Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me by making me obnoxious to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people living in this land. We are few in number, and if they join forces against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed.” But they replied, “Should he have […]
Read More Genesis: 34 – The Problem With Taking Matters Into Your Own HandsBut Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept. (Genesis 33:4) You ever build yourself up for a bruising having done something really horrible? If you have not been in that position, you are truly blessed. Although it wasn’t particularly terrible, there […]
Read More Genesis: 33 – What A Pleasant SurpriseThen the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” […]
Read More Genesis: 32 – Jacob the Fearful, Jacob the FearlessSo the weak animals went to Laban and the strong ones to Jacob. In this way the man grew exceedingly prosperous and came to own large flocks, and female and male servants, and camels and donkeys. (Genesis 30:42, 43) To trick your nephew once is tough. Laban just didn’t know when to leave a good thing alone.. […]
Read More Genesis: 30 – Don’t Mess With A Blessed ManShe conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” So she named him Judah. Then she stopped having children. (Genesis 29:35) You met your match. You imagine using that phrase when you see what Jacob endures when he meets Laban. The trickster comes across a […]
Read More Genesis: 29 – A Tricky SituationI am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. (Genesis 28:15) It is fascinating. Like his grandfather, Jacob had such an encounter with God that it became a significant […]
Read More Genesis: 28 – A Divine EncounterWhen Esau heard his father’s words, he burst out with a loud and bitter cry and said to his father, “Bless me—me too, my father!” But he said, “Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing.” (Genesis 27:34, 35) You can hear the bitter and anguished tones of Esau on the realisation that he’s lost it […]
Read More Genesis: 27 – The Bless and the MessHe moved on from there and dug another well, and no one quarrelled over it. He named it Rehoboth saying, “Now the Lord has given us room and we will flourish in the land.” (Genesis 26:22) What’s with the wells? Well, wells means access to water. Access to water is a key meeting point for animals […]
Read More Genesis: 26 – All’s Well That Ends WellThen Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright. (Genesis 25:34) Genesis 25 is a fascinating chapter covering a span of a number of years. It starts with the rest of the life of the father of faith and the […]
Read More Genesis: 25 – When The Birthright Went WrongThen Isaac brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother and took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death. (Genesis 24:67) It did not occur to me just how many expressions of true love are apparent throughout this chapter. Father-Son Love: The incident […]
Read More Genesis: 24 – True Love
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