Author: evangelist_breland

Can you imagine the hurt of knowing your husband didn’t love you, but instead he loved your younger sister? How painful that must’ve been! That was the situation for Leah; she was Jacob’s unloved wife. She knew that he loved Rachel. Yet, she loved him. We live in a fallen world due to disobedience to our heavenly Father; therefore, we experience consequences we’d prefer to avoid.  Leah experienced the hurtful reality of having false hope in a loveless relationship.

About one month after Jacob arrived in Haran and stayed as a guest in his Uncle Laban’s home, his uncle inquired of him as to whether he should serve him for nothing because he was his relative. “What should your wages be” (v.15b)? Jacob loved Rachel so his response to Laban’s question was that he would serve him seven years for Rachel his younger daughter (V.18). This was essentially Jacob’s offer of a   dowry to show that he was able to and willing to take care of a wife. Scripture described Leah’s eyes as being delicate, or weak, in contrast to Rachel being beautiful of form and appearance (17). When Jacob fulfilled the seven-year contract as promised, he asked his Uncle Laban to give him his wife that he may go in unto her (vv. 20a-21). Laban brought all the men of the place together and made a feast as was customary (v. 22). When evening came, Laban took Leah his daughter and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her (v. 23).

When morning came, Jacob realized that it was Leah (v.25), and he wasn’t happy. Laban’s explanation: “It must not be done so in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn” (v. 26). Jacob agreed to fulfill Leah’s week and he was given Rachel also for another seven years of service with Laban (vv. 27-28). Leah must’ve been heart-broken. She may have thought that she was actually getting a husband. However, she experienced the hurtful reality of having false hope in a loveless relationship. It seemed as if her heart was in the wrong man. A changed heart will result in a changed life.

2 Kings 11:1-20, NKJV

Athaliah was the wicked daughter of King Ahab and also the mother of Ahaziah.  Ahaziah, son of Jehoram, became king of Judah after his father died; he was killed in the first year of his reign. “When Athaliah, his mother, saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal heirs” (v.1).   This is the Davidic line through which the Messiah was to come. The devil never ceases attempting to abort God’s plans. Athaliah took over and reigned for six years as queen over the land of Judah. During her six-year reign, she didn’t know that a rightful heir to the throne was alive. “Jehoshabeath, the daughter of King Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest (for she was the sister of Ahaziah), hid Joash, from Athaliah so that she did not kill him” (1 Chronicles 22:11b). For six years “the child was hidden with his nurse in the house of the Lord” to preserve the royal seed.

In the seventh year of Athaliah’s reign, Jehoiada the priest rebelled against her and crowned Joash king of Judah (vv.4-12). ¹³ Now when Athaliah heard the noise of the escorts and the people, she came to the people in the temple of the Lord. All the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. So Athaliah tore her clothes and cried out, “Treason! Treason!” ¹⁵ And Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds, the officers of the army, and said to them, “Take her outside under guard, and slay with the sword whoever follows her.” For the priest had said, “Do not let her be killed in the house of the Lord.” ¹⁶ So they seized her; and she went by way of the horses’ entrance into the king’s house, and there she was killed.

¹⁸ And all the people of the land went to the temple of Baal, and tore it down. ²⁰ So all the people of the land rejoiced; and the city was quiet, for they had slain Athaliah with the sword in the king’s house. If we sow evil; like Athaliah, we will reap evil. Remember, God uses whomsoever He chooses to accomplish His purpose. For He is a purposeful God.

Ephesians 5:8-10, NKJV

Believers are commanded to “be imitators of God as dear children; ²And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us…” (Ephesians 5:1-2a). Therefore, as imitators of God they should walk, or behave themselves, continually in love just as Christ loved. God sent His Son Jesus in the flesh to die for our sins. His death fulfilled the righteous requirement of the law in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit (Romans 8:4). Believers are exhorted to live righteously.  

Apostle Paul told the Ephesian believers “⁸For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light ⁹(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), ¹⁰ finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.” Spiritual darkness is out of character for children of God. We were once darkness – sons of disobedience (v.6) – and alienated from God. Believers are to remember that sin has consequences: “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a). Now that we have taken off the old, corrupt man and put on the new man, we are light in the Lord. Therefore, our walk must honor Him. “Be imitators of God as dear children. The faithful will be eternally rewarded: “…the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23b).

Paul continued the command for the Ephesians to walk as children of light. We know God; we are children of light. “For light, the Holy Spirit, results in all goodness, righteousness, and truth (v.9), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord” (v.10). As light, we are to be mindful that we are exhorted to live righteously. Do not dishonor our Father by conforming to the ways of this world. Give God glory!

1 Peter 4:12-19, NKJV

Apostle Peter begins this passage by reminding us that believers will suffer. More importantly is our response.

Here Peter tenderly addressed children of God as “beloved”. They were scattered throughout Asia Minor and facing persecution for believing in Jesus. He commanded them to not think the fiery trial which was to prove them, was something unusual happening to them (v.12). This was a test of their faith. Though they’d be distressed by various trials for a little while, they were “to count it all joy” (James 1:2). Yes, they were “to rejoice to the extent that they partake of Christ’s sufferings” (v.13). They were suffering so Peter   encouraged them to keep rejoicing. Rejoice in your suffering, and “when His glory is revealed, they may also be glad with exceeding joy” (v.13).

Again the apostle told these believers that their response to suffering was important. No matter what their circumstances were if they were reproached [insulted or reviled] for the name of Christ, they were blessed. Because they were believers, the Spirit of glory and of God rested on them, indwelling them; therefore, others blasphemed Him, but they glorified Him (v.14). Matthew 5:16 says to “let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Peter commanded that “none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody [meddler] in other people’s matters” (v.15). “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this name (Christian)” (v.16). As believers, we aren’t looking for persecution, but when we are, we are not to be ashamed.

Share the sufferings of Christ, remembering that the sincerity of “your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7).

Nehemiah 8:10-12, NKJV

Children of God should always rejoice in the Lord for He is good. Instead of sorrowing over our past sins, we are to think on all God’s goodness. He has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness according to His divine power (2 Peter 1:3, paraphrased). Therefore, we should celebrate Him. That’s what He wanted the Israelites to do; they repented of their sins, He forgave them immediately, and they were encouraged to rejoice. He demands the same of us today.

Nehemiah told them to “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (V.10).  And all the people went their way to enjoy all the delicious food and drink. They did as requested and sent portions to those for whom nothing was prepared so everyone would be a part of this celebration. This is a prime example for us to remember that giving is an important part of all believers’ responsibility. The verse goes on to say “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Joy is fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is our strength – our power – given us to help us endure difficult times in our life. Those times when we want to cry, we are encouraged to recall the birth of that great joy, Jesus, the angel announced to the shepherds that Christmas morning (Luke 2:10) so long ago. That will surely keep us going.

These Israelites had much in which to rejoice. God had allowed them to return to their homeland, rebuild the altar for making sacrifices to Him and the temple for their place of worship (Ezra 3; 6:13-18). He also allowed them to complete the walls of Jerusalem so they would have protection from their enemies (Nehemiah 6:15-16). Like the Israelites we will face opposition from our enemies, but we must forgive them so our Father will forgive us. So give God glory! Let’s be faithful to Him daily: repent, forgive, and rejoice.