by Pastor Peter Bean
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Read Genesis 23:1–20
If you have been reading the story of Abraham carefully this week, you’ll have noticed that among all the horrible bits is a story of hospitality. In fact, hospitality and inhospitality are woven throughout this narrative. The Greek word for hospitality literally means ‘love of strangers'. So, Abraham welcomes the three strangers in Genesis 18, feeds them and gives them a drink. This is taken up in Hebrews 13, where we are told: ‘Remember to welcome strangers, because some who have done this have welcomed angels without knowing it.’ Think back through this week’s readings. Where are examples of hospitality and inhospitality?
So, we come to Genesis 23. Sarah dies. Abraham seeks to bury her. He goes to the Hittites, the adversaries of the Israelites and their (our) God. And as you read the chapter, you will see hospitality played out, back and forth, until there is an agreement all are happy with.
No bickering over whose land this is, no slandering of each other, no questioning each other’s motives. Rather, acceptance of who they are and their place in the world. Peace in their time!
Can we follow their example? Can we accept God’s statement to us through Paul in Ephesians 2:19? ‘So now you are no longer strangers and aliens. Rather, you are fellow citizens with God’s people, and you belong to God’s household.’ And then apply it to our lives?
God accepts all. You, me, your neighbours, the first inhabitants of Australia, those who come from different lands. In our world of social disharmony that we seem to live in, we do well to remember God’s words: ‘You belong to God’s household.’ Then, living in grace and forgiveness, extend that hospitality to all we encounter, all humanity, remembering each person is made in God’s image and is also extended grace.
God of hospitality, who loves humanity in all its various expressions, let me live in your love. Help me to reflect that grace and forgiveness to everyone I meet. Amen.
In early October, Peter enjoyed a family camp with his children and grandchildren at Lake Bonney, South Australia. Then, he returned to weeding, planting, riding, reading and relaxing!
Becoming wise
by Anne Hansen
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If you want to become wise, you must begin by respecting the Lord. To know the Holy One is to gain understanding (Proverbs 9:10).
Read Proverbs 9:1–10
Many of the Proverbs were written by King Solomon, who was given wisdom as a gift from God. In the chapter our text is from, King Solomon speaks of two contrasting invitations: Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly (verses 13–18).
Lady Wisdom is portrayed as preparing a grand, secure home with a rich meal. It requires preparation and investment and offers lasting nourishment. In contrast, Lady Folly sets her table in the streets, offering ‘stolen water’ and quick, secret thrills.
Worldly temptation is like eating cheap fast food – it offers instant gratification and a momentary high; however, it lacks the long-term nutritional value required to sustain your soul. Lady Wisdom, however, offers a prepared feast of truth that nourishes, satisfies and brings eternal life.
We are also asked to choose which invitation we would like to accept: a roast dinner from God or something from a fast-food chain. In the long run, a diet consisting solely of fast food will bring us health problems. Living life with God takes more time to organise and prepare; however, it offers eternal salvation, provides more nourishment, and has value for our hearts, lives and health. God wants us to choose the way of wisdom, but it is ultimately we who need to work out which path we take.
Read through the passage Proverbs 9:1–10 again and note how we become wise. Wisdom is discernment when choosing what is better for our lives. Wisdom is being open to learning about God and his ways. Wisdom is being able to be corrected and instructed. Wisdom is respecting God and honouring him in everything. Wisdom is walking with God and learning about his will for our lives. May you grow in the wisdom of our Lord and Saviour, who knows what is best for your life and will lead and guide you as you navigate the issues that you may face. He is the source of all wisdom.
Grow in God’s love and will for your life and live!
Lord of Wisdom and Life, grow in my life the understanding I need to walk in your ways and to follow them to find nourishment for my life. Thank you, Lord, for showing me your ways. Amen.
Anne Hansen has been the Lutheran Tract Mission development officer for 20 years. She lives in Noosa, Queensland, with her husband, Mark, who is a pastor. She enjoys leading Know Your Bible (KYB) and Mainly Music. For relaxation, Anne enjoys walking, reading, gardening and playing pickleball.
Clear the stones
by Anne Hansen
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Blessed is the one whom God corrects … For you will have a covenant with the stones of the field (Job 5:17a,23a).
Read Job 5:17–27
In the Barossa Valley of South Australia, there are fences made of stones. They are dry-stone walls built in the 1850s and 1860s by the early settlers. They were built without mortar and show the ingenuity of the settlers of the land, who used stones in their fields to make these walls to contain the livestock and even to stop bushfires. At the same time as building fences, they cleared the land of the stones that would hinder ploughing and cause problems for the livestock. If you look carefully at the walls, you will see that the stones were carefully stacked and interlocked with smaller stones packed into spaces in the centre of the wall.
Back in Job’s time, the fields had to be cleared before sowing a crop. The jagged stones in the fields would ruin a plough, thwart the growing crop or hurt animals. In the Book of Job, he had three friends who sat with him, giving advice and helping him cope with all the issues the devil placed on him to get him to curse God. Eliphaz told Job that being corrected by God is a blessing, and Job would see healing in the long run. That was hard for Job to hear, for he loved and respected God and didn’t see why he was being punished. (But it was the devil who was doing the punishing; God doesn’t do this!)
When we are right with God, it is as though a promise has been made with us and all the ‘stones of the field’. These obstacles can be bruising throughout our lives, but they will no longer hinder our faith; instead, they can become stepping stones for growth.
God isn’t putting the stones in our way. Rather, he helps us through them to understand the difficulties we face. Just as the stones in the paddocks in the Barossa Valley were used to help the early settlers build walls, so the stones in our lives can help us grow and become sturdy and strong, knowing that in God we have the assurance of life eternal with him.
God is always present to help us clear away the stones.
Heavenly Father, you are always with me, helping me through the difficult times (the stones) and using them to build my faith and strength to withstand all obstacles. Thank you for being my Saviour. Amen.
Anne Hansen has been the Lutheran Tract Mission development officer for 20 years. She lives in Noosa, Queensland, with her husband, Mark, who is a pastor. She enjoys leading Know Your Bible (KYB) and Mainly Music. For relaxation, Anne enjoys walking, reading, gardening and playing pickleball.
Just believe
by Anne Hansen
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While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, ‘My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live’ (Matthew 9:18).
Read Matthew 9:9–13,18–26 (see also Mark 5:21–43)
While I was at St Peter’s Lutheran Church in Loxton, South Australia, major productions were held every few years. John Gladigau, a talented scriptwriter, has a production company called Little Town. Usually, the productions were held around Christmas, hence Little Town (of Bethlehem), but for a couple of years, we had productions over Easter. Many from the town of Loxton, the congregation and the surrounding areas joined the production team as actors, musicians or in behind-the-scenes roles. In 2011, ‘Anna’s Hope’ was written and performed. It was a poignant depiction of Jairus and his encounter with Jesus through his little daughter Anna.
In the play, the background story was presented with Jesus stirring up the towns he visited. There were those who believed, those who were sceptical and those who hated Jesus. Jairus, being a synagogue leader, was torn between his role as temple official and that of a father, especially when his precious daughter Anna became ill. He tried everything to have his child healed, but then he went against the Jewish teachings and came pleading to Jesus, knowing that Jesus could heal her. Jesus was waylaid by a bleeding woman, and Jairus’ daughter died. But Jesus told him to have faith and believe. In private with just the parents and a couple of disciples, Jesus brought Anna back to life.
When the six ‘Anna’s Hope’ performances were held, there were people ready to pray with those who may have been affected by the portrayal of such an intense situation. We can think, ‘I have faith, and I believe, so why wasn’t my loved one healed?’ We don’t know the mind of God, nor should we try to understand why one lives and the other dies. All that we need to remember is that God is a God of grace and mercy who does all things for good. God had his own Son suffer a horrible death and die for all of humankind. That was in his plan from the beginning. Don’t let your heart be troubled with the whys and wherefores.
Just have faith and believe!
Thank you, my loving God, for your blessings to me each day. Your love comes to me unconditionally. Grow my faith and help me to always trust and believe in your faithfulness. Amen.
Anne Hansen has been the Lutheran Tract Mission development officer for 20 years. She lives in Noosa, Queensland, with her husband, Mark, who is a pastor. She enjoys leading Know Your Bible (KYB) and Mainly Music. For relaxation, Anne enjoys walking, reading, gardening and playing pickleball.