June 13, 2009

Readings:
Genesis 26 and 27
Matthew 10

Genesis:
Eventually, the people will be sent to Egypt during a famine, but not this famine. It is interesting that the text makes it clear where you are NOT to go. It would be like someone saying, "make sure you don't go to Montana".
"Okay. Hadn't really been planning on it, but thanks for the tip."
Isaac does have to leave the land Abraham wanted him to stay, and is instructed to become a sojourner again.
Isaac prospers in Gerar, causing the local inhabitants to say, "we can just look at you and tell that God is on your side". The 'prosperity gospel' is alive and well in the attitude of the Philistines. Material success has long been connected to God's favor. It seems in juxtaposition with our chapter in Matthew (see below), however. How often do we assume that prosperity equals God's favor? Or worse, that difficulty and poverty are signs of God's dis-favor?

The text returns to Jacob and Esau. Jacob has already stolen his brother's birthright in chapter 25. But in chapter 27, with his mother's help, he steals Esau's blessing as well. In verse 38, after Esau and Isaac realize they've been duped, again, Esau asks the question I want to ask. "Have you only one blessing, Father?"
Why can't the blessing be given, correctly, to the son Isaac intended to give it?
Isaac answers him, but do you consider the answer in verses 39 and 40 to be a blessing?


Matthew:
In this chapter, Jesus sends his disciples out to do their work. Remember that in the previous chapter, he has compassion for the crowd because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he is now sending out some shepherds to help out.
But he wants to make sure that nobody has any illusions about the consequences of shepherding his sheep. You can expect hatred, persecution, and trouble--even from your family.
This section is troubling, but try to keep the entire chapter in mind when you are reading through it. Because as he says, "I have not come to bring peace, but a sword"(v. 34), he also says, "Do not be afraid" (v. 31).
Jesus doesn't want his disciples to go into their discipleship without full knowledge.
And think about how this difficult section could actually be encouraging. Yes, this will be hard. Yes, you might be persecuted. Yes, your family might even turn against you. BUT, the reward is great for those who shepherd his sheep. "and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.” (v. 42).
This chapter should, perhaps, cause us to reconsider the gifts we give people when they join the church. Maybe crash helmets would be more appropriate gifts than what is sold at the average Christian gift store.