God’s Will and Abraham’s Thigh

And Abraham said unto his eldest servant… Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: (Genesis 24:2)

In Genesis 24 Isaac gets a wife. The circumstances surrounding that union are strange to a westerner like me. I cannot imagine choosing a husband for my daughter in a similar way.

The story goes like this. Abraham lived in Canaan and is nearing death. Isaac is nearing forty and needs a wife. So, Abe calls his trusted servant and gives him a special mission; "Find a wife among my relatives for the lad." The servant put his hand under Abraham’s thigh and swears that he will do his best.

My question would be, "Was this normal behavior?" None of my friends have ever sent one of their employees on such a mission. At least that I know of. In my family, none of my siblings ever sent anyone to find a spouse for any of their kids. I’ll check it out but I’m pretty sure that they didn’t

And another thing. Was this a trusted method? Again I’ll have to look to the real source of trust in this story. It comes down to the old, "Hand under the thigh" oath. WHAT?

That’s right folks. Abraham sent his servant on a mission of consequential proportions with an oath taken while the servant’s hand was under his thigh. Hummmm…. OK.

So why the thigh? My study Bible gives me a hint here. The thigh was, "near the organ of procreation." Oh my.

You’ll have to remember that Abraham was nearly 180 years old. As mentioned Isaac was a home-boy and single at 40. There was a nation at risk here. If Isaac didn’t get a wife there would be no nation. If there was no nation God’s promise would not be fulfilled. This was important stuff. But was it mission impossible? No. Because God was involved.

Back to the story. The servant returns to Abraham’s city and waits near a well. There he prays that God will show him the right girl for Isaac. The girl who he asks for a drink will offer to water his camels too. He brought along ten for this occasion.

As he finishes his prayer he sees Rebecca, a lovely girl, coming to fetch water. He asks for a drink and she offers to water his camels too.

I’ve read this account many times but never did the math until this morning. Do you know how much water a camel can drink? One site says that, "A large thirsty Camel can drink up to 200 liters a day."

Take 200 liters times 10 camels and you’ve got 2,000 liters of water. That is simple math but not a simple chore! In gallons that is just over 528. A gallon of water weighs 8 pounds. 528 times 8 equals 4,224 pounds of water that she drew from that well in probably more than a hundred trips. Don’t mess with Rebecca!

So, where’s the romance in this account? There isn’t any. Arranged marriages were rarely romantic affairs. However, God was behind the scenes in this love story. A strange oath lead to a "chance" encounter where a young girl worked hard to gratify a complete stranger. That act revealed God’s choice for Israel’s future. If she hadn’t watered those camels Jesus wouldn’t have been born! But she did and He was.

What act of kindness will you do today? How will it affect the future of the world? With God working behind the scenes you might be surprised. But please leave the "thigh oath" out of the picture.

Josi’s Story – a Lesson in Spiritual Math

Hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother. (Proverbs 1.8)

Proverbs 1.8 and 9 present us with a simple equation for a successful life. In it there are three and ideally four factors. The formula looks like this: Attentive Son/Daughter + Instructive Father + Teaching Mother + Caring God = Blessing and Success. Subtract anything from this formula and trouble is the result.

In missionary work we encounter “bad math” almost weekly. In fact we began to sum up the tragedy of sin when our lives factored into the lives of neighborhood kids here in Brazil. However, let me correct this story problem, broken families are not a product of Brazil alone. Fractured lives are the norm in our world.

One story that touched me in particular was Josi’s (not her real name). When I first met her she was wandering the street with her scruffy dog. She had a bag slung over her shoulder. She was wearing ragged gray pants, a filthy black and white checkered flannel shirt and a tattered and crumpled hat. The hat looked like she had stolen it from a little old man. It was definitely not feminine nor petite.

That day as I handed out invitations for our coming Vacation Bible School I approached a small group of four or five kids which included Josi. All willingly accepted my slip of paper but I skipped over Josi. She didn’t seem to fit the 7 to 12 age limit we’d proposed for our VBS.

But just as I passed her by she called my attention to her extended grubby hand. “Where’s my invitation?” she implored. “How old are you?” I asked. “Eleven!” was her belligerent reply. I’d misjudged her age by four years and she let me know it with a quick scowl.

Her’s was a sad story. Josi had been abandoned at birth, left on her “father’s” doorstep in a basket. Father, is in quotes because he never claimed responsibility for her birth. His was a one night stand with her mother. Josi’s mom gave birth and immediately rejected any motherly love, care and responsibility for her upbringing.

From that group of kids only Josi came to VBS. She came every day. In fact the first day she appeared at our door in a driving rain with a rumpled umbrella asking if she could come in. It was noon and VBS started at 2:00PM!

During the week Josi brought ten of her ruffian friends who all professed faith in Jesus in the coming weeks. Just after VBS she began coming to Sunday School. She asked Jesus to be her savior. Three times over the next three years! It looked like her story was going to be the perfect missionary story. It made for some great “Prayer Letters”.

Seven years have passed since my “chance” meeting with Josi. Solomon’s equation was never a part of her life. She had no loving instruction from her father. She had no mother to teach her. And Josi had a temper which negated her taking wise counsel from her pastors. With the equation compromised Josi was lost.

It’s not new math. Solomon’s advice is positive. Josi’s story is negative. My choice to follow Solomon’s advice or Jose’s story can make all of the difference in how my story problem turns out.

Naked and No Shame

and they were both naked… and were not ashamed (Genesis 2.25)

Years ago when I was eight or nine I was getting dressed one morning when I asked my mom an eight-year-old’s question.

“Mom.” “What?” “When I get married will I have to get undressed in front of my wife?” I waited breathlessly for her response as I heard a tiny snicker from the other room and her grinning reply, “If you want to.” I quickly responded, “I DON’T WANT TO!”

Funny isn’t it? I was petrified by the thought of having to take my clothes off in front of female eyes. Why? Shame.

In Genesis 2 Moses writes that God created Adam and Eve as perfect people in a perfect world with perfect everything. The weather was right. The food wouldn’t fatten and there were no weeds nor mosquitoes, at least biting ones. Best of all there was no shame.

When, however, Adam and Eve broke God’s only rule and demonstrated the rebellion of disobedience, what was the first thing that they did? They ran for cover. Their eyes were opened and they realized that they were naked.

Did you see how the eye-gate was involved in the whole process? Look at it and see my translation of what transpired:

The Serpent said, “God has blinded you! Hissssss! God knows that if you eat thissssss fruit you’ll sssssee both good and evil as He seesssss them.

Eve saw the fruit. She saw that it was good for food. My question is how does one see that something is good to eat? I’ve seen plenty of pretty things that aren’t good for you and plenty of ugly things that are.

Anyway, the fruit looked desirable as something to give her wisdom.

Think on that one. Eve lacked wisdom? She had no worries. She live in a perfect garden. She had a perfect husband and a perfect relationship with him. She walked daily with God. Yet she saw wisdom in a piece of fruit? Please!

In a way she was right. She became, “street-wise” just after that first bite. Never a good thing. The first thing that she did with her new found wisdom was to give the fruit to her best friend. Adam, the big lug, was right there beside her. Why did he take it? I’m going to ask him some day. If he’s in heaven that is.

Adam ate and, “POW!” History’s first two sets of blackened eyes. Adam looked at Eve and she at him. They then looked down at their own bodies in stunned silence. In shocked shame they both grabbed for their newly discovered “private parts” and dove for the nearest fig tree. Paradise was lost and Mankind with it. Shame began it’s cruel reign.

The fun and fellowship were over. The world is still reeling from their horrific choice. Why didn’t they eat from the Tree of Life instead? We may never know.

How is shame lost? By allowing the Creator to become your spiritual tailor. If you let Him to clothe you with His righteousness He adds a stunning and unforgettable ensemble to your spiritual wardrobe. It is called Salvation. It allows one to face the New Year a lovely smile and no shame!

Feliz Natal

Wishing one a Merry Christmas often seems a trivial pursuit. “Wishing” seems so fantasy like. However, my WordWeb dictionary assures me that wishing is a valid way to Invoke upon you all the very best of this lovely day.

Wherever you find yourself remember to look to the Savior. He loves you and thus left Heaven to rescue you from yourself. He gave himself up for you so that you might give yourself back to him.

Think about that one. Jesus the Creator, King and God left heavens glory to be born into a fragile, limiting and humble body because he loves you. He suffered the weakness of infancy, the dependence of childhood, the awkwardness of the teen years and the poverty of adulthood to demonstrate his love.

He mounted a rude cross and let spike, whose molecules he was holding together, be driven into his wrists and ankles. Then he died. Why? It was the ultimate demonstration of his love.

Just last week a little girl from our church came up to me after Sunday school and shoved a roughly folded and crumpled piece of paper into my hand. I hesitated to take it at first but when she said, “Take it! It’s for you!” I couldn’t resist. I opened it and looked at the childish scribble. There was a sun between two clouds an ocean and scrawling words that read, “Feliz Natal Pastor Miguel.”

That simple act from the hands of a little girl who comes to church in rags was a tear-jerker. It was an expression of love. It probably took her all of five minutes to think it up and draw it out yet it touched my heart greatly.

How much more should what Christ did be received and cherished. If you have the privilege of holding a baby today or in the coming week, think of Jesus the Christ child. He was that frail for you. If you know Him cherish your relationship. If you don’t know Him, why not? He couldn’t have done anymore than he’s already done to help you to have a wonderful and meaningful Christmas. So then, Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Not Your Average Nativity Scene

And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. (Revelation 12:2)

I got an early jump on my next years Bible reading plan. This one has me reading a passage in the Old Testament, the New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs.

This mornings readings took me to Zechariah 1, Revelation 12, Psalm 140 and Proverbs 30.17. There are battles in heaven, a dragon, Michael the Arc Angel, evil enemies and vulture plucked eyeballs. Quite a combo. There is also a lot of allegory, sometimes heavy on the gory.

I’d like to focus for the next minute or so on the Revelation 12 reading. The Revelation is not easy. It is full of vivid word pictures mixed with fantastic future events that are hard to imagine. Many people avoid the book for these very reasons.

Chapter 12 is quite an action packed passage where two spectacular signs appear in the heavens. There is pregnant woman screaming in childbirth and a huge dragon whose mouth is open wide to receive the newborn. The woman is clothed with the sun. The moon is under her feet. She has a twelve star crown on her head. This is not your average birthing room scene.

Now let me tell you, my wife has given birth three times. Each experience had its peculiarities and uniqueness and in each there were anxieties. But in none of those experiences did my wife wear a crown. She had a funny paper hat, tubes and a not-quite-big-enough hospital gown but never ever a crown!

Ladies, did you ever wear a crown in the birthing room? I hear those shouts, “NO!” So, what was John seeing here?

If you use your imagination and ten commentaries you see about 2,000 years of history and a tiny bit of the future in these first five verses of chapter twelve. The woman is Mary. The child is Jesus and the dragon is the Devil.

At birth the Devil was waiting to destroy Jesus. Kill the baby change History. His plan was foiled. In fact verse five seems to jump from Jesus’ birth to his job description and then to his ascension into heaven in sparse words. Verse six describes a future event where Israel will flee to the wilderness to escape Satan’s wrath for three and a half years.

We’re celebrating Christmas tomorrow. Today is what we call December 24. Let’s imagine that Jesus really was born during the early morning of December 25 two-thousand years ago.

Something wondrous happened that morning. I’m sure that Joseph didn’t see it. He barley had two nickels to rub together. There was no brilliant clothing, moon-like footstool nor starry crown in that dimly lit cave where Mary struggled in delivery of her firstborn. There wasn’t even a little glowing halo like the baby Jesus supports in most of our Christmas cards.

As Mary looked into that little one’s eyes, so many years ago, she had no idea who she was cuddling. She held the greatest gift ever given. His birth was the most wondrous event ever. God had become flesh. He was to dwell among us and his arrival would make the Devil’s defeat and our Salvation possible. All of history points to that special morning, even yours. You will bring glory to Christ. Whether you celebrate him as your Savior or your Judge. Your knees will bow in admission of your debt and his payment. I hope that you’re singing Christmas carols on that day!

Private Acts

Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her. Matthew 26.13

Our tiny church of twenty-five has tiny everything. We have a tiny orchestra, a tiny kids choir and even tiny hymnbooks. Saturday we took our tiny production on the road to present our Christmas Cantata in front of the bakery across the street from our house.

The kids did a very nice job. The music was lovely and the play was adorable. The story of Christmas was presented clearly and plainly.

The only problem that I noted was that there was nobody there to hear and watch it all. Sure the baker was there; his helper was there too. But in the end it seems that it was bad timing on our part. 2:00 PM is not the busiest time to be at a bakery.

Usually our street is so busy that one fears for their life as they try to cross it on foot. Both Dawn and I have almost been hit by speeding cars. Saturday however, during our twenty minute presentation, only four cars passed. It was as if our Cantata was a private act. How could it have any affect. How could any good come from it?

In Matthew 26 we read of a private act that gained historic and worldwide recognition. Just after dinner with his disciples and while still reclining at the table, Jesus is approached by a woman. In the presence of his men, the home owner and his family, she anoints Jesus with costly perfume.

You know the story. Though it was a relatively private act of worship it became a historic event. Why? Because Jesus brought attention to it. Jesus said, roughly translated, “Where the Gospel is preached what this woman did in worship will be shared.” Her private act rings through the corridors of History. Her act was recorded by the Holy Spirit inspired Gospel writers and now, where ever one goes in our busy world, the story is familiar.

What about our choir presentation? We’re just a small church of twenty-five people. On Saturday we presented to a baker and his helper. I am certain that we will not get world wide recognition. Unless of course Jesus calls attention to our simple private act of worship. What affect will that private act have? I don’t know yet. But one thing that I do know, you’re reading about it! And where are you in this BIG old world?

Thinking of Christmas

During the night I awoke with visions of sugar plums dancing in my head… or were they cobwebs? Whatever they were they focused on Christmas. Let’s meditate on that for the next few days.

In the Detroit area there are some radio stations that begin to play “Christmas” music just after Thanksgiving day. It’s played virtually nonstop until December 25. My daughters always loved that idea and had their radios tuned to those stations.

What bothered me about that “Christmas” music was that most of it had nothing to do with Christmas. Sure, it brought memories of Christmas past mostly because the same music is played every November/December. But what do songs like Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song”, “Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer” and “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” Have to do with Jesus and his birth, if that is what Christmas is really about?

I even began to think, which can be dangerous, “What does “Christmas” have to do with Christmas? I mean what does the word Christmas mean? It sounds like a Roman Catholic type celebration. “Christ Mass?” Why do we in the United States of America hyperventilating between Thanksgiving and December 25?

If we were to go back in time about 2014 years give or take a few we wouldn’t have seen one Christmas tree, Christmas light or manger scene. Unless, of course, we were in Bethlehem and at the right cave. Christmas isn’t biblical. By that I mean that Jesus never said that we were to celebrate his birth. In fact he said just the opposite. Remember? Paul put Jesus’ idea this way, “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come” (1 Corinthians 11.26).

Nowhere in the bible do we see people celebrating Jesus’ birth. The angels announced his birth and the shepherds went to see the newborn but there were no presents exchanged, Christmas dinner nor Christmas eve service. “WAIT JUST A MINUTE!” I can hear you screaming, “WHAT ABOUT THE WISE MEN?”

First of all there is debate about whether the wise men visited the Nativity scene. Some believe that Jesus might have been as old as a year and a half, based on Herod’s reaction in killing all babies in Bethlehem two and under. Second the Magi entered a “house” when they came. They did bring gifts it is true. That’s because they were entering the King’s presence. Their gifts were valid. Ours, well? There nice but have nothing to do with Jesus.

Try this the next time that your little Johnny celebrates his birthday. Have all of his little friends bring gifts for each other. And watch Johnny’s reaction. Take video and post it on Youtube. You might win some money!

There are various passages in the Old Testament where we can get a look at Christmas before Christmas existed. Isaiah has much to say about Israel’s coming Messiah. Whether you believe it or not Christmas is about Christ. Christ is the Greek word transliterated from the Hebrew word Messiah.

I believe that much of what we do today at Christmas time really has nothing to do with Christ and everything to do with commercialism. Most of what we do is more a distraction than a memorial. Christ is not the Reason for the season. We Christians have scrambled to make Him the Reason but the world is winning that race.

Lest you turn me off now let me say that I am not totally against what we do. Nor am I against a good Christmas program at church. I don’t want to be considered an old Scrooge. Oops! Where’d that come from? We’ll think about him later. Right now I want YOU to think about what you do during this Holiday season. Evaluate it with a spiritual eye and let’s talk more later.

Lost in Time

Have you ever awakened from a sound sleep blinked your crusty eyelid while blearily looking at the alarm clock and wondering what planet you were on? No? I don’t believe you.

That happens to me more and more these days. I can’t remember where I am. I’ve had the weirdest dream and can’t quite separate reality from my dream world. Actually I mix three worlds. There is the U.S. world, the Brazil world and the world that twirls in my brain. That is the scary one.

Today was NOT one of those twirled world days set apart by the above mentioned scenario. Thank the Lord. Today was Maria’s birthday. Dawn has been giving Maria a Bible study for the past eight weeks and today was her *******th birthday.

It was a simple affair put together by her daughter Mirela. Mirela is a stitch. She is 10 going on 25 and as creative as they come. She and her friends Jenifer and Ingrid had made little “treats” which included flour, sugar and corn! Yum. Dawn made one of her luscious cakes, brought along the candles and a small gift.

It was simple but fun. We gave Ingrid, Jenifer, Genisis and Val, Ingrid’s mom, a ride back to their homes afterwards. On the way something came up that made me giggle. One of the ladies said to me, “What month are we in?”

What time? Ok. What day? Maybe. BUT what MONTH? That was funny.

Dawn and I got to talking about that comment. We came to the conclusion that it might be a beautiful day in the Neighborhood but that doesn’t distinguish it from any other day. The hours, days and months all run together into one of those twirly brain dream like states.

We have church, Bible studies and other obligations that add spice and variety to our lives. People in the hood mark time with little change to set one day apart from the other. It seems to be beans, rice, school, wash, sleep, beans, rice, school, wash… you get the drift. In one word Boring!

This brings to mind Jesus words again, “Ye are the salt of the earth.” We must bring salt. Salt adds flavor and flavor is the spice of life and the stuff that good dreams and great times are made of.

Go Wash Those Hands!

for they wash not their hands when they eat (Matthew 15.2)

Did mom ever tell you to, “GO wash those HANDS right NOW”? Of course she did. It’s a MOM thing. Moms are funny that way. They like things clean. Why do you think that baby-wipes and portable hand-sanitizer are such a hit?

Though this has nothing to do with clean hands, I’ve just got to tell you this quick story. I was at a Sunday school class party a few years back and was in line at the food table. The line was moving slow as it always seems to on that first pass. I noticed that the ketchup was brand new and had the protective plastic under the lid. I whipped out my Swiss Army knife to solve that little problem when right behind me one of the moms screamed emphatically, “OH NO YOU DON’T! I KNOW WHERE THAT KNIFE HAS BEEN!”

Mom’s like cleanliness. It’s next to Godliness. Just ask em.

On the surface it looked like the Pharisees and Scribes liked cleanliness too. They liked it SO much that in Matthew 15 they had travel sixty miles, let me repeat that, SIXTY miles to ask Jesus why his disciples weren’t washing their hands before they ate. Their Mom’s would have been so proud!

To them traditions were “Scripture.” Oral traditions had as much or more weight than the written Word. Their motive, however, was different. They were looking for any and every reason to accuse Jesus and they were willing to go to whatever lengths to do just that.

Imagine their disappointment when Jesus answered their question with a question of his own as he often did. It went something like this, “Why do you make your traditions equal with God’s Word?” He then listed a couple of examples:

• God says “Honor you father and mother.”
• You say “I can’t because I’ve dedicate any help that might have been available to God.”
• God says “One who doesn’t honor his parents is worthy of death!”
• You say “Such a one is has a good excuse.”

“You are all a bunch of hypocrites! And in your hypocrisy you are fulfilling the Scriptures you nullify. Look at Isaiah 29.13 for example!”

Jesus then does what every man and boy wants to. He tells the Scribes and Pharisees why hand washing was an ancillary issue! He changes the focus from dirty hands to dirty mouths and hearts. It was oral tradition that had infected their thinking. That misguided tradition passed by mouth had led them to invent their own scriptural perversion. They were using that faulty version to accuse Jesus.

Have you ever used the OTV (Oral Tradition Version) of scripture to get your way or to accuse another person? That version has verses like, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” Or even, “God helps them that help them selves!” Be careful that you aren’t being contaminated by germy thinking.

Mission Impossible (Send in the Mercenaries)

These twelve Jesus sent forth (Matthew 10.4)

I’m thinking that the list of the twelve disciples in Matthew 10 is given in the order that they were paired for their first mission. I may be wrong but if this is fact take a look at the last pairing, Simon the Canaanite and Judas, who also betrayed him. What a pair of mercenaries!

Jesus called his men and gave them instructions. They were all given great powers. They could and would heal the sick, raise the dead and cure lepers. All of that power and we hear precious little of the miracles that they did during this campaign (cf Mark 6.13, 30 and Luke 9.10).

What were Simon and Judas like? These two men were chosen by the Lord for specific purposes and both were in the inner circle, the twelve. Yet both had ominous designations.

Simon the Zealot is mentioned rarely. In fact his occupation as a disciple is described only in the listings of their names in Matthew 10.4, in Mark 3.18, Luke 6.15 and Acts 1.13. In three of the lists he can’t escape being coupled with Judas (Matthew, Mark and Acts). Even after the betrayer’s death Simon is paired with Judas son of James (Thaddeus).

Judas the betrayer is always last on the list of the disciples. Judas speaks a few times in Scripture; the first time in John 12.5 where both he and the Apostle John reveal his true character as a thief. The remainder of his words come as a part of the betrayal evening.

These two mercenaries traveled together as a team of miracle workers. Imagine the wonders that they wrought. Imagine the thrill of raising a dead one or healing a paralytic! Imagine the banter between them as traveled from village to village. When things are exciting teamwork is fun and exhilarating. When things go right there are glories and stories to share and tell.

Let’s set God’s sovereign purpose aside for a moment and think about these two men. God’s chosen. What drove them apart?

At the end of their mission we know that Judas betrayed and Simon stayed. What made the difference in the paths that they chose? We know that both had a destiny to fulfill but what was going on in their minds that drove them to two extremes?

I accepted Jesus as my Savior on October 30, 1960. This year will mark my fiftieth spiritual birthday. Back then I heard a Bible lesson, wanted to ask Jesus into my heart and did so. Why was I so privileged? Good parents? Good church? Free country? Freedom to hear the Gospel preached? Yes five times over. But why this interjection into our thoughts about Simon and Judas? Because God was at work in all of our decisions.

All three of us had decisions to make along our life’s journey. The end results of those decisions lead us to different extremes. Simon and I to the extreme of following Jesus. Judas to the extreme of his audacious betrayal. The tree of us made choices and we will all suffer the consequences of those choices.

Now, back to God’s sovereignty. All three of us were destined to complete an impossible mission. That mission? To bring God glory.

You too are on an Impossible Mission. You too will bring glory to God. The question is, on whose team will you end up, Simon the zealot’s or Judas the betrayer’s? Your mission, should you decide to accept it (or not) is destiny.