Tag: Jesus

Praying Like Christ

Carl Pollard

Very clearly seen in His ministry, Jesus believed that prayer worked. He realized the effectiveness and power of prayer. Because of this, He had an intimate relationship with the Father. Before He came to this earth, He was close to the Father. He refused to let His flesh separate Him from God. He had a desire to spend time with the Father. 

Sometimes, our motivation to pray is put out because we doubt that our prayers will work or make a difference. I for one have gone through periods of time where I failed to pray as I should, solely because of doubt. 

This is straight from the mouth of Satan. What better way to weaken our faith than to place doubt in our minds in the Creator to which we pray through the Son? 

What happens is we get this view of prayer that its all about the prayer requests. Not that it’s wrong to ask God for help, or pray for the sick, but all too often we see prayer as a help wanted billboard. We miss the point of prayer if this is all we see it as! Prayer is about talking with our Father, building and maintaining our relationship with our Savior! 

How close would you be to your physical father if the only reason you called him and talked to him was to ask for favors? Prayer is all about connection. If we reduce prayer to nothing more than asking for things, we have failed to pray like Christ. 

Making requests is one of the many needed aspects of prayer. It is true that Jesus spoke confidently to God, and requested things. 

God is more than willing to answer His obedient children. James tells us that the prayer of a righteous man is effective. Jesus believed and acted on the confidence that God would answer or hear His prayers. We need to understand the heart and mind of Christ if we are to imitate His prayer life. 

Jesus Was Not Passive. Far too often we believe (or act) as though once we pray about something, we don’t have to do anything more. It’s almost as if we see devotion to God and helping others as being mutually exclusive. We will pray for someone who is hurting, sick, or hungry and then do nothing more. Jesus prayed often, for long periods of time, but He was never passive. He didn’t separate faith from action. Jesus would pray, then heal. He believed, then acted. He would preach, then live what He taught. Why do we think it would be any different? Could it be that we are the answer to our prayers more often than we realize? 

Maybe we are the ones to comfort those who are mourning. Maybe we are the ones who are supposed to feed the hungry. Maybe we are the ones who need to study with the lost. It’s important we pray for others, but we cannot be passive and expect our prayers to be answered. 

Jesus warned against being passive in Matthew 25:31-46. Jesus is teaching about the final judgment we will all face in the end. 

Notice how Jesus rejects those who aren’t concerned for the physical wellbeing of others. He will have nothing to do with Christian’s who fail to have an active prayer life (33-40). A prayer by itself won’t clothe someone. Prayer by itself won’t fill an empty stomach. A prayer with no action will never give someone a drink. Jesus accepts those who DO SOMETHING. Prayer should open our eyes to the needs of those around us. 

If we have a say in the matter, if we have the ability to change someone’s circumstances WE ARE THE ANSWER TO OUR PRAYERS. 

Jesus will reject a spirituality that is not concerned for the tangible needs of those around us. People matter to God. So much so that our eternity depends on how we care for anyone we may meet. Don’t get me wrong, God expects us to pray for others (Jesus’ example of prayer included praying for our enemies, and those we love), but He also expects us to be His hands and feet. 

James 2:14-17, “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

Unfortunately, we often use prayer as a substitute for action. In fact, it sounds so spiritual to say that we will pray about it; but highly hypocritical to have the tools and resources to do something about it but not act. Wives, how would you feel if you went to your husbands and asked them to put together that piece of furniture you bought from the store and they answered by saying “I’ll be praying about it.” Maybe you need the oil changed on your car and they say, “I’ll definitely be praying that gets taken care of.” How frustrating would that be? 

At some point our prayers should open our eyes to the works we should be doing! Like Jesus, we should pray as though it all depended on God, but act responsibly and obediently as though it all depended on us.

Deuteronomy: The Second Giving Of The Law (V)

The Power Of The Law (4:1-40)

Neal Pollard

In the New Testament, we are going to read about the superiority of the New Covenant over the Old (Heb. 8:6-10:18). But, even in touting the superiority of faith in Christ over the Law, Paul calls it holy (Rom. 7:12) and good (Rom. 7:16). It’s deficiency was in man’s shortcoming to fully keep it, not in the ordinances or statutes themselves. Yet, before Christ, they were kept in custody under the law (Gal. 3:23ff). Moses says, “listen to the statutes and the judgments which I am teaching you to perform, so that you may live and go in and take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you” (1). 

The Law Exhorts (1-14)

He begins by stating emphatically that this Law could not be altered either by addition or subtraction (2). Its benefit was in keeping it just as God gave it. This law was to govern and guide them in the new land they were about to take possession of. When they kept it, the people would see through their obedience what a special and loved people they were in the sight of God (6-8). The Law contained reminders of where they had been and what had happened in the past, both good and bad (9-14). Life and blessing would be the consequence of this revelation. It brought honor in the eyes of men and favor in the eyes of God. 

The Law Warns (15-31)

We see the warning in words and phrases like “watch yourselves carefully” (15,23) and “beware” (19). The warning here centered especially around them turning to something in substitution for their faithfulness to God. He is speaking more thoroughly here about the second commandment which he will restate as part of the second giving of the ten commandments in the next chapter (5:8-10). 

The basis of the warning is what it would do to them–it would be corrupting (16) and the source of their swift perishing (26). The warning is also because of what it would cause them to do–be drawn away and worship and serve them (19). Further, the warning is because of what God would do to them if they gave themselves over to it–scatter them among the nations and cause their numbers to be decimated (27). Moses reminds them, “For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God” (24) and idolatry would provoke Him to anger (25). 

God did not want the relationship to be marked by threat and punishment. These are forewarnings, for their own spiritual good. Even if they fell prey to them but genuinely, wholeheartedly repented, God would restore them (29-30). The God who warns through His Word “is a compassionate God; He will not fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them” (31). 

The Law Gives Relationship (32-40)

Thus, with the blessings and cursing of the Law set before them in brief, God reminds them of the unprecedented relationship He had entered with them. No one had ever known a relationship with their gods, much less the God of gods, as Israel would enjoy (32-36). The foundation of this relationship was love (37). It was proven by His sovereign choice (37). Because of this relationship, God would stand at the front of their armies and fight for them (38), and He would bless their children and grandchildren with life and land (40). He wants them to take this to heart (39) so that they would play their part in this special relationship (40).

The Law of Moses was to be their national, political, and spiritual governance. It would remind them of their past, reinforce them in their present, and reassure them of their prospects. It was the mind of God revealed, the way He wanted them to go and the ways He wanted them to avoid. As their maker and redeemer, He knew what was best for them and what would hurt them. Israel needed to trust that, so Moses takes the time to lay the groundwork for the retelling of the commandments. They needed this foundation. 

God’s Word Is Your Compass

Brent Pollard

“For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross the sea for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’ But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it.” (Deuteronomy 30.11–14 NASB 1995)

The Bible is widely known, but not all individuals believe in it. Moreover, simply believing in the Bible does not guarantee a transformation in behavior. This fact is unfortunate, as the Bible provides easily understandable and actionable instructions from God (see Psalm 19:7).

Despite the varying levels of belief, it is essential to acknowledge the Bible’s widespread availability and recognition. In this digital age, accessing God’s word is just a swipe away on a smartphone. Given the Bible’s evergreen status, it’s reasonable to assume that most people also possess a printed copy. This accessibility demonstrates God’s neverending ability to provide guidance and wisdom.

Given the Bible’s widespread availability, it is crucial to understand that it offers guidance and advice. We should always count on the Word of God as our compass, using it as both guidance and assurance. The Bible instructs us to discuss and share its teachings as a practical guide for daily living, using the phrase “in your mouth” (v. 14). It’s like a handbook for navigating life, packed with wisdom we can draw upon for all our daily decisions.

However, merely reading or hearing God’s words is insufficient; they must be internalized in our hearts (see Psalm 119.11). The text emphasizes the importance of internalizing the Word of God in our hearts. It is crucial to adopt the messages conveyed by the Bible to develop our values and actions. This internalization marks the beginning of a genuine transformation. As the teachings of the Bible permeate our existence, they shape our decisions, leading us to act with deep understanding.

The ultimate purpose of religious truth is to promote obedience, not satisfy curiosity or thought. Consequently, the word of God has immense power to motivate us to take action. As believers, we must implement the teachings of the Bible into our daily lives. Following its principles is a clear indication of our genuine faith. The Bible reinforces the importance of putting one’s beliefs into action (see Hebrews 11 and James 2.14–26). As James urged, we must be “doers of the word, and not merely hearers” (James 1:21 NASB 1995).

In conclusion, the Bible is more than just a book; it is a personal compass that deeply connects with our hearts and influences our conduct. God has crafted the teachings to make them easy to understand and practice daily. To fully benefit from the Bible, we must actively engage with it, allowing it to shape our beliefs, decisions, and actions. By doing so, we can experience the transformative power of God’s word in our lives.

If The Gospel Isn’t Working

Dale Pollard
The longest train ever recorded in history was the Australian BHP Iron Ore. The cars behind it stretched approximately 4.6 miles. To provide some mind-boggling perspective here's what one train-fanatic wrote, 

“Driven by a single driver, the line’s 99,734-ton and 682-car train was able to carry 82,000 tons (181 million pounds) of iron ore. The Australian BHP Iron Ore can fit about 24 Eiffel Towers…The weight of this train being the same as about 402 Statues of Liberty.”

Trains are impressive heavy-haulers, but only under the right conditions. On the tracks they’ll whistle while they work but once they’re derailed— they only whistle. Trains don’t work without tracks. 

Paul would make an interesting appeal to the saints who met at the infant church family in Thessalonica. He asks that they pray for the powerful gospel to have a straight path so it could move quickly. His exact words were,

“pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified…”

2 Thess. 3.1b 

In a simple yet inspired prayer request a practical and profound implication steps out of subtlety— Prayerlessness will hinder the furtherance of the gospel. 

Based on this text, the content of congregational prayers may be in need of careful inspection. Reevaluating your evangelistic ministries, online presence, visibility in the community, advertising efforts, kingdom expenditures, and even the dynamics the worship service— all must fall below the prayer line on the priority list.  

While Paul was writing to the Thessalonians, God was writing to the rest of us. He reminds us that this request should ring in the prayers of His congregations today. The written petition by itself informs the modern church that this is something that God is willing and able to do for us, He would just have us ask. The powerful gospel needs prayer— like a train needs tracks. 

A 21st century church member may occasionally think 

The gospel doesn’t seem to be as convicting in my community. It works just fine in other parts of the world, and it worked well in the past— but not so much here and now. 

More Reasons Can Be Found 

Here: James 4.2-3 
Here: Matthew 21.22 
And Here: Ephesians 6.19-20 



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Quote, (A-z-trains.com)

Genesis: These Are The Generations (LI)

The Fate Of The Sons Of Jacob (49:1-33)

Neal Pollard

In this chapter, Jacob delivers his last address. At the end of it, he “drew his feet into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people” (33). His final words have to do with “days to come” (1). Reading the rest of Scripture, we can see fulfillment in the land promise and seed promise. From these sons will come the tribes of the nation of Israel (28), and from one of these sons, Judah (8-12), would come the bringer of peace, a king praised by his brothers. This would first be fulfilled by David and his descendants, then ultimately by the Messiah.

There are technical concerns about a variety of Hebrew words which are difficult to translate. Reyburn and Fry say, “Chapter 49 is considered by many as one of the most difficult in the entire Old Testament. Many lines in verses 2–27 are burdened with textual uncertainties. There are many places where the meaning of the Hebrew is obscure, and the ancient versions do not agree among themselves” (UBSH, 1074). None of these effect the overall message and are burdens the translators have borne very well. 

There is an interesting suggestion for why the brothers are listed in the order that they are, since it is certainly not strictly in birth-order. Mathews suggests that they are listed in chiastic order (870). I have defined a chiasm in four previous Lehman Learners (Days 23, 422, 557, and 653). My explanation in Day 422 is my most concise effort, that a chiasm is “a rhetorical or literary figure in which words, grammatical constructions, or concepts are repeated in reverse order, in the same or modified form.”  The sons seem to be “capped” by Jacob’s wives, Leah (13-15) and Rachel (22-27), while the middle sons are those born to Bilhah (16-18, 21) and Zilpah (19-20). There is no theological significance to putting the handmaids’ children in the middle of the list, if this is chiastic. Perhaps the chiasm was simply a memory aid. 

As to the content of the chapter, what can we learn and how can we apply it?

  • Reuben (3-4). Sin brings dishonor and strips us of our potential. Reuben had the esteem and honor of firstborn, but his lack of self-control cost him that “rank.” His impulsiveness led him to sleep with Rachel’s handmaid, in utter disregard for and disrespect of his father. The old adage is true, that sin will take you further than you wanted to go, keep you longer than you wanted to stay, and cost you more than you wanted to pay.
  • Simeon and Levi (5-7).  These two sons, born to Jacob by Leah, were full-blooded siblings to Dinah. She was the sister raped by Shechem (34:2). They were given to brutality against man and beast. They took vengeance into their own hands. They had disregard for life, and it cost not only their victims but also themselves. They lost their inheritance. Levi was given 48 cities throughout the land and Simeon’s descendants would be dispersed among the tribe of Judah (Josh. 19:1-9). Reuben was driven by lust, while Simeon and Levi were driven by wrath. Both wreak havoc. Who has not witnessed the devastation of someone’s out of control anger (cf. Eph. 4:26-27)? Proverbs repeatedly warns against such anger (12:16; 19:19; 22:24; 27:4; 30:33). 
  • Judah (8-12). After pronouncing curses on his first three sons, Jacob appears to bestow on Judah the customary privileges of the firstborn upon Judah. In that sense, his brothers would bow down to him (8). Yet, there is also prophesy of the royal line coming from his seed.  While there are multiple issues involved in interpreting these verses, all basically amalgamate into the consensus idea that this is first fulfilled in David and ultimately in the Messiah. Even Jews who reject Jesus of Nazareth widely accept that Jacob foresaw the Anointed One. To Judah would belong power, authority, and riches. The Lion of Judah, Jesus (Rev. 5:5), can rightly be described as “He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen” (1 Tim. 6:15-16).
  • Zebulun (13). His territory would mark the place where Jesus begins His ministry (Mat. 4:15-16; cf. Isa. 9:1). Unremarkable in most ways, his descendants would still have a part in the mission of the Redeemer. Even if your part is a small part, don’t despise it (cf. Zech. 4:10)! Every part is valuable (Eph. 4:16)! 
  • Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, and Naphtali (14-21).These would all have allotments in the northern kingdom when once it was divided later. Heroes would arise from them, like Anna from Asher (Luke 2:36). Despite their relative anonymity, they also received promises and blessings, too. They would have a part to play in God’s unfolding plan. 
  • Joseph (22-26).  Jacob highlights the nature and character of God in his lengthiest of blessings to his favored son. He is the Mighty One of Jacob, God Almighty, the Shepherd, and the Stone. He wants Joseph to connect his blessings to the source of all blessings, who is God. With every blessing and good thing that comes into our lives, we should be quick to give credit and glory to God (Js. 1:17).
  • Benjamin (27). Despite the relative smallness of their tribe, the Benjamites would be fierce warriors especially in the early days of the nation. The first king would be from his descendants. They would be deadly and brave. What a reminder to focus on what we have and not what we do not have in serving the Lord. 

With this, Jacob reiterates his desire to be buried in Canaan. He has projected the future of his sons, who would eventually through their descendants come to that land, too. We have the benefit of the next 65 books to help us see the power and foreknowledge of God in fulfilling His word through Jacob to them (and us)!

Defining Love

Carl Pollard

“Love is patient, love is kind, love does not envy or boast.” Many of us know exactly where this verse is found. 1 Corinthians 13, which is quite possibly the most well-known chapter in the entire Bible. When many people hear “love is patient, love is kind,” they start hearing wedding bells and think of a white dress. This profound chapter is all about defining true love, and Paul isn’t talking about the feeling you have when you want to marry someone. There is so much depth to this chapter and that is what we are going to dig into in this article.

True love is increasingly harder to find and practiced by few. So many are chasing a feeling that comes and goes with each moment. The love that Paul is talking about is agape love. This chapter is all about explaining why TRUE, sacrificial love is the greatest. Before we get into this chapter we need to understand why Paul is writing about love. The main reason for this letter is because the church at Corinth was an absolute mess. 

This congregation was filled with all kinds of sinful behavior, drama, and misunderstandings. Their behavior was a negative influence on others, and it was unacceptable before God. Chapter 13 was written so that these Christian’s would correct their behavior by practicing true agape love. 

The Corinthians were obsessed with spiritual gifts, especially the gift of speaking in other languages. Paul spends chapter 12 dealing with spiritual gifts in the church. They have a purpose, and ultimately they are for unity and glorifying God. God gave these gifts to help strengthen the church in its beginning stages. They were abusing their gifts, they were bragging about their abilities and acting like children. “Oh you only have the gift of wisdom? I have the gift of prophecy!” Some were bragging, others were trying to use gifts they didn’t even have! Like fake prophesying just to seem cool. Chapter 12 ends with Paul saying, “you can strive towards greater gifts, but there is a more excellent way.” That better way is having the gift of love. 

This is something EVERYONE can have. The love that Paul is speaking about is not the love of romance and warm fuzzy feelings. Paul is using the Greek word “Agape” which means self-sacrificing love. Agape love is behind all actions that put others before self. This is the love with which God loved us when He sent His Son (John 3:16). A love that does what’s difficult, because it is a choice. We are called to imitate this love. 

As Paul begins to describe love in chapter 13, he tells us that love is essential. “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing” (1 Cor. 13:1-3). These gifts that the Corinthians were obsessed with were meaningless if they didn’t have love. If you are speaking without love, it’s empty noise! Have you ever pulled a trailer that was empty? As you’re going down the road every bump and pothole sends it banging up and down. It makes a whole bunch of noise because it’s empty. No matter what our words contain, if they are said without love it’s just a load of nothing. 

It was the same for any other gift they had! Whether it’s prophecy, wisdom, or even faith, if there is no love they are irrelevant. This is why love is essential! The Corinthians failed to see the true purpose of the gifts. They didn’t use them out of love. Paul quotes Jesus when he says “faith to move mountains” (cf. Matt. 17:20). You could have faith to do the impossible, but again if you have no love it won’t do you any good. A faith to move mountains is great, but if you don’t have love your faith won’t do you any good. Faith, wisdom, or any other gift isn’t a sign that you’re a Christian, it’s LOVE!

If we’re not willing to deny ourselves for the sake of others, our religion is worthless. You could give everything you own to the poor, you could even be martyred for Christ, but again if you do it without love you’ve sacrificed for no reason. Everything that Paul mentions in verses 1-3 are good things! Tongues were good for the church at the time. Prophecy, knowledge, faith, all wonderful things. Sacrifice is good, but love is SO valuable, SO important, that apart from it every other good thing is useless. 

As Christians, we need to remember that love is essential. No matter what good thing you may do, if you don’t have love you might as well not do it. Agape love is hard to find, so be the one to sacrifice for others. Make choices out of love, speak with love, and live imitating the agape love of God!

Genesis: These Are The Generations (XLIX)

Famine Fatigue And Future Funeral (47:1-31)

Neal Pollard

To be forewarned of a seven-year famine is one thing, but to have to live through its harsh realities must be quite another. This famine is described as “severe” (4,20) and “very severe” (13), causing its sufferers to “languish” (13). It gets progressively worse, forcing the people to give the government all their money (14-15), then all their livestock (16-17), and finally themselves, their land, and a fifth of their anticipated produce (18-25) to survive these unrelenting conditions. Having their priorities shuffled, the citizens of Egypt were very happy simply to have food enough to survive. They tell Joseph, “You have saved our lives! Let us find favor in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh’s slaves” (25).

There is a contrast in Genesis 47 that will reappear when God sends ten plagues upon the descendants of these people in Moses’ day. Israel will thrive and prosper while the Egyptians are afflicted. After meeting with the Pharaoh, Jacob and his children are given the prime grazing area in the land of Goshen (1-10). The area is described as “the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had ordered” (11). Joseph ensured that his family was provided with food (12). While the Egyptians grew more impoverished and dependent, the status for Joseph’s family was different. We read, “Now Israel lived in the land of Egypt, in Goshen, and they acquired property in it and were fruitful and became very numerous” (27). Perhaps seeds of resentment and distrust were first sown here; at some point, they would boil over and bring bondage to Israel’s descendants.

The chapter ends with Jacob getting his affairs in order. He has reached the age of 147, 17 years after he had moved to Egypt (9). The narrative from verse 27 through 31 obviously covers the time after the famine. Jacob calls Joseph to him and makes his son swear to him that he would not be buried in Egypt (29-30). He wants to be interred in the cave of Machpelah with his grandparents and parents (23:17-20; 25:9-10; 35:29; 49:29-32; 50:13; Acts 7:16). That this latter request was driven by faith is established by the writer of Hebrews (11:21b). 

What relevance and significance can we draw from the narrative in chapter 47? First, it is comforting to know that the Lord makes a distinction between His people and others. As Moses will tell a later pharaoh, God would treat His people with favor “that you may understand how the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel” (Ex. 11:7). David writes, “But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself; The Lord hears when I call to Him” (Ps. 4:3; cf. Ps. 31:23). Under Christ, we are “a people for God’s own possession” (1 Pet. 2:9). It is powerful encouragement to know that we are redeemed and purified by God to Himself (Ti. 2:14)!

Further, we are reminded that God still provides in times of difficulty. Even for the Egyptians, though they lost so much materially, they had the necessities provided. During the most inhospitable conditions, the rule is as stated in Acts 14:17 that God does good and gives us “rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” Times may get hard, but He’ll provide food and covering (1 Tim. 6:7). He knows we have need of it (Mat. 6:32). So, Jesus counsels us, “Do not be worried…” (Mat. 6:25).

Finally, Jacob exemplifies a longing all of us should have. He was stuck in Egypt, but he longed to return to Canaan. He makes Joseph swear that he will carry his body back to the family cemetery upon his death (30). In his case, Jacob embraced the promise God had given to his grandfather, his father, and himself. Canaan was the promised land. He wanted his remains there! While this is no precedence for our physical burial practices, it reflects a mindset we should have. We often sing it. “This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through!” We may have to sojourn in this world for a time, but this is not home (2 Tim. 4:18; Heb. 11:16)! 

Genesis: These Are The Generations (XLVI)

Passing The Test (44:1-34)

Neal Pollard

Is Joseph simply a bitter, power-hungry, and vengeful man, sadistically piling cruelty upon cruelty in payback for his brother’s wickedness so many years before? Even some commentators think so.  However, let us thoughtfully reflect on what has unfolded. 

Subjected to the unrelenting favoritism of their father, Jacob, for Joseph, coupled with the knowledge of his dreams, they treacherously sell him into slavery and deceive their father. Years later, through the famine, he is able to see them all once again (reminding ourselves the brothers do not recognize Joseph). They have changed. The test in chapter 44 proves they are not the same men who sold him into slavery.

Joseph sets and springs the trap (1-13). Not only does he put their money in the sack with their grain, but he puts his silver cup in the mouth of his youngest. After they leave, he pursues them with his house steward and his men. The steward is told to accuse the men of treachery, and the brothers are confident in their innocence. They even pledge death to the guilty, further pledging to be slaves if the cup is found among them. Yet, when the cup in found in Benjamin’s sack, they tear their clothes and return to the city with the Egyptians.

Joseph reprimands them (14-15). First, they bow before him again (14). Joseph asks them what they have done, adding, “Do you not know that such a man as I can indeed practice divination?” How will they respond?

Judah confesses their sin, then presents an eloquent case (16-34). At the outset, Judah sees this turn of events as divine punishment (16). They are ready to be as they made Joseph to be–slaves (16)! Joseph gives them the opportunity to abandon Benjamin. They could do so with full justification, since the cup was found in his sack. But, they will not. Why? Their father. Judah mentions him 15 times in giving their defense. They know he will be devastated. In addition, their youngest brother. Judah begs to take his place (33). They are no longer the brothers who wantonly sold their brother. Even given a legitimate opportunity, they will not leave Benjamin defenseless. 

This is all Joseph needed to know, as we will see when we keep reading into chapter 45. But, let us make some closing observations. First, it is wonderful that people can and do change. These men had some sinful baggage in their background. Yet, in the crucible of trials, they had been refined. They demonstrated their change with godly sorrow (13; 2 Cor. 7:10), confession (16), and an attempt to demonstrate fruits of repentance (16ff). Furthermore, we appreciate the preciousness of brotherly love. In this account, we appreciate it in its absence, but we also do when it is once again shown. The Hebrews writer urges it, saying, “let [it] continue…” (13:1). The Psalmist praises it (133:1). The church is strengthened by its presence and decimated in its absence. 

Genesis: These Are The Generations (XLV)

Return To Egypt (43:1-34)

Neal Pollard

Sometimes, necessity and hardship trump more sentimental concerns. That is what happens surrounding the events of Genesis 43. The reader already knows this famine will persist for seven years, so Jacob was only delaying the inevitable by not sending his sons back to Egypt with Benjamin in tow. The family needs grain to survive. Thus, we arrive at the circumstances of this chapter. 

The necessity of their returning (1-2). “The famine was severe in the land” (1). Jacob tells his ten sons to return to buy a little food because they had finished the grain (2). Things appear urgent!

The conditions of their returning (3-10). The sons remind their father of “the man’s” (i.e., Joseph’s) stipulation. Do not come back without the youngest, Benjamin. Jacob is irritated with the sons for disclosing the boy’s existence, but the sons’ reasonable defense is that they could not have known what he would propose (6-7). Judah sets the condition that he would bear blame forever if they failed to bring back Benjamin (8-9). 

The consent for their returning (11-15). Jacob begrudgingly agrees, but wishes to placate this official with copious gifts, produce detailed in verse 11. Additionally, they were to take back double the money plus the money that was in their sacks as a sign of their integrity (12). Notice how in the passage of time Jacob has grown more dependent and trusting in God. He expresses faith in God’s might, compassion, and providence, while resigning himself to God’s sovereign will (14). 

The effect of their returning (16-34). First, Joseph is satisfied to see the safety and good condition of his only full-blooded brother (16). Second, Joseph summons them to his house (16-17). Third, the sons are afraid. They fear that they will be made slaves, ironic because they had sold Joseph into slavery and because their descendants would be slaves in this very land. Fourth, they are reassured by the house steward that their God was responsible for their money returning with them, as he had all their money. Fifth, Simeon is returned to them. Sixth, they and their animals enjoy the fruits of hospitality and prepare to eat. Seventh, Joseph inquires about their father and asks about Jacob’s youngest son. Notice how the brothers, not once but twice, bow down to him (26,28). Eighth, Joseph excuses himself overcome by emotion, regains his composure and returns to their company. Finally, each is served according to local custom (serving Joseph first, then the brothers, and then themselves “because the Egyptians could not eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is loathsome to the Egyptians,” 32). Each is also seated in exact birth order, causing wholesale astonishment. Joseph took portions to them from his own table, giving Benjamin five times more than they received (34). The meal is full of feasting and merriment. 

Joseph is not quite ready to end the charade. He has one more test for them, which we will see in chapter 44. It is quite clear that not only had Jacob’s faith matured, but their character had also been refined in the intervening years. Reflect upon how God uses trouble (the famine) to accomplish His purposes (bringing the family back together, encouraging the sons of Jacob to repent, and readying Abraham’s descendants for becoming a nation). 

God’s Endless Love

Dawson Eubank

Since the world this week celebrated Valentine’s Day, I saw it fitting for us to talk about God‘s love. In the bustling noise of life with all its hardships, trials and tribulations, there is an unwavering truth–God’s endless love,. Let’s jump through Romans and unravel the depths of this divine love that sustains and transforms our lives.

Romans 5:8 – Sacrificial Love: 

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Reflect on the sacrificial love of Christ, willingly laying down His life for us, even in our brokenness. It’s a love beyond comprehension, a love that saw our flaws yet chose to redeem us.

Romans 5:5 – Overflowing Love: 

“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Let’s dwell on the overflowing nature of God’s love, filling every corner of our hearts through the presence of the Holy Spirit. It’s a love that brings hope, assurance, and a sense of belonging.

Romans 8:38-39 – Unbreakable Love: 

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Meditate on the unbreakable bond of love between us and our Creator. Nothing in this world, no circumstance or force, can sever this divine connection. It’s a love that endures through eternity.

As we ponder Romans, may we experience the richness of God’s love. Let’s embrace the truth that we are cherished, forgiven, and empowered by His love. Let this love be our anchor in the storms of life, our light in the darkest nights, and our joy in every season. For in God’s love, we find our ultimate fulfillment and purpose.

Genesis: These Are The Generations (XLIV)

The Famine (41:50-42:38)

Neal Pollard

Chapter 41 ends with Joseph ensconced in his position of high authority. He has Asenath for his wife, and the two have twins. Joseph names them Manasseh and Ephraim, both symbolizing divine triumph over his betrayal and affliction. The year after their births, the famine he foresaw occurs. Egypt felt the severe pinch of this, but so also did the rest of the known world. Moses tells us that the famine spread over all the earth, and it was severe in all the earth (56-57). We read that the land was famished and the people cried out to Pharaoh for food, and he in turn directed them to Joseph (55). 

Word that Egypt had storehouses of grain spread to neighboring countries. One of those countries was Canaan, where Jacob hears of it (1). He directs his sons, all but Benjamin, to go buy grain there (3). One can almost envision a caravan moving south along the trade route down to Egypt with unified purpose (cf. 5). The moment of truth came when Jacob’s sons came before “the lord of the land,” Joseph, and “bowed down to him with their faces to the ground” (6; 37:7-10). Joseph recognizes his brothers, but they do not recognize him (8). 

He speaks harshly to them, accusing them of being spies (9-16). He puts them in prison for three days, to test them. Consider the judgment of Kenneth Mathews, who writes, “This charge was a means of determining the character of his brothers, not personal retaliation. Eventually, he will put them in the same situations they once had faced and failed: the imprisonment of a brother and monetary gain (Simeon) and the opportunity to rid themselves of a rival (Benjamin)” (NAC, Vol 1B, 777). 

They plead their innocence of the spy charge, but when they stand before Joseph three days later they openly confess their guilt over their mistreatment of the brother they do not realize they are standing before (21-22). The presence of an interpreter leads the brothers to believe this Egyptian lord cannot understand their words (23).  When Joseph hears their sorrowful confession, he turns away and weeps (24). Their deal was to leave one brother behind in prison until they could bring back Benjamin to help prove the truth of their story and save their lives (24). Joseph directs the Egyptians distributing the grain to fill their sacks and return their money, giving them provisions for the journey back to Canaan (25). 

They depart with their sacks, but without Simeon. At some point, one of the brothers opens his sack and sees the money inside (27). The brothers tremble, seeing this as divine judgment because of their mistreatment of Joseph so many years before (28). Back in Canaan, they recount their experience in Egypt with their father. They tell how the ruler spoke harshly to them and even detained Simeon until Benjamin could return with them to prove his existence. Jacob is overwrought with fear, anxiety, and foreboding. Reuben pledges his sons’ lives to vouch for the safekeeping of Benjamin, but Jacob refuses as he cannot bear the thought of losing Rachel’s lone remaining child (38). 

What is at the heart of these events? Why did Joseph treat his brothers this way, if not purely for revenge and spite? They do not recognize him and he is not minded to reveal his identity. So, he wants information about Jacob and Benjamin, but he also wants to test whether or not his brothers had changed over these several years. One commentator (Strassner, 161-162) suggests that Joseph had forgotten his brothers (41:50-51), but not forgiven them (ch. 42). His brothers were guilty, but not forgiven since they hadn’t properly dealt with their sins. Jacob had neither forgotten (36) nor forgiven, the latter since he was unaware of what his sons had done. Instead, his sin was in anointing a new favorite in the place of the one who thought was dead. 

Remember how dysfunction had ruled this family for a few generations now. Joseph has risen above much of this, being refined in the fires of trial and being of purer character. But the ravages of family sin run deep and wide. As we appreciate the trustworthy providence of God playing out through these events, let us also be encouraged to work to spiritually strengthen our families. Strong families are the backbone of strong churches and strong societies. There is so much we cannot influence in this world, but we have more control in the family environment than anywhere else. May we give prayerful thought to our example, our priorities, our integrity, and our faith! Through this, we can break destructive cycles and build homes of strength which honor and please our God! 

More Than Sorry

The Profound Gift Of Propitiation

Brent Pollard

Consider a scenario in which you accidentally crash your friend’s car, causing him to become upset. You could apologize and offer him your vehicle to make things right, hoping to repair your friendship. This overture is similar to what the term “propitiation” means but on a much broader scale.

Imagine God as a close friend and ourselves as those who have made a mistake. Sometimes, we may do something wrong, which creates a gap between us and God, much like when friends become angry. However, what is remarkable is that God loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to solve this problem. He didn’t do this by giving something to God but by becoming the solution Himself (John 3.16; 1 John 4.10).

Jesus never committed any wrong, yet He willingly chose to take the punishment meant for us and expressed the most heartfelt apology for everything that anyone has done or will do. It was more than just saying sorry; it was about reconciling our relationship with God. This outcome is what we mean by “propitiation”: Jesus took our place to restore our relationship with God (Romans 3.23–25, 1 John 2.2).

Let’s go back to the car story. If you accidentally damaged your friend’s car, you could try to compensate for it by fixing or compensating him. But what if your friend said, “It’s alright, I forgive you, and let’s work together to repair the car”? This response is similar to what God did for us but on a much grander scale. God did not only forgive us, but He also made it possible for Jesus to reconcile us to Him. By doing this, He demonstrated His immense love for us, even though we continue to make mistakes (Romans 5.8).

Thanks to Jesus, God doesn’t hold our mistakes against us. He welcomes us with open arms as if nothing ever happened. This result is not because we fixed things ourselves but because Jesus did (Colossians 1.19–22). We can again be close to God and be His friends because Jesus has made things right between us and Him.

So, “propitiation” is a complex word that describes how Jesus helped restore our friendship with God by taking our place, even though He was innocent. It shows how much God loves us and wants us to return to Him despite our sins (Romans 5.10–11; 1 John 4.10). 

When we understand the concept of propitiation, we realize that Jesus willingly bore the weight of our sins on the cross. His sacrifice satisfied God’s righteous anger and justice, ensuring God’s reconciliation with us. Our past mistakes no longer define us, but by the grace and forgiveness God extends to us through Jesus. It is a testament to God’s boundless love for us, allowing us to turn away from our sins and forge a close relationship with him again.

Genesis: These Are The Generations (XLIII)

Joseph And The Pharaoh (41:1-49)

Neal Pollard

What do you know about Zaphenath-paneah? More about him near the end of today’s study. The chapter begins with the Egyptian Pharaoh, who has two peculiar dreams. This happens “two full years” after two of his servants had had dreams. Now, he, like them, needs to know what this was about. 

THE CONTENT OF THE DREAMS (1-7). Pharaoh has two dreams. In the first, seven fat cows come out of the Nile grazing on grass. Then, seven ugly, gaunt cows come out of the Nile and eat the seven fat cows. Understandably, this wakes up the Pharaoh! When he goes back to sleep, he dreams that seven plump, good ears of grain come up on a single stalk. Then, seven thin and east wind-scorched ears, sprouting up after the other, swallows up the plump ears of grain. Because we have Genesis 41, we know what the dreams mean. But, without the context of divine revelation, this would be utterly stymying. 

Consider this helpful, historical insight into the significance of the Nile to the spiritual life as well as physical and economic well-being of Egypt: “The Nile water system was the most conspicuous feature of Egypt’s geography and the primary source of the country’s economic and social stability. The Nile was deified in Egyptian religion (god Hap or Hapy when Nile in flood), and the appearance of the cows from the river may have suggested to Pharaoh a close connection to the gods. Pharaoh’s state was responsible for maintaining the irrigation of the river system, distributing land grants, gathering taxes, and storing grain. Despite the success of natural irrigation and human engineering (dams, canals), high and low Niles occurred, producing famine and its ill effects on society. Significant inundations delayed the planting season that subjected tender sprouts to the cyclic hot winds…that produced drought and famine” (Matthews, NAC, 755). So, these dreams would have been full of significance for the Pharaoh, and having no idea what they meant was obviously dismaying (8). 

THE COMMUNICATION OF THE DREAMS (8). Straightaway, Pharaoh is on a mission to understand the meaning of his dreams. Like Nebuchadnezzar, he summons the bright minds of the kingdom to him to interpret them (Dan. 2:2,27; 4:7). As it would be so much later in Daniel’s day, no one could interpret the Egyptian monarch’s dreams. 

THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE DREAMS (9-49). There are at least five, pivotal occurrences as the result of Pharaoh sharing his dreams.

First, Joseph is remembered by the cupbearer (9-13). Whatever held the cupbearer back for two years, he fully recounts the prison experience with Joseph where he interprets his dream and the dream of the chief baker. This Hebrew youth had the very ability that Pharaoh desperately sought. 

Second, Joseph is freed from prison and brought before Pharaoh (14-15). In fact, he is rushed before the king, shaved and adorning different clothes. Pharaoh then begins dialogue with Joseph. 

Third, Joseph interprets the dreams (16-32). As he did with the servants in Genesis 40:8 and as does Daniel (Dan. 2:30), Joseph credits God for the ability to interpret dreams (16). How this spirit lived in so many of God’s great messengers! As Paul later puts it, ” Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God” (2 Cor. 3:5). While Joseph demonstrates a supernatural ability here, the attitude behind it is timeless. Every good thing we accomplish for God, we need to remember the humility of Joseph, Daniel, and Paul. It is not us, but the God who is at work in us!  Joseph explains that both dreams point to one event, a coming famine. That there were two dreams is simply confirmation of the swiftness and certainty of its fulfillment. 

Fourth, Joseph is promoted to second in command of all Egypt (33-44). Joseph counsels the Pharaoh to find a competent person to prepare for the impending famine. After Joseph outlines a specific, thorough plan of action, Pharaoh sensibly appoints Joseph to be that person (38)! Notice that Pharaoh is being influenced by this Hebrew young man, with the Egyptian giving God credit for revealing the information (39). 

Joseph is promoted to ruler over Pharaoh’s house (40), the Egyptian people (40), and the whole land (41). To symbolize that authority, Pharaoh gives Joseph his signet ring which signified his authority (42; Est. 3:10; 8:2ff; Hag. 2:23). The linen and gold necklace was further indication of his power, a bestowal that would also be utilized in later empires like Babylon (Dan. 5:29). He is given the second chariot (think “Air Force Two” today) and the people were to “bow the knee” at his appearance (43). He is fully authorized to act on behalf of the Pharaoh (44). What a dramatic change from the stricken 17-year-old languishing in the pit where he was put by his brothers. Or the mistreated servant banished to an Egyptian jail because of the lies of a scorned woman. 

Finally, Joseph is appropriated into Egyptian culture (45-49). He is given an Egyptian name (Zaphenath-paneah)(45), a prominent Egyptian woman for his wife (45), and the daily task of administrating and overseeing the plentiful years Egyptian began to enjoy (46-49). He gathered all the stores and stored them! Now 30 years old, he is not only entering the prime of life but is primed to change the world!

As we struggle with the difficulties of our present circumstances, we cannot see what the future holds. We may be tempted to give up, to let go of our rope of faith. Joseph reminds us that our story is not yet written! Trust God to be with you in your betrayals and your prisons. He will not forsake nor leave you (Heb. 13:5-6)! 

Taming The Tongue

Carl Pollard

Water is an unstoppable force. Every year, 40 billion dollars worth of damage is caused by flash floods around the world. There’s nothing you can do to stop a tsunami, a flooded river, or a tidal wave. Water is powerful. Just go to the ocean and try to fight against the waves as they crash into the beach. I ain’t exactly a small guy, last I checked I was 186 pounds (more like kilograms…), and I get thrown around like a rag doll by the waves. 

There are certain parts of God’s creation that are a reminder of His power. No matter what advancements we make, what towns and cities we build, they can be wiped out in seconds by what we call “natural disasters.” I want you to picture in your mind a roaring river. Think of the trees that are swept away, the damage that occurs as a million pounds of water flood a river bed. Let’s read James 3, and keep that image in our minds. 

The tongue is James’ focus as we read verses 1-12. The small muscle behind your teeth is a source of great destruction. James, the half brother of Jesus, paints a vivid picture of the tongue. He describes it basically as a weapon of mass destruction. 

And for good reason. Just like a tidal wave can cause billions in damage, the tongue causes all kinds of terrible destruction. The human race as a whole speaks a staggering amount of words every single day. Let’s do the math. The average person speaks between 18-25 thousand words a day. With around 8 billion people on the planet we’re looking at around 150 trillion words that are said every day. 

And God listens to every single one, He remembers every word. Sadly, the overwhelming majority of those words are evil. And that’s exactly what James is trying to address in this section of scripture. As Christians, the words we speak should be different from the rest of the world. 

Leading up to chapter 3, James has just finished a discussion on faith and works. 

Faith without any works is dead. If your faith in God isn’t actually affecting what you do, then it is a dead faith, and it is useless. Even the demons believe, but they don’t change their lifestyle. Immediately after this section he talks about the tongue. That’s because there is a strong connection between the heart and the tongue. Your faith and your words are tied hand in hand. How you use your words, what you say to others, is essential to your salvation. If you can’t guard your words, your faith is dead. The transformation of the tongue is essential. It may be the single greatest proof that you really are a Christian.

We must tame the tongue because we are judged by our words. James 3:1 says, ”Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” I’ve got to be honest, as a teacher this verse is a very sobering reminder. Each Sunday, I get up and speak, and how my words impact people’s faith is seen by God. James says, don’t take the role of teacher without seriously examining your motives. When you teach, God is going to be stricter with His judgment of you. When we accept the responsibility to teach the word of truth, we will give an account for what we teach. 

Keep in mind, as Christians we are expected to teach others and become teachers (Heb. 6, Matt. 28:18-20). So what is James saying? In the first century many wanted to become teachers for the wrong reason. They had bad intentions. Teachers in the first century were highly regarded and were elevated in society. Many were motivated to teach, not because they wanted to share the word, but because they wanted power and influence. James says later on that these teachers were speaking out of selfish ambition and jealousy (3:14). So James is saying, unless you’re doing it for the right reasons, don’t become a teacher! Because by our words we are judged, and as a teacher, that judgment is even more severe. 

In His ministry, Jesus linked the heart directly to our words. In Matthew 12:34-35, He says, “You snakes! You are so evil. How can you say anything good? What people say with their mouths comes from what fills their hearts. Those who are good have good things saved in their hearts. That’s why they say good things. But those who are evil have hearts full of evil, and that’s why they say things that are evil.” The heart is the issue. If you want to know the spiritual state of the heart, listen to your words. They are controlled solely by your heart. And that is why Jesus says we will be judged by our words, because what we say is written on our hearts.

In Matthew 12:36-37, He continues, ”I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” On that final day, God will look at the sum total of your words, and He will know all He needs to know about the condition of your heart. 

As a side note, if you struggle with feelings of doubt about your salvation, just keep track of what you say. If your words are filled with love, encouragement and praise, you can be sure of your salvation. But if your speech toward others is filled with lying, hate, gossip and insults, God will judge your heart by what He hears. So start controlling your tongue! Start encouraging each other, start sharing the gospel! Because the words filled with love bring about salvation, but the words filled with resentment, hate, gossip, and anger will send us into torment for all eternity. 

Why should we be so concerned about taming our tongue? Because one day, we will be judged by every word we have said.

YOU LOVE SOMEBODY WHO’S LOST

Dale Pollard

Recently I had the privilege to attend the funeral of a godly man. Since he lived faithfully—  it was a celebration. Funerals have a negative connotation with them but they’re really only all bad when the one who’s passed on did so outside of Christ. 

You and I may wish for a longer life for ourselves and those we love but the ironic truth for the faithful Christian is this— the first to accept God’s decision of death is the one who died.

The faithful go to heaven and the lost do not. While we enjoy talking about  and thinking about those who will and have been eternally saved, it’s just as important to remind ourselves of those who find themselves in the other camp.

 It’s easy to forget that people are lost and maybe it’s because they’re easier to push to the back of our minds. It’s not a pleasant thought by any means and doing something about it tends to make us uncomfortable. 

It hurts and it’s hard to become attached to anyone who isn’t living faithfully because they’re lost. That means they’re not going to heaven. Sometimes the lost pretend as if that’s not their reality by distracting themselves with the things that make them feel as if they’re not lost (Ecc. 2.24-25). 

There’s a good chance that you know people who aren’t going to heaven and it’s even likely that you love people who aren’t. We’ve got to convince them to hear Jesus out— no matter what it takes. 

What can we do? 

  1. We can simplify spiritual concepts so that people can understand a message that they desperately need to hear. Try to teach Jesus differently. Approach His will for their lives from different angles. How can Jesus help their marriage? Their children? Their addiction? 
  2. Please don’t let anything get in your way of going home. Don’t let friends and loved ones who aren’t living faithfully bring you down. Not only do you ultimately lose, but your loved ones outside of Christ have lost their greatest chance of coming into the Light. 
  3. Don’t ever lose hope. There may be unique and seemingly impossible odds stacked against you and your mission to convert the lost, but don’t put God in a human-sized box. Pray often and live in hopeful expectation. 

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.”Romans 8.5 

Genesis: These Are The Generations (XL)

Judah And Tamar (38:1-30)

Neal Pollard

Moses makes an important aside from the Joseph narrative to share an incident which is crucial to later Israelite history. More than that, it establishes a vital link in the Messianic genealogies. It further highlights the dysfunction in the family of God’s chosen people, reminding us that “For He says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’ So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy” (Rom. 9:16-17). 

Judah’s choice of mate was suspect (1-13).  While the text does not go into great detail about the character of Shua, it is a Canaanite family. Later, as the conquest of Canaan came closer to fruition, there would be repeated warnings not to marry with them (Ex. 34:12-16). Already, Judah’s grandfather, Isaac, had seen the foolishness of such (28:1ff). 

The Bible does not explicitly condemn Judah’s choice, but there are signs that it brought trouble. He departed from his brothers and lived with a Canaanite man (1), putting him in contact with Shua whose daughter he married (2). We are not told what kind of mother Judah’s wife was, but the sons were no spiritual prize. It can be presumed that his eldest son, Er, got his wife, Tamar, from among the Canaanites (6,11). Er was so wicked that “the Lord took his life” (7). His brother, Onan, expected to raise up seed to his brother, rebelled against this purpose and was likewise struck down by God (9-10). Tamar would prove to be no bastion of morality, either (13ff). 

Judah’s moral bearings were skewed (14-26). Perhaps related to the first observation, Judah’s grasp of right and wrong is warped. First, he breaks his promise to Tamar to give his third son, Shelah, to Tamar once the young man is grown. It is when she sees that he has reneged that she engages in her dubious behavior (14-18). After Judah’s wife dies (12), he allows himself the sinful indulgence to take what he thought to be a temple prostitute (15-16). He did not know that this was his daughter-in-law since she covered her face with a veil. As the result of their union, Tamar becomes pregnant. When Judah hears of this, he is ready to put her to death. But she had garnered an insurance policy, taking personal effects of Judah’s as pledge for promised payment. When she heard he was ready to take such drastic action, she presents the effects letting him know he was the father. Shamed by this matter, a cooler head prevails. She gives birth to twins, and ultimately from this lineage the Messiah will be born (Mat. 1:3).

Judah provides a stark contrast in character to his brother, Joseph, as we will see in chapter 39. Sterling even in the face of pressure and probable temptation, Joseph chooses purity and integrity. That certainly does not describe Judah’s actions in this chapter.

Judah’s flaws did not frustrate God’s ultimate plans. From the time Noah and his family come off the ark after God cleansed the earth of wickedness, He observes, “…the intent of man’s heart is evil from his youth” (8:21). God shows His power, His foreknowledge, His wisdom, and His purpose by accomplishing His will through flawed individuals like Judah. Incredibly, His Son would be born of this tribe! God teaches us a powerful lesson that He is able to do above all we ask or think according to His power at work within us (Eph. 3:20)! Aren’t you thankful that God still pursues His purpose of redemption through weak and sinful people like you and me (1 Cor. 1:21)? 

The Dividing Christ

Neal Pollard

Wait a minute! We rightly say that Jesus died so that we all might be one in Him as He and the Father are one (John 17:20-21). How do we reconcile that with what Jesus says in Luke 12? He says He came to grant division (51). “Grant” means to give out, bestow, or donate, also with the idea of producing or imposing (BDAG 242-243). When Jesus makes this statement, it’s in the midst of a very distressing prospect for His own physical future (50) but also the impact His completed mission would have on His followers. 

HE REVEALS THE FACT OF THE DIVISION (Luke 12:49-53). This had to surprise His disciples for Jesus to issue this warning. Houses would divide over Him, as some tried to follow Him while others fought against Him. He desires us all to have peace (John 14:27; Col. 3:15), but it is a peace that requires submission and obedience to Him. That very prospect works like a sword (Mat. 10:34) that fights against peace for those who refuse to take Christ on His terms. Our response to Jesus may divide us from parents, children, in-laws, and no doubt siblings and even spouses (cf. 1 Pet. 3:1ff). How many of us today have experienced that very thing? Surely God would want us to be at peace, but choosing Him when loved ones refuse to do so inevitably causes division. 

HE REVEALS THE SOURCE OF THE DIVISION (Luke 12:54-56). There is a seeming abrupt change of subject here. How does their ability to read the weather relate to what Jesus has just taught? He is talking about a mindset or worldview. People in His day, like ours, were adept at analyzing earthly things like predicting weather from observing the earth and sky, but could not analyze things of greater importance. Here was Jesus who had come with the truth, something they should be able to hear, consider, and then rightly choose, but instead they chose to reject it. As long as there are those who treat Jesus this way, there will be division. 

HE REVEALS A WAY TO PREVENT DIVISION (57-59). Jesus closes this paragraph dealing with how to achieve peace when it comes to earthly things. It may be unavoidable that there will be division when it comes to who is lord of our lives, but there are ways to keep peace. If we see the spiritual as more important than the material, we will avoid unnecessary division with others. Jesus calls this judging what is right (57). Don’t fight and divide over earthly disputes. These drain our time, energy, and maybe more! It may exact a higher price than we anticipated. Reserve your fight for what really matters–things spiritual and eternal. 

We are in a divided world right now. That’s not just true politically, but certainly also spiritually. Everyone whose heart is open to the truth are those with whom we can find the common ground of unity in Christ. But our allegiance to Him may also make us some enemies. Jesus warns of this potential, but He also warns us not to unnecessarily create barriers that divide us from others. Discipleship is about priorities, prioritizing Jesus’ will above our own interests. That can be hard, but that mindset can help us win those in the world who are searching for truth. 

Temporary Versus Permanent

Eli Watson

Good evening, Today before church I was working on cleaning a house out; the lady that had lived here passed two years ago, and in the meantime the objects in the house sat and gathered dust. And after taking countless trash bags out to the dumpster, it got me thinking about how none of the earthly possessions we collect in this life matter. They’re not coming with us nor will we need/miss them when we’re gone. Let us turn our attention to Matthew 6:19-21, which says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

These words offer a powerful reminder that our earthly existence is not meant to be permanent. God, in His infinite wisdom, has instilled within each of us a deep yearning for something beyond the boundaries of this temporary life. Our souls are eternal, but we are on a temporary trip. We have a longing and sense to be with him for eternity because that’s what He had intended from the beginning when He was walking in the Garden with Adam and Eve. Making the right decisions in life by focusing on what’s truly important is the only way to get back to him though. 

Now, before we jump to the wrong conclusion, Jesus didn’t say that … 

You can’t own a phone

You can’t buy a computer.

You can’t purchase a home.

You can’t drive a car.

You can’t buy gifts for someone.

You can’t save or invest money for retirement.

You can’t buy more than one shirt or a pair of jeans.

What Jesus did say was, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth …” 

Said another way, stop focusing on accumulating money and things and set your heart pursuing “treasures in heaven,” which leads us to the next question. What does this mean?

Consider the seasons of life mentioned in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. A time to be born, a time to die, a time to weep, and a time to laugh – all encompassing the spectrum of human experiences. Each phase serves as a stitch in the tapestry of our existence. However, it’s crucial to recognize that this earthly journey is not our final destination. There’s a longing for eternity within us. In acknowledging our impermanence, we can take a look at the apostle Paul, who in 2 Corinthians 4:18 encourages us to fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. This shift in focus beckons us to consider the eternal significance of our actions, relationships, and faith. Everything that we do in this short life counts, but the possessions we have won’t affect our judgement day determinations, there’s no Forbes list in heaven. 

Our temporary journey on Earth prompts us to seek a deeper connection with God. It’s an opportunity to align our lives with His divine purpose, and spread his word along the way. That’s one of the most important parts of our walk in this life, and as we navigate the complexities of life, let us remember that our existence here is just a sneak peak to the everlasting reality promised through faith in Jesus Christ.

The transient nature of life doesn’t diminish its value; instead, it underlines the importance of living purposefully. In Psalm 90:12, we’re encouraged to “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” This wisdom involves recognizing the brevity of life and using our time wisely, investing in eternal treasures. These eternal treasures don’t care about your credit score or any debt to income ratios but rather of the spiritual score, are you living the way you know you should. Having the spiritual wisdom and maturity to get through this life will be what matters in the end. 

Our journey on Earth also invites us to share the love and hope found in Christ with those around us. Matthew 28:19-20 compels us to go and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In doing so, we participate in God’s redemptive plan, extending the invitation to eternal life to others. While on this earth we were instructed to be fishers of men, and we are meant to use draw people in by showing them the love of God that is pouring out of us. We have been given an opportunity to show the everlasting mercy and grace of God that has been shown to us. 

In conclusion, as we contemplate the temporary nature of our earthly existence, let us be inspired to live intentionally. May we find purpose in aligning our actions with God’s will, nurturing deep connections with Him, and sharing His love with a world longing for eternal hope. For in the tapestry of life, our temporary moments find eternal significance in the hands of our Creator.

Bearing the Marks of Truth:

Living the Gospel in the Footsteps of Paul

Brent Pollard

Paul made a statement in Galatians 6.17 that is worth considering. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, he declared, “From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus” (ESV). This statement raises the question: was he speaking literally? Did his fearless preaching of Jesus Christ result in physical marks? Considering the hardships listed in 2 Corinthians 11—195 stripes from the Jews, beatings with rods, and being stoned in Lystra—it’s plausible that Paul bore physical scars from these experiences. It’s unlikely any of us bear such marks for Jesus.

However, Paul’s message delves deeper than the physical scars. His letter to the Galatians also defended against accusations of being a false apostle. Critics claimed he received his message from men, not from divine revelation. Paul countered this by pointing to his scars as evidence of his apostleship and dedication to God’s truth. Thus, his physical marks were not just scars but proof of his faithfulness and the truth he preached.

This proof leads to a reflective question: if someone examined your life closely, would they see the truth of God’s Word as clearly as they might see the physical scars on Paul? It’s a challenging thought. Paul encourages us to bear the marks of Jesus, the marks of truth, in our lives. Remember Jesus’ words in John 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (ESV). God’s word, the Bible, calls us to bear its marks in our lives actively.

Bearing the marks of Jesus Christ means living in alignment with His teachings and principles, allowing His truth to permeate every aspect of our lives. This involves reflecting His love, grace, and forgiveness in our interactions and consistently seeking to grow in understanding and applying His Word. As we embody God’s truth, we become living testimonies of His transformative power and a beacon of hope to those around us.

In conclusion, the marks of Jesus Christ that Paul bore are a profound metaphor for Christian life. Whether physical scars from persecution or the spiritual imprints of living according to Christ’s teachings, these marks signify a life committed to the gospel. Paul’s dedication serves as a reminder of discipleship’s cost and divine truth’s strength. As followers of Christ today, we are challenged to bear our own marks through our actions and life choices, not necessarily through physical suffering but through a commitment to living out His teachings. Let us strive to make the gospel’s truth visible in our lives, serving as clear indicators of our faith and commitment to Jesus Christ, thereby honoring the legacy of apostles like Paul and contributing to the witness of God’s kingdom on earth. 

Thoughts On Love (Part 2)

Gary Pollard

Love for other people means taking care of them, even if we don’t like them. We’re also expected to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. How is it possible to show love to God the same way we show love to people? It isn’t possible, because God needs nothing. Everything we have comes from him, so we cannot give him anything he doesn’t already have. 

Jesus told a story about two sons. Their father asked them to work in the field — one of them said, “I will,” the other said, “I won’t.” The one who agreed to work never went to the fields, and the one who didn’t want to work eventually worked. Who actually did what their dad asked them to do? 

We show love for God by doing what he wants us to do, even if we don’t want to do it. It’s very difficult (often bordering impossible) to love our enemies. But if we love God, we’ll love our enemies. In our current political climate, it’s very tempting to violate the unconstitutional policies that have been shoved down our throats for decades. But if we love God, we’ll follow every law that doesn’t demand sin on our part. If we ever reach a point where our physical safety is threatened because of our faith, we will remain passive if we love God. 

Having love for God means doing what he wants us to do. John makes it very clear that we cannot love God and hate other humans at the same time. We cannot love God and neglect our Christian family. The point of love is to prove the goodness of God! If we love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, the natural expression of this is to take care of the people God created! Loving God means emulating his nature — God is love. He proved this by sacrificing his son while we were neck-deep in violating everything he holds sacred. We deserved nothing, and he gave us everything. If we love God, we try to emulate that level of sacrifice for other people.