Second Options

Since everybody knows about my vast knowledge of the 12 spies that searched out Canaan... I decided to write today on a thought that I have had about 2 of them.

Caleb and Joshua were the two spies that brought a good report of the land. The other 10, who for time's sake I will not name (but of course, I could ;)), brought an evil report. But the interesting things is their tribes. You see, Joshua came from Ephraim while Caleb came from Judah.

The children of Ephraim were the original rulers in Israel. When you read through the book of Judges, you will find that the tabernacle was set up in Shiloh... in Ephraim. The "Men of Ephraim" were the Old Testament version of the Pharisees in my opinion. And Joshua was the original ruler. That is why in Jeremiah 31:9 God says that Ephraim was His firstborn.

The problem is that Ephraim fell into sin. Shiloh was destroyed. The men of Ephraim lost their position and status. Judah, beginning with David, became the new predominant tribe. The temple was built in Judah.

You see, Ephraim was God's "intended" tribe. Even though in His foreknowledge He predicted the Star would come from Judah, but still Ephraim had the opportunity to be the chief tribe in all of Israel. (That goes back to Jacob placing his hands on Ephraim, Joseph's 2nd born, and not Manasseh, Joseph's 1st born. But Joseph was the ruler of Israel at that time, for sure!) Instead, Ephraim fell into sin, and God moved His emphasis from Ephraim to Judah.

We find the same principle in God moving His emphasis from Israel to the Gentiles. It was all part of His foreknowledge and part of His works, but Israel did not find that which he sought for, but the Gentiles did.

Anyway, the challenge is to stay right in God's eyes, so that He does not have to find a 2nd-String fill-in for you. He will accomplish that which He purposes, but will you be a part of it?

Just a thought.

Unbelievable

Wow... I didn't realize until this morning... It is horendous... I can't believe it!!

I did not blog yesterday.

What is this world coming to? Last week I did not work on Thursday or Friday, so I didn't post anything then. But yesterday, I had no reason. I was just caught up in work. I didn't even take a lunch, so I had no thoughts. But I just forgot. Forgive me.

Anyway, I was reading Jeff Adams' blog earlier, and I wanted to share that with everybody. It is on Thanksgiving. Too often we are not thankful for things. Yeah, that's just a problem in our lives that we have to get right... But I would say that often we are thankful for something, but we just don't know how to say it, or to show our thanks for what was done. Anyway, Jeff Adams addresses that and gives some ways to show thanksgiving towards God.

http://drjeffadams.com/?p=479

For the glory of God.

Just at thought...

God is Good

I love seeing God answer prayers. It is almost as though He truly was omnipotent, loving, gracious, benevolent, good and faithful. Oh, what peace we often forfeit, because we do not carry everything to Him in prayer.

It's really amazing that we don't spend more time in prayer. Too often, I suppose we get comfortable with the way our lives are, and just don't see the need. Things are good... why should I pray? That's a bad mentality. Things are only good, because God is good.

Anyway, we're 2 for 2 this week with short thoughts. Did I mention I was back to work after a 4 day weekend!?

Just a thought...

Back to work...

Well, after having four days off from work (and from this blog by the way), I am back at it.

Anyway, when thinking about work, I am reminded of I Corinthians 15:58 that says that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. That means that other labor in this world may be in vain, but that which is in the Lord, and for the Lord, that labor is never in vain.

Remember to work for Him!

(Look at that, nice and short!)

Just a thought...