12.6.24 ~ Dust of the Earth
Good morning!
Over the past week we have focused a lot on 'dust/afar'. Another snow storm has dusted Michigan and I was out sweeping this dusty snow off the cottage porch and the walkway at the Faith Works Clinic.
I'm not sure that there's anyone who really likes to dust their house? But here is a quick little lesson (unlike all the lessons this week :-) that will bring new joy to this housekeeping chore and a positive look on dust/afar!
In the story of Jacob’s ladder, Jacob falls asleep and dreams of a ladder reaching to heaven with angels ascending and descending upon it. The LORD is standing at the top of the ladder and says (Gen. 28:13-15):
“I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.”
Here we see Jacob receiving the same blessing that Abraham and Isaac received regarding their descendants…but with one small change…
Jacob’s descendants will be so numerous that their numbers are compared to the “dust of the earth”. After Abraham offered his son, Isaac, on Mt. Moriah, the Torah used two other similes to describe the descendants of the patriarchs (Gen. 22:17): "blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore…
Now let’s be honest. Would you prefer your descendants to be compared to the twinkling “stars of the heaven”, the beautiful white “sand, which is on the seashore”, OR the “dust of the earth”? I should probably mention that the word used in Genesis 28:14 for “dust/afar" also translates as “ashes”, “dirt”, or “rubbish”.
Although I’m sure Jacob appreciated the prophecy that his descendents would be a multitude of people, do you think he may have winced just a bit to hear them described as the “dusty dirt of the earth”?
The phrase “dust of the earth” can illustrate more than just numbers. It can also refer to an attribute of the Israelites…
People tend to trample over the “dust of the earth,” but in the end the “dust” always remains on top!! In fact, that same “dust” ultimately covers those who trample it! Maybe that's why Yahweh Elohim chose to make man in His image and likeness from the dust/afar?? And, if so, why does Yeshua command us, at times, to shake the dust/afar off our shoes at those who don't receive the message of the Kingdom (Matt. 10:14)? Or why would He command us to rise from the dust (Isa. 52:2)?
Back to our regularly scheduled program...Jacob is told that his descendants will be crushed by the world, but God’s promise is that they will rise to the top like “dust”! And, like the “dust of the earth”, the descendants of Jacob can never be destroyed.
What a powerful and constant reminder “dust” can be is for us. We find “dust” everywhere! Now we can look at it in a whole new light and praise the Father for this awesome reminder of His chosen people!
From the dust/afar you were made and to the dust/afar you shall return. Enjoy the dusty trail my parched friends.
Shalom and Shabbat Shalom!
I'm not sure that there's anyone who really likes to dust their house? But here is a quick little lesson (unlike all the lessons this week :-) that will bring new joy to this housekeeping chore and a positive look on dust/afar!
In the story of Jacob’s ladder, Jacob falls asleep and dreams of a ladder reaching to heaven with angels ascending and descending upon it. The LORD is standing at the top of the ladder and says (Gen. 28:13-15):
“I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.”
Here we see Jacob receiving the same blessing that Abraham and Isaac received regarding their descendants…but with one small change…
Jacob’s descendants will be so numerous that their numbers are compared to the “dust of the earth”. After Abraham offered his son, Isaac, on Mt. Moriah, the Torah used two other similes to describe the descendants of the patriarchs (Gen. 22:17): "blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore…
Now let’s be honest. Would you prefer your descendants to be compared to the twinkling “stars of the heaven”, the beautiful white “sand, which is on the seashore”, OR the “dust of the earth”? I should probably mention that the word used in Genesis 28:14 for “dust/afar" also translates as “ashes”, “dirt”, or “rubbish”.
Although I’m sure Jacob appreciated the prophecy that his descendents would be a multitude of people, do you think he may have winced just a bit to hear them described as the “dusty dirt of the earth”?
The phrase “dust of the earth” can illustrate more than just numbers. It can also refer to an attribute of the Israelites…
People tend to trample over the “dust of the earth,” but in the end the “dust” always remains on top!! In fact, that same “dust” ultimately covers those who trample it! Maybe that's why Yahweh Elohim chose to make man in His image and likeness from the dust/afar?? And, if so, why does Yeshua command us, at times, to shake the dust/afar off our shoes at those who don't receive the message of the Kingdom (Matt. 10:14)? Or why would He command us to rise from the dust (Isa. 52:2)?
Back to our regularly scheduled program...Jacob is told that his descendants will be crushed by the world, but God’s promise is that they will rise to the top like “dust”! And, like the “dust of the earth”, the descendants of Jacob can never be destroyed.
What a powerful and constant reminder “dust” can be is for us. We find “dust” everywhere! Now we can look at it in a whole new light and praise the Father for this awesome reminder of His chosen people!
From the dust/afar you were made and to the dust/afar you shall return. Enjoy the dusty trail my parched friends.
Shalom and Shabbat Shalom!
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