January 17

Today's readings from the Chronological Plan are taken from Genesis 45:16-47:27. Click here to read this passage online.

First of all, it is quite a testimony to Joseph's character that Pharaoh is so willing to invite Joseph's family to move to Egypt. Egyptians detested Hebrews, and yet Pharaoh was willing to welcome Joseph's family for Joseph's sake.

There's a pretty funny verse in this passage...
Genesis 45:24 Then he sent his brotherw away, and as they were leaving he said to them, "Don't quarrel on the way!"

How well he knew his brothers! And it is sometimes tempting so parcel out the blame after this big moment has been experienced, and he was reminding them to focus on grace instead.

I think the brothers must've been so relieved to finally be able to share the truth of what had happened all those years before. It had been eating at them for so long, and now they could finally confess to their father what they had done. What a weight off their shoulders!

And what an amazing moment that must've been for Jacob, when he finally believed the wild story his sons returned home with. And yet, I am reminded of the fact that Jacob didn't have to believe his son was dead for all these years. He could've trusted in the dreams Joseph shared with him. I think this is the reason Joseph related his dream to his father - God prompted him to do that, to give Jacob hope. But Jacob didn't trust God enough at that time.

Now, finally at 130 years of age, Jacob is turning things around in his faith. He uproots his entire family and moves to Egypt. Egypt! But he first offered sacrifice to God at Beersheba, which was the farthest Israeli soil he could be on - literally a point of no return. And when he makes this profession of faith, God speaks to him. He against confirms his promise of a great nation, but also that He will be with Jacob in Egypt, and that He would surely bring the people of Israel back again. What a great passage!

And then another genealogy. Here's a quote from this commentary about that....

This list of boring names reminded Moses’ readers of their identity as God’s people in fulfilling His purposes. Additionally, this list would have reminded them that the outworking of God’s purposes takes time, but it is absolutely certain. When Abraham was 75, God told him that He would make of him a great nation. Abraham was 100 before Isaac was born. Isaac was 60 before Jacob and Esau were born. It took 50 or 60 years for Jacob to have 12 sons and one daughter. Now Jacob was 130, and the “great nation,” after 215 years, consisted of these 70 descendants of Abraham. That’s not a quick start. But in the 400 or so years from Jacob to Moses, the number mushroomed from 70 to over two million!

This section demonstrates the power of exponential multiplication. While discipleship is painfully slow at the beginning, eventually multiplication occurs. One of my mentors likes to say, “If you work the process, the process will work.” Nowhere is this truer than with discipleship. Discipleship is God’s A-plan (Matt 28:19-20). When we faithfully make disciples, God fulfills His will. Our lifetimes are too short to measure God’s purpose. Our task is to understand God’s missionary purpose for the world (to bless all nations through Abraham’s seed) and to devote our lives to seeing that purpose brought about, even if it seems as if God is slow about His promises.

Another beautiful redemption is Judah - despite his numerous past failings, Jacob chooses him to go ahead and to be their guide. God's grace is immeasurable!

Joseph secures land for his family that is separate from the Egyptians. This was important for their safety and to prevent intermarriage with the Egyptians, protecting them from spiritual adultery. And this was excellent land. The Hebrews were blessed and grew exponentially!

Jacob blesses Pharaoh and God is faithful in that and blessed Pharaoh through Joseph.

Here's another great quote from the same commentary...

I also find it interesting to note that Jacob enjoyed the blessings of God for 17 years—the same number of years he enjoyed Joseph until Joseph was sold into slavery to Egypt by his older brothers (37:2). Coincidence? I don’t think so. God is gracious and merciful. Genesis is silent about these years, but a fast-forward to his ultimate age of 147 suggests uneventful, unruffled tranquility for both father and son. How sweet it must have been for Jacob and Joseph. No doubt these years were used to further inform and deepen Joseph for the continuing role he would play in God’s plan.

Tomorrow's readings are Genesis 47:28-50:26 which completes the book of Genesis! Click here to read online.

January 16

Today's readings from the Chronological Plan are taken from Genesis 42:1-45:15. Click here to read this passage online.

This passage reveals a lot about the spiritual state of Jacob and his sons.

Jacob's spiritual state is not looking so good. When the brothers return without Simeon and tell their father what has happened, and that they are not allowed to return without Benjamin, he is distressed for himself, not so much over Simeon, and he refuses to allow Benjamin to leave. He also implies that they should've been dishonest with Pharaoh's man and not told him about their brother. There Jacob goes - back to his deceiving ways. Reuben pleads with him to reconsider and Judah, who has obviously changed a lot since we saw him last, finally manages to convince Jacob to let Benjamin go with them. It literally took until there was no other choice - Jacob had to come to the end of his human resources before he was willing to let his son go (rather unlike Abraham giving up his son isn't it?).

What a shock it must've been for Joseph to see his brothers after all these years. He wants to see if they have changed and he tests them. First he keeps Simeon imprisoned until they return with the younger brother. They show regret for their actions as this point, but not the genuine repentance needed for reconciliation to take place. And so he needs to test their character more. He frames them to see what their reaction will be - and they prove to be changed men indeed!

From this commentary

1. They didn’t resent it when Benjamin was given a larger portion (43:34).

2. They trusted each other and didn’t accuse one another of wrong when accused of stealing the silver cup (44:9).

3. They stuck together when the silver cup was found. They didn’t abandon Benjamin when he was about to be enslaved in Egypt (44:13).

4. They completely humbled themselves for the sake of Benjamin (44:14).

5. They knew their predicament was the result of their sin against Joseph (44:16).

6. They offered themselves as slaves to Egypt together with Benjamin (44:16).

7. They showed genuine concern for how this would affect their father (44:29-31).

8. Judah is willing to be made a substitutionary sacrifice for his brother, out of love for Benjamin and his father, Jacob (44:33).

Consider Joseph’s brothers:

• The same brothers who once callously ignored the cries of Joseph now have expressed regret and remorse for what they did to their brother.
• The same brothers who lied to their father about Joseph’s death and broke his heart are now doing everything they can to reassure Jacob and protect him.
• The same brothers who used to act with deception and treachery are now seeking to act honorably in returning money that they knew wasn’t theirs.
• The same brothers who hated the children of Rachel (Joseph and Benjamin) are now promising to protect Benjamin with their life.
• The same brothers who had once abandoned Joseph now returned to rescue their brother, Simeon.

Only true repentance can lead to reconciliation. True repentance is not just regret or wishing you could do things differently. True repentance results in the kind of sorrow that will bring about change, depending solely on God's power.

Once Joseph saw genuine repentance from his brothers, he could finally make himself known to them. And he did so in private, ensuring that nobody would know what they had done to him, and that they would be welcomed to Egypt with open arms.

One final quote (from the same commentary)...

Jacob will eventually crown Judah with kingship (49:10), because he demonstrates that he has become fit to rule according to God’s ideal of kingship—that the king serves the people, not vice versa. Judah is transformed from one who sells his brother as a slave to one who is willing to be the slave for his brother. With that offer he exemplifies Israel’s ideal kingship.

What a long way Judah has come!! What a faithful God we serve.

Tomorrow's readings are Genesis 45:16-47:27. Click here to read this passage online.

January 15 - Readings

Today's readings from the Chronological Plan are taken from Genesis 40:1-23; Genesis 35-28-29; Genesis 41:1-57. Click here to read online.

This is one of my favourite stories in the Bible!

The last chapter in yesterday's readings go hand in hand with today's passage. And what I love about this passage is the fact that no matter Joseph's circumstances, God was with Joseph.

Genesis 39:2 The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.
Genesis 39:20b-21a But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him

God was with Joseph in the pit, when his brothers sold him, when he moved into Potipher's house, when he prospered, when he was resisted the temptation of Potipher's wife day after day after day (who, you may have noted, was only interested in him and his fabulous looks after he prospered), when he was imprisoned for making the morally correct choice, when he waited for two long years after asking the cupbearer to remember him to Pharaoh, when Pharaoh called on him to interpret his dreams, when he gave the glory to God for the interpretation and when Pharaoh elevated him to second in command of all of Egypt. God was with him the whole time.

What comfort we can find in that! No matter our circumstances, God is with us, too.

What is perhaps even more remarkable (from a human standpoint) is that Joseph knew that God was with him and he remained faithful to God despite his circumstances. We know the whole story of Joseph. We know that he would eventually be elevated even beyond his first success as Potipher's second in command. But Joseph didn't know. He didn't have the benefit of 20/20 hindsight vision. And yet he was faithful to God. He never wavered.

While in prison he served the other prisoners. The word used implies that he ministered to them, he didn't just take care of them by rote. He cared about them. This is seen by him noticing the distress of the cupbearer and the baker after their dreams. And he was fully confident in the interpretation of the dreams that God had given him - he asked the cupbearer to remember him to Pharaoh, knowing the dream would be fulfilled, and he did not ask anything of the sort to the baker because he knew how that would turn out as well. He trusted in God completely.

And when he was finally brought in front of Pharaoh, he did not even mention is wrongful imprisonment. He gave Pharaoh the interpretation of the dreams as God had instructed him, and gave him administrative advice on how to deal with this, drawing upon the skills he had learned in Potipher's household.

God will work through every circumstance. And often we do not see the what, where and why behind it all. Joseph didn't either. But he trusted God.

Those additional two years in prison after the cupbearer/baker dreams must've been long indeed. I don't know that I wouldn't have given up hope. But had the cupbearer remembered Joseph immediately, as he had promised, Joseph may no longer have been in prison at the time Pharaoh had his dream.

One faulty conclusion to draw from this story would be: if we remain faithful God will eventually bless us with prosperity like He did with Joseph. This is a wrong conclusion! God may bless our faithfulness with prosperity, or He may not.

God will do whatever He needs to do to accomplish His will and purpose for His glory.

In Joseph's case, that included imprisonment. This was so that he could meet the cupbearer who would later remember him to Pharaoh. And it would also include elevating him to an incredibly high position so that Joseph could use his God-given gift of administration to save not only himself and the land of Egypt - but his family as well. It would pave the way for the Israelites to move to Egypt where they would remain for 400 years, just as God had said.

But things don't always end in prosperity for those who are faithful.

Joseph and Moses are two great men of faith in the Bible, but their lives took very different directions.

Joseph went from prosperity, to imprisonment, and back to prosperity again.

Moses was born in poverty, then raised in the palace, and then lowered to the status of shepherd.

We cannot count on our circumstances. But we can count on our God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

That doesn't necessarily mean that our circumstances will be worked together for good. But God will work through all our circumstances. God will be glorified and God's plans will never be thwarted.

May we be faithful as Joseph was faithful!

Tomorrow's readings are Genesis 42:1-45:15. Click here to read this passage online.

January 14th Readings-Nicole

Today's readings from the Chronological Plan are taken from Genesis 37:1-38:30; 1Chronicles 2:3-6; 1 Chronicles 8 and Genesis 39:1-23. Click here to read this passage online. To read without flipping, read Genesis 37-39 and 1 Chronicles 2:3-6,8. Click here to read it this way online.

Alot takes place in the readings for today, so much to discuss, I'm looking forward to hearing what you all learned and thought about it all.

The readings begin with Joseph's dreams. Its only a few verses in that we find out that Joseph is the favourite of Israel (Jacob). The brothers all know it too and Israel's favourtism encourages the hatred the brothers have for Joseph. I never really took much note of it before, but I assume that Joseph is the favourite because he was one of Rachel's sons.

In verse 14 we see again where Israel is not making things any easier on Jospeh, or his brothers when he asks Joseph to go and be his tattle tale and see what the brothers are up to. Its when they see him coming that they plot to kill him. Reuben tries to rescue him but while he is gone the brothers sell him to some merchants. Reuben is crushed when he finds out what has happened, but not crushed enough to go to his father and tell him the truth...

We then move on to chapter 38 and we are told the story of Judah who went to Canaan to find himself a wife, which then produced 3 sons. Poor Tamar didn't have much luck with the first two sons of Judah, one was wicked and the other didn't impregnate her like he should of according to the customs of that day. Judah (and his sons it appears) were deceitful just like Judah's father Israel and planned to not let Tamar have the last son.

Tamar was not going to give up though, she was determined to get what she was owed. I don't know what made her think that Judah would sleep with a prostitiute but obviously something in his character told her that he might be willing to do that. Tamar is very smart in that she gets "evidence" of "who" she has slept with so there could be no denying it later. Ended up working well for her because when she was found out and about to be killed for prostitution (at the shouts of her father in law) she let Judah know the child was his. A commentry I read pointed out that she didn't do it publically and scream injustice for all to hear, she privately went to him, I think that shows a little class. I know that when I am wronged I want people to know about it! Not right though, I am trying harder to work on that.

So Tamar has twin boys, Perez (ancestor of David, and ultimetly Jesus) and Zerah.

You can read more about Tamar here. What I do like that this article points out is that righteousness only comes from our faith in God. And that in this chapter we see divine providence "In chapter 38 God is at work, providentially assuring the fulfillment of His promise to provide a Messiah through the descendants of Judah (49:8-12)".

A pastor I once heard used this story as an example of perservance (Tamar not giving up) and that through praise (Judah) comes the breakthrough (Perez). I've always remembered that. When I'm having a hard time and need a breakthrough, I think of Tamar and how she kept pursuing and didn't give up.

The readings finish by going back to Joseph who is in Egypt and falsely accussed of trying to sleep with Potiphars wife. He is thrown in jail and the bit I love is that it says "The Lord was with him" so many times and that God gave him success in everything we do. To me, that's an encouragement that even when we are wronged or things aren't working out, if we stay true, and faithful God will stay faithful with us and help us to succeed and ultimately make it through.

Tomorrow's readings are Genesis 40:1-23; Genesis 35-28-29; Genesis 41:1-57. Click here to read online.

January 13th Readings

Today's readings from the Chronological Plan are from Genesis 36:1-19, 1 Chronicles 1:35-37, Genesis 36:20-30, 1 Chronicles 1:38-42, Genesis 36:31-43, 1 Chronicles 1:43 - 2:2. You can read the passages online by clicking here. If you find it to be distracting to flip back and forth so much - simply read Genesis 36 and then 1 Chronicles 1:35-2:2. If you'd prefer to read it this way online you can click here.

I am excited about this passage of scripture!

Assuming you've read the passage, I bet that was not how you expected this post to start. And, if we went by my original feelings after reading this chapter, you'd be right! Just another boring genealogy. What in the world am I going to say about this chapter?! And this is exactly the reason I am so excited to be on this journey with you. Before, I would've read it, thought it was boring and left it at that. Now, because I had to write something about this chapter, I decided to try to find something at least somewhat interesting to say about it.

And guess what?! I found it! Click here if you're interested in reading the entire commentary.

If God thought the genealogy of Esau was important enough to be in the Bible, then there must a reason it's there and there must be something we can learn from it as well.

Here are four reasons given in the commentary....

To record the fulfillment of God’s promises to Esau. Despite the fact that Esau forfeited his birthright and blessing, God ensured that he would have his own identity, nation, and family history (17:5-7). God is a faithful God that can be trusted to keep His promises.

To protect the descendents of Esau. The first readers of this chapter were the Israelites who were about to cross over the Jordan River to possess the land of Canaan and to annihilate the Canaanites (Deut 1:8, 20:16-18). There were, however, some people who were not to be attacked or annihilated. Among those whom God protected were a people called the Edomites, the descendants of Esau (Deut 2:2-5). And so, to prevent this command from being violated, it was essential for those Israelites of Moses’ day to know who the Edomites were and to have a carefully documented record of the generations of Esau.

To prove that the Messiah would come from a particular family. The biblical genealogies include some people and eliminate others, ultimately stopping at the only remaining branch of the family of David. This is the family that Jesus was born into. All of the genealogies help include and exclude those who will be a part of His line. Note: In the early first century, no one attempted to deny the claim that Jesus was a descendant of David. There were clear records kept until A.D. 70 and the destruction of Jerusalem. Thus, the foundation stands as sure today.

To remind us that every person counts in God’s eyes. Someone else’s genealogy may not be of any interest to you, but to the people and families it represents, it is precious. Each of these names represents the life of a man or woman—individuals made in the image of God who had hopes, dreams, and aspirations just like you and me.

Sounds like four good reasons to me!

And there's more that we can learn from this passage. Who knew genealogies could be so enlightening?

Success in the eyes of the world does not equal success in the eyes of God. This passage tells us that Esau married Canaanite women. First off, he shouldn't have married a Canaanite woman, and secondly he shouldn't have married more than one woman! God's design for marriage was clear in the Garden of Eden. There was Adam and Eve and they clung to each other. There was no Eva or Evette, just Eve.

According to the names of his wives, Esau chose according to looks.

• Adah (“ornament,” “the adorned one”),
• Oholibamah (“tent height,” i.e., “tall, stately”),
• Basemath (“the perfumed one”)

Yes, we need to be attracted to our spouse, but that should not be the reason we marry them. And it certainly shouldn't be a condition of loving them after we marry them!

To Esau's credit, this passage shows us that he was generous and not greedy. He was willing to move once his and Jacob's possessions became to big for the area they were living. He seemed to accept that Canaan belonged to Jacob as God had said.

We need to also remember that God's ways often seem so confusing to us because we're looking at them through the lens of society. According to society, Esau had the better family tree. He had 5 sons while Rachel struggled with fertility (as did Rebekah and Sarah before her), his descendants were chiefs and and kings, while Jacob's sons remained lowly shepherds for generations.

It's often how it seems to us nowadays as well - the world seems to be winning while God's people are losing. But political power and power with God are two different things. We will reign with Christ someday, but we have to remember to wait patiently for God's timing.

Consider this quote...

While Esau’s descendants were mighty chieftains, famous in their day, Jacob’s descendants were down in Egypt, enslaved to Pharaoh. By Moses’ day (over 400 years later), Israel was a fledgling nation of slaves, recently escaped from Egypt, owning no land of their own. Edom was an established kingdom that had the power to refuse Israel passage over their land. But this tour through Genesis 36 shows us that God, not man, writes the final chapter of history. These once-famous names don’t mean a thing to our world today, but Israel’s name is in the news almost daily. These men, successful by the world’s measure, passed off the scene and were soon forgotten as others clamored to take their place. Today, we don’t know anything more about them than is written here. Fame is a fleeting thing. The Edomite race endured until the time of Christ, when they were known as Idumeans. They disappeared from history in A.D. 70, when Jerusalem was destroyed.

Was Esau a believer? It's hard to say. It is possible - he did extend forgiveness to Jacob, and he submitted to God's plan by leaving Canaan to Jacob. But whether you are a believer or an unbeliever, it's possible for you to waste your life on things that don't matter - power and prestige included.

Esau didn't seem to have a need for God. He was wealthy, he had beautiful wives and several sons. He was a success! Abraham, Isaac and Jacob absolutely needed God. They certainly weren't fulfilling the prophecy by their own efforts.

God is a faithful God who can be trusted to keep His promises - and that is just as true for us today as it was then.

God is the source of our strength, God is the one we can rely on, it's not about us, it's all about God and His glory.

YOU are important to God and He remembers you. It doesn't matter how many generations came before and how many are yet to come, He knows you by name. Not only does He know you by name, He knows every hair on your head! It doesn't matter whether you are the Queen of England, or the poorest soul in Africa. It doesn't matter if your name is known to millions of people or to only your friends, family & aquaintances. It doesn't matter if your name is in the history books, or if your memory will disappear within a few generations. What matters is this - God knows your name. Your life matters to God. God remembers you! And the only book you need your name written in is the Lamb's Book of Life!

Under closer scrutiny, this passage certainly teaches us a lot more than meets the eye at first glance!

Tomorrow's readings are Genesis 37:1-38:30, 1 Chronicles 2:3-6,8, Genesis 39:1-23. Click here to read this passage online. To read without flipping, read Genesis 37-39 and 1 Chronicles 2:3-6,8. Click here to read it this way online.

January 12 Readings - SOAP - PamJ

Today's readings from the Chronological Plan are from Genesis 32:1-35:27. Click here to read online.

Scripture - The passage that stood out for me today was Genesis 33:9 "Brother, I have plenty," Esau answered. "Keep what you have."

Observation - Even after Esau was betrayed by his brother Jacob, with Jacob returning begging for forgiveness with many many gifts, he had learned to be content and happy with what he had. He did not fester over what he had lost. Esau did have strong feelings of hurting and killing his brother and it was a long process for him. He overcame his bitterness, forgave Jacob and moved on.

Application - We cannot be content in our lives if we dwell on all those feelings that consume us. The enemy loves it when we are frustrated, feeling angry and cheated! How can we prevent this? How can we learn to be content? How can we get to a point where we KNOW something needs to change? We need to be honest with God about the way we feel. He knows this already. He knows what is going on in your heart. Sees it all. But we need to admit it to Him. We need to forgive those who wronged us, and hurt us. We need to concentrate on God's gift to us. SALVATION. Anything else is obsolete. Two hundred twenty goats, two hundred ewes, twenty rams, thirty camels, forty cows, ten bulls, thirty donkeys - as nice as it sounds and as rich as one could be with all those animals, Esau had plenty.

Prayer - Lord, you know what is on my heart. You know what goes on in it and the thoughts that go around in my head. I pray that I can always come to you with those thoughts and feelings, no matter what circumstances may arise. Dear God, please help me to forgive those who need my forgiveness, whether they know it or not. You are an awesome God and I am so proud to be yours.

Any thoughts?

Tomorrow's reading is Genesis 36:1-19, 1 Chronicles 1:35-37, Genesis 36:20-30, 1 Chronicles 1:38-42, Genesis 36:31-43, 1 Chronicles 1:43 - 2:2. You can read the passages online by clicking here. If you find it to be distracting to flip back and forth so much - simply read Genesis 36 and then 1 Chronicles 1:35-2:2. If you'd prefer to read it this way online you can click here.

January 11th readings~Guest post by Kristi

Today's readings from the Chronological Plan are from Genesis 30:25-31:55. Click here to read online.

We have some relatively short and not to exciting text today. However, I do believe there are some lessons to be learned here. I'm going to summarize the verses and then pick out something I think is of real importance and applies to us today.

Summarization

Jacob decides that he wants to leave Laban, and go back to his own people. He asks Laban to give him his wives and his children and let him go. (I must say, I find it so weird that he had to ask him. I'm glad we live in this day and time!) Laban does not want him to go because he believes that God has blessed him because of Jacob. Laban asks Jacob to name his price (so to speak) and Jacob starts to lay out his plan of trickery. Thanks to some superstition, selective breeding, and divine help, it works and Jacob is soon very prosperous.

Because of this, Labans sons and Laban himself, had become openly hostile towards Jacob. Jacob decides it's time for him to leave and it is confirmed by God telling him to return to Canaan. He asks his wives, and they agree that he is to do what God says. However, instead of leaving the right way, he flees without telling Laban. Laban finds out three days later and goes after him. Fortunately, God tells Laban not to do Jacob harm. Laban catches up with Jacob and tells him how angry he is with what he has done. Jacob states his case and puts up a pretty good defense in my book! They make a covenant between themselves to not do each other harm and for Jacob not to do harm to Labans daughters or take any other wives.

Now in verse 19 of chapter 31 it says that, "...Rachel had stolen the images that were fer father's." Then in verses 30-37 when he ask of their whereabouts she lets him look all over for them and she hides them(v34) and lies to him (v35) saying "...let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me."

Digging Deeper

*Where do I start. It does not tell us why she took them in the first place. In these days, it was customary for these household items to be given as part of an inheritance. Perhaps she took them because she was leaving her homeland and would have little other legal claim to her father's inheritance. She may have wanted some extra security. She may have felt as though she deserved them. She may have just been angry at her father for marrying Leah to Jacob. We'll never know until we get to Heaven...but I think the reason she took them was purely materialistic or monetary in nature. I'm going to stretch this a little, but bear with me...

Jacob had been blessed. Really blessed, and so had Rachel. God had given them cattle, camels, servants, goods, children of abundance. Yet, this isn't enough for her. She has to steal from her father and then lie to him. (and using her cycle as an excuse to not get up...I guess this dates back this far ladies...is there nothing we won't use it as an excuse for?) Ahem, but seriously, she still wants more. It is so typical of our human nature to always want more. To not be satisfied with what God has given us. Through this whole passage we read today, everyone in this passage wanted more, and was not satisfied with what they had.

So many have gone so far as to STEAL what they desire. I'm no different. Just because I may not physically steal something from someone else's possession, doesn't mean I'm not guilty of theft. When I take money from tithes or offerings to have a nicer car, or take money from the grocery budget to buy clothes, or whatever the situation may be, that's stealing. I'm stealing from God, or stealing from my family to fulfil my desires. Even spending time in longing for something I can't have, is robbing time from God that should be spent on thanksgiving for what He has provided me with. We live in such a materialistic world and even when we're not trying to "keep up with the Jone's," we are trying to keep up with ourselves, and our selfish desires. We come up with all kinds of them. I want more space, a bigger house. I'm tired of not getting the car started, I need a new one. Little Timmy just walks around bored all day, he needs new toys. The list could go on and on. This subject is really close to my heart because it is one of my main goals for this year. To be thankful for what the Lord has provided me with, and keeps my eyes on what I have, instead of what I don't have.

I'm the kind of person who always looks to the next thing. What can I improve on now? What can I change now to make things more efficient? How can I make my house look nicer and feel more peaceful? This can be good to a certain extent, but I have to be careful. Because I will say that I'm done spending money for a while, but then next thing you know, I need to buy organizer shelves, because they are needed to make the house run more smoothly! It just doesn't end. Somewhere, somehow God has to be put first! Thanksgiving has to come before requests. During our prayers, we need to give thanks for what God has done before we ask more of Him. I have now begun to pray as I am going to the store that God would show me exactly what He would have me to get, nothing more and nothing less. I ask Him before every purchase that I make, and then I ask Him to give me the strength to say no to the things He doesn't want me to have. I've even done this when going grocery shopping, and you wouldn't believe how far my dollar has gone lately!

I'm earnestly trying to be thankful for all of His provisions. Health, safety, protection, provision, salvation, family, friends, mercy, grace, strength! God is so good and I don't want to spend my time longing for that which I don't have. I don't want to be lured into stealing, figuratively or literally! This can go for all things, it doesn't just have to be monetary in context. Wanting our children or husbands to be like someone else's isn't being thankful for what God has given us either. I even charge you to be thankful that you are who you are today! God made you precious in His own sight! Join me in thanksgiving today and let's try to make it something we strive for on a daily basis. Lets learn from Rachel's example here.

Tomorrows readings are Genesis 32:1-35:27. Click here to read online.

January 10th readings

Today's readings from the Chronological Plan are from Genesis 28:6-30:24. Click here to read online.

Wow, today's readings cover a lot of ground!

It starts off with Jacob and Rebekah both starting to pay the consequences of their deception. They obviously had not thought through the end results should their scheme succeed. Rebekah ends up convincing Isaac to send Jacob to Haran to look for a wife there - I think with both right and wrong motives. She was definitely motivated by wanting to save the life of her son, but she was right in the argument she gave to Isaac - that Jacob should marry someone from their faith. Rebekah died before Jacob came back - she never saw him again. What a high price she paid for her sin.

It appears that Isaac and Rebekah had not given their sons any training in this matter of marriage until very late in life - Esau had already married Hittite women, and Jacob was already in his 70's. Esau attempted to redeem this by marrying from the family of Ishmael, not realizing that that was not the family that they were intended to marry either.

Neither sons appear to have accepted their father and grandfather's faith as their own either - in Gen 27:20 Jacob refers to God as your God.

But then there is Jacob's conversion during his dream at Bethel (sort of foreshadowing Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus I think) where he finally refers to God as his God. Likely Jacob had hit rock bottom. Yes, he had succeeded in receiving the blessing. But now he was living with the knowledge that he had deceived his father and brother, he was leaving the mother he loved for a place and people he did not know, and he had nothing to offer as a dowry for a future wife. Really, not a lot going for him at this point. And that is the point that he was finally ready to listen to God. Notice verse 16 - Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it. God doesn't leave us. We often simply are not listening for Him. We are striving to do things our way, to fix things, to take care of things for God because we know best - when if we would simply be still and know that He is God, He would reveal Himself to us.

Two interesting articles about this passage of scripture can be found here and here.

And then Jacob arrives in Haran where he meets his Uncle Laban - who happens to be even better at deception than Jacob! Hmmmm, more consequences it seems.

I've always felt very sorry for Leah. I now think, perhaps I have misread this chapter previously. I always thought that Leah was "ugly" while Rachel was beautiful, and that the only way she could get a husband was for her dad to trick someone into it.

And yet, the word for weak eyes could also be translated as gentle eyes, or even gentle character - which is contrasted to Rachel's beauty and spitfire personality. Jacob seems to have based his selection of a wife based solely on looks (very unlike how Isaac's wife was selected - God's leading and Rebekah's character were of utmost important, her beauty was just the icing on the cake). And yet - God blessed Leah. To Leah was born Judah - through whom the Messiah would be born. And to Leah was born Levi - through whom the priestly line would come. Leah and her maidservant had more than twice as many children as Rachel and her maidservant. And Rachel died first, even though she was younger, and was buried on the way to Bethlehem (35:19). Leah, on the other hand, was buried with Jacob (Gen 49:31). Though Jacob clearly favoured Rachel (mainly based on hormones it seems), God blessed Leah and Leah was a blessing to Jacob.

Jacob deceived his firstborn brother out of the birthright, and Laban deceives Jacob because Jacob was not going to honour the custom of marrying the firstborn daughter. Jacob did not respect the cultural laws of the day anymore than his brother Esau had valued his birthright.

Commentaries on that passage can be read here and here.

Something interesting in the commentaries (here and here) I read about chapter 30 is that the names of Leah's children show her changing heart. At first she is thankful to God for the sons she's been given because she thinks that surely Jacob will love her now. And then she realizes that being loved and led by God was far greater than being loved and led by man.

Then Rachel, out of jealousy, falls into the same sin as Sarah, and gives her maidservant to Jacob to bear children for her.

And, unfortunately, Leah falls into the same trap as well. And then they even barter over their husband!

In this story both women wanted what the other one had. Leah wanted Jacob to love her like he loved Rachel. And Rachel wanted to bear children like Leah. We need to learn to be content in our circumstances, to find our purpose in God and not in ourselves.

Tomorrow's readings are Genesis 30:25-31:55. Click here to read online.

January 9th Readings - Pamela

Today's readings from the Chronological Plan are from Genesis 25:27 - 28:5. Click here to read online.

One of the first things that stuck out for me in in the opening verses of today's reading was the whole idea of sibling rivalry. Of course, this started as early as Cain and Abel but for some reason the story of Jacob and Esau spoke to me about this while I was reading through it today. More on that later... Our readings begin when Jacob convinces Esau to trade his birthright for some stew and some bread. I know we are not in the place that Esau was and maybe he truly was starving... but really?! Trading it all for 1 meal?? I think the lesson that stood out for me was that when we are most vulnerable, it is easy to make foolish mistakes. Whether it is going to the grocery store hungry and then choosing items that are not the most healthy for us or whether it is choosing to place ourselves in situations that tempt us to act in a way that is contrary to God's plan. It is when we are desperate that we can act foolish and make decisions that we may regret.

Another thing that caught my attention was the classic 'like father, like son' when Isaac repeats the same lies that Abraham told. I wonder if they did not have a discussion about this. Was there no 'When I was younger, I told everyone that your mom was my sister' kind of story with the moral being that it was not a good idea? Yet, just like his father, Isaac is blessed by God so richly and is just another example of how even our lack of trust in God does not mean that he gives up on us and the plan for our lives.

Our readings today conclude with Jacob stealing his father's blessing from his older brother with the help of his mother. Which brings me back to the whole sibling rivalry thing I was talking about earlier. I grew up in a household that definitely played favourites (though both me and my sister will say the other one was the favourite!) and it just makes life so unbearable. There was a double standard for almost everything and many inconsistencies in rules for me and for my sister and it created a tension between us that exists to this day. (You can pray for me about this!) Now Rebekah, despite all of her good qualities as a wife and her admirable decision to come instantly after receiving an invitation and marrying a man she did not know, she played favourites with her children and caused great pain to her family. Even though Jacob seemingly cooked up the scheme to swap Esau's birthright for a dinner all on his own, the plot to take the blessing was credited to Rebekah. It's hard to tell if Jacob's excuses to Rebekah were in an effort to not go along with the plan or if they were given to make sure all the kinks were worked out so that the plan would surely succeed. You have to hand it to them, it was a well thought out plan. The conditions were ideal-Isaac was half blind, and Rebekah thought of everything from the perfectly cooked meat and bread to even covering Jacob's hands and neck so that he would not be discovered as the smooth skinned twin. This does not seem to fit the first impression we got of Rebekah. Why would she purposely choose to deceive her husband, teach her son how to lie, and deny her other son what was rightfully his? Did she believe that is was her duty to fulfill the message she received from God while she was pregnant?

"Two nations are in your womb,
and two peoples from within you will be separated;
one people will be stronger than the other,
and the older will serve the younger." (Gen 25:23)

I often wonder what conversations took place after this event that we do not get to read. Did Issac find out it was Rebekah who helped Jacob deceive him? What did Rebekah say to Jacob after he had succeeded in their plot? Did they do a little happy dance or give each other a high five ;)? What was Esau's first conversation with Jacob after the event? Did Esau discover his mother's role in the deception? What do you think about these things?

I also wonder if it was worth it in the end? Creating such a rivalry between her children that one wants to kill the other and having to send Jacob away because she feared for his life, was it worth it? Would she have done things differently if she could stop and rewind?

It is because of my experience growing up that I am very aware about how I treat my kids and I strive to be consistent with rules and expectations. Today's readings were a reminder for me to continue to work in this area to keep harmony in my home. What spoke to you today?

Tomorrow's readings are Genesis 28:6-30:24. Click here to read online.

Tammi's Testimony

I wasn't sure if I was going to post my testimony or not. Obviously, if you're reading this, I've decided to, but it took me a while. Not because I specifically didn't WANT to share; mostly because I didn't really know WHAT to share. (or how to narrow it down!)

I can't remember a time when I didn't claim to be a Christian, though there were definitely periods (or maybe just one lengthy period) when I didn't care much what that meant. But for the most part, I had a typical white bread, Sunday school, youth group life. I really didn't start digging into my faith and measuring my life against it until this past year.

In March of last year, I began a quest to read more and really started in earnest after giving up daytime TV. (had to fill the void somehow!) I'd heard the quote "if you're not reading, you're not learning" and decided that though I didn't have the money or the discipline to pursue a formal education, that didn't mean my only other option as a stay-at-home mom was to let my mind atrophy. So I dug out all the books in the house that I hadn't read yet and piled them on my nightstand. Since then, I've had to pile them in several places throughout the house. The more I read, it seems, the more I want to read ~ and the faster I aquire new reading material!

I didn't intentionally exclude works of fiction, but I blow through those so quickly that I never have any sitting around that I HAVEN'T read. Non-fiction books, particularly Christianity-related ~ I happened to have several that I'd picked up or been given over the years that I'd never opened. The husband also had a few Bible school texts with interesting titles, and even our tiny, largely out-dated church library had a few volumes I borrowed to read through ~ most notably, the massive tome, "The Body: Being Light in Darkness."

That book was sort of the catalyst, I guess. From a layperson perspective, it's an indepth look at what the Church ~ the Body of Christ ~ is supposed to look like and how it's supposed to function in this world. The line that stopped me cold was this quote: "Sure, studying how to best articulate a Christian apologetic takes time," author Charles Colson says, "but didn't the apostle Peter command ALL of us to always be ready to give a defense of our faith? It is inexcusable for mature disciples to allow themselves to be intimidated."

Inexcusable? Yikes. Suddenly, I had a problem. Either I had chosen to remain spiritually immature, or I was just ignorant! Neither seemed particularly flattering, but the fact remained: I did NOT know how to articulate my beliefs. I was NEVER ready to give a defense of my faith. Clearly, after roughly 30 years of professing Christianity, I needed to start POSSESSING it!!

Since then, the study of my Bible and many other books (all of which are listed here), as well as becoming a daily listener of Revive Our Hearts radio broadcasts (which I listen to online as part of my morning devotions) have become passionate pursuits and have led to great spiritual growth over the last several months. I actually DESIRE to read my Bible, theology texts, and biographies of great Christian men and women from the past!

Personal/practical holiness has been something for which I struggled under enormous conviction this past fall and it has led to further changes in the way I live my life. (I preached a sermon/gave a testimony about this in our church; it's here, if you're interested.) It's becoming clearer and clearer the importance of living like the "royal priesthood" believers are called to. Living "in the world but not of it" always seemed tricky in the past, but with studying the Scriptures comes more wisdom and greater discernment, and I discovered it really isn't all that complicated. But, it can and does sometimes require sacrificing things we love or are very accustomed to doing, as well as things that virtually everyone around us ~ believers and non-believers alike ~ are doing/reading/saying/watching.

I'm a work in progress ~ far from perfect ~ but for once I'm excited about the journey, despite the hard work! I am blessed in order that I might be a blessing to others and to display the glory of God, and my fervent prayer is that my friends and family can someday say they know I lived by that statement.

(AKA LaughingLady)