Today we read Genesis 34-35. “Does obedience lead to reward?” asks Coty Pinckney in a sermon, “Obedience and Tragedy” Last week we saw the dangers of putting off obedience. When Jacob returned to the land of Canaan after 20 years away, he should have returned to Bethel, the place where God had first met him. … More God’s goal is not to bribe us into obedience
January 15 Genesis 34-35 (ESV) The Defiling of Dinah 34:1 Now Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to see the women of the land. 2 And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her, he seized her and lay with her and humiliated her. 3 And … More January 15 Genesis 34-35
So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” —Genesis 32:30 ESV Henry Law, comments at Grace Gems: But is the lonely Jacob long alone? Oh no. A stranger suddenly draws near, and grapples with him, and strives with … More Henry Law: Grace above grace. Face to face.
January 14 Genesis 32-33 (ESV) Jacob Fears Esau 32:1 Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. 2 And when Jacob saw them he said, “This is God’s camp!” So he called the name of that place Mahanaim. [1] 3 And Jacob sent [2] messengers before him to Esau his brother … More January 14 Genesis 32-33
January 13 Genesis 31 (ESV) Jacob Flees from Laban 31:1 Now Jacob heard that the sons of Laban were saying, “Jacob has taken all that was our father’s, and from what was our father’s he has gained all this wealth.” 2 And Jacob saw that Laban did not regard him with favor as before. 3 Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return … More January 13 Genesis 31
January 12 Genesis 29-30 (ESV) Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel 29:1 Then Jacob went on his journey and came to the land of the people of the east. 2 As he looked, he saw a well in the field, and behold, three flocks of sheep lying beside it, for out of that well the flocks were watered. The … More January 12 Genesis 29-30
And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! And behold, the LORD stood above it and said, “I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and … More This Ladder: Think forever, and you reach not the threshold of His vastness.
January 11 Genesis 27-28 (ESV) Isaac Blesses Jacob 27:1 When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, he called Esau his older son and said to him, “My son”; and he answered, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Behold, I am old; I do not know the day of my death. 3 Now … More January 11 Genesis 27-28
In our reading for today, Genesis 25-26, we encounter the story of Esau selling his birthright to his younger brother, Jacob, in a moment of hunger. Alexander MacLaren was a renowned preacher of the 19th and 20th century. Expositions of Holy Scripture brings together many of the sermons over his fifty years in ministry. Here … More “Flinging away greater future good”
January 10 Genesis 25-26 (ESV) Abraham’s Death and His Descendants 25:1 Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah. 2 She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.3 Jokshan fathered Sheba and Dedan. The sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim. 4 The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children … More January 10 Genesis 25-26
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 