The Essentials Of The Bible: Part 25 -- God Chooses A People – Esau Makes Peace, But Jacob’s Sons Make War!

It would be with no little trepidation that Jacob would meet up with his brother who vowed to kill him.  As this great entourage assembled to meet Esau; placement of his family members was done to protect Joseph, at all costs, Jacob’s favorite son.  To his great surprise and elation, Jacob’s prayer to God was heard and Esau had a change of heart.  Instead of destruction and annihilation; their reunion was the cause for joy and celebration.  Esau didn’t even want Jacob’s generous gifts and refuses them several times before finally accepting them.  Peace and unity is restored among Isaac’s sons.

Genesis 33:4-11 KJV And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.  (5)  And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant.  (6)  Then the handmaidens came near, they and their children, and they bowed themselves.  (7)  And Leah also with her children came near, and bowed themselves: and after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves.  (8)  And he said, What meanest thou by all this drove which I met? And he said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord.  (9)  And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself.  (10)  And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.  (11)  Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it.

Though Esau wants them to live together in Seir; Jacob travels into Succoth instead; and resides near the city of Shalem, a city of Shechem, in the land of Canaan.  He buys land from Hamor, king of Shechem, which is named after his son, Once again it should be noted that the patriarchs of old, were always building altars and sacrificing to the LORD.  Here we see Jacob erecting an altar.  Worship was at the forefront of their lives.  This is an example to us today; that our worship, to the LORD, should be at the forefront of our lives as well.

Genesis 33:16-20 KJV So Esau returned that day on his way unto Seir.  (17)  And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him an house, and made booths for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.  (18)  And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his tent before the city.  (19)  And he bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for an hundred pieces of money.  (20)  And he erected there an altar, and called it Elelohe-Israel.

The relationship between Jacob and Hamor starts out as a mutual blessing, until it is soured by the act of rape.  Jacob’s daughter Dinah is raped by Hamor’s son Shechem.  After defiling her, he wants her for his wife.  This becomes a double affront.   First, because of the rape; and secondly, cause Shechem is an uncircumcised infidel.

Genesis 34:1-4 KJV  And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.  (2)  And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her.  (3)  And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the damsel, and spake kindly unto the damsel.  (4)  And Shechem spake unto his father Hamor, saying, Get me this damsel to wife.

Jacob has become a man of wisdom and he entertains Hamor’s desire to make peace; but his sons are wrought with anger about their sister being defiled.  They want retribution, not peace. 

Genesis 34:6-7 KJV And Hamor the father of Shechem went out unto Jacob to commune with him.  (7)  And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob's daughter; which thing ought not to be done.

Shechem is beside’s himself with affection for Dinah and his father is willing to pay any amount for his son to have her as his wife.  This further enrages Jacob’s son’s.  They come up with a price to be paid, but it is a deceitful plan.  Hamor agrees to the demand that every male in his kingdom must be circumcised; including he and his son.  

Genesis 34:14-16 KJV And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us:  (15)  But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we be, that every male of you be circumcised;  (16)  Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.

Though Jacob’s son’s had deceit in their hearts, so did Hamor have an ulterior motive; as he looked to the wealth of Jacob that he hoped to become his own.  And so, the king and every male in Shechem was circumcised.

Genesis 34:18-24 KJV And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son.  (19)  And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter: and he was more honourable than all the house of his father.  (20)  And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the gate of their city, and communed with the men of their city, saying,  (21)  These men are peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein; for the land, behold, it is large enough for them; let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.  (22)  Only herein will the men consent unto us for to dwell with us, to be one people, if every male among us be circumcised, as they are circumcised.  (23)  Shall not their cattle and their substance and every beast of theirs be ours? only let us consent unto them, and they will dwell with us.  (24)  And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.

Remember, Abraham was an old man when the LORD required him to circumcise himself and all of the males in his tribe, starting with his son Ishmael.  The story was told many times around the evening camp fires, and in the fields; of the sickness and fever; that sets in about the third day after circumcising an adult man.  The son’s of Jacob had a plan to take advantage of this weakness.  On the third day, two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi slew all of the men of Shechem; including Hamor and his son Shechem and took their sister back to their camp.  Then they spoiled the city; taking the women and children as captives along with all of the city’s wealth of livestock and goods.

Genesis 34:25-29 KJV And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.  (26)  And they slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem's house, and went out.  (27)  The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister.  (28)  They took their sheep, and their oxen, and their asses, and that which was in the city, and that which was in the field,  (29)  And all their wealth, and all their little ones, and their wives took they captive, and spoiled even all that was in the house.

This was all done without Jacob’s knowledge and when he found out, he was furious.  Now, all of the inhabitants of the land might unite and rise up against them and slaughter Jacob and all of his entire family.

Genesis 34:30 KJV And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.

Once again God must intervene to rescue Jacob.  He appears to Jacob and tells him to go to Bethel and to worship, by making an altar.  There God appears to him and again tells Jacob that his name is to be called Israel.  God then reaffirms one more time that the promises given to Abraham would be fulfilled through Israel.

Genesis 35:9-12 KJV And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram, and blessed him.  (10)  And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.  (11)  And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;  (12)  And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land.

Prayer:  Almighty God, Father in Heaven, you always make a way of escape for me.  Praise and honor are to you alone.  Give me the strength that I lack and the faith that is necessary to allow you to work in my life.  I know that you will complete all that you have started in me, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Essentials Of The Bible: Part 24 -- God Chooses A People – Jacob Prepares to Meet Esau And Wrestles With God

As Jacob starts out on his journey back to his family in Canaan; he has mixed feelings.  He is returning as a rich man and he longs to see his father Isaac; but this also means confronting his brother Esau.  He had fled for his life twenty years before; when Esau vowed to kill him.  His only concern is to reconcile and make peace.  So Jacob sends messengers ahead to meet Esau and he instructs them to express a very humble greeting as if Esau is Jacob’s master; and that he seeks Esau’s favor and grace.  The messengers return with the foreboding news that Esau is fast approaching with an army of four hundred men! 

Genesis 32:6-8 KJV And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him.  (7)  Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands;  (8)  And said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape.

This news struck terror in Jacob’s heart and he devises a plan to divides his caravan into two separate camps in the hope that if the one would be lost, destroyed and killed; that the other may have a chance to get away.  Then Jacob prays.  His prayer is from a contrite heart and a plea for undeserved mercy.  Yet he claims the promises and the blessings that God had given him and reminds the LORD that he was following His instructions to return to the land of his father.  He prays specifically that the LORD would deliver him from the hand of his brother Esau.

Genesis 32:9-12 KJV  And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:  (10)  I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.  (11)  Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children.  (12)  And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.

Most young men go out into the world with the same arrogance of Jacob.  In an effort to make a stake in life we can think that we are invincible.  We take chances with little regard for the consequences.  With age, comes wisdom and a much humbled spirit if we are a fast learner.  A young man under the age of twenty five feels that everything is owed him and that he knows more than his father.  About the age of twenty five, he begins to question both.  No one even takes him seriously until about the age of thirty.  His decade of the thirties is one of struggling to get respect.  Finally, around age forty, a man begins to be respected; after all, he now has twenty years of experience.  The next ten years are a flash in the pan.  Then at age fifty, he has to fight to stay ahead of the younger men.  He reaches a pay level that is beginning to fall on the meter of diminishing returns and few careers are able to continue on into their sixties to retirement.  Early retirement incentives begin to push many out of the way for younger, sharper and more energetic men; who are also willing to work at a lower pay.  Material interests begin to wane.

Jacob is now a middle aged man looking for a simple and quiet life.  He wants to enjoy his children and grandchildren.  All he wants is peace.  He then prepares a very generous and substantial gift for Esau; a peace offering consisting of; two hundred female goats, twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, thirty camels with their nursing young, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys.  He sends them ahead telling his servants to keep a large space between each herd.  He instructs them to say to Esau; “These are gifts from your servant Jacob, and he is on his way behind us.”  As herd after herd, gift after gift were to come to Esau, with that same message, it was hoped that this would soften Esau’s heart.  So Jacob sends this entourage ahead as he settles in for the night.

Genesis 32:13-19 KJV  And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau his brother;  (14)  Two hundred she goats, and twenty he goats, two hundred ewes, and twenty rams,  (15)  Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals.  (16)  And he delivered them into the hand of his servants, every drove by themselves; and said unto his servants, Pass over before me, and put a space betwixt drove and drove.  (17)  And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother meeteth thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose art thou? and whither goest thou? and whose are these before thee?  (18)  Then thou shalt say, They be thy servant Jacob's; it is a present sent unto my lord Esau: and, behold, also he is behind us.  (19)  And so commanded he the second, and the third, and all that followed the droves, saying, On this manner shall ye speak unto Esau, when ye find him.

In the middle of the night he awakes and sends his wives and his entire family across the ford at Jabbok.  Remaining by himself; he finds himself wrestling with a man; no ordinary man.  They wrestle until daybreak; Jacob will not let him go, even after his hip is dislocated.  He realizes that he is wrestling with God and he won’t let Him go until He blesses him.  God asks him, “What is your name?” He replies, “Jacob.”  Then God changes his name to Israel.  The Message translates the name Israel as God-Wrestler.

Genesis 32:24-28 KJV  And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.  (25)  And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.  (26)  And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.  (27)  And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.  (28)  And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

So often we settle for less.  Yet Jacob prevailed and insisted on getting his blessing.  We need to build that same kind of relationship with God.  It is a fine balance to exercise both humbleness and yet boldness.  Jacob found that balance e and we need to as well.

Hebrews 4:16 KJV Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Prayer:  Father in Heaven, you know my heart.  I am not worthy of your love and grace; your divine calling upon my life.  Only through you can I be redeemed and reconciled.  Therefore, LORD, bless me as I come boldly before your throne of grace.  I need you every moment.  You have promised to take my sin, my sickness and my pain.  Let me live in the fullness of life as you have called me to your promises, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Essentials Of The Bible: Part 23 -- God Chooses A People – Rachel Steals Laban’s Idols – God Exonerates Jacob's Flight

As we continue in our story; let’s review the overview of The Essentials Of The Bible:

1.  God yearns for a people

            Creation – Garden of Eden – Adam & Eve

2.  God chooses a people

            Through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel)

3.  God delivers the people

            Through Moses

4.  God judges and restore the people

            Through the prophets

5.  God comes to the people

            Through Jesus Christ/Emmanuel (God with us)

6.  God saves the people

            Through the cross at Calvary

7.  God sends forth the people

            Through the Apostolic Church/Ecclesia (Called out ones)

The foundation of the Bible is formed in this first book of the Bible; Genesis.  It is a book of “Beginnings.”  The law of the prophets, the judgments of God, the poetical and historical books of the remainder of the Old Testament set the stage for Jesus Christ, God in the flesh; to come, save and invite us to join Him in Eternal life.  The stories and the lessons that are foundational to daily Christian living in the 21^st Century are founded here.  We are a spiritual people joined to the physical people chosen by God through Abraham.  The Apostle Paul confirmed this to the church in Rome:

Romans 2:29 KJV  But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Jacob Seizes The Moment To Flee From Laban

While his father-in-law is away shearing sheep; Jacob seizes the opportunity to flee from Laban; taking his earned wages with him.  What he doesn’t know, is that his beloved Rachel has stolen all of the idols of her father’s house.  God speaks to Laban in a dream and warns him not to do anything.

Genesis 31:19-24 KJV  And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father's.  (20)  And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled.  (21)  So he fled with all that he had; and he rose up, and passed over the river, and set his face toward the mount Gilead.  (22)  And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled.  (23)  And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead.  nd God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad. came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

Laban wants his idols back, and Jacob allows him to search every one’s possessions.  When he comes to his daughter Rachel, she is sitting on the idols hidden in a saddle and claims that it would not be appropriate for her to get up, because it was her monthly time.

Genesis 31:34-36 KJV Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel's furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not.  (35)  And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched, but found not the images.  (36)  And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me?

Jacob is rightfully exasperated with his father-in-law who made him serve as a slave; who swindled him and took sore advantage of him.  Had it not been for God’s favor; he would have walked away with nothing.   Because God had intervened and warned Laban; he could not do anything against Jacob.   They make a peace pact and set up a pillar of stones as a witness of their agreement; that neither one of them will cross over to do the other harm.  Laban warns Jacob that he better treat his daughters well and makes Jacob swears to it.  Verse 49 has become a tradition of many up to our present day; to say this short prayer.  Couples use it on jewelry as a prayer of protection.  The word Mizpah was not only a place, but it means; “watch tower.”  When Laban said it, it meant more; “May the LORD keep watch between us to make sure that we keep this covenant when we are out of each other’s sight.”  There are many variations and applications of this prayer today. 

Genesis 31:45-52 KJV And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar.  (46)  And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap.  (47)  And Laban called it Jegarsahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed.  (48)  And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed;  (49)  And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.  (50)  If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee.  (51)  And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee;  (52)  This heap be witness, and this pillar be witness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar unto me, for harm. (53) The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the fear of his father Isaac.

This could have turned into a much different story had God not intervened on Jacob’s behalf.  Jacob had set out to find a wife.  Twenty years later he starts on his journey home a wealthy man with twelve sons and a daughter and he was able to reconcile with his father-in-law.  Jacob offers sacrifices and they fellowship over a meal.  The next morning they depart with kisses.

Genesis 31:54-55 KJV Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.  (55)  And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned unto his place.

Prayer:  Father in Heaven, you see all.  Thank you for watching over me.  Give me the faith to trust you in all things and to live in the promise, “that I can do all things through Christ Jesus which strengthens me.” I worship you and praise your most holy name in Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Essentials Of The Bible: Part 22 -- God Chooses A People – Jacob Makes A Deal With Laban For His Wages – God Blesses The Deal

You don’t have to be in the work force very long to find out that you are working for an employer who has only his or her best interest and heart and could care less about you.  Maybe your immediate supervisor is a gem and speaks to management on your behalf for raises and promotions; shows appreciation for you and makes your work place a real joy to work in.  If so, praise and thank God continuously.  If not, don’t lose faith.  God is there for you!

The devil is a liar.  He works by broadcasting lies, wrong thoughts and attitudes in our minds.  He can make a person believe that they are all alone and that God does not care about them.  He did it in the Garden of Eden with Eve.  He made God out to be selfish; that He was keeping something really good from them, by not allowing them to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

God told Adam and Eve that they could eat of ALL the tress except one.  Notice how the devil turned around what God said:  “"Did God really tell you not to eat fruit from any tree in the garden?" then he calls God a liar:  That's not true; you will not die.   The Devil than says why God is a liar, because you will become a God:  he knows that when you eat it, you will be like God

Genesis 3:1-5 GNB  Now the snake was the most cunning animal that the LORD God had made. The snake asked the woman, "Did God really tell you not to eat fruit from any tree in the garden?"  (2)  "We may eat the fruit of any tree in the garden," the woman answered,  (3)  "except the tree in the middle of it. God told us not to eat the fruit of that tree or even touch it; if we do, we will die."  (4)  The snake replied, "That's not true; you will not die.  (5)  God said that because he knows that when you eat it, you will be like God and know what is good and what is bad."

Why have we gone back to the Garden of Eden as we continue on with the story of Jacob?  Because the Devil works in lies and lost hope as he was at work in the Garden of Eden; he was at work in oppressing and demoralizing Jacob and he is at work trying to demoralize you and me.  This story can have an awesome impact on your life!  God will do for you that which he did for Jacob. 

We are all human and fighting our human nature and the influence of the Devil.  But God has called us to be transformed in Christ.  He accepts us where we are and then begins to work with us as a master potter; forming us and shaping us in His own image.  Looking at Jacob as a youth, we see an arrogant con man.  He deceived his brother and he deceived his father; having to flee to save his life.  He meets his match when he decides that he wants to marry Laban’s daughter.  During his fourteen years working for Laban, the youth grew up and starts letting the LORD fight his battle.  Laban took sore advantage of Jacob and God.  Instead of thanking God for Jacob’s hard work and for God’s gracious blessings, he cheats Jacob at every turn.  When it comes time for Jacob to take his family and journey back to his own land; he has nothing; in fact, less than what he came with. 

Genesis 30:25-30 ESV As soon as Rachel had borne Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, "Send me away, that I may go to my own home and country.  (26)  Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, that I may go, for you know the service that I have given you."  (27)  But Laban said to him, "If I have found favor in your sight, I have learned by divination that the LORD has blessed me because of you.  (28)  Name your wages, and I will give it."  (29)  Jacob said to him, "You yourself know how I have served you, and how your livestock has fared with me.  (30)  For you had little before I came, and it has increased abundantly, and the LORD has blessed you wherever I turned. But now when shall I provide for my own household also?"

Laban was poor when Jacob came to him.  Over the fourteen years of his labor, God blessed Laban; but Laban didn’t deal honestly and righteously with Jacob, his own son-in-law.  So Jacob makes a deal with Laban to work a little longer for him, but he wants as wages, all of the spotted and speckled sheep and all of the black lambs as well as the spotted and speckled goats.  Laban agrees. 

Genesis 30:31-34 ESV He said, "What shall I give you?" Jacob said, "You shall not give me anything. If you will do this for me, I will again pasture your flock and keep it:  (32)  let me pass through all your flock today, removing from it every speckled and spotted sheep and every black lamb, and the spotted and speckled among the goats, and they shall be my wages.  (33)  So my honesty will answer for me later, when you come to look into my wages with you. Every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats and black among the lambs, if found with me, shall be counted stolen."  (34)  Laban said, "Good! Let it be as you have said."

Before Jacob can claim his wages of the spotted, speckled and black animals; Laban has his sons steal them away.  He sends his sons on a three days journey away; to keep Jacob from claiming his wages. 

Genesis 30:35-36 ESV But that day Laban removed the male goats that were striped and spotted, and all the female goats that were speckled and spotted, every one that had white on it, and every lamb that was black, and put them in the charge of his sons.  (36)  And he set a distance of three days' journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob pastured the rest of Laban's flock.

Being swindled once again by his employer/father-in-law, Laban; Jacob could have given up and just stayed a slave to Laban.  He could have gotten angry and killed Laban and his son; taking what was rightfully his.  Instead, he allowed Laban to steal from him one last time.  He then came up with a plan to have the herds and flocks of only the strongest animals reproduce spotted, speckled and black offspring.  He then separated them at birth and tended them as his own.  His plan only worked because God performed a miracle for him.   This is what Jacob did:  he got fresh branches from poplar, almond, and plane trees and peeled the bark, leaving white stripes on them.  He then stuck the peeled branches in front of the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink. When the flocks were in heat, they came to drink and mated in front of the streaked branches. Then they gave birth to young that were streaked or spotted or speckled.

Genesis 30:37-43 ESV Then Jacob took fresh sticks of poplar and almond and plane trees, and peeled white streaks in them, exposing the white of the sticks.  (38)  He set the sticks that he had peeled in front of the flocks in the troughs, that is, the watering places, where the flocks came to drink. And since they bred when they came to drink,  (39)  the flocks bred in front of the sticks and so the flocks brought forth striped, speckled, and spotted.  (40)  And Jacob separated the lambs and set the faces of the flocks toward the striped and all the black in the flock of Laban. He put his own droves apart and did not put them with Laban's flock.  (41)  Whenever the stronger of the flock were breeding, Jacob would lay the sticks in the troughs before the eyes of the flock, that they might breed among the sticks,  (42)  but for the feebler of the flock he would not lay them there. So the feebler would be Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's.  (43)  Thus the man increased greatly and had large flocks, female servants and male servants, and camels and donkeys.

All of this angered Laban and his heart turned against Jacob.  It was now time for Jacob to leave and return to his own kindred and land.

Genesis 31:2-13 ESV And Jacob saw that Laban did not regard him with favor as before.  (3)  Then the LORD said to Jacob, "Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you."  (4)  So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah into the field where his flock was  (5)  and said to them, "I see that your father does not regard me with favor as he did before. But the God of my father has been with me.  (6)  You know that I have served your father with all my strength,  (7)  yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times. But God did not permit him to harm me.  (8)  If he said, 'The spotted shall be your wages,' then all the flock bore spotted; and if he said, 'The striped shall be your wages,' then all the flock bore striped.  (9)  Thus God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me.  (10)  In the breeding season of the flock I lifted up my eyes and saw in a dream that the goats that mated with the flock were striped, spotted, and mottled.  (11)  Then the angel of God said to me in the dream, 'Jacob,' and I said, 'Here I am!'  (12)  And he said, 'Lift up your eyes and see, all the goats that mate with the flock are striped, spotted, and mottled, for I have seen all that Laban is doing to you.  (13)  I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and made a vow to me. Now arise, go out from this land and return to the land of your kindred.'"

God sees our struggles in life.  Nothing gets past God; He sees all!  We don’t suffer alone in this evil and selfish world.  God is always with us and He has a plan for us; even though we can’t always see it.  We are called to live a life of faith; to trust God!  Our livelihood is not dependant upon the economy around us.  Our career is not limited by our boss or the company we work for.  The abundance of God and His blessings can not be withheld by any man.  God has always taken care of His people.  He has fed the righteous when the wicked starve.  He had ravens feed Elijah; when he was forced into exile.

1 Kings 17:2-6 KJV  And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,  (3)  Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.  (4)  And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.  (5)  So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.  (6)  And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.

Wherever we are and whatever happens to us; God is always with us.  God made Jacob very wealthy and then sent him and his wives and children on a journey back to his kindred and his own land.  God will improve your circumstances in life if you trust and believe in Him.

Prayer:  God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the Almighty Father in Heaven, thank you for your love.  Help me to trust in you and to claim all of the promises of God.  Show me your will for my life, in Jesus; name, Amen.

The Essentials Of The Bible: Part 21 -- God Chooses A People – The Swindler Gets Swindled – Dysfunction Of Abraham’s Family Grows

There are sayings; “What goes around; comes around;” or “He’s getting his just desserts.”  These are modern colloquial phrases that come from a Biblical principle:

Job 4:8 Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.

Jacob swindled his brother Esau out of his birthright and then later swindled him out of his blessing.  He deceived his father.  In fact, his father Isaac and his grandfather Abraham both deceived Abimelech by saying that their wife was their sister.  It would seem that the proverbial acorn does not fall to far from the tree.  We need to remember that the patriarchs of the Bible were not perfect men.  God didn’t record their names and detail their experiences to showcase weakness; but to show how God can be glorified through their weakness and transform it into faith that would allow God to work within them and fulfill His will.   These were men who were just as human as us today.

James 5:17-18 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.  (18)  And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

The Contemporary English Version translates the above as “Elijah was just as human as we are…”  And so we too are called out of weakness to be transformed by God’s Holy Spirit; transformed from our human nature into God’s divine nature; and it is a process over time.  It is interesting, as we shall see, that Jacob got swindled and ends up working for his father-in-law for more than fourteen years.

Jacob goes to his mother’s people in Haran and finds the woman he that wants to marry, her name is Rachel.  Her father requires that he work seven years for her.  Because Jacob loves Rachel so much, the seven years seem as just days.  The wedding day comes and he finds out the next day that the bride behind the veil was not Rachel, but her older sister Leah.  In protest, Jacob agrees to Laban’s offer that he fulfill one week with Leah and then he will give him Rachel as well; but he has to work another seven years. 

Genesis 29:25-30 And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?  (26)  And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.  (27)  Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.  (28)  And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.  (29)  And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.  (30)  And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.

Jacob agrees and so begins the saga of Jacob’s dysfunctional family that will involve children by both women and their handmaids.  A half brother rivalry that will include plots of murder, incest, adultery, rape, genocide of a king and his kingdom, conspiracy and lies involving the selling of one of the brother’s into slavery.  In the end what will emerge is the nation of Israel.

The wedding feast is over and so is the honeymoon for both brides.  Because Rachael is Jacobs favorite, Leah is distained.  God hears her plight and prevents Rachael from getting pregnant and gives Leah four sons; Rueben, Simeon, Levi and Judah captive to Egypt.

Rachel was the woman that Jacob wanted as his bride.  He took Leah in protest.  And so from the beginning there was a jealousy and hatred among the sisters because Jacob loved Rachel and just took Leah because he had to.  God sees the hatred for Leah and blesses her.

Genesis 29:31-35 And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.  (32)  And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.  (33)  And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon.  (34)  And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi.  (35)  And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.

Remember that the promises of God to Abraham were passed on down to the first born son, through Abraham’s first wife Sarah, with Isaac.  Then Isaac’s first born, Esau, despised his birthright and God honored it being sold to Jacob.  There were family squabbles between Ishmael (born of a second wife/handmaid) and Isaac (the true first born of marriage); which grew into nation against nation, down to our present day in the Israeli/Arab conflict.  Those same type of family conflicts were passed on down to Isaac’s sons Esau and Jacob; which also resulted in nation against nation down to the present day in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict over land. 

Genesis 36:8 Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir: Esau is Edom. 

This is the area between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba

See Israel and Palestine: A Brief History - Part I  at 

http://www.mideastweb.org/briefhistory.htm

The Holy Land was part of the land promised to Abraham who is the father of both the Muslim and Jewish religions, as well as the father of David and of Christ.  Three of the world’s great religions came out of Abraham and all three are monotheistic.  The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem is believed to be the place where Abraham went to sacrificed Isaac in the Jewish religion.  The Muslims believe that Abraham went there to sacrifice Ishmael and the Christians believe that it is the site of Calvary and the place Christ was crucified.

It is a real tragedy that the peace of the entire modern world hangs in the balance over the Israeli/Arab conflict that started between step brothers of a dysfunctional family from ancient times.  Our modern world divides it’s alliances between Israel and the Arab nations.

The conflict of the house of Abraham becomes infinitely more complicated and is compounded with the problems that arise out of Jacobs four wives and the sons who are born to them.  Out of jealousy for Leah’s four sons, Rachel demands Jacob to give her a son.  This argument results in Rachel giving Jacob her handmaid Bilhah to bear a child for her. 

Genesis 30:1-6 KJV  And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.  (2)  And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?  (3)  And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her.  (4)  And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in unto her.  (5)  And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a son.  (6)  And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan.

After Dan is born, Bilhah gives Jacob and second son and he is called Naphtali.

Genesis 30:7-8 And Bilhah Rachel's maid conceived again, and bare Jacob a second son.  (8)  And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali.

Leah is now the jealous; which leads to a retaliation contest through handmaids.  Leah also gives Jacob her handmaid and she conceives Gad and then Asher.

Genesis 30:9-13 When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah her maid, and gave her Jacob to wife.  (10)  And Zilpah Leah's maid bare Jacob a son.  (11)  And Leah said, A troop cometh: and she called his name Gad.  (12)  And Zilpah Leah's maid bare Jacob a second son.  (13)  And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher.

Leah bears two more sons and then a daughter, Issachar and Zebulun followed by Dinah, the daughter.  God then gives Rachel, her first child, a son named Joseph.  Jacob then asks his father-in-law, Laban to release him because he had fulfilled is agreement to the fourteen years of service to Laban.

Genesis 30:25-26 And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country.  (26)  Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou knowest my service which I have done thee.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, you are the Master of the Universe.  You see all and hear all.  I function under the grace of your will.  Help me to always draw near to you.  Transform my character into your character.  Let your righteousness live in me.  Give me the understanding and wisdom that are needed to make Godly choices, in Jesus’ name.

The Essentials Of The Bible: Part 20 -- God Chooses A People – Jacob Is Sent To Find A Wife And Has A Dream

Isaac sends Jacob to Haran to find a wife from among his mother’s people; and tells him not to take a wife from among the Canaanite.

Genesis 28:1-2 And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said unto him, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan.  (2)  Arise, go to Padanaram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother's father; and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother's brother.

On his way to Haran; where his uncle lived; Jacob stopped in a certain place and had a dream.  In the dream; there was a ladder that was set up on earth that reached heaven and angels were ascending and descending upon it.

Genesis 28:10-12And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran.  (11)  And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.  (12)  And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. 

Once again, as the birthright to God’s promises to Abraham is passed down to another generation, God personally appears to his chosen and reaffirms the promises made to Abraham:

1. The land of Canaan will be given to Abraham’s descendants.
2. An innumerable multitude of people and nations would come through Abraham’s lineage.
3. All of the nations of the world would be blessed through Abraham’s lineage.

Genesis 28:13-15 And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;  (14)  And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.  (15)  And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.

Jacob sets up stones to mark the place and calls it Bethel, and pours oil upon the rocks and makes a deal with the LORD.  If he is given safe passage on his journey and returns to his father’s house; then the God of Abraham, the LORD, shall be his God.  He also vows to give a tenth to of all that the LORD gives him.

Genesis 28:18-22 And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.  (19)  And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.  (20)  And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,  (21)  So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God:  (22)  And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

Prayer:  Loving most merciful Heavenly Father, you are the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and my LORD.  Thank you for your WORD.  Thank you for calling me out of this world.  Help me to live a holy life and to serve you in all that I do.  Lead me to that which you are blessing, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Essentials Of The Bible: Part 19 -- God Chooses A People – Rebecca Helps Jacob Steal Esau’s Blessing

It is difficult for parents not to have favorites among their children; and with Isaac and Rebecca this was a challenge as well.  Esau, the first born, was a man of the field and the pride of Isaac’s eye; while Jacob was favored by Rebecca for his gentleness and domestic skills.  The brothers were at opposite ends of the spectrum.  When Isaac became old and his sight started to fail him; it was time to pass on the blessing that he received from Abraham, his father.  This was a blessing that carried the weight of Almighty God’s promises.  And so, Isaac sends Esau out into the field to bring back some venison and to roast it for him; then Isaac would bless him.  Before Esau could hunt a deer and prepare it, Rebecca had Jacob kill a lamb and dress it out.  She then prepared it the way Isaac liked it and gave Jacob some of Esau’s clothes that smelled like the field.  Putting the hairy skins of the slaughtered animal on Jacob’s hands and arms; she sent him in to pose as Esau to Isaac.

Genesis 27:6-17 And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying,  (7)  Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the LORD before my death.  (8)  Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee.  (9)  Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth:  (10)  And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his death.  (11)  And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man:  (12)  My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing.  (13)  And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them.  (14)  And he went, and fetched, and brought them to his mother: and his mother made savoury meat, such as his father loved.  (15)  And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son:  (16)  And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck:  (17)  And she gave the savoury meat and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.

The deception worked, even though Isaac questions Jacob, because he sounded like Jacob.  The animal skins on his arms and hands, along with the clothes that smelled like Esau, convinced Isaac that Jacob was Esau.

Genesis 27:22-27 And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.  (23)  And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau's hands: so he blessed him.  (24)  And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am.  (25)  And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son's venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did eat: and he brought him wine, and he drank.  (26)  And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.  (27)  And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed:

Isaac eats the meal and then pronounces the blessing of Almighty God upon his second born son; believing he was blessing his first born Esau.

Genesis 27:28-29 Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:  (29)  Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.

Later, Esau comes with venison for Isaac; looking for his blessing; but it was too late.  Isaac pronounces upon Esau, that he has made Jacob lord over Esau; and that he would have to live by the sword; but in time, he would break the yoke of bondage.

Genesis 27:37-40 And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee, my son?  (38)  And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.  (39)  And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above;  (40)  And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.

Esau in his rage vows to kill Jacob as soon as their father dies.  Rebecca tells Jacob to flee for his life until his brother would calm down.  She sends him to her brother Laban.

Genesis 27:41-45 And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.  (42)  And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah: and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, purposing to kill thee.  (43)  Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran;  (44)  And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother's fury turn away;  (45)  Until thy brother's anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why should I be deprived also of you both in one day?

God said that he hated or rejected Esau as an enemy (Malachi 1:3-5).  Here again, we need to realize that the birthright that was Esau’s right was no insignificant thing.  Remember Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowel of soup.  That birthright entitled the first born to the special blessing that would be given later by Isaac.  This carried the promises of God that he gave to Abraham and was passed on down to Isaac.  The LORD made Isaac a very wealthy man in flocks, herds servants as well as silver and gold.  The blessing to Eau would have grown even greater.  When he sold his birthright; it was like trading all of the wealth in the world for a 90 cent bowl of soup.  How could God build upon a man whose was so thoughtless?  Esau proved to be a reckless and unthankful person.  He despised the blessing of the LORD by selling it so cheaply and for showing contempt.

Malachi 1:3-5 And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.  (4)  Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever.  (5)  And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel.

God does not like unthankful people.  Of the End Time people, God says:

2 Timothy 3:1-5 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  (2)  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  (3)  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  (4)  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  (5)  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

The act of despising God’s promises and blessing is certainly described in the attitude and types of character described in 2 Timothy above.  We must be the opposite type people in our attitude and be; lovers of God and goodness; giving and sharing; humbly living in truth; honoring parents; thankful and seeking holiness; loving towards all people and seeking peace with all; defenders of truth and upholding goodness.

Father in Heaven, fill me with your spirit and help me to be grateful for all that you give me.  Let me find peace in your righteousness; living in humility and grace; defending truth in love to you and your WORD.  Bless me LORD in Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Essentials Of The Bible: Part 18 -- God Chooses A People – God Reaffirms The Promises To Isaac & Blesses His Crops

Many people have said, “The Bible is too difficult to understand!”  It is not the parts that they don’t understand that are difficult.  If there is one thing that the first twenty five chapters of the book of Genesis reveal; it is that God is very clear and simple in His WORD.  As He appeared to Abraham and stated His promises so He also restates those promises to Isaac.

Genesis 26:2-4 And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of:  (3)  Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;  (4)  And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;

We have to remember that life in Abraham’s time was dramatically different from our twenty first century living in the techno age.  The only evening amusements were sitting around a fire and sharing stories.  Isaac must have memorized the stories he heard about his father Abraham deceiving the Pharaoh of Egypt, saying that his mother Sarah was his sister.  Pharaoh took Sarah for a wife and brought a curse upon his household.  Abraham also had done the same thing with Abimelech king of the Philistines, and the king brought curses upon his household as well.  So what does Isaac do when he is told by the LORD to dwell in the land of the Philistines?  He says that Rebecca is his sister; but the King saw Isaac, “sporting with Rebecca.”  They were being playful and flirtatious like married people do; not at all like brother and sister.  The King confronts Isaac and then makes a proclamation to his people not to touch Rebecca; for fear of reaping a curse from the Almighty God, LORD of Abraham.

Genesis 26:7-11 And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon.  (8)  And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife.  (9)  And Abimelech called Isaac, and said, Behold, of a surety she is thy wife: and how saidst thou, She is my sister? And Isaac said unto him, Because I said, Lest I die for her.  (10)  And Abimelech said, What is this thou hast done unto us? one of the people might lightly have lien with thy wife, and thou shouldest have brought guiltiness upon us.  (11)  And Abimelech charged all his people, saying, He that toucheth this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.

It is fascinating and a bit of a quandary; how many of the pagan and idolatrous people were aware of the LORD and feared to trespass against Abraham and Isaac; yet they still worshipped gods of stone.  They could clearly see that the LORD blessed His people.  That same year, with Abimelech and his people as witnesses, God blessed Isaac’s crops a hundred times the normal yield.  That made Isaac a very wealthy man in one year!  Imagine receiving 100 times your normal salary in one year!  November 10, 2010, the average American family was reported as earning $46,326 per year.  One hundred times that would be over 4.6 million dollars.  Imagine if America repented and became truly a God fearing country.  We have pledged to be, “one nation under God.”  Our money has printed and minted on it, “In God we trust.”  Yet since the 1963 Supreme Court rulings; prayer in school and Bible reading were ruled unconstitutional.  God gave this plea to His people; whom we claim to be!

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

The Apostle Paul confirmed this equation (2 Chronicles 7:14) to blessings and if we would embrace the principle, God would rain blessings upon us as well.

1.      Humbles ourselves:  This means to live in meekness.  As we saw when going through the fruits of the spirit; meekness is:  enduring injury with patience and without resentment.  It is the opposite of being vain and claiming your rights no matter what.  It does not seek to be right and ahead of others at their cost.  It is not weakness, but having an even temperament; seeking others benefits and not always your own.

2.      Pray:  Regular and daily communication with God.  Share your thoughts and ideas with God.  Include Him in your life; develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Seek God first and above all; make praying to God your first response in a crisis and not your last resort.  Be instant in prayer and pray without ceasing; which is to live prayerfully or in a state of prayer.  Do all things prayerfully by seeking God’s intervention, option and counsel.

3.      Seek God’s face:  Don’t always be seeking God’s hand by asking Him for things.  Seek God to know Him personally and intimately.  Share all of the secrets of your heart with Him.  Actively seek His will in your life.  Bless God, instead of always asking for a blessing.

4.      Turn from wickedness:  As the Apostle Paul said, “I die daily.”  That means we need to repent daily!  If you believe that you can live a 24 hour day without sinning, then your sin is haughtiness and vanity and you have put yourself above God.  We all sin; if not by commission, then by omission.  Have you failed to share the Gospel with even one person who crossed your path, some stranger whose eyes met you yours?  We must look deeper than just the letter of the law.  Our calling requires us to live like Jesus Christ; to actually allow Jesus Christ to live inside of us.

Inasmuch As Ye Did It Not To One Of The Least Of These, Ye Did It Not To Me

Matthew 25:34-46 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  (35)  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:  (36)  Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.  (37)  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?  (38)  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?  (39)  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?  (40)  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.  (41)  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:  (42)  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:  (43)  I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.  (44)  Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?  (45)  Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.  (46)  And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

God was serious when He made promises to Abraham and then reaffirmed them to Isaac.  As Christians, we are children of Christ and of His lineage; back through David to father Abraham.  We are God’s people and we are not called to worship once a week; but rather to worship everyday and live in the promises.

After Jesus Christ personally gave His disciples final training after His resurrection; He sent them forth as Apostles.  In Peter’s first sermon, he stated (after receiving first hand instructions for Jesus) on the day of Pentecost:

Acts 2:38-39 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  (39)  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

We have a heritage that goes back to Abraham and lives in Christ and in us through the Holy Ghost.  Let us live as the chosen people that we are!

Prayer: Father in Heaven, hear my prayer and open my heart and mind to your WORD.  Live in me through the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Help me to claim the promises and to live in truth and your way which is the only way that leads to life, in Jesus’ name, Amen.