I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. In order to make that possible I read the passages and write my thoughts a day, or more. in advance. My work schedule has recently changed, meaning that I may not have time every day to complete these. As a result, I am trying to get several days ahead. I hope this does not negatively impact the quality of these posts (if that is possible). If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.

     At the end of yesterday’s passage, Abimelech asked Isaac to move away from his lands because was becoming wealthy and powerful enough to be a threat. Isaac did not fight or complain that this was not fair. He trusted God and moved away. When Abimelech’s shepherds contested for control of the area he had moved too, even though they had abandoned that territory. Isaac just moved further. Isaac moved away from them until they no longer contested his use of the lands. When Abimelech came to him in his new home, Isaac made a peace treaty with him, even though the hostility between them had originated with Abimelech.
     Usually when we read this passage we skip over the account of Esau’s wives with just a passing thought. However, I think it is part and parcel of the whole thing. Esau married some local girls, but the fact that they were local is not the problem. They have a different idea about what is proper behavior than Isaac and Rebekah. That is the problem. There is a connection between the attitudes of Esau’s wives towards Isaac and Rebekah and Jacob stealing Esau’s blessing. It seems to me that Rebekah convinced Jacob to steal Esau’s blessing so that Esau would be mad at Jacob, giving Jacob motivation to leave and go to her brother’s house to find a wife.

     This passage tells us how Jesus interacted with sinners. He did not condemn them, but neither did He tell them that they were not sinners. Rather Jesus told them that they were worthwhile people whom God had forgiven. This passage also tells us that the first step to healing is forgiveness. In order to offer healing to our fellow man, we must first offer forgiveness. There are different ways we can look at the story about the call of Matthew the tax collector. However, it has always struck me that we cannot evangelize the lost unless we spend time among them. Too many Christians only socialize with their fellow Christians. We are not called to spread the Gospel to those who know the Gospel. So, how are we supposed to spread the Gospel to sinners if we do not know any sinners?
     I do not want to say much about the last part of this passage, except to say that in it we are reminded that there is a time and place for Christians to fast. I know that I do not do so as often as I should.

     God is king over all and those nations which despise Him and attempt to escape from His rule will vanish from the face of the earth. God hears the cries of those who suffer. He will listen to them and answer them. He defends the fatherless and the oppressed, teaching them that mere mortals cannot harm them in any way that matters.

     This proverb reminds us that if we honor God with our wealth, if we put God’s interests ahead of our material comfort, He will bless us so that we have all that we need and enough to bless others.