Blog (Page 26)
“The Masculine Mandate, God’s Calling to Men” by Richard D. Phillips
Phillips, Richard D. The Masculine Mandate, God’s Calling to Men. Orlando: Reformation Trust, 2010. What is a man? Richard Phillips proposes that the meaning of manhood can only be found in connection the fact that men are created by and for God in Genesis 2. He doesn’t touch on the biological aspects of what it is to be a man, but more on the spiritual and functional aspects of what it is to be a man. The first section of the book (chapters…
Genesis 38 – Judah’s Intimacy with His Daughter-in-Law
Judah went down from his brothers and turned to Hirah, an Adullamite. He saw the daughter of Shua, a Canaanite, there. He was intimate with her and she had sons named Er, Onan, and Shelah. Judah went to Chezib sometime when she was bearing them. Judah took a wife for Er named Tamar. Er was wicked in the sight of the LORD and the LORD put him to death, so Judah told Onan to do the duty of a brother-in-law and raise up children for Er. Onan clearly refused, each time they were intimate he would waste his seed on the ground,…
Genesis 37 – Jacob Loved Joseph More (Dream 1) Sheafs (Dream 2) King of Luminaries (2 Plots) Murder & Rescue, Both Plots Foiled, Family Reacts
Jacob lived where his dad sojourned, Canaan. Joseph was 17 and was with his brothers pasturing their sheep. Jacob/Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons and he made him a robe of many colors (and probably long sleeves), and his brothers hated him for this. Joseph then dreamed he and his brothers were binding sheaves (bundling the harvest, like wheat, barley, etc.) in the field and when Joseph’s sheaf rose all his brothers sheaves bowed down to it. Joseph then had a second dream that…
Genesis 36 – Esau’s Descendants, Kings Who Reigned before the Israelites Had a Human King
After laying out Jacob/Israel’s family in chapter 35, chapter 36 now turns to focus on laying out Esau’s lineage and the lineage of the surrounding nations. Further, after these descendants, Moses lists all the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before the Israelites had any king (“human” king that is) (vs. 31). While not necessarily being exhaustive, Moses seems to have intended to give an account for the many nations that exist as well. Even though God’s chosen people would often…
Genesis 35 – Jacob’s Family to Bethel, Death of Rachel
God told Jacob to settle at Bethel and to make altar to God there. Jacob told his family to put away foreign gods. A terror of God fell on the cities around them and they left Jacob’s family alone. He came to Luz and built an altar, they buried Rebekah’s nurse there. God appeared to Jacob and blessed him, renaming him Israel, and saying to be fruitful and multiply. God reaffirmed His covenant to him. God went up from him, Jacob…
God & Myself
GOD AND MYSELF LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, Your understanding is unsearchable and infinite, Your arm cannot be stayed, Your agency extends through limitless space, All works hang on your care, With you time is a present now. Holy is your wisdom, power, mercy, ways, works. How can I stand before you with my numberless and aggravated offenses? I have often loved darkness, observed lying vanities, forsaken your given mercies, trampled underfoot your beloved Son, mocked your providences, flattered you with my lips,…
Genesis 34 – Vow, Violation, Vigilante, Vengeance & Vexation
Jacob and Leah’s daughter Dinah went out and Shechem seized her, lay with her, and humiliated her. He loved her and spoke tenderly to her. He told his father to get her to be his wife. Jacob heard about all of this and went to talk with Hamor. Jacob’s sons were angry. Hamor asked for Dinah to be given in marriage to Shechem. He offers their daughters in marriage to his sons and asks for theirs to marry his. Jacob’s…
“Paul the Missionary, Realities, Strategies and Methods” by Eckhard Schnabel
Schnabel, Eckhard J. Paul the Missionary: Realities, Strategies and Methods. Grand Rapids: IVP Academic, 2008. Hebrews 13:7 “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” In light of this passage Paul the Missionary: Realities, Strategies and Methods is a great resource to consider how we might imitate Paul’s faith and his way of life in pursuing spread of God’s kingdom through the preaching of the gospel and starting churches.…
Genesis 33 – Reconciliation of Esau and Jacob
Jacob looked and Esau was coming with 400 men. Jacob divided his family up to meet him in waves. Esau ran to meet Jacob “fell [embraced] on his neck” and kissed him and they wept. They are reconciled. Esau asked what everything Jacob sent ahead was for. He told him it was to find his favor. Jacob refused to receive the gifts back and said, “For I have seen your face, which is like seeing the face of God, and…
Genesis 32 – Jacob Wrestles with Yahweh
The angels of God met Jacob and he settled at Mahanaim. He sent 2 messengers to Esau to let him know he’s coming with 400 men. Jacob was afraid. He divided the people so if Esau attacked others could escape. He prayed, “I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown your servant…Please deliver me from the hand of my brother.” He asked God to fulfill His…