Tag: Genesis

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Behold, it was Leah!- F260- Week 4- Day 2

On By Ben JenningsIn Devotional, F260Leave a comment

Today’s Scripture Reading- Genesis 29-30:24

This weeks Memory Verse:

(18) My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

1 John 3:18

Highlight:

(25)  And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?
(26)  And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.
(27)  Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
(28)  And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.
(29)  And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.

Genesis 29:25-29

Explanation:
After working for His uncle, Laban, for seven years to get permission to marry Rachel, Jacob is deceived in a pretty remarkable kind of way. He woke up in the morning, and “behold, it was Leah”! Jacob, the supplanter, the deceiver, had been deceived. He was swindled and it cost him seven more years, and more heartache and difficulty.

Application:
A simple application to this story can be made by quoting Galatians 6:7.

(7)  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Galatians 6:7

We will reap what we sow. It isn’t always immediate, but it is a principle found in God’s Word. If we want people to be true with us, we should be true with them.

Response:
Lord, please help me to sow good seed, and speak truth with my neighbor.

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To tell lies we often first believe lies. – F260- Week 4- Day 1

On By Ben JenningsIn Devotional, F260Leave a comment

Today’s Scripture Reading– Genesis 27-28

This weeks Memory Verse:

(18) My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

1 John 3:18

Highlight:

(24)  And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am.

Genesis 27:24

Explanation:
Jacob here does something pretty deceitful. He lies to his dad in multiple ways starting with His identity. He does this because he wants to receive both the birthright and the blessing from his father, Isaac. Interestingly, there are major problems in the family. Isaac’s favorite is Esau, and Rachel’s favorite is Jacob. She is caniving and deceitful, and passes this along to her son. He lies about his identity to his father. As a result of this deceit, and Esau’s anger and rage, Jacob has to leave. The consequences are pretty great. He doesn’t see his mother ever again. His relationship with his entire family is broken. He wants the blessing and birthright, and thinks that scheming is the best way to get it. The consequences are dire.

Application:
We lie because we think it will be easier, but God’s will is never accomplished through lying. Here are four truths we must believe if we are to live a life of integrity.

  1. God will fulfill His promises.
  2. God is the true soruce of blessing.
  3. God wants us to put others ahead of ourselves.
  4. God knows our thoughts and actions.

Response:
God help me to speak and live in truth. Help me to be grateful for you blessings, and worship you as the source of all of them. Amen!

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I will go. F260- Week 3- Day 4

On By Ben JenningsIn Devotional, F2601 Comment

Today’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 24

This week’s memory verse:

(20)  He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

Romans 4:20

Highlight:

(58)  And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go. (59)  And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant, and his men. (60)  And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them. (61)  And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.

Genesis 24:58-61

Explanation:
Abraham sends his servant to find Isaac a wife, and the servant doesn’t really know how to identify who that woman should be. It is clear that he wants to choose the right one, and wants God’s choice for Isaac. He asks God to make it clear, and through several answered prayers in verses 12-26 it was made clear that it was Rebekah.
Today I highlighted verses 58-61 to point out the step of faith Rebekah was taking. She saw God’s hand in this circumstance as well, and heard of God’s promise to Abraham and Isaac. When she did, she decided to leave her family. It was good that they saw God’s hand in it, too. They commission her saying “Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions…”. She was going to marry a man she had never met, to be part of a family she never met, in a land where she had never lived. She was going in faith as well, and God would use her to be a part of the promise and blessing.

Application:
Rebekah was available, teachable, and open to what God wanted to do in her life. She was willing to step out in faith and follow the Lord’s leading. I want to be like that. When it is obvious that God is wanting to take me in a direction, I should be willing to go.

Response:
God, please help me to follow you today. Help me to do that quickly and completely. Amen.

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Joy from a Promise Kept- F260: Week 3- Day 2

On By Ben JenningsIn Devotional, F260Leave a comment

Today’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 20-21

This week’s memory verse:

(20)  He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

Romans 4:20

Highlight:

(1)  And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken. (2)  For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.
(3)  And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac. (4)  And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him.(5)  And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.
(6)  And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.
(7)  And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age.

Genesis 21:1-7

Explanation:
This an incredible passage for a few reasons.

  1. God’s promise fulfilled.
    The promise was made, and in this verse we see the promise being kept. God visits Sarah as he said and made it so that she could conceive. She conceived, carried, and bore a son to Abraham!
  2. Their old age.
    Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born. This is a miracle. God did something incredible. Is anything impossible for the Lord. Certainly not!
  3. The child’s name.
    Isaac’s name means laughter. Sarah had laughed at God’s promise in unbelief. Now she was laughing for joy that she had a child. She believed that others will laugh in joy for what God had done for her. How ridiculous was it that someone her age would have and nurse a child? God did the “impossible”.

Application:
The fact that God fulfilled His promise when He did grew their faith, brought them joy, and serves as an example to us. We can see that God always keeps His promises in the example of Abraham and Sarah, and that helps us to trust God when we don’t understand what is going on in our own lives.

Response:
God, thank you for the joy that is available to us when we expereince your promises fulfilled in our lives. Help me to trust you when it is difficult. Amen.