Resolve…I will…

 Resolve-I will….

: to reach a firm decision about, 

: fixity of purpose : RESOLUTENESS , 

Synonyms: Verb

• choose, conclude, decide, determine, figure, name, opt, settle (on or upon)

Synonyms: Noun

decidedness, decision, decisiveness, determination, determinedness, firmness, granite, purposefulness, resoluteness, resolution, stick-to-itiveness , Merriam Webster 

There are 3,000 places where the phrase “I will”  or “will” is used throughout the whole Bible… I was  thinking of this as the world watches a small country resolves to stand up to the aggression of a dictator…who in turn has declared what he wills…

Noah…Genesis 6-9, 9 “I wills”

So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.”

Genesis 6:7

When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.”

Genesis 9:16

Abraham…Genesis 12-25….many “I wills” ….God’s pledges…

And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Genesis 12:2-3

Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Genesis 28:15

I will be a pledge of his safety. From my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever.

Genesis 43:9

Moses…

So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it; after that he will let you go. And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and when you go, you shall not go empty,

Exodus 3:20-21

I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. I will give it to you for a possession. I am the Lord.’”

Exodus 6:7-8

Job…

David’s resolve over and over in Psalms…

I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.

Psalm 7:17

Isaiah…

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord  God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”

Isaiah 12:2

Satan…

You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’

Isaiah 14:13-14

Reading through the book of Habakkuk again…he declares…

I will take my stand…

I will quietly wait…

I will rejoice…

I will take joy in the God of my salvation…

Habakkuk….

I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint. 

I hear, and my body trembles; my lips quiver at the sound; rottenness enters into my bones; my legs tremble beneath me. 

Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble to come upon people who invade us. yet I will rejoice in the Lord; 

I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places.

Habakkuk 2:1,3:16,18a

 As I watched the news of the Ukraine making a stand…asking for prayers, gathering in groups to pray and fight, asking for help…i was struck by the  “I wills “…the resolutions,  the resolves found throughout scripture, spoken by God, spoken by men of old…that determination to stand…people from all over the world are standing with them…are praying for them…helping them hold the line…

One reporters comment, “Do they have the will to back their demonstrations?”

Only time will tell…

Was reminded of this passage Paul wrote to Timothy…thank YOU…

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.

2 Timothy 1:6-12

Where is my resolve? And In what or whom?

In moments like these…

 In moments like these…. A song from  a play about Joseph, Jacob’s son…

Yesterday I received a letter from a well known worldwide mission organization asking for prayer, “specific and urgent requests” for those in the Ukraine…

The leaders in the Ukraine, the workers in the Ukraine, the decisions each makes, 2-4 am Ukrainian time for strength…the staff and their families, etc….

Another shared letter -From a Missionary on the field in Ukraine:

“For us this is no surprise. We all knew it was coming.

But even still, to officially announce you are in a full-scale war with a delusional dictator in 2022 is a horrific thing. So many people are going to die. And for what? Please don't forget us, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Don't despair and don't grieve like those who have no hope. Instead stand firm on the promises of the Lord.

Reading and praying over Psalms is really getting me through right now. It's good to remember that God always gets justice in the end. Eternity is waiting.

Fellow believers, I beg of you, cry out to God to save the Ukrainian people! Open a map of Ukraine on

Google and pray over it. Ask the Lord to put His hand of protection on Mariupol, on Kharkiv, on Sumy, on Dnipro, on Kherson, and on and on and on. If you hear a news report please pray for the city mentioned.

There is no greater weapon you have to help us than your prayers.

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not

the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds."

Cry out to God for a spiritual awakening among the Russian and Belarussian people. Pray that God would do a miracle in the Slavic nations who call themselves our brothers and that they would cast off their chains.

Pray that evil will be defeated.

May God bless and keep Ukraine!”

The pictures  that keeps coming to mind are Moses with his arm held up during a battle…or David and Goliath…

Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

Exodus 17:11-12

1 Samual 17…

Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. 

For the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hand.”

1 Samuel 17:45,47

I don’t pretend to know what the outcome of these battles in the Ukraine will be… or for that matter the wars that are less talked about around the world that are ongoing…

So…

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2 

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Ephesians 6:16-18

But we know this….

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord  that will stand.

Proverbs 19:21

Thank YOU….

Firsts and lasts ….2….written in 2022

 

Lasts and firsts….2… written in 2022

There are over 500 times the word , “first” is used in the Bible…a very few follow…

My very finite mind cannot comprehend being there on the first day of creation…day and night…nothing else, an open canvas on which to create…

God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

Genesis 1:5

Or always seeking first the kingdom of God….as we are told by Jesus…we need Him to lead and help us maintain that focus in today world…

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:33

Or thinking right thoughts before others filter in or take our minds captive…

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

James 3:17-18

Or realize that we are soooo loved…and we can love because of His Love…

We love because he first loved us.

1 John 4:19

Or be confident that God has been, is and ever will be…

13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

Revelation 22:13

Thank YOU…

“Lasts and firsts.....written in 2013
 
Two years ago, my husband had just been diagnosed with terminal cancer. He had surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible, recovered quickly, no pain, but radiation and chemo to go through, still not pain.  We had Thanksgiving dinner with some longtime friends, their family and grandchildren.  Our  last thanksgiving.... 


in the following months, we celebrated our last Christmas, our last anniversary, our last Easter.....lasts.....so precious.....so meaningful....so ........last.....
 


We talked, visited, not willing to let any time be wasted.....we even praised....telling stories, reminiscing ....with family...but all along it was lasts.....and firsts....first time through all of this new territory which no one wanted to travel ...this was us, not someone else...us...not some stranger we read or heard about....us, our family ....firsts in this journey of lasts and firsts.....


 
I read Psalms at night before we went to bed, we cried, we prayed, we smiled...praise of still no pain....
 
I didn't want to think of lasts and firsts. But it was always there in the forefront and the background...."make good use of these times"...praise for those times....until it was the last....
 
So many memories, so many years, so much and so few all wrapped into life....through it all, God has been there. He is good even in the lasts and the firsts. He is the first and the last, the beginning and the end....
 


Now, as I watch others on their journeys in life, it is personal...it may be lonely at times and it is, but I want to say enjoy, enjoy those firsts and lasts....laugh, love, tell stories, hug, live while you can....
 
Praise, God takes those firsts and lasts....laughs with us, cries with us…loves us.....takes the pain, holds  the tears...gives us new life in Him...somehow....
 


Thank YOU, the tears are still there, the pain eased, but You are still here in the firsts and the lasts...I am yours....your love endures forever, and your faithfulness continues.....
 


Revelations 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
 


Psalm 100
 
A psalm. For giving grateful praise.
 
1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2     Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanksgiving to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations.”


 
  

the only scars in heaven song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCdevloDE6E

Thank you…

 Thank you…

I loved this little video of a rescue…it appears that even an elephant can say thank you…how convicting…saying thank you for the big and little things in life…

I was reminded that our mental health is affected by our gratitude…we think on the positive more…less depression…and as we see in Philippians, God’s peace is a result…

Thank YOU….

https://mvotd.com/wild-elephants-salutes-the-men-who-rescued-their-baby-elephant-from-a-ditch-video_cb4624842.html

On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 

And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers,  who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 

When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 

Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. 

Now he was a Samaritan. 

Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 

18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 

And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

Luke 17:11-19 

I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.

Psalm 7:17

With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord; I will praise him in the midst of the throng.

Psalm 109:30 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 

Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. 

The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/gratitude

Walking away….2…

 Walking away …2…

I can remember the place where I first heard Laura Story’s song, “blessings “ for the first time…I had to pull the car over, catch all the words and then find the station and find out the name of the song playing, all the while crying…

I was driving back to our apartment after leaving our home…had been on a slight break from 24 hour care of my husband.

We hadn’t been able to return to our home after his cancer treatment…too big, too many steps…so I was “puttering” at “home…”

We/I never again moved back there…my family and I cleaned it out a few months later when our family came back for his memorial service…and I moved closer to family…now it is the the hands of other ministry minded people…a gift to many…

But, the song brought sorrow and tears as well as reminders that all of our “blessings” may not be what we plan or expect…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xRNrnh__SE

“Walking away....
 


Time to walk away, knowing that this is God's will....the house is in another’s ministries hands. Others are being raised up....the office is moving forward...things are sorted, packed...tossed. ....tagged.....waiting their next destination....

.
 
I don't know why this route...but help me not to look back and become a pillar of salt because of longing, but to hold dear the things to hold dear, let go of the things to let go...to not be afraid to cry when needed, to laugh when my heart rejoices… to hug when I need a hug or those around me do…to be thankful in all things even when it is hard....to take time to heal...to take time to enjoy others… to find the next path. ...to find  the right way.....to listen… to pray.....to persevere......to add to life rather subtract......to be a friend.....to be a Mom.....to be a grandmother.....just to be.....
 


Knowing that You, the creator of all, know all things from the beginning to end....You know the destination, the path....the way....
 
Thank YOU.... 

 

 Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
  

Writings…

 Writings…

You can study, read through the Word a multitude of times and always learn some new…word studies, people studies, time studies, topic studies….the studies are only limited by time and finite man’s ideas, questions…there are mysteries, outright commands, promises, words of wisdom, life…and so much more…we can gain wisdom, knowledge, but most important-the Way to salvation…people have questioned it, burned it, hidden it, banned it, denied it and accepted it over the ages…

I was looking up “writing”…times when it speaks of God’s direct writing…times of the commandments, judgement, promise…

I so appreciate the comfort  knowing I am engraved on the palms of His hands…but also knowing that, it is reminder that his hands were pierced fo my sin, my folly…

Or that He has a plan, which we can ponder, meditate and learn from…

What did Jesus write on the ground before the woman’s accusers? The Ten Commandments again, the list of the accusers names, the litany of their complaints…or simply his Forgiveness…as the men drifted away one by one, convicted…

Or the writing on the wall, during Daniel’s time…judgement came swiftly…

Or our lives are “letters” to others, as Paul said…our hearts taught by the Holy Spirit…what a gift and responsibility…

And finally, in Revelations, the Lamb’s book of life…names written by God…known by Him…

Thank YOU…You are the Author, the writer, the finisher of our faith…

looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2 

The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.

Exodus 32:16 

“All this he made clear to me in writing from the hand of the Lord, all the work to be done according to the plan.”

1 Chronicles 28:19 

Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.

Isaiah 49:16 

“Then from his presence the hand was sent, and this writing was inscribed. And this is the writing that was inscribed: Mene, Mene , Tekel , and Parsin . This is the interpretation of the matter: Mene, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; Tekel, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; Peres, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”

Daniel 5:24-28

I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.

Psalm 143:5 

This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground.

John 8:6 

And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

2 Corinthians 3:3 

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Revelation 21:22-27

Spiritual gifting …2…

 Spiritual gifting …2…

My husband and I had the amazing honor to facilitate classes in spiritual gifting…both to mixed group settings and I, to women…we loved it as it gave others an understanding of how God had gifted them for ministry and helped them see where they and their partners fit into the body of believers…which brings joy….

After the death of a loved one, there can be loss of purpose, hope, depression…a multitude of negative things …but we do not lose those spiritual gifts…we do not lose hope, and we really don’t lose purpose…but it may take time to find our niche again…..we have changed… our gifting may manifest itself differently that before…or not…

I have friends who have gone into more ministry as they have more time…one became a chaplain for Samaritan’s Purse, another is now  a missionary in Africa…both weaving new patterns into their lives, new chapters using their gifting differently than before…

Thank YOU for your leading….your gifting…

 Spiritual gifting......

We were asked this last weekend what our spiritual gifting was...and,if we didn't know it, to go to the sites and take the "tests" that would help us to decide that information...

Putting that with the Griefshare small group, my question is, "what was the spiritual gifting of your loved one/one's?"  How did you complement one another?  And how is God using that now or how do you see that being used in the future?

Or the question "how were your lives woven together" as brought out in the Griefshare lessons. I loved that "woven together " phrase....

When  you watch a weaver, there are the strands of yarn, set in the loom, and the others moved back and forth weaving in and out, in and out, each combining to make a pattern set by the designer...intricately working together  to make a whole...a complete...

                                               





With the loss of our loved ones, we may think the design is finished, but it really goes on and on, weaving the strands of life into our lives and those around , making a new pattern ...a design for others to see and us to live out...

Our spiritual gifting doesn't change, but the direction may...our loved ones are still woven into our lives, we aren't working together anymore, but we are still being molded , woven into another realm which was well thought out by our Creator...

My husband's gifting was giving, administration...mine are high in those areas as well...I didn't work in his office as our administration skills were very different, but that was okay...I saw them and now I look back and see where our lives complimented one another, how we worked in giving, how we prayed over the gifts, how we rejoiced in giving...how it brought joy to our whole family...and still does...we haven't forgotten the giving, as it is still an integral part of our lives...it is just different now...

Or encouragement, which we both did....it didn't end with his death...it looks different without him, but it goes on and on in many people's lives...woven into the pattern, not forgotten, but lived...

So again, I ask, how did/do your gifting complement one another?  How is 
God using that to His Glory?

Thank YOU for intricately weaving, forming  my loved one and myself...putting us together, complimenting one another.....help those of us who are left to move forward still embracing that gifting for Your glory..

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

 Romans 12:5-8 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. 

1 Corinthians 12:1-24, 26 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, if one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 



12 son….Benjamin…

 12 sons…Benjamin…

Now the sons of Jacob were twelve. The sons of Leah: Reuben (Jacob's firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. The sons of Bilhah, Rachel's servant: Dan and Naphtali. The sons of Zilpah, Leah's servant: Gad and Asher. These were the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Paddan-aram.

Genesis 35:22b-26 

Then they journeyed from Bethel. When they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into labor, and she had hard labor. And when her labor was at its hardest, the midwife said to her, “Do not fear, for you have another son.” And as her soul was departing (for she was dying), she called his name Ben-oni;  but his father called him Benjamin. So Rachel died, and she was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem), and Jacob set up a pillar over her tomb. It is the pillar of Rachel's tomb, which is there to this day. Israel journeyed on and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.

Genesis 35:16-21

Jacob’s blessing…

“Benjamin is a ravenous wolf, in the morning devouring the prey and at evening dividing the spoil.”

Genesis 49:27 

Mose’s blessing… 

Of Benjamin he said, “The beloved of the Lord dwells in safety. The High God surrounds him all day long, and dwells between his shoulders.”

Deuteronomy 33:12

Benjamin meaning…

“Benjamin comes from the Old Testament of the Bible, and in Hebrew means “son of the right hand.” The Benjamin of the Bible was the youngest of Jacob’s twelve sons; the expression “the Benjamin of the family” means the youngest child.” From very well family.

“From the Hebrew name בִּנְיָמִין (Binyamin) meaning "son of the south" or "son of the right hand", from the roots בֵּן (ben) meaning "son" and יָמִין (yamin) meaning "right hand, south". Benjamin in the Old Testament was the twelfth and youngest son of Jacob and the founder of one of the southern tribes of the Hebrews. He was originally named בֶּן־אוֹנִי (Ben-'oni) meaning "son of my sorrow" by his mother Rachel, who died shortly after childbirth, but it was later changed by his father (see Genesis 35:18).” From

Behind the Name.

(“the right hand is symbolic of ruler-ship, authority, sovereignty, blessing, and strength and is significant in Scripture.”  From Patheous)

Genesis 42-45 speaks of Benjamin several times when Jacob sends his other sons to buy food from the Egyptians in their time of famine…Joseph wants to see his brother, his brother through Rachel their mother…Jacob desperately does not want to part with his youngest son… 

Later, the land given to Benjamin is bordered by Judah to the south, the Jordan on the east, Ephraim and Dan…

The tribe of Benjamin and Israel in Judges 20-21 war against one another, reconcile…and the tribe of Benjamin are given wives so that the tribe will not die out..

Israel’s first king is from the tribe of Benjamin….

Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed to Samuel: “Tomorrow about this time I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel. He shall save my people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have seen my people, because their cry has come to me.” When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord told him, “Here is the man of whom I spoke to you! He it is who shall restrain my people.” Then Saul approached Samuel in the gate and said, “Tell me where is the house of the seer?” 

Samuel answered Saul, “I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for today you shall eat with me, and in the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is on your mind. 

As for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, do not set your mind on them, for they have been found. And for whom is all that is desirable in Israel? 

Is it not for you and for all your father's house?” 

Saul answered, “Am I not a Benjaminite, from the least of the tribes of Israel? And is not my clan the humblest of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then have you spoken to me in this way?”

1 Samuel 9:15-21



 

Map of the twelve tribes of Israel according to the Book of Joshua

The ten lost tribes were the ten of the Twelve Tribes of Israel that were said to have been exiled from the Kingdom of Israel after its conquest by the Neo-Assyrian Empire circa 722 BCE.[1][2] These are the tribes of Reuben, Simeon, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Manasseh, and Ephraim; 

all but Judah and Benjamin (as well as some members of Levi, the priestly tribe, which did not have its own territory). 

The Jewish historian Josephus (37–100 CE) wrote that "there are but two tribes in Asia and Europe subject to the Romans, while the ten tribes are beyond Euphrates till now, and are an immense multitude, and not to be estimated by numbers". Wikipedia…

The tribes of Judah and Benjamin stayed in the south when there was a division between the 12 tribes…and were there when Ezra began the rebuilding of temple…

Then rose up the heads of the fathers' houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up to rebuild the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem.

Ezra 1:5

Mordecai was from the tribe of Benjamin….took in Esther and helped save the Jews.

Now there was a Jew in Susa the citadel whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjaminite, who had been carried away from Jerusalem among the captives carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away.

Esther 2:5-6 

Jeremiah spoke to the Benjaminites…Ezekiel, Hosea, Obadiah and finally Zechariah all speak to the tribe as well..

Then there is a jump…into the New Testament…Paul claims his ancestry…from the tribe of Benjamin…a “ Hebrew of Hebrews”, a persecutor to a proclaimer and devoted follower of Christ….

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin.

Romans 11:1

though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

Philippians 3:4-7 

Takeaway…

We get a bird’s eye view of each tribe throughout Biblical history…and some closeups, real people who made real decisions, from each birth, the circumstances around them, both good and bad…their ups and down…their walk, the descendants…

I can look at the various family genealogies of my ancestors, my children’s ancestors through modern day reporting and sources…it is amazing to follow, find stories, connections…what are the threads that run through…there are good decisions, bad ones as well…there are those I would rather cover up and those who “did right” In the sight of the Lord…

What will my descendants conclude about my “tribe”? We each have similar choices as these twelve did throughout time…

I loved Mose’s blessing on the tribe…beloved of the Lord, surrounded, dwells…we can have the same…thank YOU…

Interesting topic…

https://jesusalive.cc/benjamins-age-when-joseph-sold/

Held…2…

 Held …2..

I remember in writing this one the first time….I still like hugs, touch after years of widowhood. It is still a comfort when I get them for my children, grandchildren at times….gifts , all..

I have been reading a book about a woman coming out of an abusive marriage…fearful of any touch from anyone…it takes courage for her to even be around others or shake a hand…she has taken refuge in her new four friend, a dog…a real break through in letting something get close…she has been experiencing the shame, false guilt of her abuse, Iike it was her fault…she was the victim not the perpetrator…healing is slow…

When I read again these verses of being held, they wrap around me like a warm blanket…protection, comfort, love in times of turmoil, grief, despair, loneliness….thank YOU….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIZitK6_IMQ

Held......

 

One of the love languages is touch.....we all need it to a certain degree, some, more than others......it is nice to have that comforting hug or show affection or care.  Just to know that you are cared for and loved ....it has been said that we need 6 to 8 hugs a day for good emotional health...sounds good....we who are widows or single miss that touch of our mates...holding hands, comfort in times of turmoil ...a simple hand on the arm....touch, comfort...

 

I know I have asked God to hold my hand several times in the last months...He gives me peace in the time of need...even sends someone to hug, sometimes...that loving touch....care...a word here and there....I have to look for it and  receive it....joy in it...hug it to my soul...then I look for someone who might need it as well…

 

Numbers 11:12

Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their ancestors?

 

Deuteronomy 33:27a

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms....

 

Ruth 4:16

Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him ...

 

Proverbs 31:20

She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

 

Isaiah 40:11

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young...

 

Mark 10:16

And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

 

Hug someone today...they may need it and so may you....Thank YOU for sending those touches…

 

12 sons…Joseph…

 12 sons…Joseph…

Now the sons of Jacob were twelve. The sons of Leah: Reuben (Jacob's firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. The sons of Bilhah, Rachel's servant: Dan and Naphtali. The sons of Zilpah, Leah's servant: Gad and Asher. These were the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Paddan-aram.

Genesis 35:22b-26

Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb. She conceived and bore a son and said, “God has taken away my reproach.” And she called his name Joseph, saying, “May the Lord add to me another son!”

Genesis 30:22-24 

Jacob’s blessing….

“Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a spring; his branches run over the wall. 

The archers bitterly attacked him, shot at him, and harassed him severely, yet his bow remained unmoved; his arms were made agile by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob (from there is the Shepherd,  the Stone of Israel), by the God of your father who will help you, by the Almighty  who will bless you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that crouches beneath, blessings of the breasts and of the womb. 

The blessings of your father are mighty beyond the blessings of my parents, up to the bounties of the everlasting hills. 

May they be on the head of Joseph, and on the brow of him who was set apart from his brothers.

Genesis 49:22-26

Mose’s blessing…

And of Joseph he said, “Blessed by the Lord be his land, with the choicest gifts of heaven above, and of the deep that crouches beneath, with the choicest fruits of the sun and the rich yield of the months, with the finest produce of the ancient mountains and the abundance of the everlasting hills, with the best gifts of the earth and its fullness and the favor of him who dwells in the bush. May these rest on the head of Joseph, on the pate of him who is prince among his brothers. 

A firstborn bull —he has majesty, and his horns are the horns of a wild ox; with them he shall gore the peoples, all of them, to the ends of the earth; they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh.”

Deuteronomy 33:13-17

Joseph meaning..increaser…

https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/joseph/

When I think of Jacob’s son Joseph as opposed to other Josephs found in the scriptures…I think of the words…favorite, coat, slave, dreamer, interpreter of dreams, faithful in adversity, God follower, and finally the words he spoke to his brothers,

 “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

Genesis 50:20

Instead of a tribe of Joseph as his brothers, his descendants become the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, named for his two sons born in Egypt…Joseph’s descendants are spoken of as the “house of Joseph “ over time…

Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh. “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father's house.” The name of the second he called Ephraim, “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

Genesis 41:51-52 

Genesis 48 speaks of Jacob (Israel) blessing Joseph’s son, taking them as his own…

Joshua 16 and 17 speak of the inheritance of Joseph’s son in the promised land.

The burial of Joseph’s bones…

As for the bones of Joseph, which the people of Israel brought up from Egypt, they buried them at Shechem, in the piece of land that Jacob bought from the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for a hundred pieces of money. It became an inheritance of the descendants of Joseph.

Joshua 24:32

There are so many references to Joseph from Joshua to Revelations promises, positive implications…at the end, in Revelations, it again speaks of the Tribe of Joseph …interesting…

“I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph. I will bring them back because I have compassion on them, and they shall be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the Lord their God and I will answer them. 

Then Ephraim shall become like a mighty warrior, and their hearts shall be glad as with wine. Their children shall see it and be glad; their hearts shall rejoice in the Lord.

Zechariah 10:6-7

By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.

Hebrews 11:21-22

12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun, 12,000 from the tribe of Joseph, 12,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed.

Revelation 7:8

Takeaway…for me this time around…Joseph was found faithful in adversity, he even named his sons  with that same trait…fruitful, forgetting hardship and looking to his Lord rather than the past circumstances….he grew and flourished through hard times…

Thank YOU for these lessons which are just as  important today as they were thousands of years ago…

12 sons…Gad…Asher…

 12 sons…Gad …Asher…

Now the sons of Jacob were twelve. The sons of Leah: Reuben (Jacob's firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. The sons of Bilhah, Rachel's servant: Dan and Naphtali. The sons of Zilpah, Leah's servant: Gad and Asher. These were the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Paddan-aram.

Genesis 35:22b-26

When Leah saw that she had ceased bearing children, she took her servant Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife. 

Then Leah's servant Zilpah bore Jacob a son. And Leah said, “Good fortune has come!” so she called his name Gad. 

Leah's servant Zilpah bore Jacob a second son. And Leah said, “Happy am I! For women have called me happy.” So she called his name Asher.

Genesis 30:9-13

Jacob’s blessings…

“Raiders shall raid Gad, but he shall raid at their heels. 

Asher's food shall be rich, and he shall yield royal delicacies.

Genesis 49:19-20

Mose’s blessings … 

And of Gad he said, “Blessed be he who enlarges Gad! Gad crouches like a lion; he tears off arm and scalp. 

He chose the best of the land for himself, for there a commander's portion was reserved; and he came with the heads of the people, with Israel he executed the justice of the Lord, and his judgments for Israel.” 

And of Asher he said, “Most blessed of sons be Asher; let him be the favorite of his brothers, and let him dip his foot in oil. Your bars shall be iron and bronze, and as your days, so shall your strength be.

Deuteronomy 33:20-21,24-25 

Gad meaning…

“What does the name Gad mean?

• The name Gad indicates a fortune for which a troublesome, invasive effort is made. There are plenty of words to indicate treasure or felicity, but Leah who named the son of her maid, chose this painful word גד, Gad.”

•

The meaning of the name “Gad” is: “Fortune; happiness

From Name Meanings…

Asher meaning… 

“Asher is a Hebrew name meaning “happy” and “blessed.” It’s derived from the Hebrew word osher, meaning “happiness.” Asher is also a biblical name from the Old Testament.”

Several years ago, some friends named their son Asher…I really never paid any attention to it, but took it at face value..and rejoiced with her…now, having read through the meanings, “ happy” …I again rejoice in her choice of names…

It is interesting that Leah named these two boys after happiness…they were birthed by her maid, claimed by Leah as more sons of Jacob…she must have been thrilled with two more sons, even through  surrogacy…they added to her “value” as an “unloved” wife…

Later the tribe of Gad joined with the tribe of Reuben in not taking land in the promised land, but as they had much livestock, they kept  land in the territory of Gilead…with the promise that they fight with their brothers to,conquer the land…which they did, returning afterwards to their families…

“and to the Reubenites and the Gadites I gave the territory from Gilead as far as the Valley of the Arnon, with the middle of the valley as a border, as far over as the river Jabbok, the border of the Ammonites;

Deuteronomy 3:16”

Joshua 22 speaks of their return…their wealth, promises…

The tribe was later named in David’s  mighty men, officers…

And they are again listed in Revelation…

Asher…

Asher is listed in the tribal lists, the dividing of the land, etc..

This chapter in 2 Chronicles speaks of the tribe as well… King Hezekiah’ call to a Passover…while some made fun of the event, some of the tribe of Asher heeded the request..

“Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem to keep the Passover to the Lord, the God of Israel. For the king and his princes and all the assembly in Jerusalem had taken counsel to keep the Passover in the second month— for they could not keep it at that time because the priests had not consecrated themselves in sufficient number, nor had the people assembled in Jerusalem— and the plan seemed right to the king and all the assembly. 

However, some men of Asher, of Manasseh, and of Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 30:1-4, 11”

Most notable to me was Anna in Luke..

And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. 

She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 

And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Luke 2:36-38

Imagine her “happiness” at this moment…giving thanks that she saw the redemption in this child…her heart must have soared at this gift from God…

Take away…faithfulness in keeping promises, happiness in 

God’s gifts through the ages…and in everyday life…

Thank YOU…

12 son…Dan…Naphtali…

 12 sons…Dan…Naphtali….

Now the sons of Jacob were twelve. The sons of Leah: Reuben (Jacob's firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. The sons of Bilhah, Rachel's servant: Dan and Naphtali. The sons of Zilpah, Leah's servant: Gad and Asher. These were the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Paddan-aram.

Genesis 35:22b-26

Dan and Naphtali’ s birth…

Then she (Rachel) said, “Here is my servant Bilhah; go in to her, so that she may give birth on my behalf, that even I may have children through her.” So she gave him her servant Bilhah as a wife, and Jacob went in to her. And Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son. Then Rachel said, “God has judged me, and has also heard my voice and given me a son.” Therefore she called his name Dan. Rachel's servant Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. Then Rachel said, “With mighty wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister and have prevailed.” So she called his name Naphtali.

Genesis 30:3-8 

Jacob’s blessings…

“Dan shall judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan shall be a serpent in the way, a viper by the path, that bites the horse's heels so that his rider falls backward. I wait for your salvation, O Lord. 

Naphtali is a doe let loose that bears beautiful fawns.

Genesis 49:16-18,21

When I went to Israel three years ago, one of the first places we visited was the northern area that the tribe of Dan claimed…while there we walked up a small knoll and there was the Northern border next to Lebanon, a United Nations camp, soldiers…”not much shelling today” was the comment..the diggings had unearthed a village with walls and a city gate seat, a worship center and an alter…

Dan’s name and history…= judge 

Artisans who worked on the tabernacle…

and with him was Oholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver and designer and embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen.

Exodus 38:23

Samson was from the tribe of Dan…

Judges 18 tells of their taking of an area…

“A new home

The tribe, who received land populated by the powerful Amorites (Judges 1:33) and close to the war-like Philistines, were unable to fully secure their inheritance.

In desperate need for more territory, the tribe decided to attack the northern city of Leshem (Joshua 19:47), which was also called Laish (Judges 18:7). The name Leshem means "precious stone" (Strong's #H3959) while Laish means "lion" (Strong's #H3919).



The city the Danites want, however, is in the territory given to the tribe of Naphtali. As Dan was the older brother of Naphtali, the tribe likely felt their incursion would be tolerated and free from any reprisals by their younger brother's descendants. After slaughtering the city's inhabitants, they rename the town in honor of the tribe's founder. The city is soon used as an Old Testament reference to designate the northern-most point of Israel.

Later history

In 930 B.C., Israel splits into two separate nations. The new Kingdom of Israel (the northern ten tribes), and its new King Jeroboam, considers the city of Dan to be an important spiritual and strategic location. The city is fortified as a border fortress and has idols representing Yahweh placed within in to discourage visits to Jerusalem.

The city's isolated location makes it vulnerable to attacks (see 1Kings 15:20). The city is one of the first areas conquered by the Assyrian Empire when the people in the land are taken into captivity (2Kings 15:29).

Dan is also the only Israelite tribe not listed in Revelation 7.”

From Bible study organization…

“One quite common speculation as to why the tribe of Dan is not listed in Revelation comes from the fact that they had an enormous difficulty with idolatry. Their worship of idols began right after they fought for and secured their inheritance in the Promised Land (Judges 18:1 - 2, 29 - 31).” From Bible Study Questions

“• Dan’s historical embrace of idolatry and immorality leads to a disqualification for service during the end times.

• The Antichrist will come from the tribe of Dan (based on certain readings of Genesis 49:17; Deuteronomy 33:22; and Jeremiah 8:16).

• By the time of Solomon, the tribe of Dan had assimilated with the neighboring Phoenicians (as 2 Chronicles 2:14 may hint at) and so lost their national identity.

• The tribe of Dan, once the second-most populous tribe, declined in numbers and influence until, by Ezra’s time, it had been totally wiped out. This would explain why Dan is not listed among the tribes in 1 Chronicles 4—7 or in Revelation 7.” From Got Questions

Naphtali =wrestling 

“In the land of Naphtali Jesus spent a great part of his public life, the land of Gennesaret, Bethsaida, Capernaum and Chorazin all lying within its boundaries (compare Matthew 4:15).” From Bible Study tools…there is a long explanation of Naphtali at this site…

Zebulun is a people who risked their lives to the death; Naphtali, too, on the heights of the field.

Judges 5:18 

He was the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in bronze. And he was full of wisdom, understanding, and skill for making any work in bronze. He came to King Solomon and did all his work.

1 Kings 7:14+ tells of the work he did for the temple…

Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.”

Matthew 4:12-16

Takeaway….it is so interesting to follow through these tribes…and this is by no means a thorough study, I will be the first to admit…so much information …but, for the time of their  birth, each son was on a path…their father blessed each…

The Tribe of Dan disappeared after having great times/men and then fell …not to be even named at the end…how sad…their independence and idol worship were their undoing…

Naphtali settled in beautiful country and they later housed Peter and his family, Jesus…

What contrasts between brothers…

We have those same decisions…thank YOU….

Enemies….p

 

Enemies…..

Yesterday, out of the blue, someone came up to me and asked if I would pray for her…I really don’t know this person, but she trusted me to pray…”I am trying to take a stand for my faith, set some boundaries, be strong and the enemy is attacking.”

We talked about Joshua…

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9”

We went our separate ways…but it got me to thinking…did the tribes Joshua was sent to conquer symbolize enemies we face now…? So of course, I had to look it up…and there are several articles written about it from a Christian perspective as well as a Jewish one..

“When the Lord your God brings you into the land that you are entering to take possession of it, and clears away many nations before you, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations more numerous and mightier than you, and when the Lord your God gives them over to you, and you defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction.  

You shall make no covenant with them and show no mercy to them. 

But thus shall you deal with them: you shall break down their altars and dash in pieces their pillars and chop down their Asherim and burn their carved images with fire. 

“For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. 

The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. 

It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,

Deuteronomy 7:1-2,5-7,9



http://www.biblefellowshipunion.co.uk/2014/Sep_Oct/7Enemies.htm

Hittites: Sons of terror, Subliminal torments, phobias, terror, depression.

Girgashites: Clay dwellers, focus on earthliness, unbelief.

Amorites: bitter; a rebel; a babbler..

Canaanites: Addiction to earthly wealth.

Perizzites: Limited vision, laziness, low self-esteem.

Hivites: Vision limited to enjoying an earthly inheritance, anything goes as long as you enjoy it!

Jebusites: Threshers, suppression of spiritual authority in others, legalism.

From…

http://chchurch.weebly.com/uploads/5/2/7/8/5278676/7_enemies_in_the_promised_land_keith_w_3_jan_am.pdf

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:19-23 

Those “enemies” listed are ones we can face currently, those that strip us of victory…even when we have been given victory over them….fears, rebellion, laziness, earthy vision over heavenly….

God gives the victory…thank YOU….

Angel…2…

 Angel…2…

There are distinct times in our lives that bear remembering …this was one of them for me…a time of comfort that came as a gift at the right moment, with the right words….this woman whom I had never met, nor seen before or seen since…she sat there on the bench with few words, but with gentle presence…

Thank YOU…

“Angel on the bluff......

 



"The Lord told me to come and make sure you were okay", she said as she tenderly walked across the lane to where I sat watching the sunset on Pacific Ocean.   She sat down next to me after giving me a hug.......I had never met the woman before and probably won't see her again...here...

It was after a day of lawyerise, bankerise, sitting , paperworker, estateise......and all the instructions, discussions, questions of estate stuff....I wanted to watch something simple and profound, beautiful, constant, different every time, the sunset.....



This bluff is not stranger...years ago, in 1964, I had stood in this place watching down on the then raging Eel river flood. the  whole valley was covered with rushing gray water, carrying whole houses, whole businesses, millions of redwood logs to the sea or moving them all to another location, another field, ramming them into stands of trees along the way, powerfully splintering house after house into rubble.....



Before that the bluff was an empty field where we could ride our horses...in the long grass, and then it was transformed into a senior housing area.   

Later, my parents moved there,   I walked miles over and over at varying speeds as my mother healed from her stroke, my dad from his kidney ailments, then with him again after the death of  my mother....and the slowing down of his walk......I had walked this walk with my children, grandchildren…we sat at this spot and overlooked the valley, sometimes warm, sometimes breezy, watching the dairyman below, the sunset over the ocean......



Now, here I was waiting for a glimpse again of the sunset, praying, reminiscing.....and the lady came to make sure I was okay....was I? This was letting go...now my father is there no more...we have come to bury him...no more walks and talks with him...no more of my mom or my husband......we had all walked that walk, watching the sun, the valley, the beauty.....
She shared that she, too, had been down this path....it will be okay...it will be okay…

Thank YOU, for sending those strangers,  those unexpected hugs, words of encouragements.....those angels... Those sunsets.....you are ever loving, ever caring...comforting in all you do....on the bluffs of life, overlooking  us all....



Psalm 91:11
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;



Zechariah 1:13
So the Lord spoke kind and comforting words to the angel who ltalked with me.



2 Corinthians 7:6
But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,



Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
   for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
   through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
   for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
   they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
   in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
   my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
   all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
   forever.




Each day there is just enough…”

....

12 sons…Issachar…Zebulun…

 12 sons…Issachar….Zebulun…

Now the sons of Jacob were twelve. The sons of Leah: Reuben (Jacob's firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. The sons of Bilhah, Rachel's servant: Dan and Naphtali. The sons of Zilpah, Leah's servant: Gad and Asher. These were the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Paddan-aram.

Genesis 35:22b-26

And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son. Leah said, “God has given me my wages because I gave my servant to my husband.” So she called his name Issachar. 

And Leah conceived again, and she bore Jacob a sixth son. Then Leah said, “God has endowed me with a good endowment; now my husband will honor me, because I have borne him six sons.” So she called his name Zebulun.

Genesis 30:17-20 

Jacob’s blessings at the end of his life… to Zebulun and Issachar…

“Zebulun shall dwell at the shore of the sea; he shall become a haven for ships, and his border shall be at Sidon.

“Issachar is a strong donkey, crouching between the sheepfolds. He saw that a resting place was good, and that the land was pleasant, so he bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant at forced labor.

Genesis 49:13-15

Issachar (hired)

“God hath given me," said Leah, "my hire (Heb. sekhari)...and she called his name Issachar." He was Jacob's ninth son, and was born in Padan-aram (comp 28:2 ). He had four sons at the going down into Egypt ( 46:13 ; Numbers 26:23 Numbers 26:25 ).

Issachar, Tribe of, during the journey through the wilderness, along with Judah and Zebulun ( Numbers 2:5 ), marched on the east of the tabernacle. This tribe contained 54,400 fighting men when the census was taken at Sinai. After the entrance into the Promised Land, this tribe was one of the six which stood on Gerizim during the ceremony of the blessing and cursing ( Deuteronomy 27:12 ). The allotment of Issachar is described in Joshua 19:17-23 . It included the plain of Esdraelon (=Jezreel), which was and still is the richest portion of Palestine ( Deuteronomy 33:18 Deuteronomy 33:19 ; 1 Chronicles 12:40 ).

The prophetic blessing pronounced by Jacob on Issachar corresponds with that of Moses ( Genesis 49:14 Genesis 49:15 ; 

18 About Zebulun he said: “Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out, and you, Issachar, in your tents. Deuteronomy 33:18

“Zebulun (a habitation ), 

the tenth of the sons of Jacob, according to the order in which their births are enumerated, the sixth and last of Leah.His birth is mentioned in ( Genesis 30:19 Genesis 30:20 ) Of the individual Zebulun nothing is recorded. The list of Genesis 46 ascribes to him three sons, founders of the chief families of the tribe (comp.) ( Numbers 26:26 ) at the time of the migration to Egypt. The tribe is not recorded to have taken part, for evil or good, in any of the events of the wandering or the conquest. The statement of Josephus is probably in the main correct, that it reached on the one side to the Lake of Gennesareth and on the other to Carmel and the Mediterranean. On the south it was bounded by Issachar, who lay in the great plain or valley of the Kishon; on the north it had Naphtali and Asher. Thus remote from the centre of government, Zebulun remains throughout the history with one exception, in the obscurity which envelops the whole of the northern tribes. That exception, however, is a remarkable one. The conduct of the tribe during the struggle with Sisera, when they fought with desperate valor side by side with their brethren of Naphtali, was such as to draw down the special praise of Deborah, who singles them out from all the other tribes. 

18 The people of Zebulun risked their very lives; so did Naphtali on the terraced fields.( Judges 5:18 ) 

Bible Study Tools…

I thought it interesting that Jacob’s blessing for Zebulun was having to do with the sea, but for all the maps I could find, the tribe appears to be landlocked…but later Josephus talks of them reaching from the Sea of Galilee to the Mediterranean…

When we went to Israel three years ago, we crisscrossed where Issachar’s allotment was and the agricultural production was plentiful…just as Jacob blessed…

 

Drive through History, YouTube, jezreel Valley…interesting…



Take away…for me…Leah was unloved but her part in the history of Israel is secure…with her sons from Reuben to Zebulun…she started with pain, she praised through Judah…thanked with an “endowment “ with Zebulun….

It made me think of various Psalms written by David…he started in pain and ended with praise…God changed the direction of his thinking…as He does with ours…leading us to thankfulness and praise of who He is…thank YOU….

Finances…

 Finances….

I heard the other day that schools are reinstating “consumer math” into their curriculum….when it was eliminated years ago, I thought, “what a bad idea!”, but of course no one asked my opinion. We use “consumer math” everyday! 

In the 1970’s, when we were newly married, we had a  lesson on finances by the then popular Larry Burkett and his organization, Christian Financial concepts which later changed to Crown Financial…now we hear more from Dave Ramsey or Ron Blue…

We judiciously studied through the various books, budgeting, and finally teaching and facilitating small groups over time…helping others to get their finances in order or under control…we tried to pass some of that knowledge on to our children to be responsible money managers. Statistics report that in marriage problems and divorce, the cause is 60% due to money management or mismanagement. So it can be a big part of our lives…

The principles taught remain the same from generation to generation and money, it’s use or misuse is addressed in Scriptures a multitude of times…it will continue to play a role in the future…wars are fought over wealth and the love of money….

A few principles we learned over time…

1. You can’t take it (money) with you…

2. For  some, there is never enough…

3. True wealth is …19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  Matthew 6:19-21

4. It all belongs to God…

5. It is a gift…to be stewarded…used wisely…

6. Attitude counts…29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Luke 12:29-31,34.                                           But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. 1 Timothy 6:9-10

7. Waiting may be part of the lesson…Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Psalm 37:7

8. Tithing is key…Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;  Proverbs 3:9.                            

 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.  2 Corinthians 9:6-12

9. Budgeting may be a pain, but it teaches Restraint, self-control….

We made huge mistakes, we didn’t wait at times, we learned, our attitude wasn’t right all the time…we didn’t like budgeting…or reeling in our spending or making a penny by penny accounting of money spent or going out…oh, but the benefits of those lessons were more than I can count…

God comforted, He blessed, He provided, He consoled, He counseled, He loves…thank YOU….

 

Pendleton shirts ….2….

 Pendleton shirts…2…

Shirts again…holding clothing dear… the smell of a person who is gone…there is something comforting about that…our animals know, our souls know…that familiar look or feel or waft …it is hard to part with…and we don’t have to until it feels right and we are at peace with it…

Some families make memory quilts, some make memory teddy bears using scraps from various clothing articles that represent the loved one…or find a good home ….in my family, everything was so usable that I didn’t have to heart to cut things into pieces…we are still wearing those shirts, coats, jeans, jewelry…whatever…and thank those who wore them before…a good memory…

Don’t rush cleaning out the closets…you have to be ready to face it…each person/family has a different timeline….it is cleansing, healing , can bring fun and laughter, anger, tears, many emotions…but it is part of the journey…

Pendleton shirts.......

.

I was sitting church on Sunday behind a man wearing a Pendleton woolen shirt...now, this may not mean much to most, but to our family, Pendleton woolen shirts are big deals.  My father-in-law wore Pendleton shirts, my father wore them and my husband wore them...On our first date, my husband was wearing one,....he wore one when we were released from the hospital  with our first born son...


When we were first married, my husband had a few shirts,  they were less expensive then, but over the years he accumulated more, not wanting to part with his first ones...I even went so far as taking off the collars and turning them over so the threadbare necks wouldn't show...
                         


In college, I had to sew a plaid shirt, so I chose Pendleton fabric to create a shirt for my father...he wore it until it was totally thread bare, finally giving it up to one of his faithful dogs for its bed...but he called it is $12,000 shirt...his payback for college expenses.  


We toured the woolen mills in Pendleton, OR and Washugal, WA., purchasing fabric for shirts, woolen scraps for rugs at one time...I sewed several shirts and made many rugs from their scraps, even teaching classes on their construction...my husband's favorite rug under feet near his recliner was Pendleton wool...my father's favorite lap blanket was as well, constructed by my daughter-in-law...
 

It seemed fitting at the end, that my husband was buried in a Pendleton shirt...I know he didn't need it to keep him warm, but, I needed it for him...those faithful Pendleton shirts....

Those shirts of both my father and husband were divided between sons, sons-in-law and grandsons...they may or may not wear them, but they are memories of people we all loved, their colors, their texture, their smell...their faithful warmth....

Watching the Griefshare videos reminds me of things we hold on to...those pieces of our loved ones...those favorites we look at, handle, cry over...such a part of the past now...but still part of us....sometimes flooding us with memories, other times gentle touches....of times past....they have left their mark on us...

God is faithful..., touching our lives mightily at times, gently at others....He is always there, reminding us of His care, warming our spirits with His infinite love....He doesn't wear out...He never leaves us or forsake us....wrapping us with His protection....He is there from the beginning and will always be there without end....faithful .....

Thank YOU for Your faithfulness, wrapping us like these Pendleton shirts, only much better.....


Psalm 102:26-27 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end. 

Psalm 33:4 For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. 

Psalm 40:11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord; may your love and faithfulness always protect me. 

Psalm 57:10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. 

Psalm 86:11, 15 Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.  
 

 

Identity theft 2…

 

Identity theft…2

As I am re-reading through my “grief book” published in 2016, accumulated grief blogs written starting in 2013…9 years ago….some areas still seem fresh…this in one…

I see around me others who have started this journey…the “who am I now” question…those whose loved ones have left either in death  or other circumstances….those who are left picking up the pieces of life and are moving forward….

Am I still a mother/father when my child has died…

Am I still a wife/husband when my spouse has gone…

Where do I fit in groups …

What/who am I ….

What do I like, really like,  without the compromise of a partner…

What is on my “bucket list”….

In big picture as a believer in Christ, our first and foremost identity is found in Him, but it’s the everyday things that we have to find a place, a purpose, a path again and how that all fits together…where do I fit in the Body of believers, my “vocation”- has it changed, my “purpose/path” has it taken a new direction…

Time, prayer and counsel seem to work that out…it isn’t an easy one…and answers may or may not come  easily …but they do come….and with it peace, if we are seeking God’s will…

For me personally, it was some hard choices, but it brought me closer in my walk with the Lord…who is the perfect guide…and our peace giver…thank YOU….

“Identity  theft...



There are lots of advertisements on TV about various products ito prevent identity theft...but none really hit the mark for losing your identity like big changes in life...all of the sudden the things you felt identified you are gone and you are left standing alone, feeling naked before the world...change can do that…you have to build trust in a new community, sign papers a new way, make decisions differently...



I remember going to the doctor with my mother when she was eighty, for whatever the reason. She saw her description written in the doctor’s notes, "white haired elderly woman"....she was insulted...that wasn't her!  She wasn't elderly! White haired, yes, but elderly?  We halfheartedly laughed....she was an artist, a mother, a wife, sister, a grandmother...those were her own identities...

.

It hit me in the face this weekend, out of the blue....over two rather insignificant items. 

First, for over 40 years, my husband and I were in leadership roles in the churches we were involved...elder, teacher, staff, etc., etc...like the list Paul has in the epistles...and the pastor of the church I am attending, introduced a younger pastor/speaker, saying "he is here checking us out".  Innocuous, but it hit me, "I don't know anything about this and I am not part of the leadership anymore"....and my "identity" shifted...it had already done that…I know...



Then we were talking again in our grief group, about what we want our identity to be....do we want to known as a "griever", broken, downcast,   shrouded by grief ....
Or is grief a chapter of our book, one to be written and going on into a new chapter or identity?

But, what is our overall identity?  What do we want to known by?  

Does a “mantle of praise” cover us or the burial wrappings...a robe of righteousness or unbelief ....
Is our identity stolen with the winds of change or are we stable in the storm....
Questions, I ask everyday...am I identified with the Lover of my soul?  Do I find my identity in the things, events around me?  

Thank YOU for being my identity, that cannot be stolen.   Help me to wear the mantle of praise rather than a shroud of change, grief....not forgetting, but working on that new chapter...of life...thank YOU, also the robe of righteousness, to be given ...not earned  by anything I do, but for who I am in Christ...a believer ..

..


"Shroud” Definition
 dictionary.search.yahoo.com
n. noun


A cloth used to wrap a body for burial; a winding sheet.
Something that conceals, protects, or screens.
under a shroud of fog.
One of a set of ropes or wire cables stretched from the masthead to the sides of a vessel to support the mast.
v. verb
To wrap (a corpse) in burial clothing.
To shut off from sight; screen.
To shelter; protect.

"

Psalm 42:11
Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.



Hebrews 1:12
Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail.”



Isaiah 61:10
I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.“

Simple tasks…

 Simple tasks….

It all started when I wanted one pancake for breakfast…it went downhill from there…

The flax seed spilled, the tiny vac came out to clean, it popped open dumping all of its accumulated dust, next vac came out, then three floor moppings to get the fine dust,…I didn’t know that my floor needed mopped before breakfast or that my tiny vac could hold so much dust…

I finally got my pancake quite awhile after the initial start…

  Those simple tasks which change to multiple jobs in a different direction…

one broken sprinkler head which snaps and requires at least one trip to the hardware store or the whole area dug up to repair a broken pipe…

spilt milk…

one question that leads to whole library search…

a small homemade lunch for a boy, feeding the five thousand…

a lost coin leading to a thorough housecleaning to find it…

making mud out of a handful of dirt, giving sight to a blind person…

a smile to strangers, lightening their day…

An act of kindness to care for the weary…

A cup of water given in Jesus’ name…

A listening ear…

An apology….

Seven dips in a river…

A prayer…

A thank you…

Simple tasks, all, oh, but the ramifications may be large, may change one’s eternity…

Both Nicodemus and the jailer asked a simple question…basically “how can I be saved?”  Simple answer…believe on the Lord Jesus Christ… a simple task/question with long term effects…

Thank YOU….

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:5-7,16

And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Acts 16:29-31

Poem…for the want of a nail…

For the want of a nail, a shoe was lost. 

For the want of a shoe, a horse was lost…

For the want of a horse a rider was lost,

For the want of a rider, a battle was lost,

For the want of a battle a kingdom was lost, 

And All for the want of a horseshoe nail…

At the well…

 At the well…

Over the ages, water wells have been cherished, sought out, fought for, blessed….we need water to survive. We dig for, we seek ways to save it…it feeds our crops, our livestock, us…and the Water of Life feeds our souls….

I just simply looked up “at the well” and these came up…times in the Bible which events took place at a well…each with a lesson, a direction, a provision, an answer from God…with the last one where Jesus declares himself….

 We have that same “well” …where God provides, where He answers prayers, where He speaks to our needs-emotional, physical and spiritual…we can draw from that well…thank YOU…

Up! Lift up the boy, and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. And God was with the boy, and he grew up. He lived in the wilderness and became an expert with the bow. He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt.

Genesis 21:18-21 

And he made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time when women go out to draw water. And he said, “O Lord, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham. Behold, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. Let the young woman to whom I shall say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who shall say, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels’—let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master.” Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, came out with her water jar on her shoulder. The young woman was very attractive in appearance, a maiden whom no man had known. She went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up. Then the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water to drink from your jar.” She said, “Drink, my lord.” And she quickly let down her jar upon her hand and gave him a drink. When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.” So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran again to the well to draw water, and she drew for all his camels. The man gazed at her in silence to learn whether the Lord had prospered his journey or not. When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a half shekel, and two bracelets for her arms weighing ten gold shekels, and said, “Please tell me whose daughter you are. Is there room in your father's house for us to spend the night?” She said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.” She added, “We have plenty of both straw and fodder, and room to spend the night.” The man bowed his head and worshiped the Lord and said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master. As for me, the Lord  has led me in the way to the house of my master's kinsmen.”

Genesis 24:11-27

From there he went up to Beersheba. And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of Abraham your father. Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham's sake.” So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the Lord and pitched his tent there. And there Isaac's servants dug a well.

Genesis 26:23-25 

But they said, “We cannot until all the flocks are gathered together and the stone is rolled from the mouth of the well; then we water the sheep.” While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she was a shepherdess. Now as soon as Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, Jacob came near and rolled the stone from the well's mouth and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother. Then Jacob kissed Rachel and wept aloud. And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's kinsman, and that he was Rebekah's son, and she ran and told her father.

Genesis 29:8-12

And from there they continued to Beer; that is the well of which the Lord said to Moses, “Gather the people together, so that I may give them water.” Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, O well!—Sing to it!— the well that the princes made, that the nobles of the people dug, with the scepter and with their staffs.” And from the wilderness they went on to Mattanah,

Numbers 21:16-18 

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord  God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” 

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

Isaiah 12:2-3 

Jacob's well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” ( For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.” Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.” Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”

John 4:6-26,39-42

Spring up oh well…by Paul Wickham

“I′ve got a river of life flowing out of me

Makes the lame to walk and the blind to see,

Opens prison doors, sets the captives free.

I've got a river of life flowing out of me.

Spring up, O well, within my soul.

Spring up, O well, and make me whole

Spring up, O well, and give to me

That life abundantly”



12 Sons of Jacob….Judah…

 Sons of Jacob…Judah…

Now the sons of Jacob were twelve. The sons of Leah: Reuben (Jacob's firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. The sons of Bilhah, Rachel's servant: Dan and Naphtali. The sons of Zilpah, Leah's servant: Gad and Asher. These were the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Paddan-aram.

Genesis 35:22b-26

“Judah, your brothers shall praise you; 

your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; 

your father's sons shall bow down before you. 

Judah is a lion's cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. 

He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? 

The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. 

Binding his foal to the vine and his donkey's colt to the choice vine, he has washed his garments in wine and his vesture in the blood of grapes. 

His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk.

Genesis 49:8-12 

Judah repented of his wrong doings  with his family…

“Judah =(praised, celebrated ), 

the fourth son of Jacob and the fourth of Leah. (B.C. after 1753.) Of Judahs personal character more traits are preserved than of any other of the patriarchs, with the exception of Joseph, whose life he in conjunction with Reuben saved. ( Genesis 37:26-28 ) During the second visit to Egypt for corn it was Judah who understood to be responsible for the safety of Benjamin, ch. ( Genesis 43:3-10 ) and when, through Josephs artifice, the brothers were brought back to the palace, he is again the leader and spokesman of the band. So too it is Judah who is sent before Jacob to smooth the way for him in the land of Goshen. ch. ( Genesis 46:28 ) This ascendancy over his brethren is reflected in the last words addressed to him by his father. The families of Judah occupy a position among the tribes similar to that which their progenitor had taken among the patriarchs. The numbers of the tribe at the census at Sinai were 74,600. ( Numbers 1:26 Numbers 1:27 ) On the borders of the promised land they were 76,500. ( Genesis 26:22 ) The boundaries and contents of the territory allotted to Judah are narrated at great length, and with greater minuteness than the others, in ( Joshua 15:20-63 ) The north boundary, for the most part coincident with the south boundary of Benjamin, began at the embouchure of the Jordan and ended on the west at Jabneel on the coast of the Mediterranean, four miles south of Joppa. On the east the Dead Sea, and on the west the Mediterranean, formed the boundaries. The southern line is hard to determine, since it is denoted by places many of which have not been identified. It left the Dead Sea at its extreme south end, and joined the Mediterranean at the Wady el-Arish. This territory is in average length about 45 miles, and in average breadth about 50.” From Bible study tools.

The tribe of Judah was the first to set out from camping, followed by the tribes…during the wilderness wanderings…

https://www.israel-a-history-of.com/tribe-of-judah.html

I am realizing that there is sooooo much written about each son of  Jacob….the blessings of each, how their lives went…

Each had their downfalls and each their triumphs…how descendants were taken captive, how they fared in the ensuing generations….how important they were in the history of Israel…one could keep on writing and writing… 

King David came from the line of Judah and hence Jesus was from the same line…just going through the blessing bestowed by Jacob, we find the scepter, the wine, the rule, the lion, the obedience of all peoples…such pictures foretelling Jesus…

It is just breathtaking, awe inspiring how the Word is whole…worthy of praise…and the Word is with us…

Thank YOU….