Be Still…

Read Genesis 28:10-22

The iconic song, “Stairway to Heaven” made popular in the 1970s by Led Zeppelin, has absolutely nothing to do with this passage. But, if you’re like me, you think of it when you picture Jacob’s dream.  It can be a helpful image to picture God and angels descending from heaven to earth on a regular basis to help us, watch over us, guide us.

Jacob’s dream was his opportunity to meet God face to face. He had grown up seeing his faithful father and hearing of his faithful grandfather. He has now heard from God firsthand that this land would be his. What a comfort knowing God would be with him, protecting him until what was promised was fulfilled. We, too, have that assurance that God is with us. Continue reading “Genesis 28-10-22 – Bargain With God”

Read Genesis 27:41-28:9

Can you remember the first time you left home by yourself? Maybe it was for college, maybe a week at camp, maybe to travel the world. When we leave what is familiar, it can be hard on the one hand, but exhilarating on the other, especially if you like an adventure. Jacob was about to leave what was familiar so he could be safe. He was also on a mission to find the wife to help him live out his legacy, God’s promise to Abraham, his grandfather.

Jacob wasn’t venturing out into the unknown. He was going to his Uncle Laban’s house to find a bride. Do you ever get lost in all of the family dynamics here? Sometimes I have to draw it out or picture it in my head. Laban was his mother’s brother. We hear later in our reading how Esau goes to Uncle Ishmael’s house for a bride. Ishmael is his father’s half-brother. Cousins in marriage, we don’t see it much today but it does still happen. It hasn’t been that long ago that it was more of a common occurrence. Continue reading “Genesis 27:41-28:9 – Away from Home”

Read Genesis 27:1-40

I don’t know how I feel about this passage. I try to give Jacob the benefit of the doubt because he is only being obedient to his mother’s wishes. Yet, he is the one going through the motions and not being truthful. Is there no shame? Did the blessing he received nullify his feeling guilty over how he got it? The one saving grace is the message Rebekah had gotten from God before the boys were even born.

I suppose Rebekah felt it was her duty to make sure God’s prophecy came true. How else would her younger, favorite son get the blessing and be in charge of the others brothers? Even though only a few minutes younger, he was still younger. God had intended Jacob to be the one to carry the family legacy so it would seem. But for that to happen Isaac had to be deceived. Continue reading “Genesis 27:1-40”

Read Genesis 26:26-35

What is your take away from today’s reading? Isaac was minding his own business, and yet the Philistine King paid him a visit. Why? Isaac had gotten noticed. His faithfulness to God and God’s blessing was obvious. King Abimelech felt threatened by the potential power Isaac would have with all this good fortune. He had to see for himself and make sure Isaac was not already plotting against him.

What do people notice about you? Do they see you as faithful, blessed with abundance, happy, content, in love with God? We are called to love God with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. That pretty much covers it. Most of us are content to stay under the radar and be quietly obedient. But what about touching more people by being more visible? Continue reading “Genesis 26:26-35 – Be Noticed”

Read Genesis 26:12-25

Have you ever had to bite your tongue to hold yourself back from saying something that was not helpful? Maybe you have had a time in your life when you had to look the other way just to keep the peace. Isaac gives us a great example here of how you can really choose your battles.

As I understand it, the area we are talking about, Gerar, is nearly desert. Water would be a precious commodity. And, the whole idea of wells being filled in with dirt, that would be an act of war. Yet, Isaac didn’t declare war on the Philistines. He just dug another well. He was prospering and he didn’t want to jeopardize that. His heart was not full of animosity or hatred. He calmly moved on. How did he control his anger? Continue reading “Genesis 26:12-25 – Keeping the Peace”