"The Dreamer"
Genesis 37:18-24
Could jealousy ever make you feel like killing someone? Before saying "Of course not," look at what happened in this story. Ten men were willing to kill their younger brother over a robe and a few reported dreams ...
Posted Wednesday, October 31st 2007 at 6:44AM
(more)
"The Jealous Brothers"
Genesis 37:5-11
Joseph's brothers were already angry over the possibility of being ruled by their little brother. Joseph then fueled the fire with his immature attitude and boastful manner. No one enjoys a braggart. Jose ...
Posted Tuesday, October 30th 2007 at 6:39AM
(more)
"The Favored Son"
Genesis 37:1-4
In Joseph's day, everyone had a robe or cloak. Robes were used to warm oneself, to bundle up belongings for a trip, to wrap babies, to sit on, or even to serve as security for a loan. Most robes were knee lengt ...
Posted Monday, October 29th 2007 at 8:07AM
(more)
The Blessedness of Unity"
Psalm 133
David stated that unity is pleasant and precious. Unfortunately, unity is not always found in the church, as it should be . People disagree and cause division over unimportant issues. Some delight in causin ...
Posted Friday, October 26th 2007 at 6:31AM
(more)
"Their Separate Ways"
Genesis 33:12-15
Unlike forgiveness, which can be a singular act, reconciliation mostly involves two or more people talking to each other, and so it is not easy to achieve. Rather, it is among the most emotionally difficul ...
Posted Thursday, October 25th 2007 at 8:21AM
(more)
'The Gift of Reconciliation'
Genesis 33:5-11
It is easy to overlook the many ills that befall our society. The 'isms' of life-racism, classism, sexism-have a unique way of reminding us that we live in a flawed, unjust society. Moreover, justice ...
Posted Wednesday, October 24th 2007 at 8:27AM
(more)
"The Brothers Wept Together"
Genesis 33:1-4
It is refreshing to see Esau's change of heart when the two brothers meet again. The bitterness over losing his birthright and blessing seems gone. Instead, Esau was content with what he had. Jacob e ...
Posted Tuesday, October 23rd 2007 at 9:11AM
(more)
"Jacob's Prayer"
Genesis 32:3-12
How would you feel if you knew you were about to meet the person you had cheated out of his most precious possession? Jacob had taken Esau's birthright and his blessing. Now he was about to meet his brother for ...
Posted Monday, October 22nd 2007 at 8:28AM
(more)
"Seven More Years"
Genesis 29:25-30
Although Jacob was tricked by Laban, he kept his part of the bargain. There was more at stake than just Jacob's hurt. There was Rachel to think about, as well as God's plan for his life. When we are tricked ...
Posted Friday, October 19th 2007 at 8:50AM
(more)
"The Trickster is Tricked"
Genesis 29:21-25
Jacob was enraged when he learned that Laban had tricked him. The deceiver of Esau was now deceived himself. How natural it is for us to become upset at an injustice done to us while closing our eyes ...
Posted Thursday, October 18th 2007 at 11:31AM
(more)
"That Kiss That Brought Tears" - Genesis 29:1-12
It was custom of the day for a man to present a dowry, or substantial gift, to the family of his future wife. This was to compensate the family for the loss of the girl. Jacob's dowry was not a ma ...
Posted Tuesday, October 16th 2007 at 6:24AM
(more)
"Assurance of God's Protection"
Psalm 91
God is a shelter, a refuge when we are afraid. The writer's faith in almighty God as protector would carry him through all the dangers and fears of life. This should be a picture of our trust-trading al ...
Posted Monday, October 15th 2007 at 9:29AM
(more)
Jacob's Dream at Bethel
Genesis 28:10-22
God chose Jacob without regard to his past, but with complete regard to the past of his father and his grandfather. God is a covenant-keeping God. His promises to Abraham were eternal. The covenant did ...
Posted Friday, October 12th 2007 at 8:56AM
(more)
"The Place Named Bethel"
Genesis 28:18-22
Bethel was about ten miles north of Jerusalem and 60 miles north of Beersheba, where Jacob left his family. This was where Abraham made one of his first sacrifices to God when he entered the land. At f ...
Posted Thursday, October 11th 2007 at 8:39AM
(more)
"God's Covenant With Jacob"
Genesis 28:10-17
God's covenant promise to Abraham and Issac was offered to Jacob as well. But it was not enough to be Abraham's grandson; Jacob had to establish his own personal relationship with God. God has no gra ...
Posted Wednesday, October 10th 2007 at 8:20AM
(more)
"An Everlasting Covenant"
Psalm 105:7-11
The nation Israel, the people through whom God revealed His laws to everyone, is descended from Abraham. God chose Abraham and promised that his descendants would live in the land of Canaan and be too num ...
Posted Tuesday, October 9th 2007 at 6:10AM
(more)
"Remember God's Works"
Psalm 105:1-6
If God seems far away, persist in your search for him. God rewards those who sincerely look for him (Hebrews 11:6). Jesus promised, "Everyone who seeks, finds" (Matthew 7:7). The psalmist suggested a valuab ...
Posted Monday, October 8th 2007 at 6:05AM
(more)
"Esau's Lost Blessing"
Genesis 27:30-40
Esau was so angry at Jacob that he failed to see his own wrong in giving away the birthright in the first place. Jealous anger blinds us from seeing the benefits we have and makes us dwell on what we don't ...
Posted Friday, October 5th 2007 at 8:40AM
(more)
"Esau Sells His Birthright"
Genesis 25:29-34
Esau traded the lasting benefits of his birthright for the immediate pleasure of food. He acted on impulse, satisfying his immediate desires without pausing to consider the long-range consequences ...
Posted Thursday, October 4th 2007 at 12:54PM
(more)
"Rebekah's Twins Struggle in the Womb"
Genesis 25:19-23
As Issac pleaded with God for children, so the Bible encourages us to ask and even plead for our most important and personal requests. God wants to grant our requests, be He wants us to ask ...
Posted Wednesday, October 3rd 2007 at 8:12AM
(more)
"God Chose the Least"
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Paul continues to emphasize that the way to receive salvation is so simple that any person who wants to can understand it. Skill and wisdom do not get a person into God's Kingdom-simple faith does. So ...
Posted Tuesday, October 2nd 2007 at 11:21AM
(more)
"God's Steadfast Love"
Psalm 100
God is our Creator; we did not create ourselves. Many people live as though they are the creator and center of their own little world. This mind-set leads to greed, and if everything should be taken away, a loss ...
Posted Friday, September 28th 2007 at 9:51AM
(more)
The Profile of a True Servant"
Genesis 24
Have you ever approached a responsibility with a single-mindedness and careful planning, while ultimately depending on God? Here are the steps you should take: 1) accept the challenge, 2) examine the a ...
Posted Thursday, September 27th 2007 at 6:13AM
(more)
"The Daughter of Bethuel"
Genesis 24:22-27
As soon as Abraham's servant knew that God had answered his prayer, he prayed and thanked God for his goodness and guidance. God will also use and lead us if we are available like Eliezer. And our firs ...
Posted Wednesday, September 26th 2007 at 6:10AM
(more)
A Drink For the Camels
Genesis 24:10-21
Rebekah's servant spirit was clearly demonstrated as she willingly and quickly drew water for Eliezer and his camels. The pots used fro carrying water were large and heavy. It took a lot of water to satis ...
Posted Tuesday, September 25th 2007 at 8:07AM
(more)
