Genesis 36
Today's Scripture

This passage lists Esau and his descendants. God blessed Esau with a large family (as he did Jacob)--Esau became the father of the nation of Edom. We learn here that he was the father of kings who ruled in Edom long before kings took their place in Israel.

Esau's family was too large to co-exist with Jacob's--but it seems they were friendly from that point on. Later in Israel's history this is not always the case, but at least for the rest of Esau and Jacob's lifetime they seemed to live in harmony. God blessed them both, in different ways, and provided richly for them.

He is the same God who cares for our every need today.
- posted by Suzi @ 5:15 AM 0 comments

 
Genesis 35:16-29
Today's Scripture

Today's passage is a story of life and death--of birth and old age. Rachel gives birth to her second son, but her labor is difficult and she dies in childbirth. Jacob lovingly places her in a tomb and sets a special marker by it As a strange aside, Jacob's oldest son, Reuben, is said to have slept with his father's concubine. His father hears of it, but at least in this passage, no action is taken.

Jacob arrives home to his father, and Isaac lives to a good old age. His sons live to bury him--apparently Jacob and Esau have reconciled and live in peace.

Jacob's twelve sons are listed here--the ones who become the heads of the tribes of Israel. God begins his nation right here--through heartache and rejoicing. But no matter the circumstances--in the life of the fledgling nation of Israel or in our own today--he is with us to guide us and love us.
- posted by Suzi @ 5:14 AM 0 comments

 
Genesis 35:1-15
Today's Scripture

Jacob returns to Bethel, where God gives him a place to settle. He gets rid of any foreign gods in his household, tells his family to purify themselves and change their clothing, and sets up an altar to worship the Lord. God put fear in those surrounding him so he was not harmed or pursued by any in the land, and God blessed Jacob again, promising him many descendants, among whom would be kings.

Before the blessing, Jacob and his whole household needed to purge themselves of idols. What idols do we have in our lives that may be standing in the way of God's blessings? When we come before him, stripped bare of all but our love and devotion to him, he wants to bless us with his presence. Let's rid ourselves of worldly distractions and take time to worship him and praise him for his work in our lives, now and in the future.
- posted by Suzi @ 7:36 AM 0 comments

 
Genesis 34
Today's Scripture

So far, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had found favor in the land of Canaan, and for the most part had lived in peace and were welcomed by the people there. (There was the incident of Isaac and the wells, but Isaac did not confront those who opposed him and eventually found a well over which there was no dispute.)

Even when Abraham and Isaac told kings and rulers that their wives were really their sisters (because they feared they would be harmed because of their beauty), God kept the women from being defiled and the kings eventually learned the truth and even gave gifts to Abraham and Isaac.

But in today's passage we read of Jacob's Dinah being violated. It seems that Jacob allowed his sons to take the matter into their own hands, instead of dealing it with it himself. The young man and his father said they would pay a bride price for Dinah (we don't learn in this passage what Dinah's feelings were for the young man), and the brothers agreed, if they would all become circumcised. So, when they agreed and were still sore and tender from the circumcisions, Jacob's sons attacked and killed every male and took the women and the possessions as plunder.

The sons may have learned and watched their father as he was deceitful in some of his dealings--or their grandfather Laban. Jacob chides his sons after the attack--worrying about possible retaliation by the surrounding people. But his sons felt justice should be done on their sister's behalf. Not an easy problem to solve--but it is not mentioned that any party consulted with the Lord before acting. This can be a lesson for us.
- posted by Suzi @ 7:44 AM 0 comments

 
Genesis 33
Today's Scripture

Did you ever have to meet an old enemy, or someone with whom you parted badly at your last meeting? Imagine Joseph's fear at seeing his brother after so many years--and knowing that when he left home, it was because his brother wanted to kill him for taking his birthright and his blessing.

Jacob is prepared--he sends gifts ahead to his brother, he then heads up his clan, putting his maidservants and their children next, Leah and her children after that, and finally, in the rear where they probably are the safest--Rachel and her son Joseph.

To Jacob's surprise, Esau meets him with great anticipation and welcome. God had already gone before all of Jacob's people and animals, and prepared Esau's heart to receive him. Their meeting was warm and gracious.

Sometimes we worry about events that we can't control, instead of trusting God to work out details. When we come to him in prayer, he will give us the strength to deal with conflict, or, sometimes, he will grant us blessings and peace in a warm welcome like Jacob and Esau.
- posted by Suzi @ 5:43 PM 0 comments

 
Genesis 32:22-31
Today's Scripture

Do you ever feel like you're wrestling with God? Perhaps you're going through a crisis, and you stay up all night, praying and crying out to him--not sure of his hand in your life--not sure if he's listening, but being part of a struggle.

When we struggle with issues in our life, God is right there in the middle of it. We may end up wounded like Jacob, but God can give us a blessing and even a new start, as he gave Jacob a new name--Israel. Let us remember God in our struggles and seek his guidance even through our scrapes and scars.
- posted by Suzi @ 4:57 AM 0 comments

 
Genesis 32:1-21
Today's Scripture

It seems that age had mellowed Jacob a bit--he does not appear to be the impetuous, self-serving lad of his youth. God had done a work in his life and prospered him. As he prepared to meet his twin brother, from whom he had taken his birthright and blessing, he sent ahead of him gifts and humble wishes.

It takes some people years of hardship and pain to break their pride. But we can learn lessons from those who have gone before--particularly in the Bible. God can work out his plan whether we cooperate immediately or not. But the blessings will not be so hard-fought if we trust in him rather than argue.
- posted by Suzi @ 3:24 PM 0 comments

 
Genesis 31:22-55
Today's Scripture

In spite of more deception that goes on in this chapter (Rachel hides the gods she took from her father), God protects Jacob and his family from harm. Laban pursues them when he learned that Jacob has left with his daughters and grandchildren, but the Lord warns him in a dream not to harm him.

Rather than leaving in enmity, Laban and Jacob part on good terms and set up a pillar as a reminder of their promise not to harm the other. God again keeps his children safe in spite of disobedience and works in men's hearts according to his own purposes.

This God of faithfulness and forgiveness is the same God we serve today. Let us turn our hearts toward him as we journey through this day and this week, knowing he guides our steps and protects us from evil.
- posted by Suzi @ 4:49 AM 0 comments

 
Genesis 31:1-21
Today's Scripture

God blessed Jacob and gave him a large flock, since the animals were bearing spotted or speckled young, and that is what Laban and Jacob had agreed would be Jacob's. God told him in a dream that the time had come for Jacob to return to his father's land. Jacob was ready to go, since Laban's attitude toward him had cooled--Laban's sons were complaining about how large Jacob's herds were. Rachel and Leah made mention of losing their inheritance of a portion of their father's estate, but agreed to do whatever the Lord told Jacob.

As God was creating the nation of Israel, he protected his people and guided them. He loves each one of us and can show us the same direction and faithfulness he showed Jacob. Whether we feel blessed or we are undergoing trials--God is always there, ready to point the way toward him. All we need to do is follow.
- posted by Suzi @ 7:52 AM 0 comments

 
Genesis 30:25-43
Today's Scripture

Jacob was a very shrewd and resourceful businessman. He knew how to increase the number of his flock and picked the stronger animals to breed with other strong animals, even though Laban tried to prevent this from happening. Both men were shrewd and even deceitful--Laban took the spotted sheep that Jacob asked for, but Jacob found a way to breed sheep and kept the young that were spotted.

Jesus told us to be "shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves" in Matthew 10:16, as he was sending out the disciples as "sheep among wolves." Jesus also commended the shrewd business manager--even though he was dishonest. Jesus wasn't commending dishonesty, but the wisdom that those of the world seem to exhibit that sometimes believers do not.

Whatever we do, in business, with friends or at home, we should seek the wisdom of the Lord and do it in a manner pleasing to him. He can direct and guide our paths in a way of shrewdness as well as honesty.
- posted by Suzi @ 6:36 PM 0 comments

 
Genesis 30:1-24
Today's Scripture

It seems strange (at least to me) that the nation of Israel (the leaders of the twelve tribes) would begin with quarrelling between two sisters. They were married to the same man--one had born him four sons while the other was barren. The second, Rachel, gives her servant girl to Jacob and she bears him two sons. Leah then gives her servant girl to Jacob and she bears him two sons. Leah also became pregnant again and had a fifth then sixth son, and a daughter. Finally Rachel, too, became pregnant and had a son, Joseph.

So, so far--six sons by Leah, two by Leah's servant and two by Rachel's servant. Rachel finally has one son of her own, and Leah also has a daughter. Jacob has twelve children at this point--11 sons and one daughter. In spite of the rivalry between his wives, Jacob was blessed with a family who would be the heads of the tribes of Israel.

I wonder if God would have worked things differently if Laban hadn't deceived Jacob, or if there weren't the enmity between the sisters, Leah and Rachel. But he works through us in our sin and frailty. He can work through the messes of our lives and redeem them for his purposes, too. But how much better if we choose his path from the very beginning!
- posted by Suzi @ 10:20 AM 0 comments

 
Genesis 29:31-35
Today's Scripture

Jacob's first wife, Leah, gives birth to four sons, even though it is her sister, Rachel, Jacob's second wife, that Jacob truly loves. It seems the Lord gives her these sons to comfort her, as well as to be future fathers to the tribes of Israel. Each one has a special name--most names in the Bible have special significance. Reuben sounds like the Hebrew for "he has seen my misery" and literally means, "see, a son." Simeon probably means "one who hears" and Levi sounds like and can possibly be derived from the Hebrew word for attached. Judah, who would be in the lineage of the Messiah, sounds like and may be derived from the Hebrew word for "praise." (See NIV footnotes for these explanations.)

Our given names may or may not have special meaning to us or to our parents who gave them to us. Regardless, God knows our names and if we trust him with our lives and accept his Son Jesus as Lord and Savior, our names are forever written in the Book of Life. How precious is each name inscribed there!

- posted by Suzi @ 8:05 AM 0 comments

 
Genesis 29:15-30
Today's Scripture

The story of Rachel and Leah seems a bit odd to me. Why would Laban deceive Jacob, when he worked for seven years for his daughter Rachel, and then Laban gives Leah to him? He, at least, gave him Rachel as well (having two wives--especially who are sisters--doesn't seem a great idea...) after finishing out the bridal week with Leah.

You have to feel sorry for Leah, because she is not really loved by Jacob, and yet also for Rachel, who becomes the second wife to Jacob. Jacob doesn't get what he wants either (at least initially)--the only one who seems to make out like a bandit is Laban. It does, however, seem a bit ironic that Jacob (whose name means deceiver and who got his brother to give him his birthright and deceived his father into giving him the first-born's blessing) should be deceived in such a way.

The late Rich Mullins wrote about this Scripture in his song Jacob and 2 Women in his album This is the World As Best As I Can Remember It, Volume 1. The first lines of the song read:

"Jacob, he loved Rachel and Rachel, she loved him
And Leah was just there for dramatic effect
Well it's right there in the Bible, so it must not be a sin
But it sure does seem like an awful dirty trick. "

The Bible is the recorded history of his people--and it includes good and bad, since we are all fallen humans. The incredible part of the story is how God works--sometimes through major mess-ups on our part. The story in Scripture is fascinating--and God can weave his story through our lives and redeem even our failures for his purposes. Eventually, Rachel and Leah become the mothers of the tribes of Israel--but that we'll read more about that as we proceed in Genesis......
- posted by Suzi @ 9:37 AM 0 comments

 
Genesis 29:1-14
Today's Scripture

Jacob has success in his journey--he finally arrives at the home of his mother's brother, Laban. The story is reminiscent of Abraham's journey to find Rebekah, a wife for Isaac. God's provision for both men is evidence of his faithfulness to his promises and his love for his people.

Jacob had traveled far and had a frightening reason to leave--his own brother wanted to kill him. He must have been conscious of Esau and wondered if he had tried to follow him. But God protected him and led him to the safety of his uncle's--and he met the woman who would become his wife. God's protection and his blessing are wonderful--when we are on a long journey they may not be so evident to us, but he wants to provide us with his abundance (although not always material) and demonstrate his great love for us.
- posted by Suzi @ 10:56 AM 0 comments

 
Genesis 28:10-22
Today's Scripture

(Note: Today's Scripture link [above] is from the New Living Translation, in honor of Ken Taylor, founder of Tyndale House Publishing, who passed away yesterday. I usually link to the NIV version of the Scripture, but also enjoy the NLT version. In high school, I read and wore out my copy of The Way--a paperback version of the Living Bible, which was a paraphrase of the Bible popular in the 1970s. You can read more about Ken Taylor and his life at the Tyndale website or read a tribute by writer/editor Terry Whalin.)

As Jacob traveled away from his home, toward the home of his mother's family, he stopped to set up camp for the night. Using a stone as a pillow, he fell asleep and dreamed of a stairway to heaven, with angels going up and down. The Lord was at the top of the stairway, and gave Jacob this message: "I am the LORD, the God of your grandfather Abraham and the God of your father, Isaac. The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I will give it to you and your descendants.Your descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth! They will cover the land from east to west and from north to south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants. ^[ What's more, I will be with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. I will someday bring you safely back to this land. I will be with you constantly until I have finished giving you everything I have promised." (verses 13b-15, NLT)

The promise of Abraham and Isaac is passed on to Jacob. When Jacob awoke, he used the stone that had been his pillow as a memorial stone and named the place Bethel, or "house of God." He promised to make the Lord his God and give him a tenth of all the Lord gave to him.

Is there a special place in your life or world that has memories of encountering God? Maybe it isn't a physical space, but anywhere you take on a posture of submission and quiet before the Lord. He is everywhere--he lives inside us, so our own bodies are our "Bethel." Let us take time today to come before the Lord as Jacob did, look heavenward, and thank him that Jesus is our Stairway to Heaven.
- posted by Suzi @ 9:08 AM 0 comments

 
Genesis 28:1-9
Today's Scripture

Isaac blessed Jacob and sent him off to his wife's brother's home, to find a wife from that family. Esau, realizing that the Canaanite women he had married were not pleasing to his parents, marries a third wife--that from the clan of his father's half-brother Ishmael.

We're all familiar with the saying, "Two wrongs don't make a right." Sometimes when we make a mistake, we try to make up for it or cover it up by doing something else that isn't right. I may buy food that isn't really good for me, but eat it anyway, then hide it so I may not get caught by a family member who may chide me. Esau made the mistake of marrying two Canaanite women, and then married another in his father's family to try to please his parents. It didn't work, and I can't imagine what kind of household he had trying to please three women and the subsequent children.

Of course, the story of Jacob becomes a complicated one as well. Stay tuned.......or read or re-read on in Genesis........
- posted by Suzi @ 9:36 AM 0 comments

 
Genesis 27:41-46
Today's Scripture

Esau was not happy that Jacob got the blessing from Isaac that, as the first born, should have been his. He planned to kill Jacob after his father was dead for his revenge.

Rebekah learned of this plan and decided to kill two birds with one stone. In Genesis 26:34-35 we read: ³⁴ When Esau was forty years old, he married Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and also Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. ³⁵ They were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah.

So, in order to keep Jacob safe, and to enable him to marry from within their clan, she spoke to Isaac about sending Jacob to find a wife from her brother's family.

Jacob is kept safe, and he can marry a non-Canaanite woman. In the next passages we learn if he has success in his journey, as the servant of Abraham did went he found Rebekah there for Isaac.
- posted by Suzi @ 7:25 AM 0 comments

 
Genesis 27:1-40
Today's Scripture

Here is a classic case of sibling rivalry--which was probably fueled because each parent preferred a different son. Both Rebekah and Jacob took part in a deceptive plot to receive Esau's blessing--after Jacob had already taken the birthright from Esau for a bowl of stew when Esau was hungry.

It's all too easy to prefer one child over another--one may have our temperament or be easier to get along with. But favoritism usually has bad results--with enmity between siblings being the main one.

I know of a family with three (now adult) children--the oldest a son, then two daughters. They each feel that they were the favorite child. They didn't spend time lording this over their siblings, but knew that they were loved by both parents and felt special.

Here Jacob received the blessing, and Esau was only promised that he would "throw the yoke" of his brother from his shoulders when he got restless. Not quite the same blessing that Jacob received! As the story unfolds, we will see the result of the tension between the two brothers--and how God can work healing in difficult situations as well.
- posted by Suzi @ 7:12 AM 0 comments

 
Genesis 26
Today's Scripture

The story takes a parenthetical look at how Isaac became established in the land, before the birth of Esau and Jacob. There was a famine in the land, just like there had been in Abraham's time. But instead of going down to Egypt, the Lord instructs Isaac to stay in Canaan. He goes to the land of the king Abimelech--probably a son or grandson of the king that Abraham encountered.

Unfortunately, like his father, Isaac also told Abimelech and his people that his wife was his sister. The Lord protected Rebekah, and eventually Abimelech learned the truth and confronted Isaac. Assured that no harm would come to him or his wife, Isaac settles in the land, plants crops, and becomes prosperous--so prosperous that Abimelech asks him to move away, for he had become too powerful for them.

Isaac shows great restraint and patience as he moves away and digs wells for himself. Two wells were dug, and both were quarreled over by his neighbors. Rather than facing an unpleasant confrontation, Isaac moves on, and the third well is one that he can take ownership of without any problem.

It seems too often in my life when I face conflict, instead of looking for a solution or turning away from anger, I want to defend myself and make sure my point of view is heard. I'm not advocating becoming a doormat, but I know that a lot more good could come out of situations where I seek a peaceful solution rather than create an argument. And God's blessings are always there for the peacemakers, and they were for Isaac.
- posted by Suzi @ 7:32 AM 0 comments

 
Genesis 25:19-34
Today's Scripture

Here again, an expected pregnancy is delayed--Rebekah is barren for a period of time, just as Sarah was before her. Perhaps God allowed this time of trust and faith to build in these couples. When we don't see answers to our prayers and expectations, we can either become demanding and angry or continue to trust that God has the best plan for us. Sarah and Rebekah were rewarded for their faith and trust, but it must have been difficult for them to wait.

Rebekah gave birth to twins--Esau and Jacob. Isaac favored Esau and Rebekah favored Jacob--so they were not perfect parents! It was God's plan for Jacob to become the father of the nation of Israel, and it is interesting to note how he gets Esau to give him his birthright in a moment of hunger and weakness.

God continues to work out his plan through fallen people. Even though we have weaknesses, God's strength and power prevail as his will is worked out through history. We may not always see his hand or understand his methods, but he is always in control and we can always trust in his love for us to do what's best.
- posted by Suzi @ 6:48 AM 0 comments

 
Genesis 25:1-18
Today's Scripture

The story of Abraham the man comes to an end with this passage. He lived a good long life, and even took another wife and had more children after Sarah died. But Isaac was the promised one, and he is the one who received everything Abraham owned upon his death. But while Abraham was still living, he provided for those in his household, and sent the sons of his concubines off to the east, perhaps to avoid any conflict with Isaac upon Abraham's death.

The line of Ishmael is described here, too. It is interesting to note that he and Isaac buried their father together. There must have been contact throughout the years for this to happen. God also gave Ishmael many sons--twelve in fact, who became tribal leaders of their respective clans.

God had chosen Isaac to be the chosen descendant of Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation. But he also blessed Ishmael and provided for others in Abraham's household. Now, through Jesus, the way is open to all to become members of God's family. When we respond to his message of grace and forgiveness, we can know the blessings of the God of Abraham.
- posted by Suzi @ 8:26 AM 0 comments

 
Genesis 24
Today's Scripture

This is the wonderful story of how God brought Isaac and Rebekah together. It may seem a little strange to westerners--we who believe you must fall in love with someone and have a dating relationship before you get engaged and then married. But God orchestrated the union of these two, and they were willing in the partnership, and they grew to love each other and continue the line of Abraham.

So many things "fell in place" for the servant as he was on his journey to find a wife for Isaac--Rebekah came out to get water, she willingly gave the servant water and watered his camels, as well--she and her family gave him a meal and shelter and provided for his animals as well. And when the servant told his story, Rebekah was willing to go with him immediately.

Perhaps we may think that God doesn't work in the same ways as he did in the Old Testament. And we cannot know the mind of God--his ways are not our ways. But he is an unchanging God, and when we put our faith and trust in him, he can do marvelous things. He may not give us what we think is best for us, but he will work our what is to our benefit and give us so many of his blessings when we pray according to his will. The outcome may not be what we planned--but that's what makes living a life with the Lord an adventure!
- posted by Suzi @ 8:08 AM 0 comments

 
Genesis 23
Today's Scripture

Chapter 23 of Genesis describes the death and burial of Sarah. She lived to be 127--certainly a good old age! In the last chapter, the genealogy of Abraham's brother Nahor is mentioned--here there is careful attention paid to the resting place of the mother of nations. Abraham must have developed a wonderful reputation among the Canaanites--those he approached about buying a burial place for Sarah were willing to give it to him without cost. But, being a man of honor, he insisted on buying a spot in which to lay his beloved Sarah.

How do strangers or people we encounter through our day view us? In our time of need or grief, will they be receptive to our requests? Abraham serves not only as a role model of great faith, but one of kindness, generosity and hospitality--a true friend in an unknown land. May others perceive us as the Canaanites viewed Abraham--a man of honor and dignity.
- posted by Suzi @ 8:06 AM 0 comments

 
Genesis 22
Today's Scripture

Finally, Abraham faces the ultimate test. Over the years he has been faithful to God most times, yet he has also failed in his trust and disobeyed. God asks him to make the ultimate sacrifice--to give his son Isaac to the Lord as a sacrifice.

Abraham obeys. We do not read of any pleading or anguish on his part. In Hebrews 11:17-19 we read: ^"17By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, ¹⁸even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring^[b] will be reckoned."^{[c] 19}Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death."

Abraham's faith had grown to the point that he completely trusted God--even when it seemed like God was going against his promise. He believed God would restore the life of Isaac--and God instead prevented Abraham from sacrificing his son and he provided a substitute--a ram caught in the thicket.

God provided a substitute for us, too. He gave us his one and only Son as a sacrifice for our sin. We don't need to have the faith of Abraham--even our faith is a gift of God. When we come to him in repentance, he will cleanse us from our sin through the blood of Jesus Christ. And we can grow in our love and faith in with him, trusting him more and more each day. When we are willing to give everything to the Lord, he has other blessings in mind for us--not the least of which is eternal life with him and his presence with us through dark times and good times.
- posted by Suzi @ 7:01 AM 0 comments