tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32008887.post4009037087232169641..comments2022-04-05T14:44:07.668-04:00Comments on BethsMomToo: 'Idols of the Heart' - Chapters 1-2BethsMomToohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09661542831522987087noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32008887.post-32873474232331327882012-02-24T18:02:35.880-05:002012-02-24T18:02:35.880-05:00I think I also may have missed the point that Rach...I think I also may have missed the point that Rachel STOLE Laban's household gods - clearly not a godly action, whatever the reason. So as you say, she was trusting in something/one other than YHWH. <br /><br />MH, you've hit on an important point - do I CHOOSE to love (and I would add obey) Jesus today? Or will I choose my father's household gods, or something of my own making and desire? <br /><br />-SusanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32008887.post-78595724997892343902012-02-23T12:07:17.120-05:002012-02-23T12:07:17.120-05:00The first conclusion, that Rachel stole them becau...The first conclusion, that Rachel stole them because she believed they would give her what she wanted, also best fits the larger context, I believe ... the context that began with her statement to Jacob, "Give me children, or else I die."BethsMomToohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09661542831522987087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32008887.post-83461214624784146852012-02-22T19:09:56.071-05:002012-02-22T19:09:56.071-05:00Susan... Commentators look at cultural aspects fro...Susan... Commentators look at cultural aspects from that time period. Household gods were thought to bring blessings, particularly in fertility (of people & animals). That would have been of interest to Rachel, both personally & for her husband's fortunes. A few suggest the possession of Laban's household idols gave Jacob inheritance rights. Whatever the reason, the point of course is that she was trusting in something other than YHWH, nor was she willing to submit her "wants" to Him.BethsMomToohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09661542831522987087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32008887.post-21479169609046380792012-02-22T17:46:23.447-05:002012-02-22T17:46:23.447-05:00This is such a good book for me to be reading righ...This is such a good book for me to be reading right now. I’ve been struggling with understanding exactly what idolatry is in New Testament terms. So far, Fitzpatrick is giving me practical things to think about. <br /><br />I haven’t studied the passage closely at all, but I have thought that Rachel stole her father household gods because she wanted to spite him, because she was angry at him. Genesis 30:14-16 states that both Rachel and Leah are not exactly happy with their father Laban in the way that he has treated them. And then a few verses later, we read that Rachel stole her father’s household gods. So, is that a plausible possibility? <br /><br />One of Fitzpatrick’s questions on chapter 1 asks how does God’s dealings with both Rachel and Leah comfort or encourage you? I see such grace on God’s part that he gave Leah so many children because He saw that she was hated (Gen 29:31). God does not promise to give us exactly what we want, He gives us what He knows that we need, and then so often goes above and beyond that. I have seen this many times in my own life – that God doesn’t give me exactly what I want, but what He gives me is enough, or even more than I want, and certainly more than I deserve. What amazing grace! <br /><br />I’m struggling with understanding the concept that Jesus Christ is praying for us. Is it mentioned elsewhere than Hebrews 7:25? <br /><br />-SusanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32008887.post-17481599242788184842012-02-22T08:50:01.792-05:002012-02-22T08:50:01.792-05:00MH- Is not our battle come done to one choice? Do ...MH- Is not our battle come done to one choice? Do I choose to love Jesus today?(John 14 :15)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32008887.post-8796159855335973872012-02-22T08:37:28.645-05:002012-02-22T08:37:28.645-05:00MH- I have been thinking about Elyse comment that ...MH- I have been thinking about Elyse comment that " If you're willing to sin to obtain your goal or if you sin when you don't get what you want, then your desire has taken God's place and your functioning as an idolater" really hit home for me. Are we not committing idolatry every time we sin? We absolutely are. Think about Jesus's words in Jonh 14:15 " If you love me, you will keep My commandments." Every time we sin we hate Christ. How then can we fight this idolatry that wages war with our flesh? (Gal 5:17-21) We as christains are called to action. We must set are minds on Christ and with His help fight the war that battles in all of us. Col: 3 1-11Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com