Genesis 37.2-38.30

Genesis 37.2-38.30

Ahhh YES, my favorite part of the book of Genesis. We are reaching the life of Joseph, folks! I love being able to read about Joseph. The discord with his brothers. His trials. Seeing how God works all things out!

Joseph lived out his time in this passage with faithfulness, which is a high quality he possessed throughout his life. He is faithful. He is firmly devoted to the Lord. Are we faithful? Are we firmly devoted to God? Or, do we only give Him a small part of us? Are we faithful to our daily quiet time? Questions to ponder!

Joseph took a bad report about his brothers (Gad, Asher, Dan, and Naphtali) to his father. It wasn't out of hatred, but love. We want the best for our siblings. It's like when we rebuke someone. It is out of love, not hate~ We want the best for them! It's easy to love when things are good. What about when things get hard? Faithfulness is a characteristic of Joseph that we see through his life! His brothers did not appreciate him. They knew he was treated differently by their father. It was a very special relationship between Joseph and his father. He was the favorite. The text says that it was because he was the son of Jacob's old age. There is one hint that adds to why Joseph was the favorite: he is the son of Rachel. He is also much more faithful than his brothers.

His brothers experienced much hatred and envy against Joseph that only grew higher as time went on. It grew when his father gave a very special, decorated coat to Joseph. It grew much more when Joseph shared his dreams with them. His brothers wouldn't speak a peaceful word to their brother, Joseph.

I understand the brothers frustrations: It's hard when our relationship with someone isn't idle. We look at others' relationship with that person, instead of our own. Faithfulness is fully part of this process. Seeking to give God our all! He strengthens those relationships. Our focus is on HIM, not what we do not have. These brothers were envious of Joseph: They hated him and would not speak a kind word to him. It was fused up anger that would soon explode… They looked at what Joseph had versus what they had. They were in no way lacking. Jacob would of fully taken care of each of his children.

Obediently following his father's orders, Joseph traveled to find his brothers to make sure all is well. While they see him coming, they conspire to kill him. Instead they sell him and come up with a story to tell their father.  Their problem wasn't with Joseph. It was with themselves: sin was crouching at their door, and they refused to do right. Gen 4:6-7 says it like this: 6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” We can choose to rule over sin. We do not need to give into it! We choose! They chose to let the anger dominate. They chose to carry out their evil deeds: hating, conspiring, selling Joseph, bloodying the coat, and telling Jacob a lie that devastated him.

Their faithlessness is so evident. Later in chapter 38, Judah makes known his unfaithfulness. If only they would do what was right in the Lord's sight, they would have been corrected and not giving into sin. If they welcomed correction, they would not of allowed anger to be crouching at their door like it did with Cain. Judah promised a widow his son, but does not deliver him to her. Instead, she posed as a prostitute in attempt to bear children. Just when she is about to be burned to death for what she did, he sees it was him who slept with her. She is seen as more righteous than he was. Faithfulness is what we need to be. Faithful! If only we would give ourselves to correction, Truth, and pursue righteousness. This is what I am reminded of today: faithfulness. Where is our faith in how we are living?

Jacob: pondered the dreams Joseph shared with him.

Reuben: planned to deliver Joseph from the pit, but got there too late.

Genesis 34-37.1

Genesis 34-37.1

The rape of Dinah is a very difficult passage to read and write about. Dinah is raped. Her brothers deceive and kill the young man and many more. Steal their stuff, wives, and children (including false gods). Jacob is grieved. It is a mess. There is so much heartache, and it all added onto each other. None of it erased any of the heartache: not even those murders. Then, Esau's life looks much like Ishmael's (foreign wives; fathers of Arab and Islamic nations; rebelling against God). Meanwhile, Jacob models the life of his father Issac. God reminds Jacob of His promise! He promises stand strong no matter what our circumstances may say.

What I am being reminded of today?

 

I am reminded of the importance of trusting Him. Trusting He will act on my behalf.

I need to ensure nothing comes between me and God. I need to make sure nothing gets in the way of my daily "quiet time" with the Lord each morning. Often times things can, then it is easy to get out of habit. Hobbies can get in the way; TV can get in the way of developing a deeper walk with Christ.
 

I need to stay close to the Lord and those He has given me to be involved in my life and walk with Christ: to counsel and encourage me and for accountability. I am reminded to stay in His Word, and seek His guidance. It's easy to get 'off track' or go through the motions. God wants my heart.

It is better to be with the Lord than to do something that will discourage us in our walk with Him. We need to surround ourselves with things that are of Him, not of this world. The eternal, not the temporary. We need to be careful what we spend our time doing. Which is more profitable: Mindlessly watching tv or spending time in prayer and the Word?

We need to evaluate what kind of relationship we have with Jesus. Are we giving Him all we are? Is there something standing in the way of our relationship? It is incredibly important to guard ourselves spiritually! It is so important to stay close to Him. Staying in the Word and prayer. Keeping a close eye on our walk with Him, how we spend our time, and the decisions we make with prayer. Seeking Him. It's so easy to be detoured in our walk from the Lord~ *anything* can take our focus off Him. Instead of talking about how great we think we're doing, we need to start evaluating how we are really doing in our walk with Christ and humble ourselves before Him. Praying as we evaluate to see how we can give all of ourselves to the Lord!

What kind of legacy do we want to live?

If we live our lives the way God is calling us to, our godly heritage will remain…a heritage of vibrant faith passed from generation to generation. -Donna Partow

Our legacy will live on and on.. By choosing to be diligent in walking by faith in Jesus Christ and seeking His will daily, we are leaving a lasting legacy to our children, great grandchildren, and it will be carried from generation to generation. Many following Christ, because we were faithful and obedient to Him! Choose to live a lasting legacy of faith rooted in Jesus Christ, living for Him and Him alone! God wants to use us mightily! Let us choose to put our quiet time with Him above all else! It MATTERS! It counts! Choosing to love others like Jesus would! Others will see and be greatly impacted by our personal relationship with Jesus that everyone sees through our actions!

Genesis 32-33

Genesis 32-33

Jacob and Esau see each other for the first time in 20 years! Ohhh, the excitement I am feeling. I know what happens, but being able to experience this passage again is so exciting. God can do anything! He can restore relationships! He can change hearts! God can work ALL kinds of miracles! It shows me how prayer is precious, powerful thing!

Jacob prepares to meet Esau. He prepares to go back home. The angels of God meet Jacob! The angels would protect Jacob as he went to meet Esau. As Jacob continued his journey, he sent messengers ahead of himself to let Esau know that he was on his way. Esau decided to come and meet up with Jacob instead of idly waiting. No doubt, he probably was going to come to harm him. And accompanying him? 400 men. Jacob became very fearful, so he divided those with him. This way, others would escape in case Esau kills the first group of people. While fearful and has a plan, he prays for deliverance and safety.  In the morning, he set out to set aside a large "gift" for Esau. So, they would arrive ahead of Jacob with the gifts. His frame of mind with the gifts and at least 3 groups went ahead of him is this: (20)

Prayer should be the key thing we do. It should be the number one priority in our lives no matter what we may face. Seeking God first! Trusting God to act! Jacob hoped to bribe Esau with the large gift. Something happened that would forever changed Esau and Jacob...

Before meeting Esau, God wrestled with Jacob while he was left alone. Jacob had been manipulative (Laban, Esau 20 years ago, and still during that time). He had relied on his own strength. He gave into the sinful desires, and as a result he is physically wresting with God. Often times, we spiritually wrestle with God and His will. What we need to be doing is wrestling our fleshly nature. We need to be winning the struggle against sin! We need to be persistent in praying. Esau probably had every intent of going to meet Jacob to kill him, but that night something happened. Jacob relied not on his own strength, but learned to rely on God's strength. He had a personal encounter where he realized God is greater! He learned he was not enough and he needed God.

"In the end, Jacob does what we all must do. He confronts his failures, his weaknesses, his sins, all the things that are hurting him . . . and faces God. Jacob wrestled with God all night. It was an exhausting struggle that left him crippled. It was only after he came to grips with God and ceased his struggling, realizing that he could not go on without Him, that he received God’s blessing (Genesis 32:29)." -quote taken from Got Questions

I do not want to struggle with God. I want to wrestle and win the battle against my flesh (sinful nature). I want to be able to not give and do what I hate to do.. Reminded of Paul's words: 15 "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it." (Romans 7:15-20)

When was the last time we prayed all night for something?

When was the last time we fasted and poured out our hearts to God?
What is the condition of our prayer life?!?

Prayer changes everything!

Esau graciously accepts Jacob as he is.

He has plenty and is not greedy to keep the gifts Jacob gave.

He offers to leave men behind to journey with Jacob.

God had changed Esau's heart, totally!

Only God can do such a mighty work!

Jacob reconstructs an altar, which shows his commitment to worship the Lord!
That night with the Lord changed everything for Jacob, his family, and Esau. It was a life changing experience, and he was forever changed.

Psalm 20

Psalm 20
May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!
    May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary
    and give you support from Zion!
3 May he remember all your offerings
    and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah
4 May he grant you your heart's desire
    and fulfill all your plans!
5 May we shout for joy over your salvation,
    and in the name of our God set up our banners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!
6 Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed;
    he will answer him from his holy heaven
    with the saving might of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
    but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
8 They collapse and fall,
    but we rise and stand upright.
9 O Lord, save the king!
    May he answer us when we call.


What I like about this passage is it reassures me. On the days of trouble, we can experience God in a greater way. The days of trouble teach me to rely on Him, knowing His strength is sufficient while mine is not. When we turn to Him, we are calling on Him and accepting His help.  It is choosing not to turn to the  world, but turn to Him first to seek lasting help. Turning to the world, in itself, will not work! The world is just as empty in its strength and limited resources as we are. We need God. We need to just say his name: "Jesus". The precious name of our Lord! We need His guidance and strength! He will direct our path!


When we turn to Him, many things happen as a result:


1. We have God's protection!


2. He will send us help and support from the sanctuary of Zion. In my Bible's study notes, it says: "this is the place where God especially makes himself present among his people." We know this is when He is made known. When He is helping us, His presence is definitely made known! We experience Him greater as we turn to Him in times of trouble. We need to be seeking Him!
   
3. 'May God recall your' worship experiences. For the Israelites, they came to know God, received assurance of God's love, and devoted themselves to Him through burnt offerings and sacrifice. This was how they worshiped. They did not have the Bible... For us, we are able to get the same kind of assurance of His love and experience Him as we worship Him through reading God's Word (the Bible), spend time in prayer, praise Him through song as we learn more about His character as we sing these songs. Worship deepens our faith and helps us to experience Him more.
   
4. This is where point A and B connect: Worship and fulfillment of our desires. As we spend quality time with Jesus, we are changed. We become transformed! Ahh, yes transformed. Speaking of transformed. Romans 12:2 reminds us: "Do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
   
   Our desires are fulfilled, because our desires become in line with what God wants for our lives… It is that it is in line with God's will. God ultimately knows what is best, which is why His will is so important.
   
5. Deepening our relationship with God during the times of trouble can bring joy. Yes, even joy! We can be joyful as we go through troubled times. Not because of us, but because the Lord is our strength. With God on our side, we can make it through anything!
   
6. Prayer is greater than we could ever imagine. God can do anything! Turning to Him can bring radically changes to our lives and circumstances! Scripture reminds us:
   ⁷ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8)
   
   
7. Trusting in Him is essential! Love this verse, which says it all:


Psalm 20:7-8
English Standard Version (ESV)
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
    but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
8 They collapse and fall,
    but we rise and stand upright.


Even in troubled times, we are able to get right back up. It is not because of our own strength. Many can stand in their own strength and still are without hope. The hope comes through God and His son Jesus. Choosing to trust in Him is what will give us the strength to "rise and stand upright". He is the One who can make us joyous during trials and difficult times. Deepening our relationship with Him is the best thing we could do with our time and energy: seeking Him.

Genesis 29-31

Genesis 29-31

Jacob had success. He made it to Laban's place. He saw Rachel. She had such servitude. Jacob also wanted to serve her, helping her water her sheep (as she was a shepherdess). When he saw Laban, he was lovingly embraced and welcomed (29:11-13). It is such a difference compared to how he left his family where his brother had nothing but hatred for him. Only God can bring us to a place where we experience love from others, not hate. Even when we suffer from others, God will give us strength! Look at the change for Jacob: from Esau to Laban's initial reaction. We know Laban is somewhat manipulative, and this time spent here will be interesting indeed. Jacob will have to keep his eyes open!

The time comes after one month where Laban sets up the wages of Jacob. He would serve him for 7 years in exchange for Rachel (Laban's younger daughter). While the week long marriage ceremony is going on, Laban decided to manipulate Jacob. He would give Leah to Jacob instead, only Jacob would not find out until the morning and and after the ceremony would begin. Laban deceived Jacob. Jacob had great love for Rachel. He would serve an additional 7 years as a bride price for Rachel- the one whom he loves. Leah was the one giving off offspring to Jacob. Rachel's womb was barren, while Leah sought to bear Jacob's children in hopes that Jacob would come to love her. Leah gave Jacob 7 children and still hoped he would love her more than Rachel. Finally, Rachel is able to give Jacob a child: Joseph!

Jacob's Desire to Leave

Jacob goes to Laban to discuss their departing from him. Jacob makes a deal with Laban, but Laban goes around removing all the animals he agreed to give Jacob, sending them off with his sons (30:33-35). The deceitfulness of this man! Why is he not able to deal fairly, and do what he says he will do?!? His hurting Jacob would also hurt her daughters, which would hurt him in the long run.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

30:25-43 The fourteen years being gone, Jacob was willing to depart without any provision, except God's promise. But he had in many ways a just claim on Laban's substance, and it was the will of God that he should be provided for from it. He referred his cause to God, rather than agree for stated wages with Laban, whose selfishness was very great. And it would appear that he acted honestly, when none but those of the colours fixed upon should be found among his cattle. Laban selfishly thought that his cattle would produce few different in colour from their own. Jacob's course after this agreement has been considered an instance of his policy and management. But it was done by intimation from God, and as a token of his power. The Lord will one way or another plead the cause of the oppressed, and honour those who simply trust his providence. Neither could Laban complain of Jacob, for he had nothing more than was freely agreed that he should have; nor was he injured, but greatly benefitted by Jacob's services. May all our mercies be received with thanksgiving and prayer, that coming from his bounty, they may lead to his praise.

Jacob's flock would be stronger than Laban's!

Laban didn't view Jacob with favor anymore; it was time for Jacob and his family to go. God promises to be with Jacob as he makes this journey. Notice there was a command with a promise. (31:3) Whatever God tells us to do, we need to do. God will provide for us! We just need to stay obedient to Him!

Genesis 31:42 says: "If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, you would surely have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands, and last night he rebuked you."

God sees it all! God saw all Jacob had done and how he was treated, and chose to bless Jacob!
Obedience.

Obedience.
God worked it all out for His ultimate good. Jacob is abundantly blessed. Even though there was great manipulation from Laban, God worked it all out for his good. God chose to bless Jacob, his children, and wives as they followed Him!

Genesis 25:19-28:22

Genesis 25:19-28:22

I am choosing to read 2 days tonight. I do not want to get more behind in my readings.. So, today's readings cover the time of Jacob cheating Esau out of his blessing for food to the point where Jacob manipulates his father and is given Esau's blessing. Then, Jacob is forced to flee for his life.

Isaac's sons, Jacob and Esau, fought each other even when they were still in the womb. The boys were different: Esau was a hunter; Jacob was content at home working within the tents. One day, Esau was starving and Jacob would only give him food in exchange for his birth right (25:31-34)… At the core, this is what would bring great problems between the two. Jacob would steal Esau's blessing, and become a great nation being served by his brother's nation..

Isaac and Abimeleck
 

In time of famine, Isaac and his family move to Gerer. While there, Isaac lies and says Rebekah is his sister (if it sounds familiar, it is because Abraham did the same thing). The truth is found out, and Abimeleck is concerned. "What if they had been guilty for doing things to them?" This was Abimeleck's concern. The family stayed in that nation, and became too successful to stay there. They were forced out. Isaac moved, and sought to reopen the wells that Abraham had made. Finally, Isaac and his people are given space. God appeared to Isaac reminding him that God isn't going to leave them…. Then, an oath is made between Abimeleck and Isaac.

Back to Jacob and Esau

Esau and his wife were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah. This led to a great act of betrayal. The entire family is affected. Esau's choice affects Isaac and Rebekah. Also, would affect Jacob too.

Rebekah conspires with Jacob to steal Esau's blessing. Rebekah overhears Isaac telling Esau what to do in order to be given his blessing. While Esau is out looking to make the perfect meal for Isaac, Jacob stole his blessing. It took both of them to pull it off. They had made his meal, and was ready to go to say "I am Esau" when it is Jacob. Isaac seemed to question whether it was Jacob or Esau. He knew it was the voice of Jacob with the hands of Esau. Jacob had made his hands hairy.

Then, the blessing. Is. Given.

Esau would be the servant of Jacob. His decedents would serve Jacob's. Esau came in with his game, and had no blessing. Instead, he would be cursed. Esau wept. He was heart broken. He was full of anger. Scripture says: "Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. He said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” (27:41)

Jacob had no choice but to flee, or to allow revenge to happen…
Notice Rebekah's word:  "Then Rebekah said to Isaac, “I’m disgusted with living because of these Hittite women. If Jacob takes a wife from among the women of this land, from Hittite women like these, my life will not be worth living.” (27:46) She obviously had a time of struggling with Esau's wives. Not only were they different, they rejected the One true God! They were filled with wrong doing. Her heart was also breaking..

Jacob is again blessed by Isaac, and given a command in what kind of woman not to choose from. Isaac sought to protect Jacob. Esau learned about all of this. He knew that Canaanite women were despised by his father, so he went taking for himself a wife from the family of Ishmael (Isaac's Egyptian brother; this is huge!). He just wanted to seek disobedience and do wrong in the eyes of the Lord and his family. He chose to react.

Jacob's Dream

God promises to stay with Jacob. He will not leave Jacob. Just as he promised Jacob, that same promise still remains. He will not leave us. He will continue to stay with us no matter what. God provides for us no matter what may be going on in our lives. For Jacob's family, there was a lot going on. Still, God continued to work through those circumstances! As I keep seeking Him, He will continue to work mightily in my life! In the midst of circumstances it can be really hard, but my eyes need to stay on Him. Circumstances can look incredibly bad, and God can work through them in ways I cannot even imagine!

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us" Ephesians 3:20

Genesis 24-25:11

Genesis 24-25.11


Abraham made an oath with his servant to go find a wife for his son, Isaac! 
God blessed Abraham. I sense that Abraham feared the kind of woman Isaac would choose, which may be the reason Isaac was not allowed to go with the servant. Whatever the reasons, Isaac was not allowed to go with the servant in any circumstance even if the servant found a suitable girl, but she did not come with him…Abraham knew what it meant to choose a future spouse. The wife chosen for Isaac would need to be someone that would also follow God wholly. This would effect the entire nation of Israel. It would affect future generations. It would affect Isaac tremendously! Choosing a spouse can either draw us closer to the Lord or far from Him. Choosing a spouse is sacred, and of great importance!

PRAYER was a big part of this encounter as the servant waits for the woman God has chosen for Isaac (see Gen 24:12-14). How does God choose to work? Exactly the way that the servant asked. God hears our requests, but often they are not laid out like so. God's ways are much greater than our own. He reveals His will in different ways, not always in the way we might have liked! This is why discernment is so important. It is important to know and experience God, so we may know what He may be calling us to do.
 
The woman who responded by giving him a drink and feeding his camels (his request to the Lord has been for this sign), and she is given gold bracelets and a gold ring. Being given a gold ring has great significance also in the Prodigal Son. Signifies being an heir in a sense to me... There is a level of inheritance attached to it. Notice verse 30: Laban's (her brother) reaction! As soon as Laban saw the bracelets and gold ring, it led him to action. Laban may have hoped to gain from this man's riches, but the point is God worked through them all. A wife was to be given to Isaac, the son of Abraham.


The servant seeks discernment in knowing if it is truly from God, for the Scripture says: "Without saying a word, the man watched her closely to learn whether or not the Lord had made his journey successful." (verse 21) After putting the gold jewelry on the girl, he bowed his head and worshiped the Lord (verse 26). He knew God had acted, and provided for Abraham and Isaac. He could go back to his master, Abraham, with a smile knowing God has blessed him! God had led the servant to the right way!


When coming into their house with food ready for them to eat, the servant knew: MUCH was more important than food. In this case, sharing what his assignment was and how God acted was much more important than eating. You can imagine that the man and those with him were very hungry, being they were thirsting as well from their long journey. Still, food was secondary. They had a purpose.

Rebekah's characteristics: willing, compassionate, strong (carrying water jugs), and submissive. She definitely cares for her family, and does what is asked. She seeks out ways to work, and benefit others. She would go do the chores lovingly, and it is shown she did not have a hatred for it: for she graciously went the extra mile. She did not just give the servant a drink, but she got enough water for all 10 camels that he brought with him. In addition, she would of given drink to the men that accompanied the head servant who had the task of finding a suitable wife for Isaac.


I like this passage, because it gives a good reminder of what is important in waiting for a spouse: prayer, discernment, others involved in the process, and waiting isn't idle waiting, but developing our character more--becoming more Christ-centered and Christ-like! Growing in Him is thoroughly part of the process of waiting. Serving others is totally part of the process. Loving Him more as we wait to see what He will do in our lives, as we give ourselves to Him!

In the passage of 25:1-11:
1. Abraham remarries (Keturah), and she gives birth to 6 children.
2. Abraham gave all he had to Isaac. He only gave gifts to the sons of his concubines.
3. He sent his other children away from Isaac.