Gen. 34

Jacob”s daughter Dinah was defiled by Shechem which infuriated Jacob’s sons. To get even they devised a revenge plan. They required all the men of Shechem’s village to be circumcised. While the men were recovering and vulnerable, Simeon and Levi slew them all.

Many entirely innocent men lost their lives. ONLY GOD can justly deal with tragedies such as this. My mentor would often says, “God doesn’t always pay on Fridays, but He ALWAYS PAYS.”

Gen. 32

You are in good company. Jacob was a deceiver. He stole his brother’s birthright. He manipulated the odds of his father-in-law’s livestock reproduction to his advantage. Then, one night he wrestled with God Who put his hip out. God changed his name to Israel, Prince with God. He had a limp on the outside but he was straightened on the inside.

Confess your faults to the Lord and be straightened.

Gen. 30, 31

Jacob’s arrangement with his father-in-law, Laban, was that he would take the spotted and speckled and black livestock and Laban the solid colors. Guess what. Jacob’s choice prospered more thanLabans’s.

God’s hand was in Jacob’s blessing. His hand will also prosper you. Wait and watch.

Gen. 29

It is critical that you marry the right person. The Jewish patriarchs were ultra deliberate on finding the right mate.

Abraham commissioned his trusted servant, Eleazar, to find a wife for Isaac. Eleazar represents the Holy Spirit Who guided him to Rebekah.

It’s never too early to begin praying that your children and grandchildren find the mate of God’s choosing.

Gen. 27

Rebekah arranged for her favored son, Jacob, to receive his father’s blessing. It also meant the prevailing inheritance. They deceived Isaac into thinking Jacob was in fact Esau. Their plan worked. Jacob received the blessing.

The power and impact of a father’s blessing is often overlooked. Fathers are wise to speak words of blessing and encouragement over their children.

Jacob became Israel, the father of many nations.

Gen. 25

Although they were twins, Esau and Jacob were very different. It was God’s doing. They both had a destiny to fulfill.

Parents are wise to chisel away at them, raising them with a Bible in one hand and the rod of correction in the other. The Holy Spirit gives insight into their life’s purpose. Remember, they are God’s children. We are used by Him to bring them up, not own them.

Gen. 24

Abraham sent his trusted servant Eleazar to family roots to find a wife for Isaac. Not just anybody would do. His servant was a type of the Holy Spirit. God selected Rebekah for Isaac.

Something as critical as a life’s mate needs God’s help in finding. Pray that your children would find the mate of God’s choosing.

Gen. 22

One of the most famous passages in the Bible is the story of Abraham offering his son of promise on an altar. This lesson shows the faith of Abraham … that God could raise his son from death of need be.

When we find ourselves in tight financial places after we’ve been obedient to God’s will, He WILL make a way, even a miraculous way. God hereby introduced Himself as Jehovah-Jireh, the God that provides.

(God provided a ram caught in a bush for Abraham to sacrifice)

Gen. 19

After having been instructed by God’s angels to not look back at the wicked city Sodom, Lots’ wife disobeyed and turned to see what was happening. She was immediately turned into a pillar of salt.

The Christian life is always about obedient progress, leaving behind the former things and way of life. Maybe she was too attached to her home. Regardless. she demonstrated a lack of faith in God to bring her into His provision and a new start for her family.

Gen. 17

God heard the sin of Sodom as an outcry. He knew He must do something about it. So He took two angels and went to destroy the city.

Sodomy is the sin of homosexuality. It still has an outcry that is offensive to God. He loves the sinner but hates the sin.

Heavenly Father, help us to love the sinner like you do.