Upstander. I like this word. Funny how it’s been around for a few years, and it takes a comment at the John Calvin Schools Conference to bring it into the spotlight. But it’s great to meet it, and even better to use it. Upstander: one who stands up for what is true. We know how… Continue reading Upstander
Reading: Genesis 39 This chapter describes the rise and fall of Joseph. By the Lord’s blessing Jacob is made overseer of Potiphar’s house. However, through sinful actions of Potiphar’s wife Joseph lands in jail. But there the same thing happens. Through the Lord’s mercy Joseph becomes the jail’s manager. Clearly, God has given impressive management… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 39
Reading: Genesis 38 Tamar is an ancestor Jesus Christ; her name appears His genealogy in Matthew 1. How does this heathen women get such honour? This is what happened: Judah departs from his brothers, visits a heathen family and marries one of the family’s girls named Shua. This triggers a very sinful and disgraceful chain… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 38
Reading: Genesis 37:1-10 and 23-28 The main thought in this chapter is that God sent Joseph to Egypt so that later he would save his family. In Genesis 36 Moses described the genealogy of Esau, in 37 he returns to the history of Israel. Jacob’s sons were jealous of their younger brother Joseph because… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 37
Reading: Genesis 36:1-8 Genesis 35:29 says that Esau and Jacob buried Isaac. It seems the brothers have peace. Esau decides to move to “a country away from the presence of his brother Jacob” (vs 6). This was guided by the secret providence of God. Esau did not want to serve the Lord. Furthermore God has… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 36
Reading: Genesis 35:1-15 God has chosen Jacob’s family to build his church. Jacob’s family does not only receive God’s blessings; his family must also obey God and struggle to be a holy family. In the previous chapter we learned that Jacob’s family have fallen from holiness. They live too close to the people of Shechem;… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 35
Reading: Genesis 34 In chapter 33 we saw that the church had settled in the Promised Land. But before long it was attacked, from inside and outside. First Dinah seeks out the company of unbelievers and is violated by a young man. This is followed by an invitation for intermarriage between Jacob’s sons and the… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 34
Reading: Genesis 33 Jacob has learned humility and dependence. He still has some fear for Esau who before had decided to kill Jacob. But Jacob knows he should make peace with his brother. In faith he goes to meet him. He is very humble to Esau and is reconciled with him. Why is Esau kind… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 33
Reading: Genesis 32:1-12 and 22-32 Jacob’s trip to Canaan is very dramatic. He meets angels, he fears Esau who is coming; Jacob prays fervently, wrestles with God and becomes lame. What is happening? Jacob is sinful. Instead of trusting the Lord, he always takes control of his own life, even using deception. Instead of… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 32
Reading: Genesis 31:1-3, 17-24. Jacob’s family (the church at that time) has grown. But it faces dangers. Jacob was in Padan Aran for over 14 years and is very wealthy. It is appealing to stay. But living in a heathen environment is dangerous; Laban’s family, including Rachel, serve idols (vs 30). Soon the church will… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 31
Reading: Genesis 29:15-30 and 30:17-24 In the story about Laban, Jacob, Lea and Rachel we can lose all confidence in people. There is deceit, fighting and jealousy, which eventually results in Jacob’s departure from Laban. It is a very sorry picture, especially because Jacob’s family is the church. How weak is their faith. Can the… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 29 and 30
Reading: Genesis 28:1-5 and 10-17 Esau threatens to kill Jacob; the future of the church, represented by Jacob, is in danger. So Jacob is sent away. He feels very uneasy. His deception is so sinful. Is his father’s blessing, received through deception, really for him? Should he first make peace with his father? Can he… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 28
Reading: Genesis 27:1-29 Here Moses describes events which do not seem very useful. In summary we learn that Isaac commands Esau, his first born son, to hunt a wild animal, provide a meal and receive the first-born blessing. However, Rebecca and Jacob deceive Isaac to bless Jacob instead. It even seems like child’s play for… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 27
Reading: Genesis 26:1-5 God blessed Isaac with the same covenant promises as Abraham. However Isaac had a very unsettled and troubled life. He suffered famine; had conflict with the Philistines about the wells, had to move from place to place. He was a stranger in the Promised Land. Esau married heathen wives which grieved Isaac… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 26
Reading: Genesis 25:12-34 Moses here records the genealogies of Ismael and Isaac. However, God gathers his church in Isaac’s generations. Therefore the focus is on Isaac and his family. Ishmael, Isaac’s half-brother, has twelve sons. The Lord had earlier promised to make Ishmael a great nation. God had also promised that Isaac would… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 25:12-24
In my first article with Synod Reflections, I already mentioned a few things about relationships with sister churches and contact churches. There I discussed the argument of geographical distance, which has been used in the past as a reason not to enter in a sister church relationship with church federations in other parts of the… Continue reading Synod Reflections (3): Inter Church Relations
Reading: Genesis 25:1-11 Abraham dies when he was 175 years old. When God made His covenant He promised that Abraham would be the father of many nations (Gen 12) and kings; the land of Canaan would be an everlasting possession (Gen 17). Other blessings were also promised. However, Abraham did not receive all these blessings… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 25:1-11
Reading: Genesis 24:1-9 and 59-67. At first reading this story seems like fairy tale with a happy ending. But it runs much deeper than that. The fundamental message is that the Lord provides a solid foundation for the church. It is time for Isaac to marry. Abraham does not want him to marry a Canaanite… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 24
Reading: Genesis 23 Sarah is 127 years old and the Lord takes her away. Abraham mourns and weeps. His long time wife and close companion leaves a big empty place in his life. Death is a sad reality. However, Sarah and Abraham did not despair thinking about death. Indeed they prepared for it. Hebrews 11:13… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 23
Reading: Genesis 22 God says in Genesis 15:1 “Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” Does Abraham really believe and trust in God? God decides to test Abraham’s faith. God commands Abraham to sacrifice Isaac; it is an extremely severe test. Abraham loves and trusts God; but he also loves Isaac. Furthermore… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 22
