Genesis 48 to 50 The covenantal blessing precedes the deaths of Jacob and Joseph, as well as their last words. Abraham blessed Isaac and Ishmael, and now Jacob follows that tradition by blessing his 12 sons. In forward sight, Jacob blessed Judah, noting that the Lion of Judah/the Messiah would come from his line. Judah’s […]
Gen 46-47 The brothers return after their shopping trip to Egypt with news that Joseph is alive! Imagine Jacob hearing this news! Because of their past, Jacob was stunned, and it took some convincing before Jacob could believe them. He might have tossed that invite back in their faces if they had not returned with […]
Gen 41-42 God can and will use many things to bring about His plan, even a famine. Yet, in all that, we see God’s grace behind the scenes. Even today, we see the effect of sin in the lives of many, yet God’s grace and His forgiveness are revealed as His Word is presented so […]
Gen 41-42 The OT records two men, Joseph and Daniel, who were given the divine ability to interpret dreams. Both acknowledged that they alone could not interpret dreams but gave glory to God. Joseph wisely asked the butler and the baker, “Don’t interpretations belong to God?” [Gen 40:8] Daniel told King Nebuchadnezzar, “There is a […]
Gen 38 Jacob’s son Judah recalls his part in selling Joseph to Ishmaelite traders, and every time he was in the presence of Jacob, he remembered his part but failed to acknowledge it. Unconfessed sin tears at our hearts, and if we fail to acknowledge it, we seek ways to avoid it, which is what […]
Gen 35 to 37 “Even what God hates He can use for His purposes” Abraham’s family tree reveals several sordid traits: favoritism, jealousy, envy, and hatred. It began with Abraham, who fathered Ishmael and begged God to make him his legacy, but God told him that Isaac would be the blessing. Isaac’s twin sons were […]
Genesis 32 Feigned Love. There is a little bit of Jacob in all of us. For example, you are invited to someone’s home or some fellowship outside but feign illness or busyness not to attend. That is where we find Jacob—and ourselves. Again we return to the truth of Prov 29:25 “the fear of man […]
Gen 32:10 Unworthiness except for God’s Love Jacob has struggled since he left home. He has struggled with his uncle Laban and his wives in their childbearing years. He has struggled with his cousins over the sheep, and it goes on and on. He finally has had enough of Laban’s treachery and decides to leave. […]
Gen 25-27 Reading this is like seeing dominos lined up, just waiting for the first one to fall. When it falls, the rest fall behind it, and that is what happened in these people’s lives and happens to us if we are not discerning because the heart is deceitful, and only God knows it. [Jer […]
Gen 21-24 We all face these at one time or another, but it is our response that catches the eye of God. How do you face car problems or rats in your attic? These are our everyday challenges, but Abraham had a much bigger test, and it was to see how much he would trust […]
