SCRIPTURE: Genesis 34 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) Three days later, while all of them were still in pain, two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, took their swords and attacked the unsuspecting city, killing every male. [Genesis 34:25] Oh my… This story is in the bible, does that make it good? No, this bible…
like seeing God!
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 33 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) “No, please!” said Jacob. “If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably. [Genesis 33:10] Jacob knows that at one time Esau wanted to kill him…
wrestling with the kids
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 32 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared. [Genesis 32:28] Who is this “man” that Jacob wrestles with? At first Jacob assumed it was just a man. But in the end he concludes that he…
till death do us unite
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 31 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) Come now, let’s make a covenant, you and I, and let it serve as a witness between us.” [Genesis 31:44] So Jacob took an oath in the name of the Fear of his father Isaac. He offered a sacrifice there in the hill country and invited his relatives to…
shrewd… yet innocent
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 30 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) In this way the man grew exceedingly prosperous and came to own large flocks, and female and male servants, and camels and donkeys. [Genesis 30:43] This is a strange chapter: wives giving servant girls to their husband, spotted sheep and striped poplar branches affecting the coloration of the lambs……
overlooked and unloved?
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 29 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) When the LORD saw that Leah was not loved, he enabled her to conceive, but Rachel remained childless. Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben, for she said, “It is because the LORD has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love…
how awesome!
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 28 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” [Genesis 28:16-17]…
God’s purpose in me
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 27 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. He said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” [Genesis 27:41] As a morality lesson, this story seems to make a hero out…
close, but not too close?
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 26 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) Then Abimelek said to Isaac, “Move away from us; you have become too powerful for us.” [Genesis 26:16] Abimelek does not know what to do with Isaac; he is obviously blessed by God, and yet he is a threat to Abimelek’s own sense of security. He fears Isaac, but…
is it worth it?
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 25 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. Then 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 25:33-34] Recently someone told…