Heavenhigh

God Speaks!

# 6 2024 Dev. Ge. 46:2. God Speaks! Read all of chapter forty six first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ge. 46:2 “And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said ‘Jacob! Jacob!’”

Chapter 46 is about Jacob being convinced to move to Egypt. We can imagine his reluctance to move to Egypt with all his offspring and all their flocks and possessions. I think of my own family moving to a foreign land, different language, customs and culture, a big undertaking and a huge step in faith.

Vs.1-7 Pharaoh had sent transport for Jacob and family so they started their journey from Mamre, where both Abraham and Isaac had lived, to Egypt. This was Jacob’s ancestral home for three generations, for something like 500 years. Every offspring, all their goods, there would be nothing to come back to.

“So Israel set out with all that was his, and when he reached Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. Beersheba was on the border. Jacob worshiped there, God had returned Jacob back to Mamre from Pana Aram, Jacob needed assurance about leaving the land promised to him, to Issac and to Abraham. God spoke to Jacob: go to Egypt, I will go with you, make you a great nation and bring you back again. So Jacob went, with all his offspring and all he had with him.

Vs. 8-27 These are the names of all who went to Egypt. Based on other genealogies Like in Numbers 26 this one is not as accurate as we expect. Joseph and sons are included, as well as Er and Onan are replaced by Perez and Zerah, none of the women are included except for Diana and Gad’s daughter Sarah.

This is what The NIV commentary has to say about it: “ we must remember that we need not expect genealogies to operate in the Israelite culture the same way they operate in ours. If they have a different function in the culture, different methods can be used to construct them, and different criteria must be used to evaluate their accuracy.” It appears that the goal was to add up to 70 which is considered as a complete number.

Vs.28-34 they arrive in Egypt and Judah is sent ahead to Joseph, and then Judah leads Jacob and group to Goshen. It appears that had settled in before Joseph went to see His father. After that Joseph prepares to introduce his family to Pharaoh. What do we take away from this chapter?

The first thing is that we see that family is so important in our lives and God considers it as such. The second thing is that God works through families and with individuals formed in families. The third thing is that God controls our lives and our situations as he controls all of history. The Word of God gives us the big picture. Praise the Lord.

“Eternity in Our Hearts!”

# 5 2024 Dev. Ecclesiastes 3:11. Eternity In our Hearts! Read all of chapter three first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ecc. 3:11. This verse sets the tone for this devotional: “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet[a] no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. ”

Ecc.3 The “teacher.” This book is about the experiences throughout one person’s life, he is not named but there are indications in the text that Ecc. was probably written by King Solomon. That puts the date of writing at 970 BC to 931BC.

Vs.1-14 “A Time for Everything” The author does not measure time in terms of hours and days but in terms of human existence and experience. Time is defined as “the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole.”“travel through space and time” (Oxford Dictionary)

The author is describing time in terms of God’s creation, It was very good but sin entered in, Satan’s attempt to destroy it. Even so, “He (God) has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” But God has revealed himself in His Word both in the authors time and in ours!

Vs.15-17 “Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.” God created time, we live in time and space and we are created for God’s glory. Yes, there is a place of judgment, there will be “a time to judge every deed.” For “both the righteous and the wicked.” But the righteous, the believers, are judged in Christ Jesus, both in the author’s time and in our time, praise the Lord.

Vs.18-22 Here the author despairs comparing humans with animals. Animals follow their natures as created. Humans follow their conscience or lack of it displayed in their actions both good and bad. Yes, every living thing dies because of sin in our broken world. God who lives outside of time and is eternal created this world to be forever. And it will be again. God created us for His glory, and Satan is not able to take that away. God created human’s in His image, male and female He created them. Humans are given a soul, “eternity in the human heart.”

The author asks a rhetorical question: “Who knows if the human spirit rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?” This is what God wants us to consider!

The author say; enjoy your work, this is your lot, “For who can bring them to see what will happen after them?” A second question; what is the answer? No, on our own we will not know what will happen to us, only by faith in Christ Jesus are we assured that “the human spirit rises upward” to eternity with God!

God’s Purposes!

# 4 2024 Dev. Ge. 45. God’s Purposes! Read all of chapter forty five first . We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ge. 45:7 “But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.”

Chapter 45 is the culmination of Joseph’s testing his brothers from the first time they came to him for food. Joseph was convinced that his brothers had changed and decided to forgive. He also saw God’s hand in all that had happened to him. That is a lesson for us, as Christians, we know God uses us but there are times when God blesses us by revealing how we are used by Him.

Vs.1-7 Joseph comes out to his brothers, he had wanted to do that from the beginning but God used him to test his brothers. It seems God wanted to bring to light their awful deed of selling their own brother, God gave them plenty to think about.

Joseph reveals his true identity. “But his brothers were not abled to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.” Imagine what was going through their minds at that moment!

Joseph reassures them; “And now, ‘do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you…to save your lives by a great deliverance.’”

Vs. 8-11 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.” The events in Joseph’s life are nothing but fantastic, God is in control from the beginning; his dreams, his brothers jealousy, the caravan that came along, Potiphar’s house, the jail, Pharaoh’s servants in jail with him, the dreams, Pharaoh’s dream, the famine, all that to bring the Israelis down to Egypt so that they become a nation, protected from enemies and from spiritual attacks by Satan. Think about that!

Vs.12-15 Finally, Joseph and his brothers are reconciled, it was a great relief and a wonderful event for them all.

Vs.16-20 “When the news reached Pharaoh’s palace that Joseph’s brothers had come, Pharaoh and all his officials were pleased.” Here God adds blessing upon blessing, Pharaoh orders Joseph to bring his family to Egypt and provides transportation as well. This part of God’s plane is almost complete.

Vs.21-24 “So the sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them carts, as Pharaoh had commanded, and he also gave them provisions for their journey. To each of them he gave new clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels[b] of silver and five sets of clothes.”

What Irony, they had striped Joseph of his multicolored coat but now Joseph sends them off in new clothes and with love.

Joseph adds; ‘Don’t quarrel on the way!’” It is a command but the Hebrew word used here is normally translated as, don’t be anxious, upset, or fearful.

Vs.25-28 Now they had to convince Jacob, that Joseph was alive. “They told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.’ Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them.” Can you imagine the brothers explaining how this could be possible? God had to bring about major reconciliation and forgiveness. It would seem impossible, but with God it is possible, when we let Him work in our lives. This is what we take away from this story; GOD is in control and he wants good for his people, and he does brings only good for His people even as we go through difficult times God is accomplishing his purposes!

God’s Purposes!

Ge. 45:7 “But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.”

Joseph reveals his true identity. “But his brothers were not abled to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.” Imagine what was going through their minds at that moment! Joseph reassures them; “And now, ‘do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you…to save your lives by a great deliverance.’”

Vs.12-15 Finally, Joseph and his brothers are reconciled, it was a great relief and a wonderful event for them all.

What Irony, they had striped Joseph of his multicolored coat but now Joseph sends them off in new clothes and with love.

Joseph adds; ‘Don’t quarrel on the way!’” It is a command but the Hebrew word used here is normally translated as, don’t be anxious, upset, or fearful.

Happiness!

# 3 2024 Dev. Ecclesiastes 2:8. Pleasure! Read all of chapter two first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ecc. 2:8 “ I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem[a] as well—the delights of a man’s heart.”

Ecc.2 The word Ecclesiastes is a translation of the Hebrew word “koheleth” meaning: “one who convenes an assembly,” or “the preacher”(NIV), or as the text indicates “teacher.” This book is about the experiences throughout one person’s life, he is not named but there are indications in the text that Ecc. was probably written by King Solomon. That puts the date of writing at 970 BC to 931BC.

Vs.1-11 Worldly pleasure; “I said to myself, ‘Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find what is good.’” He answers his own question; “but that also proved to be meaningless.” He speaks of ‘Laughter, wine, folly… I wanted to see what was good for people to do under the heavens during the few days of their lives.’” Next he gives us a rundown an all the things that makes a person happy, or gives a person satisfaction. Great projects, multiple houses, horticulture, agriculture, animal husbandry, treasures, many slaves, (workers) “Male and female singers, and a harem as well – the delights of a man’s heart.” Nothing was denied him “I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure.” Solomon’s conclusion; “everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.” The author gives us the worldly point of view. Two things; all things in moderation and do everything in the name of Jesus, that puts all our work on a higher plane, a heavenly plane.

The New Testament has something to say here: I Peter 4 “Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God…”Read more Pet.4:3-6

“Wisdom and Folly…”

Vs.12-16 “Then I turned my thoughts to consider wisdom, and also madness and folly… I saw that wisdom is better than folly,.” He expands on it, “light is better than darkness” He does not say why wisdom is better or why light is better except that “the wise have eyes…the fool walks in darkness”. Having the light of God, ie. justice, faith and righteousness, makes all the difference in terms of quality of life. The world walks in darkness even with all their accomplishments. Yes, we all die, but the Godly leave a legacy behind to be followed. Amen!

“Toil…”

Vs.17-26 “So I hated life…because I must leave them (his works) to the one who comes after me. And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish?” The author is in great despair thinking about what is lost, it may be that he does not know what has been made clear to us in this time, when Christians and/or followers of God in the Old Testament die our spirits go to be with God and our works follow us, works done in the name of Jesus, work done in the name of God.

Finally, a common truth in vs.24-26 “A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God”. A secular life “is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” Praise be to God!

Pleasure!

# 3 2024 Dev. Ecclesiastes 2:8. Pleasure! Read all of chapter two first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ecc. 2:8 “ I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem[a] as well—the delights of a man’s heart.”

Vs.1-11 Worldly pleasure; “I said to myself, ‘Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find what is good.’” He answers his own question; “but that also proved to be meaningless.” He speaks of ‘Laughter, wine, folly… I wanted to see what was good for people to do under the heavens during the few days of their lives.’” Next he gives us a rundown an all the things that makes a person happy, or gives a person satisfaction. Great projects, multiple houses, horticulture, agriculture, animal husbandry, treasures, many slaves, (workers) “Male and female singers, and a harem as well – the delights of a man’s heart.” Nothing was denied him “I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure.” Solomon’s conclusion; “everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.” The author gives us the worldly point of view. Two things; all things in moderation and do everything in the name of Jesus, that puts all our work on a higher plane, a heavenly plane.

The New Testament has something to say here: I Peter 4 “Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God…” Read more Pet. 4:3-6.

“Wisdom and Folly…”

Vs.12-16 “Then I turned my thoughts to consider wisdom, and also madness and folly… I saw that wisdom is better than folly,.” He expands on it, “light is better than darkness” He does not say why wisdom is better or why light is better except that “the wise have eyes…the fool walks in darkness”. Having the light of God, ie. justice, faith and righteousness, makes all the difference in terms of quality of life. The world walks in darkness even with all their accomplishments. Yes, we all die, but the Godly leave a legacy behind to be followed. Amen!

“Toil…”

Vs.17-26 “So I hated life…because I must leave them (his works) to the one who comes after me. And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish?” The author is in great despair thinking about what is lost, it may be that he does not know what has been made clear to us in this time, when Christians and/or followers of God in the Old Testament die our spirits go to be with God and our works follow us, works done in the name of Jesus, work done in the name of God.

God’s Test! Was it successful?

# 2 2024 Dev. Ge. 44:13. God’s Test! Was it successful? Read all of chapter forty four first . We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ge. 44:13 “At this, they tore their clothes. Then they all loaded their donkeys and returned to the city.”

Ch.44 continues the story of Joseph in Egypt. God placed Joseph where He needed him to be to fulfill God’s purposes. This chapter is the culmination of Joseph’s testing his brothers from the first time they came to him for food. It begs the question; does God test us at times? Does God allow Satan to tempt us sometimes?

Vs.1-5 The Test. Joseph is determined to understand if his brothers had changed in the last twenty years. We know very little about the brothers. We see that Reuben offers Jacob his two children if Benjamin is not returned to him. But Jacob did not accept that offer. When they finally had to go back Judah guaranteed Benjamin’s safety. Reuben had tried to save Joseph but failed, Judah was the one who suggested selling Joseph instead of killing him. Providentially, a caravan came along at the right time, a caravan of people related to them.

The test was that Joseph had his silver cup put into Benjamin’s grain bag and they did not get far.

Vs.6-9 Joseph’s steward was sent after them and accused them of taking Joseph’s silver cup. The brothers were incredulous, why would we do a thing like that? Whoever is found with the cup, “ he will die; and the rest of us will become my lord’s slaves.” This is what Jacob had said to Laban when accused of stealing his gods.

Vs.10 -13 “Very well, then,” he said, ‘let it be as you say. Whoever is found to have it will become my slave; the rest of you will be free from blame.”’ The search proceeded, beginning with Reuben down to the youngest. There was a lot of tension but the closer the steward came to the end of searching the better the brothers were feeling, until of course the cup was found in Benjamin’s bag. ‘ At this, they tore their clothes. Then they all loaded their donkeys and returned to the city.”

Vs.14-15 Joseph plays his diversion to the hilt: “Don’t you know that a man like me can find things out by divination?” After all that had happened the brothers still did not have a clue.

Vs.16-34 “Judah replied. ‘What can we say…God has uncovered your servant’s guilt. We are now my lord’s slaves… But Joseph said: ‘Far be it from me to do such a thing! Only the man who was found to have the cup will be my slave.’”

After this Judah approached Joseph, and reiterates their earlier conversation about his family as well as the conversation they had with his father and the family situation concerning Benjamin. He ends his conversation with: “ How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let me see the misery that would come on my father.”

He lays his father’s possible grief at Joseph’s feet. Was God’s test through Joseph successful? Yes, The brothers had changed due in part because of the result of selling Joseph to Egypt, Jacob’s grief, and their dealings with Joseph brought it all back to them and confronted them with the reality of family and loss.

We all need confrontation at times, yes, God does test us and Satan temps us, but God stands with us and gets us through whatever happens to us! Amen and Amen!

Nothing New!

# 1 2024 Dev. Ecclesiastes1:9. Nothing New! Read all of chapter one first . We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ecc,1:9 “What has been will be again what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.”

Ecc.1 The word Ecclesiastes is a translation of the Hebrew word “koheleth” meaning: “one who convenes an assembly,” or “the preacher”(NIV), or as the text indicates “teacher.” This book is about the experiences throughout one person’s life, he is not named but there are indications in the text that Ecc. was probably written by King Solomon. That puts the date of writing at 970 BC to 931BC. Chapter 1 “Meaningless! Meaningless!” sets the tone for this chapter.

Vs.1-2 “Meaningless! Says the Teacher. ‘Utterly meaningless!”’ Vs. 1 indicates that Solomon is the author of the book. What is the answer to this statement? Yes without God, your life, is indeed meaningless.

Vs.3-7 He starts with a rhetorical question; what do people gain…” from all the sweat and tears of many years of struggle “under the sun. Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.” So it would seem at that time, yet we know that it will not last forever. The author talks about the repetitive nature of our world. It is the never ending cycle of our world, no change, always the same to those who will not thank God for His creation and refuse to acknowledge God’s power and glory displayed all around us.

Vs.8-11 “All things are wearisome… The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear of hearing. What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” The author here is not speaking of technology, he is talking about the meaning of our lives on this earth. Are people happier today? The past, the present and the future will not be remembered the teacher tells us. The end of all things on earth will arrive but it will not be the end of all things, works done in the name of Jesus will survive, and those who belong to Jesus will survive forever!

Vs.12-18 The author reiterates his roots, kingship, his learning, and knowledge about “all that is done under the heavens. What a heavy burden God has laid on mankind!” Heavy burden indeed, the weight of knowing the truth and the overwhelming rejection of the truth by so many. That rejection is “chasing after wind”, as is comparing “wisdom and folly”. Wisdom, knowledge, is more than knowing, it is doing, living it out in our lives. “For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.” This is only rectified with trust, with faith, and with hope. “I am the way the truth and the life.” Jesus teaches us. Amen and amen. May God Bless us in this New Year!

The God of Your Father!

# 52 2023 Dev. Ge. 43:23.The God of your Father! Read all of chapter forty three first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ge. 43:23 “It’s all right,” he said. ‘Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks; I received your silver.’ Then he brought Simeon out to them.”

Ch.43 continues the story of Joseph in Egypt. God placed Joseph where He needed him to be to fulfill God’s purposes. Now, Joseph had been in Egypt for ten years or more. He had spent 3 years as a slave, he spent the next seven years collecting grain and now he is selling the grain. He will be selling grain for seven years.

Vs.1-14 Eventually the food Jacob’s sons bought in Egypt ran out, We read; “Now the famine was still severe in the land.” They had little choice, they had to go back to Egypt. These verses are a long negotiation between Jacob and his sons, about sending Benjamin along with the rest of the his sons. Jacob is resigned to the inevitable delayed trip and sends Benjamin along. In the end Jacob stops trying to keep his son safe, he puts his trust in God; “As for me, if I’m bereaved, I am bereaved.”

Vs.15-23 They make the trip and Joseph sends them to his house. We know the outcome, it is not a big deal. But his brothers were in the dark, they did not even have an inkling that they were dealing with the brother they had sold. As we saw in the last chapter a deep dread was hanging over them, the dread of God’s punishment for what they had done.

Now they were brought to Joseph’s residence, they were feeling the guilt and fear of not understanding what was going on. There are times when things happen to us that we do not understand, God provides a way to cope and to trust him. That is what happened here, in spite of Pharaohs attempt to limit the influence of God in Joseph’s household by marrying him off to the daughter of a priest, God was displayed by Joseph’s staff.

The brothers wanting to explain the returned silver, approached Joseph’s steward about the silver. Vs 23; “It’s all right,” he said. “Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks; I received your silver.’ Then he brought Simeon out to them.” Think about that; “your God, The God of your father,” Joseph’s steward comforts them and assures them that God is in control. He sends them back to their roots, their compass in life. As complicated Jacob’s life was, what his sons knew about God they got from their father, their parents. Our basic presupposition also comes from our parents, “the God of your father.(s)” .

Vs.24-32 When Joseph saw his younger brother Benjamin, he was “deeply moved” and had to find a place to weep. After more than ten years Joseph was thankful to be reunited with Benjamin and with all his brothers. When they saw the seating arrangement and “ they feasted and drank freely with him”, they must have become a little suspicious. God turned the horrible experience of the past and of their trips to Egypt into a blessing. Our God is good all of the time!

Christ Like Sacrificial Service!

# 51 2023 Dev. Prov. 31:5 Christ Like Sacrificial Service! Read all of chapter thirty one first . We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Prov. 31:8,9 “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

Prov.31 This chapter, along with chapter 30 are appendixes to Proverbs. These are “The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.”

Vs.1-3 “Listen, my son!…son of my prayers. Do not spend your strength on women.” His mother warns him about women, beautiful opportunistic women, not to suggest all beautiful woman are opportunistic. Later on the king describes the kind of women his mothers tells him to seek out.

Vs.4-7 She further advises him to go easy on the beer and wine. “It is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, lest they drink and forget…” what the king is supposed to do. Beer and wine is for the suffering and perishing to comfort. As Scripture teaches us, all things in moderation!

Vs.8-9 “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” As important the description of the ideal woman is in verses 10-31, verses 8,9 is the heart of this chapter. This is what the radical left might reject as conservatism but in truth, this is the way of Jesus, the way of Christianity!

Vs.10-31 “The Wife of Noble Character.” As we see from the notes this is an acrostic poem, the verses of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

“ A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm all the days of her life… Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

While verses 8-9 speak to the actions of Jesus and Christianity; Verses 10-31 shows us how to actually live out being like Jesus, living out Christianity and displaying sacrificial service and leadership. May God bless us and our country this Christmas season!