Devotionals

Genesis:  The Beginning  

Jacob’s Family 2-1–16 

READ:  Genesis 34-35

Yesterday, we read about Jacob’s return to Canaan and how he reconciled with Esau.  Today, we will look at Jacob’s senior years of life, as well as his family.  

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Genesis:  The Beginning  

Jacob and Esau 1-31-16 

READ:  Genesis 32-33

In our lesson yesterday, we read about Jacob leaving the household of Laban in order to return to Canaan.  Today, Jacob will seek to reconcile with Esau as he passes through the region of Seir (Edom; southern portion of the Dead Sea).

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Genesis:  The Beginning  

Jacob and Laban 1-30-16 

READ:  Genesis 30:25–31:55

Yesterday, relational conflict was the biggest lesson from our text; Jacob’s family was familiar with conflict.  Today, we will look at the relationship between Laban and Jacob; Jacob begins to gain wealth as God prospers him. We shall see Laban is not finished being a scoundrel.

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Genesis:  The Beginning  

A Son for Rachel 1-29-16 

READ:  Genesis 30:1-24

Yesterday, Laban deceived Jacob into marrying not just one but two of his daughters:  Leah and Rachel.  Jacob worked fourteen years for Laban as dowry payment.  Today, we will look at Jacob’s family and how conflict caused all kinds of wrong decisions.

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Genesis:  The Beginning  

Jacob Chooses a Wife 1-28-16 

READ:  Genesis 29

Yesterday, in our reading, Jacob has a vision or dream from the LORD while he is resting in Bethel (translated “house of God”).  In this dream, the LORD appears to Jacob and reaffirms the promises of the Abrahamic covenant that now belongs to him. Today, Jacob continues his journey to Haran where he will be looking for a wife.

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Genesis:  The Beginning  

God, Jacob, and His Dream 1-27-16 

READ:  Genesis 28

Isaac accepts his favored child, Esau, will not be the one to fulfill the covenant blessing.  The land God promised to Abraham will be passed down through Isaac’s line and into Jacob.  Jacob has always been at home; not much of an explorer.  I am thinking this was pretty stressful for Jacob.  Do you like getting out of your comfort zone and traveling by yourself to places you have never been?  It was Esau who was always outdoors and had experience with the land.  Yet, now Jacob must follow Isaac’s instruction to leave a place of security and familiarity to explore the promised land (think about this line: ‘leave and go to the place I will show you’).  Somebody say, “This is a set up!” God is going to show Jacob something about serving El Shaddai!  So Jacob leaves.  

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Genesis:  The Beginning  

God, Jacob, and His Dream 1-27-16

READ:  Genesis 28

Yesterday, we read about Jacob’s deception and how he used it to get the blessing of Isaac.  This blessing determines the patriarchal succession; therefore, Isaac’s blessing links Jacob with the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant.  Today, we will read about Jacob and the dream he has from the LORD on his way to see Laban the brother of Jacob’s mother, Rebekah.

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Genesis:  The Beginning  

Blessed by Deception 1-26-16

READ:  Genesis 27

Yesterday, we made the journey with Isaac through the land of the Philistines; the circumstances grew ridiculous, but Isaac chose to remain in God’s peace.  Today, we will witness a dark place in Jacob’s heart as he steps on the platform of deception with his mother to manipulate Isaac. 

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Genesis:  The Beginning  

Isaac in Philistine Land 1-25-16

READ:  Genesis 26

Yesterday, we read about the battle of the birthright in the lives of Esau and Jacob.  Today, we will see how Isaac succumbs to deception and spiritual insecurity; but also finds a way to prosper in the land of the Philistines—a pagan nation.  Some of this sounds very familiar.

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