Our reading for today contains a pair of stories that revolve around lies and deceit. We have Rebekah working with Jacob to deceive Isaac into giving Jacob the blessing he intended for Esau. Later, we have Laban acting deceitfully in giving Jacob Leah instead of Rachel to be his wife. While we generally consider lies bad, in each of these instances they expressly serve God’s greater plan. God tells us about Jacob’s receipt of Esau’s blessing in Genesis 25:23 and his marriage to both Rachel and Leah steps towards the fulfillment of God’s promise in Genesis 28:14. In an age where information feels so readily available, where everyone demands the right to know what’s going on, these stories can challenge us. We don’t want someone to have a plan that we’re not in on, especially not one involving us. The reality we see on full display in these chapters still applies to us today, God has a plan that involves each of us. That plan might involve deceit and manipulation, it might not. The stories of Jacob, Esau, Leah, and Rachel challenge us to have the humility to pray, “God, I trust your plan, even though I don’t know or see how it’s working.” Because ultimately, we know that God plans for us to join Him in the New Creation because of Jesus’ sacrifice.
Today’s B.I.B.L.E. Takeaways:
Blessings from God
We see God’s blessings through Isaac in our readings today, especially in Genesis 28:3.
Instructions for Us
These stories can push us to trust God and His plan even during things we perceive as deceitful and wrong. Jacob also gives us an example of how we should react to the presence of God in Genesis 28:16-22. Where do we find the presence of God today? In His church, with His people, in His Word, and at the altar.
Biblical Connections
These chapters show us the fulfillment of some of the earlier promises and prophecies in Genesis, as well as pointing to the continuation of God’s ultimate promise and covenant through Jacob in Genesis 28:14.
Laborious Understandings
These passages do not contain any particularly difficult-to-understand passages.
Enjoyable Passages
What an incredible blessing and promise we witness in Genesis 28:15, a blessing and promise that we receive in the Holy Spirit even today!
Topics to Pray About:
Thank God for the blessings He brings into your life.
Confess to God times when you don’t trust that everything is going according to His plan.
Ask God to walk with us and bring us to worship Him where He promises to be.
Deceived
Genesis 27-29:30
Our reading for today contains a pair of stories that revolve around lies and deceit. We have Rebekah working with Jacob to deceive Isaac into giving Jacob the blessing he intended for Esau. Later, we have Laban acting deceitfully in giving Jacob Leah instead of Rachel to be his wife. While we generally consider lies bad, in each of these instances they expressly serve God’s greater plan. God tells us about Jacob’s receipt of Esau’s blessing in Genesis 25:23 and his marriage to both Rachel and Leah steps towards the fulfillment of God’s promise in Genesis 28:14. In an age where information feels so readily available, where everyone demands the right to know what’s going on, these stories can challenge us. We don’t want someone to have a plan that we’re not in on, especially not one involving us. The reality we see on full display in these chapters still applies to us today, God has a plan that involves each of us. That plan might involve deceit and manipulation, it might not. The stories of Jacob, Esau, Leah, and Rachel challenge us to have the humility to pray, “God, I trust your plan, even though I don’t know or see how it’s working.” Because ultimately, we know that God plans for us to join Him in the New Creation because of Jesus’ sacrifice.
Today’s B.I.B.L.E. Takeaways:
Blessings from God
We see God’s blessings through Isaac in our readings today, especially in Genesis 28:3.
Instructions for Us
These stories can push us to trust God and His plan even during things we perceive as deceitful and wrong. Jacob also gives us an example of how we should react to the presence of God in Genesis 28:16-22. Where do we find the presence of God today? In His church, with His people, in His Word, and at the altar.
Biblical Connections
These chapters show us the fulfillment of some of the earlier promises and prophecies in Genesis, as well as pointing to the continuation of God’s ultimate promise and covenant through Jacob in Genesis 28:14.
Laborious Understandings
These passages do not contain any particularly difficult-to-understand passages.
Enjoyable Passages
What an incredible blessing and promise we witness in Genesis 28:15, a blessing and promise that we receive in the Holy Spirit even today!
Topics to Pray About:
In His Service,
J. LeBorious