

If that is not enough we also have culture constantly trying to tell us that a man and woman in marriage should have all the same roles… both be joint leaders in the home, both work, both do everything. The world would have us believe that this is how we should structure the family. But is that how God tells us to structure the family? Even before we open the Bible to ready what God says, a  logical consideration of God’s design for men and women shows any sensible person that there are significant differences.

As disciples of Christ one very effective way we can be a light to others, drawing them to Christ, is through a healthy and godly family relationships. But we have to let go of what our culture tells us about family and seek, even embrace joyfully, what God tells us.

If you think the part about “slaves” no longer applies, consider it could still apply to “employees”, as “masters” would then apply to “bosses” or “managers”.

Ephesians 5:22-33

Marriage Like Christ and the Church

     22Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

      25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. 28So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30because we are members of His body. 31FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. 32This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 33Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.

Ephesians 6:1-9

Family Relationships

     1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH.

      4Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

      5Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; 6not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. 7With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.

      9And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

Evaluate your family and work relationships carefully and honestly. Pray for the Spirit to show you where you need to change to be more set apart for God and His ways to be a light to others who do not know Him.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Children, Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Holy, Holy / Set Apart, Parenting, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

To Be Holy Is A Good Thing

I think it is sad that our society has made an insult out of the concept of someone being “holy”. Ever heard someone who is sinning and does not want to face it get angry with someone who is not and just rationalize it by saying that person is acting “holier than thou”? I have. In the right context, I understand the comment. Some people are not genuinely trying to be holy, but rather put on a show. But truth be told, if we understand what being holy means, then we should consider it a powerful virtue. To be holy is to be set apart for God’s use and purposes. We should strive to be holy and God tells us so. He is holy and we should be holy.

In Leviticus 19, He then continues to give examples of being holy. They are examples of simply obeying the commands He already provided… honor your mother and father, honor the sabbath as a holy day of rest set aside for God,  to not make idols to worship for there is only one true God. He then continues to give another example related to a peace offering which most of us are less familiar with today. It is a reasonable conclusion, and could be verified of course with some additional study, that it is another example for His people to simply obey what He has told them to do already as means of being set apart for His purposes… being holy.

Leviticus 19:1-8

     1Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:

      2“Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy. 3‘Every one of you shall reverence his mother and his father, and you shall keep My sabbaths; I am the LORD your God. 4‘Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves molten gods; I am the LORD your God.

      5‘Now when you offer a sacrifice of peace offerings to the LORD, you shall offer it so that you may be accepted. 6‘It shall be eaten the same day you offer it, and the next day; but what remains until the third day shall be burned with fire. 7‘So if it is eaten at all on the third day, it is an offense; it will not be accepted. 8‘Everyone who eats it will bear his iniquity, for he has profaned the holy thing of the LORD; and that person shall be cut off from his people.

I want to be holy and I want my family to be holy. I pray for God’s help to fill us with the Spirit so that we may be holy in our daily lives in order to serve and honor the Father. It requires seeking His ways and changing our behaviors and attitudes when they are different than His instructions. It can seem hard as you have to turn away from things and boldly be different from your extended family or friends and certainly different from most of those you encounter in daily life. Many will mock you. Few will understand.  But it is hard for us to be a light for God to show others the way to Him, if we just blend into society like a dim bulb in a dark room. Better for us to be a bright light that God can use to lead the way for others.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Children, Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Holy, Parenting, Repenting from Sin, Sin

Are Babies Clean and Sinless at Birth?

You will often hear people speak about the innocence of babies. The unstated assumption being that only by consciously choosing to sin can we be sinners. This is patently false. Whether or not we are aware of our sin, it is still sin. Babies do not need to be taught to look out for themselves… crying when they want something or later growing up and taking something from others or yelling “mine!”. In fact, babies are products of a sinful and fallen mankind. Each is born inherently sinful and will ultimately need to repent of that sinful nature and embrace Christ as Lord if they are to be in right standing with the Creator. If both mother and father are sinful beings, how can a baby be sinless?

Leviticus 12 documents additional support for this understanding. While I am not in a position whereby I can meaningfully comment on the distinctions God makes between ceremonial uncleanness for birthing boys vs. girls, I can easily point out that God considers the children unclean from birth until they are ceremonially cleansed.

Leviticus 12

      1Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2“Speak to the sons of Israel, saying:
‘When a woman gives birth and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean for seven days, as in the days of her menstruation she shall be unclean. 3‘On the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. 4‘Then she shall remain in the blood of her purification for thirty-three days; she shall not touch any consecrated thing, nor enter the sanctuary until the days of her purification are completed. 5‘But if she bears a female child, then she shall be unclean for two weeks, as in her menstruation; and she shall remain in the blood of her purification for sixty-six days.

      6‘When the days of her purification are completed, for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the doorway of the tent of meeting a one year old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering. 7‘Then he shall offer it before the LORD and make atonement for her, and she shall be cleansed from the flow of her blood. This is the law for her who bears a child, whether a male or a female. 8‘But if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two young pigeons, the one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for her, and she will be clean.’”

While there is obviously more to Leviticus 12 than I have the clarity of understanding to address in this article, I do find it serves as a meaningful reminder that we are all born inherently sinners rather than innocent. Let us then address children with that understanding and begin at our earliest opportunity to train them up in the ways of the Lord so that when they have grown they will not part from it. Do not leave them simply to make their own choices without guidance and boundaries our Lord has already provided to us.

Proverbs 22:6

   6Train up a child in the way he should go,
Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Children, Father / Yahweh, Guide, Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Joy / Happiness / Rejoicing, Obeying God, Parenting, Peace / Rest, Speaking, Through Prophets

“You Shall Surely Observe My Sabbaths”

Many argue today that Sabbath is obsolete and no longer relevant. However, to abolish the Sabbath is to ignore not only what Jehovah commanded, but also to reject Jesus’ example of how we should live and His teaching, which constantly pointed back to the prophets and law of Moses as authority and instruction from the Father.

Matthew 23:1-3

  1Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, 2saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; 3therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them.

At first, this scripture is not entirely clear, until you understand that when the Pharisees sat in the chair of Moses, they read only the scriptures, such as the law from God given through Moses. Jesus clearly distinguishes the law of Moses, which is to be followed, from the actual behavior of the Pharisees, which is tangled up with man made laws and traditions that distract from or contradict the law of God given through Moses.

Jesus even clearly stated that He did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. He emphasized the importance of keeping and teaching God’s commandments!

Matthew 5:17-19

    17“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18“For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19“Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Our Father speaks many times definitively about the Sabbath. One such time is in Exodus 31.

 Exodus 31:11-18

The Sign of the Sabbath

      12The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 13“But as for you, speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘You shall surely observe My sabbaths; for this is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you. 14‘Therefore you are to observe the sabbath, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people. 15‘For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there is a sabbath of complete rest, holy to the LORD; whoever does any work on the sabbath day shall surely be put to death. 16‘So the sons of Israel shall observe the sabbath, to celebrate the sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant.’ 17“It is a sign between Me and the sons of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day He ceased from labor, and was refreshed.”

      18When He had finished speaking with him upon Mount Sinai, He gave Moses the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written by the finger of God.

The Sabbath is a sign between the Father and His people, that we may know that He is the Lord who sanctifies us. The Sabbath is holy, that is to say that it is set aside for the purposes of Jehovah. As evidence from the punishment commanded by the Father, He was serious and this is an important matter. It should not be discarded.

We can have a good discussion on how reconciliation for sin has changed, not in its core principles, but in its administration. We no longer go through an earthly priesthood for forgiveness of sin but rather through Jesus Christ. With new administration of Christ, the punishments laid out in this scripture no longer apply. However, the purpose and principle of Sabbath have not changed. The Father set forth this example even from the beginning after creating everything.

We should remind ourselves further, that the Sabbath rest is for us… for man. Why should we discard it?

Mark 2:27

27Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.

My personal experience with observing the Sabbath has been great. At first, for even a month or two, it felt awkward and even left me frustrated at times that I did not have the day to do my work or chores. However, as I adapted my behavior and that of my family to obey scripture and continued on that path it started to change. Now I found I had time to spend resting and with my wife and children that I had not had before… because there is always some chore that can be done. I have more time available to spend with God. The day is already set aside, every week. My children look forward to it and generally are very joyful when Sabbath comes because they know it means a day of rest and quality time with Dad.

Seek prayerfully for the Father to confirm for you the importance of observing the Sabbath. I encourage any of you who observe the Sabbath to continue… well done! Others, who may not observe Sabbath at this time… try it. Just start observing Sabbath and continue for at least a month. It takes a bit of getting used to but is powerful in providing us the rest and time with God and family that we need to live the way the Father desires.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Family, Parenting, Prayer, Suffering / Adversity

Rather Than Accept Defeat, Seek God

We know from reading the documented history of Jacob in Genesis, that Jacob had grown in relationship with the Lord over many years. He experienced many trials and had many victories with God’s help. However, with regards to his family and sons in particular, he seems to encounter defeat over and over again. Note how he responds to the news of Simeon’s captivity. He is upset… he did care for Simeon. He mourns also the loss of Joseph and fears for the loss of Benjamin. It is totally understandable that in this difficult situation he is hesitant to send Benjamin. However, he is living defeated, and giving up Simeon to protect Benjamin.

What is most apparent, by its absence, is that Jacob does not come before God regarding Simeon and ask for guidance and help. He does not seek the Lord on how to proceed. He just reacts in a way to choose his youngest and favored son over one of his older sons, Simeon. This is the manner of parenting which has plagued Jacob’s family and resulted in much jealousy and discord within the family.

Genesis 42:29-38

Simeon Is Held Hostage

      29When they came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan, they told him all that had happened to them, saying, 30“The man, the lord of the land, spoke harshly with us, and took us for spies of the country. 31“But we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we are not spies. 32‘We are twelve brothers, sons of our father; one is no longer alive, and the youngest is with our father today in the land of Canaan.’ 33“The man, the lord of the land, said to us, ‘By this I will know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me and take grain for the famine of your households, and go. 34‘But bring your youngest brother to me that I may know that you are not spies, but honest men. I will give your brother to you, and you may trade in the land.’”

      35Now it came about as they were emptying their sacks, that behold, every man’s bundle of money was in his sack; and when they and their father saw their bundles of money, they were dismayed. 36Their father Jacob said to them, “You have bereaved me of my children: Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more, and you would take Benjamin; all these things are against me.” 37Then Reuben spoke to his father, saying, “You may put my two sons to death if I do not bring him back to you; put him in my care, and I will return him to you.” 38But Jacob said, “My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he alone is left. If harm should befall him on the journey you are taking, then you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.”

We should take heed of the lesson within this scripture. When we face suffering and adversity, turn humbly toward God and pray for His help and guidance. Pray for Him to lead us… and be patient and learn to listen for His response. Rather than accept defeat, seek God.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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Envy / Jealousy / Coveting, Family, Hearing from God, Parenting, Prophecy

Jacob’s Struggles As A Dad Hurt His Children

Jacob struggled as a husband, father, and leader of his family. He walked with God, but struggled in the area of family leadership. He had multiple wives, concubines, and even children through his wives’ maid servants. He mirrored the parenting mistakes of his parents by clearly identifying favorites within his wives and within his children. He created a fractured and broken family that was divided against itself rather than united together as a powerful force to support one another.

Genesis 37:1-11 records this leadership failure of Jacob and the impact it had on the next generation, his sons. Not only did Jacob magnify the problem of favoritism through things like Joseph’s special coat and putting Joseph in a position of responsibility over his older brothers, but the scripture gives no evidence of him helping coach or advise Joseph on how to handle this difficult and tricky situation. Joseph, as a youth, lacks wisdom of years and openly and enthusiastically shares his dreams with his brothers… fueling their jealousy even more.

      1Now Jacob lived in the land where his father had sojourned, in the land of Canaan. 2These are the records of the generations of Jacob.  Joseph, when seventeen years of age, was pasturing the flock with his brothers while he was still a youth, along with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives. And Joseph brought back a bad report about them to their father. 3Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons, because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a varicolored tunic. 4His brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers; and so they hated him and could not speak to him on friendly terms.

      5Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. 6He said to them, “Please listen to this dream which I have had; 7for behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and lo, my sheaf rose up and also stood erect; and behold, your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to my sheaf.” 8Then his brothers said to him, “Are you actually going to reign over us? Or are you really going to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.

      9Now he had still another dream, and related it to his brothers, and said, “Lo, I have had still another dream; and behold, the sun and the moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” 10He related it to his father and to his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have had? Shall I and your mother and your brothers actually come to bow ourselves down before you to the ground?” 11His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.

Verse 11 indicates that Jacob put credibility in the possibility that the dreams were from God especially when the dream was repeated. Jacob knew that God speaks in this way. There is no indication however that Jacob discusses the dreams and the possibility that they are from God with Joseph’s brothers. Nor is there any indication that he coaches Joseph in how to communicate on this topic with already hostile and jealous brothers.

Joseph’s brothers, left on their own, clearly understand the dream and hate Joseph even more for it. Ultimately they will be moved toward selling Joseph into slavery in an attempt to be rid of him and lie to their father that he died.

God, however, in His majesty, will not be stopped by the deceitful plotting of men.  His promises and prophecy is always true. God even uses the wrongful actions of the jealous brothers to lead to the fulfillment of all He has planned for Joseph.

For all of us that now have or came from broken families, take heart… be encouraged… God can heal the brokenness and even use it to His glory! As we continue through the life of Joseph documented in Genesis we will see Joseph living a righteous life according to God’s values and see him overcome hurt and pain without bitterness. God uses him in a glorious way and even restores the family despite all the brokenness they have experienced!

All things are possible when we seek after the kingdom of God. Pray for wisdom in your family relationships, pray that God would help all involved forgive one another as we wish to be forgiven by Him. Pray above all for God’s will to be done in your life and that of your family!

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

the way with scripture - for posts, medium 2

Adultery / Sex Outside Marriage, Children, Consequences of Sin, Holy / Set Apart, Parenting, Wickedness / Evil

Living Amongst Ungodly People Carries Great Risk

We continue with Jacob as he has settled his family in Shechem. He has grown in his relationship with God over many years, but the people of the land in which he settled did not know or fear God. Living amongst the ungodly carries risk and requires intentional safeguards to protect your family. We see in Genesis 34:1-31 where Jacob’s family experiences this the hard way.

      1Now Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to visit the daughters of the land. 2When Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her, he took her and lay with her by force. 3He was deeply attracted to Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the girl and spoke tenderly to her. 4So Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying, “Get me this young girl for a wife.” 5Now Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter; but his sons were with his livestock in the field, so Jacob kept silent until they came in. 6Then Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob to speak with him. 7Now the sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard it; and the men were grieved, and they were very angry because he had done a disgraceful thing in Israel by lying with Jacob’s daughter, for such a thing ought not to be done.

      8But Hamor spoke with them, saying, “The soul of my son Shechem longs for your daughter; please give her to him in marriage. 9“Intermarry with us; give your daughters to us and take our daughters for yourselves. 10“Thus you shall live with us, and the land shall be open before you; live and trade in it and acquire property in it.” 11Shechem also said to her father and to her brothers, “If I find favor in your sight, then I will give whatever you say to me. 12“Ask me ever so much bridal payment and gift, and I will give according as you say to me; but give me the girl in marriage.”

      13But Jacob’s sons answered Shechem and his father Hamor with deceit, because he had defiled Dinah their sister. 14They said to them, “We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised, for that would be a disgrace to us. 15“Only on this condition will we consent to you: if you will become like us, in that every male of you be circumcised, 16then we will give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters for ourselves, and we will live with you and become one people. 17“But if you will not listen to us to be circumcised, then we will take our daughter and go.”

      18Now their words seemed reasonable to Hamor and Shechem, Hamor’s son. 19The young man did not delay to do the thing, because he was delighted with Jacob’s daughter. Now he was more respected than all the household of his father. 20So Hamor and his son Shechem came to the gate of their city and spoke to the men of their city, saying, 21“These men are friendly with us; therefore let them live in the land and trade in it, for behold, the land is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters in marriage, and give our daughters to them. 22“Only on this condition will the men consent to us to live with us, to become one people: that every male among us be circumcised as they are circumcised. 23“Will not their livestock and their property and all their animals be ours? Only let us consent to them, and they will live with us.” 24All who went out of the gate of his city listened to Hamor and to his son Shechem, and every male was circumcised, all who went out of the gate of his city.

      25Now it came about on the third day, when they were in pain, that two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, each took his sword and came upon the city unawares, and killed every male. 26They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah from Shechem’s house, and went forth. 27Jacob’s sons came upon the slain and looted the city, because they had defiled their sister. 28They took their flocks and their herds and their donkeys, and that which was in the city and that which was in the field; 29and they captured and looted all their wealth and all their little ones and their wives, even all that was in the houses. 30Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me by making me odious among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites; and my men being few in number, they will gather together against me and attack me and I will be destroyed, I and my household.” 31But they said, “Should he treat our sister as a harlot?”

You can clearly have a lively debate around the way in which Jacob’s sons responded. I am not endorsing their response, but they were right that the situation was not acceptable… that marrying Dinah to an ungodly man who remained unrepentant for his actions of raping her… and then intermarrying and blending their family with other ungodly people would be a big mistake. Ultimately we will see in Genesis 35 that Jacob and his family move away from this land to another at God’s instruction.

We are left to wonder… could this whole event have been prevented if Jacob would have shown greater wisdom in choosing where to settle, whether to remain there after he saw what the people were like, or perhaps prepared his children more effectively to recognize the risk and consequences of socializing and blending with these ungodly people. Only after much pain and suffering does Jacob finally determine that he needs to move his family.

We can likely infer from the text that Dinah did not seek permission from her father or brothers before going to “visit the daughters of the land”. Having reviewed several commentaries on this scripture at BibleHub.com, it may be reasonable to assume Dinah was between 12-16 years old. Knowing the land was ungodly, it seems unlikely that Jacob would send her out without guard or escort. We can also clearly see from scripture that her brothers were very protective of her. Likely Dinah sneaked out without permission to go see what the local culture was like and to watch and learn about the women of the land.

Dinah, like most girls or young women, was safest amongst a loving family. Her curiosity to socialize with the pagans around her and learn their ways led her out of safety into harm, ultimately putting her whole family at risk.

Much of the world pushes for multiculturalism, for blending many cultures together as if it is a virtue. It is not. God wants us to be pure and holy, set apart for God, living according to His word and rejecting other wrong ways of living. To invite blending and socializing with those who do not know God… who reject God or worship false gods… is a big mistake and carries great risk. Whether it is a direct violent act that my occur, as with Dinah, or just taking focus away from doing things God’s ways and instead doing things like the ungodly do… the damage can be significant. Often efforts to blend cultures basically teach children that all ways are fine, and they do not need to do things the right way… God’s way. This ultimately separates them from God.

Today in the US and much of Europe, many push for mass immigration of those who reject Judeo-Christian values and come with such a violence in the name of their religion that they refuse to assimilate, but rather commit many acts of violence on others. They have no respect for those who do not share their false religion. God wants us to be separate from them in order to be holy and set apart for God.

The United States of America was founded as a nation with Christian values by Christians seeking to worship the true God freely. Continuous blending with non believers has not been a strength, but rather a source of degradation of the moral character of the nation over hundreds of years. Our nation is more and more unrecognizable for its proper application of Christian values. It is truly a blend of ungodly customs and culture even among many who profess to be Christian. As a nation, we have forgotten what it really means to follow Christ by submitting our lives to Him.

Many cry out for the need to socialize, randomly, your children with others in public schools and other forums. God never wanted us to be so careless with our children. Instead, carefully choose to whom, to what, and in what controlled situations you expose your children to those you do not know well. Most in our nation do not live according to what the Bible teaches and seem to feel compelled to pull others away from Biblical truth toward popular cultural so as to feel comfortable living that way themselves.

Children are a great gift. Take good care of them and protect them. Teach them why you expose them or protect them from certain things. Make sure you have open communication to help them understand more than the rules but also the reasons and possible consequences. Do not keep them in an imaginary world in which you tell them everyone is nice and good and nothing bad happens. It is not true and it sets them up to make poor decisions and to be hurt. We can only speculate, but perhaps Dinah would have made a better decision if she understood more clearly and bluntly what the risks were of seeking to “visit” a pagan culture of people who have no fear of God.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Parenting, Righteousness / Serving God, Suffering / Adversity

A True Christian Leader Must Be A Servant

Matthew 20:20-28 continues directly after Jesus has once again predicted His death and resurrection. With this in mind, the words of the mother of James and John exchanges with Jesus should not be taken lightly. She may not know what she is asking, but she clearly does not expect the road to be a care free one for her sons given what Jesus has just said about His own impending suffering.

20 Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. 21 “What is your request?” he asked.

She replied, “In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”

22 But Jesus answered by saying to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink?”

“Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”

23 Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup. But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. My Father has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.”

24 When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. 25 But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 26 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The mother of James and John may not have understood how greatness is defined in the kingdom of heaven… it is almost contradictory to say we will be a servant of all just to sit in power and authority by Jesus. Instead we should be motivated to follow the example of Jesus and focus on serving others. However, the mother clearly wants her boys to be with Jesus, even if the path is difficult and filled with suffering. I give her lots of credit for that. As parents, it is important to support and direct our children to Jesus.

Note that although Jesus submits to the Father’s will as to who will sit on his right and left, He clearly accepts the offer of their service and confirms that the road will be difficult… “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup.”

There is not surprisingly a bit of a ruckus as the  other disciples hear about this request. Jesus settles them down by clearly defining the difference between worldly leaders who flaunt their authority and demand to be supported by the people, taking what they want and the follower of Christ who wants to be great… wants to be a leader.

“26 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus did not just say this… He lived it! God Himself became man… and a humble man at that rather than one characterized by great wealth and worldly power. His life, ministry, and death were all acts of service to those whom He leads. What a glorious example of how God wants our leaders to behave… really all of us to behave.

For those of us who have an opportunity to influence who is selected for leadership roles in community, region, or country… we must take it seriously. Do not vote or support someone based on what they will give you or whatever group of people you identify with, for even the pagans do that. Instead look for someone of godly character who will truly be a servant leader in the model of Jesus Christ.

For those of us who already have ungodly leaders in power, pray. Pray for them to lose their spiritual blindness and see Jesus Christ clearly in all His glory. Pray they would repent and then prosper in the Lord.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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Blessed, Character of God, Children, Parenting

Let the Children Come To Me. Don’t Stop Them!

Matthew 19:13-15 captures wonderful insight into the character of God as revealed through Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry. God loves children and families who seek Him. He has time for us. He is never too busy and He never stops caring.

13 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.

14 But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” 15 And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.

This is a simple collection of verses, but take care not to overlook it! I have found myself many times remembering this one to help me try to live my life for Christ. It is so easy to get caught up in everything we think is so important that we have to get done. But Jesus reminds us to take time for the children… to spend time with them and to bless them. Also He shows us the value as parents of bringing our children to Him. Those parents could easily have entertained their children doing something else “fun”, perhaps something the children even preferred at the time, but instead they brought their children to Jesus and persisted even when the disciples tried to turn them away.

This short scripture has been inspirational to me as a father of four.  What greater way to show God’s love to the children than to demonstrate they are important by stopping what you are doing and making time for them? What greater way than to teach them about God through Jesus Christ and help them develop a personal relationship with Him.

What is more pleasing to God… to play or watch sports like football, baseball or basketball… or to help your children learn to relate to and rely on Jesus Christ? Which do your children and your family spend more time on?

Surely my work and my tasks are no more important than Jesus’ ministry was! Surely my need to relax is no greater than His was during His earthly ministry.  It was important to Jesus to spend time with children and help them to know Him. It is then also important to me. Let the children come!

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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