HOBSON’S CHOICE

Time with Jesus -17 Dec 2013

Hi all,

The movie was “The Godfather”. In it we came across the expression, “I'm gonna make him an offer he won't refuse. Okay?” The comment stirs up emotion in all of us. It’s a bit reminiscent of the Spanish Inquisition when the Jews were asked to convert to Christianity. The alternative was death. So unless you agreed….

Scripture	No	Mother	Name	Meaning	Words spoken by Leah or Rachel
Gen 29:31-32	1	Leah	Reuben	See, a Son	Leah said, “It is because the LORD has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now.”
Gen 29:33	2	Leah	Simeon	One who hears	Leah said, “Because the LORD heard that I am not loved, he gave me this one too.”
Gen 29:34	3	Leah	Levi	Attached	Leah said, “Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.”
Gen 29:35	4	Leah	Judah	Praise	Leah said, “This time I will praise the LORD.”
Gen 30:4-6	5	Bilhah	Dan	He has vindicated	Rachel said, “God has vindicated me; he has listened to my plea and given me a son.”
Gen 30:7-8	6	Bilhah	Napthali	My struggle	Rachel said, “I have had a great struggle with my sister, and I have won.”
Gen 30:9-11	7	Zilpah	Gad	Good fortune or a troop	Leah said, “What good fortune!”
Gen 30:12-13	8	Zilpah	Asher	Happy	Leah said, “How happy I am! The women will call me happy.”
Gen 30:17-18	9	Leah	Issachar	Reward	Leah said, “God has rewarded me for giving my maidservant to my husband.”
Gen 30:19-20	10	Leah	Zebulon	Honour	Leah said, “God has presented me with a precious gift. This time my husband will treat me with honour, because I have borne him six sons.”
Gen 30:22-24	11	Rachel	Joseph	May he add	Rachel said, “God has taken away my disgrace.”
Gen 35:16-29	12	Rachel	Benoni	Son of my trouble	As she breathed her last - for she was dying - she named her son Ben-Oni.
			Benjamin	Son of my right hand	But his father named him Benjamin.
Gen 30:21		Leah	Dinah		Nothing stated - she was a daughter

In Genesis 29 we see several examples of an offer you can’t refuse.

As we know, Jacob “fell in love” with Rachel. She was Laban’s youngest daughter. He arrived almost penniless in Haran. Not surprising since he had left home in a hurry fearing Esau’s revenge for “stealing” the blessing of the eldest son.

Jacob was virtually “stuck” in Haran with his uncle Laban. (Jacob’s mother’s brother). He certainly couldn’t leave and take Rachel with him unless he paid Laban the “bride price”. 

But Laban was a bigger swindler than Jacob would ever be. So our love-sick swain agreed to work for Laban for 7 years for Rachel’s hand in marriage. It was an offer he couldn’t refuse. Not if he wanted to marry Rachel.

¹⁸ Since Jacob was in love with Rachel, he told her father, "I'll work for you for seven years if you'll give me Rachel, your younger daughter, as my wife." ¹⁹ "Agreed!" Laban replied. "I'd rather give her to you than to anyone else. Stay and work with me." Gen 29:18-19 NLT

We know he agreed. Seven years later Laban tricked him into marrying Leah, Laban’s eldest daughter.

One week later he also married Rachel. It was another offer he couldn’t refuse. Thus Jacob acquired two wives. Along with his wives, he acquired two female slaves. They were the servants of Leah (Zilpah) and Rachel (Bilhah) respectively. 

That’s when the “fun” started. Leah had no problem conceiving and in quick succession produced 4 sons. Rachel did not have children. 

So Rachel did what Sarah had done with Hagar. Jacob had two sons by her slave Bilhah. It was an offer Bilhah couldn’t refuse. Then Leah got in on the act and Jacob had two sons by her slave Zilpah; a total of 8 sons to date. Leah then “bought” a night with Jacob by selling her mandrakes to Rachel. 

Since mandrakes were considered an aphrodisiac which also heightened the likelihood of conception, it was an offer Rachel couldn’t refuse. 

Hey-presto, Leah produced another son, followed shortly thereafter by a sixth son. Then Leah gave birth to a daughter. Finally, Rachel had a son, followed some time later by a second son.

In effect, Jacob had 12 sons and a daughter by two wives and two concubines. 

Scripture tells us in advance that Jacob would have 12 sons who would become the 12 tribes of Israel. So by running away from home and going to stay with his uncle Laban, Jacob was given an offer he couldn’t refuse. 

He ended up with 4 “women at war” competing to produce his sons. Ag shame!

Shalom

Jim & Phyllida Strickland 

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – 17 Dec 2013			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
©	These devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it is for non-commercial Christian purposes					©
INTRODUCTION			DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	HOBSON’S CHOICE
THOMAS HOBSON – 1544-1631 Hobson's choice is a free choice in which only one option is offered. As a person may refuse to take that option. The choice is therefore between taking the option or not. “Take it or leave it". It originated with Thomas Hobson a livery stable owner in England. To rotate the use of his horses, he offered customers the choice of either taking the horse in the stall nearest the door or taking none at all. (Taken from Wikipedia via Google) “To be or not to be, that is the question”, must be one of the best known soliloquys ever written. Spoken by Hamlet, it is perhaps an ideal example of Hobson’s choice. Shakespeare’s “take it or leave it”. Do I, don’t I? Now Hobson and Shakespeare were contemporaries, maybe one inspired the other? The Bible is not written in “playwright” style. Not as we read it in English today. One or two of the books could be compiled that way. Job springs to mind, as does Habakkuk and Malachi. There is no suggestion of this anywhere in the New Testament. But at the same time, the words of Jesus are frequently presented to us in a “Take it or Leave it” style. A good example comes from John’s Gospel: 5 "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15: NLT This is typical of Jesus’ “Hobson’s choice” references. In our meditation today, I’ve compiled a small play. There are only two characters. One is the Queen of Sheba. The other is Jesus. The words of the Queen of Sheba are from 1 Kings 10. I’ve used the information recorded about her there. This, I’ve combined with a small amount of imagination to produce a soliloquy on with her impressions of King Solomon. Jesus’ soliloquy is based on His knowledge of the Queen of Sheba. It takes into consideration the contextual background and His words spoken to the Jewish leaders in Matthew 12. What happened was that they had been walking through the grain fields. Because they were hungry, His disciples had broken off some of the grain. They rubbed it in their hands in order to obtain the nourishment they needed. This made the Scribes and Pharisees furious. “They are harvesting grain on the Sabbath!” they said angrily. “This is forbidden by the Law of Moses”. Jesus’ answer to them was predictable and liberating. Unfortunately for Him, He made the point that He, the Son of Man, was Lord of the Sabbath. According to their strict interpretation, Jesus was saying that He had authority to interpret the Mosaic Law differently from them. If it had been possible for them to “foam at the mouth” like mad dogs, that’s what they would have done! In His soliloquy, I’ve taken phrases and statements from elsewhere in the Gospels. They present these leaders with a Hobson’s choice situation. A choice that is equally applicable to us today. What are we going to do with Jesus? Do we believe Him or don’t we? Will we obey Him or won’t we? Many of the Jewish leaders back then rejected Him. They will be rejected on Judgement Day. You and I have the same choice. “To be or not to be?” That is the question? Jim & Phyllida Strickland			7 But I didn't believe the reports until I came and saw it with my own eyes. I wasn't even told half of it. Your wisdom and wealth surpass the stories I've heard. 1 Kings 10:7 GW	QUEEN OF SHEBA: I wouldn’t have believed it, or thought that it was true, That someone was as wealthy and wise O King as you! Your temple is fantastic. Your palace better still. I thought it was impossible in all the world until, I visited Jerusalem to see with my own eyes. If what I’d heard was genuine, or just a pack of lies. But as I look around me, the things that I can see, Are so much more resplendent than what I thought could be. This surpasses anything and everything I’ve heard. And now that I have seen it, I know it’s not absurd! JESUS: That’s what the Queen of Sheba to Solomon did say. Perhaps that’s all she wanted before she went away? But on the Day of Judgement, be sure that she will stand, And bring her condemnation to many in the land. Especially the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law. She saw a man of wisdom and standing here before, The leaders of this Nation.  A Man who is more wise, Than anything King Solomon had set before her eyes. She travelled a great distance, King Solomon to test. And this man now before you is wiser than his best. Solomon’s great wisdom was there for her to see. But none of you will listen to what I say to thee. Ignorance is fatal and you just close your ears. One day at the judgement, your eyes will fill with tears! You will be excluded from the Kingdom of the Lord, Because of your hard-heartedness; He’ll put you to the sword. I know you don’t believe it. You look for clever words. You listen to the speeches of the pompous and absurd. Instead of something simple that a child can understand, You trust in man-made customs that make you feel so grand! And your religious practices, that drive the folk away. What is it at the judgement that you are going to say? The King in all His splendour; before Whom you will bow, Will say that you are hypocrites. And He will ask you how, The people you ministered to will want to let you in? You’ll stand in condemnation for a wicked life of sin. I’ve nothing more to tell you, except my heart is breaking, That even at this instant, your ways you aren’t forsaking. And you are lost forever, unless you turn to me; And you display repentance for everyone to see. So Priests and Scribes and Pharisees and teachers of the Law. Grab this opportunity. It may come back no more! Jim Strickland Written 17th December 2012
			42 The queen from the south will stand up at the time of judgment with you. She will condemn you, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear Solomon's wisdom. But look, someone greater than Solomon is here! Matthew 12:42 GW
			14 So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son. John 1:14 NLT
			4 And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. 5 I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 NLT
			9 That is what the  Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him." 10 But it was to us that God revealed these things by His Spirit. For His Spirit searches out everything and shows us God's deep secrets. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 NLT
			17 Your eyes will see the king in all his splendour and you will see a land that stretches into the distance. Isaiah 33:17 NLT
			2 Dear friends, we are already God's children, but He has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He really is. 1 John 3:2 NLT
			26 And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! Job 19:26 NLT
			15 Because I am righteous, I will see You. When I awake, I will see You face to face and be satisfied. Psalms 17:15 NLT

OCCUPY TILL I COME

Time with Jesus -16 Dec 2013

Hi all,

Over the past several days, South Africa has been saying farewell to one of Africa’s greatest sons. Some would go further and speak of this world’s greatest sons. 

He was brought up in the Methodist tradition, although he was reluctant to state this. It is always difficult for the leader of any nation to express leanings toward any religion. Taking “religious sides” while in a public office is difficult because of the need to be seen as impartial.

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela [18 July 1918 to 5 December 2013 (aged 95)] has been compared with the likes of Ghandi, Churchill, George Washington and other giants of history. Personally, I have no fight with this type of acknowledgment. He stated on a number of occasions that he was not God and didn’t want to be remembered that way. At the same time, thinking back over the past 40-50 years, it is fitting to acknowledge that, in a unique way, he has succeeded in doing what most of us thought was impossible.

It is my firm belief that God raises up certain men and women at certain times to achieve great things. Things that He knew in advance would take place. Men like George Washington who led America to freedom; Ghandi who led India to Independence; 

Churchill who led Britain to victory against the Nazi’s; this, in spite of the darkest of dark days. Days when most of the rest of the world were convinced that Hitler would soon overwhelm them.

Why is it most of us find it hard to believe that the hand of God leads men all over the world regardless of their religion? e.g. Many years before he was born, the prophet Isaiah spoke of a man God would raise up for a specific purpose. He would be the Persian King. 

Cyrus the Great would allow many of the Jews to return to Judea in order to rebuild Jerusalem and their temple. Isaiah prophesied, ²² When I say of Cyrus, 'He is My shepherd,' he will certainly do as I say. He will command, 'Rebuild Jerusalem'; he will say, 'Restore the Temple.'" Isaiah 44:28 NLT Isaiah wrote this hundreds of years before the fall of Jerusalem in 586AD.

Men and women today, even Christian men and women, often forget that God is omniscient. He knows and has always known every detail about everything that will happen at any second of the past, present and future. Exactly how He does this, in the light of the many associated ramifications, is beyond our understanding. Yet we know He does this.

It follows He knew that America would need a leader to defeat the British and establish one of the most powerful nations on earth. So, in the courts of His infinite knowledge, He made sure that a man was born who would do exactly what was needed. Thus on February 22, 1732, in Westmoreland, Virginia, British America, George Washington was born. He died December 14, 1799 (aged 67) at Mount Vernon, Virginia, U.S. (Courtesy Google)

Much the same can be said of Mahatma Ghandi and Winston Churchill. They were exactly where they were needed at exactly the right time in history.Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was likewise born at the right time and in the right place. He was raised up by God to lead the Black people of South Africa to freedom. 

He was also raised up by God to bring about reconciliation between all the people of South Africa. Few men in South Africa have commanded as much respect from the people of this land as this man. In fact, few men in the World have commanded international respect the way he did. Thus it was that on 5^th December 2013, he departed this life.

You and I have been greatly privileged by God to see extraordinary things in this world because of science and technology. We have also been privileged to live in the same era as this man who so impressed the international community. 

As a Christian, I thank the Lord for this singular honour. No, Mandela was not God. He was not perfect. However, some of the things he said and did in this life, are inspirational and might well have been taken from Scripture. Why not? If God could achieve His purposes through Nebuchadnezzar, why not through Mandela?

Mandela- Captain of RSA
Francois Pienaar - Captain of Springboks
Rugby World Cup 1995 

Jesus told a parable in Luke 19 to illustrate what was expected from the likes of you and I. ¹² He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. ¹³ And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, 

Occupy till I come. Luke 19:12-13 KJV An alternate version translates this phrase “Put this money to work until I come back.” A third translation is, “Operate with this until I return.” 

Throughout his long life Mandela certainly did. It was only old age and increasing frailty which slowed him down. A life invested in South Africa for South Africans. I salute you sir! I pray the Lord will be merciful to him.

Shalom

Jim & Phyllida Strickland 

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – 16 Dec 2013			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
©	These devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it is for non-commercial Christian purposes					©
INTRODUCTION			DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	OCCUPY TILL I COME
Some years ago, I read a story about a man who had been all over the world on a ship. He’d been unable to disembark. He had no means of identification. No birth certificate, no ID book and no passport. How he managed to get on the ship was not explained. At every port he visited, the authorities had refused to admit him. He was what we could best describe as a non-person. What happened to any family members, who might have identified him, was not stated. Nothing was mentioned about his life aboard the ship. Presumably the captain or owners must have given him work of some sort so that he could eat and drink. It was a sorry tale with little prospects of anything changing. There is a vague similarity with this wandering man and the life of a Christian on planet earth. Sure we have passports which enable us to travel round and see various places. But we are not really at home wherever we go. In a way our status is similar to the old Chorus: This world is not my home I’m just a passing through. / My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. / The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door. / And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore! This is part of the greater problem Christians face. We are in the world but not of the world. There is a clear distinction. When we have had glimpses of the glory of God and the splendours of His Kingdom, the things of this world become somewhat tasteless. In his letter to the Philippians Paul wrote: 23 I'm torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. Philippians 1:23 NLT It’s easy to identify with this and look forward to leaving this world and being with Jesus. But that would do nothing for the Kingdom of God. If every Christian suddenly vanished from the face of the earth, who would be left to take to Gospel to the Nations? Current “rapture of the church” theory espouses this thinking.  Christians can “escape the tribulation”. Personally, I don’t think they are right. In which case they are in for a very rude awakening. I’d love to think I’m wrong! What we should do as Christians, is live as though He is coming back tomorrow. One of the best pieces of advice I’ve heard is that we should live as though He is coming back tomorrow and prepare to serve Him here indefinitely. Andrew Murray in a book written about a hundred years ago put it this way. He said that if his daily task was to plant a tree. Even if he knew Jesus was coming back tomorrow, he would start the day by planting a tree! Jesus, in the parable of the King and three servants used the phrase: 13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. Luke 19:13 KJV Occupy till I come. It’s what He wants! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, Ephesians 2:19 NIV	They say I’m a South African; and I was born a Brit. But somehow these Nationalities just do not seem to fit. It’s stated in my Passport’s and so it must be right. And with these two Authorities, I do not wish to fight. But sadly, with these passports, there’s little one can do. Except visit some countries who really don’t want you. They only want your dollars; They’ll settle for your pounds. But if you are a nuisance, you’ll soon be homeward bound. It’s called the tourist industry. “Please come and see our land. But when you’ve spent your money you have to understand The quicker you get ready, and you have gone away, Another foreign tourist will visit us next day.” I’ve got another passport which Jesus Christ supplied.                Ephesians 2:19 NIV He’s given me a heart of flesh and hidden deep inside, This Diplomatic Passport, is all I’ll ever need, To get me into heaven. It’s recognised indeed! I’ve got the right of access, to the city of my God.                    Hebrews 12:22-23 NLT To tramp the Holy City, in the steps my Lord has trod. I’m sorry, I can’t show it. It’s hidden from your view. But when I’ve started doing the things He told me to, You’ll see things in abundance as clear as any bell, The fruit I’d be displaying, if I was bound for Hell. The fact is I am righteous! It’s like an overcoat. My Master gave it to me when I gave Him my “vote”. He said that I may wear it. It fits me like a glove. And it will by my covering, while walking in His love. He’s also given promises that still must come to pass. So I am truly confident and just as bold as brass; When I confess that someday, the Lord will give to me, Everything He’s promised back to antiquity!                Hebrews 11:13 NLT His diplomatic passport will never once expire. Not while Christ my Saviour is the One Whom I desire. No one else can steal it while it’s in my chest. While I serve the Master, I know that I’ll be blessed. I’ve still got one ambition, one purpose and one goal. To fight against the passions which war against my soul.       1 Peter 2:11 ESV From darkness I’ve been rescued and this I know for sure. Jesus will assist me to keep my lifestyle pure!             Colossians 1:13 NLT Jim Strickland Written 16th December 2012
			22 No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. 23 You have come to the assembly of God's firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God Himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. Hebrews 12:22-23 NLT
			13 All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. Hebrews 11:13 NLT
			20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Saviour. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like His own, using the same power with which He will bring everything under His control. Philippians 3:20-21 NLT
			13 For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, Colossians 1:13 NLT
			11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 1 Peter 2:11 ESV