Ch. 43~ Joseph shares his faith.

I have to say I am admiring Joseph the more I read about him.  At first, I thought he was arrogant when he was young, flaunting his dreams to his brothers.  Then, I thought he was a victim of circumstances, first being sold to slavery and then being thrown in prison.  I thought God was blessing him in everything he did, just so that God could accomplish his divine plan of bringing Israel to Egypt.

Now, however, like I mentioned the other day, I believe Joseph fully believed in the God of his father and shared stories of the one true God (Yahweh) with everyone close to him.  I mentioned the other day how I believe he shared Yahweh with his pagan wife in ch. 41.  Today we have another example~ Joseph shared Yahweh with his steward!  We know that by what the steward said, “Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks.” (43:23)

Again, even though Joseph is in a pagan culture, he is not afraid  to share Yahweh with everyone he knows. I imagine he told stories about his dad’s experience with Yahweh.  I bet the steward knows the story of Joseph’s dad wrestling with the angel and walking away with a limp (ch. 32).

I admire Joseph because he did not hide what he knew to be true.  He was not ashamed of being from a shepherd family who worshipped the one true God.  This reminds me of what Jesus said, “Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” (Luke 9:26)  Joseph wasn’t ashamed of God.  It makes sense then that God wasn’t ashamed of him and so he blessed him in all he did and therefore used him to accomplish his divine plan (39:3, 21& 41:38)!

Ch. 42~Go for healing sooner than later!

Boy, this family! The deception continues! Jacob (the deceiver) is deceived by his sons regarding the disappearance of Joseph (ch 37) and now Joseph is deceiving his brothers!  It’s true in this case, ‘what goes around comes around’! 

Now these brothers…I’m trying to keep their stories straight.  I need a quick review:

• Reuben (1st born) sleeps with his dad’s concubine (35:22), yet tries to save Joseph from being killed by his bothers and now is willing to sacrifice his own boys as a pledge to keep Benjamin safe. (42:37)
• Simon (2nd born) and Levi (3rd born) were the two who killed every male in Shechem and they felt righteous about it! (34:31)  It’s Simon who Joseph chooses to keep in Egypt while his brothers go back home (42:24).
• Judah (4th born) moved away from his family, had three sons, two who died and then he had twins with his daughter-in-law.  He must have moved back home recently, maybe due to the famine.
• We don’t hear much about Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Naphtali, Gad and Asher, other than they were all shepherds (37:12), who followed the lead of their older brothers (34:27 & 37:28).

Even with all their faults, these brothers knew truth and grieved over their sin. Look what their first thought was when they find themselves in this terrible situation: “Surely we are being punished because of our brother.” (42:21).  

22 years of guilt!!  That’s proof to me that ‘time does not heal all wounds’.  

BTW, Here is how I got 22 years:

Joe was 17 at the time of being sold into slavery (37:2)

He entered the service of the king at 30 years old (41:46)

There had been 7 years of good harvest and 2 years of famine have taken place already (45:6).

30-17 (=13)+ 9=22 🤓

That is a good take away from this chapter! Sin needs to be confessed and dealt with in order to heal! Like James says, “Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed.” (5:16)  We can learn from these brothers; don’t be like them! Rather, confess early! There is no reason to carry guilt around for 22 years!!  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Yay!

Ch. 41~ Keep teaching your kids truth regardless of the culture.

My mouth dropped when I read “Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath, daughter of Potiphera” (41:45)

Then I closed my mouth when I realized it was Potiphera not Potiphar~ two different guys. 

So, who was Potiphera the priest of On?  Well, On was a city known for worshipping the sun.  Therefore it is assumed that Potiphera was a priest of the sun.  

Pharaoh reminds me of people today who don’t have a clue about spiritual matters.  They tend to clump ‘spiritual people’ together, regardless of what is being worshiped. 

Jacob reminds Pharaoh, there is one true God, “I cannot do it (interpret the dream), but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” (41:16)  Pharaoh sees that Jacob is wise and even says, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?” (41:38), But then, Joseph’s devotion to God gets muddled in Pharaoh’s mind with other spiritual people he knows.  It’s like he’s thinking, “Hey, Joe is spiritual, I’ll give him the daughter of another spiritual guy I know! He would like that! Spiritual people like to hang out together!” Also, priests in the Egyptian culture back then were the highest, most privileged class according to one commentary I read, so the marriage also raised Joseph to a prestigious position in addition to all that Pharaoh gave him.  Regardless, Joseph, the slave, didn’t have much of a say as to who he would accept as a wife, right?  Spiritual or not, you don’t look a gift horse in the mouth!  

So even though Joe’s new wife was from a pagan worshipping family, I am confident that Joe told his new bride, Asenath, all the stories of his youth; all the stories of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  And I am sure she put her trust in the one true God as she saw the dreams that Jacob interpreted come to pass. I would also imagine that Jacob circumcised his two baby boys, and she went along with that as well.  After all, her sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, become two of the twelve tribes of Israel!  Remember, there is no tribe of “Joseph”.  So if those two boys became the forefathers of Israel, you can bet they learned more about the true living God than about worshipping the sun!  

Good job, Daddy Joe for teaching your boys about the true God even though they were surrounded with a pagan culture!! That’s a good take away from today’s reading, don’t you think!  Dads have a huge influence on their kids spiritual life!!

Ch. 40~ A little kindness can go a long way!

Hey, did you notice who assigned Joseph to attend to the cupbearer and baker?!  It was “the captain of the guard”! (40:4)  That means it was Potiphar!  I assumed it was the prison warden who “paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care” (39:23), that had put Joseph in charge of the other prisoners, but it wasn’t!

That means Potiphar, who at first “burned with anger” when he thought Joseph went for his wife, still kept tabs on Joseph.  He was still aware that Joseph had success in everything he did.  Perhaps Potiphar still trusted Joseph enough to keep his eye on the two men, Pharaoh (the king), did not trust.  

Potiphar may have been mad at first with Joseph, but he wasn’t stupid!  He recognized that the Lord was with Joseph (39:3).  He couldn’t let Joseph out of prison, that wouldn’t look good for the honor of his wife, but he could make the best of a bad situation for Joseph.  I’m just speculating, but, it is interesting, don’t you think, that it was Potiphar himself, not the warden, was who put Joseph in charge of Pharaoh’s jailed officials?!

  

Another speculation on my part is that this kind act may have saved Potiphar’s position and power in his near future. After all, in a few short years Joseph is then in power over Potiphar! I bet Potiphar’s wife was shaking in her boots when that appointment happened!! (But, I’m getting ahead of myself; that’s a thought to ponder for tomorrow’s reading!)

Ch. 39~ Attitude is a choice.

Annually, I give a presentation to the 5th and 6th grades at a small Christian school, where all my kids attended.  I am the nurse who comes to talk to them about how their bodies will be changing in the next few years.  In the past I have also visited the junior high students, but for their talk, I kick it up a notch with discussions of STD’s and unplanned pregnancies that can occur in sex outside of marriage.  In the course of the talk we discuss how to “practice” ways of getting out of compromising situations or how to not get into one in the first place.  

One of the very practical steps I suggest is to be like Joseph (mind you this is a Christian school, so they know the story and nod with understanding).  “If you find yourself in a situation that makes you feel uncomfortable or you just know you shouldn’t be there…..run!!  It’s OK to get up and run!”  I usually use a power point when I talk with them so I am always sure to include some sort of visual.  

I truly believe that Joseph did the best thing in the predicament he found himself in and God honored it.  It’s all perspective right?  Your situation can be a blessing or a curse, depending how you chose to look at it.

Joseph could have focused on the fact that he was thrown into prison for doing the right thing and held bitter resentment toward God for his circumstances.  On the other hand, he could focus on the fact he got out of the house without compromising his integrity and praise God for his continued blessings while in prison. 

This reminds me of girls who come into the PRC with an unplanned pregnancy.  How they receive the news depends on what they choose to focus on.  They can choose to look at the immediate future in front of them and operate in fear to “get rid of the problem” or they can choose to look at the baby for what it is, a gift from God even though their current circumstances aren’t ideal.  It’s all how one chooses to look at it. 

Ch. 38~ God loves his own.

Tamar was a Canaanite.  She was not from the people that Isaach and Rebekah wanted for Jacob.  Apparently, Jacob and Leah didn’t care as much where their children went to find spouses.  As a result, Judah’s first two sons weren’t raised in a ‘one God’ home, so they didn’t turn out so good (38:7 & 10).

But Tamar….there must have been something special about her.  Perhaps in her family there was some godly teaching and she adhered to it, or maybe when she was exposed to the God of Abraham through things she may of heard while with Er and Onan; either way, she believed it!  Judah even declared as much when he said, “She is more righteous than I.” (38:26). And, accordingly, she was “adopted” into the Jewish family tree, and raised her boys with that faith in the one true God.

Galatians 3:7 says, “Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham.”  God is the same today as he was back then.  He will bring anyone into his family that has faith in Him, through Christ.  This isn’t a new concept that was implemented after Christ.  God has been operating this way since he told Abraham he would do so.  “Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: ‘All nations will be blessed through you.’ So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.” (Gal. 3:8)

So, Tamar (a “Gentile”) was grafted into the family of faith, because she relied on her faith in the one true God.  If you keep reading the Old Testament, you would see God keeps grafting in “Gentiles” who have faith.  I love that!  It shows that God used the Jewish people as a picture of how he loves “his own” and anybody can be one of “his own” through faith in Jesus!

Genesis 37~ Something good's coming!

Boy!  When you consider the deceiving Jacob did in his youth, he sure is getting a taste of his own medicine in this chapter!  Perhaps his boys learned from example.  They deceived the deceiver!  It’s sad how some traits are passed on to the next generation even when we try to improve in an area.😣 

It was also very sad to read, “ ‘I will continue to mourn until I join my son in the grave.’ So his father wept for him.” (37:35) Just as I was feeling the heaviness of that, I got excited for what I knew was going to happen when I read, “the Mediates sold Joseph in Egypt!”  I literally thought what Jimmy Cricket says in Disney’s Peter Pan ride, “Here we gooooo!”  This story is going to get exciting, as I know what ultimately occurs from this deception! 

Spoiler alert; Joseph goes to Egypt, his family ends up there too, they all end up in slavery, and at the end of that time period (400 yrs.) the Passover is instituted, which is foreshadowing to Christ!!

So, God allowed this deception to occur to carry out his ultimate plan of bringing Christ into the world.That’s exciting! Because we are all slaves to our deceptive hearts and we need a way out!  

I’m sorry for Jacob, though.  He had to experience such grief!  Yet, if he knew how it was all going to turn out, he would be excited too because he too was waiting for something better (Hebrews 11:21)!

Genesis 36~ Oholibamah

So, I am one of those geeks who actually read each name listed in the genealogies of the Bible.  Usually I get a kick out of a name or two.  This time I had to giggle at the name Oholibamah.  I don’t know why, just did. Maybe because of all the things that rhyme with “bamah”.

Anyway, about that genealogy….Why does Moses (who is attributed with writing Genesis) go into such detail on Esau’s decedents?  One commentary says, “As Abraham’s first grandson, he deserves a place in the Jewish records”  

Sadly though, because he married “pagan” women, the genealogy also shows how the enemy nation to Israel came about.  “Esau, the father of the Edomites”, (Gen. 36:43) settled south east of the Dead Sea.  Instead of helping their blood relatives through the centuries, they were a constant source of harassment. Well….that doesn’t go well for them.  The book of Obadiah (the shortest book in the Old Testament) tells what happens to them. 😳 God speaks through his prophet and gives his final punishment on the Edomites for all their wrong doing.  The moral of that story is, don’t mess with God’s kids (that’s you and me!).  There will be punishment! 

Genesis 35~ Everybody needs to make their own choice.

So this is another weird chapter for me to process!  Why is the death of Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, recorded, but not Rebekah’s death?  And why on earth does Reuben sleep with one of his step moms?  There’s a lot for me to ponder!

I read some commentaries on these points, so I’ll try to give you the short version.

First, regarding the death of the nurse; there are several theories.  

1.) Rebekah died some time ago and her nurse, who would be loyal to Jacob, went with him on his travels instead of staying with Isaac.  This old, wise woman could have become an integral part of Jacob’s life, therefore he mourned heavily when she died.  (Allom Bakuth means Oak of Weeping.)

2.) Some think Rebekah also died at the same time as the nurse because “Oak of Weeping” is actually written in plural form indicating it was double mourning.  Theories are also given as to why the burial of Rebekah needed to remain secret.  These are speculations, so I’m not going to bother to list them.

The bottom line is that Jacob mourned heavily at the death of his mom’s nurse and named the area accordingly.

So, now for Reuben.  What was he thinking as the oldest child of the clan?  His actions remind me of what David’s third eldest son, Absalom, did 800 years later.  Absalom, on the advise of one of his father’s officials, slept with David’s concubines “in the sight of Israel” so that all Israel would “hear that you have made yourself obnoxious to your father, and everyone with you will be more resolute.” (2 Sam. 16:21)

So, it can be assumed here that Reuben did this to show he wanted to take over his dad’s position prematurely and in an “in your face” sort of way.  Well, needless to say, it doesn’t go well for him.  Jacob takes away Reuben’s blessing, that could have been his as the oldest son, and gives it to Judah (Gen 49: 3 & 8).

There are good and reasonable explanations for the things that occurred in this chapter,  and there are also practical take-aways to be learned from these people.  This family is trying their best to follow the one true God (35:4).  But notice, individual members  must choose to “go with it” and follow God loyally (like Deborah) or rebel and try to do it their own way (like Reuben).  Membership in a Christian family doesn’t make one a Christian. An individual choice needs to be made by each member.  On the day you die, you are going to leave your family either with sweet mourning or as an obnoxious memory.  The choice is yours.

Genesis 34~ God deals with sin!

As much as I would like to make Shechem a victim of “love at first sight” and think that this could have been a sweet, Hollywood type, love story~ it’s not!  Shechem would have seen that Dinah, as she was out visiting the town ladies, was not dressed as a present woman.  This was not a case of mistaken identity!  You can bet that Leah, being from a very wealthy clan, dressed her daughter to the 9’s and did not send her out alone!  So, Shechem was a spoiled man who took what he wanted without a pre-thought to the consequences that he should and would have been well aware of!  In addition, the word “rape” implies this was not a consensual act.  So, in reality, nothing is sweet about this story!

So, what is the point of the story?  Why did God want it to be included in Genesis?  Well, one point I see highlights the truth of Exodus 34:7, “He does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”  I like what one commentary says to that, “The sins of the father are punished in the children through becoming the sins of the children.”  I can attest to that!  My dad has a quick temper.  Guess what?!  I do to!! I learned that trait from him!  His sin became a sin that I need to deal with!

Back to chapter 34, obviously, Hamor and Shechem, (2 guilty parties) are punished immediately for their sin.  Yet, there are other guilty parties in this story as well!  Simeon and Levi are guilty of killing innocent people.  At first it seems like they aren’t punished for their wrong doing, but later we will read how their sin will affect their “down line”.  We will read in chapter 49 as Jacob gives his final blessing before his death, that Simeon and Levi are indeed punished.  “Cursed be their anger, so fierce, and their fury so cruel!  I will scatter them in Jacob and disperse them in Israel.” (49: 7)  And that’s exactly what happened with these two tribes!  (See Joshua 19 & 21 if you want more on that.)

God loved this Israel clan, but he still disciplines like a father would.  He disciplines those he loves (Heb. 12:6).   So, even if it looks like you got away with something, you didn’t.  God will deal with it! That is definitely a good take away from this chapter, don’t you think?!

Genesis 33~ Joyful reunions!

I went to a funeral yesterday of a young man who had one brother.  The pictures of his life that played out before us consisted of the two brothers side by side on trips, in sports and numerous family functions.

I can imagine that if there was a slide show of Esau and Jacob as young boys, it would be similar to the above family.  Even though their preferences grew to be different when they were older (25:27), they were still raised together by a mom and dad who loved them dearly.  

So, I absolutely loved reading, “But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him.  And they wept.” (33:4)  Time had worked to make Esau focus on the good times rather than the bad that had occurred between the two. Time also helped with Jacob’s heart, changing from “deceiver” (Jacob) to “contender with God” (Israel).  It seems when you get right with God, you can get right with others.

Fortunately for the two boys I mentioned earlier, they were/are both Christ followers.  I know that when those two brothers meet up again, there will be the same type of embrace and joy that Esau and Jacob had!  

Praise the Lord for that hope we have in Christ!! There will be sooooo many joyful reunions!! 

Genesis 32~ Jacob's heart is changing.

What did you think of the first sentence of our reading today? “Jacob also went on his way, and the angels of God met him.  When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is the camp of God!  So he named the place Mahandim.” (32:1-2)

What was that? Angels in the camp?….Well, I have a theory!  I think God was giving Jacob proof he made the right decision.

We just got finished reading in the chapter before, that Laban (who owned little gods) made his oath to Jacob on the name of the God of Abraham, Nahor and Terah (31:53).  Laban had an idea of who the true God was.  It had had been passed on from his father and grandfather, but…he was getting off on his theology, as evidenced by the little gods.  

Jacob on the other hand is starting to show some clarity in his thinking.  He took his oath in the ‘name of the Fear of his father Isaac.” (31:53).  He is realizing who the true God is and how God had been with him during the difficult 20 years with Laban.

So now, Laban and Jacob are parting ways at Jerar/Galeed/Mizpah (depending who you ask).  The two had barely parted when Jacob sees the angels and calls the area Mahanaim (which means two camps).  “Two camps”.  That’s an interesting name. 

So, let’s get this picture straight.  Jacob makes his pledge to the true God, and then sees angels in his side of the two camps.  To me, this is absolute confirmation that God was pleased with Jacob’s pledge and He was present in Jacob’s side of the camp. The heart change is happening for Jacob. (Especially in light of vs. 10!)

This reminds me of the same decision the Jews needed to make after they entered the Promise land.  Joshua told the people to “throw away the foreign gods that (were) among them and yield (their) hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.” (Joshua 24:23)

Today, individually, we need to make the same choice; will we serve “gods” or the true God.  I can almost hear Jacob say, as he sees those angels (what Joshua said around 500 years after him, and what I have said personally), “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Josh 24:15)

Genesis 31~ "God Moments"

I have told my girls, “Don’t journal sad things in your life. You don’t need help remembering those!  Journal the God moments!”  Those are worthy of remembering!! 

I think it’s our nature to remember bad times easier than the good.  Jacob clearly remembered all the bad of his past 20 years living in Paddan Aram!  “The heat consumed me in the daytime and the cold at night, and sleep fled form my eyes.  It was like this for the 20 years I was in your household.” (Gen. 31:40-41)

However, look what God said to Jacob, “I am the God of Bethel”  (31:13).  It’s like he was saying, “Remember that great time we had together.  Remember what I said?”  Twenty years later, Jacob may have forgotten that “mountain high” experience (dream) he had, but God had not.  That was a “God moment” in Jacob’s life and God himself was reminding Jacob of it!

It’s good to be reminded of those times where God “met you” in a time of crisis, sadness, happiness, ect.  Or where he clearly spoke to you through his scripture. Write those times down!  Go back and read them when you are feeling distant from God or when you are convinced he doesn’t talk to you.  Those “God moments” are real!! Satan will do everything in his power to get you to think it was just a coincidence or silly dream.  

Remember, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) That’s one of the 3573 promises in the Bible I mentioned yesterday! What a great way to resist him!  “You are a liar, Satan!  I have a book full of ‘God moments’ that I know are true.  Let me read them to you!! 

Genesis 30~ God of promises~Day 30

This chapter makes me feel so uncomfortable!! The competition between the sisters, Jacob’s willingness to sleep with anyone thrown at him, Jacob’s superstition with the striped wood in front of the animals in heat, Jacob operating in his deceptive way again when mating the stronger animals for himself and leaving the weak for Laban,  argh!!

Faith in God is not being demonstrated, at all in this family!!

If the story stopped here in this chapter, I would be left thinking that these people are no different than the rest of the polytheistic people of the day.  They are acting just as the culture around them~ everyone looking out for themselves.

But God still had a plan for them, to set them apart.  This is where God gets his title “The God of Promises”.  In spite of what these people did, He was still going to keep the promise made with both Abraham and Isaac.  

That’s a good take away!  In spite of things I do to mess things up in my life, God’s promises still stand.  And there are a lot of them! It’s been counted that there are 3573 promises in the Bible!! You might be thinking, “Yeah, well those promises aren’t directed to me specifically”….. Oh, really?

Take a look at what Paul says to us, “It is not the children by physical decent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s off spring.” (Romans 9:8)  That’s me!  I am a child of Abraham, so all the promises made to him and his people apply to me!! That’s you also, if Christ lives in you!  We have been set apart to be heirs to the biggest promise of all~ salvation!  Woo 🙌🏻woo🙌🏻! 

Genesis 29~ What's in a name?~Day 29

Remember that Jacob’s name was given to him because he was “grasping Esau’s heel”?  (25:26).  That sounds cute….but after awhile, in the Hebrew culture, the word Jacob became the jargon for someone who deceives.  Kind’a like today we use the word sodomy because of the behavior first described in the town of Sodom.  So for a while there, Jacob would not be a popular name that would be used amongst Jewish babies!

I bring this up because I see why the Hebrew people would think of deception when they hear the name Jacob.  We read how Jacob deceived both his brother and his dad, (25:31 & 27), and today, ironically,  we read how he himself was deceived.

According to my Bible footnote, a parent, back in the day, would name their child by reflecting the situation at the time of birth (as Rebecca did) or choose a name with a meaning they hoped their child would fulfill.  If a grown child’s name did not end up matching their character, they would change their name!

We are going to read (in a couple of days) how Jacob’s character changed and therefore God changes his name! (32:28)  I think that’s so cool!!  Our heavenly father can change our name! God changes hearts and has no problem changing a name to reflect the new heart.  I wonder…when we get to heaven, will we hear how some of our names had been changed when we became believers…but we just won’t use it yet until we get up there?  Ha, it’s fun to think of heaven and how different it will be…possibly even with different names!

Genesis 28~ Growing in faith~Day 28

I thought it was interesting that God says, “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac.” (28:13)   He was not the God of Jacob….yet.

There comes a point in every person’s life that he/she needs to choose whether to make God their own or not.  For some people it is one moment in time where they remember making the decision; for others it’s a process.  I think this moment with God (ch. 28) was the beginning of a long process for Jacob.  This chapter shows that Jacob doesn’t quite get the “faith” thing that his dad and grandfather had.  He is bargaining and dictating what a relationship with God should be like according to his way of thinking.  Faith doesn’t come as easy for Jacob as it did for Isaac.  But, God isn’t finished with him yet!  Later we will read how he wrestles with God.  In that chapter (32), we will see a real heart change in Jacob. 

I am encouraged reading this story!  God keeps seeking after those who have a heart bent toward him.  A person may not have “it” all correct when they first start believing, but God continues to mold and change people as they go.  That’s very encouraging, don’t you think?!

Genesis 27~ God works it out.~Day 27

So this blessing Isaac gives to his son…It’s weird, don’t you think, that the blessing can be so binding, even though Isaac thinks he gave it to the wrong son?

The writer of Hebrews understood how much faith Isaac was displaying in this scene.  “By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.” (Hebrews 11:20)

This blessing was not a wish or a prayer of blessing, but a prophesy in regards to the future line of the family.  Somehow God had communicated the future to Isaac and in full confidence, Isaac believed God would accomplish all that was predicted.  He believed it to be true, so much so, that when he thought he “did it wrong” he “trembled violently” (27:33).

The point of this story, according to the writer of Hebrews, is the faith that Isaac held in in God’s promises.  Don’t let the deception that was going on detract from the faith story. Bottom line to the deception is that God will still work his plan out, to his glory, even when humans start getting things all messed up.

I like what one commentary said about this, “By faith we may be fully sure of God’s providence, and of his gracious and powerful presence with us.”   

Genesis 26~ Do not be afraid.~Day 26

Have you ever heard your kid say something and think, “Oh my!  He got that from me!” Kids definitely emulate their parents!!  Look how Isaac copied his dad when he lied to the king of the Philistines about Rebekah being his sister.  That was straight out of Abraham’s playbook!  One thing you gotta admire about Isaac, however, is that he fessed-up immediately.  At least he didn’t let his wife go to the king!

Again, like I said yesterday these guys were normal people going through trials just as we do today; infertility, financial hardships and intimidation.  Most of our trails are connected to our fears, don’t you think?  “Will I have a posterity?, Will I have enough to provide for my family? , What will people think of me?, Will I survive?”  Even though our first response to those fears may reflect what we learn from our parents, our ultimate response should be what we learn from our heavenly father.  

“I am the God of your father Abraham.  Do not be afraid for I am with you.” (26:24)

What are you getting out of the reading?  I would love to hear!

Genesis 25~Praying for God's direction ~Day 25

Reading these stories of the people commended for their faith by the writer of Hebrews, I am realizing, they didn’t have it easy!  It seems God was constantly testing their faith!  Do you ever feel that way in your own life, always being tested?

It’s easy to forget that these characters were people just like us, struggling with the same issues we have today.  What sets them apart from many people today is their faith in God~ no matter what!

Think about it.  I’m sure Isaac knew that a great nation was promised to Abraham.  I’m sure it was in their conversations often between father and son.  And, Isaac was a good son!  He willingly let his dad almost sacrifice him! He also willingly took Rebekah as his wife when he had no say in the matter. (Good thing she was beautiful, and it worked out.  He loved her, but that’s beside the point; he obeyed and went along with it.)  I bet he was thinking. “OK, God, I have done everything you have commanded of me.  Bring on the kids! Bring on that great nation you promised!”…..But then…..nothing happens…..nothing for 20 years!  Imagine the tears he watched Rebekah shed as she dealt with infertility!  Fortunately, she did not make the same mistake her mother-in-law made!  Isaac too, learned from his parents mistake and sought God’s direction with prayer instead (25:21). Good move, Isaac!!

I want that type of faith!  One that seeks God’s direction even when things look like they aren’t going the way they should!  God has a bigger and better plan for me!

This is why the writer of Hebrews said of these forefathers, “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” (Hebrews 111:39-40)

Genesis 24~ What a love story!~Day 24

This chapter is what romantic movies are made of!  “He looked up, he saw camels approaching.  Rebecca also looked up and saw Isaac.”  (24:63-64)  It sounds like love at first sight, doesn’t it?! 

But, it wasn’t.  It was obedience at first sight.  Everyone involved in this story showed a faith in God and willingness to obey Him!

1. Abraham- he heard from God and trusted that God would direct the servants steps (24:7)
2. The servant- prayed and worshipped repeatedly, seeking God’s direction (24:15).
3. Laban and his father Bethel- recognized the Lord’s blessing and plan (24:31 & 24:50).
4. Rebecca- willing went with the servant most likely because she too heard the servants account of how God directed him to her.
5. Isaac - was in the field meditating (his family was monotheistic, so this meditation was most likely directed toward the one true God that his mama told him about).

Nothing was complicated in this story with disobedience, drama or rebellion. It sure does make for a fun, simple love story when one obeys God and seeks his guidance from the very beginning!! 

“So she became his wife, and he loved her” (Gen. 24:67)  I like that type of love story!! 

💖💖💖💖💖

Genesis 23~Some history on the cave.~ Day 23

I’m so glad Isaac got to have his mom around for the 37 of his 180 years (35:28)!  That’s a good amount of time for a mama to influence her son!  Knowing that Sarah was a woman of faith (Heb. 11:11), you can bet she did her best to pass that faith on to her son!  

On a different note, I thought I would share with you some interesting history on that cave Abraham bought in order to bury Sarah.  We will see in future reading that he himself would be buried there 38 years later.  Isaac and his wife were buried there as well, around 140 years later (35:28).  And get this, Jacob (aka Israel) died in Egypt but his sons took a trip from Egypt up to the cave in Canaan to bury him with his parents and grandparents (Gen. 50:13).  So the tomb got a lot of use, but listen to how  the site continued to get used!!!

All the burials were done in the years of 1600-1500 BC.  Then there was silence about the tomb until Herod the Great (Jesus’ era).  He was really into building! He was the first to build a large structure to commemorate the site for the Jewish people.  Well, we know around 70 years after Jesus, the Jewish culture and holy sights were destroyed or taken over by the Romans.  The Herodian structure stayed standing without a roof for centuries.  Then in the 500’s (the Byzantine period) a simple Christian basilica was built over part of the site.  However, in short order (the 600’s), the Arab Muslims took over the area and built a mosque in tribute to Abraham, their forefather trough Ishmael. 

But, I’m not done!  Then, during the Crusader period (1100 AD) a church was built again!  Yet, again, in a relatively short period of time, 88 years) the Muslims conquered the area again and made it a mosque again!

Here is the final scene on Sarah’s tomb.  From 1188 AD to 1967 it was controlled by Muslims.  Then, in 1967, Israel gained control of the area (first time in 2000 years!).  A synagogue was built under the mosque.  The area was still used by Muslims who now lived side by side with new Israeli settlers. So, in essence, the two are worshipping together! Needless to say, there have been many conflicts and deaths on or near the site ever since.  

What a mess!  Abraham would be “rolling in his grave” if he knew what his decedents were doing! 😉

Genesis 22~Keep God first!~ Day 22

Doesn’t this chapter make you feel sick?  It’s so hard to understand why God would tell Abraham to offer Isaac as a “burt offering”.  It’s pretty admirable to read of Abraham’s obedience and faith…..but the request from God still bothers me.  Why does he ask for a human offering when he doesn't like them?  In fact, he finds them detestable!!! (Deuteronomy 12:31 & 18:10-12)

Since it bothered me, I spent some time thinking about this.  It boils down to verse 12.  “Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

Think about it, Abraham and Sarah had waited for that child for so long!  You can bet Isaac became the center of their life!  Talking about being spoiled!  I bet they were lavishing Isaac with all the good stuff.  After all, Abraham was wealthy!!  So, life was good.  They had everything they wanted…..But, perhaps that son was becoming their priority over everything..even God.

So, God sets out to see if Abraham will still keep Him as he priority.  Would Abe keep God first over his son?  That’s a good question I can ask myself.  Would I still love God if he took away what I hold most dear?  I, at times in my life, have thought out this scenario in my head so that I can pre-plan how I would respond.  Yes, I would be  devastated but I plan on working through that pain with the help of Jesus. (Phil. 4:13)

But, before God feels the need to test me, I want to always keep what I hold most dear, in second place.  I’m hoping if I just keep Jesus first, there will be no need for testing.😉

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Genesis 21~ Send it away quickly! ~Day 21

I commented on day 16 how Ishmael was “mocking” his toddler half brother at the “weaning feast”. I pictured the scene as a 13 year old boy teasing a 3 year old half brother, Hagar not keeping her son in line and Sarah getting irritated. I kind’a thought Sarah was being a little over reactive to Ishmael’s teasing. Today, I have a whole new understanding of the scene.

There was a lot happening at the “weaning feast”!! In Eastern countries, they use the festive occasion to formally bring the child into the presence of relatives and friends and dress the child in a robe that symbolizes his birthright of him being the official heir of the tribe. If Ismael got this feast 10 years earlier, when he was weaned, the title was now officially striped from him. A 13 year old boy would certainly understand what was happening!
I read a headline this morning on my news home page. “Girl 10, accused of killing 6 - month-old boy.” (So sad!) Now hold that thought for a minute and think about Paul’s description of the scenario when he refers to it in his letter to the Galatians. “Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. (4:28-29)

The use of the word ‘persecuted’ and that news headline from this morning got me thinking.....Sarah wasn’t just irritated, she was fearful of what Ishmael was capable of doing! She was not just protecting Isaac’s inheritance by telling Abraham to “get rid of that slave woman and her son’, she was protecting his life! Looking at it that way, I understand better now why Abraham, the very next morning, sent them on their way. (21:14)
So, here is the take away when you read all of Galatians 4 in light of this story; when you see something threatening your salvation, send it on its way quickly!!

Genesis 20~Don't prejudge what God can do.~ Day 20

On first read through, I didn’t think chapter 20 had a take away for me, but then I saw it!

Don’t assume that some people are too far gone to be open to hearing about Jesus.  Abraham was guilty of that.  He started with an assumption.  “I said to myself, ‘There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’ “ (20:11)  Abraham made a decision out of fear.  He didn’t trust that God would show him how to proceed.

I have been guilty of that.  I have made decisions without consulting God.  Believe me!  If I saw a shady character in the isle of a store, shopping near me, it would not be my first thought to say to myself, “Well, here’s someone that needs to hear about Jesus!”  Nope, rather, I would scuttle away thinking the person looked scary and was beyond my ability to help.  

Yet, look how God met Abimelek in spite of Abraham.  God can choose to reveal himself to anyone, not just to those I think are ready or worthy to hear about him!  But, if God puts them in my path, he may want to use me to do the sharing.  I don’t want to miss the opportunity to be used by God, so I better let my prejudices go and consult God first!