About having no guile

by RHUFF163 on 2007-02-06 00:06:45

Devotional Guide
For the week of FEBRUARY 4, 2007

ANOTHER APOSTLE IS FOUND

About having no guile


To Read: Psalm 79-81


To Know:

łJesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, ŒBehold an Israelite
indeed, in whom is no guile.š˛ (Jn. 1:47)

Guile was Jacobšs middle name. The man chosen to give his name to the people
of God was notoriously unscrupulous. First, he swindled his own brother out
of his birthright. Later Jacob ripped off Esaušs blessing. In order for
Jacob to fulfil his destiny, it was necessary for God to purge guile from
his character. The divine tactic was to sicken Jacob about his own behavior
by giving him a taste of his own medicine. Rachel captured Jacobšs heart but
his uncle Laban demanded seven years of labor before giving her hand in
marriage. At the end of the week of years, Laban swindled Jacob and gave him
Leah. The price was seven more years of service to his uncle if the love of
his life was to become his bride. Finally, after fourteen years working for
Laban, on his way back home, Jacob wrestled with God for a blessing. The man
manifested his absence of guile by prevailing with God and receiving the
name, Israel.

Tomorrow we will learn that before Nathanael saw Jesus, Jesus had already
seen him under a fig tree. What else did Jesus see when he saw Nathanael
there? Did Christ not see the man seeking Godšs forgiveness for his
transgressions? Is he not there asking that his sins be covered by the mercy
of God? Is he not pleading that his iniquity not be imputed to him? Is he
not asking for the blessing of God? This is plea of one in whom there is no
guile or deceit.


To do:

David reveals the spirit that is in one who is without guile. The king
wrote, łBlessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit
there is no deceit.˛ (Ps. 32:1,2) As Christ saw Nathanael under the fig tree
so too he will see us when we come in the way David describes.



02067$-02067



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