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Read Genesis 31-33
Genesis 33:1-3 Then Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming with his 400 men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and his two servant wives. 2 He put the servant wives and their children at the front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last. 3 Then Jacob went on ahead. As he approached his brother, he bowed to the ground seven times before him. Genesis 29-33 - yesterday’s and today’s readings - can be summarized in two ways: 1) This is the story of Jacob’s heart gradually transforming to become a new man, chosen by God. 2) This is the story of Israel’s physical beginning. Both stories are struggles of transformation. Jacob was about 40 years old when he left his home to escape Esau’s wrath and to find a wife (notice the singular “wife”) among his mother’s people. In the beginning, we have learned that one central theme in the Bible is God’s commands for one man, one woman marriage between people of faith. Jacob was obeying Isaac’s instructions not to marry daughters of Ishmael as Esau had done. But as he obeyed Isaac, he is deceived by Rebekah’s brother, Uncle Laban! The Deceiver Jacob is deceived. And Leah, Rachel’s older sister, becomes his first wife. And then Laban allows Jacob to marry his desire, Rachel. Leah birthed six sons and one daughter. Rachel had two sons. Their two servant women, Bilhah and Zilpah, each had two sons. The 12 sons are the 12 men who are the fathers of the 12 Tribes of Israel. It is fascinating to note that while Jacob favored Rachel, God favored Leah above Rachel. Not only did Leah have more children, Leah’s son Levi was the father – the founder – of the tribe of Israel’s great lawgiver, Moses, and the priestly line. Out of Judah would come David and then the Savior. This is a difficult account to read, isn’t it? Do you wonder why God moved matters in such a complex process? But then we have already read how sin has caused great division, death and destruction in the human race. God’s perfectly created world is a mess because mankind has turned from being God’s ambassadors to be his enemies. Jacob’s life demonstrates this battle. God’s chosen man disputes with his uncle Laban, who worships idols. Leah and Rachel have manipulated him in a jealous contest for children. Superstitions and cultural values rule their lives. What is God doing here? We can only conjecture an answer because we do not know God’s mind. But one reason for this pattern of deceit could be to show Jacob his own sin. Sometimes God shows us our sins through people who use the same sins against us. For his own reasons, God has set the stage for the nation Israel in ways we wouldn’t expect. We learn, too, how to respond to people and circumstances that come against us. We should never give up or say, “There is no hope.” God will often permit or even cause adversity to show us what we must know about ourselves and about him. Instead of asking God, “Why, God?” perhaps we should confess, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24b) Good to Know: What God did with Jacob he wants to do with you. Read Genesis 29-30
Genesis 29:10 When Jacob saw Rachel daughter of Laban, his mother’s brother, and Laban’s sheep, he went over and rolled the stone away from the mouth of the well and watered his uncle’s sheep. AS we read through the Bible, we will learn of the ways water demonstrates God’s salvation. We know water is the primary need in all life. The second sentence in the Bible refers to the earths’ deep waters. The Great Flood is water cleansing the earth to begin a new creation. This symbolizes the baptism of repentance and faith to come. Now at this new juncture in Jacob’s life and God’s plan to physically begin a new nation Israel, is the simple detail that a stone was rolled away to water the sheep. This daily care for the sheep illustrates an eternal joy that will nourish your soul. One day another stone would be rolled away to water Jesus’ church. You might know the story. It is told every Easter and hopefully more often. The Holy Spirit rolled away a large stone from the tomb in which the Son of God lay. From the tomb came the Living Water, Jesus Christ risen from the dead. The Resurrection and the Life provides now for those who thirst for God’s saving grace. From the empty tomb, the Living Water has flowed from Jerusalem that day to form Jesus’ church. As the gospel is declared, the Spirit continues to roll away sin. Dry, empty hearts become eternally nourished in God’s salvation. The prophet Ezekiel illustrated this in Ezekiel 47:1-12. Read it and know of God’s life-giving Word flowing from Jerusalem to resurrect a desert-like world into a new Eden. Jesus said it this way: John 7:38 “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” Laban’s sheep were very thirsty at watering time. They eagerly responded to the water Jacob provided. Do you eagerly respond to the Living Water the Good Shepherd gives to you? John 4:11-14 “But sir, you don't have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? 12 And besides, do you think you're greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?” 13 Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. 14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” Read Genesis 26:34-28
Genesis 28:16-17 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!” 17 But he was also afraid and said, “What an awesome place this is! It is none other than the house of God, the very gateway to heaven!” GOD is very gracious and purposeful. We have read in his story to this point that he is far from perfect. In fact his name means “one who grabs by the heel” or “one who trips up”. It also mean appropriately, “Deceiver.” This becomes Jacob’s character, didn’t it? From bargaining with Esau for his birthright to deceiving his father Isaac for his father’s blessing, he has lied and plotted to take advantage of others. He is not someone you’d trust with a handshake and his word. Now Jacob’s life is in jeopardy because of this deceit. Yet, God enters into Jacob’s life to affirm this son of Isaac is God’s next chosen “father” to form Israel! In one of the Bible’s great contrasts, Jacob is not a man to make a true covenant. Yet, God makes a covenant with him. Throughout the remaining 22 chapters of Genesis, we will read of Jacob’s story that establish him as the direct father of Israel’s 12 tribes. Why would God create Jacob to be of a sinful character and then transform his life? But isn’t that how God works? Perhaps you know someone whom God has dramatically changed from a life of deceit, into a life of promise and peace, just as Jacob would one day know. Perhaps the first place to look for such a person is to ourselves. Is your life new because you confess Jesus? Are you Seeing yours and others’ lives changed with God’s Word is evidence God is at work. We each can praise God he has chosen us who are born in sin to overcome sin, so we will confess, “Surely the Lord is in this place!” To this point in Genesis, we have read of sin’s destruction and God’s salvation. Through Seth, Noah, Shem, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob comes the foundational truth that from the beginning it is by God’s grace mankind has been saved from destruction. Each person in Scripture, and the three foundational fathers – the patriarchs – of Israel were ordinary, sinful men without merit. But I AM chose them. He went to them to call them into extraordinary lives. They became his faithful workmen, his partners and ambassadors to be the means of God’s plan to fulfill his Kingdom purposes. You are the same: ordinary in the world, called to be extraordinary in the Kingdom of God. Open your faith to the potential of dramatic change in your life. You will know God’s loving care to point you to a full life with him. Praise God. He has shown you the way to heaven. Read Genesis 25-26
Genesis 25:32-33 “Look, I'm dying of starvation!” said Esau. “What good is my birthright to me now?” 33 But Jacob said, “First you must swear that your birthright is mine.” So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights as the firstborn to his brother, Jacob. HAVE you ever been around a person who loves to emphasize the smallest trifle into a “life or death” situation? Esau was like that. He proclaimed he would die in a few minutes if Jacob didn’t give his stew to him. Esau is hungry for immediate satisfaction. As a result, he surrendered his birthright, which is the most precious possession of a Hebrew first-born son. In a moment of rash passion for a “meal in a minute” Esau threw away material wealth and subsequent honor. Now Jacob, the second-born twin, will inherit the birthright due Esau. Esau’s impatient demand and quick dispersal of his inherited wealth changed the foundation and structure of Israel to come. Of course, God’s plan was to have Jacob be the leader of the next generation, just as he told Rebekah, “The older will serve the younger.” (Genesis 25:23c). He will bless Jacob’s family. Many times God will use a second-born son (Moses) or a lesser child of a family (Joseph and David, for example) to demonstrate he is El Shaddai – LORD of all. Today, your birthright as God’s child is to inherit the kingdom of God. We read in Titus 3:7 “Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” God chose Jacob. As you confess Jesus as Lord, God has chosen you, given you eternal live. Let’s not be as Esau was, concerned about instant pleasure. Let’s be focused on the birthright given to us. Be careful what you desire. Your decisions and reactions will affect the foundation and structure of your life and your loved ones forever. Remember, what you say and do is not just about you. Receive in faith your birthright in the kingdom of God. Treasure it above all earthly, momentary desires. Ask God: “See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalms 139:24) Be Still: Rest for a moment as you consider God is your perfect Father, who has adopted you into eternal life. Read Genesis 24
Genesis 24:48 “Then I bowed low and worshiped the Lord. I praised the Lord, the God of my master, Abraham, because he had led me straight to my master's niece to be his son’s wife.” THIS is one of my favorite Bible stories. Obeying God’s directive, Abraham sends his chief servant Eliezer to find a wife for Isaac. The servant has expectations of what the future bride will say and do. Even more – and this is especially good – he has a sure faith that El Shaddai – the LORD – will answer his prayers. This trustworthy servant Eliezer is a wonderful model for the Christian life. Too often it seems, we pray with a reserved faith: “God, help me if you will. I hope things will do what I desire.” It seems we expect God to say, “No.” or, “Later.” Indeed, he can answer our prayers in that. And he often does. But there must be something more in how we pray. This scripture tells us through Eliezer to pray in this way: (Genesis 24:12) “O LORD, God of my master Abraham, give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham.” Do you hear the expectation and worship? And he does not pray for his own benefit, but he prays for God’s kindness on Abraham. The “Lord’s Prayer” is certainly one of worshipful expectation: “Your Kingdom come, your will be done. Give us this day…forgive our sins…rescue us from the Evil One.” (from Matthew 6:10-13) are appeals of expectation. And so must our prayers be. Consider that Eliezer was traveling a great distance to the land he had left with Abraham some 60 years earlier. He was going to meet a family he did not know. Still, there is something very important Eliezer did know. He knew who God is. He knew what God can do. He has experienced God’s miraculous work. Abraham’s servant has watched the LORD protect and prosper Abraham. He has witnessed the LORD’s judgment on sin. He has lived with Isaac, the promised son, born to Abraham and Sarah. Eliezer is seeking a wife for a son no one on earth believed would be born. Now Eliezer faithfully walks with HE IS to see God fully answer his worshipful, expectant prayer. There are many ways life’s circumstances can challenge our faith. If that is so with you today, remember Abraham and Eliezer. Understand the enormous faith challenges that God brought to them. Remember the faith journey Abraham experienced. Sometimes his faith was weak. But his faith became so strong he obeyed God’s command to take Isaac to the altar. Pray you believe in God as the faithful Eliezer did. Pray with the expectation and faith the Lord has taught us. Then open your eyes to see God deliver his answer. Yes, he will say, “No.” and “Later.” He will say, “Yes.” Faith is trusting his answers to know his will is your blessing. Pray and See: What journey are you traveling? Pray and see God’s response to you. Read Genesis 22-23
Genesis 21:2 She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. This happened at just the time God had said it would. Genesis 21:17-18 But God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, “Hagar, what's wrong? Do not be afraid! God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. 18 Go to him and comfort him, for I will make a great nation from his descendants.” Genesis 22:7-8 Isaac turned to Abraham and said, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “We have the fire and the wood,” the boy said, “but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?” 8 “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham answered. And they both walked on together. HERE are two passages from yesterday’s reading and one from today. They are three examples of God’s physical salvation, resurrecting lives out of emptiness and the threat of death. First, God provided the long-promised son to Abraham and Sarah. Second, God provided water for Hagar and Ishmael in the wilderness. And third, God provided the sacrificial lamb to replace Abraham’s son Isaac on the altar. Yes, God provided a son. God showed his power first over the barren womb. Sarah became the mother of Israel. Abrahams’ grandson, Isaac’s son Jacob, will be the father of Israel’s 12 tribes from whom the Son of God would come. From Sarah’s empty womb God takes us to the empty tomb. In the Son’s resurrection, there is no spiritual tomb. Only heaven’s glory awaits us. Second, the LORD showed his power over death in a barren desert. God’s physical salvation for Ishmael and Hagar pours even unto the child of the slave. God rewarded Abraham, the father, through the blessing he gives to the son. We are born a slave to Adam’s and Eve’s sin. But Jesus, the Living Water, gives us new life. God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved! (Ephesians 2:4-5) And third, on Mt. Moriah God provided the lamb that day to replace Isaac. This foretells the scene to occur here about 2,000 years later. Mt. Moriah is where the Temple Mount would be one day. And just off the mount, on top of another hill, the Father would take the Son to the altar. The Father did not withhold death from the Son, who became your sacrificial lamb to take your place on the altar. Praise God! The LORD has provided. In Joy and Gratitude: Trust the God, who sent the Son as the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days. 1 Peter 2:19-20 Read Genesis 20-21
Genesis 20:1-2 Abraham moved south to the Negev and lived for a while between Kadesh and Shur, and then he moved on to Gerar. While living there as a foreigner, 2 Abraham introduced his wife, Sarah, by saying, “She is my sister.” So King Abimelech of Gerar sent for Sarah and had her brought to him at his palace. DOES this story sound familiar? Look at Genesis 12, and you’ll see Abraham doing the same thing with Egypt’s leaders. Why would this man whose faith would be praised throughout the generations repeat the lie? That’s Abimelech’s question in Genesis 20:9-10 Then Abimelech called for Abraham. “What have you done to us?” he demanded. “What crime have I committed that deserves treatment like this, making me and my kingdom guilty of this great sin? No one should ever do what you have done! 10 Whatever possessed you to do such a thing?” In the question we see Abraham’s and Sarah’s deceit was considered a deep threat against their hosts. Deception is no trivial matter. Then Abraham answered: 11 “I thought, ‘This is a godless place. They will want my wife and will kill me to get her.’” Do you see? Abraham called it a “godless place”, but the man of God seemed to be without God, too. Even with his new name “Abraham” that means “Father of many nations.” Abraham’s words rejected God’s promise. Did he forget God had made a blood covenant with him to assure him of God’s generational promise? In truth, Abraham’s faith was not perfect. He could not fully trust God’s benevolent power in all circumstances. Once again we’re called to examine our own trust in God. Do we fully grasp the New Covenant sealed in Jesus’ blood? How do we trust Jesus’ promise, “I am with you always.” (Matthew 28:20b)? When a challenge confronts you, do you remember how God has completely committed himself to your eternal life? Do you remember how you are born again, saved from God’s judgment because God has made a covenant with you? To help us understand God’s faithfulness to us, he has given us these words: 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. 10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. God very personally came to Abraham. Then see how has even more personally come to you. I AM didn’t kill an animal for you. He suffered unto a cross. He has died for you! Now the resurrected Lord Jesus prays for you. 1 John 2:1 My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. Read Genesis 18-19
Genesis 18:12-14 So she laughed silently to herself and said, “How could a worn-out woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my master—my husband—is also so old?” 13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, ‘Can an old woman like me have a baby?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” THE LORD is persistent in accomplishing his will through those whom he chooses. As Sarah, we will doubt, even laugh at the thought I AM would do something far beyond our understanding. In truth, it can be very difficult to release our doubts and become confident in God’s promises. Considering changes to come in our lives are far beyond reality to us. We live in certain circumstances for so long that something new is impossible to see. Remember though: God formed the world out of himself. He has personally formed your life, too. Sarah would discover the Creator’s personal touch on her life. One day she would rejoice, “God has brought me laughter. All who hear about this will laugh with me.” (Genesis 21:6) She had a “good” laugh when Isaac was born. You will have a good laugh, too, when you see the I AM’s creative touch shape your life to his will. Judgment is No Joke Genesis 19:14 So Lot rushed out to tell his daughters’ fiancés, “Quick, get out of the city! The Lord is about to destroy it.” But the young men thought he was only joking. SARAH laughed at the LORD’s promise to provide a son, and Lot’s would-be sons-in-law laughed at God’s promise to judge and destroy. Why is it that both the world and Christians too often hear God’s promises of salvation and destruction as a joke? Our world has certainly made Hell into a joke. Cartoons, comedians and Halloween costumes trivialize and give a light-heartedness to Satan, demons, and Hell’s eternal horror. When Hell is small, the world has no urgency to repent. Minimizing Hell also removes a Christian’s urgent responsibility to tell of God’s judgment and salvation. If we think Hell is “not so bad” then we can excuse ourselves for keeping Hell’s torture and the gospel’s saving message to ourselves. After all, why would we want to offend someone to talk of sin, judgment, destruction and punishment? They will just laugh at and mock us, won’t they? Maybe they will. Maybe they won’t. Maybe they will say, “Thank you for telling me of sin’s penalty. Thank you for pointing me to Jesus’ saving grace.” We are to tell because I AM commands it as a means of people coming to faith. Are you a Christian? Thank the Holy Spirit he has awakened you to know God’s judgment and blessing. Then be Christ’s ambassador to declare his mercy to those who repent. He will do as he says: Judge and Save. What Do You Think? Would Jesus have suffered the cross if Hell is a joke? Read Genesis 15-17
Genesis 15:18 So the LORD made a covenant with Abram that day and said, “I have given this land to your descendants, all the way from the border of Egypt to the great Euphrates River.” & Genesis 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai, ‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. 2 I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.” A covenant is a promise of one person to another or between two or more people. We know most covenants as agreements or contracts signed and sealed for legal fulfillment between two or more people. But God makes a one-sided, a unilateral covenant. Think of it. God came first came to Abram in Genesis 12:3b All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” Then 24 years have passed. Is the covenant still intact? Yes. God once more said to Abram, “the Lord made a covenant with Abram that day” and “I will make a covenant with you”. God made it, and God will keep it. God’s covenants mark his story throughout the Bible. He made a covenant with Adam to be fruitful. He made a covenant with mankind that he will send one to destroy Satan’s authority. We see the rainbow today as God’s promise no flood would destroy the earth again. God’s covenants are personal because he is a personal God. Note in your Bible that “LORD” names God. This is the Hebrew word “Yahweh”. It means “HE IS”. This defines his eternal character. He is self-existent, eternal, our all-in-all if you will. “I AM” is another form of “LORD”. God introduces himself to Moses with this name in Exodus 3:14. Very importantly, “LORD” also reflects his mercy, personal provision for you and his promise to restore humanity to be Yahweh’s people. “LORD” points to his faithful presence with his people to have a personal relationship with those who trust him. That is why the LORD makes the covenant with Abram. In his grace, HE IS came to sign his covenant with the blood of the animals. The LORD will re-state it with Isaac and Jacob. He will repeat it to Moses and to the prophets. Then I AM will come as a man to fulfill this covenant through the cross. From the cross and resurrection comes the New Covenant of faith in Jesus crucified, died, buried, risen and ascended. From Genesis to Revelation, LORD’s promises move him to save us. No one can stop him. He has signed his agreement in blood. If you are a child of the covenant-making God, praise him for his deep love and eternal care on your life. Read Genesis 12-14
Genesis 12:12-14 “When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife. Let’s kill him; then we can have her!’ 13 So please tell them you are my sister. Then they will spare my life and treat me well because of their interest in you.” 14 And sure enough, when Abram arrived in Egypt, everyone spoke of Sarai’s beauty. AMID fear, trials and temptations are you willing to trust God’s promises of protection and salvation? If you’re as Abram, you will answer the question, “I am, and I am not.” Abram was on a journey learning of God. This, too, is our pathway when the Lord says, “Come, follow me.” One truth about God is that he does not immediately and completely remove sin’s affects from our minds as he appoints us to faith. Upon our confession, “Jesus is Lord.” the LORD does not immediately say, “All is perfect and complete for you!” Instead, he says, “Take up your cross.” His calling is a transforming journey to sanctify you as his new creation. The Bible, teaching, preaching, study, prayer and fellowship are his means to protect you through the fears, trials and temptations. Abram’s life is a good example for you. Our scripture reading today tells us Abram believed God and wholeheartedly when the Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.” (Genesis 12:1) That’s a very big faith. To leave the safety of your clan and travel some 300 miles to an unknown territory was to yield yourself and family to the mercy of many who could object to your presence in their land! In God’s providence, Abram was willing to confess his faith in God to say, “Yes, Lord. I will go.” Spirit-moved, he exhibited a faithfulness to God in a land not his own. But then came the fear, trials and temptations. Where did Abram turn his eyes to seek relief in the famine? He turned to himself, to his own solutions. Quickly he turn to Egypt’s wealth, forgetting about God’s promise of a bounteous future for Abram’s offspring. But Abram’s self-protection plan threatened Sarai’s morals and God’s covenant promise. Not wanting to be a victim, Abram guided by fear made Sarai the victim. Even more, Abram’s self-preservation plan threatened your salvation! If Sarai had gone into the king’s chambers would not any offspring be questioned? Perhaps Abram’s lack of trust in God here is one reason God delayed Isaac’s birth for 25 years! Through this incident, the dispute with Lot and Lot’s rescue, Abram is putting aside the old self to become more and more new in his faith journey. Yes, God will allow and sometimes cause trials in your life. Still, he is faithful to protect his covenant promise of salvation to you. When God calls you to himself, you must believe him in all circumstances. Each day is an opportunity for you to trust God more deeply. What is he telling you as you read his Word? Do you believe him? Sometimes times, your faith is mirror-focused. Other times your faith sees deeply into God’s countenance to know his protection and power. Where do you look? |
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January 2025
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