Home thoughts from abroad.wordpress.com

Benjamin is a ravenous wolf;
    in the morning he devours the prey,
    in the evening he divides the plunder.”

All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them, giving each the blessing appropriate to him.

With the final words about Benjamin, perhaps referring to the military exploits of this tribe (remember Saul was from Benjamin), we can surely see how different the brothers were. They differed in character/personality. They had different destinies. We are not all the same. As John Stott once wrote, we are not to imagine that we have been ‘mass produced in some celestial factory.’ A key to on-going harmony in the church is to understand and respect these differences, and to be grateful for them. We are not all ‘eyes’ or ‘hands’ or ‘feet’, but together we form one body. Everyone of us needs everyone else.

It has been argued (I think by Calvin) that the knowledge of God is the route to self-knowledge. The more we grow in His knowledge, the more likely it is that we will understand who we are, and what it is we are called to do in the world.

God knows us by name. He treats as individuals. He has the personal touch.

As a hymn says, ‘There’s a work for Jesus none but you can do.’

Joseph is a fruitful vine,
a fruitful vine near a spring,
whose branches climb over a wall.
With bitterness archers attacked him;
they shot at him with hostility.
But his bow remained steady,
his strong arms stayed limber,
because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob,
because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,
because of your father’s God, who helps you,
because of the Almighty, who blesses you
with blessings of the skies above,
blessings of the deep springs below,
blessings of the breast and womb.
Your father’s blessings are greater
than the blessings of the ancient mountains,
than the bounty of the age-old hills.
Let all these rest on the head of Joseph,
on the brow of the prince among his brothers.

A few summer’s ago we had a bumper crop of apples on our trees. They are planted next to a wall, and some of the branches, and the fruit, were obviously hanging over it. We heard that our neighbour had commented, ‘I wonder what Steve and Jilly are doing with all those apples.’ We were very glad to share them with him! But it made me think, ‘Oh that the neighbours may see abundant spiritual fruit in our lives and want some of it.’ I’d like to have the fruit of the Spirit go ‘over the wall’.

This is a beautiful summary of Joseph’s life. It does seem that those who suffer the most often bear the most fruit. He certainly came through a lot, but his fruitfulness was fed by a “spring”. It was God (Jacob’s God, who was also Joseph’s God) who was his source. Look at the repetition of the word “because.” It is found four times in verses 24b and 25a. If the ‘effect’ was a fruitful life, God was the ‘cause’, not Joseph. He was truly a blessed man.

PRAYER: Lord, I pray that people around me will see the evidence of your work in my life and want you.

Naphtali is a doe set free
that bears beautiful fawns.

A year or two ago, while browsing at a charity stall, I paid a small amount of money to buy an old Methodist hymnal. But the truth is, it is priceless. It is such a treasure. You can still be ‘burned’ by the fires of revival, glowing through these old words. My copy dates back to 1933, and, according to a handwritten note inside the cover, it was presented ‘to the Methodist Society at Melmerby’ in 1934.

This morning I ‘just happened’ to read this opening paragraph of the preface:

‘Methodism was born in song. Charles Wesley wrote the first hymns of the Evangelical Revival during the great Whitsuntide of 1738 when his brother and he were “filled with the Spirit,” and from that time onwards the Methodists have never ceased to sing. Their characteristic poet is still Charles Wesley. While for half a century hymns poured continually from his pen on almost every subject within the compass of Christianity, and while no part of the New Testament escaped him, most of all he sang the “gospel according to St.Paul.” He is the poet of the Evangelical faith. By consequence Methodism has always been able to sing its creed.’

Here are some of the most famous words Wesley ever wrote:

‘My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.’

I made a mental connection with this great hymn and Genesis 49:21. How wonderful it is to be ‘set free’!

Apparently this verse in Genesis can be rendered:

“Naphtali is a doe set free he utters beautiful words”

That was Charles Wesley don’t you think? Liberated by Christ, he expressed his faith in excellent, lovely language, and the church at large has been the beneficiary. ‘He is the poet of the Evangelical faith.’

‘The image of “a hind (doe) let loose” suggests a free-spirited people, not bound to tradition. The tribe was located in the hill country. So this image was chosen wisely…The last clause – “he gives goodly (beautiful) words” (NKJV) – suggests they were a poetic people who could express themselves well. Possessing the abilities to run like does and speak beautiful words, the people of Naphtali would make ideal messengers.’ Warren W. Wiersbe: ‘Old Testament Commentary’, p.138.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for setting me free from sin, death and the devil. In my glorious liberty, may I ‘give birth’ to beautiful things that will bless others.

Asher’s food will be rich;
he will provide delicacies fit for a king.

‘The name means “blessed” or “happy” (30:13). Since the tribe of Asher weren’t able to drive out the inhabitants of their territory (Judg.1:31-32), they settled down to be an agricultural people, taking advantage of the fertile land God gave them (Josh.19:24-30). Moses said that Asher was “most blessed,” referring to its wealth of olive oil and the security of its cities (Deut.33:24-25). Indeed, Asher’s food was rich, and the tribe even provided special delicacies “fit for a king.” ‘ Warren W.Wiersbe: ‘Old Testament Commentary’, p.138.

In one sense, I think we could say Asher failed (and aren’t we all failures?) But this did not stop God blessing them and using them.

I believe that whatever God has blessed us with, we are to share; not selfishly hold it to ourselves. In our walk with God, if we are listening, He will tell us just how to share it with others. Maybe I can say we are not meant to be containers but channels:

“…what I do have I give you” (1 Peter 3:6);

“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you…” (1 Corinthians 11:23).

Dan will provide justice for his people
as one of the tribes of Israel.
Dan will be a snake by the roadside,
a viper along the path,
that bites the horse’s heels
so that its rider tumbles backward.

I look for your deliverance, Lord.

Gad will be attacked by a band of raiders,
but he will attack them at their heels.

It is interesting to note Jacob’s short prayer for deliverance coming between the two prophecies re Dan and Gad. Both these prophetic words relate to the two tribes fighting: Dan doing the subtle, serpent-like attacking; Gad responding to being attacked by fighting back. The positioning of the prayer in the middle made me think how we have to pray for deliverance, but we also have to work for it. We have our part to play in the battle. ‘Faith without works is dead.’ Someone said, ‘Pray like it all depends on God, and work like it all depends on you.’

This is not to condone certain of the descendants of Dan who would act treacherously – something alluded to here. But I’m sure you can see the general point I’m trying to make.

Jacob’s prayer, coming in the middle of his blessing and prophesying, reminds me of Nehemiah’s ‘arrow’ prayers: short, sharp requests shot up in the midst of life’s trials, needs and crises. Jacob’s prayer was uttered on his death bed. Maybe it was a prayer for strength to continue until he had completed the full series of prophecies. Or maybe he was saying something like, ‘I look for the full experience of your salvation which is shortly to come to me when I die.’ Whatever, we note the wonderful prospect of living (and dying) like this, punctuating all our days with prayer to God.

PRAYER: Lord, teach us to pray without ceasing.

Issachar is a rawboned donkey
lying down among the sheep pens.
When he sees how good is his resting place
and how pleasant is his land,
he will bend his shoulder to the burden
and submit to forced labor.

Cyril Rollinson was one of the finest men I’ve known. He was an elder and church secretary at ‘Bridge Street’ in Leeds. He’d been a works manager, but in his retirement he largely devoted his time and talents to serving the local church. When I knew him he was a widower, but I understand his wife had sometimes joked that he ‘should take his bed down there!”(i.e. to the church building. He spent so much time working in it and on it). It seems to me he was pretty much a full time worker, but in a voluntary capacity. When someone commented on how much he did to serve the church, his answer was, ‘I’ve got a good Master!’ He loved the Lord who had saved him. That much was evident. He didn’t just work to fill his time. His service was the overflow of a loving, thankful heart. The offering of Cyril’s life laid down was, I am convinced ‘in view of God’s mercy’ (Rom.12:1).

Can you see why I thought about him as I considered these words about Issachar? When you experience the generosity of God – His lavish goodness – it surely makes you want to serve Him with all your heart.

Somebody said, ‘You can trust the Man who died for you.’ We need not fear to be fully devoted to the One who loves us so much, He gave us life for us. Don’t be afraid of full devotion to Jesus. Don’t hang on to your life. Climb on to the ‘altar’ as a ‘living sacrifice, and prove that God’s will is ‘good, pleasing and perfect’ (See Romans 12:1,2)

Zebulun will live by the seashore
and become a haven for ships;
his border will extend toward Sidon.

“The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance”(Psalm 16:6).

At the end of this piece I will add a couple of comments from others, but here’s what struck me as I reflected on today’s verse. I thought how peaceful and welcoming this sounds (and maybe a little unspectacular) compared to the turbulence of the language found elsewhere in this chapter. I also recognise it’s important to be where God puts you.

I heard a preacher say that the best place to be is wherever the Lord sets you down.

I have spent around three-quarters of my ministry in a small country town in West Yorkshire. I didn’t move here because I thought it would be a nice place to live. It undoubtedly is. I cannot say otherwise. But I’m as clear as I can be on this – I came to Boston Spa because of God’s call; it was not down to personal choice. However, I’ve often thought that the words of Psalm 16:6 are relevant to the place of my calling.

Wherever I may live, I want my home and my life to be “a haven”. This word “haven” is a generous word; a giving word, a welcoming and hospitable word. It’s a word that speaks of shelter and security. If you’re providing haven, you are giving to others; you’re looking out towards the needs of others. Wherever God calls us to live, it is there He also calls us to serve. Life’s seas are often stormy; its waves are frequently raging. Even when the waters are calm, there are many toiling mariners out there who need places to come for refreshment. May God bless us that we may be a blessing to many.

“Zebulun would live by the seashore. The territory in Canaan allotted to the descendants of Zebulun was slightly inland; it is not known when or for how long they lived “by the seashore.” The blessing implies that they too would be prosperous; it is written that they would feast on the abundance of the seas (Deuteronomy 33:19).’ Tom Hale: ‘The Applied Old Testament Commentary’, p.201.

‘While not directly on the Mediterranean coast, the tribe of Zebulun was assigned land close enough to the sea to make the transport of goods profitable for the people. Zebulun was located on an important route that carried merchandise from the coast to the Sea of Galilee and to Damascus…For the most part, the Jews weren’t a seafaring people, but the tribe of Zebulun did business with the Phoenicians east of them and provided imported goods to the people west of them.’ Warren W. Wiersbe: ‘Old Testament Commentary’, p.137.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank you for the strong conviction that I am where I am right now because you want me here. I pray that the place where I live will be the place where I give. Make my life, my home, my ministry a ‘haven’ for others.

“Judah, your brothers will praise you;
your hand will be on the neck of your enemies;
your father’s sons will bow down to you.
9 You are a lion’s cub, Judah;
you return from the prey, my son.
Like a lion he crouches and lies down,
like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?
10 The sceptre will not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
until he to whom it belongs shall come
and the obedience of the nations shall be his.
11 He will tether his donkey to a vine,
his colt to the choicest branch;
he will wash his garments in wine,
his robes in the blood of grapes.
12 His eyes will be darker than wine,
his teeth whiter than milk.

This is one of many remarkable Old Testament prophecies of the coming of the Messiah. For people like ourselves, reading these words centuries later, it is almost impossible not to see Jesus in them. The royal line was to come from Judah, and ultimately one of those Kings would be the Messiah.

‘Judah was a conquering tribe and a ruling tribe, and it stayed faithful to the Davidic line when the nation divided.’ Warren W, Wiersbe: ‘Old Testament Commentary’, p.137

‘Judah’s name signifies praise. God was praised for him, chap. 29:35 , praised by him, and praised in him; therefore his brethren shall praise him. Judah should be a strong and courageous tribe. Judah is compared, not to a lion raging and ranging, but to a lion enjoying the satisfaction of his power and success, without creating vexation to others; this is to be truly great. Judah should be the royal tribe, the tribe from which Messiah the Prince should come. Shiloh, that promised Seed in whom the earth should be blessed, “that peaceable and prosperous One,” or “Saviour,” he shall come of Judah. Thus dying Jacob at a great distance saw Christ’s day, and it was his comfort and support on his death-bed…
Much which is here said concerning Judah, is to be applied to our Lord Jesus. In him there is plenty of all which is nourishing and refreshing to the soul, and which maintains and cheers the Divine life in it. He is the true Vine; wine is the appointed symbol of his blood, which is drink indeed, as shed for sinners, and applied in faith; and all the blessings of his gospel are wine and milk, without money and without price, to which every thirsty soul is welcome. Isa. 55:1 .’ Matthew Henry.

‘The description in verses 11-12 certainly goes beyond Judah’s time and speaks of the blessings of the kingdom age when the Messiah shall reign over Israel. Nobody in Old Testament times would use a choice vine for a hitching post for his donkey, because such an act would certainly ruin the vine and probably cause the loss of the animal. Nor would the man’s wife waste their precious wine by washing clothes in it! This is the language of hyperbole. It describes a land so wealthy and a people so prosperous that they can do these outrageous things and not have to worry about the consequences. During the Kingdom Age, when the Messiah reigns, people will enjoy health and beauty (v.12), because the devastating enemies of human life will have been removed.’ W.W.Wiersbe.

Let us marvel again at the wonder of Biblical prophecy – and praise our Lord Jesus.

“Simeon and Levi are brothers—
their swords are weapons of violence.
6 Let me not enter their council,
let me not join their assembly,
for they have killed men in their anger
and hamstrung oxen as they pleased.
7 Cursed be their anger, so fierce,
and their fury, so cruel!
I will scatter them in Jacob
and disperse them in Israel.

‘Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”’ (1 Corinthians 15:33).

It is generally true to say we need to get close to people to influence them, to be witnesses by life and by lip. But there are exceptions. Sometimes wisdom dictates: ‘Keep your distance.’ Certain people are carriers of an especially deadly moral virus and we need to put ‘space’ between us and them. For example, someone who has been to rehab, and got off drugs, may well find it necessary to not hang out with her old buddies, who are taking or dealing in drugs. Can a recovering alcoholic risk spending large amounts of time with his former drinking friends? There are situations where you have to put distance between yourself and the conduct and influence of certain other people. It’s a judgment call, but I believe the Holy Spirit will enable us to make wise decisions as we keep in step with Him.

It must have been heart-breaking for Jacob to have to distance himself from two of his sons. In this case he wanted nothing to do with their actions in slaughtering the Shechemites (Gen.34:25-31).

‘Since it was dangerous to be “in their assembly,” God arranged that the two tribes would not be able to assemble or do anything together. The tribe of Simeon was eventually absorbed into the tribe of Judah (Joshua 19:1,9), and the tribe of Levi was given fourty-eight towns to live in, scattered throughout the land (chap.21). Indeed, the brothers were “divided in Jacob and scattered in Israel.” Warren W. Wiersbe: Old Testament Commentary, p.137. Wiersbe also points out that their mistreatment of animals (6b) shows how cruel the brothers were. These dumb-creatures were not in any way responsible for what had happened to their sister. ‘God has a special concern for animals, and we’d better be careful how we treat them. (See Lev.22:26-28; Deut.22:6-7; Ps.36:6; 104:10-30; Jonah 4:11.)’