A Tiny, Obscure Verse but Whao!
May 02, 2008
Do you remember about seven or eight years ago Bruce Wilkinson wrote a small book titled, The Prayer of Jabez? (I still don’t know how to pronounce this guy’s name Jaabezz or Jĕbez. Can some one help me?)
What is fascinating to me about this book was that Bruce uncovered this tiny obscure couple of verses buried in, of all places, 1 Chronicles.
1 Chronicles 4:9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." 10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.
Okay, now I admit that in my yearly reading I might have skipped through some of those chapters verses. Sounding out the names of these guys was enough to fry my brain.
1 Chronicles 1:20-13 Joktan begat Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazarmaveth, and Jerah, Hadoram also, and Uzal, and Diklah, and Ebal, and Abimael, and Sheba,
Heck, I don’t think I knew what begat meant for years. *just kiddin’ around*
Yawn!
But in this odd book where the Israelites’ lineage is recorded, Bruce discovered a treasure. I love that about the word of God. I find it exciting to read a scripture verse that feels new or fresh. For some reason its like the first time I have read it and it becomes alive. I know this has happened to you too.
Well, On April 3rd I was reading in the book of Deuteronomy. This is another book of rules, regs and stuff, yawn. However, I had a Bruce moment. I discovered a verse I never remember reading before. This little verse will not let me go. I have thought upon it and thought upon it and thought some more.
I realize God wants this verse to be relevant to me. God’s word, even the Old Testament, is relevant today.
So I was wondering if the Lord wanted me to share it with you. Guess what? That is when I posted the poll with several subjects. I hope you were able to vote.
Which of the following topics would you like to read more about?
Tithing in a spiritually divided home. 27%
Spiritual leadership in a spiritually divided home. 45%
Praying at meals in a spiritually divided home. 21%
Welcoming the Holy Spirit into your spiritually divided home. 48%
If you see the results, you my friends, also want to learn about this as well. It was a close call and I do plan to post on all of these subjects in the future, as they are difficult issues for all of us in unequally yoked marriages.
But today we are going to learn about welcoming the Holy Spirit into our spiritually divided home.
What I have on my heart to share is just some thoughts that came from thinking about this little ole verse. Why is it in the Bible. Why is it important? WHY IS GOD POUNDING IT INTO MY HEAD?
So here we go….
Deuteronomy 23:14 (New International Version) For the LORD your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver your enemies to you. Your camp must be holy, so that he will not see among you anything indecent and turn away from you.
Hmmmmm. Do we have a camp? Does God move around in it? Does our camp, if we have one, need to be holy? If there is something indecent in our “camp” would he turn away? Does this verse apply to the year 2008? Does this verse apply to me? What does it all mean?
Ooooooooo, good questions. Well at least I thought they were. I have been talking with the Lord about this verse now for 28 days. And, I am going to share thoughts with you Monday… Same time…. Same place…. Please tune in..
Now for today…. There is not a right or wrong answer. So my question to you is, Do you have a camp? What is it? Let’s start with that and we will talk more about it Monday. Leave me your thoughts. I am thrilled to hear your perspective. Be Blessed, Lynn