Fan, On the Sideline, In the Game

Posted on September 12, 2008 by Henry Neufeld

1As he was going along he saw a man who had been blind from birth. 2His disciples asked, “Rabbi, who sinned? Was it this man or his parents to make him be born blind?” — John 9:1-2

(This is Henry again, in case you can’t tell!)

I read a remark today in one of many articles I glanced through, though I can’t remember where it was. The writer noted that we tend to debate most issues at the moral level, but not to live them out at the practical level. The disciples in our text today provide a prime example. Here’s a blind man, and to them he’s a theological question!

This can happen in several ways. Sometimes we debate what we ought to do and then forget to actually do it. For example, we might discuss the persecution of Christians right now in Orissa state in India, determine that someone ought to do something, but then we go on and forget even to pray. Right now I’m not sure what specific can be done. While I find that the British Methodist Church has called for prayer for these Christians, for example, I see no action by the national United Methodist agencies such as UMCOR.

There are so many issues like this, such as spiritual gifts and empowering our church members to leadership. It’s easy to sit around and discuss it, note what should happen, and then go on feeling pretty good about ourselves because we’re on the side of the angels. But it may be more that we’re on the angels’ sideline, or even in the stands.

As someone who is definitely a spectator and sports events and never a player, except for a few disastrous occasions, I can tell you there’s a big difference between being in the stands and on the field. Last season, as the Pensacola Pelicans had various difficulties during games, the fans always had a solution. They could make their team a winner—just follow their advice.

Never mind that their solutions were often dreadfully wrong, based on a perception of plays that was passed down a row of people who weren’t actually watching the game. Those fans had baseball down to a science. If the coaches and players would just listen to them, they would have known when to swing and when not to, which pitch to use at which moment, when to run and when to stay near the base, and exactly where the outfielders should be to catch every ball. I’ll give you a hint on this last one. The fans always would have been right where the ball happened to arrive. Missing the catch was adequate evidence that the player was out to lunch for the play!

In our churches and in Christian living we have the opportunity to be fans or to be on the team. Unlike baseball, the Christian roster isn’t limited. If you think you know how to do it, you can get right out there and do it. If your current church congregation won’t let you, find another one. Just make sure you’re not shopping for churches as you would for easy chairs—looking at the one that makes it easiest to get comfortable. Look for the place where you can serve.

It’s easy to solve the problems of the church over dinner. You don’t actually have to run a church while you’re at it. It’s easy to solve other people’s problems—you don’t have them! It’s easy to know what a leader should do—you don’t have to take responsibility for the results.

My point here is not to beat up on our talking and arguing. Those of you who know me are well aware that I’d be throwing stones from a glass house on that point! What I’m suggesting is that we each look at the human side of what we argue and do something about the issues. Get involved. Get active. Make a difference.

It may be that you are there mostly to spread the word, as I do when I write or speak. You may be called to a church committee, God forbid! You may just be called upon to say a prayer, or make a call to a discouraged pastor and speak an encouraging word. In fact, as I write this, I feel called to write an e-mail to someone I know who may need encouragement this morning.

What are you called to do? Are you a fan? Are you on the sidelines? Or are you in the game?

Posted in Bible Books, Devotional, John | Comments Off on Fan, On the Sideline, In the Game

Jesus’ Passion

Posted on September 11, 2008 by Jody Neufeld

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13 (NIV)

I hope that everyone who is reading this has seen The Passion of the Christ movie. My son, James, bought that DVD near the end of his life so I actually have it in my movie library. As I watched the movie in the theatre the first time (with my box of Kleenex) I was pierced through the heart with the knowledge, even as a glimpse, of how much God loves me. I said to my husband that night, “I do not need to see that movie again. Once was enough.” I was right and wrong. I have not watched the movie again. I have needed to recall some vivid scenes. I have needed to remember how much God loves me. I am bought near by the blood of the Messiah.

The atonement – the reconciliation – of God to His children was not achieved by some clean, sterile, and emotionless ritual. The atonement was messy by physical standards. I was emotional – filled with emotion even! It was about LOVE – extravagant, no-holding-back LOVE!!! It was the Messiah, the Savior, giving all that He had physically and emotionally to rescue and restore the one of His heart!

Here is one of those God Mysteries I cannot comprehend: Jesus died – was the atoning sacrifice of all mankind. He did it once for all. BUT – Jesus also went to the cross, took the lashes, carried the cross and then laid down on it, was nailed to it, hung there, gave His last drop of blood with His eyes … on me. God-in-the-flesh, Jesus, sees the all – and sees me. The Passion of the Christ, Jesus’ love for ___________________. (Go ahead. Put your name there. It is the truth.)

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God’s Love — for me

Posted on September 10, 2008 by Jody Neufeld

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Matthew 26:26-29 (NIV)

From Adam, we have chosen sin over God. Sin separates us from a holy and sinless God. He cannot remain holy, He cannot remain just and let us ‘off the hook’. There had to be an innocent volunteer that would die physically and spiritually to take man’s judgment. Only God’s Son, God-in-the-flesh, would be perfect enough. The rest of us have “sinned and fallen short.”

Jesus is not a son but the Son of God. Jesus had no beginning just as God had no beginning. It is one of those mysteries that my finite mind cannot wrap itself around: Three Person in One God. Jesus came in total humility. Born in a stable, raised in a village of no account, and surrounding Himself with uneducated, poor disciples, Jesus came – to die. satan trembled that night in Bethlehem. He knew that his victory over mankind was threatened. From Herod’s laughter of the innocent babies to the cross, satan tried to derail Jesus’ mission. Yet Jesus never wavered and He never sinned. He taught. He served. He spoke. He listened. He walked toward His destiny with the peace of purpose that comes when we walk in the center of God’s will. Jesus said He laid down His life. He showed me that there is always a choice. I believe that is the ultimate piece that makes the sacrifice perfect – choosing to do it. It was not the nails that held Jesus to the cross. I t was His love for me – for you.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8 (NIV)

The suffering of Christ was not in the scourging and the cross. Men before Him and after have experienced such a death. It was the spiritual suffering of taking the TOTAL sins of all mankind. He who was sinless – became sin – losing all sense of the Father’s presence that He had always known. In that hour – alone – “My God, why have You forsaken me?” There is no way for me to know, comprehend, the value of that sacrifice. Jesus did not need that sacrifice for Himself. He only did it for me. He only did it for you.

Only in the cross can sin be atoned. Only in the cross can there be forgiveness for my sin. Only in the cross can I begin to see God’s extravagant love. Only in the cross is there salvation, eternal life.

Posted in Matthew, Romans | Comments Off on God’s Love — for me

Forgiveness — TODAY

Posted on September 9, 2008 by Jody Neufeld

[Jesus said,]“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)

As I read Henry’s devotion yesterday, I was drawn to the word ‘forgiveness’. That is a Grown-up Christian concept. It is one of the points that my pastor brought before me this past Sunday. He has been strongly preaching and exhorting us to “GROW UP!” and one of those ways is to deal with Jesus’ words from Matthew 18:15-17. If a brother or sister sins against me, then talk to him/her about it. If the person does not acknowledge the sin, then take another sister/brother and go to them as a witness. If that doesn’t work – bring it to the church. If that doesn’t work, treat him as a pagan. Sounds pretty harsh! Let’s look at this a step at a time.

How does another Christian ‘sin’ against you? Anybody every lied or gossiped about you? Anyone used their influence to prevent you from doing your job? Answering your call? Ouch. I bet some memory has come to mind!

Next comes the resolution part. That’s difficult. In Matthew 6 Jesus says we are to forgive if we desire to be forgiven. I certainly have plenty that needs forgiveness! Jesus said in Matthew 17 that if someone sins I should help them to come back to the path of forgiveness! BUT – and that’s a key part – the person may not want to acknowledge their sin and so not ‘need’ the forgiveness. Where does that leave me and forgiveness?

Sunday morning, as my pastor spoke, I immediately had the image of someone who has recently sinned against me. Yes, this person had sinned. My husband could testify to the fact. However, as I bowed my head and knew that the Holy Spirit was asking me to extend forgiveness to this person I also knew that this person did not see their act as a sin. That lack of knowledge on their part did not preclude me from being obedient and, from my heart, give the forgiveness. Now I don’t know all that happened at that moment. I am, after all, not able to understand all that is God. I just know that a ‘heaviness’ that has weighed me down for some weeks – left me. I walked out of that service lighter and whole in my spirit. As for the rest of the reconciliation, that is for God to direct. I have not felt God’s direction to go to this person yet. I do not have peace about doing that. So I will wait and pray.

Forgiveness is a powerful weapon against satan who prowls about. Forgiveness is birthed from love. God’s love. The ‘bad guys’ of this world hate that! It comes forth through no power of my own, just a choice to allow God to work within me.

If during this devotion, an image comes; a need to forgive, do not let the moment past. Allow God to speak to you and tell you His next step. Follow Him. You will be glad you did!

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On Being Strong

Posted on September 8, 2008 by Henry Neufeld

1Receive into your circle of fellowship one who is weak in faith. And don’t do it to dissect his viewpoint. 2For one person believes he can eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. — Romans 14:1-2

(This is Henry, writing for Jody. We had grandchildren last week and took an unintended vacation from devotionals. We’re back!)

Last November I used this text in a devotional, and titled it being weak. I started with this:

I have had a lot of fun with this text. You see, I’m a vegetarian, out of preference, not out of religious conviction, yet I love to read verse 2, and see people react. It’s always good for a laugh.

Part of the laugh is because they know I’m a vegetarian, but the other part of it is because I’m identifying myself, even in jest, as weak in faith, or perhaps just weak. Somehow we have the feeling that this is not the way to do it. I’m supposed to be doing the receiving into my circle, and some other, unidentified brother or sister is the weak one. Calling oneself weak sounds like a sort of self-deprecating humor.

And then I asked this question:

Why is it that we always identify ourselves with the strong ones?

But today I want you to identify with the strong in the faith. Why is that? First, it’s good for us to recognize our own growth in discipleship. Second, it is those who see themselves as strong in the faith who generally feel called to help those who are weak—to disciple them.

In one church there was a major controversy that included questions about who was actually saved and who was close to God. There was a group of people who had been in church for a long time, and had regarded themselves as Christian leaders. As others criticized them for aspects of their beliefs and actions, they reacted as people who were weak. They questioned their own faith, their own relationship with Jesus, and their standing as leaders.

Can you guess what followed? One would hope that they chose to reform where necessary, reaffirm the truth where they knew it to be the truth, and generally behave as leaders. Leaders need to recognize what is wrong, even in themselves, and be willing to make the hard choices that will let them, and those they lead, move forward.

What actually happened was that they began to resent the people who had made them question. Think about this for a moment. When someone corrects you, and you agree with their correction, you can make changes and go on. No room for resentment! On the other hand, if someone corrects you and you are certain they are wrong, you don’t change and you go on. If someone corrects you, and you feel threatened, but you don’t take action to fix the situation, resentment is the most likely result. You react negatively to the person who made you feel weak and uncertain.

Often as strong Christians—and I think everyone will have some strength—we react to those weaker in the faith in just that way. We criticize, condemn, become cynical, and eventually back out. Then we get to spend the next days, weeks, months, years, and even the rest of our lives resenting what those losers did to us.

But if you’re a leader, if you are strong in the faith, who do you have to blame? Have you taken action to resolve the situation? Is your position clear? Did you present it politely but firmly? Have you taken every step you should to accommodate your weaker brethren? Have you considered what they need to grow?

Caring for the “least of these” (Matthew 25:31-46) applies not just to weak in physical resources. It includes those who are young and weak in the faith.

Posted in Bible Books, Devotional, Lectionary, Romans | Comments Off on On Being Strong

Because You Say So

Posted on August 29, 2008 by Henry Neufeld

5Simon answered him, “Master, we worked hard all night and didn’t catch anything. But at your word I will lower the nets.” 6When they had done this they caught a whole bunch of fish, so many that the nets started to tear. 7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come help them, and they came and they filled both boats till they almost sank. — Luke 5:5-7

(I’m still filling in for Jody who has had to work some serious overtime this week.)

What does it take to get you to do what God has told you to do? I know that for me, it is often not all that easy!

Please lay aside all those questions about knowing what God has told you. They are very good questions, but I’m not talking about those. I’m talking about the moments went you know what God wants you to do, but find it hard to actually go and do it. I’ve actually found that I’m not in doubt as much as I’d like to pretend I am. I know, but the doing is hard.

We like to beat up on Peter. He’s impetuous. He opens his mouth only to exchange feet, or so it seems to us. We remember the denials, coming right after his claim that he would never deny Jesus. But there is also his confession (Matthew 16:13-20), and then there is this little story.

He’s been fishing all night. He’s tired. To be quite honest, he doesn’t believe that they are going to catch anything. He’s thinking how Jesus is a carpenter, a preacher, and he he hopes he’ll become a king, but he’s not a fisherman. How can he know where to fish? Besides, we have the evidence right there. He’s calling for fish right here at the shore when there’s all this noise and disturbance. If we didn’t catch them at night, out on the lake, when we were supposed to catch them, how can we expect them now?

Then Peter does something I can relate to. He decides this is something he has to do whether he likes it or not. He doesn’t pretend that it’s a good idea. He doesn’t pretend that he’s suddenly found a load of rational reasons why this is a good course of action. He simply says, “At your word I will lower the nets.”

“Because you say so.”

I’m guessing all of us remember being annoyed when our parents would say, “Because I say so,” as the reason we were to do something. It gets us right in the middle of the independent streak. We don’t understand but we have to do it anyhow.

Peter doesn’t understand, but because Jesus tells him to, he’s going to do it. “It’s a waste of time Jesus, but at your word, I’ll do it.”

There’s a question for all of us right there. Are you willing to act at his word? Are you willing to do something just because he says so, even if you don’t like it or it doesn’t make sense to you?

On this occasion, that resulted in a couple of boatloads of fish. On Pentecost, it resulted in 3,000 souls—the other kind of fish!

What might the result be in your life?

Posted in Bible Books, Devotional, Luke | Comments Off on Because You Say So

Nobody Wise as You!

Posted on August 28, 2008 by Henry Neufeld

38So Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can anyone find a man like this, in whom is the spirit of God?”

39To Joseph Pharaoh said, “Since God has shown you all of this, there is nobody as wise and knowledgeable as you. 40You will be in charge of my household and all my people will be ruled at your word. Only with regard to the throne itself will I be greater than you.” — Genesis 41:38-40

(This is Henry again, writing for Jody. Her work required a late night and early morning!)

Have you ever had someone tell you that you were very wise, and that they expected to hear good advice from you? Do you suppose it would be nice?

I have had this happen to me, and I find it quite terrifying. I might say something that I think is off the cuff and someone else thinks it’s a gem of wisdom. Provided they’re using their own God-given discernment, and testing everything, there is no reason to be terrified. If they’re not, of course, they need to be pointed to God, the source of all wisdom.

It’s not that any one of us can’t express wisdom or give good advice. It’s just that most of us also give bad advice, and of course we don’t want our friends to be following our bad advice. Nonetheless, iron is to sharpen iron (Proverbs 27:17), so we have to leave it in God’s hands and rebuke that terror that says someone else is going to follow our advice straight to perdition!

I was thinking about it just this morning as I had a decision to make and felt distinctly empty of wisdom. It occurred to me that I had advised other people in similar circumstances, but now I couldn’t come to a decision myself.

That’s when I remembered the story of Joseph that I’ve been reading recently. I find the stories of the Bible so helpful. We can learn from both the triumphs and the mistakes. Joseph stands before Pharaoh, still a prisoner. His life has gone downhill from favored son, to slave, and finally into the dungeon.

I think he may have had second thoughts about some of his decisions along the way. Perhaps he wished he had never told those dreams. Maybe he should have worn his new coat only when the brothers weren’t watching. Maybe he should have asked his dad not to make such a scene about their special relationship. Maybe he shouldn’t have gone into the house that day when there was nobody but the boss’s wife around! Maybe, maybe, maybe!

I’m looking at this today from two angles. First, if I’m in the position to offer advice or wisdom, it’s not what I have done that’s important. It’s the way God has brought me to this place. I may have stumbled. God may have had to dig me out of the ditch a few times, but he has gotten me to this point. Other people may place greater weight on my words than they should, but God can handle even that!

Second, I have to recognize when God is asking me to listen to someone else. It’s very easy to decide that if I dispense advice, I must be able to make good decisions for myself in all cases. To think that is to forget God, the source of all wisdom. God may use someone else to set me straight. I may lack the perspective to see where God is leading or to hear what God is saying.

In both cases the problem is forgetting that God is the source, and expecting to get the job done myself. Whether I dispense good advice (or bad), or receive good advice (or forget to do so!), depending on God (“the spirit of the gods is in him” — Genesis 41:39) is my only safety.

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Creator of All This

Posted on August 27, 2008 by Jody Neufeld

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

And God said, “Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water.” So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. God called the expanse “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.

And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so. God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:1-10 (NIV)

It is hurricane season here on the Gulf Coast again. So far, we have had only a tropical storm dump several inches of rain. Now we have Hurricane Gustav beginning his path into the Gulf and we will see where he will go.

I remember the first time I saw the ocean. I remember the first time I saw Niagara Falls. I haven’t seen the Grand Canyon – yet – or a whale splash off the coast of Alaska – but, Lord, willing, I will. Whether it is an expanse of ocean or the tiny details of a flower – I am awed by our Creator God. And God made it for me – for us. Do you accept that? God made it…for me. For you.

After creating us in His image, He gave us stewardship over the creatures and the vegetation. (Genesis 1:26-31) I noticed that this stewardship was not over wind and rain and the heavens. Hmmm. I would have to say that the recent events, including hurricanes, have made me more conscious of the need to be wiser in my stewardship. Instead of just USING the creation, there is a good point to USE but not ABUSE. Do I think about using recycled wood? Do I think about how I can make choices that will conserve gas; conserve energy. It is looking at God’s creation and asking Him, “How do You want me to steward what You have given me, Lord”?

Today and through the weekend, I will be asking God for His mercy and grace over the many who may be in harm’s way. I will be asking God for His forgiveness of my – lackadaisical – ambivalent – attitude toward ALL that He has created. May my eyes be open to receive the beauty and wonder of His creation and be obedient in the way that I use what God has given me. May I take time to look at the birds of the air, the clouds in His blue sky, and His sunrises and sunsets that are so uniquely beautiful each and every day. How extravagant is the love of my Father!

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How to Grow a Child

Posted on August 26, 2008 by Jody Neufeld

What makes a child go ‘bad’ or ‘good’? First, let’s keep the definitions of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ simple.

good – excellent, high moral life, superior,

bad – awful, horrific, shocking, poor moral life

Second, I am not setting myself as The Judge. I am also not claiming to have all the answers. My children are all grown now. I am greatly blessed that they love the Lord and are seeking to live their lives pleasing to Him. And I give ALL the glory to God for that. My devotion or time with you today is about what we can learn from God re: raising our children.

So, what’s makes a child choose a poor moral path vs. a high moral path?

Moses exhorts us to teach God’s laws to our children and their children. (Deuteronomy 4:9) We are not to just assume that our children will learn things if we send them to Sunday School. We are to teach them. We cannot teach what we do not know for ourselves. We can tell them but to teach means we have an understanding and knowledge of the subject. They learn and believe when they sense that we believe and live what we teach.

Proverbs says we are to train a child to go in Jesus’ path.(Proverbs 22:6) If I may be so indelicate, it’s like potty training. It takes more than one day to accomplish the goal and it takes repetitive encouragement and patience to get the child to do what you want him/her to do! The child will make mistakes and refuse to take time away from their play to go do the task and we as the parents have to stay with the plan and train them to do the ‘right’ task!

Proverbs also speaks about discipline. (Proverbs 22:15, 23:13, 29:15) The NIV and many other translations state discipline and include the word ‘rod’. That brings up images of abuse when I read the verses and see a ‘rod’. I believe there is a very clear line between discipline and abuse. I believe the line is defined by anger. When discipline comes from a parent and anger is the controlling emotion, not wisdom or love that a child would learn to avoid poor decisions, then anger = abuse. God wants to show us how to discipline. So when a child has brought up anger inside of us (pushed our buttons!), then let us take time and go to God. Tell the child, “I am angry right now and I need to go talk to God. Go to your room and I will call you back in a few minutes.” How ‘cool’ is it to know that Mom and Dad talk to God? Seriously, taking time to calm down and ask God for His input and His wisdom is very good!

And then Paul gives us two words of what we should not do. We should not exasperate or embitter our children. (Ephesians 6:4, Colossians 3:21) We are not to make our children feel that they can never do good enough to gain our praise. Once again, we turn to God and se how He treats us, His children. God encourages us every day, doesn’t He? But like our own children, we don’t always hear Him! We need time with God every day to talk with Him and listen to Him. And so it is with our children. We can’t encourage them in an off-hand way, as we are going out the door or as they fly out the door to the next event. We must spend time together and intentionally talk and listen to each other. Priorities! Discipline is important and we learn from our own experience—good and bad—what God must first correct in us before we correct our children.

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.

1 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV)

It is important that we see in the midst of this love chapter that it is love that is the key ingredient to moving God’s child from child to adult. Whether it is teaching, discipline, or training, it is love that brings up a child and keeps the child in the way that Jesus would have them to go.

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Sins of the Young – Sins of the Old

Posted on August 25, 2008 by Henry Neufeld

1Now the famine was severe in the land. 2So when Israel’s children had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father told them, “Go back again! Buy a little food for us!” 3But Judah said, “The main firmly warned us, ‘You shall not see my face unless you bring your brother with you.’” — Genesis 43:1-3

4Parents, don’t provoke your children to anger, but raise them with the Lord’s instruction and admonition. — Ephesians 6:4

I heard someone say recently that one can be wrong for twenty years and call it experience. I don’t remember who said it, but it caught my attention.

It’s traditional, in reading the story of Joseph, to criticize the brothers. They don’t do well, being jealous of their younger brother, plotting to kill him, and finally selling him into slavery. We are comfortable fitting them for the role of “bad guys” for the story.

Occasionally someone will point out that Joseph falls quite short of perfection as well. He provokes his brothers to jealousy by telling them about his dreams, dreams he must know will be interpreted to mean that he believes he will be superior to all of them. He seems oblivious to the problems this may cause.

A little less frequently we criticize Jacob. I’ve heard him criticized, for example, for not properly disciplining his older sons. Obviously, sons who would plot the death of their brother were a bit out of control, right?

But if you think about it, Jacob’s most critical sin is his open favoritism. We see glimpses of this with the special coat given to Joseph, and the fact that all the other brothers are sent out to tend the flocks while Jacob stays at home. But I think Jacob shows his favoritism, and his general lack of fatherly concern in the first few verses of chapter 43.

He’s expressing concern for Benjamin. He doesn’t want Benjamin to be killed. But he is willing to risk his ten sons by sending them back without Benjamin, and he’s willing to sentence Simeon to time in prison by delaying or not sending them back at all.

Jacob doesn’t seem like a very good father, does he?

Now some of you may not be used to having a Bible hero criticized in this fashion. If you have that reaction to my comments, please go read your Bible more closely. It would be hard for me to criticize Bible heroes more vigorously than the Bible itself does. The Bible relates all their flaws, often without comment, leaving us to recognize the obvious.

The interesting thing in this story is that you will not find Jacob apologizing or correcting his behavior. He is just as provocative as ever throughout the story, with concern only for the two sons of Rachel, his favored wife. Joseph forgives his brothers and is reconciled. The brothers patch things up on their end, but Jacob remains unmoved, or at least we’re not told anything about it.

After Jacob dies, the brothers feel that they must make up a story about Jacob telling them to beg for their lives. You have to wonder why Jacob didn’t take care of this before he died!

As older folks it’s very easy for us to see the faults of the young. They make the same mistakes we did all over again. You know, there’s nothing more annoying than watching someone else make a mistake that used to be your mistake. We can be very unforgiving of those faults we have overcome! It’s very easy to consider the length of time we’ve been around as a justification for all our prejudices.

It’s easy for the young to be impetuous and dash in where angels fear to tread. They throw off our eternal verities and make up new things. They get so many things wrong!

But are we expecting the young people to reform, by which we often mean they must become more like us, while we refuse to see our own faults and failings over the years and correct them?

Just consider what might have happened if, somewhere along the line, Jacob had said, “Children, I’m sorry for my favoritism. I recognize that all of you are called to a place in building God’s people. Let’s be reconciled.”

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