The Scriptures - Spans 4,000 years of reflection...

Thursday word from Genesis 57

'They also took with them their livestock and the possessions they had acquired in Canaan, and Jacob and all his offspring went to Egypt,' Genesis 46:6

One can imagine the carts meandering along the dusty track all the way to Egypt like a wagon train, laden with the wives and children and belongings of the brothers, (v5,6), even though they were told that they need not bring their belongings, (45:20). It isn't always easy to part with our belongings; to dispense with what we have become attached to. Often we don't have to, but there are circumstances and times when God requires it. May none of us be so attached to 'things' that we cannot part with them should God require it of us.

One is reminded of that rich young ruler who met with Jesus, (Luke 18:18-23). With all his goodness and virtue, the one obstacle he had to receiving eternal life, was that he just could not part with the 'things' he had. Had he been willing, I sometimes wonder whether Jesus would have actually had him part with them. What he requires is our willingness to part with them; that pleasing him be our foremost desire; that we recognise him to be the rightful owner and Lord of all we have. Sometimes he wishes us to keep what we have and dedicate it to his service, considering it to be his, acknowledging him as the owner rather than ourselves. 

God bless you all.

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ADVENT IS HERE!

Day 5 O SWEET CHILD

O vulnerable sweet child, Love of God, laid in a manger,
Gift-wrapped in straw inside a cattle shed,
Precious beyond the wealth of all earth’s treasure,
Yet none will offer you their soft clean bed.

O wonderful sweet child, Son of God, so condescending,

Reaching into our world so dead and dark;

Doors shut to you will not prevent you knocking,

Love longs to enter every human heart.

O beautiful sweet child, Prince of Peace, born into danger;

Worshipped by shepherds and by wise men three.

More will reject than ever will adore you

One day they’ll even nail you to a tree.

HPW ©

God bless you all

Howard Webber 
Bournemouth UK