Gen. 33-35

Jacob’s name was changed the night he wrestled with God. He became Israel. He walked with a limp. Pastor Moses Vegh used to preach that Jacob was straight on the outside but crooked on the inside. After his tussle with God, he became straight on the inside, but crooked on the outside. God had left His mark on Jacob.

Through God’s dealings and processing, we may come out with a noticeable mark. For me, it’s Multiple Myeloma. God’s goal is a pure heart and faith unfeigned (sincere).

Gen. 30, 31

Although Laban intended ill against Jacob, God protected him and allowed no harm to come to him. He was falsely accused and conned regarding his wages and time served, but God tipped the scales in his favor so that he amassed a great fortune.

Regardless of the ill intended toward us, God oversees ALL and can guard us from being harmed. With His protection, we can live our lives in confidence and security.

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;  There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. [Ps. 91:9-11]

Gen. 25-29

Jacob met with God at Bethel. It was during his sleep that God promised to bless him through a dream.

In the night seasons, God can speak to us. Wherever we sleep, we can commune with God. Bethel was even called “The House of God.”

During the night seasons, we are restored and our mind becomes refreshed. Sleep is one of God’s greatest gifts to us. A good night’s sleep can completely change your outlook on life.

Gen. 23, 24

Abraham understood the importance of finding the right wife for his beloved son, Isaac. He sent his most trusted servant to his homeland because he didn’t want Isaac to be yoked to a carnal, worldly Canaanite woman.

God’s angel went before the servant and led him directly to the right woman.

Finding the right woman may seem scary for a young man, but for God, it’s EASY. The Lord takes the guessing out of it. He KNOWS who will be good for that young man.

Proverbs 31 contains a catalog of qualities to be found in the RIGHT woman. She doesn’t qualify on her own. She is filled with God’s Spirit and He equips and empowers her to measure up.

Apart from Christ, we can do NOTHING.

Gen. 20-22

God challenged Abraham to put his son on the altar of sacrifice. Upon seeing Abraham’s obedience and complete submission to God’s commands, He released him from following through. For any parent, this seems like too big an ask. Because Abraham passed the test, God blessed and prospered him beyond measure.

Our Heavenly Father gave His preeminent Son to be the sacrifice for our sin. Because Christ was obedient, God exalted Him above all else and all others.

We don’t give up anything for God but that He more than makes up for it.

Gen. 17-19

Abraham conversed with God about the impending judgement on Sodom and Gomorrah. He questioned God’s resolve to destroy the cities if there were found only 10 righteous people in them.

God wasn’t looking for athletic ability, bank account size, educational accomplishments, or good appearance. He wanted righteousness. He wants people who do the right thing.

He should look at Washington D.C.

(He IS)

Gen. 13-15

God told Abraham to look all around him. God said, “I will give this land to you forever.” Abraham was the father of all Jews and those who had faith in Jehovah. This was a real estate covenant from One Who NEVER LIES.

God’s promises to the believer are even better than that. He promised us Eternal Life if we believe in and accept His Son’s salvation. We will live in Heaven with Him, walk on streets of gold, and have a dwelling place custom made by the Greatest Craftsman in the universe.

Now THAT’S a promise!

Gen. 10-12

Abraham lied about his relationship with his wife when he sojourned into Egypt. He feared that if the Egyptians knew he was Sarah’s husband, they would kill him for her … she was very beautiful. He said he was her brother. Sure enough, they took her to be Pharaoh’s wife, but God intervened. He inflicted Pharaoh’s household with serious diseases to the extent that Pharaoh knew something was not right.

God has His ways of enforcing His plans in spite of the carnal manipulations of mere men. Trust Him and pray. He has devices.

Gen. 7-9

Noah was an obedient and visionary man. Not only did God trust him to build the ark and preserve animals for a post-flood world, He commissioned him and his sons to “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.”

Many years ago, Patty and I had two wonderful children and thought we were finished making a family. I heard Bill Gothard teach that our enemy’s goal was to eliminate Godly seed. [Gen. 3:15, Mal. 2:15] We said to ourselves, “We are NOT going to allow our enemy to limit the size of our family.” So, we had two more children. Looking back, we cannot even fathom our lives without Jeffrey and Ashley who were added to Julie and Mark. (Hence the ten and a half year gap between groupings)

God didn’t ask Noah and his sons if they could afford to have more children. He simply told them to multiply. It all works out. God faithfully rewards obedience with His provision and protection.

Gen. 4-6

Cain slew his brother Abel. While he was under a cloud of despair, God came to him and declared, “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” [4:7]

Life can pull us in many different directions. The pull to gratify our flesh is always there, but God gives us the grace and power to resist. To be tempted is not a sin. Yielding to the temptation brings the downfall.

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. [James 1:14-16]

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. [1 Cor. 10:13]