| Checking Common Sense |
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46:1 And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac. After jacob offers the sacrifices, God affirms his journey to Egypt. So, it would seem that Jacob's sacrifices were more than just a "thank offering" unto the Lord. He seems to be "checking in" with God before he goes to Egypt.
Jacob had every reason to go to Egypt. He just found out that his favorite son is alive and waiting for him in Egypt. They were in a famine and he would starve if he did not go to Egypt. He could live out his final days with his whole family together again and with all his needs provided. Why not go? Common sense says - get to Egypt ASAP! But he stops to check in with God first.
119:105 NUN. Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
How often do we march through the day trusting in our own common sense? The psalmist saw the Word as a lamp for his feet. That little oil lamp could be held in one hand and not illuminate more than right in front of his feet.
Do we make our decisions with just our common sense, or do we stop and seek God's face and allow His Word to light our way - even if it goes against common sense? Sometimes, as with Jacob, God may affirm what our common sense is saying. Other times, He may tell us to do that which makes no sense to us at all, but requires a step of faith.
17:9 The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Sometimes following our heart (or common sense) will lead us to wickedness rather than to holiness. |
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