Jacob

The Great Reversal

Posted on by Shannon

Sport has a large place in the lives of many people. By and large, sports fans love the underdog, especially when a team or individual comes from behind and wins the championship – a reversal of fortune.

In the Bible we see a similar kind of reversal. Jesus said, “He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it” (Matt.10:39). What is high is brought low. What is low is brought high. What is proud is humbled. What is out is in. What is in is out. That is because the standards and values of the kingdom are different than that of the world.

For example, it was David the shepherd boy who was picked to become king of Israel and not his older, stronger brothers. It was Jacob, the quiet man, who loved to stay around the tents, not Esau, the skillful hunter, who was given the birthright – although by cunning. It was Mary who was chosen to give birth to Jesus, not one of the thousands of women from better circumstances.

And how can we not mention the humble nature of our Saviour? Isaiah said of Him, “He has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. He was despised, and we did not esteem Him” (Isaiah 53:2-3). Yet in his death he saved the world, his resurrection gives all men hope, and he ascended to heaven to sit at God’s right hand (Acts 2:36).

The theme of the great reversal is carried out through the whole of the scriptures. The book of James and the Sermon on the Mount turn upside down the values of much of the world.

Are your values in line with His?

– David Johnson, with additions from Tim Johnson

A New Competition

Posted on by Shannon

We live in a very competitive world. We try to outdo one another, get ahead of each other, and try to carve out attention for ourselves and our opinions. People are often put down or ignored in the quest to come out on top. Competition can be a healthy thing, but not in relationships.

Paul said, “…and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ” (Eph.5:21). After living a life of getting his own way, this apostle bowed to the Lord on the Damascus road (Acts 9) and subjected himself to his fellow apostles (Galatians 2). It saved his soul and ushered him into the encouraging fellowship of the church.

Jacob subjected himself to his brother, Esau, after two decades of estrangement and grudges; it restored a difficult family. Joshua subjected himself to Moses and eventually took his place. David subjected himself to the prophet Nathan, repenting of disturbing sins and getting his life back on track. Subjection is not a sign of weakness, it’s humility solving problems.

It has a lot to do with honouring each other. “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honour” (Rom.12:10). A footnote says, “outdo one another in showing honour.” This speaks of the care and regard we are to have towards each other. We extend it to each other in the fear of Christ. If Jesus honoured us by giving His life, we ought to honour each other.

Jesus turns competition up-side-down. Instead of competing for prominence, we outdo one another in showing honour.

Who have you honoured today?

– Tim Johnson

When it’s Time to Fly

Posted on by Shannon

This week will see significant changes in many families. Children will start new grades in school, university students will leave home and settle into dorms, and graduates will look hard for jobs that may take them to new places. Parents, who know full well the difficulties of the world, long for the days when their children were safe at home. But would that be the best for them now?

When Jacob left home, he learned that the world was not there to serve him. His selfish ways brought him much hardship. He couldn’t even have his way with his choice in a wife. He learned quickly to become disciplined, skilled, and to trust in God, not just himself or his family connections. Gen.27-33.

Joseph was torn from his family as a teenager and thrust into the cruel world of slavery in a foreign country. What hurt most was that his own brothers were at fault. But despite difficult employers, hard labour, and time in jail, he learned to use his wits and trust God’s overall plan. Would he have become the trusted second-in-command over all of Egypt if he had remained at home? Gen.37-41.

David showed great courage as a young man, but only reached his stride when king Saul drafted him into the army. There he made new friends (Jonathan), fought and won personal battles, learned to survive, and eventually became a powerful leader, eventually replacing Saul. His parents trained him, but his independence matured him.

I suspect that even Jesus gained great confidence at 12 years old from his experience with the Jewish teachers in the temple, alone (Luke 2:45-49). His famous statement to his fretting parents teaches us all: “Did you not know that I had to be in my Father’s house?”

Good homes guide young people as they find their footing for their upcoming independent lives. But eventually we must let our children grow to adults and fly from the nest. Having done your work, they will thrive. Their faith will guide them.

– Tim Johnson