Plough Monday
Genesis, Chapter 26, Verse 7
When the men of the place asked
questions about his wife, he answered, “She is my sister.” He was afraid that, if he called her his wife,
the men of the place would kill him on account of Rebekah, since she was
beautiful.
So,
Isaac (whom was bound as a sacrificial offering to God) the only son of
Abraham, now is grown, has a wife and is pulling the same trick as his father
Abraham with the men who desire his wife-stating she is my sister.
According to the Jewish
Encyclopedia, the recurring story has a unified purpose:
"From the
point of view of the history of culture these episodes are very instructive.
But it is not very probable that Abraham would have run the risk twice. Moreover,
a similar incident is reported in regard to Isaac and Rebecca. This recurrence
indicates that none of the accounts is to be accepted as historical; all three
are variations of a theme common to the popular oral histories of the
Patriarchs. That women were married in the way here supposed is not to be
doubted. The purpose of the story is to extol the heroines as most beautiful
and show that the Patriarchs were under the special protection of the
Deity."[1]
Another lesson
we can take from this is that Isaac here was dealing with men that had no fear
of God. Men who take what they want and will kill to get it. Isaac here could
not fight them because he was not strong enough. Isaac could not leave because
there was a famine. So, he sought to deceive. Yet, even in his weakness God was
with him and when Abimelech, the righteous king, discovered the truth put him
under his royal protection; thus, saving him from danger. Righteous men &
nations always seek to protect the weak.
Plough
Monday[2] is the traditional start of the
English agricultural year. While local practices may vary, Plough Monday is
generally the first Monday after Twelfth Day (Epiphany), 6 January. The day
traditionally saw the resumption of work after the Christmas period.
As we begin our working year let us remember that our primary work in the world as a follower of Christ is to do his will for us putting our hand on the plough and looking forward to the year; may all of our days and rows be straight.
No man, having put his hand ... -
To put one's hand to a plow is a proverbial expression to signify undertaking
any business. In order that a plowman may accomplish his work, it is necessary
to look onward - to be intent on his employment - not to be looking back with
regret that he undertook it. So, in religion; He that enters on it must do it
with his whole heart, He that comes still loving the world - still looking with
regret on its pleasures, its wealth, and its honors - that has not
"wholly" forsaken them as his portion, cannot be a Christian, and is
not fit for the kingdom of God. How searching is this test to those who profess
to be Christians! And how solemn the duty of all people to renounce all earthly
objects, and to be not only "almost," but "altogether,"
followers of the Son of God! It is perilous to tamper with the world - to look
at its pleasures or to seek its society. He that would enter heaven must come
with a heart full of love to God; giving "all" into his hands, and
prepared always to give up all his property, his health, his friends, his body,
his soul to God, when he demands them, or he cannot be a Christian. Religion is
everything or nothing. He that is not willing to sacrifice
"everything" for the cause of God, is really willing to sacrifice
nothing.
Human Trafficking Awareness[3]
Human Trafficking Awareness Day is dedicated to raising awareness of sexual slavery and human trafficking worldwide. Today, there are between 21-30 million people enslaved in the world, more than at any time in human history. Every day, modern slavery can be recognized: children become soldiers; young women are forced into prostitution and migrant workers exploited in the workforce. Human Trafficking Awareness Day seeks to end this slavery, return rights to individuals and make the world a safer place for all inhabitants. Human Trafficking Awareness Day started in 2007, when the U.S. Senate designated January 11th as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day in the hopes of raising awareness to combat human trafficking. It began as a U.S. initiative, and the United Nations has started to highlight this topic and work towards global awareness with days such as International Day for the Abolition of Slavery.
Human Trafficking
Awareness Facts & Quotes
·
The most common form of human trafficking is
sexual exploitation, accounting for 79% of human trafficking victims. These
victims of sexual exploitation are predominantly women and girls.
·
According to UNICEF, 2 million children are
estimated to be trafficking victims of sex trade each year. 20% of traffic
victims are children.
·
The average age of a girl being forced into the
US domestic sex slavery market is 13.
·
The average cost of a slave around the world is
$90.
· It is slavery in the modern age. Every year thousands of people, mainly women and children, are exploited by criminals who use them for forced labor or the sex trade. No country is immune. Almost all play a part, either as a source of trafficked people, transit point or destination. - United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon.
Human Trafficking
Awareness Top Events and Things to Do
§
Talk to children about strangers and make sure
they memorize important addresses and phone numbers.
§
Save 888-373-7888 to your phone. This is
number to the National Human Trafficking Resources Hotline.
§
Make a donation to an organization fighting
human trafficking.
§
Learn the signs and indicators of human
trafficking so that you can learn to recognize it and report it. US Homeland
Security offers a training online free of charge.
·
Watch a movie about human trafficking. Our picks:
Taken (2008), Trade (2007), Human Trafficking (2005), The Pink Room (2011),
Nefarious (2011) and Lilya 4-ever (2002).
Know the Signs[4]
Look for someone who:
1.
Is not free to leave or come and go as he/she wishes
2.
Is unpaid, paid very little, or paid only through tips
3.
Works excessively long and/or unusual hours
4.
Is not allowed breaks or suffers under unusual
restrictions at work
5.
Owes a large debt and is unable to pay it off
6.
Was recruited through false promises concerning the
nature and conditions of his/her work
7.
High security measures exist in work and/or living
locations (e.g. opaque windows, boarded-up windows, bars on windows, barbed
wire, security cameras, etc.)
8.
Is fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense or
nervous/paranoid
9.
Exhibits unusually fearful or anxious behavior after
mention of law enforcement
10. Avoids
eye contact
11. Lacks
health care
12. Appears
malnourished
13. Shows
signs of physical and/or sexual abuse, physical restraint, confinement or
torture
14. Has
few or no personal possessions
15. Is
not in control of his/her own money, has no financial records or bank account
16. Is
not in control of his/her own identification documents (ID or passport)
17. Is
not allowed or able to speak for themselves (a third party may insist on being
present and/or translating)
18. Claims
of just visiting and inability to clarify where he/she is staying/address
19. Lack
of knowledge of whereabouts and/or do not know what city he/she is in
20. Loss
of sense of time
21. Has numerous inconsistencies in his/her story
Party at Winterskol in Aspen[5]
January 14-17
Raise
a toast to winter in Aspen’s annual Winterskol
Festival. The
winter tradition is more than 60 years strong and was started by a lodge owner
who wanted to enliven the Aspen winter season following Christmas. Today, the
four-day winter fest includes a snow sculpture competition, a soup cook-off and
a downhill race with apple strudel at the finish line.
Daily
Devotions/Activities
·
Eat waffles and Pray for the assistance of the Angels
·
Monday: Litany of
Humility
·
Rosary
·
Plan
winter fun:
o
Soak in hot
springs
o
Hit the snow slopes
o
Ride a
snowmobile
o
Go for a
dog sled ride
o
Ride a hot air balloon
[1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wife%E2%80%93sister_narratives_in_the_Book_of_Genesis
[2] Barnes' Notes on the Bible
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