"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"
"Today's Blog Title: "Jacob Meets God"
Today's Blog Scripture: Genesis 28: 1-22
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 28:15 "Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you."
Are we closed Chapter 27, we saw Rebekah discussing with Isaac, about Jacob's future wife. They had already regretted Esau's marrying Hittite women, who brought there pagan religion and their false god's.
As Chapter 28 opens, we see that Isaac agrees with Rebekah that intermarriage with the pagan women of Canaan was dangerous. These women would bring their false god's into the household. Isaac calls Jacob into them, and tells him that he would not take a wife from the Canaanite women but would go to Laban, Rebekah's brother, to take a wife. In verses 3-4 Isaac now formally passes on to Jacob, the blessing that God had first given to his father Abraham.
In verses 6-9, we see that Esau attempts to find favor in Isaac's eyes, by doing what Isaac wished, by marrying Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael. Esau believed that marrying a non pagan women, would met the standard that Isaac had given Jacob. Sadly though, Esau could not regain his lost blessing. Was Esau insensitive, or were Isaac and Rebekah at fault? Parents are responsible to counsel and to guide.
The promise made to Jacob, takes the same form as those originally made to Abraham. God states, unconditionally, what He will do. This is the most awesome aspect of the scene, not the drawing back of the veil that separates's the natural and supernatural realms. God makes "I will" promises to mere human beings. He chooses to be with us, to watch over us wherever we go, and never to leave us till He has accomplished all He has promised.
In verse 17, afraid would indicate a fear of God similar to terror, but then awesome would indicate a fear of God, similar to wonder and worship. In Jacob's dream, these two emotions were mixed together. God and heaven, had come down to the very place were he was sleeping. Jacob to celebrate the event, set a stone on end and poured oil on top of it to consecrate it to the Lord, and called the place Bethel which means, "House of God. In verse 20, Jacob makes a conditional vow to be faithful to God, and based it on God's promises to him.
As this Chapter closes we see that Jacob promises to give a tenth of his possessions to God. In Deuteronomy 14:22 you will read that the Mosaic Law would require a tenth to God.
Closing Question and Comment: "In what places in your life has God been the most real?" God's covenant promise to Abraham and Isaac was offered to Jacob as well. But is was not enough to be Abraham's grandson; Jacob had to establish his own personal relationship with God. God has no grandchildren; each of us must have have a personal relationship with Him. It is not enough to hear wonderful stories about Christians in your family, you need to become part of the story yourself. You and I need just such a faith that accepts the promises of God, and because we realize that God is with us, we will see a bright new future ahead.
There is nobody else so worthy of praise. No one so wonderful in so many ways, Oh Lord
You are the one who can claim the highest place, Up in heaven and in our hearts too.
There is nobody else, Oh Lord, nobody like You
Heavenly Father, How we thank You for our personal relationship with you. Lord, there is no one but You, who is worthy of our daily praise, and because of your promises, we know who holds the future, and life is worth the living, because You Live.
Amen
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace, Serve the Lord with Gladness and Love God More Today.
Yours In Christ,
Cindi
No comments:
Post a Comment