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http://blog.jaluo.com/?p=1057
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Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2008 23:55:28 -0700 (PDT)
From: Absalom Birai
Subject: Re:Farewell part 1
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How did Rebekah miss it after the Lord Himself had made it crystal clear! “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.” Genesis 25:23.

Thinking that she knew better than God, Rebekah conspired with her favorite son-Jacob-deceived the old man-Isaac-and took Esau’ birthright. This foolish act was the beginning of Jacob’s many woes with his brother and children. Here is what followed.

1.Jacob flee to Haran where lived his uncle -Laban-because Esau planned to kill him. Genesis 27:41-45

2.In Genesis chapter 28 Jacob had a dream in which the Lord assured him of doing everything to fulfill His plan for Jacob.

3.Genesis Chapter 29 & 30 tell us that Laban cheated Jacob several times. Jacob ended marrying Leah,her sister-Rachel, and their maidservants.

4.Genesis 37 tells us that Jacob’s sons sold their brother-Joseph -instead of killing him.

5.When Jacob met Pharaoh, note how he introduced himself, “The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty. My years have been few and difficult, and they are not equal the years of the pilgrimage of my fathers.” Genesis 47:9.”

HOW ABOUT JACOB’S-ISRAEL’S-FAREWELL TO HIS CHILDREN!

Then Israel said to Joseph, “I am about to die, but God will be with you and take you back to the land of your fathers. And to you, as one who is over your brothers, I give the ridge of land  I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow. Genesis 48:21-22

Then he gave them these instructions:”I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite…When Jacob had finished giving instructions to his sons, he drew his feet up unto the bed,breathed his last and was gathered to his people.” Genesis 49:29-13

A close look at Jacob’s life tells us the following:

1.Much of Jacob’s suffering came about as a result of his own mistakes, more so by going a head of God.

2.He learned in a hard way about the cost of cheating.He was cheated several times, first by his father in-law and then his own children. Is it not true that we harvest what we plant!

3.In spite of his many mistakes,God did not forsake Jacob. To the contrary, He allowed him every opportunity to see and correct his own mistakes.

4.Before he died,he blessed his children, each receiving his blessings according to how they had perfomed.

5.He left knowing that the good Lord would take care of his family. Hasn’t He always done it!

Just a thought.

C.Absalom N. Birai,Pastor
Maranatha SDA church
P.O.BOX 1296
Maple Grove, MN 55311
612-386-4608
www.themaranathasdachurch.org

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Date:  Thu, 3 Jul 2008 21:51:27 -0700 (PDT)
From:  Absalom Birai
Subject:  Re: Farewell-Part 2

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The story of Moses,the servant of God, can fill a whole book! Here are some of the lessons that I have learned!

1.In this story, God proved that He has 1001 very sophisticated ways of helping His children of which no amount of opposition will stop. He worked things in such away that the pharaoh who was out to kill baby Moses, ended up raising him up. What a God we serve!

2.God made it very clear to Moses that no human being will be allowed to eliminate sin by committing another sin. There is no question that life was so miserable for the children of Israel. God had devised away of taking care of that problem which did not involve killing. Moses had to learn that God’s was the right method that called for patience and long suffering.
 
3.Moses was not only the meekest man that ever lived, but also one whose leadership was opposed by not only his siblings, but by a section of his followers.

4.God made it known that His servants must be respected at all times.
The book of Numbers narrates one incident after another on how God dealt with the trouble makers.

5.Moses’love towards the children of Israel, yee, even his enemies did not waive. From time to time, he even  challenged God to remove his name from the book of life, if he was un-willing to forgive His troublesome children.

6.Moses made so many mistakes that would have easily disqualified him as a leader in the present day religious organizations. Instead of kicking him out,the good Lord tried different approaches to help Moses see what God’s way of dealing with the problem was.

7.God demonstrated His fairness as a just judge by denying Moses entry into the earthly Canaan due to his act of disobedience- hitting the rock twice!

8. In appreciation of Moses’ faithfulness, the good Lord took him to the heavenly kingdom.

8. Although Moses failed the test over and over again,he did not become weary of learning and re-learning. After many years in the University of God,he made it to the home of the saints where the Father lives. What an history!
HOW DID HEAVEN REGARD MOSES AT HIS DEATH!

Deuteronomy 34:5 And Moses the servant of the Lord died there in Moab as the Lord had said.

Deuteronomy 34:6 He buried him in Moab,in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is.

Deuteronomy 34:7 Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died,yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone.

Deuteronomy 34:10 Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face

Joshua 1:1-2 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun,Moses’aide. Moses my servant is dead…

The preceding scriptures tell us that Moses was truly loved and appreciated by His Lord.One gets a feeling that God was sad for the death of His servant!

How does heaven know us! Oh I wish and pray that I too will become the beloved of God! How about you my friend!

Have a blessed day.

C.Absalom N Birai,pastor
Maranatha SDA church
P.O. BOX 1296
Maple Grove,MN 55311
612-386-4608
www.themaranathasdachurch.org

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Date:  Fri, 4 Jul 2008 07:39:38 -0700 (PDT)
From:  Absalom Birai
Subject:  Re: Farewell-Part 3