Today's Readings and Stuff -- Thursday, 12 January 2017

Groan!  Cats woke me at 03:00, near enough.  Wrestling or something on our bed, on top of me, is not conducive to deep sleep, or any other kind.  So I arose, chased them out of the bedroom, closed and blocked the door, lay back down.  Wide awake.  Spent most of the next two hours in one of those deep conversations with the Lord.  I do that, periodically.  It's moving and meaningful for me, and has a whole lot of confession and hauling out regrets, but with some assurances.  Some straight out of Scripture, some direct at particular issues.  I won't list the bunch, it's a deeply personal matter.
Got back up at 05:36 and put out two small tins of the cat food to avoid imminent starvation and claims of animal abuse. (Ha!).  Back to bed, door open.  Meaning that 25 minutes later, I had TWO cats walking back and forth atop Dear Wife and I, and trying to venture onto the top of the headboard, etc.  So I was back up, chasing out cats, and blocking door.  Again.
Anyone think this is conducive to sleep?  Hardly.  Tried.  Fell into a reprise of the early prayer and conversation time.  Until Wife announced her awakeness, and arose.  After, of course, I brewed her a cup of coffee.  She's moved to the recliner under blankets and with her still-healing (in the 17th month after surgery) foot elevated.  I took the chance to climb into the shower, praying that the floor of it will not give way -- has several long cracks, hoping to survive until spring and then, perhaps, be replaced.  Hopefully.
The other thing affecting sleep is the weather.  We are in a relatively warm 2 days.  Warm meaning high 40's, possible hit 50 even.  But accompanied by HEAVY rain storms, with flash flood warnings out all around the area.  I'm glad, at least, that it is as warm as it is, otherwise we'd have about a FOOT of snow in just a few hours.  Yes, the rain is that heavy, and often accompanies with high winds.  Again, not conducive to sleep.  Among other things, it makes the cats upset, so they "act out".

Wife is to leave here in about an hour or so, she's "watching" the Great-Niece next door.  Niece has to be at work at noon.  Niece's husband (nephew?  nephew-in-law?) gets off work at 6 pm and when he gets home Wife can come home.  So she and the Little One will have some "quality time" together.  They both enjoy it.  Usually, anyway.  Wife is suffering some nasty sinus/upper respiratory/ possibly systemic infection.  On heavy antibiotics since Monday evening, so it is just NOW starting to show a little bit of effect.  Of course, the antibiotics, combined with underlying conditions, combined with a need to avoid the weekly Humira injection, has meant a relapse of the ulcerative colitis, which means heavy diarrhea.  Which, of course, will in itself make one feel lousy.  And has.
Fun, huh?

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The day's reading in the Old Testament is chapters 29 and 30 of the Genesis.
Jacob has been sent off to find the rest of the clan, and find himself a suitable wife.  He does.  That's the good part.  The bad part is that he ends up with two wives, sisters at that.  And a couple of concubines as well, both nominated by the sisters/wives.  Sounds like a recipe for disaster.  And there certainly is contention, not only with the "domestic situation", but with the father-in-law and the rest of the family there.  Oh, and they're still living in the same compound as the in-laws.  Sound good to you?  Nope.
But, again, out of that situation, come the twelve sons of Jacob, renamed Israel by the way. And those twelve sons are the ancestors of the twelve tribes that will be a big part of Scripture and the events of the world, right up to today.

Genesis 29

1 Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east. 2 And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well's mouth. 3 And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well's mouth in his place. 4 And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we. 5 And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him. 6 And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep. 7 And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them. 8 And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep. 9 And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep; for she kept them. 10 And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother. 11 And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept. 12 And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's brother, and that he was Rebekah's son: and she ran and told her father. 13 And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things. 14 And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month. 15 And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be? 16 And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favored. 18 And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. 19 And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me. 20 And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. 21 And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her. 22 And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast. 23 And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her. 24 And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid. 25 And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me? 26 And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. 27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years. 28 And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also. 29 And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid. 30 And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years. 31 And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren. 32 And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me. 33 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon. 34 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi. 35 And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.

Genesis 30

1 And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. 2 And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb? 3 And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her. 4 And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in unto her. 5 And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a son. 6 And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan. 7 And Bilhah Rachel's maid conceived again, and bare Jacob a second son. 8 And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali. 9 When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah her maid, and gave her Jacob to wife. 10 And Zilpah Leah's maid bare Jacob a son. 11 And Leah said, A troop cometh: and she called his name Gad. 12 And Zilpah Leah's maid bare Jacob a second son. 13 And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher. 14 And Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them unto his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray thee, of thy son's mandrakes. 15 And she said unto her, Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee to night for thy son's mandrakes. 16 And Jacob came out of the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, Thou must come in unto me; for surely I have hired thee with my son's mandrakes. And he lay with her that night. 17 And God hearkened unto Leah, and she conceived, and bare Jacob the fifth son. 18 And Leah said, God hath given me my hire, because I have given my maiden to my husband: and she called his name Issachar. 19 And Leah conceived again, and bare Jacob the sixth son. 20 And Leah said, God hath endued me with a good dowry; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have born him six sons: and she called his name Zebulun. 21 And afterwards she bare a daughter, and called her name Dinah. 22 And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb. 23 And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach: 24 And she called his name Joseph; and said, The LORD shall add to me another son. 25 And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country. 26 Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou knowest my service which I have done thee. 27 And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favor in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake. 28 And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it. 29 And he said unto him, Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how thy cattle was with me. 30 For it was little which thou hadst before I came, and it is now increased unto a multitude; and the LORD hath blessed thee since my coming: and now when shall I provide for mine own house also? 31 And he said, What shall I give thee? And Jacob said, Thou shalt not give me any thing: if thou wilt do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep thy flock. 32 I will pass through all thy flock to day, removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and of such shall be my hire. 33 So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me. 34 And Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy word. 35 And he removed that day the he goats that were ring-streaked and spotted, and all the she goats that were speckled and spotted, and every one that had some white in it, and all the brown among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons. 36 And he set three days' journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks. 37 And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chestnut tree; and pilled white streaks in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods. 38 And he set the rods which he had pilled before the flocks in the gutters in the watering troughs when the flocks came to drink, that they should conceive when they came to drink. 39 And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ring-streaked, speckled, and spotted. 40 And Jacob did separate the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the ring-streaked, and all the brown in the flock of Laban; and he put his own flocks by themselves, and put them not unto Laban's cattle. 41 And it came to pass, whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods. 42 But when the cattle were feeble, he put them not in: so the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's. 43 And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.

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The day's New Testament reading is verses 1-23 from the 10th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew.  Having called His Twelve Apostles (remember the number 12 from the Genesis reading?), He sends them out into the world to proclaim the Good News of salvation, warning that they would face opposition. That part hasn't changed either.
I am struck by two things (actually, more) in this passage.  The first is that among those sent out, is Judas Iscariot.  Jesus had to know that Judas would later betray him to crucifixion, but He sent him anyway.  Sometimes, and many of us have seen it, the Lord uses less-than-great people (like me) to accomplish His higher purposes, knowing the situation in advance.  Well, He has to.  None of those who seek to do His will are perfect, all have fallen and come short.  Remember that?  So, perhaps, even Judas Iscariot accomplished some eternal good.  It can happen.
The other thing that stands out is He sent them out with nothing but the Gospel.  No money, no choirs, no prepared sermons, advance team, none of the stuff that we associate with the large evangelistic outreach efforts.  Just the Gospel.  Did I say "just"?  "Merely"?  Perhaps the command to "go and tell others what the Lord has done for you" is what is most needed, and all of us can do that.  And are supposed to do that, in fact.

Matthew 10:1-23

1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.  

2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;  

3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;  

4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.  

5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:  

6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  

7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.  

8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. 

9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,  

10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. 

11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.  

12 And when ye come into an house, salute it.  

13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.  

14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.  

15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.  

16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.  

17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;  

18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. 

19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.  

20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.  

21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.  

22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.  

23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.