Saturday July 4, 2009

Saturday July 4, 2009 Independence Day
Readings: Genesis 27: 1-5, 15-29 Psalm 135: 1-6 Matthew 9: 14-17
Psalm Response: “Praise the Lord for the Lord is good!”

Some of our Christian brothers of disparate sects don’t put much trust in Tradition!
After skipping a few chapters dealing with some parallels of Abraham and Isaac’s experiences, we come to this section dealing with the successor for Isaac as the patriarch of the Hebrew nation.
A little chicanery takes place as Rebecca slips Jacob, into Esau’s, the rightful heir, heritage by using Isaac’s blindness to beguile him into thinking Jacob was Esau!
Where is there Tradition in that”, you say.
Harken back to the opening chapters of Genesis to see the preference for Abel over Cain; the younger over the elder. Continuing throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, Joseph was Jacob’s younger son, Moses was Aaron’s junior, David Jesse’s youngest son etc.
Each was chosen to be the leader of the Hebrew nation contrary to tradition of the eldest being honored.
If that isn’t tradition, what is?
We will learn later Jacob’s ability to use deception to outwit the master teacher, Laban.
The eventual growth of Israel can be traced to Jacob’s progeny, the twelve patriarchs of Hebrew History.
Suffice to say, the blessing from Isaac had a profound influence on Jacob as he was able to withstand his tendency to lash out against Laban when he was duped into wedding Leah rather than Rachel who Jacob preferred.
Could be there are times when we think we have made it perfectly clear our intentions by our study, education and experience. However, God has planned our days far in advance of our desires and knows the future when we only can conjecture.

John the Baptist’s disciples were scrupulous in the observance of the fasting regulations of the Religious parties in charge. They thought Christ, as a good Jew would also be just as observant as they were.
When they questioned Jesus about His disciples lack of obedience, He used a marital custom to allay their concerns. While the bridegroom (Himself) was still with them, the disciples would be errant were they to disregard the custom of revelry while He was still with them. They would have oodles of time when He was gone, and. a reason to fast!