"Now Rachel had taken the household idols, put them in the camel’s saddle, and sat on them. And Laban searched all about the tent but did not find them." v.34
Read chapter 31.
I always wondered why Rachel took and wanted these idols? Rachel surely knows about God and hopefully from her husband Jacob and being a descendant of Abraham's family. Did she choose to follow that way and believe in the Almighty God? We see something similar with David and Michal when David escapes Michal and puts an idol in the bed to fool into thinking David was sleeping. Why did Michal have the idol in the first place? In this culture rights to one's genealogy and inheritance was huge and if one couldn't prove their genealogy they'd be basically cut out. Perhaps Rachel doesn't worship these idols but for her part in her fathers inheritance she holds on to them. Yet this she doesn't even tell her husband. What are some idols you're holding on to from your past that you're trying to hide?
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Friday, January 30, 2015
Genesis 30
"...Then Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes...Now Jacob took for himself rods of green poplar and of the almond and chestnut trees, peeled white strips in them, and exposed the white which was in the rods. And the rods which he had peeled, he set before the flocks in the gutters, in the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink, so that they should conceive when they came to drink." vv.14, 37-38
Read chapter 30.
What's with these seeming like superstitious stuff in this chapter for conception? Rachel wanted the mandrakes because they were regarded as an air to conception. Their aroma was associated to love making (Song of Solomon 7:13). But was that something she trusted in more than turning to God? How often do we try tricks, myths, old wives tales to "try out" with a bigger hope than when we pray to God?
Jacob then uses these tree rods to help flocks conceive. Whether this method is proven to work is not common. Jacob could have been given Divine instruction for this, yet ultimately it was God's doing, prospering Jacob. Another thought was the colors of the rods would appear like spring time when stronger animals were typically born, but to control how they'd come out (spotted, streaked, white, brown) is only God's doing.
There are no methods in the Bible to perform miracles. God will chose how and when he will bless those He hears. What tricks are you trusting in more than God?
Read chapter 30.
What's with these seeming like superstitious stuff in this chapter for conception? Rachel wanted the mandrakes because they were regarded as an air to conception. Their aroma was associated to love making (Song of Solomon 7:13). But was that something she trusted in more than turning to God? How often do we try tricks, myths, old wives tales to "try out" with a bigger hope than when we pray to God?
Jacob then uses these tree rods to help flocks conceive. Whether this method is proven to work is not common. Jacob could have been given Divine instruction for this, yet ultimately it was God's doing, prospering Jacob. Another thought was the colors of the rods would appear like spring time when stronger animals were typically born, but to control how they'd come out (spotted, streaked, white, brown) is only God's doing.
There are no methods in the Bible to perform miracles. God will chose how and when he will bless those He hears. What tricks are you trusting in more than God?
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Genesis 29
"So it came to pass in the morning, that behold, it was Leah. And he said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you deceived me?” v.25
Read chapter 29.
The deceiver deceived. Crazy that Jacob didn't recognize that it wasn't Rachel during the evening and night that he slept with her. Of course there was drinking at his ceremony feast and could've been drunk. Also women wore veils, so perhaps wasn't recognizable and then having sex at night in the dark most likely you can't tell either, but was there no talking? Can you imagine how both Leah and Rachel felt about what their father was doing? Laban deceived Jacob to get another seven years of work from him and Jacob loved Rachel so much that he was so willing. So Jacob now has two wives that are sisters who will soon bear sons that mare the twelve grieves of Israel (their maidservants Bilha and Zilpah bare some of the twelve too). Jacob ultimately loves one more than the other wives yet seems to treat the others well, but ultimately it still hurts to not be loved by your own husband. How have you felt like a Rachel or a Leah or a Jacob? God again is still faithful to His promises despite man's interventions.
Read chapter 29.
The deceiver deceived. Crazy that Jacob didn't recognize that it wasn't Rachel during the evening and night that he slept with her. Of course there was drinking at his ceremony feast and could've been drunk. Also women wore veils, so perhaps wasn't recognizable and then having sex at night in the dark most likely you can't tell either, but was there no talking? Can you imagine how both Leah and Rachel felt about what their father was doing? Laban deceived Jacob to get another seven years of work from him and Jacob loved Rachel so much that he was so willing. So Jacob now has two wives that are sisters who will soon bear sons that mare the twelve grieves of Israel (their maidservants Bilha and Zilpah bare some of the twelve too). Jacob ultimately loves one more than the other wives yet seems to treat the others well, but ultimately it still hurts to not be loved by your own husband. How have you felt like a Rachel or a Leah or a Jacob? God again is still faithful to His promises despite man's interventions.
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Genesis 28
"And he took one of the stones of that place and put it at his head, and he lay down in that place to sleep. Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And behold, the Lord stood above it and said: “I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants." vv. 11-13
Read chapter 28.
Why do people refer to this as Jacob's ladder when it clearly is God's ladder? Jacob is using a stone as a pillow when he has this dream. I'm sure many of us would gladly trade our pillow with him if it meant getting a vision like this. "God's time to visit His people with His comforts, is when they are most destitute of other comforts and other comforters" (Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary). When we are most afraid or cast out or alone do we look for the God of comfort and allow Him to be that for us? This ladder with Jehovah at the top is a symbol of Him being the one and only way to heaven. He is and always has been the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Even angels have this one way. Interestingly they're ascending and descending between heaven and earth. Angels among men truly and may not even know it!
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Genesis 27
"And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, “Look, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth-skinned man. Perhaps my father will feel me, and I shall seem to be a deceiver to him; and I shall bring a curse on myself and not a blessing.” vv.11-12
Read chapter 27.
We know from chapter 25 the "older shall serve the younger" (v.23) between Esau and Jacob. Is this how the Lord intended it to happen or did Rebekah try to take matters into her own hands? Jacob's name means deceiver and he self-fulfills that prophesy of himself. When his mom tells him to do this deceiving act he feared more that he'd be discovered then doing wrong. How true is that in our lives when we know we're getting caught than just doing right? Jacob we'll see later gets a payback of deceit. Ultimately God's promise of Abraham's seed would be through Jacob. God worked through man's faults to keep His promise.
Read chapter 27.
We know from chapter 25 the "older shall serve the younger" (v.23) between Esau and Jacob. Is this how the Lord intended it to happen or did Rebekah try to take matters into her own hands? Jacob's name means deceiver and he self-fulfills that prophesy of himself. When his mom tells him to do this deceiving act he feared more that he'd be discovered then doing wrong. How true is that in our lives when we know we're getting caught than just doing right? Jacob we'll see later gets a payback of deceit. Ultimately God's promise of Abraham's seed would be through Jacob. God worked through man's faults to keep His promise.
Monday, January 26, 2015
Genesis 26
"Then the Lord appeared to him and said: “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I shall tell you...So Isaac dwelt in Gerar. And the men of the place asked about his wife. And he said, “She is my sister”; for he was afraid to say, “She is my wife,” because he thought, “lest the men of the place kill me for Rebekah, because she is beautiful to behold.” vv.2,6-7
Read chapter 26.
This is the first record we see of God appearing to Isaac. He'd probably grown up knowing and learning God's promises and covenant with his father Abraham. It is interesting to see that the Lord spoke to his wife Rebekah before when she was pregnant (25:23). This was a time/dispensation when God was openly acting and speaking, unlike today.
This chapter seems very familiar in that it is the same thing that happened to Abraham and a different Abimelech (name meaning "king" or "ruler") where they each lied about their wife being their sister out of fear. Ways of a father are passed down to a son sen it it's not something the father taught him. Isaac's lying is even worse in that Rebekah was a distant cousin where Sarah technically was Abrahams' sister (half sister, see 20:12). If we don't learn from history we'll fall to the same mistakes that could've been avoided. What innate characteristics do you see in yourself passed down from your parents? What are some mistakes that you want to remember and learn from to not be repeated?
Read chapter 26.
This is the first record we see of God appearing to Isaac. He'd probably grown up knowing and learning God's promises and covenant with his father Abraham. It is interesting to see that the Lord spoke to his wife Rebekah before when she was pregnant (25:23). This was a time/dispensation when God was openly acting and speaking, unlike today.
This chapter seems very familiar in that it is the same thing that happened to Abraham and a different Abimelech (name meaning "king" or "ruler") where they each lied about their wife being their sister out of fear. Ways of a father are passed down to a son sen it it's not something the father taught him. Isaac's lying is even worse in that Rebekah was a distant cousin where Sarah technically was Abrahams' sister (half sister, see 20:12). If we don't learn from history we'll fall to the same mistakes that could've been avoided. What innate characteristics do you see in yourself passed down from your parents? What are some mistakes that you want to remember and learn from to not be repeated?
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Genesis 25
"Abraham again took a wife, and her name was Keturah." v.1
Read chapter 25.
Abraham, this stud patriarch, has multiple wives. What?! And he even bears more children. No law had been divinely given yet about marriage of wives and concubines, although at the beginning God says man (singular) will join his wife (singular) and become one. Later we see that death is the exception that break a marriage covenant without sinning. I wonder how many concubines Abraham had from verse six saying concubines? Abraham had his first child, Ishmael, at 86 years old and dies at 175 years old having seven sons total of what we see named in scripture. God sure did work a miracle in his body alone to live that long, produce children and strength to continue on. Although the promise was through Isaac his son, he still cared and provided for his other sons and wives (v.6) and ultimately is buried with his first wife Sarah. Figuring out ages we see that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob all lived for some years together. How amazing to be in the tent with those three generations and the stories Jacob could hear first hand from his grandpa! What kind of influences has your grandparents had on you?
Read chapter 25.
Abraham, this stud patriarch, has multiple wives. What?! And he even bears more children. No law had been divinely given yet about marriage of wives and concubines, although at the beginning God says man (singular) will join his wife (singular) and become one. Later we see that death is the exception that break a marriage covenant without sinning. I wonder how many concubines Abraham had from verse six saying concubines? Abraham had his first child, Ishmael, at 86 years old and dies at 175 years old having seven sons total of what we see named in scripture. God sure did work a miracle in his body alone to live that long, produce children and strength to continue on. Although the promise was through Isaac his son, he still cared and provided for his other sons and wives (v.6) and ultimately is buried with his first wife Sarah. Figuring out ages we see that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob all lived for some years together. How amazing to be in the tent with those three generations and the stories Jacob could hear first hand from his grandpa! What kind of influences has your grandparents had on you?
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Genesis 24
"Then he said, “O Lord God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham." v.12
Read chapter 24.
The chief servant of Abraham prays to the Lord God. We know that when God made a covenant with Abraham that He identified his whole household too to his blessings. Surely Abrahams's servants came to fear and honor Abraham's God as the true and only God and here we see even in relationship using Jehovah when he prays (the relational name of God). This servants whole prayer is not like a prayer we can do today and expect the same response. We are not to put the Lord God to the test. God gave Abraham specific instructions for getting his son Isaac a wife who he then passed those instructions to his servant to carry out. He may not have known exactly how he'd find this specific wife but trusted God to direct him. Let us pray for success and kindness to our masters today and anyone else for things we desire and let God direct our paths. Just don't expect God to always answer you the way you think He should. How do you pray for guidance in decisions? Do you pray for your "master"? Do you pray to the God of relationships?
Read chapter 24.
The chief servant of Abraham prays to the Lord God. We know that when God made a covenant with Abraham that He identified his whole household too to his blessings. Surely Abrahams's servants came to fear and honor Abraham's God as the true and only God and here we see even in relationship using Jehovah when he prays (the relational name of God). This servants whole prayer is not like a prayer we can do today and expect the same response. We are not to put the Lord God to the test. God gave Abraham specific instructions for getting his son Isaac a wife who he then passed those instructions to his servant to carry out. He may not have known exactly how he'd find this specific wife but trusted God to direct him. Let us pray for success and kindness to our masters today and anyone else for things we desire and let God direct our paths. Just don't expect God to always answer you the way you think He should. How do you pray for guidance in decisions? Do you pray for your "master"? Do you pray to the God of relationships?
Friday, January 23, 2015
Genesis 23
"And Ephron answered Abraham, saying to him, 15 “My lord, listen to me; the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver. What is that between you and me? So bury your dead.” vv.14-15
Read chapter 23.
This is the only land that Abraham bought in the land of Cannan. This cave in the field of Machpelah near Mamre is where later Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Leah and Jacob are buried. Families buried together in the grave to later one day be raised together??? Abraham pays the full price and won't take it as a gift. Ephron obviously respected Abraham to offer the part of his land as a gift, yet Abraham chose to pay and in full. Ephron honestly and fairly makes a good price for the land. Let us make fair and honest use of our possessions and money with others and also pay without trickery. After all what is money really between you and someone else?
Read chapter 23.
This is the only land that Abraham bought in the land of Cannan. This cave in the field of Machpelah near Mamre is where later Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Leah and Jacob are buried. Families buried together in the grave to later one day be raised together??? Abraham pays the full price and won't take it as a gift. Ephron obviously respected Abraham to offer the part of his land as a gift, yet Abraham chose to pay and in full. Ephron honestly and fairly makes a good price for the land. Let us make fair and honest use of our possessions and money with others and also pay without trickery. After all what is money really between you and someone else?
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Genesis 22
"Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” v.2
Read chapter 22.
Why does God say Abrahams's only son when we know Abraham had another son Ishmael? The Latin Vulgate is the word Unigenitum which can also be translated "unique." Isaac was the unique son born to Abraham and Sarah at a very old age and out of a promise by God to them to fulfill His covenant with Abraham. In John 1:18 this same phrase is used of Christ as the only begotten son of God. No God didn't have two sons like we see with Abraham, but Jesus was the unique and only representative of God in the flesh. God has also made each one of us unique in our own way, we can't take things specific to one person for ourselves, that wouldn't make it unique, but how can you be set apart uniquely for God?
Read chapter 22.
Why does God say Abrahams's only son when we know Abraham had another son Ishmael? The Latin Vulgate is the word Unigenitum which can also be translated "unique." Isaac was the unique son born to Abraham and Sarah at a very old age and out of a promise by God to them to fulfill His covenant with Abraham. In John 1:18 this same phrase is used of Christ as the only begotten son of God. No God didn't have two sons like we see with Abraham, but Jesus was the unique and only representative of God in the flesh. God has also made each one of us unique in our own way, we can't take things specific to one person for ourselves, that wouldn't make it unique, but how can you be set apart uniquely for God?
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Genesis 21
"Therefore she said to Abraham, “Cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, namely with Isaac.” 11 And the matter was very displeasing in Abraham’s sight because of his son." vv.10-11
Read chapter 21.
Why does Sarah seem so harsh here? From something she made happen years before by giving her maidservant to her husband, she now wants to get rid of something she wanted. How often does that happen in our own lives when we try to take matters into our own hands and then we get the so much better prize from the Lord? We may regret and still have to deal with our decisions from the past. God continues in His promise to Abraham through both Sarah and Hagar and tells Abraham to continue to honor his relationship with Sarah by listening to her and not worry for God will provide for Hagar and Ishmael. I wonder if this is a "Let go and let God" moment, but also the shared submission between a husband and wife
Read chapter 21.
Why does Sarah seem so harsh here? From something she made happen years before by giving her maidservant to her husband, she now wants to get rid of something she wanted. How often does that happen in our own lives when we try to take matters into our own hands and then we get the so much better prize from the Lord? We may regret and still have to deal with our decisions from the past. God continues in His promise to Abraham through both Sarah and Hagar and tells Abraham to continue to honor his relationship with Sarah by listening to her and not worry for God will provide for Hagar and Ishmael. I wonder if this is a "Let go and let God" moment, but also the shared submission between a husband and wife
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Genesis 20
"And God said to him in a dream, “Yes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart. For I also withheld you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her." v.6
Read chapter 20.
Again Abraham tells a different ruler that Sarah is his sister than his wife. Does he still have the same fear? Does he not remember what he learned the first time? Saying she's his sister isn't a lie because we see they're half brother/sister. God has grace with Abimilech and keeps him from sinning because God knew he took Sarah out of a clear conscious. If Abimilech took Sarah as his wife that would have destroyed the lineage and promise of the see to come though Abraham and Sarah and ultimately Jesus Christ; another attempt to Satan to stop the promise of the Savior. When have you turned again to old ways after having been taught by God of better ways? Abimilech fears God and responds to what God told him to do. How do you respond after you've sinned out of a "clear conscious"?
Read chapter 20.
Again Abraham tells a different ruler that Sarah is his sister than his wife. Does he still have the same fear? Does he not remember what he learned the first time? Saying she's his sister isn't a lie because we see they're half brother/sister. God has grace with Abimilech and keeps him from sinning because God knew he took Sarah out of a clear conscious. If Abimilech took Sarah as his wife that would have destroyed the lineage and promise of the see to come though Abraham and Sarah and ultimately Jesus Christ; another attempt to Satan to stop the promise of the Savior. When have you turned again to old ways after having been taught by God of better ways? Abimilech fears God and responds to what God told him to do. How do you respond after you've sinned out of a "clear conscious"?
Monday, January 19, 2015
Genesis 19
"But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt." v.26
Read chapter 19.
Why did she look back? Out of wonder? Out of missing her home? Not taking the angels words serious, not realizing the sinful culture she was surrounded by, not wanting the freedom she was being given. Lot's wife was on her way of being free but she couldn't let go of her past. And not trusting the angel's words was an act of unfaithfulness that led to her death. Sodom was a horrible city to live in but seems that she, and her family too, became immune to the sin around them and justifying that way of life by not hating its sin.
This is a hard chapter to read about Lot's response of giving over his daughters, a city of homosexuals and the judgement called down on them. But God is the Judge to set things right and act on the outcry to Him. What are sins that you can't let go? How do you identify with Lot's wife?
Read chapter 19.
Why did she look back? Out of wonder? Out of missing her home? Not taking the angels words serious, not realizing the sinful culture she was surrounded by, not wanting the freedom she was being given. Lot's wife was on her way of being free but she couldn't let go of her past. And not trusting the angel's words was an act of unfaithfulness that led to her death. Sodom was a horrible city to live in but seems that she, and her family too, became immune to the sin around them and justifying that way of life by not hating its sin.
This is a hard chapter to read about Lot's response of giving over his daughters, a city of homosexuals and the judgement called down on them. But God is the Judge to set things right and act on the outcry to Him. What are sins that you can't let go? How do you identify with Lot's wife?
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Genesis 18
"Then the Lord appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre,[a] as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. 2 So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground," vv.1-2
Read chapter 18.
Sometimes people ask the question "I wonder what God looks like?" We know from scripture that Jesus is the image f the invisible God (Colossians 1:15), there's no other image of God- it's Christ in the flesh. Here in Genesis we see the Lord (Jehovah) appeared to Abraham. So was this Jesus? YES! Jesus didn't just start as a babe, He always was and is. Jesus is Jehovah as we see Old Testament prophesies fulfilled by Jesus in the New Testament. Also, Abraham bows down to Him, knowing it was God and how we also see in later veers saying "the Lord said..." Why there are three men, I don't know. Who are these other two? The angels that go to Sodom and Gomorrah?
Where else have you noticed Jesus in the Old Testament and how do you grasp Jesus being in the form of man before His earthly ministry coming as a babe?
Read chapter 18.
Sometimes people ask the question "I wonder what God looks like?" We know from scripture that Jesus is the image f the invisible God (Colossians 1:15), there's no other image of God- it's Christ in the flesh. Here in Genesis we see the Lord (Jehovah) appeared to Abraham. So was this Jesus? YES! Jesus didn't just start as a babe, He always was and is. Jesus is Jehovah as we see Old Testament prophesies fulfilled by Jesus in the New Testament. Also, Abraham bows down to Him, knowing it was God and how we also see in later veers saying "the Lord said..." Why there are three men, I don't know. Who are these other two? The angels that go to Sodom and Gomorrah?
Where else have you noticed Jesus in the Old Testament and how do you grasp Jesus being in the form of man before His earthly ministry coming as a babe?
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Genesis 17
"He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male child in your generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant." v.12
Read chapter 17.
For newborn babes to undergo surgery in the first week of life, one has to be very careful for cause of excess bleeding can happen causing damages in organs and even death. It was discovered that Vitamin K is produced in abundance in male newborns days five through 7. So on day eight vitamin K is at it's peak and wise to save surgery till the 8th day. Vitamin K if deficient causes hemorrhaging if bleeding. Today if a newborn is to be circumcised, doctors will give a shot of vitamin K to do it sooner. How perfect did God know our bodies before we even knew that detail and for this surgery to be best carried out in His command with His covenant with Abraham. Noticed too that this is for all Israelite males to do and any foreigner servant in their household, later called proselytes (non-Isrealites living like a Jew). What do you think of circumcision for todays culture?
Read chapter 17.
For newborn babes to undergo surgery in the first week of life, one has to be very careful for cause of excess bleeding can happen causing damages in organs and even death. It was discovered that Vitamin K is produced in abundance in male newborns days five through 7. So on day eight vitamin K is at it's peak and wise to save surgery till the 8th day. Vitamin K if deficient causes hemorrhaging if bleeding. Today if a newborn is to be circumcised, doctors will give a shot of vitamin K to do it sooner. How perfect did God know our bodies before we even knew that detail and for this surgery to be best carried out in His command with His covenant with Abraham. Noticed too that this is for all Israelite males to do and any foreigner servant in their household, later called proselytes (non-Isrealites living like a Jew). What do you think of circumcision for todays culture?
Friday, January 16, 2015
Genesis 16
"Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, “Have I also here seen Him who sees me?” v. 13
Read chapter 16.
Hagar is not a descendant of Abram, she's his second wife, an Egyptian servant. She receives a promise from Jehovah (LORD) because of His promise of Abram's descendants being numerous not only through Isaac but also through Ishmael. How awesome that The angel of the Lord appeared to Hagar. Did she fear God before because of Abram? Either way she's shown faithful in that she listens and responds with what He told her.
Beer Lahai Roi means "well of the living one who sees me." This name that she gives the Lord is the same Lord that sees us too. Hagar is here in affliction, lost, pregnant, mad, etc and the Lord heard her cry and recognized it. Same for us, the Lord sees who we are inside and out, we can't hide. He will and has already responded to our cry. When have you felt like Hagar and experienced the God who sees?
Read chapter 16.
Hagar is not a descendant of Abram, she's his second wife, an Egyptian servant. She receives a promise from Jehovah (LORD) because of His promise of Abram's descendants being numerous not only through Isaac but also through Ishmael. How awesome that The angel of the Lord appeared to Hagar. Did she fear God before because of Abram? Either way she's shown faithful in that she listens and responds with what He told her.
Beer Lahai Roi means "well of the living one who sees me." This name that she gives the Lord is the same Lord that sees us too. Hagar is here in affliction, lost, pregnant, mad, etc and the Lord heard her cry and recognized it. Same for us, the Lord sees who we are inside and out, we can't hide. He will and has already responded to our cry. When have you felt like Hagar and experienced the God who sees?
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Genesis 15
"And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces." v.17
Read chapter 15.
Here we see a covenant made between God and Abram. The oven and torch are symbols of what God just told him would happen to his decedents. The oven is symbolic of the affliction of Israel and the torch a symbol of deliverance Often we see smoke and fire in scripture representing God's judgments and acceptance of offerings. So here God made His judgment known of Abram's decedents and confirmed it by burning the animal offerings Abram brought before Him. Has fire and ovens given you a difficult thought of God's ways? How have God's judgments shaped your thinking/opinion? Most importantly, do you have a covenant relationship with God? (Not that He's made a specific oath with just you, but the specific promise He has for those that are His.)
Read chapter 15.
Here we see a covenant made between God and Abram. The oven and torch are symbols of what God just told him would happen to his decedents. The oven is symbolic of the affliction of Israel and the torch a symbol of deliverance Often we see smoke and fire in scripture representing God's judgments and acceptance of offerings. So here God made His judgment known of Abram's decedents and confirmed it by burning the animal offerings Abram brought before Him. Has fire and ovens given you a difficult thought of God's ways? How have God's judgments shaped your thinking/opinion? Most importantly, do you have a covenant relationship with God? (Not that He's made a specific oath with just you, but the specific promise He has for those that are His.)
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Genesis 14
"Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. 19 And he blessed him and said:“Blessed be Abram of God Most High,Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”And he gave him a tithe of all." vv.18-20
Read chapter 14.
Where did this man Melchizedek appear from? He appears from nowhere, without background of parents and any introduction with ties to the Lord. Later in scripture he's compared to the Lord Jesus Christ; who's another Hight Priest without a Levite/Aaronite background, but in the order of Melchizedek. Well we see that the honor that Abram has from him in this way of worship with this king of Salem by saying, "blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth" and then afterwards refuses this "tithe" of the king of Sodom. Melchizedek and Abram both worshipped the true living God. What do you do when encountered with those giving out of good motives verse bad motives? What do you think of this man Melchizedek introduced here and then not mentioned till the New Testament?
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Genesis 13
"So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.” And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar." vv.8-10
Read chapter 13.
Don't you wish all conflicts were settled this easy? Here we have two men, brothers even, with huge possessions of animals and other items and there's a dissension between one another's herdsmen. Abram steps up to handle the matter in a way to not break their family ties. Sometimes living with others is difficult and causes more problems than when apart. This sing to say run or move away from those that are difficult to be around, but come to an agreement of how to live, that there would cause hate or strife. We also see how Lot chose which way to go based on beauty and provision of abundant water similar to Eden. How cool that they would've known more about what Eden was like being not far removed from when creation happened. But we also see the danger in this decision. The people of the plain were corrupt, yet Lot chose based on what he saw. Abram takes the humble position and decides to go opposite whichever Lot chooses. When have you made a decision based on what appeals to the eyes over what's better for the soul? How have you handled dissension with your family or friends, whether directly toward you or that made you side with someone?
Monday, January 12, 2015
Genesis 12
"Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that I[a] may live because of you.” v.13
Read chapter 12.
Abram and Sarai are conversing here and Abram tells her a half truth. Sarai is his half-sister, the daughter of his father but not his mother (Genesis 20:12). Either way, ultimately Abram didn't trust God and feared man more than God. For surely we see God cursing Pharaoh for cursing Abram in a way of taking his wife. How cool and gorgeous must Sarah have been? She wasn't too much younger than Abram and we see he was 75 years old. A blessing from the Lord that we later know she has kids at age 90, truly given a younger body, appearance and strength. Abram seems to act wise in worldly and cultural wisdom of how to handle a matter, but wisdom of this world will never triumph the ways of God. What times have you trusted in man's wisdom than God's? When have you feared men that caused you to act a different way?
Read chapter 12.
Abram and Sarai are conversing here and Abram tells her a half truth. Sarai is his half-sister, the daughter of his father but not his mother (Genesis 20:12). Either way, ultimately Abram didn't trust God and feared man more than God. For surely we see God cursing Pharaoh for cursing Abram in a way of taking his wife. How cool and gorgeous must Sarah have been? She wasn't too much younger than Abram and we see he was 75 years old. A blessing from the Lord that we later know she has kids at age 90, truly given a younger body, appearance and strength. Abram seems to act wise in worldly and cultural wisdom of how to handle a matter, but wisdom of this world will never triumph the ways of God. What times have you trusted in man's wisdom than God's? When have you feared men that caused you to act a different way?
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Genesis 11
"And the Lord said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. 7 Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” vv. 6-7
Read chapter 11.
Variations in culture, values, clans and languages started here at the Tower of Babel. God didn't do this thinking they'd overthrow Him, but because of the potential that mankind will 'become as willfully sinful as they were before the flood' (NKJV study bible footnote). Satan fell because he wanted to be God and tells us that same lie throughout history, and today, that we can be God. These people then were building a tower to the heavens that they'd be the most exalted. If it wasn't for this arrogance and evil desire this scattering would not have been necessary. What ways or lies in your life do you try to "play God"?
Read chapter 11.
Variations in culture, values, clans and languages started here at the Tower of Babel. God didn't do this thinking they'd overthrow Him, but because of the potential that mankind will 'become as willfully sinful as they were before the flood' (NKJV study bible footnote). Satan fell because he wanted to be God and tells us that same lie throughout history, and today, that we can be God. These people then were building a tower to the heavens that they'd be the most exalted. If it wasn't for this arrogance and evil desire this scattering would not have been necessary. What ways or lies in your life do you try to "play God"?
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Genesis 10
"Sons were also north to Shem... two sons were borsht to Eber: one was named Peleg, because in his time the earth was divided; his bother was named Joktan." vv. 21,25
Read chapter 10.
How people named their children in ancient times tells us a lot of history for that time as other descriptions or confirmation of other documents. Here we even get the author telling us not only the name of one of Shem's descendants but he translated the meaning for us, showing us the significance- giving us a "key." Peleg means division, named this because the earth was divided can be a reference to two different divisions we see in scripture and also to non-blblical accounts of what the world was like during that time. Figuring out when Peleg was born is around 100 years after the flood. Many think this is a reference to Pangea when the continents were split. This seems a little "unlikely as processes would have had to occur within a very confined time period...like another Noahic Flood" (AIG.com). Also this could reference the division of peoples/nations at the tower of Babel that we see in the following chapter 11. How we interpret Biblical chronology and outside chronology does agree a lot if we're willing to dig into understanding and believe God's word to be accurate and trump any other human document. How does this event/name shape your thoughts on division of land or/and peoples?
Friday, January 9, 2015
Genesis 9
"Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father's nakedness and told his two brothers outside...when Noah awoke from his wine and found out what his youngest son had done to him, he said, 'Cursed be Canaan!'" vv. 22,24-25
Read chapter 9.
Here we come to a passage that seems kind of weird on the surface. Seeing a father naked doesn't seem that big of a deal, especially a sone and a father and then for Noah to curse Ham's son and that whole lineage seems "over-reacting." But maybe there's something more going on here, something hidden in words, phrasing to what really happened. In Leviticus 18 we see this working used again in the NKJV talking about sexual relations (in the NIV it says 'sexual relations' flat out). So this passage here could point to Ham having sexual relations with his mom! So why wouldn't it say this flat out? Maybe our God's tasteful and typically doesn't like to even mention how horrible men can be as we see vague references in other pars of scripture- especially with sexual sin. What's great is that scripture helps understand scripture!
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Genesis 8
- 40 days/nights rain/flood gates
- 150 days water gone down
- 17th day of 7th month rest on Mt. Ararat
- 10th month 1st day end of waters receding
- after 40 days Noah opened window
- 7 more days after 1st dove sending
- 7 more days after 2nd dove sending
- 1st day of the 1st month water dried from earth
- 27th day of 2nd month earth completely dry
- 1st day of 1st month of Noah's 601st year
Read chapter 8.
So how long was Noah actually in the ark? Everyone knows it rained 40 days and 40 nights, but from this chapter it was obviously longer waiting for the flood waters to recede, for dry land and vegetation to walk on and eat and ultimately for God's calling to tell him to come out. It was right around a full year that Noah and his family were on the ark. Talk about stir craziness- practice patience. Especially when the hardest part has past, there's still waiting till the renewed life comes. What "floods" in your life seem to last longer and have ripple effects as you're waiting for God to call you out of them?
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Genesis 7
"In the 600th year of Noah's life in the second month, the 17th day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened." v. 11
Read chapter 7.
What earth's atmosphere was like pre-flood is completely different than what we see today. There was a water canopy around the earth that we see here break open to cause rain for forty days and nights. This water canopy can be thought of like a greenhouse affect and reason why people lived so long or why dinosaurs were so huge. Also we see the great deep fountains broken up causing rain from below too like a flooding which would then lead to volcanic eruptions, moving of plates, tsunamis, etc. So more than just a heave rain that didn't stop, but the earthy was reformed completely. Yet so much beauty came of such a destructive thing. What is the most beautiful thing in creation you've seen? What "floods" in `your life have later caused a reformation into beauty?
Read chapter 7.
What earth's atmosphere was like pre-flood is completely different than what we see today. There was a water canopy around the earth that we see here break open to cause rain for forty days and nights. This water canopy can be thought of like a greenhouse affect and reason why people lived so long or why dinosaurs were so huge. Also we see the great deep fountains broken up causing rain from below too like a flooding which would then lead to volcanic eruptions, moving of plates, tsunamis, etc. So more than just a heave rain that didn't stop, but the earthy was reformed completely. Yet so much beauty came of such a destructive thing. What is the most beautiful thing in creation you've seen? What "floods" in `your life have later caused a reformation into beauty?
Genesis 6
"There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterwards, when the sons of God came into the daughters of men and bore children to them. Those were the might men who were of old, men of renown." v.4
Read chapter 4.
The Hebrew word for giants here is Nephilim. These nephilim were half human and half angel from the result of fallen angels impregnating women (v.2). The very next verse says that the Lord saw the wickedness of man, so the nephilim weren't a good thing that happened. Satan was trying to destroy man's race so that the Savior couldn't come (see Genesis 3:15). We see that Noah's bloodline hadn't been corrupted (v.9), so big reason why he was saved. Yet this verse four says the nephilim were also afterwards (of the flood), so wasn't just a one time thing, but gives reason to why we see later in the Old Testament why whole nations/cities were to be destroyed. Some also say the nephilim is where Greek mythology comes from of these "mighty men." Men with crazy powers and strength. This seems obscure, make believed, abstract, but it's in the Bible and therefore truth. How does this make you believe of things in the past and of the spiritual realm?
Read chapter 4.
The Hebrew word for giants here is Nephilim. These nephilim were half human and half angel from the result of fallen angels impregnating women (v.2). The very next verse says that the Lord saw the wickedness of man, so the nephilim weren't a good thing that happened. Satan was trying to destroy man's race so that the Savior couldn't come (see Genesis 3:15). We see that Noah's bloodline hadn't been corrupted (v.9), so big reason why he was saved. Yet this verse four says the nephilim were also afterwards (of the flood), so wasn't just a one time thing, but gives reason to why we see later in the Old Testament why whole nations/cities were to be destroyed. Some also say the nephilim is where Greek mythology comes from of these "mighty men." Men with crazy powers and strength. This seems obscure, make believed, abstract, but it's in the Bible and therefore truth. How does this make you believe of things in the past and of the spiritual realm?
Monday, January 5, 2015
Genesis 5
"So all the days of Enoch were 365 years. And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him." vv. 23-24
Read chapter 5.
Only Enoch and Elijah ever had this experience where they didn't die but were taken to be with God in His presence. Everyone else faces death. This seems to show that death isn't the entrance to heaven but death is a return to the dust we were made from (Genesis 3:19). What do you think it means that he "walked with God"? I'd think that he lived a life of fellowship and obedience with God daily like a walk, not just a one time sprint. We also learn a bit more of Enoch in Hebrews 11:5-6 that he pleased God and sought Him diligently and believed that He is. Oh how I desire to be where Enoch is right now, but as Paul seemed to have a choice to depart and be with God and chose to stay to continue in his ministry, so I (although not having been offered to depart and be with Him) must think of my ministry and give my all in every day with the Lord. How 'bout you?
Read chapter 5.
Only Enoch and Elijah ever had this experience where they didn't die but were taken to be with God in His presence. Everyone else faces death. This seems to show that death isn't the entrance to heaven but death is a return to the dust we were made from (Genesis 3:19). What do you think it means that he "walked with God"? I'd think that he lived a life of fellowship and obedience with God daily like a walk, not just a one time sprint. We also learn a bit more of Enoch in Hebrews 11:5-6 that he pleased God and sought Him diligently and believed that He is. Oh how I desire to be where Enoch is right now, but as Paul seemed to have a choice to depart and be with God and chose to stay to continue in his ministry, so I (although not having been offered to depart and be with Him) must think of my ministry and give my all in every day with the Lord. How 'bout you?
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Genesis 4
"Then Cain went out from the presence of the Lord and dwelt in the land of Nod on the east of Eden. And Cain knew his wife and she conceived and bore Enoch." vv. 16-17
Read chapter 4.
So where did Cain's wife come from? It was his sister of course! Adam and Eve lived a long long time (Adam 930 years), so you can imagine plenty of time to have many children. It wasn't incest back then. Think about their genes being so close to perfection with Adam and Eve that they didn't see the problems we see today. If we believe that Adam and Eve were the only men created by God, than this being his sister would have to be the case. There weren't other "Adams and Eves" on other parts of the earth that eventually meet up. Another interesting thing to notice in this verse is that Cain was in God's presence still even though not in Eden after his parents had been kicked out. God still communed with them! What are some doubts or questions or thoughts you have of how the world was first populated and what the people were like?
Read chapter 4.
So where did Cain's wife come from? It was his sister of course! Adam and Eve lived a long long time (Adam 930 years), so you can imagine plenty of time to have many children. It wasn't incest back then. Think about their genes being so close to perfection with Adam and Eve that they didn't see the problems we see today. If we believe that Adam and Eve were the only men created by God, than this being his sister would have to be the case. There weren't other "Adams and Eves" on other parts of the earth that eventually meet up. Another interesting thing to notice in this verse is that Cain was in God's presence still even though not in Eden after his parents had been kicked out. God still communed with them! What are some doubts or questions or thoughts you have of how the world was first populated and what the people were like?
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Genesis 3
"[The serpent] said to the woman, ' Has God indeed said...' And the woman said, ' God has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.'' Then the serpent said to the woman, ' You will not surely die.' So...she took of its fruit and ate.'" vv. 1-6
Read chapter 3.
Oh the LIE and the FALL of mankind. So many things happened right here yet this lie is probably the #1 lie still believed today, causing men to sin. Lets dig into this a little deeper. Satan turns God's words around as we compare to what God actually said in chapter two. First we see Satan putting doubt in Eve's mind, "Has God indeed said..." This causing Eve to doubt God's word if she really understands it. Then we see Eve add to God's word, "nor shall you touch it." This isn't what we see recorded in chapter two. It seems a harmless addition but God condemns people that add to His word in other parts of scripture. Plus it's still not true even if it's not a "bad" thing. Lastly we see Eve multiply the punishment "lest you die" than "dying you will die." Once Eve ate of the fruit death would start working in her and as we see she doesn't drop dead, but dies hundreds of years later. So this doubt, add and multiply of God's word ends in the fall of mankind. So too today, if we don't know God's word and let it cause doubt if it's true, if we make up what we think God would say and if we change what He says, we'll fall to Satan's lies too. A lie so similar to truth is still a lie. So how well do you know God's word and what lies of His truth has led you to sin?
Oh the LIE and the FALL of mankind. So many things happened right here yet this lie is probably the #1 lie still believed today, causing men to sin. Lets dig into this a little deeper. Satan turns God's words around as we compare to what God actually said in chapter two. First we see Satan putting doubt in Eve's mind, "Has God indeed said..." This causing Eve to doubt God's word if she really understands it. Then we see Eve add to God's word, "nor shall you touch it." This isn't what we see recorded in chapter two. It seems a harmless addition but God condemns people that add to His word in other parts of scripture. Plus it's still not true even if it's not a "bad" thing. Lastly we see Eve multiply the punishment "lest you die" than "dying you will die." Once Eve ate of the fruit death would start working in her and as we see she doesn't drop dead, but dies hundreds of years later. So this doubt, add and multiply of God's word ends in the fall of mankind. So too today, if we don't know God's word and let it cause doubt if it's true, if we make up what we think God would say and if we change what He says, we'll fall to Satan's lies too. A lie so similar to truth is still a lie. So how well do you know God's word and what lies of His truth has led you to sin?
Friday, January 2, 2015
Genesis 2
"It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." v.18
Read chapter 2.
God desires relationships, not only with Him but with others as well and in a marriage relationship. He knows it's not good for man to be alone although many people sometimes think they'd be better off that way. He even knows which comparable helper is perfect for each man and woman. Adam didn't know what he was necessarily longing for since Eve wasn't even created when he was naming all the creatures and when that was all done his helper still wasn't found. Yet God blessed him and brought Adam something far better than he'd ever seen, Eve. So too with us longing for that deep intimate relationship for a husband or wife and when seems all hope is given up, we have to trust God that He'll not leave us alone and has someone perfect for us. Having patience when all else seems hopeless. How do you deal with loneliness either in or out of marriage?
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Genesis 1
"Then God saw everything that He had made and indeed it was very good." v.31
Read chapter 1.
"TOV" the Hebrew word for 'good.' It's used seven times in this first chapter of the Bible. God refers to everything He created as 'tov' meaning good, beautiful, "working the way it was created to." And when He gets to creating man and woman He says "VERY TOV." Like we're His masterpiece! Also notice that He didn't create disease, death, harm, poisoness plants, salvage beasts, etc. These harmful plants, animals, UV rays are all a result after the fall, but originally all tov. It's hard to picture what this creation week looked like and we can't really know how long the world was tov until the fall, but we do know that there will be a New Heavens and New Earth that seem to be similar to this (compare Genesis 1 with Revelation 22 the very first and very last chapters of the Bible). God is still creating us- He didn't just stop working day 6. You are VERY TOV to Him. Can you grasp that?!
Read chapter 1.
"TOV" the Hebrew word for 'good.' It's used seven times in this first chapter of the Bible. God refers to everything He created as 'tov' meaning good, beautiful, "working the way it was created to." And when He gets to creating man and woman He says "VERY TOV." Like we're His masterpiece! Also notice that He didn't create disease, death, harm, poisoness plants, salvage beasts, etc. These harmful plants, animals, UV rays are all a result after the fall, but originally all tov. It's hard to picture what this creation week looked like and we can't really know how long the world was tov until the fall, but we do know that there will be a New Heavens and New Earth that seem to be similar to this (compare Genesis 1 with Revelation 22 the very first and very last chapters of the Bible). God is still creating us- He didn't just stop working day 6. You are VERY TOV to Him. Can you grasp that?!
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