We finished reading the 4th gospel this week and the one we read last was Mark. My purpose in following along with Annie F. Downs podcast, “Let’s Read the Gospels” was to learn more about Jesus while He was on earth and somehow translate that into acting more like He did. So finishing up the reading on Monday, Annie challenged us to write about the one thing I learned about Jesus that I didn’t know before this journey. She’s reading again in February, so here’s the link to follow along: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-read-the-gospels-with-annie-f-downs/id1655219933
As I listened along in January, I had a purpose in mind. I wanted to know how Jesus related to the people around Him. I tried to concentrate on Jesus’ teaching techniques, or the language He tended to use, how He treated women, or how He did holidays, I wasn’t really dissecting the writing or the verbs or even exactly what He said, but rather how He said it. I’ve been looking for things that I didn’t know for an entire month. And towards the end of Mark somewhere, when I heard yet again about the betrayal of Peter and the loneliness of the public spectacle of death on a cross it occurred to me that what I hadn’t noticed ever before is how much real estate in these four relatively short books is taken up by the documentation of Jesus’ death and resurrection. It’s a topic of conversation between Jesus and the disciples relatively early in the narration. He often warns that He will die, He will be killed, that the Christ must die. Even if they didn’t understand it, they had to have heard it. And then they lived it. If you use the account of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem at the start of Holy Week as a starting point, Matthew covered the week in 8 of 28 chapters, Mark 6 of 16 chapters, Luke, 6 of 24 chapters, and John used 10 of 21 chapters. What I realized from that exercise was that the early church and the four gospel writers all felt that preserving these stories and documenting the exact details of these final visible acts of Jesus on earth were ultimately important to our understanding of who Jesus was. And without this incredible finale of the public crucifixion of a righteous man, his burial, and his improbable resurrection from death to actually walk and talk with them, there was no understanding at all of what it could possibly mean. In the end, they staked their reputations, their life’s work, and their own personal safety on this very sure knowledge that a man called Jesus had lived among us, was killed, buried, and raised from the dead. Why would anyone do that? My thought is that they were sure of what they had seen and heard and what they themselves could discern from prayer and reading scripture texts. They believed what they wrote was true and they wanted you to know it too. If I’m being honest, I don’t really enjoy reading about the betrayal and crucifixion part of the gospels. I don’t do scary movies or horror genre books. I’m too sensitive and unable to slow my heart rate or even sleep if I’m exposed to violence. Yes, sometimes the news is too much for me. And of course what propels me through the gospel accounts of Jesus’ death is the certainty that indeed, Sunday will be coming. Even in darkness and grief, there is hope. As I’ve contemplated Jesus’ story this past month, I’ve realized that His life was important and for our instruction, but His very purpose was not the teaching, not the rejection, but in His sacrificial death and the surety of His resurrection. That’s why the stories were recounted four different times in four different gospels and untold numbers of times in the centuries since. So as I listened, Mark 12:11 became pivotal to me as I heard it: The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. I think it’s fair to say that the mystery of Jesus’ death and resurrection can only be understood in the context of God’s entire story. Since the beginning, God has continuously been re-creating His creation, the new Heavens and the new Earth. And the very cornerstone of that is Jesus Christ. In even His death and resurrection, He has become a stumbling block to those who reject His truth, but oh, He is the beautiful focus of those who believe. In the words of the Psalmist, “It is marvelous in our eyes.”
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All the gospels recount a story of a woman anointing Jesus with oil, apparently only days before Jesus’ crucifixion. Scholars seem to think that Matthew, Mark and John record one occasion of anointing in Bethany and Luke records a separate event in Galilee. As I was listening to Annie F Downes read the gospel of Matthew, this beautiful story stood out to me again.
The alabaster jar fascinates me— as I understand, it was typically a flask with no handles and a long neck tied by a cord which hung around the woman’s neck. Typically the neck would be broken to release the fragrant oil. I thought about the devotion to Jesus of the woman in this story and wondered again, what made her break the jar? Why now? She knew Him already. She’d heard His teaching, seen His compassion, and witnessed His miracles of healing. I bet she’d heard all the whispers about Him too, pro and con. Her devotion had been built up over time and she’d made up her mind to somehow demonstrate her allegiance. Whatever transpired before the events of that evening, after she’d broken the jar and emptied the contents on Jesus’ head, the atmosphere was changed. I try to imagine the commotion and chaos of that room and I know that what lingered in the air wasn’t just the fragrance, but the emotion. This woman had connected with Pure Love itself in a way that demanded that she give everything she had. Her extravagant act of love and devotion was a reckless emotional response to all she had seen and witnessed in the past months and years as a follower of our Lord. Her action was costly. It was irrevocable—she wasn’t going to get the jar or the contents back. And the sole recipient was Jesus. Unless you count being able to smell the resulting fragrance, no one else benefitted. Indeed it was a gift for a King. And in the midst of the aftershock—when everyone had an opinion and no problem vocalizing it, Jesus rose to her defense. He called her actions beautiful. Jesus, reader of hearts, discerner of motive and intent, accepted her complete adoration and worship and was moved by her actions. He received her sacrifice, prophesying that it was indeed his burial anointing. The impending death and burial reference part fell on non-understanding ears. Did they hear the part about the gospel being preached throughout the world? I doubt it. Their senses were still overwhelmed with the fragrance of that oil. It spread throughout the room, affecting all who inhaled. It was the fragrance of a king released only after breaking the container. It affected everyone who was present:
Because their eyes had just witnessed an act of sheer love, spent on a king who would die. And rise again. Thousands of years later, I’m still trying to understand the consequences of breaking open that jar. We’re reading in the gospel of Matthew this third week and maybe this is the first time I’ve ever read Matthew immediately following John and Luke. So what I notice is, in those first chapters, Matthew isn’t recording parables, but straight-from-the-hip Jesus teaching. Jesus covered lots of topics before He got to prayer in chapter 6, verse 9, where He says, “This, then, is how you should pray….”
As someone who sometimes struggles with conversations, prayer has never been easy for me, so I really am looking hard at how Jesus goes about this. Especially if He’s got a handy, dandy formula. But even I have noted that in previous verses He has already stated that prayer is ideally private and brief, so I’m assuming that I want to duplicate principles of prayer here and not the exact words. But notice the word count—my goodness is He brief! A lot of scholars and theologians have spent centuries dissecting and interpreting this prayer. I’m certainly not trying to bring anything new to the conversation— My purpose in listening to the gospels is just to try to grasp what Jesus did while He was on earth. In this case, I can try to pray more like He did. So here’s a couple of things that I noticed that might help me shape my own prayers. 1). Jesus addresses God the Father who is both Holy and occupying a spiritual location above our own. Not praying to any earthly father, or any man for that matter, Jesus asserts God’s Holiness and in fact, stops to worship Him. Any further requests follows from that position of knowing whose Presence has been entered. I think I would do well to follow this example of mindfully addressing my Heavenly Father in the most genuinely grateful and worshipful way that I can manage. In the NIV translation this only takes 2 lines and a total of 8 words, a model of brevity: “ Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,” Matthew 6:9 NIV 2) And the second thing that occurs to me is that this prayer is about Almighty God, not my perceived needs. He is the one petitioned for provision, forgiveness, and deliverance. And really, as I think about my asks in the last few weeks, they could all be boiled down to just these 3 categories which Jesus affirms can only be supplied by God the Father. Shifting my focus away from my list and towards the source of all my answers and fulfillment of needs should be my objective. Does Jesus get down to really just the one thing that is needful? I think so. I really think that bringing Heaven to our earthly lives truly looks like the healing and deliverance I’ve sought, the wisdom and clarity I’m lacking, and the forgiveness that I haven’t yet asked for or realized was necessary. Asking for all needs to be supplied for His purposes turns my thoughts back to the one Who has always generously supplied. It also keeps me from deciding that I know exactly what another person might need and forming a list of requests focused on my needs and aspirations rather than what God may truly be working. The more I think about all the ways I can (and have) gone wrong in my prayer life, the more I see the wisdom in Jesus’ admonition to go into a closet and let God see in secret. To tune my spirit to Him as the source of all that is good, all that I could need, allows me to speak with Him thoughtfully and intentionally. To acknowledge that He is the author of all the stories I encounter allows me to release those precious lives and stories and to completely trust in His good purposes for them. And did I mention? Goodness, He was brief and to the point! Jb My purpose in reading through the Gospels with Annie F Downs is to spend time watching how Jesus interacts with people. And I’m always drawn to the stories of how Jesus interacts with Simon Peter because in Peter’s passionate, impulsive behavior and especially his failures, I see myself. So I’m listening again to the story of Peter’s call to discipleship in Luke 5 and I wonder. What did it take to make these business owner/ fishermen leave the boats behind to follow Jesus?
And this time, it occurs to me— Jesus and Peter have already had several interactions. In the previous chapter in fact, Jesus had already been to Peter’s house and healed Peter’s mother-in-law of a fever. What I am noticing is that Jesus spends a lot of time with individuals, allowing them to see Him in many different environments. Having seen the healings and heard the teachings, it was surely easier to believe the harder statements later on, “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” (John 14:6) and “I go to prepare a place for you,” (John 14:2.) Opening up my life and being transparent enough to let others see me in many circumstances allows me the possibility of being able to share things which are important to me. So I don’t think it was an accident that Peter and those boats were available to row Jesus out a bit so that He can speak to the gathered crowd. I don’t know if it was pre-arranged, but certainly Peter was already seeing in Jesus something that he wanted to know more about. That day Peter definitely had a front row seat. And after the teaching, after the crowds had left, I am so touched that Jesus wants to thank Peter for his time and the use of his boat. What would a fisherman enjoy? The ones in my life are just thrilled to haul in a catch and that’s what Jesus offers Peter—the best tip of all time! Peter realizes that this is no ordinary carpenter with a lucky guess— Peter’s seen the healing, he’s heard the teaching, and now he has the catch of the day when there had been nothing. He’s ready to follow this man wherever. And Jesus expressed His gratitude in a personal and generous way. People mattered, Simon Peter’s time and his boat mattered. Jesus honored that. I want to do that too—pay attention to what would be meaningful to someone else. To let people know that their time and their stuff matters. To make them feel seen. Hey, Peter got serious about his life choices when Jesus tipped him. Thank you, Jesus, for showing us how to see and honor people. I don’t know much about her—not even why she happened to be at the well in the heat of the day. She wasn’t the type to get chummy or share a lot about her life. What I do see in John’s recall of the dialog between Jesus and this woman is her conversational skills. My gosh, the woman asked fabulous questions!
Allow me to paraphrase what John has recorded. She started with the obvious, “your people hate my people, why are you talking to me?” Notice what she did there? I’m pretty sure Jesus was aware of the history. Yet she got Him to continue the conversation and talk about living water. She keeps the questions coming, “All right sir, let’s talk about that, you are pretty unequipped to draw water from this well, so where are you going to get the living water you mention?” Was she daring Him to continue? I really wonder if the next part was push-back. It could sound that way. “Are you greater than our father Jacob?” Regardless of how she meant it, she was hooked now and his next mention of springs of eternal life caused her to ask where she might find that life. And all her defenses are down as she admits that she doesn’t have a husband. When Jesus confirms her marital details, she’s completely done in, she has this great man in front of her and she decides she’s going to ask the pressing spiritual questions of her day, like “where should I go to worship?” And when Jesus mentions spirit and truth, her own confession of faith spills out. “I know a Messiah is coming AND He will explain everything.” I have no idea if Jesus intended to speak with this woman about eternal life when he asked her for a drink. I’d like to think that the quality of her questions and the obvious engagement with His answers prompted Him to reveal Himself to her. And that’s something I would like to do a little better this year, engage in conversations with Jesus. Maybe ask better questions and listen pretty intently to His answers. JB Pastor Andy challenged me to name three lessons I learned in 2020. Just three. I greatly admire succinctness so I thought I'd give it a try. And I've found it extremely effective to help me say goodbye to something hard and hello to something unknown. Here are my 2020 lessons learned: 1) Rest is important. No, wait... rest is commanded. And while I previously made some strides with keeping Sabbath and going to bed at a regular hour, I was shocked to learn that being at home was the rest I needed this year. And a big part of resting was learning to be content with where I was and what I was given to do. Working from home, leading a bible study online, or checking in virtually with friends aren't particularly restful activities, but they were what I was given in 2020. As I came to accept what I could do during a pandemic and explore new ways of doing those things, I discovered a contentment and I think a purpose. I had to let go of some old comfortable ways and learn some new techniques and processes--but I was generally happy with the outcomes of Facebook Live, Zoom meetings, and yes, outdoor teas. How was this restful? It wasn't necessarily my plan--but in giving up daily commutes and a full schedule of meetings, I began to see what had been draining my energy. This information will be golden as I plan the next chapter of my life. 2) Adventure begins at home. So adventure wasn't my word of the year--it was Keith's. But since my word WAS "together," well, we just sort of planned a year of travel and new things. And 2020 happened. So adventure was mostly on the deck or the front porch, learning to spend time with and listen to him. Or play a game with the grands on a warmer day. Sometimes the slow pace and monotony was frustrating to both of us, but we've developed a new rhythm of living together that I think fits us better and honors Jesus more. 3) Spend time in God's creation. It became obvious to me early on in quarantine as I tried to figure out work from home that I was healthier mentally and physically if I spent time outside every day. I was more likely to get the exercise I needed by planning an outside activity, but more than that, it lets me observe God's beauty and His rhythms. Sunrises and sunsets, planets traveling across the sky, growing a productive garden, observing the seasons--all these things gave me time for wonder and worship. Psalm 65 became a chapter that I returned to over and over this year: You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 God was abundantly faithful in 2020. I believe He will prove to be so in 2021 also. I'd love to hear what you learned? Three things maybe? Week 5; Bonus Session 3 Genesis 35. Full Circle Like all of us, Jacob's story began before his birth, in his mother's womb. No--even further back, we trace Jacob's story to God's long-ago promise to Abraham. After all, he was indeed, one of the promised "many descendants." We find in the thread of his story, a circle, one which begins in Genesis 28, Jacob's flight from his home and the consequent dream at Bethel. The circle then closes in a rich finale in Genesis 35, his pilgrimage back to that location as a leader and promise-receiver himself. Where he began as a young man, fleeing from the wrath of his brother, he now returns as Israel--the one who has wrestled with God, father of a nation. Jacob has come full-circle and chapter 35 contains the story of that final journey to Bethel. We left an indecisive Jacob in chapter 34. He was distracted by the chaos of his surroundings, inattentive to the tensions existing in his own family. But chapter 35 opens with a replaced Israel, certain of his identity and to Whom he owes that. Jacob hears God and he quickly responds. Note the preparations Jacob orders--what are they? What is he asking his household to do? Why? Does anyone else identify with the story at this point? I notice in my own life, periods of productive activity, followed by seasons of feeling stuck and not responding to people or situations in the way I'd like to. I'm challenged with the validity of these real stories of real people who were doing their best to follow an unseen God. Even after his name-change, Jacob appears to waver and waffle sometimes. But God doesn't leave him there. And He doesn't leave us in our "stuckness" either. I notice the protection Jacob's family receives in verse 5. It's been there all along, but it seems to me to be especially significant because of Jacob's anxieties after the raid of the previous chapter. And Jacob arrives back at Bethel, at the place of God's revelation and promises. Read verses 6-15 again and make two lists-- one list of what Jacob does at Bethel, and a second list of what God promises Jacob. Again. The first time, God said to Jacob, "Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." (Gen 28:15) Sometimes we have the hardest time believing for the things closest to us. For all of us with broken relationships, or failed marriages, or losses of income, or difficult diagnoses, or uncertain futures, He says He won't leave. And He will deliver what He promised. In Jacob's journey circle from and back to Bethel, we see promises given and promises fulfilled and it gives us hope that He will work with the same restorative power in our lives. God alone can take us from a place of fear and uncertainty and bring us back changed and certain of who we are and Whose we are. When we place our trust in the One who journeys along with us, we have His protection and peace. We know He is not afraid of our questions or doubts, but instead invites us to bring them to Him and wrestle until we can walk away changed. Until the day His promises to us are fulfilled. This is our full circle. Journal prompt: What do you long to see God bring full circle in your life? Write it down even if you’ve given up hope or think it impossible. Week 5 Session 2 Reconcile
Read Genesis 33 In Chapter 32, Jacob limped away from Peniel with a new name and renewed purpose. No one remains unchanged from a real encounter with God. And sure enough—he didn’t have to wait; the day of meeting his brother was at hand. Esau and 400 men are quickly approaching. In Chapter 33, I notice a growth in Jacob. He's now pro-active in considering the safety of his wives and children during their approach of Esau and after arranging them, he leads in front. His tribal leadership has been growing since he left Laban, but there is an assurance and authority that I haven't noticed before. Still he is cautious as he approaches Esau. He bows and Esau rushes to embrace him. What things do you notice about the conversation between the two brothers? What is said or unsaid? What is the tone, who takes the lead, what is accomplished? Dictionary.com says: Reconciliation is the process of two people or groups in a conflict agreeing to make amends or come to a truce. It seems to me that the brothers have achieved this by showing honor to each other and agreeing that they each have prospered by the hand of God. Different from Jacob's truce with Laban, these brothers appear to have moved past the old arguments and ambitions. Their soft answers have created a place where new mature relationship might begin again. Hope and peace are new again. I think I love most of all the gentle voice of Esau in verse 12, “let’s be going. I will lead the way.” We don’t know what happened to Esau in the years that Jacob has been away, but the mellow note in his voice is unmistakable. Esau has also been changed by the years. No longer out for revenge, threatening murder, howling with rage and disappointment, Esau, now the head of his own household, has room in his heart for his returning brother. He did finally accept Jacob’s gift, and that’s probably a good thing—it allowed Jacob to make restitution on what he had taken from Esau. Even Jacob mentions that looking at Esau, he sees divine love. God is in the reconciliation business after all. And this reconciliation with his brother Esau brings exiled Jacob back to the promised land of Canaan. ********************************************************************* Oh how I wish that we didn’t see the next chapter of the story. We’ve reached such a perfect reconciliation between the brothers and brought Jacob back home and he’s the father of a nation…but there’s another crisis beginning in Jacob’s family. Chapter 34 is part of Jacob’s story, sisters, so let’s have a look at it. The rape of Dinah leads to the murder of Hamor and Shechem by sons Simeon and Levi. Sort out the story in chapter 34. What emotions are exposed? What sins? What is Jacob’s complaint at the end of the chapter? There isn’t even much segue into chapter 35. The end of chapter 34 reveals Jacob rather paralyzed with fear of the neighbors. Israel who wrestled with God is still human and as such, is given to uncertainty, inaction, and blaming his circumstances on others. Who do you grieve for in this story? And why? Journaling Prompt: Is there a relationship that you would like to see reconciled? What part could you play in that? Week 5 Session 1 Genesis 32 and 33 I haven’t moved an entire household since we were newlyweds, but last year I did move my entire office--not across the campus or even to another building. We just moved everything up one floor. I was exhausted! Our library move wasn’t done under the best of circumstances—we were kind of forced to give up our space to another department. I found that I had to let those departmental grudges go-they only made the work harder. Jacob too, is leaving after confrontation with the father-in-law. While they shook hands and called it good—Laban did throw that parting shot, “The Lord judge between us if you oppress my daughters or take other wives.” No love lost there. I just want to make the point that moving is hard, and traveling with kids is hard, and there was just so much emotional baggage. So it’s nice to see Jacob begin to act like a patriarch under these difficult conditions and take responsibility for his family and the broken relationship with his brother. I think probably both Laban and Esau were on his mind as he approached Edom. Jacob’s prayer in vs 9-12 shows some insight into how much Jacob has grown in his relationship with God. Not only is he speaking with the God of his father and grandfather, but Jacob repeats that God has been speaking to him. He recalls the promises God has given to him and expresses faith in them. Jacob has been away for 20 years and has become a symbol of perseverance through difficulties. In Hebrews 12:1 we are also encouraged to run with perseverance the race that is set before us. Even if, like Jacob, we kind of created our own race. This sets the stage for a long night preparing to meet his brother. In verses 13-20 note all the steps Jacob took to win Esau’s favor and protect his family. Read verses 24-32 and answer the following questions: At what point do you think Jacob realized the identity of the man he wrestled? Where has Jacob demanded blessing before? When asked his name, do you think Jacob felt he was admitting his previous deceits? So Jacob, the deceiver becomes Israel, the one who wrestles with God. And it will come as no surprise to us women that this transpired only after an exhausting night of moving around the kids, and prepping for tomorrow’s company, and then wrenching a hip fighting. Finally, Jacob received what he had wanted since his birth, the blessing that only God can give—a transformed life. And there was no trickery or lying involved. In fact, when asked his name, he owned it. "Jacob, the one who bartered for a birthright, the one who dressed in an animal's skin to fool his father for a blessing, and caused his brother's anger, that's me-- I'm the one here wrestling now. Jacob who was tricked into 14 years labor for the woman he loved, who is afraid for his tribe, I'm the one with You right now." As evidence of new life, Jacob receives a new name. And not only a personal name, but a nation’s new name and identity. No longer one who must deceive others to receive his due, Israel receives the implied right and promise that he and they would prevail in struggles. Beloved, if you are tired of your old identity, if you have tried to change yourself, if you have ever felt that the only good things you were worthy of were stolen from others, Jacob brings us such good news! The creator of the Universe, the lover of your soul is in your struggles with you! And He is so very willing to rename you. Just ask Him now. 17 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it….” Revelation 2:17 NLT Journaling Prompt: What new name would you like? Where have you wrestled with God and man in your life? Week 4: Session 2 Read Genesis 30:25-31:55 Rachel births a son and something is spurred within Jacob— it’s time to go home; so he approaches Laban with a request to leave with his wives and children. Still not treating Jacob as family, Laban stealthily reduces Jacob’s status to hired laborer with the offer to pay for his work. Laban admits his wealth has indeed increased while Jacob has been in charge of the herd, and eventually declares that Jacob will claim all speckled and spotted goats and lambs. But Laban gets to the herd first and removes those very speckled and spotted goats and black lambs before Jacob can claim them. Not to be outdone, Jacob begins working the flock and essentially breeds multi-colored sheep and goats from monochromatic stock. And not only that, but he purposely bred the stronger animals and kept them for himself while leaving the weaker for Laban. Jacob is now described as a wealthy man. He’s become rich in exile just like his Grandfather Abraham did in Egypt. (Genesis 12:16) Why do you think, Jacob didn’t leave, but instead negotiated for livestock with his father-in-law? Jacob finally has the status and means to leave, but there is trouble brewing in the family and he needs the support of Leah and Rachel. I have to chuckle, this is one of the most carefully-worded conversations recorded in the Bible. Jacob has to gain their support and avoid triggering any family jealousies. It surely occurred to him that one or both might actually prefer to stay behind with her father. So he carefully avoids mentioning among Laban’s transgressions the fact that he subbed Leah for Rachel. And he also doesn’t mention that Jacob turned up here because his own brother hated him and was out to kill him. One of the arguments that Jacob addresses is that Laban has tried to cheat him with the livestock and God has thwarted that plan time and again. While chapter 30 gave much credit to Jacob’s genetic selection and breeding techniques, it’s notable that Jacob gave full credit to God in 31:9. Jacob ends his appeal with a story of the Lord appearing to him in a dream, commanding him to return home. Jacob’s tone with his wives is also commendable at this point. He addresses them as co-laborers, not as slaves. They have opinions and are important to the family. In the end, Leah and Rachel make decisions to leave with their husband. Let's glance back at Jacob’s dream and promises he received from God at Bethel when he was beginning his journey to Paddan-aram (Genesis 28). Jacob was promised land, offspring, protection and the Presence of God. What has he received and what is still not fulfilled? And lest we think that Jacob has been finally changed after all the times he has been deceived and cheated, vs 20 reminds us that he has yet one more trick up his own sleeve. He didn’t tell Laban that he intended to go. A sin of omission. He intended to take his household and leave without closure for any of them. I’ll just point out here that the sheep-sheering season was the busiest time in a herdsman’s calendar and all of Laban’s men were working dusk to dawn. Do you think that factors in to Jacob’s timing? Jacob leaves, Laban belatedly follows and eventually catches the party. What follows is a final negotiation between Jacob and Laban. Read Gen 31:22-55. Name all the places you see God’s special protection over Jacob. What are Laban’s grievances? What finally causes Jacob to stand up to Laban in vs.36? An uneasy peace is negotiated between the two men. What is the agreement? Verse 55 is the last time we’ll see Laban in this story. He ends by kissing and blessing his grandchildren and his daughters and returning home. Much history and many words have passed between these two men. The chapter closes a season of frustration and disappointment rather than the joy that might have been. In the end, Jacob has gained a household, Laban returns to an empty one. Journaling prompt: How has Jacob’s relationship with God changed between the time he arrived in Laban’s household and the time he left? Jacob could have become bitter or cynical as a result of Laban’s deceits. What do you think kept him from an outcome like that? What have you learned about God in this story of two deceivers? |
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