April 8, 2017
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Reading along with us in Genesis? Here’s today’s reading:
Genesis 28 (ESV)
“Then Isaac called Jacob and blessed him and directed him, “You must not take a wife from the Canaanite women. 2 Arise, go to Paddan-aram to the house of Bethuel your mother’s father, and take as your wife from there one of the daughters of Laban your mother’s brother. 3 God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may become a company of peoples. 4 May he give the blessing of Abraham to you and to your offspring with you, that you may take possession of the land of your sojournings that God gave to Abraham!” 5 Thus Isaac sent Jacob away. And he went to Paddan-aram, to Laban, the son of Bethuel the Aramean, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob’s and Esau’s mother.”… Continue Reading
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As Chapter 28 begins, Isaac blesses and directs Jacob and gives him instructions on where to go, where to find a wife and specifically who not to marry – a Canaanite woman (Genesis 28:1-4).
Jacob obeys his father Isaac (and Rebekah’s) wishes and goes to Paddan-aram.
Esau, knowing Jacob obeyed and knowing that the Canaanite women did not please his father, he “went to Ishmael and took as his wife, besides the wives he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebaioth” Genesis 28:9) to spite his father.
Genesis 28:11 says, “And he came to a certain place and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep.”
When we find a stone, we might put it behind a door to hold it open or maybe use it to keep a balloon from flying away but a pillow? Thankful for modern amenities! Somehow, Jacob falls asleep on this stone pillow and dreams of a Stairway to Heaven where “the angels of God were ascending and descending on it” (Genesis 28:12)!
With the Lord standing above it, He says, “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you” (Genesis 28:15).
After Jacob awoke from his dream, he is afraid and says, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven” (Genesis 28:17).
Then he takes this comfy stone pillow, sets it up for a pillar, poured oil on it, named the place Bethel and makes a vow to God saying, “If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, 21 so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God, 22 and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God’s house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you” (Genesis 28:18-22).
What an enthusiastic awareness and worship of the Living God that manifests itself not in only an emotional awakening but also a commitment!
Fathers…..Blessings ……Direction…..
15Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” ❤️
This morning I was going to read 1 John one more time, but saw on the opposite page of my Bible the heading “The Coming Day of the Lord” (beginning in 2 Peter 3:3).
THIS: “But the day of the LORD will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness…” (2 Peter 3:10-11)
At work yesterday afternoon, one of my coworkers shared his fear of what’s to come now that we’ve engaged Syria. He’s genuinely terrified, and used that word. But he doesn’t believe in God. A few weeks ago, he told me that if he could talk to my “higher power,” he would tell him to “pull the switch already,” and I asked him at that time, “Are you ready for that?” We ended up talking about the different Christian beliefs about “the rapture.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)
Yesterday, in light of his fear, I told him that these things we’re seeing now are prophesied in Scripture, and are unfolding, and that yes — the end of this world is coming. And that I’m sorry he is so scared. He knows I’m not afraid. Interesting that 2 Peter 3 is in front of my eyes this morning.
I read all of 2 Peter, and was especially struck by this warning: “Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.” (2 Peter 1:10-11) Lately, Scott has been pleading with those of us who DO profess faith in Christ to make our calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10); to test ourselves to see if we’re in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5); to be sure we’re not the “goats who believe we’re sheep” in Matthew 25:31-46.
I really feel — heavily — the responsibility that comes with my own salvation this morning. Father, give me boldness to proclaim the gospel! “The LORD is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
Read chapter 28
Read Chapter 28