Matthew 12:22-50 and Luke 11 are filled to the brim, overflowing with vital truths for all believers to know and understand. Picking up at Matthew 12:22 and Luke 11, we jump right into Jesus responding to the Pharisees accusing Jesus of driving out demons by the power of Satan rather than of God. This particular passage is one that can be very difficult to understand, so I dove into some keywords in Greek to help me understand Jesus’ responses.
The very first thing to notice is that verse 25 begins with “knowing their thoughts” indicating, and reminding us, that Jesus knows the thoughts and innermost heart and intentions of us all. He knew the thoughts and intentions behind the Pharisee’s words and actions. He goes on to teach that those who blaspheme the Holy Spirit, also translated as “grieve the Holy Spirit”, will not be forgiven. This is often referred to as the “unforgivable sin”. Throughout Jesus’ explanation, He points again and again to the heart and intention of a person.
When someone who knows the truth but slanders or speaks in an injurious way of the Holy Spirit, they are blaspheming the Holy Spirit. This is a sin against spiritual knowledge. This is to say, someone who has known the truth but denies it and slanders it, not only in word but in their very nature and character, they are guilty of blaspheming the Holy Spirit. Putting it more simply, this is to know yet still choose knowingly to reject and slander the truth in the way you speak and live.
Moving forward, Jesus continues on to explain the difference between good and evil fruits. Good is to be of excellent character and nature, and bad is to be rotten, corrupt, worthless, evil, and unfit for use. Good fruits come from those who are of good character, and bad fruits come from those of corrupt character. He then explains that we will be either justified or condemned by our words, but digging into this more Jesus is saying that we will be justified of condemned not only by words but by the very nature of our soul, thoughts, lives, and words.
What about this passage stands out the most to you?
Matthew 12:43-45 and Luke 11:24-26 drive the point home that those who are not filled with God are leaving room for things of Satan. If we, like the Pharisees set on their Jewish traditions over truth, focus on earthly things over eternal things, we will remain empty, refuse regeneration, and be filled with things opposed to God rather than of God. If we are not filled with God, having faith in Jesus and filled by the Holy Spirit, we are easy pickings for satanic influences.
What is the importance of this passage to you?
This passage strikes me as a vital passage about spiritual condition and spiritual warfare. If we refuse God, disobey God, deny His truth, reject His Son and salvation, blaspheme His Holy Spirit, fail to repent, remain in our stubbornness and sin, we are destined for destruction. The beautiful thing is that we see in Matthew 12:46-50 and Luke 11:28 that those who have faith in Jesus, who hear the truth and believe, and who obey God will be blessed. Not only will we be blessed, but we will become a part of God’s own family.
We see the Lord’s Prayer again here in Luke 11, which we also read in week 10. I’d like to touch on this a little bit more today, though. It is always important to read and study again even parts we have read 1,000 times. I have been working on re-memorizing the Lord’s Prayer as it is given in Matthew, and here we see a simpler rendition of it. For me, this has been an incredible lesson about how to pray.
I received a complimentary copy of this in exchange for an honest review as a member of theBible Gateway Blogger Grid. All reviews are my honest opinions based on my experience with the product.#BibleGatewayPartner
A Study of Isaiah 44 with the NKJV Bible Study Bible
I am a sucker for a good study Bible. I have a growing collection and have been able to regift many to those who do not have a study Bible or need a different one to support their studies but struggle to let go of them (my husband may even go so far as to call me a Bible addict). Study Bibles are wonderful tools to help believers learn more about God's Word and more fully understand what God has to say to us through these 66 books. The NKJV Bible Study Bible is a type of study Bible I had not previously had the pleasure of using, but I am excited to tell you about it through a study of Isaiah 44, which happens to be where the Water On Thirsty Land name comes from.
What is the NKJV Bible Study Bible?
The NKJV Bible Study Bible is a study Bible that provides a Bible study for every chapter of the Bible. Every chapter of scripture has a provided study guide to help readers dig deeper, think broader, and understand better what is being read. Within each chapter study are three sections to go through - Start, Grow, and Go. We will be looking at Isaiah 44 as an example below.
What is the purpose of the NKJV Bible Study Bible?
I appreciate the heartfelt explanations that are included at the beginning of this study Bible. There is a message from Sam O’Neal who wrote all of the study material in the NKJV Bible Study Bible, and he explains that his vision for this study Bible is that it be used for personal Bible studies, as well as group Bible studies. It is designed to be flexible and helpful for any number of people reading and studying God’s Word together or alone.
Who is the NKJV Bible Study Bible designed for?
The NKJV Bible Study Bible was created for those who wish to dive in and truly explore and learn from God’s Word. As someone who studies a lot on my own, with my husband and child, leads groups of adults and teens, and teaches younger children I am excited for the NKJV Bible Study Bible to become a go-to in all of these groups and on my own. I especially believe the NKJV Bible Study Bible would be an amazing resource for teens and new Bible readers.
A study of Isaiah 44 with the NKJV Bible Study Bible
Isaiah 44 is the chapter we find the verse our name, Water On Thirsty Land, comes from. I love to review study Bibles by doing an actual Bible study with them. The NKJV Bible Study Bible provides chapter studies for every chapter, so we will walk through a study of Isaiah 44 using only the NKJV Bible Study Bible to get a hands-on look at how to use it. As explained above, this study Bible includes 3 sections for every Bible study - Start, Grow, and Go. I invite you to read Isaiah 44 with me, and feel free to walk through along with me! I will be on pages 1072-1074 of the NKJV Bible Study Bible.
Start
The Start section is a nice little “on-ramp”, as they call it. I would describe it as a nice little icebreaker to the chapter that causes you to think about something in your own life and experiences that has something to do with the content of the chapter. I have a big pet peeve about people reading themselves into scripture where they should not, and so far after looking through many chapter studies, I greatly enjoy the Start section. This section is formulated in a way that just kind of opens our minds up a bit, which I believe opens us up better to what God may be trying to speak to us.
In a group study, this Start section can be a great way to start a conversation as you embark on your study. Most studies include some activities as well, which are a really cool way to look through a new lens or perspective regarding the main topic of the given chapter. The Activities are designed for those who are visual and hands-on learners, which I really appreciate!
“Start: On a scale from 1 (poor) to 10 (great), how would you rate your ability to build things with your hands?” (pg 1074)
I love to build things with my hands but am honestly not always that great at it - especially with my wrist injured for over a year. I would give myself about a 6, maybe even a 5.
“Activity: Imagine you are getting a tattoo. What would it be? Draw what it would look like. Write what you would like to communicate and why it would be important to you.”
I actually personally love tattoos and believe that if we do get them, they should bring God glory. It is His temple we are marking up, so we should honor Him with every single thing we do to our bodies. I have had a vision for a tattoo for a long time that includes a mountain range, a forest, and a cross. Embedded in this beautiful scene would be Psalm 46:10. The mountains remind me that God is my strength and fortress, bigger than anything I can ever face and that faith in Him can move mountains in my life. The forest reminds me of stillness, peace, and joy that come from God because that is how I feel when I am in His beautiful forests. Psalm 46:10 is basically my life verse. As someone who was wrought with depression, abuse, and darkness so much of my life, Psalm 46:10 reminds me of the incredible, indescribable peace I have in Him and how beautiful and necessary it is to make time to truly rest in Him for who He is, not just what He does.
Grow
The Grow section is what they call the “meat” of the chapter study. It goes from a nice ease-in with the Start and Activity, to a chewier Grow section that gets your mind moving and engaging with the given chapter. Sometimes, like in our study today, there is an Explore section to work through some additional relevant passages, and sometimes there is a section for Groups.
To pour water on those who thirst and on dry ground
To give His Spirit to the descendants of His people
To bless the offspring of His people
To multiply His people like willows by the water
“Explore: In verse 3, God declares “I will pour out My Spirit on your descendants.” Read Acts 2:1-12 to see the moment that prophecy began to be fulfilled. How would you describe the Holy Spirit’s role in your life?”
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all [a]with one accord in one place.And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them [b]divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own [c]language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and [d]Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”
In my own life, the Holy Spirit is my guide and is who convicts me. I am growing in my awareness of the Holy Spirit, and learning to listen when He speaks and recognize His voice and ways. I am always craving to learn more about how to bear His fruits and strive to be watchful of the fruit I produce. I certainly get it wrong, but I love having the Holy Spirit and desire for everyone to know how it feels to be filled with the Holy Spirit and led by Him.
“Groups: Pass around a few pens to your group members. Encourage everyone to write “The Lord’s” on their hands as a reminder that they are part of God’s Kingdom and members of His family.”
This is another fun way to be more hands-on. This also feels like an area you can easily take an idea from to implement in whatever way you feel called to by the Lord. For example, I would love to design a picture versus draw on my hand. If you’re into Bible journaling make a picture in your Bible or on another piece of paper.
“Verses 6-8 declare that Yahweh alone is God. What evidence helps you trust that declaration?”
I see evidence all over my life that God alone is the one and only true God. A huge part of my testimony is how God proved Himself to be truly God. I should not be alive but God proved His very existence to me, as well as His sovereignty, by keeping me alive when in all human sense I should not be alive. Later in life, He proved again that He is the only God when I strayed, struggled, and looked for love in all the wrong places, yet in both of the darkest times of my life, He rescued me. He saved my life literally, then I finally gave Him my life, and the way it feels to have Him in my life and the way He provides even when it makes no sense is evidence that He alone is God. Nothing and no one else could do what God has done for me. It feels like going from a dry, parched heart and life to a flood of refreshing, living, rushing water coming into my very being. Or like not realizing you’re drowning underwater until you’re brought to the surface and breathe in a gulp of air for the first time.
Isaiah 44:19-20 is what it is like to worship idols, worldly things, and manmade things, and be hardened because you fail to see God yet worship created things in His place. This very much reminds me of what it was like before I knew God. I did not realize that I was deceiving myself while I chased people, money, hobbies, and a career… all the things that tempt a teen and young adult in this culture. I did not stop to consider for a long time that there was a different way of doing things or different things that were actually important. I saw things the way people around me saw them and obsessed over the things people around me obsessed over. Like verse 19 says, “no one considers in his heart” that they are worshiping created things, idols, and that there is Someone worthy of our worship instead of these things. These things will never save you - only faith in Jesus can do that.
“How can we tell if we are worshiping idols today?”
If we are not worshipping God alone, the Creator of the universe, then we are worshipping something else. The “something else” is an idol. If it takes our focus off of God and onto itself, it is idolatry. For a time, I struggled with worshiping video games. I was utterly obsessed. I was focusing more on gaming than praying, reading the Bible, or my relationship with the Lord. I just wanted to game as much as I could. Later, I was reminded by my family that my focus was all wrong - I needed to turn back to God. If we are not running to God first in all things, chances are we are giving our worship to something else - it could even be stress, worry, a job, family, friends, finances, hobbies, sports, and so much more. I tend to filter myself by asking “is what I am doing bringing God glory? Is this what will bring God the most glory? Does this line up with what God says will bring Him glory?” If it’s a no to any of those questions, I am failing to worship God alone.
“What can we learn about God’s nature from this chapter? And His character?”
God is our Creator and longs to have a relationship with us. This chapter is written for the nation of Israel, but is also relatable for me, too. He longs for all of us just like He has for Israel, His chosen people. He wants to refresh us, fill us, indwell us, bless us. God’s nature is to love and care for His people, and His character is to provide and protect His people. He is our Helper no matter how disobedient and idolatrous we are - He still desires us to be restored to Him, just like the Israelites.
Go
The Go section focuses on doing something with what you have learned in the chapter. This section helps us to see why the chapter is important, and sometimes how it does apply to us personally. Sometimes there is an encouragement to pray in this section, and honestly, it seems like whether there is or is not it gives you some things to pray about.
“What would you like to learn or experience when it comes to the Holy Spirit’s work in your life?”
Sometimes I struggle with knowing when it is the Holy Spirit speaking to me, or something I desire. I personally would love to grow in my ability to discern the Holy Spirit over my own desires and plans, and also grow in aligning my desires and plans with that of the Holy Spirit.
“What are some sources of fear in your heart and mind?”
I definitely struggle with the fear of accidentally mishandling God’s Word, and also with going in a direction I wasn’t intended to. I am a “do-er” I love to serve the Lord, but I don’t always know when to slow down and back off, so sometimes I worry that I am not doing what I am supposed to.
Conclusion
While the NKJV Bible Study Bible is not a typical study Bible with commentary to explain the verses of the Bible, it is a study Bible for those who want to learn to study the Bible or add structure to their study time. After doing a study of Isaiah 44 I see how the guided chapter study was helpful in guiding me through the chapter and also connecting me to other passages in scripture.
Do I recommend the NKJV Bible Study Bible?
I believe the NKJV Bible Study Bible is an outstanding Bible study tool that I recommend for new Bible readers, teenagers, and anyone who desires to add some structure to their Bible study time. Even as someone with a shelf filled with wonderful study Bibles, the NKJV Bible Study Bible is an exciting addition to my collection which I will definitely be using regularly.
Psalm 51 is a prayer psalm. Through this study, we will look at the context of the Psalm, and then dive into each element of it to better understand it. We will also take a look at many keywords in the original Hebrew. In each section of the Psalm, you will find a list of words in the English translation and the Hebrew, their number for reference in the Strong's Concordance, and their definitions from the original language to provide additional depth and meaning. I used the NKJV translation for my study, so all words referenced should match the wording in the NKJV translation of scripture.
King David wrote Psalm 51 to his choir director. When something is sent to the choir director, it is intended to be taught to and sung by others as well to be a song or prayer that is applicable to everyone. This Psalm was written by King David, but it was written to be an example and model for others to use and pray in their own relationship with the Lord.
What
Psalm 51 is a prayer of repentance after a great sin has been committed. David had committed some pretty serious sins and needed to repent. Psalm 51 is David's prayer of repentance that sets the example for all of us about what true, deep, authentic, personal repentance should look and feel like.
Why
David had slept with Bathsheba, Uriah's wife, and then sent Uriah off to be killed in the war. David was an adulterous murderer who for a long while had not been repentant about these sins and carried on with his life without remourse. The prophet Nathan later came to David to rebuke David with a message from God (2 Samuel 11-12). Psalm 51 is David's response to Nathan's message from God and is a prayer for all of us when we need to be restored to God after we have sinned against Him. David had committed some serious sins, but he sought God and sought to be restored to Him.
David opens his prayer by pleading with God. This is an act of submission, humbling himself to God. He sets the example for us to submit to God in prayer and humble ourselves at His feet. We are but sinners in need of the mercy of God, whose lovingkindness is the only thing to wash us from the stains of our sins. David submits to God and asks the Lord to take pity on him, to be kind to him, to completely wipe out his sins from the Lord's memory, and to morally purify him by forcefully removing the stains of his sin as in the process of removing husks from grain.
David then confesses his sins and recognizes that it is God whom he sinned against and God who has the right to judge him. Because he violated God's law, he has sinned against God. In the process, he harmed others because of his sin, but his sins were a violation of God's law. God is justified when He judges our sins, and He is also very clear about His judgment. God teaches us through His Word what is sin and what He calls on us to do. We must all recognize, admit, acknowledge, and confess our sins humbly to the Lord and that His judgment of our sins is justified.
David then takes time to reflect on God - who God is, God's nature, power, and desires. He acknowledges that he knows God desires him to be faithful and reliable, that he cannot hide his sin from God, and that it is God who will reveal and teach. The Lord takes pleasure in us being faithful, reliable, stable, and sure. Even in the depths of ourselves He works in us and causes us to acknowledge our sins, revealing even the innermost things we hide away, and causes us to know His wisdom. Nothing can hide from Him, and He is pleased when we confess our sins and seek His ways. Our inward parts is defined as the seat of faithfulness, and God desires us to be faithful. He desires faithfulness to reside in its rightful place within us and He will cause us to recognize, admit, acknowledge and confess the wisdom of godly things.
David recognizes his need for God, and asks for God to help him. Not only is it vital that we submit to God, recognizing His sovereignty, but to seek His presence and power in and over our lives. David submitted to the ways of the Lord, and then asked for God to impart His ways on him. We must do the same. Here he transitions from submitting and confessing to God, then reflecting on God, to applying what he has already acknowledged and asking God to do these things in him. He seeks for God to renew him from the inside out, and to do the works that only God can do in purifying him from his sins. Only a truly repentant heart can be purified - we must be willing, and truly acknowledge our sin and God's justice in judging our sin, completely agreeing with Him about it. David doesn't just ask God to cleanse and purify him, but to purify him like gold is purified - until the pure precious metal, or godliness and purity, is all that remains.
David continues to plead with God but acknowledges things he will do to correct his ways and glorify God. David seeks to be restored to an intimate relationship with God, for the Lord to save him from his sins, and to restore joy to him again. He is in agony over his sins and knows God is the only one who can deliver him from the weight of his sins and condemnation. The Lord blots out the sins of those who are repentant and removes the weight of sin from them. We should then be grateful, sing His praises, and share this beautiful truth and blessing with others. Forgiveness is not only for our sake, but so that we can teach the world of the goodness of God, draw others to Him, and bring Him glory and praise. He restores us for His own glory, and in turn, we should proclaim His goodness to those around us. Sometimes we need to be broken apart in order for God to use us in these ways and fill us with His joy.
This week we are diving into Matthew 11, where we jump right in to read aboutJohn the Baptist sending messengers to Jesus. John is in prison and while there sends messengers to ask Jesus if He is really the One they have been waiting for. Why would John doubt? He had been so sure before, and now he is asking to make sure Jesus really is who John thinks He is.
Jesus tells John's disciples to report back to John with what they have seen Jesus do and heard Him say. Before sending them on their way He says that those who are not offended by Him are blessed.
What about Jesus' statement to John's disciples stands out to you the most and why? What does this tell you about Jesus?
Jesus then turns His attention to the crowd and begins to talk to them about John. He highly esteems John and tells the people that John is the messenger they'd been taught in Malachi 3:1 would come ahead of the Messiah and also compares John to Elijah.
What does this teach you about God and His promises?
Jesus then proceeds to rebuke the people. He was pointing out that the people, who had been waiting for Him to come, were now merely wanting Him to do their bidding and desires, and when He doesn't do what they expect they who say He had a demon, or that He was drunk - they would not believe He was the Messiah because He didn't fit their expectations.
When was a time you doubted or failed to repent because God didn't do what you wanted or expected?
Jesus makes it crystal clear that failure to repent is a serious offense against Him and therefore against God. Those who fail to repent will eventually be thrown down. He takes this opportunity to drive home that disobedience and failure to recognize Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah will have severe consequences.
He then transitions to explain to them that He is the only source of true knowledge, wisdom, and rest. He extends an invitation to them, and to all generations thereafter, to come to Him and lay our burdens at His feet, learn from Him, and find rest in Him. He offers us spiritual rest that we all are in such desperate need of.
How has this offer made a difference in your own life?
When we truly seek wisdom, guidance, peace and rest from God, He will grant it at the right time, place, and way. We are invited to call on Him, to rest in Him, and to trust in Him to provide all that we need. We tend to think only about physical things, but here we see Jesus place this needed emphasis on our spiritual condition.
What burdens do you need to bring to Jesus and exchange for His rest?
The Pentateuch: Israel and Joseph reunite, Genesis 46-50
Joseph sent his brothers back home with all the best of Egypt. They were to bring their father, Israel, to Egypt for Joseph to care for him and all of the household. Pharaoh blessed the reunion and gave Joseph’s family the land of Goshen to dwell in, tend their flocks, and even recruited Joseph to choose a family member to tend Pharaoh’s own flocks. This was an incredible honor. God used Joseph to save Israel and his descendants from the famine, preserving the chosen people of God.
Israel is comforted by God
Genesis 46 opens up with Israel, son of Isaac, son of Abraham, making a special sacrifice to God, and God speaking to him to comfort and reassure Israel. God tells Israel not to be afraid to go to Egypt. This is an important reminder to us that God will give us peace, comfort, and reassurance with His plan. Is He is leading and calling us to something, or somewhere, He will provide all we need – including peace. This is how the Lord makes things clear to me; He gives me peace in my spirit to reassure me of His plan, His will, and His instruction. This is what we see here for Israel when God tells him not to be afraid to leave the land of Canaan – the promised land.
2 Then God spoke to Israel in the visions of the night, and said, “Jacob, Jacob!”
And he said, “Here I am.”
3 So He said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there. 4 I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again; and Joseph [a]will put his hand on your eyes.”
God had Israel leave the promised land for a while with the promise that He would bring him back. This is another reminder I so often need. Sometimes the way things turn don’t seem like it will get us to where we thought the Lord was taking us. Sometimes things don’t seem to line up with the end goal. In these times we need to listen to God saying “do not be afraid” and let Him speak peace into us, growing our faith in Him and our trust in His design. He knows the whole picture. God knew what was ahead of the Israelites, and knows what is ahead of you and me. We can trust Him to lead us where He knows we need to go in order to get to the end goal He has in store for us. Just like God promised to be with Israel and his descendants, God also promises to be with us wherever we go.
fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go [a]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [b]Amen.
Israel came into the land of Egypt to settle in Goshen with all of the members of his household. His sons had married and had children, and now he would get to meet Joseph’s sons as well adding two more to his long list of grandchildren. Before Israel died, he blessed his children, as well as the sons of Joseph, and told his 12 sons what would “happen to [them] in the days to come.”
Leah’s children:
Reuben
Hanoch
Pallu
Hezron
Carmi
Reuben had dishonored his father by sleeping with Bilhah, which would have been an attempt to assert his position as firstborn son. This actually ended up getting him bypassed as head of the family and inheritance of the firstborn son. Reuben’s (and Gad’s) descendants eventually ended up settling outside of the promised land, across the Jordan River. Mount Nebo, within their territory, was where Moses viewed the promised land from. (Numbers 32:1-5)
Simeon
Jemuel
Jamin
Ohad
Jachin
Zohar
Shaul
Levi
Gershon
Kohath (Aaron and Moses came from this line)
Merari
Simeon was behind the plot to kill Joseph, and Simeon and Levi together led the slaughter of Shechem. Because of their wickedness and wrathful hearts, they were also bypassed in the succession and the next brother, Judah would take on headship of the family instead. They also were dispersed among the other tribes rather than given their own lands independently. Eventually, Levi’s descendants would become the priestly line, from which Moses and Aaron came from (Numbers 18), and be scattered throughout all of the other tribes. Simeon’s descendants would be given an inheritance within the lands of Judah (Joshua 19:1).
Judah
Er
Onan
Shelah
Perez (from Tamar)
Hezron (Jesus came from this line)
Hamul
Zerah (from Tamar)
Judah ended up inheriting the portion of the firstborn son, and later became head of the family rather that his 3 older brothers whose wicked deeds cost them this inheritance. Judah also became the Kingly line from which Jesus Christ was eventually born. Jesus came through the line of Hezron, son of Perez, who was one of the twins born of Tamar and Judah, Judah’s daughter in law (Genesis 38).
The tribe of Issachar became very politically involved, and eventually played a role in the conflict between King Saul and David (1 Chronicles 12:32). The tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali eventually helped defeat Sisera (Judges 4:6-10).
Zilpah’s Children:
Gad
Ziphion
Haggi
Shuni
Ezbon
Eri
Arodi
Areli
Asher
Imnah
Ishvah
Ishvi
Beriah
Heber
Malchiel
Serah
The tribe of Gad eventually suffered greatly because of attacks by the Ammonites, Moabites, and Amalekites (1 Samuel 10:26-27. Gadites would also be rewarded for their valor and carrying out the Lord’s righteous will and judgements (Numbers 32). Asher eventually settled near Mount Carmel and dwelled with the Canaanites rather than driving them out (Judges 1:31-32).
Rachel’s Children:
Joseph
Manasseh
Ephraim
Benjamin
Bela
Becher
Ashbel
Gera
Naaman
Ehi
Rosh
Muppim
Huppim
Ard
Joseph becomes a leader of his brothers. He is blessed to be fruitful and strong. His descendants eventually become leaders within the other tribes, but later fall into idolatry (2 Chronicles 25:5-8; Hosea 4:17). The tribe of Benjamin was almost completely wiped out in a civil war in the time of the judges (Judges 20). King Saul as well as the Apostle Paul, previously Pharisee Saul, eventually came from the tribe of Benjamin.
Bilhah’s Children:
Dan
Hushim
Naphtali
Jahzeel
Guni
Jezer
Shillem
Dan’s tribe was later called out by Deborah for not helping in the war (Judges 5:17), and for being defeated by the Philistines. Samson would later come from the tribe of Dan, and Dan would later fall into idolatry (Judges 16-18). Naphtali eventually settled in the mountains and, like several of the other tribes, took tribute from the Canaanites rather than drive them out of the land or kill them (Judges 20:7).
Israel dies and is brought back home with honor
After Israel spoke over all of his children and passed on the covenant inheritance, he later died at the age of 147. He was blessed with a 17 year reunion with Joseph before he died, after only having had 17 years with him before Joseph was sold into slavery and missing the 20-or-so years in between. Joseph was so loved in Egypt that his father was honored with an incredible funeral procession and Egyptian embalming to transport him back to Canaan where his sons had promised to bury him with Leah, his parents, and his grandparents.
Joseph then shows us an incredible example of what trueforgiveness looks like. Their dad is dead and buried, and his brothers now fear Joseph will lash out at them – but Joseph extends mercy and grace, committing to care and provide for them. This is love. This is forgiveness. This is the love and forgiveness the Lord shows us and likewise commands us to show to others – no matter the wrongs done to us. What was meant for evil by people, God uses for good. Rejoice in being an instrument of the Lord.
20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. 21 Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke [a]kindly to them.
Joseph died, but not before likewise making his brother promise that when – not if – when the Lord comes to their aid and brings them back to the promised land they must bring his bones back, too. Later on, Moses would take from Egypt the body of Joseph, who would later be buried in Shechem by Joshua (Exodus 13:19; Joshua 24:32).
This week we are exploring Matthew 8:1-13 and Luke 7. Right off the bat we get to read about Jesus healing the leper. I love this story because this man living with a terrible disease came to Jesus in faith that Jesus could heal him but was humble enough not to assume Jesus would be willing.
So often in my life I have come to Jesus knowing He could heal my brokenness, but submitted myself to His will, whatever that may be. Sometimes our idea of how we want to be healed or helped is different than God's way and we need to be willing to submit to His ways and timing in faith. His ways are always better than our own.
Describe a time in your life you trusted God's will to be done in your life even if it meant you would continue to suffer.
When we call on Jesus in faith, trusting in His power and plan, He will do miracles in our lives. It won't necessarily look like this leper who was literally healed of his leprosy in a moment, but our faith can move mountains in our lives and in our hearts. We give Him our faith and allow Him to have power over us and our lives for His divine plans and purposes.
We see this again with the faith of the Centurion. This Centurion made it clear he was a leader of men and understood what it meant to have great authority. Yet this man in such a position was humble enough to call upon Jesus yet not assume himself so great as to be worthy of Jesus' help or presence.
Jesus then tells the people, and therefore us, that there will be many gentiles, those not born of the line of Abraham, not of Jewish heritage, who will come to Jesus, but that there will be some born of Abraham's line who are not truly faithful to God and will not see the Kingdom of Heaven. This teaches us that anyone can come to Jesus, and that He wants true repentance and faith, not lip-service or false faith. Christ came to save ALL who would come to Him in faith.
What difference has faith and repentance made in your life? Why is it important to remember this?
Later in Luke 7 we see Jesus bring a widow's son back to life. This is such a wonderful story and reminder of God's power. We also see that this was to bring God glory - not just to help the widow and restore the boy.
We must always remember that all we do should be to glorify God, and that what He does is for His glory. This is a blessing that we get to be a part of His plan and participate in bringing Him glory so that others may also come to Him and likewise bring Him glory through their faith.
Describe a time in your life God was glorified in a way you did not expect.
Jesus reminds us through this chapter of Luke that those who are not offended by Him, those who come to Him in faith, those who truly repent, those who seek and receive His forgiveness are those who bring God glory. Those who have been forgiven much love much.
Those who fail to repent, who remain in their unbelief, do not know the forgiveness and love of God because their hearts remain hardened against Him. Those who have been forgiven the most are more grateful and love God deeper than those who harbor or deny their sin, or who don't have as much to be forgiven of.
How have you experienced or witnessed the reality of Jesus' statement that those who are forgiven much love much?
The Pentateuch: Joseph reconciles with his brothers, Genesis 41-45
Have you ever been forgotten about? Ever entrusted something important with someone who didn’t regard it as important? Joseph can relate. Joseph had interpreted the dreams of two prisoners with God’s guidance, and when the dreams came true Joseph asked the cupbearer who was being reinstated to his position of honor to remember him and what he had done. Unfortunately, the cupbearer forgot about Joseph.
The cupbearer didn’t just forget Joseph – he forgot him for two years. Two years after the cupbearer was reinstated, Pharaoh had dreams that no one could interpret for him. In that culture, dreams were regarded as divine messages from “the gods”. They believed that dreams should be interpreted and paid attention to. Pharaoh’s dreams were especially important since he was considered by the Egyptian people to be divine himself. Magicians and wise men were people specifically hired for things such as interpreting dreams, yet they could not give Pharaoh anything helpful about these dreams.
After two years of being forgotten, Joseph was finally remembered. This is a stark reminder that even when people fail us, God never does. God was with Joseph the whole time, and reminded the cupbearer at the time He knew was right. The cupbearer was not only the taster of all of Pharaoh’s food and drink to test for poison, but this landed him as an especially trustworthy servant meaning he had the ear of Pharaoh. He was allowed to give counsel to Pharaoh, and he used his influence in this moment to tell him about Joseph who had rightly interpreted his own dream two years ago.
When Joseph was brought to Pharaoh he could have been angry, held a grudge, unwilling to help, and defensive… he could have been spiteful and unhelpful. You and I probably would not respond the way Joseph did – with grace, praising the Lord and giving Him honor, glory, and credit and taking none for himself. Joseph humbled himself and exalted his God in a moment most of mankind would be more inclined to seek justice for the wrongs done to us. Joseph is an incredible example in this moment of humility and faithfulness that we should all seek to follow.
14 Then Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and they quickly brought him from the dungeon.[a] He shaved, changed his clothes, and went to Pharaoh.
15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said about you that you can hear a dream and interpret it.”
16 “I am not able to,” Joseph answered Pharaoh. “It is God who will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.”[b]
Why did Joseph praise God in this moment? Joseph never lost faith, never gave up hope, and continued to cling to the conviction that God was with him and made all he did successful. Joseph was faithful to the Lord even when his circumstances were painful. Now, Pharaoh recognized God’s hand on Joseph and elevated him to the highest position in the empire, second only to Pharaoh himself.
Joseph was a 17-year-old spoiled, favored, pampered younger son when his brothers tricked, trapped, and sold him, and now at 30 years old Pharaoh gave him the name Zaphenath-paneah, which means “treasury of the glorious rest”, put him in charge of his empire, and gave him a wife, Asenath, who gave him two sons named Manasseh and Ephraim. God blessed Joseph and made everything he did successful – in the seasons of scarcity and suffering as well as the seasons of abundance and joy.
50 Two sons were born to Joseph before the years of famine arrived. Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest at On, bore them to him. 51 Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh[a] and said, “God has made me forget all my hardship and my whole family.” 52 And the second son he named Ephraim[b] and said, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”
Isn’t that what we should all desire? I know I would love to be known as someone that God makes all I do successful. God made everything Joseph did successful because Joseph was faithful and dedicated to the Lord and trusted His plan for his life no matter what came. When we are obedient to the Lord and faithful to His will, we are perfectly positioned to receive God’s blessings.
Blessings don’t always come in the ways we expect. Joseph was sold into slavery by his own family, then imprisoned for a crime he did not commit, yet the Lord was with him. God blessed Joseph with the responsibility of caring for Potiphar’s household, caring for other prisoners, and then managing the Egyptian empire second only to Pharaoh in the land. Joseph was also blessed with peace and hope knowing the Lord was with him through his sufferings and successes.
There have been plenty of times in my own life when the season I was in hurt. Difficult seasons can be painful, but I had peace and hope knowing no matter what was happening in my life the Lord was with me, sustaining me, guiding me, and providing for me. I knew I could trust the ways the Lord chose to provide and the ways He chose not to provide. When I have trusted the Lord in these seasons, I have come out of them closer to Him, stronger in my faith, and able to persevere in the next tough season with more endurance.
Joseph kept his heart focused on God, and God sustained him and blessed him even through the suffering seasons of his life.
Abundance and Famine
Joseph had told Pharaoh what needed to be done in response to the dreams God had given Pharaoh and interpreted through Joseph. There would be seven years of abundance in the land, and then seven years of devastating famine. Joseph was in charge of preparing for the famine and managing the kingdom through the crisis. In the years of abundance, he stored away so much grain and excess food it could not have been weighed.
Sometimes that is how the seasons of abundance in our lives feel. God is pouring blessing after blessing and we can’t even count them all. But also like life, seasons of famine come in and if we have not prepared in the seasons of abundance, we will feel the sting of the famine with a devastating blow. Joseph leaned on God to teach him to prepare for the famine to come, so when the famine did come he was prepared and able to save those impacted by the famine.
Not only did God prepare Joseph to withstand the coming famine himself, but through Joseph, the entire nation of Egypt and beyond was able to survive the season of famine. This is a beautiful example of how God uses even a single person to make an incredible ripple effect in our world. Joseph was a spoiled, rotten, bratty younger brother. He was a braggart, a tattle-tail, and proud. God used the seasons of famine in his life – slavery and imprisonment – to prepare him, shape him, and mold him into the man God knew Joseph needed to be in this seven-year season of literal famine in the land.
Again, Joseph clung to his faith in God, and led the people through the abundance, preparing them by the Lord’s direction, and then managed the famine under His direction as well. The famine was so bad that even the land of Canaan was hit hard. One day, Joseph’s brothers come knocking for some food.
Joseph reunites with his brothers
Joseph’s brothers do not know they seek food from the little brother they’d sold so many years ago. Joseph, however, recognizes them and is harsh toward them. I can’t help but notice Joseph’s possible desire to lash out at his brothers. Yet, we see his faith taking hold, and he embarks on a strategic chain of events to test his brothers. Joseph wants to see if his brothers have changed. I imagine he wants to see if they are sorry for what they did all those years ago.
5 The sons of Israel were among those who came to buy grain, for the famine was in the land of Canaan. 6 Joseph was in charge of the country; he sold grain to all its people. His brothers came and bowed down before him with their faces to the ground. 7 When Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he treated them like strangers and spoke harshly to them.
“Where do you come from?” he asked.
“From the land of Canaan to buy food,” they replied.
8 Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him.
By this point, Joseph had been in Egypt for over 20 years - 13 years of enslavement and imprisonment, seven years of abundance, and they are well into the season of famine by now when the brothers have run out of food back home in Canaan. Over 20 years since Joseph had seen his brothers, over 20 years for his brothers to regret what they’d done to him, over 20 years for their father to grieve the loss of his favorite son.
This chain of events Joseph implements is probably a way for him to process the last 20-something years as much as it is to test his brothers. I’m sure anyone would want closure in such circumstances. Yet here is Joseph, highest ranking person in the entirety of Egypt other than Pharaoh, and his past comes back to haunt him on his own doorstep of power and position.
Joseph reconciles with his brothers
The brothers did not know this was their brother as he began putting them to the test, and kept his brother Simeon imprisoned while the rest of the brothers were sent home to fetch baby brother Benjamin as proof they were not spies. Benjamin was the only other son of Joseph’s mother, Rachel. Surely Joseph longed to see his little brother.
18 On the third day Joseph said to them, “I fear God—do this and you will live. 19 If you are honest, let one of you[a] be confined to the guardhouse, while the rest of you go and take grain to relieve the hunger of your households. 20 Bring your youngest brother to me so that your words can be confirmed; then you won’t die.” And they consented to this.
21 Then they said to each other, “Obviously, we are being punished for what we did to our brother. We saw his deep distress when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this trouble has come to us.”
22 But Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to harm the boy? But you wouldn’t listen. Now we must account for his blood!”
The brothers and their father were so afraid of the man they had yet to discover was Joseph that they waited to return until they were nearly starving again and had no choice but to get more food from Egypt. Jacob needed much convincing to send Benjamin with the other brothers, but he gave in remembering that it was all in God’s hands after all.
When the brothers return with Benjamin in tow, Joseph puts them through a couple of additional tests. What would his brothers do if Benjamin were threatened? His brothers, fortunately, showed remorse for their past crimes and fought for the life and freedom of their youngest brother offering to trade places with him if only Benjamin could return home.
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please, come near me,” and they came near. “I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt. 5 And now don’t be grieved or angry with yourselves for selling me here, because God sent me ahead of you to preserve life. 6 For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there will be five more years without plowing or harvesting. 7 God sent me ahead of you to establish you as a remnant within the land and to keep you alive by a great deliverance.[a]8 Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.
They passed the test. Joseph could not stand it any longer and revealed himself to his brothers.
My favorite part of the entire story is here at the end where Joseph reveals himself and shows such grace, humility, and love toward his brothers while praising God at the same time. Joseph tells them that it was not them but God who put him through all of the ordeals and sufferings of the past so that he could be where he was, to save the people in the time of famine. Joseph understood and gave glory to God for his sufferings, recognizing and explaining that it had been for the good of all that he was put through such cruelty. All of that pain led him to the position he was in. Joseph poured it all out for God – God did it, not Joseph.
Pharaoh finds out about Joseph’s brothers, his family is sent away with all the best of Egypt, and instructed to come back to Egypt so that Joseph could provide for them through the remaining years of famine. They would lack for nothing and be given the best lands to tend their flocks, and even given charge of the flocks of Pharaoh. God used Joseph’s suffering to prepare him and then used him in his plan to redeem his brothers, God’s chosen people, and save them from the devastation of the great famine. Their father, Israel, is overjoyed at hearing that his beloved son lived and sets out to see him again.
25 So they went up from Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. 26 They said, “Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt!” Jacob was stunned,[a] for he did not believe them. 27 But when they told Jacob all that Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to transport him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived.
28 Then Israel said, “Enough! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go to see him before I die.”
Studying the gospels in chronological order is wonderful for comparing the different perspectives of each person's account. This week we are diving into a section of Matthew that is packed with wisdom and warnings.
Last week we ready through the Beatitudes in Luke's account of the gospel, and this week we begin with Matthew's account. Matthew recalls more of what is usually called the Sermon on the Mount. He tells us that those who are poor in spirit, who mourn, are humble, who long for righteousness. are merciful, are pure in heart, are peacemakers, and are persecuted are blessed.
What about the Beatitudes stands out the most to you and why?
Jesus goes on to explain that we are the salt of the earth as well as the light of the world. He uses these images to explain that we are meant to go out and share the love and light of Jesus with the world. Salt must maintain its seasoning and light must not be hidden. We must be active participants in God's plan to redeem the whole world by sharing what we have learned with others.
What are some ways you can share your faith in your day-to-day life?
One of the main lessons in the whole of Matthew 5-7 is that all we do should be for the glory of God. Jesus gives specific ways we can bring God glory, and He also provides many warnings for us. He commands us to not judge, hate, murder, commit adultery, lie, and may other things. Where there are instructions for how to live, there are also warnings for what to avoid.
One aspect of Matthew 5 that is a particular struggle in our culture is Matthew 5:38-48 where Jesus tells us that we are to be different than the world - when the world says to take revenge, to do as others have done to you, Jesus says do as you would want others to do to you. He takes this even further in commanding us to love our enemies. With this command it is vital to remember and understand God's definition of love found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.
How can you love your enemies better, according to God's definition of love?
Matthew 6 focuses on not showing off and stresses the point to be earnest. There is a time to share your faith and pray with and for others, and there is also a time for private intimacy with God alone. On the one hand, share your faith! Live it out! On the other, make sure you take time to grow in your relationship with the Lord privately just between the two of you.
Where do you need more balance in your own faith and relationship with God?
Through Matthew 6 and 7 Jesus instructs us in generosity, prayer, fasting, finances and wealth, anxiety, judgment, obedience, and bearing fruit. I appreciate that Jesus took time to specifically address each of these points.
What about these instructions stands out the most to you and why?
Israel had settled and grown his family and favored his son Joseph, the firstborn son of Israel's beloved and favorite wife. He favored him so much that his other sons became bitter, hateful, and malicious. They envied and despised their little brother who was shown such incredible favor by their father. They were absolutely responsible for their own choices, but this is a great example of the dangers of showing favoritism as a parent.
Joseph had a dream
Young, favored, beloved by-dad Joseph had a dream and felt inclined to share it with his family. This was not just any dream - it was a prophetic dream given to him by God Himself indicating that he would eventually be a mighty ruler and that his family would bow down to him. He didn't just share his dream, he flaunted it.
5 Now Joseph had a dream, and he tolditto his brothers; and they hated him even more.6 So he said to them, “Please hear this dream which I have dreamed:7 There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.”
8 And his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.
9 Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, “Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time,the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.”
10 So he tolditto his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, “Whatisthis dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I andyour brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?”11 Andhis brothers envied him, but his fatherkept the matterin mind.
When we read "Joseph had a dream" it is more literally translated that he was rooted to a dream and bound firmly to it. In this culture, dreams were significant. Dreams from the Lord are spiritual experiences where He can deeply root a message in our hearts that will not leave or be forgotten. A mere dream should always be deciphered between a dream sent by the Lord as a message of some kind. They are not one and the same.
Israel recognized this dream as being from the Lord and, although he was clearly offended by the idea of his 11th son ruling over his brothers and his own parents, he kept it in mind anyway. His brothers responded with deepened jealousy, and his father was insulted but kept the dream in mind. No one could have guessed what it would truly mean, and how it would come about.
Joseph is sold by his brothers
Like Joseph, we can oftentimes prematurely announce something God has laid on our hearts. We may know God is calling us to something, but we must leave it to the Lord to determine the when and the how of sharing these things. Joseph lacked tact, and with this, he ignited more bitterness and hatred toward himself from his brothers.
When the older brothers were tending the sheep, Israel sent Joseph after them to report on them - in other words, to spy on his brothers who hated him. Joseph followed them from Haron to Dothan and was spotted by the brothers before he made it all the way to them. In their jealous rage toward Joseph, the brothers wanted to kill him - and surely would have if Rueben had not spoken up against spilling their brother's blood. So, they decided to sell him.
There were merchants traveling through Dothan, Ishmaelites and Midianites, both tribes were actually relatives of theirs. Israel, their father, is the grandson of Abraham, while the Ishmaelites are descendants of Abraham's son Ishmael, and the Midianites and Medians are descendants of Abraham's children by Keturah, his wife after Sarah. These other tribes, though, are historically not on good terms with the descendants of Isaac, the son of the promise. So the fact the brothers were selling him to tribes that were essentially at conflict with their own people is a sign of the evil in their hearts.
25 And they sat down to eat a meal. Then they lifted their eyes and looked, and there was a company ofIshmaelites, coming from Gilead with their camels, bearing spices,balm, and myrrh, on their way to carrythemdown to Egypt.26 So Judah said to his brothers, “What profitis thereif we kill our brother andconceal his blood?27 Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, andlet not our hand be upon him, for heisour brotherandour flesh.” And his brothers listened.28 ThenMidianite traders passed by; sothe brotherspulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit,and sold him to the Ishmaelites fortwentyshekelsof silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt.
So, the brothers trapped Joseph in a pit and sold him to Midianite traders on their way to Egypt, where he was then sold off to Potiphar, the captain of Pharoh's guard. Joseph had now been sold into slavery by his own brothers, who then deceived their father into believing Joseph was dead, devoured, and ripped apart. The only brother to attempt to protect Joseph was Rueben.
31 So they tookJoseph’s tunic, killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the tunic in the blood.32 Then they sent the tunic ofmanycolors, and they broughtitto their father and said, “We have found this. Do you know whether itisyour son’s tunic or not?”
33 And he recognized it and said, “It ismy son’s tunic. Awild beast has devoured him. Without doubt Joseph is torn to pieces.”34 Then Jacobtore his clothes, put sackcloth on his waist, andmourned for his son many days.35 And all his sons and all his daughtersarose to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted, and he said, “ForI shall go down into the grave to my son in mourning.” Thus his father wept for him.
When Israel finds out his son is lost to him, thinking him dead, he grieves so deeply he will not allow himself to be comforted. This is what I can't help but imagine God feeling for people who go astray, those who are in slavery to their sin, who are lost to Him.
Later, Judah finds a wife for his eldest son, Er, who turns out to be so evil the Lord kills him as judgment for his wickedness. His wife, Tamar, is left without children, and per tradition his brother is supposed to marry her and their first child is for the brother who is dead so that his line will continue. Onan marries Tamar, but shows such contempt for the sacredness of marriage that God also puts him to death as judgment for his wickedness. Two wicked sons in the grave, Judah sends his daughter-in-law back to her father because his youngest son is not old enough to marry.
Judah's wife later passes away and Judah, whose line Jesus Himself will come from, later finds himself in sleeping with a woman he believes is a harlot. This word for harlot, and in some translations "prostitute", actually means a "cult prostitute". So, Judah of the kingly line and the line of the Lord Himself, not only commits sexual immorality, but also idolatry. He pledged to bring her a young goat as payment, and left his signet ring, cord, and staff as colatteral.
Later, it is discovered Tamar, his daughter-in-law whom he promised to marry to his youngest son but failed to do, was pregnant. He is furious - until it is revealed that he is the father. She had kept the signet ring, cord, and staff which were items that would identify the owner of them so there was no doubt. Judah had been tricked into honoring the tradition himself because he failed to give Tamar to his youngest son as a wife as promised. Tamar would later have twins, Perez and Zerah.
This is another case where the younger son is shown favor by the Lord. Zerah had begun coming first, but Perez took his place and was delivered first instead. Perez, one of the sons of Tamar by Judah, her adulterous and idolatrous father-in-law with sons so evil they were put to death by the Lord for their wickedness.
Joseph in Egypt
While his family was back home in Hebron, Joseph in Egypt had been watched over by the Lord. He was now serving in Potiphar's household, and the Lord was so obviously with him that Potiphar put his whole household in Joseph's care with the only exception being his food. It was likely that the cultural divide made the idea of a Hebrew man taking care of an Egyptian's food detestable. Joseph was highly esteemed and his favor with God was well known.
Joseph, the favored son of Israel, had been sold into slavery at 17 years old by his brothers, and still he held onto his faith in the Lord. Even through these circumstances he trusted God, clung to Him, praised Him, and gave Him glory.
Then, along came Potiphar's wife. She lusted after him, attempting to entice him to her bed, yet there still Joseph remained faithful to God, and refused to sin against his master as well. Unfortunately, she was displeased with his denial and accused him of exactly what she had done to him. This resulted in Joseph going to prison and losing his position in Potiphar's household.
20 Then Joseph’s master took him andput him into theprison, a place where the king’s prisonerswereconfined. And he was there in the prison.21 But theLordwas with Joseph and showed him mercy, and Hegave[a]him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.22 And the keeper of the prisoncommitted to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners whowerein the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing.23 The keeper of the prison did not look into anythingthat wasunder[b]Joseph’sauthority, becausetheLordwas with him; and whatever he did, theLordmadeitprosper.
God still showed Joseph favor. Joseph could have been put to death for this accusation, but instead he was put in prison, and the guard put Joseph in charge of the other prisoners. Joseph continued to prosper and was clearly blessed by God to all around him, and He remained faithful even in prison for crimes he did not commit. He never compromised his faith, and remained committed to the Lord. He had a plethora of reasons to be angry, or at least plenty of reasons you and I would be likely to react differently, but Joseph kept on praising anyway.
God is good, even when circumstances are not
So many times in this story we see examples of how God takes evil and uses it to fulfill His divine purposes. He cared for Tamar and one of her children was in the direct lineage of the Messiah. He was with Joseph through every struggle and battle, through entrapment, enslavement, temptation, imprisonment, and leadership.
God is the God of the highs and the lows, and takes what is meant for evil in this world and uses it for the good of those who love Him. Judah committed evil, yet the line that would bring the Messiah into the world was born through it. Joseph was whipped around through all kinds of trials and sufferings, yet the Lord never left him and made everything he did successful, eventually saving Egypt and plenty of other nations during the years of famine. God was with Joseph even when it seemed like the plans He'd revealed to Joseph were forgotten. God is good, even when circumstances are not.
The Pentateuch: Jacob becomes Israel, Genesis 33-36
After Jacob wrestles with God, he is given his new name – Israel. He submitted to God, and God blessed him but also God convicted him with this new name. He went from Jacob the heal grabbed, the manipulator, the trickster to Israel the one who struggles with God, who faces God, who strives with God. God renamed him in a way that would remind him who would prevail in his life – not himself, but God.
After being renamed and having his focus corrected toward the Lord, Israel, previously Jacob, was faced with an uncertain situation – his brother was on his way to meet him. Last Israel had known, Esau wanted to kill him for deceiving their father into giving him the blessing meant for Esau. Newly-named-Israel now had a choice to put his new identity into action, to trust God, to let God prevail, or to continue on being the heal grabbed and liar.
Israel split his family up creating a grand procession, and when Esau arrived Israel fell at his feet bowing down to him in humility. I can only imagine what would have been going through his mind. It had been 20 years since his brother vowed to kill him. 20 years Esau had been able to prosper without his “little brother” there to grab at his heels. 20 years of finding his own way. But it had also been 20 years where Esau could have taken control of Israel’s inheritance and laid claim to it all for himself. All was surely painfully uncertain in this moment. Yet when Israel bowed down to the ground, Esau came and embraced him, showed favor to his brother, welcomed his large family, and invited him home.
Seir
Esau went on home to Seir and Israel went and made a home in Succoth. Seir is southeast of Judah, and outside of Canaan, the land which Israel would inherit through the covenant. Seir became known as the land of Edom, which was another name for Esau. His people would become the Edomites, who would ally with the Ammonites and Moabites against the King of Judah later on. At this juncture, though, the brothers were at peace.
Israel determined not to go with his brother. He instead eventually landed himself in Shechem where he bought property and set up his home. He also built an altar and named it Elohim, or El Elohe Israel, which is a name for God that means the God of Israel and speaks of God as Ruler and Judge (H430 - 'ĕlōhîm). Israel was declaring his faith in the Lord and identity in Him.
18 Then Jacob came c]">[c]safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padan Aram; and he pitched his tent before the city. 19 And he bought the parcel of d]">[d]land, where he had pitched his tent, from the children of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for one hundred pieces of money. 20 Then he erected an altar there and called it Ele]">[e] Elohe Israel.
Unfortunately, this new home and prospering relationship with the sons of Hamor did not last. Shechem, the eldest son of the patriarch of this place was obsessed with Israel’s daughter, Dinah, and committed a heinous act. Her brothers were rightfully enraged by this man defiling their sister, but in their rage they too chose the path of sin. These brothers took up the deceptive mantle their father had laid down and tricked all the men and boys of Shechem to be circumcised, and then they slaughter every male of the region and plundered the wealth and women.
25 Now it came to pass on the third day, when they were in pain, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, each took his sword and came boldly upon the city and killed all the males. 26 And they killed Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah from Shechem’s house, and went out. 27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and plundered the city, because their sister had been defiled. 28 They took their sheep, their oxen, and their donkeys, what was in the city and what was in the field, 29 and all their wealth. All their little ones and their wives they took captive; and they plundered even all that was in the houses.
30 Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have troubled me by making me obnoxious among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites; and since I am few in number, they will gather themselves together against me and kill me. I shall be destroyed, my household and I.”
This is one of those stories that is difficult to swallow, and even more difficult to understand. It gets so often glossed over and ignored because it is so difficult, or it gets obsessed over and picked apart. In this moment there are several things we can all take away, though. First, God did not command or condone this, and nor did Israel. Second, anger in itself is not the wrong response to the horrible crime against Dinah, but when anger brings people to act as judge and jury, it is sin and leads to destruction and death. Vengeance belongs to the Lord, not to us. Third, the brothers took what was a holy symbol of their faith and weaponized it. A sign of a holy covenant was defiled in response to the defiling of an innocent woman. Rather than seeking God, they took a precious thing between them and God, and used it to manipulate and weaken not even jus the one guilty man, but every single male, and slaughtered them all, using what is holy for evil purposes with the excuse that something evil had already been done.
What happened as a response to this horrible crime was another horrible crime. We are commanded not to shed the blood of another human life. This is not justice. This is not godly. This is not worship. This is not okay. Sin as a response to sin is not the way of the Lord. However, the Lord can (and does) use all things, even these kinds of horrible circumstances, for His purposes, and for the good of those who love Him. The mass slaughter of the men of Shechem was a form of judgment against them for their wickedness, defiling of Dinah, and greed. What happened was not good, but God is still good, still in control, still on the throne, and still Elohim – Ruler and Judge. We won’t understand all things, but we can trust in who God is no matter what we face.
Another lesson, is that these same men who committed this mass murder are then given an opportunity to repent – the Lord commanded Israel to leave where they thought they were making a home, and find the place Jacob had once had a vision from the Lord and blessed. God still had a plan, and the men still had a choice. Would they repent and obey, or would they continue in their sin and rage?
These same men would also become a majority of the tribal leaders of the nation of Israel. They would form God’s holy land, and their offspring were His chosen people. This is a sign for all of us. His people are not perfect. Every one of us is sinful. Every one of us has a past, has baggage, carried a heavy burden. Yet, all of us are given this choice – to repent and obey, to choose faith, or to continue on in sin and reject the free gift of salvation.
As the men fled the scene, God was with them. Jacob commanded his sons to be rid of any inkling of idolatry, to repent, and to obey God and head to Bethel. On they went! There were several altars Israel made to the Lord, and one was here in Bethel where he had once fled from his brother, and now fled again from a different enemy. He declared his faith in the Lord and recommitted himself once again, and the Lord reaffirmed not only His covenant with Israel but his new name from Jacob to Israel. God reaffirmed that He is faithful, even when His people are not.
Then God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.”
2 And Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments. 3 Then let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way which I have gone.” 4 So they gave Jacob all the foreign [a]gods which were in their hands, and the earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the terebinth tree which was by Shechem.
5 And they journeyed, and the terror of God was upon the cities that were all around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob. 6 So Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him. 7 And he built an altar there and called the place [b]El Bethel, because there God appeared to him when he fled from the face of his brother.
Later, Rachel, Israel’s beloved wife, died in child birth with her second son. Then Israel came back to his father, and then his father Isaac also passed away. Rachel’s second son was named Benjamin by his father Israel, which means “son of the right hand”. His name represents the special place he would have at his father’s right hand as the youngest son, and that of his more beloved wife.
Reuben fails to assert his authority
Reuben, the oldest of all Israel’s sons, took it upon himself to lay with his father’s concubine, Bilhah. This would have been taken as Reuben asserting his position as first heir of his father, possibly in defiance to his father’s favoritism of the youngest sons. This action that would have been to assert his right to succeed their father would later actually cost him this inheritance he sought to solidify.
Descendants of Esau
Esau himself also had several wives, and from them many children. They would become the nation of Edom, east of the Jordan River in the mountain of Seir. His wives were Adah the Hethite, Oholibamah a Hivite, and his cousin Basemath, the daughter of Ishmael (brother of Isaac, Esau’s father).
This week we are focusing on a beautiful set of passages that include so many important lessons. Matthew 12:1-21, Mark 3:1-12, and Luke 6:1-11 all reflect on Jesus proclaiming Himself as Lord of the Sabbath. He and His disciples were walking through a field and picking grain to eat, and later Jesus healed a man with a withered hand when He was teaching in the Synagogue, both of which happened on the Sabbath which caused quite a stir.
Jesus has quite a message for those who were angered at these works being done on the Sabbath. Jesus declared in Matthew 12:12b "...it is lawful to do what is good on the Sabbath."He also declared in Luke 6:5 that He, the Son of Man, is Lord of the Sabbath.
What do these declarations tell you about God's intent for the Sabbath?
After this, we see Jesus choose the twelve apostles; Peter, Andrew, James, and John sons of Zebedee, Philip, and Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alpheus, Simon the zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who would betray Him.
What about Jesus's choices in Apostles stands out to you the most?
Personally, I love that there is such a variety of people from a variety of backgrounds. This paints a picture for us that Jesus doesn't look for perfect people or those who are not seeking Him. He chooses those who are in need of a spiritual doctor, whom only He can be for them.
Luke 6:20-49 is filled with so much wisdom straight from Jesus Himself. Throughout most of Luke 6, Jesus is clarifying who are the blessed ones and who are in danger. He instructs all of us in how to live, treat others, not judge, be generous, love others, do what is good, and to build our lives on Him and Him alone.
His message here is very clear - if you are not building every area of your life on the foundation of Christ alone, it will not last. If we are not living and loving the way He teaches us to both in commands and example then we are not centered on Him.
Are there areas of your life, or relationships you have that are not built on Christ? How can you give that area or relationship to the Lord?
At the end of Luke 6 Jesus asks this question: "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and don't do the things I say?"
This question really hits home every time I read it, as it should. Reading this passage this week I encourage you to reflect on this question. He asks this right after giving a lot of necessary wisdom and instruction, and scripture is filled with even more godly wisdom and instruction. We can too easily fall into complacency and fall away from Christ's instruction, and we should constantly strive to identify those areas, repent, and seek His help to remedy the situation, and follow His instruction. We should always be seeking how to obey Him better.
What areas of your life are you not doing what Christ tells you to do?
This week we explore John 5 which begins with the story of Jesus healing a man at the Pool of Bethesda. The Greeks built "healing centers" around natural springs and pools because they believed the pagan god of healing would use the water to heal the sick and disabled.
They built a sort of temple around the "healing center" where the sick would sleep, pray and fast while they waited for what they believed was this pagan god and his serpents to churn the water and release the healing powers. When the natural springs would bubble up, the people would then drink or bathe in the water to experience healing miracles and lay around the pool while it was calm.
When Jesus comes to the Pool of Bethesda, he wasn't just there to heal this man - Jesus was there to debunk yet another pagan myth and display His divine power and authority. Immediately, though, and the Jewish people there rebuked the healed man for getting up and picking up the mat he'd been sleeping on by the pool, as Jesus had instructed him to do.
It was the Sabbath and Jewish Law had a lot of rules for the Sabbath, which these people believed the healed man was violating. They focused on this man, healed by a divine miracle, breaking the rules rather than seeing the miracle for what it was.
Have there been times you miss the work of God in your life because you are focused on the wrong things? How did this impact you?
Jesus goes on to proclaim Himself the Son of God, which kindled much hatred in the hearts of the people, and also explained that anyone who does not honor Him as the Son of God does not honor God. Jesus boldly proclaims His position and authority, and rebukes and warns those who do not believe Him.
One of the key things that stands out to me is that Jesus knows the heart, thoughts, intentions, words and deeds of everyone. We do not, but He does. He knows the deepest secrets and cervices of our very hearts and minds. We cannot hide anything from Him, and He will reveal all darkness in us.
How does this knowledge that God knows our very heart and deepest thoughts and intentions help or change you in your relationship with Him?
In John 5:28-29 Jesus gives us an important lesson. We know from all over scripture that only God is good, but here Jesus says "those who have done good things" and "those who have done wicked things". He goes on to explain that those who have done "good things" are those who have faith in Jesus as the Son of God.
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Those who have faith in Jesus are destined for the resurrection of life, while those who do not believe in Jesus as the Son of God are destined for the resurrection of condemnation. No "good works" are done without faith in Jesus Christ, and Jesus tells us this so that we may believe and be saved, as He explains in John 5:33.
Jesus takes it further and explains that just because someone reads scripture, or says they have faith, that does not mean they have a relationship with God. Only those who have true faith in Jesus are saved and enter a personal relationship with God.
What about this passage resonates with you and why?
This study is part of the Study with Me: Chronological Gospels study series. It is an annual 48-week Bible study designed to encourage readers to follow along all year and dive deeper into the meat of the passages designated each week. I pray that you learn more about your Savior and grow in your relationship with Him through this study series. There is a free printable booklet available for download as well which allows you to print and take notes as you go through this study with me.
The Pentateuch: Jacob and His Wives, Genesis 29-32
Rebekah had just sent her younger son, Jacob, away to find a wife with her family in order to keep him away from Esau, who had vowed to kill Jacob. Rebekah instructed Jacob to deceive Isaac, the boys’ father, in order to receive the blessing Isaac intended to give to Esau, the older of the twin boys. Jacob then set out to find Rebekah’s family, and we pick up with him when he comes upon shepherds with their flocks of sheep.
Jacob discovers that these shepherds are from Haran, and they are Laban’s people. Laban was Rebekah’s brother, son of Bethuel. He had two daughters, Leah, the older, and Rachel, the younger. Leah is not described as a beautiful woman, but Rachel takes this praise. Jacob met Rachel on the road and immediately fell for her, and Laban took Jacob in with the agreement that Jacob would work for Laban for seven years in exchange for his daughter, Rachel, as Jacob’s bride.
15 Then Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my relative, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what should your wages be?” 16 Now Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah’s eyes were [a]delicate, but Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance.
18 Now Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter.”
19 And Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me.” 20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her.
Jacob officially met his match with Laban. Jacob had been a deceiver, a heel grabbed, constantly seeking to make his way in the world by means of trickery. His mother, Rebekah, had been deceptive as well, and now her brother, Laban, was doing precisely the same. Jacob worked the seven years, the wedding happened, and the next morning Jacob realizes he had been duped into marrying Leah instead of Rachel as they had agreed. After Jacob impersonated his brother Esau, later Leah impersonates her sister Rachel, and Jacob gets a taste of his own medicine.
Laban claims that it is customary for the older daughter to be married first, but he promised that in exchange for another seven years of labor, Jacob could marry Rachel as well. Jacob wanted Rachel so badly that he agreed to take both sisters as his wives for additional years of work. Jacob was now tied to Laban for 14 years in exchange for his two wives.
21 Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in to her.” 22 And Laban gathered together all the men of the place and made a feast. 23 Now it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her. 24 And Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah as a maid. 25 So it came to pass in the morning, that behold, it was Leah. And he said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you deceived me?”
26 And Laban said, “It must not be done so in our [a]country, to give the younger before the firstborn. 27 Fulfill her week, and we will give you this one also for the service which you will serve with me still another seven years.”
28 Then Jacob did so and fulfilled her week. So he gave him his daughter Rachel as wife also. 29 And Laban gave his maid Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as a maid. 30 Then Jacob also went into Rachel, and he also loved Rachel more than Leah. And he served with Laban still another seven years.
During the second seven years, Leah was neglected by Jacob who loved Rachel and seems to have begrudged Leah, whom he did not choose to marry. While Leah was neglected by Jacob, she was seen by the Lord. God saw her, had compassion, and blessed her with many children. At first, she began naming the children with the hope her husband would finally love her. She craved the love of her husband. She and her sister clearly didn’t get along well either, leaving Leah surely feeling very alone. She was surely lonely, hurting, and neglected. Yet, God showed her favor and blessed her. Eventually, Leah refocused her praises and attention toward the Lord rather than her husband, and there she found contentment.
31 When the Lord saw that Leah was neglected, he opened her womb; but Rachel was unable to conceive.
Leah was blessed with 6 sons, and we also see a daughter named from Leah. Leah was unloved by her husband, but she was not neglected by the Lord. He cared for her, and gave her many children. Two very important tribes came from her sons Judah and Levi. Judah’s tribe was a kingly line, while Levi’s descendants later became the priestly line. This showed love and favor to Leah, and teaches a vital point that God does not look at what people look at – He values all of His creation, and cares even for those who lack love from people. Leah is a great encouragement for all of us who have faced these kinds of heartaches and loneliness.
When Leah stopped having children for a while, she sent her maid, Zilpah, to bear more children on her behalf. It was customary in that culture and time that if a woman was not able to bear children she would have a slave woman have children with her husband, but the children would be legally the wife’s. Zilpah being Leah’s maidservant, her children legally belonged to Leah. Zilpah bore two sons.
Concubine, Zilpah, Leah’s maid (H2153) – a trickling
Rachel was the favored wife of Jacob – the wife he ended up working 14 years to be able to marry. Rachel was a physically beautiful woman, but as we read through her part in history she reveals herself to be just as deceptive as her husband, aunt, and father. As she was barren for so long, she grew bitter and took it out on Jacob. She begged her sister for mandrakes, which in their culture was believed to increase fertility, showing that Rachel was taking matters into her own hands versus trusting God with her barrenness.
When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she envied her sister. “Give me sons, or I will die!” she said to Jacob.
2 Jacob became angry with Rachel and said, “Am I in the place of God? He has withheld offspring[a] from you!”
Eventually, God gave her a son, the last son born to Jacob for a very long time. Many years later, Rachel would have a second son, the final son of Jacob, making Jacob father to 12 sons who would become the 12 tribes of Israel.
Jacob had two wives, two concubines, and at that point 11 sons. He had been working for Laban, his uncle and father-in-law, for 14 years and wanted to begin planning for the long-term care of his growing family. He knew he would eventually inherit the land promised to Abraham and his father Isaac, and he would need to go back home to claim it. He also knew his brother, Esau, was still back at home but he did not know if Esau still wanted to kill him.
Jacob made a final agreement with Laban to work another seven years, but this time it would be for a portion of the flock. He would take the less desirable flock, leaving the spotless sheep for Laban. Jacob asked for the spotted, speckled, and miscolored animals while leaving the spotless, pure-colored ones for Laban, making it easy to distinguish from one another’s animals. Before sending the flock with Jacob, though, Laban continued to cheat Jacob and separated all the current flock that was the coloring allocated to Jacob, gave them to his own sons, and handed the remaining spotless flock over to Jacob – the coloring designated to belong to Laban.
31 So he said, “What shall I give you?”
And Jacob said, “You shall not give me anything. If you will do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep your flocks: 32 Let me pass through all your flock today, removing from there all the speckled and spotted sheep, and all the brown ones among the lambs, and the spotted and speckled among the goats; and these shall be my wages. 33 So my righteousness will answer for me in time to come, when the subject of my wages comes before you: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the lambs, will be considered stolen, if it is with me.”
34 And Laban said, “Oh, that it were according to your word!” 35 So he removed that day the male goats that were speckled and spotted, all the female goats that were speckled and spotted, every one that had some white in it, and all the brown ones among the lambs, and gave them into the hand of his sons. 36 Then he put three days’ journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks.
Jacob didn’t ask to be handed the flock, but to continue caring for all of them and over the seven years he would then take all the miscolored and Laban would have the spotless. The flock Jacob was breeding started as spotless, but they produced offspring that were the coloring that was agreed to be Jacob’s. In that time, Jacob showed his faith in God’s provisions, and both he and Laban couldn’t help but acknowledge the favor bestowed on Laban by the Lord while Jacob was with him.
Jacob’s allotted flock was flourishing far greater than Laban’s, Jacob was growing prosperous, his family was expanding nicely, and Laban’s sons were growing envious of the success and growing wealth of Jacob. Jacob realized that he was no longer favored by Laban, and receives instruction from the Lord that it was time to head back home.
Now Jacob heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, “Jacob has taken away all that was our father’s, and from what was our father’s he has acquired all this wealth.” 2 And Jacob saw the countenance of Laban, and indeed it was not favorable toward him as before. 3 Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be with you.”
Unbeknownst to Jacob, Rachel took along her family’s idols. These idols were false gods that her family worshipped and were seen as an inheritance for the oldest son. It is unknown why Rachel took them, but this was an excuse for Laban to chase after Jacob, accusing him of theft, and we see Jacob begin to stand up for himself and the 20 years of deceit and manipulation he experienced from Laban. Rachel lies to conceal her theft, and we again see a glimpse of Rachel’s true colors. Jacob’s favored wife is beautiful on the outside, but deceptive on the inside.
The relationships especially between Laban, Jacob, Leah, and Rachel were all founded on lies and mistrust, and the fruits of that deception are evident all over this story. Leah was lonely and unloved by her family, Rachel was a bitter liar and a thief, Jacob was a heel grabber through and through, and Laban was a trickster and manipulative head of the family. Eventually, they all parted ways with a covenant between them and the Lord.
51 Then Laban said to Jacob, “Here is this heap and here is this pillar, which I have placed between you and me. 52 This heap is a witness, and this pillar is a witness, that I will not pass beyond this heap to you, and you will not pass beyond this heap and this pillar to me, for harm. 53 The God of Abraham, the God of Nahor, and the God of their father judge between us.” And Jacob swore by the [a]Fear of his father Isaac. 54 Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain, and called his brethren to eat bread. And they ate bread and stayed all night on the mountain. 55 And early in the morning Laban arose, and kissed his sons and daughters and blessed them. Then Laban departed and returned to his place.
Jacob continues on his journey home with his large family, flocks, and great wealth he has accrued over those 20 years serving Laban. He knows he will have to face Esau but he does not know what this will be like. He develops a plan to appease his brother, but along the way when Jacob was alone he found himself wrestling with a stranger. Jacob fought and fought, yet neither prevailed until the stranger touched the socket of Jacob’s hip and put it out of joint. Jacob still would not let go – until he received a blessing. In this moment, Jacob was subdued by the Lord and Jacob knew it. He was desperate for a blessing from the Lord, and clung to Him until he received one.
22 The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children,[a] and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had. 24 And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. 25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28 Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel,[b] for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” 29 Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. 30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel,[c] saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” 31 The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. 32 Therefore to this day the people of Israel do not eat the sinew of the thigh that is on the hip socket, because he touched the socket of Jacob's hip on the sinew of the thigh.
Through these 20 years of hiding from his brother, the Lord taught Jacob that he should have trusted God all this time rather than living in fear, scheming and plotting, manipulating and grasping, thinking he could do better on his own terms. He needed to submit to the Lord, let the Lord lead him and his plans, and recognize that it was God alone who would bless and provide for him, as well as correct and discipline him. Nothing Jacob could do would bring the best outcome God had in store for him. Trusting God was the only way – and likewise, trusting God is the only way for us as well.
Just as we receive a new identity as “Child of God” when we submit to the Lord in faith, Jacob was given a new name - Jacob would now be called Israel. Israel means “to face God” or to “struggle with God” but with the emphasis that God prevails. This name is given to God’s people – the Israelites – who would struggle with God, as well, for centuries. Jacob was the father of the Jewish nation and the people’s hearts so often resemble Jacob’s example.
This week we will explore Mark 2 where there are quite a few big points to hit on. This chapter opens up with the story of the paralytic man being lowered down into the house Jesus was teaching in. I absolutely love this story as it is a great example of the lengths these people went because their faith was so strong. They did what it took to be in the presence of Jesus and believed that He would heal the man.
As they had faith He would do, Jesus healed the man - but not in the way many onlookers expected. He told the man "your sins are forgiven" rather than telling him that he was healed. Jesus then showed His divinity by acknowledging the thoughts of the crowd and displaying His power and authority.
I appreciate these reminders that Jesus knows our inner thoughts and our very heart and intentions. We cannot keep anything hidden from Him. I find this helpful as it reminds me to keep my mind, thoughts, intentions and heart focused on Him and when I realize I am not, I hear this verse 8 where Jesus asks them "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?" It causes me to evaluate my thoughts and intentions, and to repent and refocus.
What does this passage teach you about Jesus and your relationship with Him?
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When we are convicted, we should be led to repentance. When we repent, this is turning away from sin and turning to righteousness. When we are convicted this is a cause for worship. So often when we realize we have sinned we beat ourselves up and so often that ends up pushing us away from Christ.
I encourage you, though, to take those as opportunities to grow in your faith and come closer to Jesus, not further away. Worship Him with a heart that is grateful for your Savior and the works He is doing in you.
Later we read about Jesus calling on Matthew (Levi) to follow Him, and He was then seen by the Pharisees sitting with and teaching "tax collectors and sinners". The Pharisees cannot understand this, but Jesus explains to them that sinners are like sick people who need a doctor, and He is the Great Physician.
How does seeing Jesus as your Great Physician change your perspective of Him?
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The goal of spending time with those who are not yet believers of Jesus Christ is to help lead them to His truth and to repentance so that they, too, can accept Him as their personal Savior and come into a personal relationship with Him as well. We should not be selfish with our own salvation but go out and share the truth so that others may share in salvation as well.
What are some things you can do in order to draw people to Jesus?
Another point that has taught me a lot within my own relationship with the Lord is that "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." The Lord commands us to take a day of rest, which is intended to be a day of spiritual rest and refreshment as well as physical rest. Spending that time being replenished with and by the Lord and growing in our relationships with Him.
How can/do you participate in the Sabbath? How has/can this help you in your faith?
This study is part of the Study with Me: Chronological Gospels study series. It is an annual 48-week Bible study designed to encourage readers to follow along all year and dive deeper into the meat of the passages designated each week. I pray that you learn more about your Savior and grow in your relationship with Him through this study series. There is a free printable booklet available for download as well which allows you to print and take notes as you go through this study with me.
Before Abraham died at the age of 175 he took a woman named Keturah to be his unofficial wife, which was a form of concubine, making Keturah and Hagar the two concubines of Abraham, both of whom gave him children. Keturah gave him 6 sons, who were as follows with their children and grandchildren.
Zimran
Jokshan
Sheba
Dedan
Asshurim
Letushim
Leummim
Medan
Midian
Ephah
Epher
Hanock
Abidah
Eldaah
Ishbak
Shuah
The covenant between God and Abraham passed to Isaac alone, though, and Abraham bestowed other worthy gifts to his other children and sent them away from the land Isaac and his descendants alone would inherit through the covenant. Abraham clearly didn’t want there to be any confusion about who would inherit this great promise, yet showed love and consideration for all of his children.
5 And Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac. 6 But Abraham gave gifts to the sons of the concubines which Abraham had; and while he was still living he sent them eastward, away from Isaac his son, to the country of the east.
When Abraham died, Isaac would have been about 75 (Abraham was about 100 when Isaac was born Genesis 17-18). Abraham was buried with Sarah on the property he bought from the Hittites as a burial plot for his people. To further establish the covenant passing to Isaac, God blessed Isaac after Abraham’s death.
Genealogy of Ishmael
Ishmael was Abraham’s son by Hagar, who was the slave of Sarah. Sarah had taken it upon herself to propose Abraham have a son through Hagar because Sarah was barren for so long, yet God had promised Abraham a son. Hagar gave birth to Ishmael, and Sarah later was blessed with Isaac, and then Ishmael and Hagar were sent away. Ishmael and Hagar eventually settled in across from Egypt in the lands from Havilah to Shur. God blessed (and cursed) Ishmael, and from him came 12 tribes from his 12 sons.
Isaac and Rebekah had two sons, fraternal twins named Esau and Jacob. After a troublesome birth, Esau came first and Jacob came from the womb holding onto the heel of his brother. This ended up being a sign of how Jacob would live much of his life. God had told Rebekah that the younger son would be served by the older, and Rebekah favored Jacob. Isaac, on the other hand, favored Esau, the oldest son.
21 Now Isaac pleaded with the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived. 22 But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If all is well, why am I like this?” So she went to inquire of the Lord.
24 So when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb. 25 And the first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over; so they called his name [a]Esau. 26 Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau’s heel; so his name was called [b]Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.
Esau and Jacob are prime examples of why parental favoritism is unhealthy. The Lord had told Rebekah that Jacob would be the leader – not Esau. This would go against tradition, yet it wasn’t so far from what had happened with their father, Isaac. Isaac was the second son, yet he was the one to inherit Abraham’s covenant with God and all that came with it, rather than Ishmael who was born first. Now, it would pass again to the second son, Jacob.
Esau gave away his birthright
In their culture, the birthright of the firstborn was a double portion of the inheritance - the land, slaves, wealth, etc. In this case, it also included the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants. Esau held his birthright with such contempt that he sold it for a bowl of stew and a piece of bread. In this, he vowed it would be Jacob's This kind of vow made between Jacob and Esau was a binding and very serious vow, therefore now Jacob was promised to receive the birthright of the firstborn - all for a meager meal.
29 Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary. 30 And Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.” Therefore his name was called [a]Edom.
31 But Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright as of this day.”
32 And Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?”
33 Then Jacob said, [b]“Swear to me as of this day.”
So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.
While Isaac was dying, he requested Esau hunt some game and make him a special meal, then Isaac would bless Esau. Isaac's blessing would be to pass the covenant on to him, therefore Rebekah stepped in after hearing her husband and convinced Jacob to trick Isaac and take the blessing, and therefore inheritance, for himself. Now, Esau had already vowed that Jacob could have his birthright, but the way it all panned out was deceptive and caused a great rift in an already tense relationship.
5 Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt game and to bring it.6 So Rebekah spoke to Jacob her son, saying, “Indeed I heard your father speak to Esau your brother, saying, 7 ‘Bring me game and make [a]savory food for me, that I may eat it and bless you in the presence of the Lord before my death.’ 8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to what I command you. 9 Go now to the flock and bring me from there two choice kids of the goats, and I will make savory food from them for your father, such as he loves. 10 Then you shall take it to your father, that he may eat it, and that he may bless you before his death.”
Jacob did as his mother commanded, tricked his father, and took the blessing intended for Esau but that Esau had vowed to give to Jacob for some soup and bread. Esau clearly hadn't intended to keep his promise, and was so furious that upon discovering that Jacob had taken the blessing and inheritance Esau vowed next to kill his brother.
The relationship between the family members was torn and Jacob fled from his brother to avoid Esau killing him. Rebekah sent Jacob away to find a wife among their relatives in Paddan-aram and Jacob has a vision from the Lord along the way there. In this vision, God confirmed His covenant with Jacob. Jacob’s response is astonishment. He places a marker at the spot he’d had the dream, and names it Bethel. Jacob vows that if God is faithful, he will be as well.
Perfect God of Imperfect People
There are many moving pieces in this story, and no one is really in the right. Isaac showed favoritism to the point Esau had been spoiled rotten and was incredibly ungrateful, Rebekah was deceptive and took matters into her own hands, Esau treated the inheritance of God’s covenant with contempt, and Jacob lied, cheated, and stole. In this story of toxic favoritism, questionable parenting, and ungodly behaviors we see, though, that God uses all things and all people for the good of those who love Him, and to fulfill His divine purposes. In this we can be encouraged that while people are corrupt and sinful, God is holy and perfect.
Jacob lived by deceit and his mother’s favoritism for years, and now he began to learn that God was with him. Just like for Jacob, that first time we trust God can be scary, and uncertain, yet reassuring. Jacob took a big step toward God, yet he wasn’t totally ready to trust Him yet. He committed to God if God would truly follow through with His end of the bargain. He wanted to see God show up.
Is there somewhere in your life you are waiting for God to show up?
Are you waiting for God to move a mountain, heal a hurt, bring comfort, grant peace, or provide in some way?
God is faithful, even when we are not. Those first steps are tough, but when we take those steps of faith, we are able to see God show up more clearly. Faith begins to grow, and over time we learn to trust God more.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces [a]patience.
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