January 24 - Genesis 35-37: Jacob and Sons Joseph

Today’s Reading: Genesis 35-37

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

The list of genealogies is to signal the change from one story (or generation) to the next. In this case the story shifts from Jacob and Esau to Joseph and his brothers. It's like the commercial break, but with less consumerism.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

God wanted Jacob to return to where he was originally called. So Jacob had his family throw all other gods out. When they arrived God officially changed "Jacob" (Deceiver) to "Israel" (God-Wrestler).
Rachel gave birth to Benjamin but died doing so. Jacob had 12 sons in total.
Esau's family grew large and prospered.
Israel loved Joseph, the firstborn of Rachel, more than the others. This made Joseph's brothers angry. They schemed to kill him. Instead, they sold him as a slave. The brothers took his coat and convinced Israel that Joseph had died.
Joseph became a slave to an Egyptian.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Jacob was not always fully on board with God. However, when God called his family, they were willing to leave all other gods behind.

The people God used were not always fully committed to Him when chosen. However, when God called Jacob to return to Bethel Jacob made sure that everyone cleaned and threw out all other gods. When called, God's people answer.

Joseph's brothers' hatred came from Jacob's favoritism of Rachel, Joseph's mother. Joseph's dreams escalated the hatred.

Understanding that Genesis is not a book of parables but explanation of the early people of God, this story gives another example of Jacob's multiple marriages causing problems with his family—even to the next generation. Jacob loves Joseph because he was the son of his favorite wife, Rachel. The other brothers could not compete with this position. So instead they schemed to get rid of him. Favoritism's consequences do not end with one generation.

God is preparing Joseph for great things ahead.

This shows the second half of the (negative) theme of Genesis, God will use bad situations to bring a greater good for all.

Reuben had a good heart.

I only wish he had a better sense of timing.

And Finally, if you can't remember the names of Jacob's sons, thank Andrew Lloyd Weber:

Good luck getting that out of your head!

See you tomorrow.

January 23 - Genesis 32-34: Jacob Returns Home

Today’s Reading: Genesis 32-34

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

I repeat what was written yesterday. The stories in Genesis are not meant for us to emulate or glean lessons from. They are the chronicles of the ancient people of Israel. So remember as you are reading these stories are not meant for us to judge. They are meant for us to understand the people.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Jacob continued home with his wives, servants, and sons. Esau gathered 400 men to welcome them. Jacob, unsure of Esau's intentions, separated his family.
One night, Jacob wrestled an unknown person. He refused to let go without a blessing. The unknown person changed Jacob's name to God-Wrestler (Israel). Jacob wrestled God.
Esau welcomed Jacob, his family, and his herds with open arms.
A young man, greatly desiring Jacob's daughter Dinah, raped her. Jacob's sons required the entire town to be circumcised before allowing them to marry. Three days later, Simeon and Levi killed the men to revenge her honor.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

(Repeated from yesterday's comments) God's people are the same as people today.

The themes from today—women fighting over one man, businessmen fighting over who cheated who, grandparents sad and angry that their children and grandchildren move away suddenly—are the same battles people face today. The people from the Bible are not super-humans bare no similarities with people today. They are normal, everyday folks. God uses them. God can use us as well.

Jacob has been gone over 20 years. Esau has been able to recover from his feeling of betrayal.

Esau, who promised in his heart to kill Jacob the first chance he could after their father's death (Genesis 27:41) has now forgiven his brother of his deceiving betrayal. I hope it is because Esau has become wise in his older age. How wonderful it is to forgive a brother (or a sister) of a horrible wrong! May we be like Esau!

January 22 - Genesis 30-31: All (Jacob's) Children

Today’s Reading: Genesis 30-31

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

The stories in Genesis are not meant for us to emulate or glean lessons from. They are the chronicles of the ancient people of Israel. So remember as you are reading these stories are not meant for us to judge. They are meant for us to understand the people.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Barren, Rachel gave Jacob her maid Bilhah as a substitute. Bilhah bore two sons. In response, Leah gave Jacob her maid Zilpah and she bore two sons. Leah and Rachel continuously fought over Jacob. Leah bore two more sons. God allowed Rachel to have a son, Joseph.
Laban and Jacob agreed to give him certain-colored animals. Jacob saw to it that all the strong animals gave birth to that-colored young and he prospered. Their relationship was rocky. Jacob left for home in the night. Laban chased after them. They finally agreed to peace and Laban returned home sad but satisfied.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

God's people are the same as people today.

The themes from today—women fighting over one man, businessmen fighting over who cheated who, grandparents sad and angry that their children and grandchildren move away suddenly—are the same battles people face today. The people from the Bible are not super-humans who bare no similarities with people today. They are normal, everyday folks. God uses them. God can use us as well.

Jacob's marriage to Leah and Rachel (and subsequently Bilhah and Zilpah) gives the best argument for one man, one woman marriages.

There is no prohibition of polygamy in the Bible. Everyone who attempts to give one has to rely on inferences from other passages (Genesis 2, for example, is descriptive not prescriptive). What the Bible does have, however, is real stories of polygamous marriages not working well. Leah and Rachel fight constantly as rivals (they are sisters!) over Jacob's love. They use him as a bargaining chip for power. Their children are leverage over the other wives. And Bilhah and Zilpah become lost in the battle. If that doesn't scream, "Don't marry more than one woman!" I don't know what else could. But I must be clear, examples of something going terribly wrong does not make it a sin.

January 21 - Genesis 27-29: The Deceiver is Deceived

Today’s Reading: Genesis 27-29

 The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

God uses bad situations to bring His plan into action.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Isaac wanted to bless his favorite son, Esau. Rebekah cajoled Jacob into tricking Isaac. Isaac blessed Jacob (thinking he was Esau) and gave him reign over his brothers. When Esau learned this, he promised in his heart to kill Jacob. Rebekah and Isaac sent Jacob to live with her brother Laban.
On the way God passed Abraham's blessing onto Jacob.
Jacob fell in love with Rachel, Laban's second daughter. After seven years of work, Laban tricked Jacob and gave Jacob his oldest daughter Leah instead. Jacob worked seven more years for Rachel. Leah, not loved by Jacob, had four sons.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Rebekah acted on God's earlier promise.

Before Esau and Jacob were born God told Rebekah Esau, the older, would serve Jacob, the younger (25:23). So be careful when judging her actions. They were not as sinister as we make them out to be.

Both Rebekah and Isaac want Jacob to go to Laban.

Rebekah wants him to go so Esau will not kill him. Isaac wants him to go to find a godly wife (as did his father Abraham). Rebekah also wants him to find a godly wife, but it's more because she's tired of the Hittite women Esau has married (27:46).

Jacob is a deceiver, but God gives him Abraham's blessing anyway.

Why God chooses Jacob is still a mystery. His vow is not one you would expect a godly man to give, "If God stands by me and protects me … this God will be my God (28:20, The Message). We want him to have Job's faith—obedience without conditions. However, this shows a major theme in Genesis, God will take the situations humans have created and still bring them to His honor. If you have a spotty past (or are not willing to fully serve God yet), God will still protect you. Through his love and protection we will see his greatness in the end. He is patient and willing for us to grow into giving Him everything.

Leah's attempt at gaining Jacob's love does not work.

She names her first three sons "Look-It's-a-Boy!" (Reuben), "God-Heard" (Simeon), and "Connect" (Levi). Yet Jacob still loved Rebecca more than her. So she finally decided to give up her plan and named her fourth son "Praise-God" (Judah). I'm not sure why that has always struck me as interesting, but it has.

January 20 - Genesis 25-26: God Chooses His Elect

Today’s Reading: Genesis 25-26

The Message 

English Standard Version

Hint: When you reach the genealogy section, don’t pronounce the names in your head. That way you will read the important parts without feeling overwhelmed by the Hebrew names.

Thought to Guide Your Reading

God chooses one over another. Why he does this is … not up for discussion.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Abraham died at 175 years-old. Ishmael and Isaac buried him at Machpelah. However, their families did not get along.
God told Rebekah that her twin sons would become two great nations and the older (Esau) would serve the younger (Jacob). Esau had red hair all over his body and enjoyed hunting. Jacob enjoyed tents. Each parent chose a favorite. Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a meal.
Isaac inherits Abraham's covenant. Abimelech, once deceived by Isaac and Rebekah, wanted to make peace between them. When asked why he wanted peace replied, "Because I know God has blessed you."

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Abraham's new sons were not equal to Isaac.

Once again the American inside me questions God's sense of justice in all of this. Why does God choose Isaac and all of Abraham's sons from Keturah and his concubines only receive gifts?

God chose Jacob and not Esau.

American Graham cries, "Why, God! This isn't fair!" Why did God choose Jacob and not Esau?

Jacob is a deceiver.

Jacob's name means deceiver. Why did God choose a deceiver and not the manly-man Esau?

Isaac is no better than his father at focusing on God's promise.

Isaac and Rebekah tricked Abimelech the same way Abraham tricked Abimelech. Isaac falls for the same line of reasoning—they'll kill me if they know she's my wife. Even godly men, God's chosen men, can lose focus on God's promises and focus on their own fears.

God blessed Isaac so much that the people wanted to be associated with them.

Abimelech, even after Isaac tricked him, wanted a relationship with Isaac. They could see God was with Isaac. When we serve God, others can see.

God's choice in who he blesses and not blesses is not for our discussion.

God's ways are not our ways. God's thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:6-11). As much as I, American Graham, want to ignore it, I cannot second-guess God's choice. Paul would echo this sentiment (using this example) in Romans 9. Take the choice of Jacob over Esau. Esau, manly man, married Judith and Basemath. They became thorns in Isaac's and Rebekah's sides (see yesterday's comments to see why this was a major problem). God chooses based on a person's heart that others cannot see and we must trust that God is just. This is why he chose Jacob over Esau.