Hagar

Hagar

Hagar found herself in circumstances beyond her control. As the slave girl of Sarah, she bears a child for her only to find herself banished and exiled. Hagar found herself in a bad place. Her circumstances were beyond her control. She did not ask for her life to turn out as it did, nor did she go looking for trouble. Trouble found her.

How do you react to circumstances for which you cannot control? Will the Lord bring a blessing?  Have you ever experienced a time in your life when life suddenly changed for the worse? What emotions did you feel? Did you struggle and ask God, “Why me?”  Were you able to trust that He had an ultimate plan for all that was happening to you? When the conditions of your life are not favorable, when you find yourselves lost, abandoned, alone, afraid, to whom do we turn?   In every condition, in every situation, we cry out to the Lord. There are times when events are outside our control, and we do not have the power to alter the situation. When these things happen, our dependency must be upon God.  

When we are blinded by the obstacles that stand in our way, when we are tempted to lose sight of what God is doing in our lives we turn to His words and promises which speak to us. We rely not on our experiences but upon the clear words, the Lord has spoken. We place our lives into His hands trusting that He will work in our lives.

O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy, be gracious to all who have gone astray from Your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of Your Word through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Collect for Lent 2 Lutheran Worship © Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Melchizedek

 Melchizedek – A Royal Priest

Melchizedek was a priest, the king of Salem. (Jerusalem) From the early writings of the Old Testament, we are told that the city of Jerusalem would be the scene of the redemption of the world. David, writing close to 1,000 years before Christ sees Jesus as the world’s redeemer.

Melchizedek was the king-priest of God in the Old Testament. He was greater than Abraham, Moses and David. Jesus finds Himself in line with this special priest. The priests of the Old Testaments came from the tribe of Levi. Jesus comes from the tribe Judah. And Moses never said anything about there being any priests in this tribe.  How is Jesus a better priest? 

In the past, men who became priests, each of them died, so none of them could keep on being the Head Priest forever. Jesus is different. He won’t give His position of Head Priest to someone else, because He lives forever. He is always able to save those who come to God through Him. He is always praying for them. Jesus is the perfect priest. He is the one we need. He is holy, without sin, spotless, far removed from sinful men, lifted up far above the heavens.  He didn't have to bring God sacrifices every day for His own sins first, and then for the sins of the people. He made just one sacrifice for all sin when He offered Himself. The Law appointed human beings who have faults and weaknesses to be priests. Jesus is different. God appointed Him as priest forever. And to this very hour, He intercedes for you!

Almighty God, grant to Your Church Your Holy Spirit and the wisdom that comes down from above, that Your Word may be bound but have free course and be preached to the joy and edifying of Christ’s holy people, that in steadfast faith we may serve You and in the confession of Your name, abide unto the end; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Halley’s Bible Handbook An Abbreviated Bible Commentary Twenty-Third Edition, © 1962 Zondervan Grand Rapids, MI

Collect for the Church, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Jacob

Genesis 29-30; 35:16-30

Jacob and Rachel

Jacob, who had deceived his brother Esau of his birthright travels to the safety of his uncle Laban where he falls head over heel in love with Rachael, agreeing to work for Laban seven years for Rachael’s hand in marriage.  Jacob however is deceived on his wedding night as the bride was veiled - and Jacob did not notice that Leah - Rachel's older sister, had been substituted for Rachel. Whereas "Rachel was lovely in form and beautiful," Leah, on the other hand “had tender eyes." Jacob must now work an additional seven years for the hand of Rachael. Paybacks are sometimes painful. Jacob, who had made it a habit of practicing deceit, falls victim to dishonesty himself.

Lent is a time for us to take serious inventory not only or our words and actions but upon the motivations for our speech and acts. Have we been completely honest with our words? Have we acted dubiously, not always being forthcoming with our explanations? Have our actions been sometimes suspect? If we are honest with ourselves, we will have to confess that we have sinned against God and our neighbor in our thoughts, our words, and our deed. Jacob made it a habit of manipulating people, often the people from his own family. He often found himself on the receiving end of dishonest and distorted behaviors. Jacob serves as an example for us the hurt and mistrust, which many times can befall us when we are less than honest with ourselves and with those close to us. For our offences, the Son of God suffered and died, and for these transgressions of dishonesty and manipulation, He bore the burden of our sin on the cross. As we journey through Lent, ask the Lord for a pure heart and an honest spirit.  

Merciful God, we humbly implore You to cast the bright beams of Your light upon Your Church that we, being instructed by the doctrine of the blessed apostles, may walk in the light of Your truth and finally attain to the light of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Schnorr von Carolsfeld Woodcut used with permission © WELS 

Collect for the Church, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Noah

Thanksgiving   after the flood

Noah  builds the ark                           

Genesis 5-10

The Ark was about 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high. It had three decks, contained stalls with which the animals could be kept, and had a window on the top. In this vessel Noah, his family and the entire created order would be spared from a worldwide flood. When the animals are freed from the ark, Noah offers a sacrifice to the Lord and the rainbow is set as a visible reminder that the Lord would never again destroy the entire world by a flood. 

It took time. It took time for Noah to build the ark. It took time for him to preach repentance. It took time to gather the animals into their stalls. It took time for the rains to come and for the flood waters to recede and regress, and for the world to be restored. After all that time the Lord sent His rainbow as a continued reminder that He would never again destroy the entire world by a flood. Not because He was so good.  But “because the inclination of man is evil from his youth.”  Left to his own devices, man would be right back to where he started - again. God starting over again when man had reached his limit could never restore perfect order to the earth and God grew impatient. A permanent and final solution was necessary. It came in the form of a cross. It is the symbol of the Father’s enduring love. It’s His final offer. Restoration comes in the sacrifice of God’s Son in exchange for the sin of the world. It’s the Father’s final offer. It is a good thing. It works. It brings eternal results.

Almighty and everlasting God, You desire not the death of a sinner but that all would repent and live. Hear our prayers for those outside the Church. Take away their iniquity, and turn them from their false gods to You, the living and true God. Gather them into Your holy Church, to the glory of Your name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Schnorr von Carolsfeld Woodcut used with permission © WELS 

Halley’s Bible Handbook An Abbreviated Bible Commentary Twenty-Third Edition, © 1962 Zondervan Grand Rapids

Collect for these outside the Church, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Rebecca

Genesis 24-27

The story of Rebecca contains three different episodes.

1.         The betrothal and marriage of Rebecca. (Genesis 24) Rebecca is introduced as a brave and resourceful young woman; she impressed all the people who met her. She was a good match for Isaac.    

2.         The birth and youth of Esau and Jacob. (Genesis 25:19-34) Rebecca gave birth to two sons with very different temperaments. The conflict between them would be the basis for conflict between later generations and nations.

3.         Rebecca and the blessing of Isaac. (Genesis 27) Rebecca manipulated the situation so that the older would serve the younger. Rather than let the Lord direct the outcome, Rebecca becomes just as deceitful as Jacob. Parental favoritism will bear its poisonous fruit.

Rebecca will show remarkable initiative, which leads to her marriage to Isaac but would become her eventual downfall. She and her husband Isaac each favored one son over the other, which led to deceit between the two parents and the two brothers. She will go so far as to deceive both her husband and her son to claim the birthright for her younger son Jacob.

Instead of relying upon God and trusting in His promises Rebecca resorted to favoritism and deceit which tore the family apart. It is one thing to say “it’s God’s will” it is quite another to force our own itineraries, plans and agendas in God’s name. Lent calls for us to reflect on the will of God in our lives, for us to seek His path and plan for our lives and to rely upon Him and His ways rather than insist our own ways.

Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with Your most gracious favor, and further us with Your continual help, that in all our works begun, continued and ended in You we may glorify Your holy name and finally, by Your mercy, obtain eternal salvation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Schnorr von Carolsfeld Woodcut used with permission © WELS

Collect for Divine Guidance Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Enoch

Scripture is quite clear, “Inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment. (Hebrews 9:27)

Each of us must, one day, face death. Enoch and Elijah were two exceptions. “then he was no more, because God took him away.” Enoch was taken away, to the presence of God without experiencing death. He was “commended as one who pleased God.” (Hebrews 11:5)

Enoch pleased God, which is proof of his faith. For without faith it is impossible to please God. Faith must always have an object, and the proper object of genuine faith is God. Enoch believed that God truly did exist for he walked with God.  How do we walk and communicate with God? We are connected to God through the person of Jesus Christ.

The writer to the Hebrews reminds us, “So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.” (Hebrews 9:28) Jesus died as the perfect sacrifice for sin, just as all men must die once. You do not need to fear the future for Christ has claimed you as His own. His death is your death and His life is yours. Like Enoch and Elijah you will be received for you walk with God by faith.

As we are strangers and pilgrims on earth, help us by true faith and a godly life to prepare for the world to come, doing the work You have given us to do while it is day, before the night comes when no one can work. And when our last hour comes, support us by Your power and receive us into Your heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

General Pray of the Church, Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Time in the Word - Lent 2

Holding God to His Word

Jacob wrestled with God; he would not let Him go until he received a blessing from Him (Gen. 32:22–32). So it was with the Canaanite woman. Though Jesus seemed to ignore and reject her, she continued to call upon His name and look to Him for help (Mt. 15:21–28). Even when the Lord called her a little dog, she held on to Him in faith and would not let Him wriggle out of His words: “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” This Gentile woman shows herself to be a true Israelite, who struggles with God and man in Christ and prevails. “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire” (Mt. 15:27–28). This is the sanctifying will of God (1 Thess. 4:1–7)—to test your faith in order that it may be refined and strengthened. For tribulation produces perseverance; perseverance, character; character, hope. And hope in Christ does not disappoint (Rom. 5:1–5).

Collect for Ash Wednesday (prayed after the Collect for the Day throughout Lent): Almighty and everlasting God, You despise nothing You have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent. Create in us new and contrite hearts that lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness we may receive from You full pardon and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Collect for the Commemoration of St Matthias (24 February): Almighty God, You chose Your servant Matthias to be numbered among the Twelve.  Grant that Your Church, ever preserved from false teachers, may be taught and guided by faithful and true pastors; through Jesus Christ, our Lord,

Prayer for patience: O God, by the patient endurance of Your only-begotten Son You beat down the pride of the old enemy. Help us to treasure rightly in our hearts what our Lord has borne for our sakes that, after His example, we may bear with patience those things that are adverse to us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord,

Prayer for the aged: Almighty God and gracious Father, in Your mercy look on those whose increasing years bring them weakness, anxiety, distress, or loneliness. Grant that they may always know care and respect, concern and understanding. Grant them willing hearts to accept help and, as their strength wanes, increase their faith with the constant assurance of Your love through Jesus Christ, their Savior,

Monday, 18 February 2013—Psalm 25:1–2a, 7–8, 11; Antiphon, Psalm 25:6, 2b, 22—Reminiscere is the Latin word for ‘remember,’ the first word of the Introit. It sets the theme of the day, for both Jacob in the Old Testament reading and the Canaanite woman in the Gospel insist that God remember his promised mercies. We, too, pray that the Lord would remember His mercy, and pardon our guilt, for it is great.

Tuesday, 19 February 2013—Genesis 32:22–32—At a place which he named Peniel (meaning ‘the face of God’), the patriarch Jacob wrestled with God in earnest prayer. His striving was spiritual and physical. Jacob strove with God because he trusted God to be true to His promises; he persisted until God granted him a blessing. Jacob could do this, not because he was stronger than God (for no one is), but because he held God to His promises (Gen 28:13–15). God cannot lie, and He delights to let us win victories over him on the basis of humble, believing prayer. Jacob clung in faith to God and to God’s promise, and he received the blessing he desired.

Wednesday, 20 February 2013—Psalm 121—The psalm for the day is a joyful, exuberant proclamation by the faithful of their trust in the Lord. The one who trusts in the promises of God knows that he shall be preserved throughout all his days, for the Lord neither slumbers nor sleeps, but keeps us from all evil, until the glorious day of the Second Coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Thursday, 21 February 2013—1 Thessalonians 4:1–7—We have been redeemed from the consequence of sin by the death and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We have been given new life by the washing of water with the Word in Holy Baptism. How, then should we live as new creatures in Christ? St Paul gives us some guidelines in Sunday’s epistle reading, especially as regards our sexual impulses. We are to live lives of purity, reserving the good gift of sexual relations for the marriage bed, for God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.

Friday, 22 February 2013—Matthew 15:21–28—In Sunday’s Gospel account, Jesus heals the daughter of one who was despised by the Jews of His day—a Canaanite woman. Jesus shows that His ministry is not limited to the Jews; it extends to all people. This foreign woman shows great faith, for she is dogged and determined to hold Jesus to His promises of grace and blessing. Like the woman, we are all poor beggars before the Lord, and are privileged to receive His crumbs of mercy, for even His crumbs are more than sufficient for us.

Saturday, 9 February 2013—Sunday’s hymn of the day is When in the Hour of Deepest Need (LSB #615). Because of sin, we find ourselves in a terrible predicament, facing all the consequences of our transgressions. The first stanza of the hymn establishes our hopeless condition—hopeless, that is, apart from the mercy of God. The remaining stanzas profess confidence that the Lord will deliver us from our afflictions. In stanza 3, we hold God to His promises, much as Jacob and the Canaanite woman did.

Collect for Reminiscere, the Second Sunday in Lent: O God, You see that of ourselves we have no strength. By Your mighty power defend us from all adversities that may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House

Artwork by Ed Riojas © Higher Things

Lectionary summary on first page from LCMS Commission on Worship

This week’s Time in the Word written by Pr. Jeffrey Keuning