Pastors' Columns
Pastor's Pulse
God’s Amazing Promises
December 2009
“So Rachel died, and she was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem)” – Genesis 35:19
This year we have been studying the Book of Genesis as our all-church Bible study (If you’ve not had an opportunity to view the study, it is available in the Bible Study section of our church website. Hard copies are also available through the church office). In one of the most moving scenes in Genesis Rachel, the beloved wife of Jacob, dies giving birth to their son, Benjamin. Jacob sets up a pillar to mark the spot. As Rachel is giving birth, one of the midwives says to her, “Do not be afraid; for now you will have another son.”
These words of the midwife represent the two greatest promises in Scripture. We need to remember them, meditate on them and claim them every day of our lives. We are especially called to remember them in the Advent and Christmas seasons. The first promise, “do not be afraid,” reflects the fact that we live in a fearful world. There are many things that disturb and threaten us. We face a difficult economy and struggle with a continuing war in the Middle East. We seem to be in a world that becomes harsher and even more violent every day. As we easily become afraid we need to remember that God’s central promise to us is “Do not be afraid.” God’s word remains secure. It will not return empty (Isaiah 55:11). Consider the following examples of this promise: Genesis 15:1, 21:17, 26:24; Exodus 14:13, 20:20; Deuteronomy 20:3; Joshua 10:25; Ruth 3:11; I Samuel 12:20; II Samuel 9:7; I Kings 17:13; II Kings 6:16; Nehemiah 4:14; Psalm 56:11; Isaiah 41:10; Jeremiah 1:8, 42:11; Zechariah 8:13; Matthew 14:27; Luke 12:32; John 12:15; Acts 18:9, 27:24; Hebrews 13:6; Revelation 1:17. At the heart of the Advent and Christmas stories this promise is repeated several times: Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:13, 1:30, 2:10. If scripture says anything at all to us, it is this message: Do not be afraid. In fearful times we need especially to remember this.
The second promise of the midwife is the reason not to be afraid. This promise is “you will have another son.” Jacob will have many sons. He has twelve to begin with and then descendents as the sands of the sea as God had promised to Abraham. Yet Jacob’s ultimate son will be born to descendents who, many centuries later, will be on the road to Bethlehem. Jacob has no way of knowing when he sets up the pillar in memory of Rachel that he is placing a sign for the ages. From Jacob, out of Bethlehem, will come One who will stand in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God (Micah 5:4). “… and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Interestingly enough, Jesus is not descended from Jacob through his beloved wife, Rachel. He is rather descended through a sinful encounter between Jacob’s son Judah and Judah’s daughter–in-law. Jesus does not represent the aspirations of the human race but rather its failings. Rachel’s son Benjamin will be the ancestor of the apostle Paul (Philippians 3:4-5). God’s ways are not our ways.
Advent and Christmas are the most joyful seasons of the year because they focus on God’s amazing promises.
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