No, this is not the line-up on PBS tonight. It is what we are reading in the Robert Morris Cheyne Bible in a year plan. See calender below and join in.
Today we got to the end of two books, Matthew and Acts. In Matthew we hear Christ giving the disciples the great commission. The end of Acts we witness Paul completing the great commission, reaching Rome and from there the Gospel would spread throughout the known world. Esther continues to work "the plan" and Jacob works 14 years to marry and "know" the woman he loves.
The Jacob story is what I want to highlight today. As the chapter comes to a close, we see the result of Jacob's union with Leah. She gives birth to Ruben (Jacob "see a son"), Simeon (The Lord has "heard" my hearts cry that Jacob hates me), Levi (Jacob will be "attached" love to me), and Judah (I will "praise" the Lord). All this happened even though Jacob's feelings for his wife did not change. The world outside the Jacob family must have thought things were great! They had lots of kids, they were well connected and they were doing well financially. Yet we know that was not true, Leah still questioned Jacob's love for her. What a hard place to be. Providing her husband with the most treasured thing, boys to carry on the family name, and to still question his love.
Sometimes, I live the life of Leah. I think God loves others more than He loves me. They have bigger homes, more resources, a wife and children. So I attempt to give God more. More time in prayer, more time reading the Bible, more free time "doing" ministry, and more time living by the Law. Hoping I will get more of what I WANT from him. Often, I am left disappointed.
At the end of the chapter we read that after Leah gave birth to Judah, she was finally continent to praise God and she stopped hoping to find love from Jacob. At that point, it seems that God not longer needed to show love for Leah through a open womb and closed it. Father, please continue to soften my heart so I can praise You not for what You provide, but that You DO provide. Help me rejoice in the fact your care is not dependent on what I bring, but what you do.
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