Genesis 48-50 How Can A Good God Allow Suffering?

Psalm 9:9-20 Knowing and Trusting

9:1 “I will give thanks to Yahweh with my whole heart. I will tell of all Your marvelous works. 2 I will be glad and rejoice in You. I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. 3 When my enemies turn back, they stumble and perish in Your presence. 4 For You have maintained my just cause. You sit on the throne judging righteously. 5 You have rebuked the nations. You have destroyed the wicked. You have blotted out their name forever and ever. 6 The enemy is overtaken by endless ruin. The very memory of the cities which You have overthrown has perished. 7 But Yahweh reigns forever. He has prepared His throne for judgment. 8 He will judge the world in righteousness. He will administer judgment to the peoples in uprightness.

9 Yahweh will also be a high tower for the oppressed; a high tower in times of trouble. 10 Those who know Your name will put their trust in You, for You, Yahweh, have not forsaken those who seek You. 11 Sing praises to Yahweh, who dwells in Zion, and declare among the people what He has done. 12 For He who avenges blood remembers them. He doesn’t forget the cry of the afflicted. 13 Have mercy on me, Yahweh. See my affliction by those who hate me, and lift me up from the gates of death; 14 that I may show forth all Your praise. In the gates of the daughter of Zion, I will rejoice in Your salvation. 15 The nations have sunk down in the pit that they made. In the net which they hid, their own foot is taken. 16 Yahweh has made Himself known. He has executed judgment. The wicked is snared by the work of His own hands. Meditation. Selah. 17 The wicked shall be turned back to Sheol, even all the nations that forget God. 18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor perish forever. 19 Arise, Yahweh! Don’t let man prevail. Let the nations be judged in Your sight. 20 Put them in fear, Yahweh. Let the nations know that they are only men. Selah."

Observations: 9:1-8 See the previous post for vv 1-8, which establish that God sits on His throne to judge righteously, for which the righteous praise Him.

9:9-20 Most people don't like to consider God as judge, but His justice is a source of great comfort to the oppressed, as well as a major component of His character and glory. In fact if you don't know God as a judge, you don't know Him. Those who do know Him as He is (name/character/glory) put their trust in Him, knowing that in His justice He can't forsake them. See: Glorifying God the Judge.

Application: In His justice, God will never forsake those who seek and trust Him, so seek and trust and call for help, and then praise Him when He saves you.

Prayer: Most High God, I praise You for being accessible and just; guide me in seeking You and knowing You and trusting You throughout my days; I know I won't be disappointed. Amen.

Proverbs 3:11-12 Way to Wisdom

3:11 “My son, don’t despise/reject/refuse Yahweh’s discipline, neither be weary of His reproof: 12 for whom Yahweh loves, He reproves; even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.“

Observations: 3:11-12 Biblical parents should mirror God's parenting of themselves. God delights in His children, when they acknowledge that He's the parent, and they're the child. He wants what's best for them, so He brings their sin to light (reproof) and trains (disciplines/instructs) them to do what's right. Reproof is a major theme in Proverbs, and valuing it is the way to wisdom, rejecting it is the path to folly. If you clicked on the Strong's number for the noun (reproof), and the verb it comes from (reprove), you'd find these verses, and God's perspective on the subject in Proverbs. See Proverbs 1:23, 25, 30; 5:12; 6:23; 9:7,8; 10:17; 12:1; 13:18; 15:5,12,31,32; 19:25; 27:5; 24:25; 25:12 28:23; and Proverbs 29:1,15. Discipline or instruction is used 35 times in the 30 chapters of Proverbs, giving an indication of how important it is to acquiring wisdom.

Application: We start out naïve or foolish, and through the process of reproof and correction we become wiser.

Prayer: God, thanks for loving me enough to bring my sin to light so I can get rid of it, and enjoy life as You intended. Amen.

Genesis 48-50 How Can A Good God Allow Suffering?

Genesis 48 Crisscross Double Blessing!!

48:3 Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me, 4 and said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful, and multiply you, and I will make of you a company of peoples, and will give this land to your seed after you for an everlasting possession.’ 5 Now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you into Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh, even as Reuben and Simeon 6...They will be called after the name of their brothers in their inheritance.

11 Israel said to Joseph, “I didn’t think I would see your face, and behold, God has let me see your seed also.” 13 Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near to him. 14 Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it on Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn. 15 He blessed Joseph, and said, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has fed me all my life long to this day, 16 the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads, and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac. Let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.” 17 When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him. He held up his father’s hand, to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. 18 Joseph said to his father, “Not so, my father; for this is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.” 19 His father refused, and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also will become a people, and he also will be great. However, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his seed will become a multitude of nations.” 20 He blessed them that day, saying, “In you will Israel bless, saying, ‘God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh’” He set Ephraim before Manasseh. 21 Israel said to Joseph, “Behold, I am dying, but God will be with you, and bring you again to the land of your fathers. 22 Moreover I have given to you one portion above your brothers, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.”

Observations: 48:5 Jacob adopts Joseph's sons for the purpose of blessing/inheritance.

48:15 In a replay of the Jacob and Esau double cross in receiving the blessing, Joseph tries to manipulate the greater blessing to the firstborn Manasseh (under the right hand). Jacob refuses, blessing the younger Ephraim first with the greater blessing, then his brother (crisscrossing his hands). Joseph in effect is also getting the blessing of the firstborn, a double portion, above his elder brothers, by having his sons become Jacob's. Ephraim would become the dominant tribe during the period of Judges.

Application: God is able to override the plans of men, so it makes sense to trust Him to do that when it's best, and focus on being blessable.

Prayer: God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, I trust that You will look out for my interests. Amen.

Genesis 49 Prophetic Paybacks

49:1 Jacob called to his sons, and said: “Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which will happen to you in the days to come. 3 “Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength; excelling in dignity, and excelling in power. 4 Boiling over as water, you shall not excel; because you went up to your father’s bed, then defiled it. 5 “Simeon and Levi are brothers. Their swords are weapons of violence. 6 My soul, don’t come into their council. My glory, don’t be united to their assembly; for in their anger they killed men. In their self-will they hamstrung cattle. 7 Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel.

8 “Judah, your brothers will praise you. Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies. Your father’s sons will bow down before you. 9 Judah is a lion’s cub...10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs. To him will the obedience of the peoples be... 22 “Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine by a spring. His branches run over the wall.

23 The archers have severely grieved him, shot at him, and persecute him: 24 But his bow remained strong. The arms of his hands were made strong, by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, (from there is the shepherd, the stone of Israel), 25 even by the God of your father, who will help you; by the Almighty, who will bless you, with blessings of heaven above...They will be on the head of Joseph, on the crown of the head of him who is separated from his brothers.

33 When Jacob made an end of charging his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the spirit, and was gathered to his people.

Observations: Reuben, Simeon and Levi forfeited their blessings by their bad behavior. Judah, next in line, gets the Messianic promises of a Preeminent Ruler, not Joseph.

49:3 Reuben did not produce a judge, king, priest, prophet, nor any noteworthy descendent. Was it worth it? Like the Reubenites, the Simeonites also faded into the other tribes.
49:6 Levite's descendants reversed the curse by their loyalty to the Lord in Exodus 32:26ff. We'll look at the other blessings when we see their fulfillment later in the Scriptures.

Note that God's plan to bless was modulated by the possible recipient's responses and actions. Reuben lost it; Joseph got it.

Application: Our actions affect those around us, for generations. It is never too late to turn the tide.

Hebrews 11:21 "By faith, Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff."

Prayer: Lord, help me live so others will be maximally blessed. Amen.

Genesis 50 How Can A Good God Allow Suffering?

50:1 Joseph fell on his father’s face, wept on him, and kissed him. 2 Joseph commanded his servants, the physicians, to embalm his father... 6 Pharaoh said, “Go up, and bury your father, just like he made you swear.” 7 Joseph went up to bury his father; and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, all the elders of the land of Egypt, 14 Joseph returned into Egypt—he, and his brothers, and all that went up with him to bury his father

15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us, and will fully pay us back for all of the evil which we did to him.” 16 They sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father commanded before he died, saying, 17 ‘You shall tell Joseph, “Now please forgive the disobedience of your brothers, and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ Now, please forgive the disobedience of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 His brothers also went and fell down before his face; and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 19 Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save many people alive. 21 Now therefore don’t be afraid. I will nourish you and your little ones.” He comforted them, and spoke kindly to them.

24 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am dying, but God will surely visit you, and bring you up out of this land to the land which he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” 25 Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.” 26 So Joseph died, being one hundred ten years old, and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.

Observations: 50:19 Genesis opened with man seeking to be in the place of God. It ends with man recognizing reality.

50:20 This is a great verse to keep close to your heart when you encounter injustice.

50:21 A forgiving heart can acknowledge the hurt and bless those who cursed them. A bitter, sinful heart nourishes and cherishes the hurt rather than those who hurt them.

50:25 Joseph expressed faith in God's promise to bring the Israelites back to the land.

Hebrews 11:22 By faith, Joseph, when his end was near, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave instructions concerning his bones.

Application: God frequently uses real and painful evil to bring about a greater good and blessing. How would the story have been different if Joseph were not sold, and had not submitted?

Prayer: Oh God who knows what He's doing, spare me the stupidity of not believing your promises and submitting to Your will. Amen.

Digging Deeper:

This world is not all there is; there is a better world coming in which those who have demonstrated the nobler virtues will be blessed. Unjust suffering sets the stage on which we demonstrate rewardable responses.
"Suffering is a vaccine against short-sightedness of the soul" -bc

Genesis 35-38 Purity, Passion, Plots and Promises

Psalm 7:6-17 A Righteous God Must Judge For The Righteous

7:1 “Yahweh, my God, I take refuge in You. Save me from all those who pursue me, and deliver me, 2 lest they tear apart my soul like a lion, ripping it in pieces, while there is none to deliver. 3 Yahweh, my God, if I have done this, if there is iniquity in my hands, 4 if I have rewarded evil to him who was at peace with me (yes, if I have delivered him who without cause was my adversary), 5 let the enemy pursue my soul, and overtake it; yes, let him tread my life down to the earth, and lay my glory in the dust. Selah. 6 Arise, Yahweh, in Your anger. Lift up Yourself against the rage of my adversaries. Awake for me. You have commanded judgment. 7 Let the congregation of the peoples surround You. Rule over them on high. 8 Yahweh administers judgment to the peoples. Judge me, Yahweh, according to my righteousness, and to my integrity that is in me. 9 Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous; their minds and hearts are searched by the righteous God.

10 My shield is with God, Who saves the upright in heart. 11 God is a righteous judge, yes, a God who has indignation every day. 12 If a man doesn’t repent, He will sharpen his sword; He has bent and strung His bow. 13 He has also prepared for Himself the instruments of death. He makes ready His flaming arrows. 14 Behold, he travails with iniquity. Yes, he has conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. 15 He has dug a hole, and has fallen into the pit which he made. 16 The trouble he causes shall return to his own head. His violence shall come down on the crown of his own head. 17 I will give thanks to Yahweh according to His righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of Yahweh Most High."

Observations: 7:1-9 See yesterday's post for vv 1-5, in which David, unjustly attacked, asks the God of justice for help. He appeals on the basis of his innocence and righteousness (a plea we should be able to make). The righteous Judge establishes the righteous, and brings an end to the wicked. But He determines who is righteous by searching the minds and hearts (the thoughts and decisions) of people.

7:10-17 David describes how the God he trusts, His shield/protection, saves the upright in heart (which God just searched). God is prepared to judge on the behalf of the righteous, by bringing the consequences of wicked's actions upon themselves. In bringing the evil they had planned for other upon them, God demonstrates His righteousness, for which David praises.

Application: A righteous God has to judge righteously; therefore those who are righteous, can look forward to His protection and vindication.

Prayer: God of Justice, may I live righteously and uprightly so You can delight in delivering me; may I see your judgment poured out on those who unrighteously afflict me. Amen.

Proverbs 2:18-22 Doubly Delivered and Delighted

2:18 “(6 For Yahweh gives wisdom 11 Discretion will watch over you. Understanding will keep you, 12 to deliver you from the way of evil from the men...13 who forsake the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; 16 To deliver you from the adulterous woman...17 who...forgets the covenant of her God) 18 for her house leads down to death, her paths to the dead. 19 None who go to her return again, neither do they attain to the paths of life: 20 that you may walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous. 21 For the upright will dwell in the land. The perfect will remain in it. 22 But the wicked will be cut off from the land. The treacherous will be rooted out of it“

Observations: 2:18-22 The beginning of this proverb advocates accepting wisdom and seeking after it, because guides us to good and guards us from evil through it. The last half demonstrates two ways wisdom delivers us: from evil men, who have forsaken the light to slither in the dark; from evil women who have forsaken their covenant to stab the unsuspecting to death. Verse 18 elaborates that her house declines to death, and her paths to the shades or ghosts of hell (9:18), who are awaiting more punishment. There are two words for paths: the one to her house is a one way gutter or ditch to death; the paths of the righteous is a highway to happiness. Those who take the highway (the upright and perfect) will dwell in the land of promise and enjoy its blessings (happily ever after). The wicked who reject wisdom will be cut off from blessings (cursed), and the covenant breakers who lack understanding will be rooted out of the land like a noxious weed.

Application: Wisdom will guard you and guide you to the good life; wickedness has its own reward.

Prayer: God, thanks for giving wisdom to protect and guide me to the blessings You intend for me; don't let me miss them. Amen.

Genesis 35–38 Purity, Passion, Plots and Promises

Genesis 35 New Beginnings

35:1 "God said to Jacob, "Arise, go up to Bethel, and live there. Make there an altar to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother." 2 Then Jacob said to his household, and to all who were with him, "Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, change your garments. 3 Let us arise, and go up to Bethel. I will make there an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went." 4 They gave to Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hands, and the rings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem. 5 They traveled, and a terror of God was on the cities that were around them, and they didn't pursue the sons of Jacob. 6 So Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel)...7 He built an altar there, and called the place El Beth El; because there God was revealed to him, when he fled from the face of his brother. 9 God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Paddan Aram, and blessed him. 11 God said to him, "I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations will be from you, and kings will come out of your body. 12 The land which I gave to Abraham and Isaac, I will give it to you, and to your seed after you will I give the land." 17 When Rachel was in hard labor, the midwife said to her, "Don't be afraid, for now you will have another son."18 It happened, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she named him Benoni, but his father named him Benjamin.

22 It happened, while Israel lived in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah, his father's concubine, and Israel heard of it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve. 28 The days of Isaac were one hundred eighty years. 29 Isaac expired and died, and was gathered to his people, old and full of days. Esau and Jacob, his sons, buried him."

Observations: 35:1 Jacob gains a little more confidence in God, who moves him back to Bethel, in part as a reminder of God's past protection. God helps out a little in 35:5 by putting the fear of God in potential pursuers.

35:2 Separation and sanctification (holiness) are necessary for blessing, so it can be clearly seen that God is blessing His people.

35:11 Blessing to Abe is reiterated.

35:18 Rachel bears Israel's twelfth son and dies.

35:22 Undisciplined Reuben blows his blessing by usurping his father's authority.

Application: Obedience keeps us in the place of protection. Purity helps too.

Prayer: God, thanks that I can trust You to protect and bless me. Amen.

Genesis 36 Lots of Hard Names

36:1 "Now this is the history of the generations of Esau... 6...went into a land away from his brother Jacob. 7 For their substance was too great for them to dwell together, and the land of their travels couldn't bear them because of their livestock. 8 Esau lived in the hill country of Seir. Esau is Edom."

Genesis 37 Joseph Dreams and Gets Sold

37:1 "Jacob lived in the land of his father's travels, in the land of Canaan. 2 This is the history of the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old...brought an evil report of them to their father. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age, and he made him a coat of many colors. 4 His brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, and they hated him, and couldn't speak peaceably to him.

5 Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it to his brothers, and they hated him all the more. 7 ... we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and behold, your sheaves came around, and bowed down to my sheaf." 8 His brothers said to him, "Will you indeed reign over us? Or will you indeed have dominion over us?" They hated him all the more for his dreams and for his words. 9..."Behold, I have dreamed yet another dream: and behold, the sun and the moon and eleven stars bowed down to me." 17...Joseph went after his brothers, and found them in Dothan. 18...they conspired against him to kill him. 19 They said one to another, "Behold, this dreamer comes. 20 Come now therefore, and let's kill him, and cast him into one of the pits, and we will say, 'An evil animal has devoured him.' We will see what will become of his dreams." 21 Reuben heard it, and delivered him out of their hand, and said, "Let's not take his life." 22 Reuben said to them, "Shed no blood. Throw him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but lay no hand on him"--that he might deliver him out of their hand, to restore him to his father. 26 Judah said to his brothers, "What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 27 Come, and let's sell him to the Ishmaelites, and not let our hand be on him; for he is our brother, our flesh." His brothers listened to him. 28...sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. They brought Joseph into Egypt. 35 All his (Israel's) sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. He said, "For I will go down to Sheol to my son mourning." His father wept for him. 36 The Midianites sold him into Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, the captain of the guard."

Question: There are more chapters devoted to Joseph than Abraham!!! or Isaac, or any other topic in Genesis. Why the emphasis? (Hint: Book of Job occurs during this period as well.)

Answer: See tomorrow's post.

Observations: 37:1 This Chapter begins the final section of Genesis, getting the Chosen People to Egypt as God promised Abe back in Genesis 15.

Once again we have undisciplined kids causing pain to prosperous parents who didn't do their job of parenting and played favorites. Of course that would never happen today...

37:2 A truthful but unfavorable report about his brothers could cause hostility.
37:5 By now we and the brothers should know that God gives promises in dreams. Their hatred of their brother blinds them to God's revelation.

37:22 Reuben, as the oldest would have been ultimately responsible.

37:28 Twenty pieces of silver (which secure the salvation of the Chosen People) will show up again in the NT. The family tradition of deception will continue as well.

Application: People who are secure in their worth and value don't grudge the success of others.

Prayer: God may I rejoice in the success of others, knowing that You are the One who ultimately blesses. Amen.

Genesis 38 Passion, Pain, and Plots

38:2 "Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua. He took her, and went in to her. 3 She conceived, and bore a son; and he named him Er. 4 She conceived again, and bore a son; and she named him Onan. 5 She yet again bore a son...6 Judah took a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. 7 Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of Yahweh. Yahweh killed him. 8 Judah said to Onan, "Go in to your brother's wife, and perform the duty of a husband's brother to her, and raise up seed to your brother." 9 Onan knew that the seed wouldn't be his; and it happened, whenever he went in to his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest he should give seed to his brother. 10 The thing which he did was evil in the sight of Yahweh, and he killed him also. 11 Then Judah said to Tamar, his daughter-in-law, "Remain a widow in your father's house, until Shelah, my son, is grown up"; for he said, "Lest he also die, like his brothers." Tamar went and lived in her father's house.13 It was told Tamar, saying,"Behold, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep." 14 She took off of her the garments of her widowhood, and covered herself with her veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gate of Enaim, which is by the way to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she wasn't given to him as a wife. 15 When Judah saw her, he thought that she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face. 16 He turned to her by the way, and said, "Please come, let me come in to you," for he didn't know that she was his daughter-in-law.She said, "What will you give me, that you may come in to me?" 17 He said, "I will send you a young goat from the flock." She said, "Will you give me a pledge, until you send it?" 18 He said, "What pledge will I give you?" She said, "Your signet and your cord, and your staff that is in your hand." He gave them to her, and came in to her, and she conceived by him. 19 She arose, and went away 20 Judah sent the young goat to receive the pledge from the woman's hand, but he didn't find her...24 It happened about three months later, that it was told Judah, saying, "Tamar, your daughter-in-law, has played the prostitute; and moreover, behold, she is with child by prostitution." Judah said, "Bring her out, and let her be burnt." 25...she sent to her father-in-law, saying, "By the man, whose these are, I am with child." Please discern whose are these--the signet, and the cords, and the staff." 26 Judah acknowledged them, and said, "She is more righteous than I, because I didn't give her to Shelah, my son." He knew her again no more. 27 It happened in the time of her travail, that behold, twins were in her womb. 28 When she travailed, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, "This came out first." 29 It happened, as he drew back his hand, that behold, his brother came out, and she said, "Why have you made a breach for yourself?" Therefore his name was called Perez. 30 Afterward his brother came out, that had the scarlet thread on his hand, and his name was called Zerah."

Observation: It is painfully obvious that the Patriarchs were bad parents. If only they had personal self-control and Proverbs. Judah turns out beastly, and his sons were so bad God had to kill them to maintain some level of separation from the very people the Israelites were to judge.

38:2 Judah, the greedy guy who thought of selling Joseph, saw and took, (just like Shechem did Dinah) and married a pagan Canaanite. He blamed his daughter-in-law, Tamar, for the death of his wicked sons rather than himself. He wronged her, by failing to honor his word to ensure her heir; slept with her thinking she was a prostitute, and then wanted to burn her for becoming pregnant. Out of that union came an ancestor of Christ. At least he recognized her relative righteousness, but in that family it was easy to be more righteousness than the others.

38:9 Onan knew that impregnating Tamar, the wife of his older brother, would mean loss of his inheritance, to the heir of the firstborn, so he refused to obey and do his duty. God didn't think that was a good idea.

38:13 Tamar readily adopted the family tradition of deception, and gets blessed with a couple of children very parallel to Jacob and Esau.

Application: Taking the easy road of irresponsibility to avoid pain, often causes us to crash into it.

Prayer: Father, help me know, desire and do all that You desire. Amen.

Digging Deeper:

God in a nutshell: God blesses, but is serious about His people being holy and righteous; He will discipline them with death when necessary; He allows tragedy and pain into the lives of His chosen ones, as part of His perfect plan; He watches out for dreamers and widows.

Us in a nutshell: We don't know how God's perfect plan will unfold, so we need to exercise faith and obedience. Knowing the tendencies of our fellow planet-mates, discretion isn't a bad idea either.

Genesis 32-34 Friend or Foe?

Psalm 7:1-5, 8 A Plea From Pure Heart and Hands

7:1 "Yahweh, my God, I take refuge/have put my trust in You. Save me from all those who pursue me, and deliver me, 2 lest they tear apart my soul like a lion, ripping it in pieces, while there is none to deliver. 3 Yahweh, my God, if I have done this, if there is iniquity in my hands, 4 if I have rewarded evil to him who was at peace with me (yes, if I have delivered him who without cause was my adversary), 5 let the enemy pursue my soul, and overtake it; yes, let him tread my life down to the earth, and lay my glory in the dust. Selah...8 Yahweh administers judgment to the peoples. Judge/vindicate me, Yahweh, according to my righteousness, and to my integrity that is in me.“

Observation: Psalm 6 (last post) asked God for help while reaping consequences of one's sin. In Psalm 7 the person is persecuted without cause. Note the four things this guy didn't do (with four consequences).

Application: When difficulties arise, you don't want them to be through your fault. That way you can confidently look to see how God plans to bless you through the tough time. Can you make the appeal of verse 8?

Prayer: O Just Judge of the Universe, help me always be in a place where You can bless me, even if that means suffering for doing what's right. Amen.

Proverbs 2:14-17 Rejoicing in Evil

2:14 “(10 wisdom...knowledge...11 discretion... understanding will keep you, 12 to deliver you from the way of evil, from the men 13 who forsake the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness) 14 who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the perverseness of evil; 15 who are crooked in their ways, and wayward in their paths“

Observations: 2:14-17 The fruits of Proverbs, wisdom ...understanding, are designed to deliver the one who develops them from evil and evil men (and evil women in the next verses). The author describes the characteristics of the evil men, who haven't changed in thousands of years. They are those who left the light to slither in the dark. Their joy and delight is not just in acts of evil, but in the fact that it is perverse. Pushing the envelop for the sake of rebelling against civilization-building norms is the essence of perverseness. Their highest good is bad. Their value system embraces that which contributes to their temporal happiness and eternal demise. Perhaps they never walked far enough along the path of uprightness to experience it's benefits, or perhaps their lust for the temporal has blinded them to their condition and fate.

Application: Those who have trained themselves to develop wisdom will not walk with those headed to destruction.

Prayer: Lord, help me embrace Your values and paths, and deliver me from those who rejoice in evil and value perversity. Thanks. Amen.

Genesis 32–34 Friend or Foe?

Genesis 32 Praying and Wrestling with God

32:1 "Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. 2 When he saw them, Jacob said, "This is God's army." 3 Jacob sent messengers in front of him to Esau 5...I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight.'" 6 The messengers returned to Jacob, saying, "...he comes to meet you, and four hundred men with him." 7 Then Jacob was greatly afraid and was distressed. 9 Jacob said, "God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, Yahweh, who said to me, 'Return to your country, and to your relatives, and I will do you good,' 10 I am not worthy of the least of all the loving kindnesses (hesed loyalty), and of all the truth (faithfulness), which you have shown to your servant; for with just my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I have become two companies. 11 Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he come and strike me, and the mothers with the children. 12 You said, 'I will surely do you good, and make your seed as the sand of the sea, which can't be numbered because there are so many.'" 
13 He lodged there that night, and took from that which he had with him, a present for Esau, his brother: 20...For, he said, "I will appease him with the present that goes before me, and afterward I will see his face. Perhaps he will accept me."  
24 Jacob was left alone, and wrestled with a man there until the breaking of the day. 25 When he saw that he didn't prevail against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh, and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was strained, as he wrestled. 26 The man said, "Let me go, for the day breaks." Jacob said, "I won't let you go, unless you bless me." 27 He said to him, "What is your name?" He said, "Jacob." 28 He said, "Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have fought with God and with men, and have prevailed." 29 Jacob asked him, "Please tell me your name." He said, "Why is it that you ask what my name is?" He blessed him there. 30 Jacob called the name of the place Peniel for, he said, "I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." 31...he limped because of his thigh. 32 Therefore the children of Israel don't eat the sinew of the hip, which is on the hollow of the thigh, to this day, because he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew of the hip."

Question: Jacob is a guy who's been incredibly blessed by God; he knows it, and everyone knows it. God guides him directly; angels appear to him; and he and God roll around in the dirt together. Yet he can't trust God to protect him from his big hairy brother.

What is Jacob's problem? (It's a problem faced by a lot of self-sufficient, hard-working types. Think about it, then check out the Application below.)

Observations: 32:9-11 In his first recorded prayer, Jacob does well to remind himself (and God) that he is in this situation because of obeying God in returning. A little humility and reminding God of His promises probably don't hurt either.

32:24 Whatever is going on here, Jacob was persistent, and got: blessed, a new name, and a limp. He says his opponent was God.

32:28 Jacob (supplanter-who takes the place of another by force or treachery) gets a new name Israel (struggles with God).

Application: Failure to depend daily upon God results in panic when facing problems beyond our strength.

Prayer: God, help me walk with You every day, so the stormy times will be a walk in the park. Amen.

Genesis 33 Peace with God...then Man

33:1 "Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau was coming, and with him four hundred men. 4 Esau ran to meet him, embraced him, fell on his neck, kissed him, and they wept. 5 He lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, "Who are these with you?" He said, "The children whom God has graciously given your servant."10 Jacob said, "Please, no, if I have now found favor in your sight, then receive my present at my hand, because I have seen your face, as one sees the face of God, and you were pleased with me. 11 Please take the gift that I brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough." He urged him, and he took it. 16 So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir. 17 Jacob traveled to Succoth, built himself a house, and made shelters for his  livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth (Booths) 18 Jacob came in peace to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Paddan Aram; and encamped before the city. 19 He bought the parcel of ground where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for a hundred pieces of money. 20 He erected an altar there, and called it El Elohe Israel."

Observations: 33:10 It's better to have God pleased with us, than be pleasing to man.

Proverbs 16:7 "When a man's ways please Yahweh, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him."

33:20 El Elohe Israel = The Mighty God of Israel. Altars were for making sacrifices, in this case, of thanksgiving.

Application: It's good to regularly remind ourselves of God's mighty help and protection. A heap of stones or a journal or diary is preferable to a limp.

Prayer: Mighty God of Israel, may I be pleasing in Your sight every day. Amen.

Genesis 34 Violations

34:1 "Dinah, the daughter of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land. 2 Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her. He took her, lay with her, and humbled her. 3 His soul joined to Dinah, the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the young lady, and spoke kindly to the young lady. 4 Shechem spoke to his father, Hamor, saying, "Get me this young lady as a wife."

7 The sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard it. The men were grieved, and they were very angry, because he had done folly in Israel in lying with Jacob's daughter; a which thing ought not to be done. 8 Hamor talked with them, saying, "The soul of my son, Shechem, longs for your daughter. Please give her to him as a wife. 9 Make marriages with us. Give your daughters to us, and take our daughters for yourselves. 10 You shall dwell with us, and the land will be before you. Live and trade in it, and get possessions in it."

14..."We can't do this thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised; for that is a reproach to us. 15 Only on this condition will we consent to you. If you will be as we are, that every male of you be circumcised. 25 It happened on the third day, when they were sore, that two of Jacob's sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, each took his sword, came upon the unsuspecting city, and killed all the males. 26 They killed Hamor and Shechem, his son, with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem's house, and went away. 27 Jacob's sons came on the dead, and plundered the city, because they had defiled their sister.

30 Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "You have troubled me, to make me odious to the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites. I am few in number. They will gather themselves together against me and strike me, and I will be destroyed, I and my house." 31 They said, "Should he deal with our sister as with a prostitute?"

Observations: 34:1 Lesson to Exodus generation: Mingling and intermarrying with pagans leads to defilement.

34:2 Lesson to parents: If you don't take pains to parent properly, your children will cause you pain. Choose wisely. Shechem was another guy whose parents didn't train him to control his passions, and who consequently brought permanent pain to the entire family. Jacob had the same problem (in 34:30), and will be reaping the sorrowful consequences of failing to father properly for the rest of his life.

34:7-9 Hamor makes a tempting case for doing what “ought not to be done.” Separation from sinners is a condition of blessing.

34:24-31 Unfortunately revenge, not separation and purity was the motive for Simeon and Levi. They defiled themselves (losing out on blessing and getting cursed Genesis 49:5-7) by indulging their passion for revenge and honor, adding breaking covenant with Hamor to their sin.

Application: Master your emotions or they will master you.

Prayer: God save me from the folly of following my feelings unguided by Your Word. Amen.

Digging Deeper:

God in a nutshell: God blesses His people (surprise, surprise); lets us reap painful consequences of independence; orchestrates and initiates circumstances beyond our resources because He desires us to live in dependence upon Him.

Us in a nutshell: We think everything depends on us (obedience and wise choices do); tend to follow our feelings, pleasing ourselves and others rather than God. Reap consequences, but are slow to learn.

Genesis 29-31 Family Friction with Fertile Wives & Herds

Psalm 6:5-10 Dead Men Don't Praise

6:1 A Psalm by David “Yahweh, don’t rebuke me in Your anger, neither discipline me in Your wrath. 2 Have mercy on me, Yahweh, for I am faint. Yahweh, heal me, for my bones are troubled. 3 My soul is also in great anguish. But You, Yahweh—how long? 4 Return, Yahweh. Deliver my soul, and save me for Your hesed/loyal covenantal love. 5 For in death there is no memory of You. In Sheol, who shall give You thanks? 6 I am weary with my groaning. Every night I flood my bed. I drench my couch with my tears. 7 My eye wastes away because of grief. It grows old because of all my adversaries. 8 Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity, for Yahweh has heard the voice of my weeping. 9 Yahweh has heard my supplication. Yahweh accepts my prayer. 10 May all my enemies be ashamed and dismayed. They shall turn back, they shall be disgraced suddenly."

Observations: 6:1-4 David appeals to God's hesed or loyal covenantal love as the basis for being saved from the consequences of his sin that has angered God. See Genesis 26-28 post for more.

6:5-10 David gives an additional reason why God should save/deliver him from His enemies, he will praise and thank God, for His help, magnifying and glorifying His name. David supports his cause with heartfelt repentance and tears. He expresses a triple confidence in the fact that God has heard and accepted His prayer, and will soon deliver him. Then his enemies, which God has allowed to temporarily triumph, will be disgraced.

Application: When reaping the consequences of sin, it's always a good time to repent, call out to God for help, and plan on praising Him for His salvation of you.

Prayer: Gracious God, I praise You for being a compassionate God who is loyal to His people, and who saves them from the consequences of sin when they repent; I'm sorry to have strayed, please forgive and restore me for Your glory's sake; which I vow to praise. Thanks. Amen.

Proverbs 2:11-13 Plan Your Paths

2:11 "Discretion will watch over you. Understanding will keep you, 12 to deliver you from the way of evil, from the men who speak perverse things; 13 who forsake the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;"

Observations: 2:11-13 When one fears God and embraces wisdom, discretion and insight will protect and deliver. Proverbs was designed to give discretion or purpose to the naive simpletons (Proverbs 1:4). Discretion comes from a root meaning plan or purpose. Having a godly plan for one's life and day keeps one out of trouble. Insight helps one recognize the good from bad, but also the best course of action to take. The two characteristics of evil men in this section are: perverse speech, and departure for the paths of uprightness to slink in the streets of darkness. Note that they were on the right path, and went bad. Perverse speech is twisted and turned from the truth, and might sound very pious to those not trained by wisdom. The path of uprightness can sometimes get tiring, and we can be tempted to take a detour into darkness, but having the right plan and God's insight, keeps us safely on track.

Application: Plan your paths to get you to what is pleasing in God's sight, or you'll wind up slinking along the streets of sin with evil companions.

Prayer: God, may Your truth guide my plans and steps today, and protect me from the enticements of the evil. Amen.

Genesis 29-31 Family Friction with Fertile Wives & Herds

Genesis 29 The Deceiver Gets Deceived and Four Sons

29:1 "Then Jacob went on his journey, and came to the land of the children of the east. 13 It happened, when Laban heard the news of Jacob, his sister’s son, that he ran to meet Jacob, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. Jacob told Laban all these things. 16 Laban had two daughters. The name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and attractive. 18 Jacob loved Rachel. He said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter.” 20 Jacob served seven years for Rachel. They seemed to him but a few days, for the love he had for her. 21 Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in to her.”
22 Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast. 23 It happened in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him. He went in to her. 24 Laban gave Zilpah his handmaid to his daughter Leah for a handmaid. 25 It happened in the morning that, behold, it was Leah. He said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Didn’t I serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?” 26 Laban said, “It is not done so in our place, to give the younger before the firstborn. 27 Fulfill the week of this one, and we will give you the other also for the service which you will serve with me yet seven other years.” 28 Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week. He gave him Rachel his daughter as wife. 29 Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah, his handmaid, to be her handmaid. 30 He went in also to Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years. 31 Yahweh saw that Leah was hated, and he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. 32 Leah conceived, and bore: Reuben...Simeon...Levi....Judah. Then she stopped bearing."

Observations: In the Ancient Near East (as in most parts of the world) religion was centered around fertility for crops, herds, and family. Without it, you die. These chapters make it clear that Yahweh is the author of life.

The parallels between Isaac and Jacob's lives are numerous and intended, and foreshadow a lot of the Exodus generation's experiences.

29:20 When we're passionate about something, work is play.

29:25 Surprise! The deceiver gets deceived. Talionic (retaliation) retributive justice pays back in kind, poetically. The punishment matches the crime.

Application: Don't do to others what you don't want done to yourself.

Prayer: God of Justice, I praise You for being infinitely just. You will set things right. Amen.

Genesis 30 Family Friction with Fertile Wives & Herds 

30:1 "When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I will die.” 2 Jacob’s anger was kindled against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in God’s place, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?” 3 She said, “Behold, my maid Bilhah. Go in to her, that she may bear on my knees, and I also may obtain children by her.” 6 Rachel said, “God has judged me, and has also heard my voice, and has given me a son.” Therefore called she his name Dan...Naphtali. 9 When Leah saw that she had finished bearing, she took Zilpah, her handmaid, and gave her to Jacob as a wife....Gad...Asher. 16 Jacob came from the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, “You must come in to me; for I have surely hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” He lay with her that night. 17 God listened to Leah, and she conceived, and bore Jacob a fifth son...Issachar. 19 Leah conceived again, and bore a sixth son to Jacob. 20 Leah said, “God has endowed me with a good dowry. Now my husband will live with me, because I have borne him six sons.” She named him Zebulun. 21 Afterwards, she bore a daughter, and named her Dinah. 

22 God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her, and opened her womb. 23 She conceived, bore a son, and said, “God has taken away my reproach.” 24 She named him Joseph, saying, “May Yahweh add another son to me.” 25 It happened, when Rachel had borne Joseph, that Jacob said to Laban, “Send me away, that I may go to my own place, and to my country. 26 Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, and let me go; for you know my service with which I have served you.” 27 Laban said to him, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, stay here, for I have divined that Yahweh has blessed me for your sake.” 28 He said, “Appoint me your wages, and I will give it.” 29 He said to him, “You know how I have served you, and how your livestock have fared with me. 30 For it was little which you had before I came, and it has increased to a multitude. Yahweh has blessed you wherever I turned. Now when will I provide for my own house also?” 31 He said, “What shall I give you?” Jacob said, “You shall not give me anything. If you will do this thing for me, I will again feed your flock and keep it. 32 I will pass through all your flock today, removing from there every speckled and spotted one, and every black one among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats. This will be my hire... 41 It happened, whenever the stronger of the flock conceived, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the flock in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods; 42 but when the flock were feeble, he didn’t put them in. So the feebler were Laban’s, and the stronger Jacob’s. 43 The man increased exceedingly, and had large flocks, female servants and male servants, and camels and donkeys."

Observations: Playing favorites, and getting worth and value apart from God always causes problems. Jacob gets twelve kids (one more to come) and family problems. Nevertheless, God continues to bless him as promised, so that it is obvious to others. This is the role that Israel (and believers today) should play.

30:41 Selective breeding told to Jacob by God in 31:12 gave prosperity. The rods could have had nutrients in them.

Lexical Light: 30:24 Joseph = Yahweh shall add, the verb is imperfect. Hebrew has two verb tenses: perfect (completed action usually in the past) and imperfect (ongoing action, usually in the future). It also has a bunch of stems to make things more specific (and complicated). So it looks like Rachel is expressing faith in God giving another son...Benjamin in Genesis 35:18.

Genesis 31 God Does More Than Watch

31:2 "Jacob saw the expression on Laban’s face, and, behold, it was not toward him as before. 3 Yahweh said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers, and to your relatives, and I will be with you.” 4 Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field to his flock, 5...but the God of my father has been with me. 6 You know that I have served your father with all of my strength. 7 Your father has deceived me, and changed my wages ten times, but God didn’t allow him to hurt me...10 It happened during mating season that I lifted up my eyes, and saw in a dream, and behold, the male goats which leaped on the flock were streaked, speckled, and grizzled. 11 The angel of God said to me in the dream...12 'lift up your eyes, and behold, all the male goats which leap on the flock are streaked, speckled, and grizzled, for I have seen all that Laban does to you. 13 I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar, where you vowed a vow to me. Now arise, get out from this land, and return to the land of your birth.’” 14 Rachel and Leah answered him, “Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house?...19 Now Laban had gone to shear his sheep: and Rachel stole the teraphim (idols) that were her father’s.20 Jacob deceived Laban the Syrian, in that he didn’t tell him that he was running away...24 God came to Laban, the Syrian, in a dream of the night, and said to him, “Take heed to yourself that you don’t speak to Jacob either good or bad.”

26 Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done, that you have deceived me, and carried away my daughters like captives of the sword? 29 It is in the power of my hand to hurt you, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘Take heed to yourself that you don’t speak to Jacob either good or bad.’ 30 Now, you want to be gone, because you greatly longed for your father’s house, but why have you stolen my gods?” 31 Jacob answered Laban, “Because I was afraid, for I said, ‘Lest you should take your daughters from me by force.’ 32 Anyone you find your gods with shall not live. Before our relatives, discern what is yours with me, and take it.” For Jacob didn’t know that Rachel had stolen them. 34 Now Rachel had taken the teraphim, put them in the camel’s saddle, and sat on them. Laban felt about all the tent, but didn’t find them. 35 She said to her father, “Don’t let my lord be angry that I can’t rise up before you; for I’m having my period.” He searched, but didn’t find the teraphim. 36 Jacob was angry, and argued with Laban. Jacob answered Laban, “What is my trespass? What is my sin, that you have hotly pursued after me? 37 Now that you have felt around in all my stuff, what have you found of all your household stuff? Set it here before my relatives and your relatives, that they may judge between us two. 38 “These twenty years I have been with you...42 Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night.” 49 Mizpah, for he said, “Yahweh watch between me and you, when we are absent one from another...52 May this heap be a witness, and the pillar be a witness, that I will not pass over this heap to you, and that you will not pass over this heap and this pillar to me, for harm. 53 The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.” Then Jacob swore by the fear of his father, Isaac. 54 Jacob offered a sacrifice in the mountain, and called his relatives to eat bread. They ate bread, and stayed all night in the mountain. 55 Early in the morning, Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them. Laban departed and returned to his place."

Observation: 31:12 God sees the injustice (which He hates) and will rectify it for the righteous.

31:13 Like Jacob, Israel returned from “exile” and unjust treatment with great blessing.

31:19 Apparently not trusting Yahweh for her protection and inheritance, Rachel (whose character is clearly inferior to her beauty) steals her father's idols (which were symbols of both protection and inheritance).

31:49 Mizpah (means watchtower) was a warning between enemies, not a blessing between friends.

31:53 Two gods are in view (“judge” is plural). Nahor (Abe's grandfather) was an idolater.

Application: Respond to unjust treatment by entrusting your welfare to the God Who Judges Righteously and doing what is righteous.

Prayer: God Who Judges Righteously, help me do what's right with all my heart, and leave settling the score to You. Amen.

Digging Deeper:

God in a nutshell: He sees and acts justly to protect and bless His people, even when they are imperfect (that's grace). He is also in charge of fertility and prosperity. He will let the blessing of His people spill over on the unrighteous, for His purposes. He can communicate with and prosper idolaters.

Us in a nutshell: We're not always a prize package, frequently causing our own pain.

Genesis 26-28 Perils of Prosperity and the Stairway to Heaven

Psalm 6:1-4 The Prayer of Faith when You've Failed

6:1 "Yahweh, don't rebuke me in Your anger, neither discipline/chasten me in Your fury/hot displeasure (KJV). 2 Have mercy on me, Yahweh, for I am faint. Yahweh, heal me, for my bones are troubled. 3 My soul is also in great anguish. But You, Yahweh -- how long? 4 Return, Yahweh. Deliver my soul, and save me for Your unfailing^a/faithful^b/steadfast^c love." Versions: a=NIV b=HCSB c=ESV

Observations: It looks like someone is reaping the consequences of wandering away from God. They don't think God is that happy with them either. It takes a lot of faith in God's character and revealed purpose to call out for help when you know you probably don't deserve it. But then who else are you going to call?

Lexical Light: 6:4 Hesed is the Hebrew word frequently translated “mercy” or “loving kindness” in some older versions. But that meaning misses the boat. The essence of love is loyalty, self-sacrificially doing what is in another's highest interest. When you're in great danger/trouble, would you rather someone be kind or loyal to you? God is always loyal to His people, even if that involves disciplining them. Note how the three translations above handled the concept, viewing hesed as a type of love. All good choices, but I like “loyalty” as it contrasts well with being unfaithful to one's covenant obligations to protect and defend another.

Application: If God seems far away, guess who moved? Trust in His loyal love (hesed).

Prayer: God, it's me...I'm sorry. Help! Thanks. Amen.

Proverbs 2:9-10 Pleasant Pursuit and Paths

2:9 “(4 If you seek...and search for {understanding and wisdom} as for hidden treasures: 5 then you will understand the fear of Yahweh, and find the knowledge of God...) 9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path. 10 For wisdom will enter into your heart. Knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.“

Observations: 2:9-10 These verses need to be understood in the included context. We must seek what God has revealed to understand the fear and knowledge of God. Our fear of God develops when we grasp the consequences of obeying or disobeying Him (blessing or cursing). Our knowledge of God develops as we discern the things He likes and dislikes, and why. When you learn to look at things from God's perspective, you can understand what is right and just and fair (NIV translation) and every good path to take, and what to avoid. It's not some incomprehensible mystery, we just need to dig for it. In the process of digging, God's principles get ingrained in our heart, then our soul will be pleased with knowing what God wants (His will) because we will understand why that is best, and will value doing it.

Genesis 26-28 Perils of Prosperity and the Stairway to Heaven

Genesis 26 Same Story, Second Verse

26:1 "There was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, to Gerar. 2 Yahweh appeared to him, and said, “Don’t go down into Egypt. Live in the land I will tell you about. 3 Live in this land, and I will be with you, and will bless you. For to you, and to your seed, I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath which I swore to Abraham your father. 4 I will multiply your seed as the stars of the sky, and will give to your seed all these lands. In your seed will all the nations of the earth be blessed,5 BECAUSE Abraham obeyed My voice, and kept My requirements, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”

6 Isaac lived in Gerar. 7 The men of the place asked him about his wife. He said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say, “My wife,” lest, he thought, “the men of the place might kill me for Rebekah, because she is beautiful to look at.”

12 Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year one hundred times what he planted. Yahweh blessed him. 13 The man grew great, and grew more and more until he became very great. 14 He had possessions of flocks, possessions of herds, and a great household. The Philistines envied him. 16 Abimelech said to Isaac, “Go from us, for you are much mightier than we.”23 He went up from there to Beersheba. 24 Yahweh appeared to him the same night, and said, “I am the God of Abraham your father. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you, and will bless you, and multiply your seed for my servant Abraham’s sake.”

27 Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me, since you HATE me, and have sent me away from you?” 28 They said, “We saw plainly that Yahweh was with you. We said, ‘Let there now be an oath between us, even between us and you, and let us make a covenant with you, 29 that you will do us no harm, as we have not touched you, and as we have done to you nothing but good, and have sent you away in peace.’ You are now the blessed of Yahweh.”

34 When Esau was forty years old, he took as wife Judith, the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath, the daughter of Elon the Hittite. 35 They grieved Isaac’s and Rebekah’s spirits."

Question: 26:5 Exactly why did God say He was blessing?

Observations: 26:7 God passes on the blessing and reassures Isaac, even though his confidence /faith in God's protection isn't perfect. God's blessing causes persecution, but God prospers the obedient (Isaac didn't go to Egypt) even in the midst of persecution.

26:27 Love and Hate. To Hate, in this context, is to not have covenantal treaty relationships with someone. To Love (loyally=hesed) is the opposite. See Malachi 1:2 (about the nations from them; cf Romans 9:11).

26:35 Prosperous yet pained parents. Apparently Isaac and Rebekah weren't proverbial parents. They had not trained Esau to submit his will to God. (To be fair, Proverbs wasn't written yet. See Parenting Principles from Proverbs in TOYL on Truthbase.net)

Application: Listen to God's voice; keep His will; and prepare to be blessed out of proportion to your efforts (no sow, no reap).

Prayer: God of Abraham and Isaac and me, keep me blessable as I trust and obey You. Amen.

Genesis 27 Peril of Prosperity: Pleasure Trumps Promises

27:1 "It happened, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his elder son...4 Make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat, and that my soul may bless you before I die.” 5 Rebekah heard...Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it. 6 Rebekah spoke to Jacob her son, saying, “Behold, I heard your father speak to Esau...'that I may eat, and bless you before Yahweh before my death.’ 8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command you. 9 Go now to the flock, and get me from there two good young goats. I will make them savory food for your father, such as he loves. 10 You shall bring it to your father, that he may eat, so that he may bless you before his death...”13 His mother said to him, “Let your curse be on me, my son. Only obey my voice, and go get them for me.”

28 God give you (Jacob) of the dew of the sky, of the fatness of the earth, and plenty of grain and new wine. 29 Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers. Let your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you.

Blessed be everyone who blesses you.”

34 When Esau (returned and) heard the words of his father, he cried with an exceeding great and bitter cry, and said to his father, “Bless me, even me also, my father.” 35 He said, “Your brother came with deceit, and has taken away your blessing.” 36 He said, “Isn’t he rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me these two times. He took away my birthright. See, now he has taken away my blessing.” He said, “Haven’t you reserved a blessing for me?”37 Isaac answered Esau, “Behold, I have made him your lord, and all his brothers have I given to him for servants. With grain and new wine have I sustained him. What then will I do for you, my son?”

41 Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him. Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are at hand. Then I will kill my brother Jacob.”

42 “Behold, your brother Esau comforts himself about you by planning to kill you. 43 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice. Arise, flee to Laban, my brother, in Haran. 44 Stay with him a few days, until your brother’s fury turns away; 45 until your brother’s anger turn away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I will send, and get you from there. Why should I be bereaved of you both in one day?”

46 Rebekah said to Isaac, “I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth. If Jacob takes a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these, of the daughters of the land, what good will my life do me?”

Observations: God had purposed that Jacob would inherit the blessing (Genesis 25:23). Isaac focused on pleasures rather than promises. Rebekah focused on her plans for her son, rather than God's promises. Esau, ruled by his passions sold whatever promises he had for a pot of pottage (KJV). Jacob lies, cheats, and steals, reaping lots of negative consequences, rather than trusting and obeying God. Not a pretty picture of the Patriarchs. Too bad they didn't have Psalm 11. If Isaac was doing his job as spiritual leader, the family would have had peace and prosperity. Pass the venison and the remote.

27:46 Rebekah never saw Jacob again. This sets up Isaac sending Jacob to get a wife with his blessing. (See Truthbase TOYL Marriage and Parenting Tools if you want to live happily ever after.)

Question: Could God have fulfilled His promises without the unfaithful, unrighteous scheming?

Application: God doesn't need our help, just our obedience, and we need to obey.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may my passion be Your promises. Amen.

Genesis 28 Stairway to Heaven

28:1 "Isaac called Jacob, blessed him, and commanded him, “You shall not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan. 2 Arise, go to Paddan Aram, to the house of Bethuel your mother’s father. Take a wife from there from the daughters of Laban, your mother’s brother. 3 May God Almighty bless you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, that you may be a company of peoples, 4 and give you the blessing of Abraham, to you, and to your seed with you, that you may inherit the land where you travel, which God gave to Abraham.”

6 Now Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan Aram, to take him a wife from there, and that as he blessed him he gave him a command, saying, “You shall not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan,” 7 and that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to Paddan Aram. 8 Esau saw that the daughters of Canaan didn’t please Isaac, his father. 9 Esau went to Ishmael, and took, besides the wives that he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebaioth, to be his wife.

12 Jacob dreamed. Behold, a stairway set upon the earth, and its top reached to heaven. Behold, the angels of God ascending and descending on it. 13 Behold, Yahweh stood above it, and said, “I am Yahweh, the God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac. The land whereon you lie, to you will I give it, and to your seed. 14 Your seed will be as the dust of the earth, and you will spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south. In you and in your seed will all the families of the earth be blessed. 15 Behold, I am with you, and will keep you, wherever you go, and will bring you again into this land. For I will not leave you, until I have done that which I have spoken of to you.”

16 Jacob awakened out of his sleep, and he said, “Surely Yahweh is in this place, and I didn’t know it.” 17 He was afraid, and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than God’s house, and this is the gate of heaven.” 20 Jacob vowed a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and clothing to put on, 21 so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, and Yahweh will be my God, 22 then this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, will be God’s house. Of all that you will give me I will surely give the tenth to you.”

Observations: God personalizes the Abrahamic promises to Jacob. Jacob responds by personally accepting Yahweh as his God. Worship is a Response to Revelation (vision).

28:6 Since they didn't break Esau's will, he deliberately breaks their heart. Nice guy.

Application: Don't marry a pagan wife. Make Yahweh your God. Worship Him with all you have.

Prayer: God, you are my God, and I will ever honor, trust and obey You. Amen.

Digging Deeper:

God in a nutshell: God blesses in spite of our imperfections, but He lets us be pained by them.

Us in a nutshell: We lose focus when things are going well and get lost on short-cuts to blessing. So it takes longer, and is harder, and we might not ever get there. We need to personally embrace God and His promises, and then not let go.