Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 7 February 2002 — Page 39

The Muncie Times, February 7, 2002, page 39

RELIGION

The day “Praise” was

By Joseph L. Florino “And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah” (Genesis29:35). Life for Leah had not been easy. The older daughter of Laban, Leah was said to be “tender eyed,” a characteristic that made her less attractive than her younger sister, Rachel This dullness or weakness of her eyes was mentioned as a contrast to the beauty of Rachel Favoritism toward Rachel was evidently shown by the parents as the two sisters grew up, for Rachel was said be beautiful and well favored (Genesis 29:17). When the two sisters were grown Laban, their father, may have felt that due to Leah’s unattractiveness she would never get married, so he took advantage of the opportunity which the local marriage rite afforded. By deceit, he gave Leah rather than Rachel to be the wife of Jacob and justified his dishonesty by alleging that the custom of the country forbade the younger sister to be given first in marriage (Genesis 29:26). In order to marry Rachel, whom he loved and desired, Jacob had to agree to work another seven years. Although both sisters became his wives, Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah (Genesis 29:30). Perhaps the deceptive manner of his marriage to Leah caused him to despite her. Only his honor made him provide for a wife he did not want Leah sensed the hatred directed toward her and felt the rejection of Jacob. However, she still wanted to please her husband and sought to bring some happiness and love between them. When God saw that Leah was hated, He allowed her to have some children bom to her and Jacob, while Rachel remained barren (Genesis 29:31). When Leah’s first son was bom, she felt that God had come to her aid, and that now Jacob,

her husband, would love her. Full of hope, she called her son Rueben, which means, “behold a son” (Genesis 29:32), but the birth of Rueben did not bring Jacob’s love to Leah. She was

still hated (Genesis 29:33). When she gave birth to her second son, she called his name Simeon, which means “God hears.” Leah felt that if no one else understood her affliction, God did. No matter what was said to degrade and belittle her as the one Jacob did not love, she believed that God would hear her ay for favor and help her. Leah’s desire was that eventually Jacob would come to love her and that she would be a greater part of his life. She had hopes of overcoming all of the ill feelings that he had toward her. She sensed that God was on her side. When the third son was bom, she called his name Levi, which means “joined or companion.” She said, “Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have bom him three sons” (Genesis

29:34).

In spite of her hopes, however, the birth of the third son made no noticeable difference in her husband. Jacob still loved Rachel more than Leah What a life to live! She was not beautiful and her husband disliked her to the point of hatred. She experienced humiliation and rejection in ha*

own home. What could she do in this situation which came not

from her own choosing? What did Leah do? It

appears that the birth of her fourth son she started looking at life from a better perspective. Even with all her heartaches, disappointments, and sadness, she looked at her newborn boy and said, “Now will I praise the LORD,” and she called his name Judah, which means “praise.” This was the day that ‘Praise”

was bom

When you are going through difficult times, it is easy to wonder if God even knows your name or where you live. You may even fed that God has moved and failed to leave a forwarding address. You may

feel that heaven is shut and your prayers cannot get through. It may seem that the darkest hour of your life has come and no one cares about your problems, or even that you exist. But at such a moment, you can forget those things which are against you and echo Leah’s changed attitude: “Now I will praise the LORD” Just as Leah gave birth to Judah (“PRAISE”), you can give birth to “PRAISE.” In his second letter to the church at Corinth, the Apostle Paul stated that victory is ours in the face of adversity ‘We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; We are perplexed, but not in despair, Persecuted, but not forsaken; Cast down, but not destroyed” (II Corinthians 4:8-9). In essence, he said to the Corinthians, “Get up! We are not destroyed or defeated! We just need to start praising Jesus Christ for who He is and what He is to our lives. God is wanting a people who will praise Him. It is time to stop any murmuring and complaining and start praising Him. He is worthy. “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised.” (Psalm 48:1). “Praise” at the Tabernacle “Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of His father’s house; far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch” (Numbers 2:2). The outer court of the Thbemade was surrounded by a wall of curtains 7 1/2 feet hi^h, 75 feet wide and 150 feet long. Th enter the court area, a person would go through the gate on the east side. It is interesting to note that the three tribes located on the east side were Issachar, Zebulun, and Judah (Numbers 2:3-9). Could it be that the camp of Judah (Praise) was placed outside at the entrance because the people were to enter the house of God with praise? David said, ‘Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise” (Psalm 100:4). It is the desire of

God for His people to go to church with praise in their hearts and in their voice. They are not to attend the services to find fault, judge, or complain, but to worship with “praise.” “Praise” Leads the Way

It should have been dear to the Children of Israel that from Egypt they could journey eastward to the Promise Land. The entrance of the Thbemade faced east. The tribe of Judah (Praise) camped on the east side of the Tabernacle. When it came time to travel, the tribe of

Judah was the leading tribe (Numbers 10:14). It was in first place. This indicates to us that “praise” should always be in first place and have a leading role in our journey in life. Everything will fell in proper place when we begin with a season of praising our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. When Israel marched there was Judah (Praise) leading the way. God was trying to change Israel from a murmuring people (Exodus 16:2,8,12) to a “Praise” people.

The Priesthood and the Tribe of Judah

‘For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law” (Hebrews 7:12). The priesthood under the law came from the tribe of Levi But Jesus, our High Priest, came out of the tribe of Judah (Praise): “For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood”’ (Hebrews 7:14). Jesus is called “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Revelation 5:5). Our priesthood is not one of animal sacrifices, but one of praising Jesus Christ for redeeming us by His blood (Revelation 5:9). “Praise” and the Church

Peter stated that we are (1) A chosen generation, (2) A royal priesthood, (3) An holy

born

nation, and (4) A peculiar people (I Peter 2:9). For what purpose? “That ye should shew forth the praises of him (Jesus) who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (I Peter 2:9). As a part of a royal priesthood, we are to “offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his

name” (Hebrews 13:15). How long has it been since

you offered the sacrifice of praise? Do you praise God only when you feel like it, or only when it is convenient? Would this kind of praise be a real sacrifice on your part? The Bible said that we are to offer praise to God in all circumstances and at ail times. We should not expect God to do anything more for us until we have praised Him for

what He has already done. Let us note that praise has

a prominent place in the history of Christ and the Church. At His birth the angels praised Him (Luke 2:13), and shepherds praised Him when they saw Him in the manger. (Luke 2:20). Moreover, the disciples waited

God” (Luke 24:53). When the church began on the Day of Pentecost, it was bom in the midst of praise and with praise (Acts 2:11,47). Praise was bom with the diurch! Wherever the church met and ministered, praise took a leading and prominent role. When the lame man was healed, he entered the Tbmple with Peter and John, “Walking, and leaping, and praising God” (Acts 3:8). Even in the time of persecution, praise was present to lead the way to victory In the prison of Philippi at midnight, “Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them” (Acts 16*25). God has favored us to give birth to praise in our lives, and by praise in our lives, and by PRAISE He will bring joy, PEACES AND OEIIVERANCE TO US. Will you allow praise to be BORN IN YOU TO BE PART OF YOUR EVERHMY LIFE?

for the Holy Ghost by praising