For a Good Cause - The Bachelor

Every now and then when The Bachelor comes out with a new season I will start to watch. It's sometimes short lived, because to me it is so unrealistic and so far off from my value system that I end up getting either frustrated or disgusted or truly sad for the women. It's heartbreaking to watch so many get their heart broken! But, admittedly, I watched The Bachelor last night and same story. However I found such profound meaning in one aspect of it.

The girls were asked to go on a group date to a photo shoot. It turned out being a charity photo shoot for dog adoption. The girls were to pose in different outfits, some quite weird, others elegant, others - well, outfit nonexistent! Two of the girls were asked to pose nude. It's so staged, because of course the two they chose were the ones who would be most uncomfortable with it, one a modest attorney and the other a 1st grade teacher. I was rooting for both of them - "Dont do it!!" Neither wanted to and I was so proud of them saying so.

The first grade teacher mentioned to the director that she was a role model for young children and would not do anything inappropriate. His response was (paraphrased), "The role modeling comes through doing it for a good cause." Meaning the pet adoption. She found a girl that was not so shy about being naked and traded outfits. She ended up wearing a hydrant costume by trading, which was not at all the type of attractive clothing she would have preferred, but she left with dignity and I was proud she did not bear all just for the sake of charity or the show! Go her!

The attorney really struggled with it. She also went to the director, who told her she would be doing a good thing, it was for a good cause. She was unsure what to do until the bachelor himself talked to her and said he would pose with her. She ended up saying she was comfortable since he talked to her and everything would be ok because of him, he had made her comfortable and she put her trust in him and posed nude. 

Duped! That's what came to my mind. THis respectable woman was duped by the show and the bachelor. SHe was persuaded to do something she was uncomfortable with and expose her body to the world. HOw easily this man talked her into it! And knowing how this show goes, there's a very good chance she won't be around in the next week or two. So she put her trust in a man who more than likely will dump her soon and send her home and never see her again, and she compromised for him. 

She was obviously stressed and didn't want to do it but under pressure went against her initial instinct. I'm not attacking her. And I do not know her thought process or value system, but it just hit me that aren't we all duped from time to time, even for a good cause? How much more a human's worth than a dog's and yet these women were compromised for a dog! How many times do we neglect or hurt our families, children, husband, friends, God, coworkers....many times for a good cause? How many times do we compromise our values and our beliefs because someone close to us persuades us that our sin is ok, even with good intentions?

I'm just saying be careful. If these women can be persuaded to compromise by one man they don't know and may not see ever again, how easily might we be persuaded and compromise in daily life by good causes and people we care about with good intentions. I'm saying question things. Who in your life is priority and what values do you need to hold onto? THis world is deceptive at the least, let us not forget the evil that underlies, and satan who rules this world. Sneaky, cunning, "it's for a good cause", "look at the benefit"....yuck! Be careful. Watch out for yourself and trust God's voice. When you hear the Holy Spirit within whisper to you it's wrong, no matter how right it may seem on the outside, trust the voice of God and test what is being asked. The bible tells us to test spirits to make sure they are from God. Don't assume because someone or something else will benefit and there seems to be goodness, that it is ok for you, especially if it is going against something you believe! Stand your ground and endure!!

Jesse

Samuel was a prophet to King Saul. Saul was rejected by the Lord as King over Egypt, and the Lord told Samuel to go to the house of Jesse the Bethlehemite and anoint a new king for He had chosen one of Jesse’s sons (he had eight sons). Samuel was afraid to go, fearful that Saul would find out and kill him. The Lord instructed Samuel to take a heifer with him and go to the town and tell the people he had come to sacrifice. He was to invite Jesse to the sacrifice and the Lord would show him what to do. So Samuel went and he consecrated Jesse and his sons.

When Jesse’s sons passed before Samuel, the Lord told him not to look at appearance or stature, because God sees not as man sees but He looks at the heart – 1 Sam 16:7.  Seven of them passed before Samuel, yet not any of them were chosen. Samuel asked Jesse if this were all his children. Jesse told him the youngest, David, hadn’t come but was tending sheep in the field, so Samuel sent for him and when he came in Samuel anointed him as king.

At one time, an evil spirit was torturing King Saul and he asked for someone who was skillful at playing the harp. One of his servants told him a son of Jesse played beautifully, so Saul sent messengers to Jesse asking for David to be sent to the King. Jesse sent him, along with a donkey loaded with bread, a jug of wine, and a goat.

When Jesse was old, the Philistines came against Israel and Jesse’s three oldest sons went to battle. Jesse sent grain, bread, and cheese with David to their camp for them and their leader and asked David to check on them. While he is there, David hears the challenge of Goliath, the Philistine, and rises to defeat him when no other Israelites would stand up to him.

David is many times referred to as “the son of Jesse” and Isaiah talks about Jesus coming from the line of Jesse, so he is no doubt a prominent figure in the bible. Isaiah 11:1-2 says, “Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” In verse 10, Isaiah calls Jesus “the root of Jesse” when referring to His future reign. This is quoted in the New Testament in Romans 15:12 - “Again Isaiah says, “There shall come the root of Jesse, And He who arises to rule over the Gentiles, in Him shall the Gentiles hope.”” 

Obed

Obed was the son of Boaz and Ruth and the father of Jesse.

Boaz and Ruth

The lifespan of Boaz (means Man of Valor/Strength) and Ruth (means Friendship) was during the days of the judges, most likely during the judge of Jair, approx 1126 – 1105 BC.

There had been a famine in the land of Judah, so Elimelech and Naomi, whose son would be Ruth’s husband, traveled to Moab and stayed there. Elimelech died, and Naomi was left with her two sons. They married Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. Then both of the sons died. Naomi encouraged her daughters-in-law to return to their families for she would not be able to provide a husband for them. Orpah agreed, but Ruth stayed loyal to her mother-in-law and said “…where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people, shall be my people and your God, my God.” Ruth 1:16

So Naomi and Ruth returned to Bethlehem. Ruth suggests that she go glean in the field of Boaz, a kinsman of Naomi’s husband. While she is in the field, Boaz asks about her and one of the servants tells him she is the Moabitess that returned with Naomi. So he told Ruth to not go to any other field but to stay there with his maids. He commanded his servants not to touch her, and he allowed her to drink from his well. She was surprised at his kindness but he said he had heard of her loyalty to Naomi and blesses her.

At mealtime he called her over to eat with he and the reapers and he also told his servants to purposes leave behind some grain for her to gather. When she was done, she beat out what she had gleaned and it was about an ephah of barley, which is 30-40 lbs. So she took it to Naomi, who immediately noticed Ruth had been blessed, and continued to live with her and glean in Boaz’s field.

Naomi then suggests to Ruth that since Boaz is a kinsman, maybe he could redeem her. It was during the evening when Boaz would be threshing, so Naomi told Ruth to put on her best clothes and go down to the threshing floor after he had eaten. She instructed Ruth that when Boaz lay down to go uncover his feet and lay down and that Boaz would then tell her what to do.

So she did, and Boaz told her he would do whatever she asked. She told him he was a close relative, suggesting she was hoping he would marry her. He agreed, but he knew there was one relative still alive that was a closer relative than he, so he said they must give him opportunity first since that was the right thing to do.

Then Boaz went to the city gate and spoke to the close relative. He began by telling him of Elimelech’s death and that there was land to be redeemed and he was the closest relative so he had the first opportunity to buy it. Boaz tells him if he does not buy it, he would because he was the next closest relative. So the relative says he will redeem it. Then Boaz says on the day he buys it, he will also acquire Ruth in order to raise up the name of the deceased in the inheritance. So the relative denies redeeming it for fear of losing his own inheritance (having to split his wealth/land between his children and Ruth’s potential children) and tells Boaz to redeem it.

According to custom, the relative removed his sandal and gave it to Boaz, this was the former way to legally and symbolically transfer property rights. So Boaz redeems the land and acquires Ruth. The elders bless him, saying may Ruth be like Rachel and Leah, who built the house of Israel, may he become wealthy and famous in Bethlehem, and may his house be like the house of Perez.

So they married and Ruth became pregnant. The women called Naomi blessed because of the offspring of Ruth, which would become Naomi’s redeemer and take care of her, and because of her daughter-in-law who loved her. The firstborn was named Obed, and Naomi took him and became his nurse. Obed is David’s grandpa, the father of Jesse.

Interesting note: My bible commentary recognizes firstborns in the blessing by the elders. Tamar, the widow of Judah’s first born son who was denied marriage to Judah’s remaining son. Perez, the firstborn of Tamar who was born out of deceit. If her firstborn would have been conceived properly, it would have been considered her first husband’s son. And Ruth’s first son would be considered the first born of Mahlon, her first husband, the rest of their children would be considered Boaz’s. Similar to Christ, Mary’s firstborn son was not considered Joseph’s son but God’s.

Be Still for a Minute

Just a quick note....

I got out of bed late this morning. My usual routine (or maybe should say ideal instead of usual) is to get up, pray and read my bible before the kids get up. Lately I've been getting up a little late though and so I haven't had as much time. I feel like I rush through my prayer list and hope to skim over some scripture. Then I rush to work, where like everyone else I'm crazy busy all day, then I rush to get the kids, rush to an activity or if we don't have an activity rush to get a workout in and cook supper, rush to pick up the house a little, throw in a load of laundry. Rush to get the kids homework done and everyone in bed....you get the picture.

As I sat down and started looking over my prayer list this morning I just felt it wasn't right. I really felt God speak to my spirit and say slow down. With eyes closed almost immediately a praise song came into my head and I stopped and just prayed it to God. Then Silent Night, and I sat with those peaceful words going through my mind fully aware of God's presence and thinking about what He did for us on that night. Sending His Son, who I have the privilege of praying to every day. I get to have a relationship with the creator of the universe. That's awe inspiring itself.

I heard the boys alarm go off and looked over my prayer list. One in particular means a lot to me, and so I did say to God to please watch over my friend today, then I thanked Him for the time we got to spend today and for knowing what is on my list so I don't have to rush through each one before the kids come in but can enjoy the peaceful spirit He had given.

I encourage you during this especially busy time of year to slow down and let God wash peace over you. I feel like I have been refreshed and have a better perspective this morning, just by allowing God a few minutes to instill peace into my spirit. I highly recommend you take some time to do the same. We all need it! Be blessed today and this Christmas. I hope wherever you are God's presence and peace will be apparent to you today and in this season!

Salmon and Rahab

Most of the information I found in the bible about this couple is about Rahab. She is one of the five women listed in the genealogy in Matthew. She is also one of the women mentioned in the hall of faith in Hebrews chapter eleven. Rahab was a harlot in the land of Shittim (Jericho). She trusted the Lord and hid the spies sent into the land by Joshua. She told them she had heard of how the Lord had dried up the Red Sea and how the Israelites had conquered the Amorites.

When they were about to leave, she told the spies where to go to hide so that their pursuers would not find them. They told her to tie a scarlet cord in the window in which they left and they would spare anyone who was in the house with her when Israel invaded.

When Israel, under the leadership of Joshua, attached Jericho, Rahab and her father’s household, including her belongings, were spared and she lived in the midst of Israel because she had helped the spies. Ultimately she saved her entire family.

Rahab is also mentioned in James 2:25 – “In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?” in reference to man being justified by works through faith. James says “Faith without works is dead”

Other notes about Rahab: Psalm 87:4 “I shall mention Rahab and Babylon among those who know Me….” – According to my bible commentary “Rahab” is a monster of ancient pagan mythology and also a figurative word for Egypt. The commentary says this means even the enemies of Israel will one day worship the Lord.

Nahshon

Nahshon was the leader of the sons of Judah…the leader of the tribe of Judah and its army during the time of Moses (74,600 men). He presented offerings after Moses completed the tabernacle, moreover he was the first to present an offering, which was completed one tribe per day.

He camped at Sinai in the wilderness with Moses and the Israelite people. Thirteen months after the Exodus from Egypt and after eleven months of staying in Sinai, they began their march to the promised land. Nahshon led the sons of Judah, who led the entire march, as they set out.

The Israelites crossed over the Jordan and into the promised land sometime between Nahson and Salmon.