I'm reading Matthew 23 and I feel like screaming "Ride on Jesus". Somehow, I decided to read verses 1-3 slowly. Ha!
The teachers of the law and the Pharisees were not practising what they were preaching. They were HYPOCRITES! Jesus acknowledged the fact that they were hypocrites and went on to address their matter. I think some of us would have accused Jesus Christ of "touching the Lord's anointed" if we were in the audience that day.
However, Jesus' instruction to His hearers was this - These teachers of the law and Pharisees are hypocrites. Nevertheless, do as they preach (not as they do).
WHY? Why should I listen to hypocritical leaders?
Because they sit in Moses' seat, that's why...These were the constituted authority in that day. Though they were not obeying the rules of engagement, Jesus admonished His hearers to still do as they preached (though the leaders themselves were not obeying their own rules).
My people, let's review this matter critically. What are your thoughts on this matter?
It's a beautiful Saturday morning here. I trust that all is going on well at your end...
Enjoy your day.
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
JUDAH AND JOSEPH
"And though Judah was the strongest of his brothers and a ruler came from him, the rights of the firstborn belonged to Joseph)"
1 Chronicles 5:2
One of the comments from my post yesterday about maintaining one's lane and running one's tailor-made race faulted the fact that I compared Esau with Jacob. According to him, Jacob was a trickster, ursurper and even practised divination (we have to agree to disagree on that one). He believes Joseph was a better example than Jacob. I promised that we'll get to Joseph's turn and today's Bible Study reading plan has us reading Genesis 37-39. Joseph's story is the main plot so it gets 2 of the 3 chapters.
I was challenged to find faults with Joseph. I'll like to say, like Pilate, that I've examined him and I find no fault with him. I was going to say that he should have kept his mouth shut about his dreams but I realise that he needed his brothers to detest him enough to "SELL IT" (and it wasn't even on OLX, lol). So, that's not even a fault in my opinion. If you can find faults in Joseph, please speak now or forever remain silent, lol.
As I read Genesis 38, though, I realised that I could relate more with Judah! Judah moved away from home, married Shua and had 3 sons. Apparently, something was wrong with Judah and Shua's parenting skills because they managed to raise 2 sons that were evil enough for God to personally slay them - Er and Onan. We don't even know how Shelah turned out.
Instead of reflecting on how it could have been their issue (or their sons'), they assumed WRONGLY that Tamar was the source of their problems. So, I guess they felt taking her out of the picture would solve their problems. So, they deceived her and put her life on hold.
Later on, Shua also died and Judah couldn't blame Tamar for this death. As a "mourning" widower, he didn't waste time in patronizing a shrine prostitute (Tamar). He was quick to pass judgment on Tamar as a prostitute (though he had no qualms patronizing one, smh).
I guess you know Judah could have denied ownership of the cord and the staff Tamar presented OR he could have claimed Tamar stole them from him. He could have found a way to make it Tamar's fault like many philanderers turn things around and blame someone else for their failings. Tamar would have been killed, along with the twins in her womb.
Thankfully, Judah took responsibility for his failings. Tamar had the twins and Judah never slept with her again. One of the twins was Pharez and it was through his lineage that Jesus Christ was born. Jesus is the Lion of Judah.
"And though Judah was the strongest of his brothers and a ruler came from him, the rights of the firstborn belonged to Joseph)"
1 Chronicles 5:2
I find no fault in Joseph; I just find it easier to relate with Judah...
Enjoy your day.
1 Chronicles 5:2
One of the comments from my post yesterday about maintaining one's lane and running one's tailor-made race faulted the fact that I compared Esau with Jacob. According to him, Jacob was a trickster, ursurper and even practised divination (we have to agree to disagree on that one). He believes Joseph was a better example than Jacob. I promised that we'll get to Joseph's turn and today's Bible Study reading plan has us reading Genesis 37-39. Joseph's story is the main plot so it gets 2 of the 3 chapters.
I was challenged to find faults with Joseph. I'll like to say, like Pilate, that I've examined him and I find no fault with him. I was going to say that he should have kept his mouth shut about his dreams but I realise that he needed his brothers to detest him enough to "SELL IT" (and it wasn't even on OLX, lol). So, that's not even a fault in my opinion. If you can find faults in Joseph, please speak now or forever remain silent, lol.
As I read Genesis 38, though, I realised that I could relate more with Judah! Judah moved away from home, married Shua and had 3 sons. Apparently, something was wrong with Judah and Shua's parenting skills because they managed to raise 2 sons that were evil enough for God to personally slay them - Er and Onan. We don't even know how Shelah turned out.
Instead of reflecting on how it could have been their issue (or their sons'), they assumed WRONGLY that Tamar was the source of their problems. So, I guess they felt taking her out of the picture would solve their problems. So, they deceived her and put her life on hold.
Later on, Shua also died and Judah couldn't blame Tamar for this death. As a "mourning" widower, he didn't waste time in patronizing a shrine prostitute (Tamar). He was quick to pass judgment on Tamar as a prostitute (though he had no qualms patronizing one, smh).
I guess you know Judah could have denied ownership of the cord and the staff Tamar presented OR he could have claimed Tamar stole them from him. He could have found a way to make it Tamar's fault like many philanderers turn things around and blame someone else for their failings. Tamar would have been killed, along with the twins in her womb.
Thankfully, Judah took responsibility for his failings. Tamar had the twins and Judah never slept with her again. One of the twins was Pharez and it was through his lineage that Jesus Christ was born. Jesus is the Lion of Judah.
"And though Judah was the strongest of his brothers and a ruler came from him, the rights of the firstborn belonged to Joseph)"
1 Chronicles 5:2
I find no fault in Joseph; I just find it easier to relate with Judah...
Enjoy your day.
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