Michelle
These chapters are the story of Jacob and Esau and when Jacob stole the blessing from Esau. Or that is how it appears to me. Although he was hesitant when his mother instructed him to deceive his father and take the blessing meant for Esau. It happens as it was foretold though that Jacob would be blessed and his elder brother would serve him. There always seems to be some sort of deceitfulness going on in these chapters we have read so far. The husband says what he got is that women are the root of all evil. LOL. That is not exactly what I was thinking, however, it does appear that the women so far are impatient and untrusting that things will work out as they are told and they seem to feel they have to step in or control how it works out. So much so that Rebekah is willing to accept being cursed so that her son can gain a better blessing, when we have no idea what or how he would have been blessed. And it then causes a division between Jacob and his brother. Or thinking back to Sarah, when she gave her Hagar to her husband, and we know how that turned out for her. Why are we like this? I'm sure not all women are like this but when I think about it we tend to have some of these traits. I don't think I would go so far as to instruct my child to be deceitful because I don't believe that is right, but I can see how we tend to jump in the middle of things when we don't need to. The devotional attached to this one in my bible talks about meddling too. Sometimes we just need to step back and allow things to play out as they will. It says "When you begin turning your eyes to the Lord rather than sticking your nose into other people's business, you'll soon discover that he is always busy intervening on behalf of his people - including you and those you love." There is a reflection that say to ask yourself this question: When have you seen God solve a problem in a way that surprised you? What will you meditate on rather than meddle in? These are good things to keep in mind.
The psalm is a long one. What I got is that he is in distress and he turns to the Lord who comes to his aid, he provides for him and gives him strength to persevere. Then he praises God. I think this is a reminder to turn to God in all things. No matter the struggle or the joy, remember that it is God who aids you and it you turn to him in all times, he will be there to help you thru.
Julie
As I was reading this I was asking why it seemed that the women seemed to be at the heart of all of the deceit that was going on. I was perplexed by just how much deceit that there is happening at this time, even for people that God is going to bless with great things. In a way it just reiterates what we have always seen in that those that cheat others do end up with great things, but you wonder where do they get taught a lesson in wrong doing. I only ask that because that doesn't really seem to show up anywhere. As I was reading the explanation of Jacob stealing Esau's blessing it does say that this shows how "God's sovereignty uses all kinds of actions (good, bad, mixed) to bring his people to the place in which they find themselves". I guess that we just need to understand that even the deceit is planned out by God and that he is using that for some reason. I wonder if we will see what that is regarding these specific incidences or if we will notice.
I agree with you that there does seem to be a lack of trust on the part of the women in this book. They are trying to control things themselves instead of trusting in the Lord. I did find that strange and that God accepted and still gave them great things.
This Psalm seemed to be a praise for the protection and guidance that God had provided David while he was being persecuted. I agree a reminder that God will be there with you through all things.
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