SCRIPTURE: Genesis 33 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: God works ahead of us, without our even knowing it. Jacob was driven by fear, not faith. He was certain that Esau was still out to get him, and that is a logical assumption. But he did not reckon on God. God is at work in situations that we think are impossible….
Author: Norm
God stoops
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 32 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: People who live by their own wits eventually bump up against something too big for them to handle. God uses these moments to humble us, to show us His strength and our dependence. Even so, the default habit of relying on self usually kicks in. Jacob is afraid of Esau (rightly so,…
eyes to see
A friend recently showed me this very interesting video clip. One that makes us think. Have a look, then let us know what you think.
the jezebel spirit?
“Can you tell me if you’ve ever heard of the “Jezebel Spirit”, and if so, what you know of it?”
God provides and protects
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 31 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: As God’s much-loved children, we can be assured of His provision and protection as we fulfill our task for Him. God calls Jacob back to his purpose, to bring God’s blessing to the world from the promised land. He has multiplied his wealth. He has given him a large family. God has…
God smiles, sadly
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 30 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: This scene is almost comical, and sad. Here we have Rachel and Leah scrambling to have babies. Imagine this in fast-forward, and poor Jacob bouncing between these women, with baby after baby being presented to him – another boy! Rachel and Leah bartering bed time and mandrakes. And the kids being named…
reaping what we sow
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 29 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: What goes around, comes around. Those who live by deception are caught by deception. Jacob the trickster is tricked! Paul speaks about reaping what we sow (Galatians 6:7-10). This story shows that even though our hope is in the Lord, His presence and purpose with us, that our actions have consequences, and God…
still with me
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 28 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Jacob goes through life as one blessed by God. This is not because he is such a good person, but because God decided even before he was born to work out His plan of salvation through Jacob. Unfortunately Esau doesn’t understand that blessing comes from God. At first he flaunts his firstborn…
the problem with shortcuts
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 27 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The heal-puller (the meaning of Jacob’s name, also means deceiver) is at it again. Jacob tricks his father, lies about his own identity and about God (‘the Lord put the animal in my path’). But as we saw with Isaac and his father, Jacob is imitating his mother. This is her scheme, her…
a role model for trusting God
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 26 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Is there a pattern here or what? Isaac has been shaped by his father on earth, but needs to be shaped by his Father in heaven. God warns him not to go to Egypt, like his father did when there was an earlier famine. God will take care of him, and will give…