Thoughts on the readings for January 17th (Genesis 30; Psalm 34; Matthew 19)

Thoughts on the readings for January 17th (Genesis 30; Psalm 34; Matthew 19) Genesis 30 tells of Rachel's exasperation in seeking children; demands from Jacob that he give her children. Rachel gives Bilhah her maid to Jacob. A son is born and named Dan (meaning "vindication", or "judgment") claiming that she (Rachel) has God on her side. We notice that Rachel is making this contest with her sister personal. Another son is born to Bilhah and named Naphtali - speaking of the struggle, or wrestle Rachel saw between herself and Leah. Taking up the contest Leah gives her maid, Zilpah, to Jacob. A son is produced and called Gad - meaning "a troop" - telling of another son to come. Zilpah produces a second son, who Leah names Asher ("blessed", or "happy"). Surely Jacob would be happy with the 6 sons produced thus far by Leah and her maid. Reuben found wild mandrakes in the field; believed by the ancients to be a potential aphrodisiac and a fertility booster. Rachel asks for these and in return promises Leah access to Jacob. This results in a 5th son for Leah - named Issachar (meaning "hired" ie Jacob in exchange for the mandrakes). Leah next produced a 6th son, Zebulon - indicating "dwelling" - in the hope of Jacob becoming Leah's companion. Lastly Leah gave birth to a daughter, Dinah. Rachel is finally remembered by God and has a son Joseph - meaning "add", or "increasing" - in the hope of having a further son. Jacob served Laban for 6 more years in order to provide for his large family. Tricky Laban during this time changed Jacob's contract 10 times. No matter how unlikely it was for Jacob to increase his herds of sheep and cattle the Almighty blessed and prospered him, as had been promised at Bethel in chapter 28. Jacob's honesty and integrity were endorsed by God in what the cattle produced. Laban's deceit and dishonesty were at this time punished by the LORD. Whilst there was some value in the selective breeding Jacob practised; there was no science behind the putting of the poplar trees before the eyes of the cattle at watering time. Psalm 34 is the second most quoted Psalm in the New Testament, after Psalm 110. It was written by David to praise God from his deliverance out of the hand of Abimelech (also known as Achish), the king of Gath. David had received Goliath's sword from the Tabernacle, where it had been kept. Saul and Doeg had slain the priests of Yahweh in Nob. Saul continued hunting David and in desperation David ventured into the land of the Philistines believing he would be safer there. What an incredible lapsing of discerning and, to a large degree, a forgetting of how often he had been delivered by the LORD. What foolishness to think he could slip unnoticed in Goliath's town; whilst carrying the well known sword of the deceased Philistine Champion. He was imprisoned and feigned madness to escape. Were it not for his Sovereign's providential protection David would certainly have perished. It was not his acting ability that saved David; rather it was his heartfelt humble prayer, "This poor man cried and Yahweh heard". The first 5 verses David extols the responsiveness of the Almighty and calls upon all the faithful to join him in this exercise. The trouble of David at this time has been mentioned in the Psalm's background. Despite the seemingly impossible circumstances David was released. He had been powerless, but the angel (who was mighty in power) had encamped around him - verse 7. David had been delivered from death, but Messiah was to die; but would be brought from the grave - "out of death" (verse 20). Verses 8-9 says that all who have tasted Yahweh's loving kindness have seen that He is good to His children. The lions, even though fed from God, we're not cared for with the same love our Sovereign shows His children. God's children will experience sore trials, but these are sent to develop godliness (Hebrews 12 verses 5 to 11). Verse 11 is a plea for the 600 followers of David, who were with him in the cave of Adullam after his release from the prison in Gath, to in humility learn from his teaching. Verses 12-19 give counsel to the faithful, as to how they must respond to the LORD's providential care. This section of the Psalm finds itself extensively drawn on by Peter in chapter 2 verses 10 to12. The Psalm finished with a confidence in the deliverance of the Almighty. The keeping the unbroken bones speaks of the assurance of hope and resurrection. Joseph in faith when dying gave charge concerning his bones (Genesis 50:24-26; Exodus 12 verse 46 and verse19; 1 Peter 2 verses 21 to 25). In Matthew 19 we have one of the topics that is greatly debated among religions - divorce. In the contemporary Jewish society of Jesus' days it was so rife that men were divorcing their wives for every reason eg she burned my meal. In the time of Moses, divorce or putting away, was regulated; but even then, only for sexual impurity. God's mind on this has always been clear. Yahweh hates putting away (Malachi 2 verses10 to16). Jesus tells us that the Father's declared will from the beginning was that man and woman should cleave to each other as man and wife to the exclusion of all others as the only basis of stable family life and a prefiguring of Christ's union with his bride (Genesis 2 verses 23 to 24; Ephesians 5 verses 22 to 33). Difficultlies do arise within marriage, but both parties must persevere. Once more an incident involving children provided an opportunity for the disciples' learning. The chapter concludes with a rich young ruler, who Jesus deeply loved because of his undoubted sincerity. Nonetheless our Lord was greatly saddened by the man's incapacity to overcome his covetousness. This caused amazement to his disciples, who believed that salvation must be a hard and costly thing. Jesus, knowing their perseverance in following him promised them rulership and thrones in his coming Kingdom. Read aloud and think about that promise in verses 28-30. Sent from my iPhone Penned by Warwick Rosser and his team, produced by Christa delphian video .org See more Thoughts from the Christadelphian Dialy Bible Reading Planner (By R.Roberts) here... https://christadelphianvideo.org/thoughts-on-the-readings-for-january-17th-genesis-30-psalm-34-matthew-19/?feed_id=82627&_unique_id=678918716c49e