Shaking the World

I felt like I received great insight about Proverbs 30:21-23 while reading my Bible this morning and I wanted to share it. Before I did, however, I checked with some Bible commentaries (on biblecc.com) to see if anyone else discussed it the way it was revealed to me and I was surprised to find that very little was similar to what I believe I was shown this morning.

Here is the passage: Under two things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up: a servant who becomes king, a fool who is full of food, an unloved woman who is married, and a maidservant who displaces her mistress.

Other Bible commentaries pointed out that the person in each example is in a position in which they shouldn't be. For example, Barnes' Notes on the Bible says that "each has its examples of power and prosperity misused because they fall to the lot of those who have no training for them, and are therefore in the wrong place."

Barnes' Notes on the Bible also pointed out that the four things are divided equally by gender - two male and two female. I found this an interesting observation.

The Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament says earth itself, and not its inhabitants, "feels oppressed as by an insufferable burden" and "the arrangement of society is shattered."

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible and the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary briefly mention Genesis 16:4 the situation with Hagar being in the place of her mistress, Sarah, and "she began to despise her mistress" (quoted section from Genesis 16:4).

Still, none of what I found from multiple commentaries came close to what came to me this morning and actually had some of it backward from what I got from these verses. I think some of what I discovered is just the way I try to find connections and parallels between the stories God has given us, and some of it has been influenced by The Jesus Storybook Bible written by Sally Lloyd-Jones where "every story whispers his name." It connects the story of Jesus, God's ultimate story and plan, through many other stories in the Bible, throughout the Old Testament.

Here is what I got this morning. Verse 21: Under two things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up. The things described in the next couple verses are going to be things that shake the whole earth and the way things are seen and done, like what the Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament said (which, by the way, I loved that they included many of the Hebrew words in their discussion). You know, when Jesus died on the cross, that shook the whole world (Matthew 27:15, Luke 23:44-45). In the Jesus Storybook Bible, it describes it in this way: "Even though it was midday, a dreadful darkness covered the face of the world. The sun could not shine. The earth trembled and quaked. The great mountains shook. Rocks split in two. Until it seems that the whole world would break. That creation itself would tear apart." Jesus dying on the cross was definitely an event that caused the earth to tremble, which leads me into the next verse.

The first part of verse 22 says a servant who becomes a king. Is this not what Jesus did? Isn't it possible that this could refer to Jesus? While here on earth, he did what he could to serve people, regardless of their position, nationality, gender, etc. Read John 13:3-17 where Jesus served his disciples by washing their feet, one of the lowliest servant jobs there was. And where is Jesus now? Reigning with his Father in heaven. The King of the Jews, the Lion of Judah, King of kings and Lord of lords.

The second part of verse 22 says a fool full of food. Do you remember the story of Esau and Jacob in Genesis 25? Esau gave up his birthright to Jacob in exchange for a bowl of stew (verses 29 through 34). One meal. Just one. He was full of food, but he lost so much in place of that. Now, notice verses 22 and 23 in Genesis 25: The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, "Why is this happening to me?" So she went to inquire of the Lord. The Lord said to her, "Two nations are in your womb, and two people from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger. Hmm, I have a feeling Rebecca liked Jacob better than Esau because she had a word from the Lord saying that Esau (the older) would some day serve Jacob (the younger). But that is off-topic.

The first part of verse 23 says an unloved woman who is married. This made me think of Leah (Genesis 29 and 30). Jacob loved Rachel. He had no intention to marry Leah but was tricked by her father to marry her before Rachel. Genesis 29:30 says he loved Rachel more than Leah. Verses 31-34 talk about Leah being unloved. Here is a fantastic passage from the Jesus Storybook Bible about Leah:

          "No one loves me, " Leah said. "I'm too ugly."
          But God didn't think she was ugly. And when he saw that Leah was not loved and that no one wanted her, God chose her - to love her specially, to give her a very important job. One day, God was going to rescue the whole world - through Leah's family.
          ...
          And you'll never guess what job God gave Leah. You see, when God looked at Leah, he saw a princess. And sure enough, that's exactly what she became. One of Leah's children's children's children would be a prince - the Prince of Heaven - God's Son.
          This Prince would love God's people. They wouldn't need to be beautiful for him to love them. He would love them with all of his heart. And they would be beautiful because he loved them.
          Like Leah.

The last part of verse 23 says a maidservant who displaces her mistress. This is where I recalled Hagar, the maidservant of Sarai/Sarah, Abram/Abraham's wife. In Genesis 15, God promises offspring to Abram. He and Sarai took the situation into their own hands, rather than waiting on God's timing. Sarah, in effect, displaced herself by sending Abram to Hagar and telling him to sleep with her. Hagar's son Ishmael is the beginning of nations, as is Isaac. These nations will always war. Consider the next passages. Genesis 16:12 says (referring to Ishmael) He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers. Genesis 17:18-21 says And Abraham said to God, "If only Ishmael might live under your blessing?" Then God said, "Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation. But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year." It is not something I myself have studied, but I have heard that Muslims believe that Ishmael is the son Abraham almost sacrificed, not Isaac. Could they be the "descendants" or "nations" of Ishmael? Think of the middle-eastern countries constantly battling and the current problems between Christians and radical Muslims. Sounds like nations at war, just as God said it would be between the descendants of Ishmael and Isaac.

So, in an effort to bring this all together: Jesus dying on the cross and going from servant to king; Esau turning his birthright over to Jacob, Leah being the unloved wife (and ancestor of Jesus), and Hagar bearing Ishmael - all of these events in history caused the course of the world to change. God's ultimate plan has not changed and he will continue to fulfill the revelation and prophesies until the end of time as we know it. The choices of human beings have altered some of the circumstances of this life, have brought some consequences that we all have to deal with that God did not choose for us himself. Due to our free choice, humans brought them on ourselves. But they have shaken the world. The earth has trembled.

Little Messages

I know I have a problem with worrying about what other people think of me. I can be very sensitive to what other people say. I can even be sensitive to what I perceive them to think, sometimes. I always knew it could possibly be a problem with my children, especially my daughter. My husband has known that also. She and I haven't been getting along the best the last couple of days. She says I'm always grumpy and shouting at her. I don't think that's true, but I still felt hurt about it and played the day's events over and over.

Yesterday, I felt angry about a specific event and felt like the cause of my anger was her. I didn't honestly believe she was the cause because she is only four and was behaving like a normal four-year-old would be expected to behave - but I still felt hurt. I remembered a recent portion of the Beth Moore study I'm currently doing about imagining yourself holding the issue out on your open hand, fingers laid open so you can't hold onto it anymore, and hand it over to God. I mentally tried to do this with my anger and I prayed for God to just take it. A few minutes later, my daughter came in and helped me change the sheets on the bed. It felt just like God had sent her in there as a way to help me get over the anger. Think of that! The very person that I felt angry with was the one who God used to help me work through it!

Today, I wasn't having any issue with my daughter, but I was thinking about how I needed to be stronger with my convictions and not so upset by what others think of me. I was driving home from grocery shopping. I noticed a dove sitting on the power line over an intersection. It caught my interest because it was a white dove. I realized there weren't any other birds around, either, just this one white dove. I don't remember every seeing white doves before (except in magic shows). The doves I usually see are mourning doves. Anyhow, it seemed significant to me. It was as if God was reminding me that He was with me.

This evening, I was putting my daughter to bed and she said she wanted to pray for us to have a better day tomorrow because I was really grumpy all day today and shouted at her a lot. She was at a pre-school program until 2:00 today and played outside until around 4:00. We went inside when my daughter had to go to the bathroom, and then we stayed inside when both children began crying when things didn't go their ways (i.e., arguing over who got to flush the toilet - really?!). I didn't even shout at them then. A repair guy came around 4:30 and stayed until at least 5:30. The kids ran around playing chase, wrestling, and hide-n-seek, painted with water on the back porch, and seemed to have great fun. I never shouted, only periodically reminding them to be careful and for my daughter to be careful pulling my son to the ground when they were wrestling. Point? I didn't shout. We made homemade pizzas for dinner. My son was pretty fussy because he didn't get a nap today, but I don't remember reacting in any way other than sighing and telling him that Mama wanted to eat, too, and he should feed himself. Anyhow, here I am trying to justify myself to myself and all of you. Not needed, is it? I lied down next to my daughter for the routine three songs at bedtime. I felt hurt. I prayed for help because, again, I knew I shouldn't be so strongly affected by the words of my young daughter. It was then that I noticed that the raised panels on her bedroom door form a perfect cross. In fact, every door in our house (except the back door) has the same raised panels that show the form of a cross. What a wonderful reminder it was that I need to keep my focus on Jesus and that He will help me through this area of my weakness.

A few times lately, I have gotten upset by what I perceived others thought about some other decisions I've made for me and my family. Yes, as I recall these times, I think they were all perceived and nothing directly spoken. My thoughts were along the lines of, "Fine. I'll just give up. I'll do things their way and everyone will be happier. I'll just go ahead and _____ instead. I'll be fine. It's not about me anyway." So, whenever I've thought this, I had a sickening feeling inside and felt like sobbing, like my whole being was grieving. If I went along with the thought process above, I believe I would be turning away from what God has currently revealed as His purpose and plan for my life. Just something as small as my thought process was grieving to the Holy Spirit in me.

I really want to be stronger. I want to not crumble so easily when disappointments come my way, or by what others think or what I perceive them to think.

Thank you, God, for your reminders that you are with me and at work in my life. I know that you care for and love me. What happens in my life matters to you.


Verses: Joshua 1:9, 2 Timothy 3:14-15, Colossians 3:23-24, Deuteronomy 4:9, Ezekiel 36:27, Proverbs 3:5-6, Philippians 4:6, James 5:8, Isaiah 64:8, 2 Timothy 3:12, Galatians 6:9, Psalm 46:10, Colossians 3:17, 2 Corinthians 5:7, Romans 12:2, Jeremiah 29:11, Hebrews 11:1, Philippians 4:13, 1 Timothy 4:12, Romans 8:28, Proverbs 19:21, Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-4, Matthew 10:29-31, Isaiah 40:31, 1 Peter 1:7, 1 John 4:4, Matthew 6:25-34, Deuteronomy 31:6 and 8, 2 Chronicles 19:11, Job 31:4, Job 33:14, Psalm 9:9-10, Psalm 18:1-2, Psalm 27:1-5, Psalm 33:13-15, Psalm 54:4

Goal-Setting

Recently, we had a ladies' night for our church Sunday School class and discussed making goals and resolutions. I found some Bible verses to support why we make goals and some of the types of goals we can make. I thought they were worth sharing here.

Why make goals?

• You have to know where you are going to help you get there and avoid roadblocks and wrong turns.
•  Romans 3:23 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (We all have room to improve.)
• Proverbs 28:13 – He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. (We should work to get rid of our sins.)
• Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. (This is what we should be focusing on.)
• Colossians 1:10 - And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, (Goals can help us focus on ways to please the Lord. We can set goals to help us bear fruit in good works and to grow in the knowledge of God.)
• If you fail to make a plan, you make a plan to fail.
• God sets goals and has a plan
• Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
• Matthew 28:19-20 - Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 

What kind of goals?

• Spiritual
• God and His Kingdom first. Matthew 6:33 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
• Eternal over temporal. 2 Corinthians 4:18 - So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
• Spiritual over physical. Matthew 6:19-21 - “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
• People over things. Mark 8:36-38 - What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
• Romans 8:29 - For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. (NLT) 
• 2 Peter 3:18 - But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.    
• Health
• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
• Romans 12:1 - Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. 
• We need our health to effectively work for God.
• Family
• Matthew 22:37-40 - Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Love God and love people. Relationships matter to God.)
• Genesis 2:18 - The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." (Again, relationships are important to God.)
• Proverbs 22:6 - Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
• Deuteronomy 6:5-9 - Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.  
•  Esther 1:22 - He sent dispatches to all parts of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language, proclaiming in each people's tongue that every man should be ruler over his own household.
• Proverbs 5:15-19 - Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer - may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love.
• More verses that can pertain to marriage and family: Proverbs 12:4, Proverbs 15:1, Proverbs 15:18, Proverbs 15:23, Proverbs 17:1, Proverbs 18:22, Proverbs 19:13, Proverbs 19:14, Proverbs 21:9, Proverbs 21:19, Proverbs 25:24, Proverbs 27:15-16.
• Financial
•  We are called to be good stewards of everything God gives us. 
• Luke 6:38 - Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
• Matthew 10:8b - Freely you have received, freely give.
• Deuteronomy 16:17 - Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you.  
• 2 Corinthians 9:7 - Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 
• Home
• Our homes, also, are a gift from God that can be used for His glory. We can use our homes to welcome guests and build relationships that draw others closer to Him. We need to be good stewards with our homes. (See verses above under Financial.)
• Work/Education
• Colossians 3:23-24 - Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
• Proverbs 12:14b – the work of a man’s hand comes back to him
• Proverbs 18:19 – Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.
• Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 - There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?   
• Hobbies
• God created us to need rest. Sometimes we need to take a break to rejuvenate our mind, body and spirit. Also, a hobby can be profitable as a way to reach out to others in the name of Christ - by providing services to others or forming relationships with others with common interests.
• Genesis 2:2-3 - By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
• Exodus 23:12 - "Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the slave born in your household, and the alien as well, may be refreshed.
• Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 - There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?
• Mark 6:31 - Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."   

How to write goals?

• S = Specific (Ex: not just "lose weight" but "lose 20 pounds")
• M = Measurable (Ex: Resolving to lose 20 pounds is measurable because you'll be able to track your progress and know when you meet your goal.)
• A = Attainable (Ex: "Saving $50,000 for retirement" may be attainable to some, but not most of us.)
• R = Realistic (Ex: I would love to say I'm going to exercise at least a little - some toning and/or aerobic - every single day, but I know I won't, so I set a goal for 4 out of 7 days a week.)
• T = Timely (Ex: Don't set a goal that you know you can accomplish next week, nor one that you know will take ten years.)

And to end, a few verses for encouragement:

• Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
• Philippians 4:13 - I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
• Philippians 2:13 - for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.  

Consider making a goal you can’t do on your own, without God revealing His power. What a testimony that would be, wouldn't it?