49 DAYS OF PRAYER & FASTING FROM MONDAY 7TH OF APRIL TO TUESDAY 27TH OF MAY 2025 (PART 2)

49 DAYS OF PRAYER & FASTING FROM MONDAY 7TH OF APRIL TO TUESDAY 27TH OF MAY 2025 (PART 2)

THEME “PROPHETIC BLESSING AND FULFILMENT”

SCRIPTURE TEXT: Genesis 49:1 (AMP) "Then Jacob called for his sons and said, “Assemble yourselves [around me] that I may tell you what will happen to you and your descendants [a]in the days to come."

Saints Welcome to Part 2 of the 49 Day Fasting Program, due to the length of these in-depth teachings I have had to divide them. Now for those that want to go to the first 20 Days with the introduction and fasting instructions just click on this link https://www.repentancerevival.com/single-post/49-days-of-prayer-fasting-from-monday-7th-of-april-to-tuesday-27th-of-may-2025

Day 21, the 27th of April 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 21

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

These are a few of the most fantastic chapters in the Bible! Abraham’s offering of his son? Why? And why there? [Also, an example of the Holy Spirit carefully editing the text for a prophetic implication!]

ABRAHAM AND SARAH RECEIVE THE SON GOD PROMISED THEM (21:1-7):

The Lord worked miraculously in Sarah and caused her to become pregnant. She gave birth to a son when she was 90 years old, and Abraham was 100 years old.

They named their baby son Isaac. The name Isaac (“he laughs”): Sarah said that God gave her laughter (v.6), that is, joy. Her laughter of unbelief (18:12) was now changed to rejoicing through the provision of her son. Everyone who would hear about this would laugh—that is, rejoice, with her. But Ishmael turned her laughter into a ridiculing mockery of God’s work.

Isaac was circumcised on his eighth day of life, just as God had instructed (17:10).

HAGAR AND ISHMAEL ARE BANISHED (21:8-21):

When Isaac was weaned, Abraham prepared a great feast.

Sarah observed Hagar, the mother of Ishmael, laughing and she became angry.

She told Abraham she wanted Hagar and her son banished from their house. God used this incident of Ishmael’s mocking Isaac to drive out the child Ishmael and Hagar (v. 10), for they would be a threat to the promised seed.

The word “mocking” is mesòahòeq (“laughing or jesting”), from which comes “Isaac” (yisòhòaq). Earlier Sarah had mistreated Hagar (16:6); now Hagar’s son was mistreating Sarah’s son. Earlier Sarah caused pregnant Hagar to flee (16:6); now she caused Hagar and her 16- or 17-year-old son to flee.

Bread includes all sorts of victuals—bottle, a leathern vessel, formed of the entire skin of a lamb or kid sewed up, with the legs for handles, usually carried over the shoulder. Ishmael was a lad of 17 years, and it is quite customary for Arab chiefs to send out their sons at such an age to do for themselves: often with nothing but a few days’ provisions in a bag.

When Abraham became distressed because of Sarah’s request to oust Hagar and Ishmael, God assured Abraham that Ishmael would have a future because he too was Abraham’s offspring (vv. 11-13).

Read Galatians 4:22-31: When Christ, the seed, came, the old was done away. Now that the promise has come, believers are co-heirs with the promised Seed by adoption through God’s grace. To go back under the Law would be to undo the fulfillment of God’s promise. Those adopted by the Seed become seeds and are set free from the bondage of the Law (Gal 5:1). Just as Ishmael and Isaac were in conflict (Gal 4:29), so the flesh and the Spirit do not harmonize. The flesh struggles against the Spirit, often mocking it (Gal 5:16-18). Therefore, believers are to “get rid of the slave woman and her son” (Gal 4:30), that is, to remove the threat of the flesh and “live by the Spirit” (Gal 5:16).

This troubled Abraham, but God told him to do as Sarah requested.

God’s blessings on Abraham’s family were to continue through the bloodline of Isaac, but God assured Abraham He would care for Ishmael and his future family.

In the morning, Abraham gave Hagar bread and a skin of water and sent her away. Beer-Sheba, on the border of Egypt, was about fifty miles S of Jerusalem and 27 miles S of Hebron. For those going southward, it was the last point of any significance in Palestine.

Hagar and Ishmael wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba until the water ran out, at which point they despaired of life.

As Hagar wept, the angel of God appeared to her and told her God was planning to make Ishmael into a great nation. The angel of God opened her eyes and showed her a well of water. Ishmael grew up and lived in the wilderness of Paran.

God told Hagar, as He had told Abraham, that from Ishmael would come a great nation (21:18; cf. v. 13). Paran (that is, Arabia), where his posterity has ever dwelt (compare Gen 16:12; also, Isa 48:19; 1Pet 1:25). “...his mother took him a wife”: On a father’s death, the mother looks out for a wife for her son, however young; and as Ishmael was now virtually deprived of his father, his mother set about forming a marriage connection for him, it would seem, among her relatives. Ishmael lived in the desert became an archer and married an Egyptian (21:21).

ABRAHAM AND ABIMELECH MAKE A TREATY (21:22-34):

Abimelech and Phicol (his army commander) observed how God blessed Abraham, and they proposed a pact of peace with him. Here a proof of the promise (Gen 12:2) being fulfilled, in a native prince wishing to form a solemn league with Abraham. The proposal was reasonable and agreed to.

Abraham was willing to agree to the treaty, but he had one point of contention with Abimelech.

Apparently, some of Abimelech’s servants had seized a well that Abraham dug. Wells were of immense importance to a pastoral chief and on the successful operation of sinking a new one, the owner was solemnly informed in person. If, however, they were allowed to get out of repair, the restorer acquired a right to them. In unoccupied lands the possession of wells gave a right of property in the land, and dread of this had caused the offense for which Abraham reproved Abimelech. Some describe four, others five, wells in Beer-Sheba.

Abraham gave Abimelech 7 ewe lambs as a “witness” that the well belonged to him. The similarity of the Hebrew words sheba, “seven,” and shaba, “swear,” seems to indicate that there is a connection between them. Accordingly, Beer-sheba may mean “well of seven” or “well of swearing,” or “well of the oath.” The reflexive use of the word for “to swear” means “to seven oneself” or to pledge oneself by seven sacred things. Later Israel would learn about the solemnity of oaths and treaties.

Having settled the matter, Abraham and Abimelech made a covenant of peace.

The location of their treaty became known as Beersheba.  

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

God does not overlook people who the world considers insignificant.

Hagar was a slave; many people would not have cared what happened to her after she was put out of her master’s house… but God cared.

Repeatedly in the scriptures, we see God’s kindness towards people who are typically categorized into the “lower-class.”

When Jesus came to the earth, He didn’t spend His time with the elites of society, He spent the balance of His time with the common people.

Abraham pursued peace with Abimelech in Genesis 21:22-24, even when asked to pay for a well that he already owned. Help Your saints to pursue peace with our neighbours, Lord, “as long as that peace does not involve compromise with God and His Word.”. Make us willing to yield our rights and opinions to listen and understand the perspective of others.

You do not have to be special in the eyes of your society to be special in the eyes of God.

Everyone leads someone saints. While we often like to think that our thoughts and actions are entirely personal, everything that we say and do impacts someone. Consider the influence of your character and personal priorities on those who may look to you. Now I want you to take a moment to reflect on the people in your life who are listening to your words and watching your actions. Make a list of those you are leading. Pray through each name individually, asking God for wisdom to lead with humility and act with integrity.

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, thank You Father, for I want to be enjoying your presence on a daily basis on my life and on everything I do in Jesus name. Your name, Lord, is great among the nations. Like Abraham, we call on You, “Lord, the Eternal God.” (Genesis 21:33) Forgive us, Father, for allowing fear to overcome our faith. Like Abraham in Genesis 20:1-2, we are guilty of returning to old sin patterns when we lose sight of Your sovereignty.

Father, You know that I will fail. Like Abraham and Sarah, I may question Your plan and I may doubt Your provision. But in Your patience, You are faithful. Humble me and help me to grow through Your continued mercy. Thank You, Lord, for giving us joy, especially when we see evidence of Your work. Just as Sarah exclaimed in Genesis 21:6, we, too, can rejoice that, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about (His work) will laugh with me.”

Correct me in your Love oh Lord in Jesus name. Heighten in me an increasing awareness and reverence of You, in the knowledge that You are my Friend. Hallelujah! I ask this in Jesus' mighty name I pray, AMEN.

Day 22, the 28th of April 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 22

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

THE OFFERING OF ISAAC: THE AKEDAH

Genesis does not reveal exactly how much time has passed since Isaac’s birth, but as we go deeper into this study you will see he was older than what most believe him to be. It is also clear, however, that having just sent Ishmael into the wilderness, after some time Abraham is now being asked to give up Isaac as well. This is a profound test of his faith also in what God has promised to him, especially considering that child sacrifice does not seem to have been a normal part of his culture. Abraham’s comment to Isaac suggests that he still trusts God to fulfill his promise somehow.

The test was very real: he was to give Isaac back to God. Saints as a test, it was designed to prove faith. Now Ishmael had been sent away and now also after a long wait, Isaac was to be given back to God.

Hosea 12:10 “I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.”

FIGURES OF SPEECH

• Simile: Resemblance (Gen 25:25; Mt 7:24-27);

• Allegory: Comparison by representation (Gen 49:9; Gal 4:22, 24) (Pilgrims Progress was written with this style by the famous John Bunyan)

• Metaphor: Representation (Mt 26:26);

• Hypocatastasis: an implied resemblance or representation (Mt 7:3-5; Mt 15:13);

• Type: A figure or example of something future (Rom 5:14; Gen 22, 24);

• Analogy: resemblance in some particulars between things otherwise unlike.

GOD TELLS ABRAHAM TO SACRIFICE ISAAC (22:1-19):

God tested Abraham’s faith by commanding him to go to the land of Moriah, take his only son and kill Isaac, and offer him as a sacrifice. “Only” son? “Love”: 1st Mention. And seen in John 3:16. No test could have been more severe than the one God now imposed. And no obedience could have been more perfect than Abraham’s.

The next day, Abraham got up early and began the journey to Moriah with two servants and his son. (At the beginning of chapter 22, Abraham and Isaac travelled to the land of Moriah. After returning from Moriah, Abraham lived in Beersheba.)

After a three-day journey, they arrived at the designated mountain. Why a three-day journey? (~50 miles) Why there?

Leaving the two servants, Abraham and Isaac ascended the mountain carrying wood and fire. Now I want to suggest to you saints that Isaac was not a child: possibly, 30 years of age!... you will see why shortly.

“Both of them together” = both in agreement. An image of the Son the Christ who said “Father … not my will, but yours be done” (Lk 22:42).

Isaac asked his father why they had not brought an animal for the sacrifice and Abraham replied, “God will provide Himself...” Who?!! Himself (cf. v.14).

When they got to the place the Lord had specified, Abraham built an altar, placed wood on it, and then bound Isaac and laid him on top of the wood.

Abraham took the knife in his hand to kill his son, but the angel of the Lord stopped him. Saints what can we learn from this picture is that a true worshiper of God holds nothing back from God but obediently gives Him what He asks, trusting that He will provide.

The angel of the Lord said, “Do not lay your hand on the body or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld you son, your only son, from me. Noe the KJV says Genesis 22:12 “And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him…..”

“Young lads”: Armed soldiers; Isaac is more than likely 32 years old?

Abraham did not withhold his son. Similarly, Paul wrote that God “did not spare (epheisato) His own Son but gave [delivered] Him up for us all” (Rom 8:32). A form of the same Greek word is used of Abraham in the Septuagint (This is the old testament version translated into the Greek and the Greek is extremely specific language):

“you have not withheld (spared) (epheiso) your (beloved) son, your only son, from Me.” (Gen 22:12).

“He shall kill it on the north side of the altar before the Lord; and the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall sprinkle its blood all around on the altar.” (Lev 1:11)

“the whole bull he shall carry outside the camp to a clean place, where the ashes are poured out, and burn it on wood with fire; where the ashes are poured out it shall be burned.” (Lev 4:12)

“And they made His grave with the wicked—But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth.”  (Isa 53:9)

Saints the “wicked” mentioned here is not said of the two thieves: but rather of the location of the grave!

JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA

Joseph of Arimathea was a member of the Sanhedrin, a disciple of Jesus’, driven into concealment due to the plots on his life for having defended Jesus before the Sanhedrin openly; his appearance before Pilate may have been a shock to the Jewish leadership.

GOLGATHA

Joseph’s new tomb was hewn out of a rock adjacent to the very spot that criminals were put to death. The stony sides of the tomb—a new tomb, “the clean place” where Jesus was laid—were part of the malefactor’s hill. Thus, His dead body is “with the rich man and with the wicked” in the hour of His death! His grave is the property of a rich man; yet the rocks which form the partition between His tomb and that of the other malefactors, are themselves part of Golgotha.

GARDEN TOMB

General Charles George Gordon was commissioned as 2nd Lt., 1852; served in the Crimean War, 1853-56; and distinguished himself in the Taiping Rebellion against the Manchu Dynasty, 1860. He was sent on diplomatic and military engineering missions in England and Europe, 1864-74; was Governor of the Sudan, 1877; and then served the British government in India, China, Mauritius, and South Africa 1880-1883. He discovered the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem in 1883. The summary of the conditions required for the tomb were published by Andrew Bonar in his commentary on Leviticus in 1846—37 years before the Garden Tomb was discovered! (Leviticus, Andrew Bonar, 1846.) (For those that have travelled to Israel on a tour would have visited this place and shown the several possible locations of Golgotha also)

Looking up, Abraham saw a ram caught in a thicket by its horns.

“And Abraham called the name of the place, (Jehovah Jireh) The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” (Genesis 22:14)

A name only relevant in a prophetic perspective! Abraham knew he was acting out a prophetic ritual.

He took the ram and offered it to God on the altar.

Because of Abraham’s obedience and faith, the angel of the Lord told him his offspring would be multiplied, they would have victory over their enemies, and all the nations of the earth would be blessed through them.

God again confirmed His covenant with Abraham (cf. 15:5, 18-21; 17:3-8). His descendants would be numerous like the stars (cf. 15:5; 26:4), like the sand on the seashore (cf. 32:12), and “like the dust of the earth” (cf.13:16; 28:14). God then added another element: Abraham’s descendants would be victorious over the cities of their Canaanite enemies. This was done by Joshua in the Conquest.

After this, Abraham returned home and lived in Beersheba.

THE CHILDREN OF NAHOR (22:20-24):

The end of the chapter lists the family of Nahor, Abraham’s brother (11:26; 29).

Eight of Nahor’s children with Milcah are mentioned.

Four of Nahor’s children with Reumah (his concubine) are mentioned. Reports came from the East that the family of Nahor, Abraham’s brother (cf. 11:27-29), was expanding. Among those born was Rebekah, the future wife of Isaac (cf. 24:15, 67).

Rebekah the granddaughter of Nahor is also mentioned. She is given special attention because in a later chapter she marries Isaac. She was a daughter of Bethuel, the youngest of Nahor’s eight sons by Milcah (Nahor’s niece).

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

God often requires big sacrifices from those who want to follow him.

When Jesus was on the earth, He required total commitment from those who wanted to become His disciples.

If we want to be like Abraham and the 1st Century disciples, we need a level of commitment comparable to theirs.

God isn’t looking for hobbyist disciples, He is looking for people who are prepared to sacrifice everything to follow Him.

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, thank You Father, for I want to be enjoying your presence on a daily basis on my life and on everything I do in Jesus name.

Though You spared Abraham’s son Isaac in Genesis 22:12, You sent Your own son, Jesus, as a sacrifice for all. Your mercy and grace extend into eternity and Your goodness offers true redemption.

Forgive us, Father, for taking Your sacrifice for granted. Through Genesis 22, Abraham’s faith and anguish become real to us. Help us to remember how precious and costly Your plan for salvation truly is.

God, grant me a faith like Abraham. Help me to obey quickly and fully, surrendering the things I cling to for security. Help me to trust Your perfect provision in all circumstances. I want to answer, “Here I am, Lord!”

You, Lord, reveal Your faithfulness day after day. In times of testing, You never leave us. Thank You for granting us the gift of faith so we will obey when You call our name, just as Abraham did in Genesis 22. Lord, we know in Genesis 22:23 it gives us a glimpse into Your perfect plans, for us. While Abraham was being evaluated with Isaac, You were already preparing Rebekah to be Isaac’s wife. As governments change, wars continue and new threats emerge, help us to cling to You. Renew our confidence in You. Your perfect plans stretch beyond our understanding. Grant us the grace to get through every trial and temptation and show compassion and mercy to others especially when we do not see what they are going through. Heavenly Father, what a wonderful God You are! I praise Your holy name for all Your goodness and loving kindness to me and all people, by sending Your only begotten Son to take the punishment that I deserve. Thank You that You continue to provide for my daily needs, my Father. Thank You that in Your graciousness, You provide for all Your children, according to Your own promise, Yahweh-Yireh (Jehovah-jireh), the Lord will provide. I ask this in Jesus' mighty name I pray, AMEN.

Day 23, the 29th of April 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 23

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

Sarah, the matriarch of what will become known as the people of Israel, dies and is buried in the land promised to her offspring. In the ancient world, burial in a place would have been seen as a way of laying claim to it; here, too, Abraham’s negotiation with Ephron shows a person of that land respecting Abraham’s right to bury his dead there. What you will also learn from this chapter as I have recently learnt from the recent death of my wife Aida is that Abraham had such a strong faith that he would soon see his wife again in the coming Millennium and did not want the assistance of the faithless kin around him who wanted to assist and give the land.

I also had a similar experience with this during the recent passing away of my wife and could heavily relate to this as we await not just the Millennium, but also the promise of all being resurrected and transformed into our mortal bodies on the day of the snatching away and rapture as stated in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Imagine the life of a prophet was never easy, as God told Ezekiel that his wife would die. In Ezekiel 24:15-16, God instructed Ezekiel that he would lose his "delight of his eyes" (his wife) and forbade him to mourn. This was part of a larger symbolic prophecy about the destruction of Jerusalem. Ezekiel was to live out the prophecy by not mourning his wife, getting the people to question his behaviour so at least they would ask question about their heritage and the God they should follow and serve.

The Lord gave me that same scripture during my early mourning of Pastor Aida to also confirm the process and quickening that God is doing in this ministry to see the fulfilment of a pure message, anointing, and revival that is soon coming to the earth. My actions and strength will make people question God and the process of mourning to some, because of the call upon my life, just as God used the prophet Ezekiel. Though I have wept bitterly and healed faster than most, the relationship I have with the Holy Spirit is deep and, therefore, the quickening process in faster than most.

Ezekiel 24:15-20 "Also the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 16 “Son of man, behold, I take away from you the desire of your eyes with one stroke; yet you shall neither mourn nor weep, nor shall your tears run down. 17 Sigh in silence, make no mourning for the dead; bind your turban on your head, and put your sandals on your feet; do not cover your [a]lips, and do not eat man’s bread of sorrow.” 18 So I spoke to the people in the morning, and at evening my wife died; and the next morning, I did as I was commanded. 19 And the people said to me, “Will you not tell us what these things signify to us, that you behave so?” 20 Then I answered them, “The word of the Lord came to me, saying,"

When God shows you things about the future, it can still be hard to except, but like Abraham he knew the promise of where Sarah was waiting for him.

THE DEATH OF SARAH (23:1-2):

Sarah died at the age of 127: So, at the time of Sarah’s death Isaac would have been 37-40 and Abraham 137-40 years old. Abraham mourned for her. (Sarah is the only woman in the Bible whose age, death, and burial are recorded.)

The phrase, “in the land of Canaan,” is given regarding the place of Sarah’s death, in order that we might know that she did not die in the country of the Philistines, but rather in the “Promised land”. She had fought this good fight of Faith with Abraham every step of the way; consequently, in a sense, as he was the “father of us all” (Roman 4:16), Sarah was the “mother of us all” (1 Peter 3:6)

Sarah passed away, leaving Abraham bowed in grief. His love for her had been genuine and tender. She was to him “the princess.” In his sorrow Abraham revealed something of the dignity of soul that characterizes a strong man of God: besides wailing and otherwise loudly manifesting his grief, he broke forth into weeping. The Hebrew words for mourn and weep carry both ideas. [Sarah is the only woman in Scripture whose age, death, and burial are mentioned, probably to do honour to the venerable mother of the Hebrew people.]

ABRAHAM PURCHASES THE FIELD OF MACHPELAH (23:3-20):

Abraham visited the Hittites and asked to purchase a plot of land to bury Sarah.

The Hittites told him he could have any location he desired.

He asked if Ephron would be willing to sell him the field and cave of Machpelah. (They had no idea that Abraham was looking forward to possession of the whole land; and because he did so look forward, the possession of the grace was by no means a small matter to him.)

Ephron told him he would give it to him for free, but Abraham insisted on paying a fair price.

The men agreed on a price of four hundred shekels of silver. (The purchase of the this tomb was not only a proof of his love for Sarah, but a testimony to his belief that she would rise again and with him to possess the whole land, which, to be sure, he will see in totality in the coming Kingdom Age.)

Abraham buried Sarah in the cave. Abraham asks the Hittites, among whom he lives, to let him buy property for a burial place, and they agree, as Abraham is an honoured prince.

When Abraham seeks to buy a cave on the property of a man named Ephron, Ephron tries to give Abraham the land outright, but they agree on a price. In this legal transaction Abraham wanted to purchase only the cave owned by Ephron, but Ephron wanted to sell the whole field. When Ephron said he would give the field and the cave (three times in v. 11), he did not mean it was free. This was bedouin bargaining—giving for giving. Though Abraham did not want the whole field, he was willing to take it at a high price (400 shekels of silver) to get the cave. The transaction was then finalized in the presence of all the Hittites at the city gate, the place of legal and business dealings. In this double cave was buried not only Sarah but also Abraham (25:9), Isaac and his wife Rebekah, and Jacob and Leah (49:29-31; 50:13). In later years it became a Muslim possession, and a mosque was built over it.

Then Abraham buries Sarah in the cave of Machpelah, east of Mamre. (Love bent down over her sleeping face, and faith “stood up” for before its dead, proclaiming the Resurrection that is most surely to come.)

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

“Abraham’s walk with God offered many opportunities to trust God and prove Him faithful.” We too have opportunities to gain experience in faith through testing. Reflect on Your own walk with God. Make a list of times when God grew Your faith through difficulty. Remembering those times, ask God to strengthen Your faith today. How might God be asking You to trust Him now?

We often talk about the greatness of Abraham’s faith but rarely consider Sarah’s faith.

Sarah was willing to move hundreds of miles away from her home and family to obey God’s instructions to Abraham to move to Canaan.

She patiently waited for her promised son until she was 90 years old (Heb 11:11).

She had her faults, but so did Abraham, and so do we.

The Apostle Peter wrote that Christian women should consider themselves daughters of Sarah if they “do good and do not fear anything that is frightening” (1Peter 3:6).

She is a role model for modern women of all ages. 

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, thank You Father, for I want to be enjoying your presence on a daily basis on my life and on everything I do in Jesus name. In Genesis 23:7 and 12, Abraham, “bowed down before the people of the land.” Though these were not Your people, Abraham approached them with humility and respect, trusting You to fulfill Your promise. As we deal with unbelievers in our communities and workplaces, help us to assume this same attitude. Let our character and faith distinguish us from our neighbours.

Hallelujah! I ask this in Jesus' mighty name I pray, AMEN.

Day 24, the 30th of April 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 24

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

ABRAHAM ASKS HIS SERVANT TO FIND ISAAC A WIFE (24:1-9):

Abraham was old and “well advanced in years.” He asked his most trusted servant to go to the city of Nahor, the land of his relatives, and find a wife for his son Isaac, because he didn’t want him to marry a Canaanite. Abraham, confident in the Lord’s promise, had his chief servant swear an oath to find a wife for Isaac from Abraham’s native land, 450 miles away. “Eldest Servant”: Ruled over all that Abraham had; would have inherited in the absence of issue. He is unnamed here (Gen 15:2, “Eleazer” = “Comforter.” Eleazer’s putting his hand under the patriarch’s thigh (cf. 47:29) was a solemn sign that if the oath were not carried out, the children who would be born to Abraham would avenge the servant’s unfaithfulness. Notice that the servant appears to be nameless…Jn 16:13: Will not testify of Himself.

The servant swore an oath to Abraham that he would do as he requested. 

THE SERVANT’S PRAYER FOR HELP (24:10-14):

The servant loaded 10 camels with provisions and gifts and went to “Mesopotamia to the city of Nahor” (approx. 550 miles away). At the town of Nahor in Aram Naharaim (NW Mesopotamia) he received a precise answer to his prayer.

When he arrived, he prayed to God and asked Him to show him the right woman to marry Isaac.

While standing at a spring of water he prayed, “Let the young woman to whom I shall say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who shall say, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels’—let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac.” Eleazer trusted the Lord to grant him specific leading. He prayed that Isaac’s future bride would give him and his camels water to drink. To water 10 thirsty camels involved much work, for camels guzzle great amounts of water.

THE SERVANT MEETS REBEKAH AT THE SPRING OF WATER (24:15-27):

Before finishing his prayer, a beautiful young woman named Rebekah came to the spring for water.

The servant asked her for a drink, and she offered to water his camels.

Realizing his prayer had been answered the servant gave Rebekah gifts of gold.

Rebekah invited him to spend the night in her father Bethuel’s house.

THE SERVANT EXPLAINS HIS INTENTIONS TO BETHUEL (24:28-49):

Rebekah’s brother Laban welcomed Abraham’s servant and cared for his camels.

The servant recounted the details and purpose of his journey to Bethuel.

REBEKAH LEAVES HER FATHER’S HOUSE (24:50-61):

Believing that God had blessed the servant’s mission, Bethuel gave Rebekah permission to leave and marry Isaac.

When the servant heard this, he bowed and worshipped God.

The next morning, Rebekah and the servant began the journey back to Canaan.

A BRIDE FOR ISAAC REBEKAH MARRIES (24:62-67):

Abraham commissions Eleazer to gather a bride for Isaac. Eleazar qualifies her by a well; she agrees to marry the bridegroom; he gives her gifts…she joins her bridegroom at the well of Lahai-Roi. So after their long journey, the servant found Isaac meditating in a field in the Negeb.

Genesis 24:63-64 “And Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening; and he lifted his eyes and looked, and there, the camels were coming. 64 Then Rebekah lifted her eyes, and when she saw Isaac she dismounted from her camel;”

“Meditate”: Hebrew suah: has been rendered “walk about,” “pray,” “wail,” “lament,” or “moan.” [Verse 67 may throw some light on its meaning. Isaac needed comforting. It is possible that Sarah had passed away during the absence of Eleazer (Chapter 23).]

“Dismounted” or other translations “Lighted off”: Rebekah fell prostrate before; If Isaac were walking, it would have been most unmannerly for her to have continued seated; an inferior, if riding, always alights in presence of a person of rank, no exception being made for women.

Genesis 24:67 “Isaac brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother and took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her.”

TYPOLOGY

Abraham = The Father

Isaac = The Son

Eleazar = The Holy Spirit… sent to gather the Bride for the Son

Genesis 22:19 “So, Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba.”

Where’s Isaac? Isaac is personally “edited out of the record” until he is united with his bride by the well of LaHai Roi…two chapters later. (The well of LaHai Roi: “the well of Living One [who] sees me.”)

One Integrated Design: The New Testament is in the Old Testament concealed; The Old Testament is in the New Testament revealed.

Marriage Model: Gentile Brides (Eve, Rebekah, Asenath, Rahab, and Ruth—all have no death recorded...

WEDDING FEAST OF THE LAMB

When we look at the Jewish Wedding (Galilean) we see a picture of the saints preparing for the wedding feast of the Lamb.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 “Behold, I tell you a [a]mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

The rapture is the sudden, supernatural removal of all children of God that have made themselves ready to be snatched from earth to heaven. At the rapture, Jesus Christ will appear in the eastern sky and call His wise bride up to Heaven, leaving all the foolish Christians, those that are still in sin and unbelievers behind. It will happen in two stages the first being all the dead in Christ (saints) pre-rapture will rise from their graves in their glorified bodies and the second stage will be that all the true believers that are alive will then go up to be with Him on the clouds. (See 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

Though Jesus will not set foot on the Earth at the rapture. He will just appear in the Eastern sky and call all His wise bride home to Heaven that have pure white garments.

The rapture is a wonderful thing for Christians. The rapture will be yet another very gracious act of God's love toward His children. God loves His children so much that He will remove us from this wicked world to a safe place in Heaven before His wrath is released upon the Earth. See God will not allow the beast to devourer His saints and will remove them, so they may go with Him to the wedding feast of the Lamb.

Revelations 19:7 “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”

THE JEWISH WEDDING

• The Ketubah, Betrothal: Payment of the purchase price; set apart (sanctified); (Sharing of the cup of wine together, done at the last supper.) (Matthew 26:29)

• Bridegroom departs to Father’s House; Prepares room addition; Bride prepares for his imminent return (Acts 1:11)

• Surprise gathering; Huppah, Wedding (1 Corinthians 15:50-53)

• As they enter the door to the Wedding supper it is shut, which is the rapture (Matthew 25:10-13)

• Seven-day Marriage supper (Seven-year tribulation) (Daniel 9:24-27)

THE MARRIAGE FULFILLED

• Covenant established (1 Cor 11:25)

• Purchase price (1 Cor 6:19-20)

• Bride set apart (Eph 5:25-27; 1 Cor 1:2; 6:11; Heb 10:10; 13:12)

• Reminded of the covenant (1 Cor 11:25-26)

• Bridegroom left for the Father’s house… (Acts 1:11)

• Escort to accompany Him upon His return to gather His Bride (1Thess 4:16-17).

Next Time: Genesis 23, the Death of Sarah; Genesis 25, Birth of Esau and Jacob; Genesis 26, the Covenant Confirmed; and Genesis 27, the Stolen Blessing.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

What are the prophetic implications of the ancient Jewish wedding ceremony to our understanding of the end times?

Abraham’s unnamed servant gives us a splendid example of a life permeated with prayer and worship.

His first thought when arriving in Mesopotamia was to pray for God’s help.

His response to God answering his prayers was immediate worship (24:25-26 and 24:52).

Our lives should also be marked by a revolving pattern of prayer and worship.

Abraham’s servant relied on prayer to guide him on his journey. God revealed His plan one step at a time, requiring faith and commitment. Is there an area of your life that feels uncertain? Do you struggle to see just how God can resolve Your difficulty? This faithful servant’s trust or belief was evident through his prayer. He was honourable, humble, faithful, specific and expectant. Make a list of these words and write ways that you can seek God through these characteristics. In your current uncertainty, how can you honour God? How can you express humility and faithfulness? Though we might not see God’s will clearly, we can trust that He will grow our faith through adversity and prayer.

When Rebekah’s family tried to delay their departure, Abraham’s servant responded, “Do not detain me, now that the Lord has granted success to my journey.” (Genesis 24:56) Help us to respond to Your calling, Lord, with the same sense of urgency. Let Your will be done in our homes, churches, life’s and workplaces.

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, thank You Father, for I want to be enjoying your presence on a daily basis on my life and on everything I do in Jesus name. Isaac trusted God with his personal happiness and future. Isaac expressed his faith by waiting at Beer Lahai Roi to meet his bride.” Help me to wait expectantly for You, Lord. Give me the wisdom to trust Your plan for my happiness and future instead of relying upon myself.

Heavenly Father, I pray that like Abraham, Isaac, Eliezer, and Rebekah, I will look to You moment by moment, trust in Your unfailing Word, and make the right choices in my life. I pray that I would not only walk in the way of righteousness and bring everything to You in prayer, but that my life and witness would bring honour to Your name as I grow in grace and in a knowledge of the Lord Jesus. May I be willing to take one step at a time, as prompted by Your Holy Spirit and permit Your plans and purposes to be carried out in my life, for the benefit of others, and for my own spiritual growth. Thank You for the many lessons there are to learn in the Scriptures, and may I develop a teachable spirit, and bring honour and glory to You. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.

In Genesis 23:7 and 12, Abraham, “bowed down before the people of the land.” Though these were not Your people, Abraham approached them with humility and respect, trusting You to fulfill Your promise. As we deal with unbelievers in our communities and workplaces, help us to assume this same attitude. Let our character and faith distinguish us from our neighbours. Hallelujah! I ask this in Jesus' mighty name I pray, AMEN.

Day 25, the 1st of May 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 25

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

Isaac: With Abraham, Twins and Trials - within families and even Christian communities, jealousy and strife detract from God’s plans and purpose. Too often, we cling to our own solutions like Jacob and Esau in Genesis 25. Help us, Lord, to rely on You to soften hearts and mend relationships. Give us the faith and patience to trust You in conflict. Not much information is given about Keturah, or the timing of Abraham’s second marriage since his posterity through Isaac is already established. The burial and the details of Ishmael’s family (also an indirect offshoot from the covenant line) bring Abraham’s story to a close.

THE FINAL YEARS OF ABRAHAM (25:1-11):

Abraham married a woman named Keturah and she bore him 5 sons.

When Abraham married Keturah is unknown, but the verb “took” and the adjective “another” suggest it was after Sarah’s death. (Actually, Keturah was a concubine, 1 Chr 1:32.) That would mean there was a maximum span of 37 years for the births of Keturah’s six sons. (Abraham was 138 when Sarah died, and he died at 175.) Tribes in Sheba and Dedan, in Arabia, as well as the Midianites (v. 4), came from Abraham. This was in fulfillment of God’s promises to Abraham that he would become great since so “many nations” look to him as their ancestor. [Note that Arabian tribes are not descended from Ishmael (Hagar), but the concubine Keturah.]

Abraham’s son, Isaac, inherited his household.

All of Abraham’s children with his concubines were sent away to live in the east country before his death. Abraham loved all these boys: he gave them gifts. But they and their descendants may possibly have posed a threat to Isaac. So Abraham sent them away as he had done with Ishmael. He sent them to the land of the East (Arabia), thus preserving Isaac’s primacy and his right as Abraham’s heir.

Abraham died at 175 years old and was buried by Isaac and Ishmael in the cave of Machpelah with Sarah. So at the age of 175 Abraham came to the end of his earthly sojourn and expired. He gave up the ghost: The expression is derived from Hebrew gawa, “to breathe out his breath,” “to fail,” “to sink.” Immediately he was gathered to his father’s kin (literally), and took up his residence in Sheol, the place of departed spirits. [Jesus refers to this abode as “Abraham’s bosom” in Luke 16…] While Isaac and Ishmael together buried their father in the cave where Sarah was buried, Ishmael’s presence may have posed a possible threat to Isaac’s rights, now that their father was dead.

But God’s blessing rested on Isaac.

After his father’s death, Isaac settled at Beer-lahai-roi.

THE FAMILY OF ISHMAEL (25:12-18):

Ishmael, Abraham’s son with Hagar, fathered 12 sons who became 12 princes. At the age of 175 Abraham came to the end of his earthly sojourn and expired. He gave up the ghost: The expression is derived from Hebrew gawa, “to breathe out his breath,” “to fail,” “to sink.” Immediately he was gathered to his father’s kin (literally), and took up his residence in Sheol, the place of departed spirits. [Jesus refers to this abode as “Abraham’s bosom” in Luke 16…] While Isaac and Ishmael together buried their father in the cave where Sarah was buried, Ishmael’s presence may have posed a threat to Isaac’s rights, now that their father was dead. Ishmael, son of Abraham and Hagar, has 12 sons, all of them princes and leaders of tribes, and dies at age 137. His sons settle on either side of the Red Sea.

But God’s blessing rested on Isaac.

Ishmael was 137 years old when he died.

His descendants settled between Havilah and Shur.

JACOB AND ESAU, THE CHILDREN OF ISAAC (25:19-28):

Rebekah, Isaac’s wife, was barren, so Isaac prayed for her. This story turns to the next generation of Abraham’s family. Like Sarah, Rebekah is barren and must rely on God to help her conceive. The conflict in Rebekah’s womb sets the tone for her sons’ ongoing relationship.

The Lord heard Isaac’s prayer and Rebekah conceived twins.

The Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.” The twins wrestle in Rebekah’s womb until she prays to the LORD in distress. God tells her that “two nations,” a stronger and a weaker, are in her womb.

The firstborn was named Esau and the second child, who came out grasping the heal of his brother, was named Jacob. When Rebekah gives birth, the first twin comes out looking red and hairy, so they name him Esau. The second twin emerges clutching Esau’s heel, so he is named Jacob. As the boys grow up, Esau becomes a hunter, while Jacob prefers a quiet life. Isaac shares Esau’s love of wild game and is partial to him, but Rebekah favours Jacob.

The parents observed the strange situation, and in view of God’s oracle they commemorated the event by giving them appropriate names. The mention of “red” anticipated the future rugged nature of Esau (vv. 27-34). [Esau (and Nimrod) were men of the field (“world” in Mt 13).] Fascinating wordplays were used to describe the first twin. The name Esau (‘esìaw) has a loose connection with the word “Seir” (sìe’ir), the early name for Edom to the southeast of the Dead Sea, where Esau later lived.

The Hebrew word “red” (’admoni) is related to the word “Edom” (’edom; cf. 25:30); and “hairy” (sìe‘ar) is similar to “Seir.” Those words were carefully chosen to portray in the lad the nature of Edom, a later archrival of Israel.

Isaac loved Esau but Rebekah loved Jacob.

JACOB

The name Jacob (ya‘aqob, meaning “may He [God] protect”) was selected because of its connection in sound and sense to the noun “heel” (‘aqeb). The verb ‘aqab means “to watch from behind”; ‘aqobmeans “deceitful, sly, insidious.” Thus, “one who grabs the heel” or “one who trips up.” But as with Esau, so Jacob’s name would take on a different sense later in life as his deceptive nature became evident. So, the twins’ births had great significance for later events in their lives.

(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. (Romans 9:11-13)

God’s fulfillment of His promise to Abraham was conducted by His election of Jacob (later, the nation Israel). From the outset the birth of the nation of Israel was supernaturally superintended. Paul noted that before the twins’ births the younger was chosen over the elder (Rom 9:11-12). God often reverses man’s natural order, for His ways are not man’s ways.

Biblical Examples Of When God Can By-Pass The Firstborn

Seth – Cain, Shem – Japheth, Isaac – Ishmael, Jacob – Esau, Judah, Joseph & Reuben, Moses – Aaron, David All his brothers

ESAU’S BIRTHRIGHT (25:29-34):

Once, when Jacob was preparing stew, Esau returned from hunting and was extremely hungry. 

He asked Jacob to give him some of the “red stew.” Actually, starts to demand some of the food. Jacob tells Esau he must first sell his birthright. Esau swears accordingly, so Jacob gives him some bread and lentil stew.

Jacob told him he could have it in exchange for his birthright.

Believing himself on the brink of starvation, Esau agreed to sell his birthright, and Jacob gave him the food.

SUMMARY OF ESUA AND JACOB

As the firstborn, Esau had the birthright and Jacob had the stew. But in the exchange, Esau received the stew and Jacob the birthright. But Esau despised his birthright, for what could it do for him if he died of starvation? Jacob, the second-born, then had the birthright. The calculating, quiet man who recognized the spiritual value in the birthright manipulated his profane brother into giving it up. Perhaps knowing the oracle, Jacob had been waiting for this opportunity.

Esau is portrayed as emotional: he was fainting, gasping, and then despising. In this instance he was not a skilful hunter; he was more like an animal he had trapped with bait. To live on this base level, to satisfy one’s appetites, inevitably leads to a despising of spiritual things. Jacob, though an indoors man, was a better hunter than Esau. He too craved—but something worth craving. Once he had grabbed by the heel; now he pressed the matter harder. But danger lies even in such spiritual ambition. Believers should seek things of spiritual value, but they should avoid the devices of the flesh. After Jacob was later purged of his human expedience, however, he became a capable servant, for his priorities were then correct. [Note oath in 25:33.]

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Esau’s decision to sell his birthright is not spoken of highly in the scriptures. Genesis 25:34 says, “Esau despised his birthright” and Hebrews 12:16 rebukes Esau for his poor decision.

Esau was a fool because he traded a great blessing for something of little value.

Do we do the same thing?

When we “despise” God’s offer of salvation because we do not want to give up our petty earthly pleasures, we are making a terrible trade.

Esau grew to regret his trade, and we will too if we trade an eternity with God for a few years of earthly fun.

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, thank You Father, for I want to be enjoying your presence on a daily basis on my life and on everything I do in Jesus name. Isaac trusted God with his personal happiness and future. Isaac expressed his faith by waiting at Beer Lahai Roi to meet his bride.” Help me to wait expectantly for You, Lord. Give me the wisdom to trust Your plan for my happiness and future instead of relying upon myself.

Heavenly Father, I pray Loving Heavenly Father, how blessed we are to have a God that cares about every detail of our lives, and to know that you will use us to accomplish Your will and purposes if we will simply trust in Your Word. Thank You for using the beautiful story of Isaac and Rebekah to demonstrate the importance of trusting Your Word, putting faith in action through prayer and praise, and reminding us that it is not due to our own merit, character, or accomplishments that we have been saved, but by Your goodness and grace. Help me to trust You in all things and pray about everything that impacts my life. You, God, intervene in human history to save Your people. Just as you showed Jacob Your grace and favour in Genesis 25:23, You draw us into relationship with You through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Forgive me, Father, for devaluing my eternal inheritance through Jesus. Like Esau, who “despised his birthright,” in Genesis 25:34 or Jacob, who sought his blessing through manipulation and self-effort, I am tempted to seek immediate gratification regardless of the damage or potential consequences. Give me the grace to carry out Your will for my life, and to fit into Your sovereign plans and purposes for Your greater praise and glory. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.

Day 26, the 2nd of May 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 26

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

GOD’S PROMISES TO ISAAC AND HIS FAMILY (26:1-5):

There was a famine in the land of Canaan and God told Isaac not to go down to Egypt, but to dwell in the land He promised to his father Abraham. The Abimelech in 26:1 was probably not the same Abimelech as in Chapter 20, for the events were about 90 years apart. The name may have been a dynastic name of the rulers in Philistia; a title (like Pharaoh or Caesar). Achish (1 Sam. 21:10) was also known as Abimelech.

Isaac was on the verge of deciding to move on to Egypt to seek more plentiful food and pasturage, when Jehovah appeared to him in a special theophany.

The obedience of one man brought blessings to his descendants. The Lord confirmed the Abrahamic promises to Isaac (God’s presence, His blessing, possession of the land, and posterity as numerous as the stars; cf. 12:2-3; 15:5-8; 17:3-8; 22:15-18; 28:13-14).

Isaac was told his offspring would be multiplied like the stars of heaven and in them all the nations of the earth would be blessed.

ISAAC LIES TO ABIMELECH (26:6-11):

He was afraid the men of Gerar would kill him and take his wife, because she was “attractive in appearance”, so he lied and told them she was his sister.

Isaac in Gerar, like his father, deceived Abimelech and was rebuked by the pagan king who knew that the penalty for adultery was death (vv.10-11). This legal note also would remind Israel of the importance of preserving marriage for the future of their nation. When that mainstay goes, a society crumbles (if Isaac’s marriage would have ended, there would have been no Israelite society).

PARALLELS TO ABRAHAM

• A famine 12:10

• A plan to go to Egypt 12:11

• The stay in Gerar 20:1

• Calling his wife his “sister” 12:12-13; 20:2,11

• The wife’s beauty 12:11,14

• Abimelech’s concern about

committing adultery 20:4-7

• Abimelech’s rebuke 20:9-10

When Abimelech, the king of the region, discovered Rebekah was actually Isaac’s wife, he rebuked Isaac for endangering his people.

He threatened his citizens with death if they bothered Isaac or Rebekah.

DISPUTES ABOUT WATER AND WELLS (26:12-25):

Isaac was blessed by the Lord and became rich. Isaac sojourned in the land, enjoying divine prosperity (his crops flourished, and he became rich). But the Philistines, envious of his wealth, filled Isaac’s wells with dirt. Again, wells provide a dominant motif: they are tangible evidence of divine blessing (cf. Abraham’s dispute with the Philistines over a well, 21:25, 30).

He was so rich and powerful that Abimelech asked him to leave Gerar. No matter where Isaac dug, and no matter how often the Philistines stopped up the wells, he reopened old dirt-filled wells (26:17). God’s blessing on Isaac could not be hindered.

He settled in the Valley of Gerar and his servants dug a well for water. Driven away by the Philistines, Isaac encamped in the Valley of Gerar and continued his search for water. He faced opposition there too; the Gerarites claimed that the water from two of the three wells Isaac dug was theirs.

When they finished the well, the herdsmen of Gerar bickered with Isaac’s servants because they wanted the well for themselves.

The servants proceeded to dig another well, but the herdsmen bickered over that one too.

Isaac’s household moved on and dug a third well, and on this third attempt the herdsmen left them alone. The names he gave the three wells reflect not only his struggle but also his triumph: Esek (“contention”) and Sitnah (“hatred or opposition”) reflect the conflict over two wells, and Rehoboth represents the room provided by the Lord. Isaac refused to fight back. He continued to relinquish one well after another until the Philistines in frustration let him alone.

Isaac then moved to Beersheba and erected an altar to the Lord. After Isaac moved to Beersheba, God appeared to him, confirming again the Abrahamic Covenant. Isaac responded as did his father, by building an altar and proclaiming Yahweh’s name (cf. 12:7-8; 21:33).

ISAAC AND ABIMELECH MAKE A TREATY (26:26-33):

Abimelech recognized how the Lord was blessing Isaac, and he proposed a treaty of peace between Isaac’s household and his own. Once the conflict over the wells was settled, just as an earlier Abimelech acknowledged that God was with Abraham (21:22), so this Abimelech acknowledged that God was with Isaac. Isaac named the well there Shibah (“oath” or “seven”) for they made a treaty by an oath like the earlier treaty Abraham made when he named the city Beersheba (21:23-24, 31). That treaty was necessarily renewed with Isaac. God’s blessing was on the seed of Abraham; Isaac was the rightful heir.

BATTLE FOR BEERSHEBA

Just a little personal history of mine is that I came to understand that when I visited Israel some years back and that was a distant grandfather fought in the battle of Beersheba and a member of the Light Horseman. On the 31 October 1917, as daylight faded across the Negev Desert, Australian Light Horse Divisions secured the town of Beersheba, ending a crucial battle in the Sinai Palestine Campaign of World War One.

The Battle of Beersheba was a pivot upon which turned the fortunes of Allied efforts against the Ottoman and German Empires in the Middle Eastern Theatre of the war. It demonstrated the success of Manoeuvre Warfare in the region, and the power of mounted troops to rapidly redefine the outcome of a battle. Decisive victory at Beersheba fell to one of the last great charges of mounted troops in history. As Australian Light Horse Divisions captured the town and secured crucial water wells (The same wells spoken of here in Chapter 26), their success also marked the beginning of the end of the war in the Middle East. This end came exactly a year to the day after success at Beersheba.

Isaac made a feast, and in the morning the two parties exchanged oaths.

ESAU’S WIVES (26:34-35):

Abraham and Isaac’s story is like our own in many ways.

They were constantly travelling from place to place as nomads as they waited for the Lord to fulfill His promise to give them a land of their own.

“By faith [Abraham] went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise (Hebrews 11:9).

There is a sense in which Christians are pilgrims and nomads. We sojourn on earth for a time in anticipation of the permanent home God has promised us in heaven.

It will be a wonderful day when we finally get to put our luggage and burdens down in the place we will call home for eternity. Esau’s marriages to two Hittite women (Judith and Basemath) were a grief to his parents. This note demonstrates how unfit Esau was for God’s blessing, and how foolish was Isaac’s later attempt to bless Esau (27:1-40). [Marrying a Canaanite was forbidden in the Torah (Deuteronomy 7:3).] Esau later married a third wife, Mahalath (28:9).

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Abraham and Isaac’s story is like our own in many ways.

They were constantly travelling from place to place as nomads as they waited for the Lord to fulfill His promise to give them a land of their own.

“By faith [Abraham] went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise (Hebrews 11:9).

There is a sense in which Christians are pilgrims and nomads. We sojourn on earth for a time in anticipation of the permanent home God has promised us in heaven.

It will be a wonderful day when we finally get to put our luggage and burdens down in the place we will call home for eternity.

What do you value more than pleasing God? How are you tempted to grab what is fast and easy instead of waiting on God’s better provision?” Take a moment to reflect on your current circumstances. Where might God be asking you to wait on Him? Ask God to reveal any areas where you may be tempted to “sacrifice a greater reward by choosing a lesser thrill that always fails to deliver what it promises.”

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, thank You Father, for Your continued mercy and goodness. Just as You honoured Your promises to Abraham and Isaac, You honour Your promises to us today. In Genesis 26:28-29, Isaac’s enemies declared, “We saw clearly that the Lord was with you… And now you are blessed by the Lord.” Let Your people reflect Your presence, Lord. May the global Church clearly represent a right relationship with You, anchored in Your promises and truth. Through faith, Rebekah “inquired of the Lord” when she feared for her child in Genesis 25:22 and Isaac trusted Your provision during a famine in Genesis 26. You blessed Isaac “for the sake of (Your) servant Abraham” in Genesis 26:24, honouring his devotion to You. Weigh my heart and my actions, Father. Grant me faith and the desire to serve You wholeheartedly. Give me the grace to conduct Your will for my life, and to fit into Your sovereign plans and purposes for Your greater praise and glory. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.

Day 27, the 3rd of May 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 27

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

Recall that earlier, Esau yielded his birthright to Isaac because he was hungry. Now Jacob (with his mother’s help) deceives his brother more cleverly. The story is filled with tension, as Rebekah outfits Jacob and hurriedly prepares Isaac’s meal while Esau is out in the fields. Blessings bestowed by a patriarch before his death were considered to have a shaping influence on sons’ lives, hence the high stakes of the moment.

GOD’S ISAAC PREPARES TO BLESS ESAU (27:1-4):

Isaac was growing old and blind and feared the day of his death was near. He told his son Esau to go out hunting and prepare him a delicious meal. Scene 1 (Isaac and Esau)—Issac offered to bless Esau. Note Isaac’s weak eyesight and old age (137 years old). Moreover, stress is placed on the love he had for wild game and tasty food. His palate governed his heart.

Isaac intended to bestow his blessing on Esau, his firstborn, before his death. 

REBEKAH AND JACOB’S PLAN TO DECEIVE ISAAC (27:5-17):

Rebekah overheard Isaac and Esau’s conversation, and when Esau left for the hunt, she called Jacob and began devising a plan to deceive her husband into giving Jacob the blessing. Scene 2 (Rebekah and Jacob)—Rebekah sent Jacob into action to stop Isaac. Her Favorite son, Jacob, already had the birthright; she was determined that he should receive the blessing, too, from the lips of the Lord’s representative, so that all would be well with the divine inheritance.

She told Jacob she would cook the meat of 2 young goats in a way Isaac loved, and Jacob could take the meat to his father and pretend to be Esau.

Rebekah brought Esau’s clothes and gave them to Jacob, she even put the skin of the goats on his hands and neck (because Esau was a hairy man). Rebekah seemed certain she could duplicate the taste of meat from wild game with goat’s meat. But Jacob was not so sure he could deceive his father. After all, Jacob said, if Isaac touched him, Isaac would know the difference between Esau’s hairy skin and Jacob’s smooth skin. Jacob had no guilt—only fear—regarding the plan. But the blessing was in danger and all must be risked, including even the possibility of a curse on Rebekah.

When the food was prepared, she sent Jacob in to talk to Isaac.

ISAAC IS TRICKED AND GIVES JACOB THE BLESSING (27:18-30):

Jacob approached his father, and when asked who he was, Jacob lied and said, “I am Esau your firstborn.” Scene 3 (Jacob and Isaac)—Jacob deceived his father and obtained the blessing.

Isaac was immediately suspicious at how quickly “Esau” had been able to hunt and prepare game.

He asked his son to approach him so he could feel him. Prodded by his mother Jacob lied twice to his father, first, about his identity and second, that God had given him success (in hunting, v. 20).

Upon touching his hands, Isaac responded, “The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.”

Isaac asked again, “Are you really my son Esau?” and Jacob lied again, “I am”. Three times the old man voiced his suspicion. But deceived by his senses of touch and smell, he blessed Jacob, thinking he was Esau.

Contented that it was in fact Esau standing in front of him, Isaac blessed Jacob.

Isaac pronounced a blessing of prosperity over Jacob and declared that he would be lord over his brothers. The blessing included prosperity in crops, domination over other nations and his brothers, cursing on those who cursed him, and blessing on those who blessed him.

ESAU RECEIVES A LESSER BLESSING (27:31-40):

As soon as Jacob left, Esau returned with the meat from his hunt. Scene 4 (Esau and Isaac)—When Esau brought in his food, emotions ran high.

Isaac “trembled very violently” when he realized he had been deceived. Isaac trembled violently over what had happened, and Esau was very bitter and angry. Isaac knew he had been tampering with God’s plan and had been overruled; there was no going back now. He recognized that God’s will for his sons is better than his own for them. (Heb 11:20: By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.)

Isaac told Esau how Jacob deceived him and how he had already given him the greatest blessing.

Esau cried out “with an exceedingly great and bitter cry.”

He asked his father if he had any blessing left for him.

Isaac blessed Esau but told him he would be his brother’s servant. All that was left was a blessing for a profane person. The Edomites, Esau’s descendants, would live in a land less fertile than Palestine. Also, Esau would live by force, be subservient to Jacob, and be restless (cf. Ishmael, 16:12). Though Esau was not personally subject to his brother, his posterity was tributary to the Israelites, till the reign of Joram when they revolted and established a kingdom of their own (2Kgs 8:20; 2Chr 21:8–10). [The descendants of Esau intermarried with those of Ishmael and the sons of Keturah.]

JACOB FLEES FROM ESAU (27:41-46):

Esau planned to kill Jacob after his father’s death.

Rebekah sent Jacob away to Haran, to the house of her brother Laban.

This passage begins the transition to the Laban stories. Because of his deception Jacob had to flee from home. But the occasion introduced the motif of his taking a wife from his relatives in the East. Whereas Isaac had remained in the land while Abraham’s servant had gone to find and fetch his wife (chap. 24), Jacob’s journey was threatened by the imminent danger of being killed by his angry brother (27:41-42). Moreover, God would deal with Jacob severely under the hand of Laban, his uncle. Indeed, the sojourn out of the land in several ways parallels the later sojourn of Jacob’s family in Egypt. Rebekah told Jacob about Esau’s anger and urged him to go immediately to her brother Laban in Haran.

SUMMARY OF REBEKAH AND JACOB

All participants were at fault: Isaac attempted to thwart God’s plan by blessing Esau; Esau broke the oath he had made with Jacob; Rebekah and Jacob tried to achieve God’s blessing by deception. Their victory would reap hatred and separation; Rebekah never saw Jacob again. Jacob alone did not destroy the family; parental preference did.

So, in a sense Rebekah and Jacob won, though they gained nothing that God would not have given them anyway; and they lost much. Their family life was, destroyed, and each had to bear lonely hours of separation, disillusionment, and regret. Rebekah would never see her favourite son again, and Jacob would have to face life without a father, mother, or brother. Yet God would work through their conniving. Their activities only succeeded in doing what God’s oracle had predicted. God’s program will triumph, often despite human activities. Natural senses play a conspicuous part—especially the sense of taste in which Isaac prided himself, but which gave him the wrong answer.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Tricking a poor old blind man for personal gain is a disgraceful thing to do.

But God can use people with disgraceful pasts for future good.

Later in Genesis, we will read how God used Jacob to father the Israelite nation. His sons became the 12 tribes of Israel, and they are super important to the overall Bible story.

Likewise, your usefulness in God’s story is not limited just because you have a few disgraces marring your past.

What are the dangers of parental favouritism in the family?

Of spiritual insensitivity?

Of deceptions?

Did God accomplish His will through the deceptions within the family or despite them? Were they necessary or were they distractions?

Never underestimate the impact your choices have on others … Who are you influencing? Everyone leads someone. Who you are and what you do matters.” Take some time to make a list of the people your choices impact. Praying through each name, ask God to reveal any area where confession and reconciliation might be necessary. Ask for wisdom in words and actions.

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, thank You Father, I marvel at Your amazing plan of redemption, yet stand astonished to see how quickly men and women like Isaac, Jacob, Rebekkah, and Esau readily defied Your Word and tried to frustrate Your will through their unbelief, human wisdom, and carnality. Yet Lord, as I consider my own spiritual walk, I see there are times when I have also been reluctant to trust You to fulfil Your plans and purposes in my own life or have been disobedient to obey Your Word. Give me a greater understanding of Your plan for my life, and I pray that I would learn all the lessons You would teach me through the Scriptures and live a life that is honouring to You. Father, thank You for Your goodness and grace to me and to all people. Thank You for Your amazing plan of redemption, which You brought to completion through the sacrificial offering of the lovely Lord Jesus Christ. I praise You for the Scriptures that help us to understand how You used Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the nation of Israel, to bring forth the promised Seed, Who defeated sin, Satan, death, and hell, on Calvary's Cross. I pray that You would bring to fruition all that You purposed to do through Israel and protect them from those that seek their destruction. I also pray that You would bring to fruition all that You have purposed in my life. Give me a greater understanding of Your plan for my life, and I pray that I would learn all the lessons You would teach me through the Scriptures and live a life that is honouring to You. Give me the grace to conduct Your will for my life, and to fit into Your sovereign plans and purposes for Your greater praise and glory. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.

Day 28, the 4th of May 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 28

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

Like Abraham before him, Isaac sends Jacob to marry a woman from among his own people, who worships his God, instead of a local woman. Though Isaac had originally intended Abraham’s blessing for Esau, he now is reconciled to the fact that it belongs to Jacob—Jacob will carry on Abraham’s and Isaac’s blessings of land and offspring. Esau, meanwhile, tries to do something that will gain his parents’ approval.

ISAAC SEND’S JACOB TO HARAN (28:1-5):

Isaac and Rebekah did not want Jacob to marry a Canaanite woman. Two factors: 1) Maintain purity of the line of descent in general; 2) The existence of the Rephaim, et al. (Gen 6:4, etc.). After the announcement of Gen 15:13-16, Satan had four centuries to lay down a mine field...Joshua was instructed to wipe out all of certain tribes…Josh 11:20-22, et al. Cf. Deut 3:11.

Isaac blessed Jacob and asked the Lord to fulfill His promises to Abraham through Jacob and his descendants.

Jacob was instructed to go to Paddan-aram (Haran), to the house of Laban, Rebekah’s brother.

ESAU MARRIES MAHALATH (28:6-9):

Esau had previously married at least two Canaanite wives, Judith and Basemath (26:34).

When he saw how his parents disliked the Canaanite women, Esau married Mahalath, one of the children of Ishmael (the son of Abraham with Hagar). Esau married his cousin: the unchosen Esau joined the unchosen line of Ishmael. [Attempting to please Abraham at the human level; no spiritual regard evident of the Covenant, etc.]

JACOB’S DREAM AND THE LADDER TO HEAVEN (28:10-22):

Jacob departed Beersheba and went to Haran.

He came to a “certain place” and laid down to sleep, using a stone for a pillow.

That night he dreamed of a ladder stretching from earth to heaven and he saw angels ascending and descending the ladder. This vision at Bethel (a) confirms that the Lord was also the God of Jacob; and (b) shows how Jacob’s outlook was dramatically changed.

The Lord stood above the ladder and told Jacob his children would be as numerous as the dust of the earth and all nations would be blessed through them.

God promised to be with Jacob on his journey and to eventually bring him back to Canaan. God was present with Jacob wherever he went; explained in words by God and recognized in faith by Jacob. God confirms to Jacob the covenant made with Abraham and Isaac, promising him the land, descendants as numerous as the dust, and universal blessing through him. God also promised to protect and be with Jacob while he was out of the land and to see that he returned.

Jacob was stunned by what he saw, and he declared, “This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”

In the morning, Jacob made a pillar of stone and anointed it with oil.

He named the location Bethel.

He vowed that he would worship the God of his father Abraham if God would keep him safe and return him to Canaan one day. He vows that the LORD will be his God, and that out of what God gives him, he will always give back one-tenth. First recorded confession of Jacob: a vow and the tithe. (v22)

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

When you are confident the Lord is watching over you, it makes it easier to step out into the unknown.

Jacob was about to make a 500+ mile journey to a land (Haran) he had never seen.

No doubt the Lord’s promise to protect him brought him comfort.

We all face situations where the future is uncertain, but we can face the future with confidence knowing the Lord is always with His children.

God has reassured us He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

Even after Jacob’s sin and deceit, You met him at Bethel and established his faith in You. Help us to celebrate others’ repentance and recognize changed hearts. With joy, we proclaim, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” (Genesis 28:16)

Jacob responded to God’s covenant with humility and reverence. His experience with God’s grace changed his heart and set him on a correct course of faith. To mark this wonderful moment, Jacob set up a stone as a pillar for God’s house. Take some time to reflect on God’s work in your own life. How has He recently shown His love and grace to you? Make a note in your Bible, on your home as a reminder of God’s faithful provision.

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, thank You Father, for the truth of Your Word and Your never-failing promises both to Israel and the Church. Thank You for this peep into Jacob's dream in which he saw a stairway to heaven and for the blessed promise You gave him that all peoples of the earth would be blessed by his descendants and that You would not leave him or forsake him. May I be faithful in my service to You, my wonderful faithful God and Father, knowing that You will never leave me or forsake me. Father, there are so many lessons for me to learn through the life of Jacob. I pray that I would not become so familiar with Bible stories, that I fail to learn the deeper lessons they teach and apply them to my life. Teach me Your will, I pray, and I ask that You align my will to Your will so that I only say and do those things that are pleasing in Your sight. Keep me also from expressing unbelief in Your Word by trying to sort out my own problems in my way, rather than trusting You to fulfil all that You have purposed. : In Genesis 28:14, You promised Jacob, “Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.” Through Jesus, we have experienced Your eternal blessing, Lord. Help us to proclaim Your gospel to the ends of the earth. You, God, are faithful to pursue Your people. Just as You appeared to Jacob in Genesis 28:13, You continue to guide us in unexpected ways. Thank you for unwavering grace. Thank You, Father, that You work all things together for good, even when we stray from the path of righteousness. Keep the eyes of my heart looking to Jesus. Give me the grace to conduct Your will for my life, and to fit into Your sovereign plans and purposes for Your greater praise and glory. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.

Day 29, the 5th of May 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 29

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

Jacob’s encounter with Rachel at the well echoes the encounter between Abraham’s servant and Rebekah a generation earlier. Here, though, Jacob instantly recognizes Rachel as his intended wife, even without a prayer for divine guidance. Also, Jacob waters Rachel’s animals instead of vice versa. Though Jacob’s kiss might not be romantic in nature, it nevertheless shows his enthusiastic gratitude at having found Rachel.

JACOB MEETS RACHEL AT A WELL (29:1-12):

After a long journey, Jacob stopped at a well of water near Haran. Jacob came to Haran and his adventures with Laban begin.

Several shepherds were at the well waiting to water their sheep, and Jacob asked them if they knew Labon the son of Nahor.

They told him they knew him, and his daughter Rachel would be arriving at the well shortly, because she was a shepherdess of her father’s flocks.

When Rachel arrived, Jacob watered her sheep and told her he was her father’s kinsman. When Jacob watered Laban’s flocks, a note of anticipation seems apparent: subsequent chapters show how Laban and his flocks prospered in Jacob’s presence. In contrast with Laban’s lazy shepherds Jacob was generous, zealous, and industrious. He had a mission, a quest. That burning goal implanted by previous experience drove him to succeed.

JACOB WORKS 7 YEARS FOR RACHEL (29:13-20):

Labon welcomed Jacob into his home, and he stayed a month.

Realizing Jacob intended to stay in Haran for some time, Laban asked him how he wanted to be paid for his work.

Jacob had fallen in love with Laban’s youngest daughter, Rachel, and asked to serve Laban for 7 years in exchange for his daughter in marriage. Jacob’s plan was to work seven years to have Rachel as his wife. Those seven years of work passed quickly for Jacob because of his love for her. Interestingly the wives of each of the first three patriarchs were beautiful: Sarah (12:11), Rebekah (24:15-16), and Rachel (29:17).

“So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her” (29:20).

LABAN DECEIVES JACOB ON HIS WEDDING DAY (29:21-30):

Laban prepared a feast for Jacob and Rachel’s wedding.

But that evening, Laban sent his oldest daughter, Leah, to Jacob’s bed chamber, rather than Rachel.

In the morning, Jacob realized what had happened and confronted Laban.

Laban told him it was not their custom to give the younger daughters in marriage before the eldest. Jacob’s anger was to no avail. Now, as the object of trickery, he would understand how Esau felt. Laban offered a technicality of local custom: “the younger before the firstborn.” Those words must have pierced Jacob! In his earlier days he, the younger, had deceptively pretended before his father to be the older brother: What a man sows he reaps (Gal 6:7).

Jacob married Rachel a week later in exchange for 7 more years of service. Jacob’s joyful prospect of marrying Rachel turned, by Laban’s deception, into a nightmare. In Laban Jacob met his match and his means of discipline. Jacob had deceived his own brother and father and now was deceived by his mother’s brother! 20 years of drudgery, affliction, and deception lay ahead. Through Laban he received his own medicine of duplicity. But Jacob’s tenacity shows that he counted these as minor setbacks. God took him, developed his character, turned the fruits of his deception into blessing, and built the promised seed, the nation of Israel.

“Week” of years: important to note; re. Daniel 9:24-27.

 JACOB’S CHILDREN WITH LEAH (29:31-35):

When God saw that Leah was loved less than Rachel, He blessed her with sons. Leah named her firstborn Reuben (re’uben), indicating that the Lord had seen her misery (ra’ah be‘onyi). Another wordplay joins it: Now at last my husband will become attached to (ye’ehabani) me. This naming showed her hope but also her consolation and faith. [Reuben: that is, See a son?] [Jacob never saw her affliction, but God did (cf. “Beer Lahai Roi,” lit., “the well of the Living One who sees me,” 16:14; 24:62; 25:11).]

Leah bore Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah.

Simeon was so named because the Lord heard (sama‘) that Leah was not loved. “God heard” was her testimony in faith to His provision (cf. “Ishmael,” which means “God hears,” 16:15). Levi was named for her hope that her husband would become attached (yillaweh) to her, but it was not to be.

Judah was her consolation; she would be satisfied to praise (’odeh) the Lord, for Judah means “let Him be praised.” Leah exhibited genuine faith during her great affliction.

Rachel was barren and could not have any children.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

The marriage customs in Genesis 29 seem strange to most western readers. They may seem unfair, uncivilized, or contrary to modern ideals.

Discrimination within a church, family or community can cause pain and decades of bitterness. Even after experiencing his own father’s favouritism toward his brother, Jacob’s preferential “love for Rachel was greater than his love for Leah.” Only You, Lord, can help us avoid this painful cycle by instilling Your love for all people within us.

This chapter is a good reminder that cultures and customs have varied widely throughout history.

Be careful not to read and interpret the Bible solely through your modern cultural perspective. Trying to interpret an ancient culture through your culture’s lens is a sure way to so start misinterpreting things.

To understand ancient people and their practices we need to remain open minded to the fact that not everyone in history shared our view of the way the world should work.

“God values character more than quick and painless solutions. Your suffering will not be wasted when you recognize God’s deeper work through it.” Help me, Lord, to trust You in my suffering. Like Leah, who grew during times of trial, expand my faith and dependence on You.

Suffering removes the pretense that we have things figured out or that we can control what we cannot. Suffering strips away dependence on people or things that cannot satisfy our deepest longings.” Where might God be asking you to surrender control or your dependence on something other than Him? Take some time to pray through this question. Ask God to reveal those areas where you are tempted to replace His provision with something that cannot fulfill or sustain you through difficulty.

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, thank You Father, Keep the eyes of my heart looking to Jesus. Father presence, Lord, brings purpose to our pain. You alone can take our difficulties and use them for our good and Your glory. In Genesis 29:35, Leah said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” Indeed, we praise You, God, for You are good! Too often, Father, we defend our selfish actions as Laban did in Genesis 29:26. We disregard others’ needs, even those we love, to achieve our own ends. Forgive us for our selfishness and desire to deceive when we are caught in sin.

Thank you, Lord, for being the God who sees us. Just as You heard Hagar crying in the desert, You saw “that Leah was not loved…” in Genesis 29:31. Even in our darkest moments, You never leave us or forsake us. Father give us wisdom, Lord, as we support and follow leaders in our governments and churches. You know the hearts of leaders such as Laban and Jacob. Give us discernment in uncovering false motives and damaging schemes. Give me the grace to conduct Your will for my life, and to fit into Your sovereign plans and purposes for Your greater praise and glory. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.

Day 30, the 6th of May 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 30

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

As emphasized elsewhere in Genesis, God is seen as the one who opens or closes a woman’s womb. Like Sarah, Rachel takes her barrenness into her own hands and uses indirect means to have a child, having her husband sleep with her servant. In a culture in which childbearing was a sign of divine blessing, Rachel feels her barrenness to be a source of personal shame, and she goes to great lengths to rectify that shame. On another note, Dan means “he judged,” while Naphtali is from the Hebrew word for “wrestle.”

RACHEL’S SERVANT CONCEIVES CHILDREN WITH JACOB (30:1-8):

Rachel envied her sister Leah because she was barren. 

Rachel gave Jacob her servant Bilhah so she could bear children for Jacob in her place. Rachel’s sons through Bilhah do not reflect the faith Leah had. Rachel felt wronged over her barrenness. Her effort to have children through her maidservant reflects Sarah’s similar attempt with Hagar

Bilhah bore Jacob two sons, Dan and Naphtali. The names of the two sons born to Bilhah reflected Rachel’s bitter struggle and feeling of victory. The name Dan is explained by the word dananni, God has vindicated me, that is, He now had corrected Rachel’s wrong, her barrenness. Dan: that is, “Judging.”

LEAH’S SERVANT CONCEIVES CHILDREN WITH JACOB (30:9-13):

After four sons, Leah was no longer bearing children, so she gave Jacob her servant Zilpah to bear children in her place.

Zilpah bore Jacob two sons, Gad and Asher.

LEAH’S MANDRAKES (30:14-21):

Reuben, Leah’s son, found mandrakes in the field and brought them to Leah.

Rachel wanted some of the mandrakes and struck a deal with her sister. In exchange for the mandrakes, Rachel agreed to allow Leah to sleep with Jacob that night.

The Lord blessed Leah and gave her two more sons, Issachar and Zebulun.

After bearing Jacob six sons, she gave birth to a girl who she named Dinah.

RACHEL’S CHILDREN (30:22-24):

God blessed Rachel and “opened her womb.”

She bore a son and called him Joseph. Then Dinah, a daughter, was born to her. [Dinah = Judgment.] Finally, Rachel gave birth to Joseph (yosep) but not by the mandrakes. This shows that births are given by God, not manipulated by people. Joseph’s name, like Zebulun’s, had a double meaning: she said, God has taken away (’asap) my disgrace; and she prayed that He would add (yosep) another son. Finally, Rachel was jubilant, looking in faith for a second child from God. [Joseph = Adding.]

MOTHER             THE PATRIARCHS           MEANINGS                       HISTORY PROFILE IN BIBLE      

(LEAH)                  Reuben                                Looked, affliction           Ex 2:25 looked, Ex 3:7 affliction

(LEAH)                  Simeon                                Hearing; Heard                Ex 3:7 “Heard my cry”

(LEAH)                  Levi                                       Husband; joined             When was YHWH “joined?” Passover, Jer 31:31,32 Ex 5:11; Ps 106:11,12

(LEAH)                  Judah                                    Praise

(BILHAH)             Dan                                       Judged; judgment           Wilderness: Meribah

(BILHAH)             Naphtali                              Wrestling’s; prevailed  Ex 17:11 Meribah At Amalek

(ZILPAH)              Gad                                       Troop cometh                   Nations oppose Israel

(ZILPAH)              Asher                                    Happy                                  Overthrow

(LEAH)                  Issachar                              Hire; service                     Occupation

(LEAH)                  Zebulon                               Dwelling                             Occupation

(RACHEL)           Joseph                                 Adding

(RACHEL)           Benjamin                            Son of my right hand

GOD BLESSES JACOB WITH PROSPERITY IN LABAN’S HOUSE (30:25-43):

After the birth of Joseph, Jacob wanted to return to Canaan, but Laban wanted him to stay because he knew God was blessing his house on account of Jacob.

Jacob agreed to continue working for Laban if Laban would commit to giving him all the speckled and spotted sheep and goats and all the black lambs of his flock. Jacob agreed that God had blessed Laban (v. 30). Thus, Jacob proposed a plan by which (ostensibly) he would gain little.

Laban agreed to the terms and Jacob began his work. Laban thought this over and quickly closed the deal (v. 34). He could see only advantages for himself. But Laban’s ploy added to the risk. For greater advantage, Laban immediately removed all the animals of abnormal colour, giving them to his sons and not to Jacob. And as an additional precaution he placed a three-day journey between them. Thus, he was seeking to ensure that Jacob would have a difficult time acquiring a large herd.

In order to increase the number of spotted and speckled animals in his flock, Jacob placed striped sticks in front of sheep when they bred. Jacob’s plan was most risky. Nevertheless, he was looking out for his own interests, hoping to prosper from this.

Based on my research, it appears the ancients believed the offspring of the sheep were influenced by the objects the animals were viewing at the time of breeding. God blessed Jacob in an unusual way. Here there is a wordplay on the name Laban for as Jacob peeled back the bark on the sticks and exposed the white (laban), he saw his flocks grow. He played the Laban game and won—he outwitted “Whitey.” Clearly, as Jacob later admitted (31:7-12), God intervened to fulfill the expectations Jacob had in the branches. The peeled branches, placed in the watering troughs, appeared to make his animals reproductive as they mated in front of the troughs. It is reported that especially in the case of sheep, whatever fixes their attention in copulation is marked upon the young. Also, lambs conceived in the spring and born in the autumn were stronger than those born in the spring.

Jacob also used some selective breeding methods. He only placed the striped sticks in front of the animals if they were healthy and strong.

In addition, Jacob used selective breeding by mating the stronger animals for himself and the weak female goats and sheep for Laban. But this was not the only time God’s part in Jacob’s success was much greater than it seemed to an observer.

Using these techniques, his flock of striped, speckled, and black sheep and goats grew significantly, and Jacob became very prosperous. So, Jacob was greatly prospered in fulfillment of God’s promise at Bethel, and at the expense of Laban, who now received in part the recompense due him. A fascinating struggle developed between Jacob and Laban. Laban’s injustice and artifice preceded Jacob’s project, just as Isaac’s attempt to bless Esau had earlier prompted Jacob’s deception. In both cases the attempt to defraud Jacob was overcome by Jacob. Afterward, however, Jacob viewed his real gain as divine blessing, though he had to accept the effects (fear and danger) of his craftiness.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

God is less interested in our strategies and techniques and more interested in our dependence on Him.

Jacob gave God the glory for any success he had brought to Laban’s house, and because of it, God continued to bless Jacob.

Knowing what we know now about breeding and genetics, it’s clear that forcing sheep/goats to stare at striped sticks doesn’t increase the chances of speckled and striped offspring.

God blessed Jacob even though his science wasn’t up to date. Rachel’s struggle with infertility in Genesis 30 helps us remember that those in the body of Christ and our communities face hardship we may not see. Therefore, ask the Lord to help and use you to be sensitive to our brothers and sisters when they need our compassion and grace.

Perhaps we should spend less time relying on our own ingenuity, strategy, and cleverness when it comes to multiplying God’s flock (the Church), and more time in prayer and in recognition of the necessity of God’s power to work through our insufficiency.

While Jacob wanted his circumstances to change, our unchanging God had a bigger plan. He moulded Jacob’s character through discipline that included hardship.” Regardless of our circumstances, we serve a God who is worthy of praise. Take a moment to list some of God’s eternal attributes. Find a quiet place to worship Him aloud using the list you created.

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, thank You Father, Keep the eyes of my heart looking to Jesus. In Genesis 30:1, “When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she became jealous of her sister….” Rachel was blind to the gift of Jacob’s love when she focused on what she didn’t have. Give me a spirit of gratitude, Lord. Help me to see Your provision and turn my pain into praise of You. You never abandon Your children, Lord. Your unchanging character secures believers in this life and for eternity. You keep Your promises and bring them to completion. In Genesis 30:27, Laban acknowledged Your blessing, Lord, but rather than humbly bow before You, he tried to exploit Your provision. Forgive us, God, for using Your glory for our gain. Thank you, Father, for Your relentless love. Through Your Son, You right all wrongs and reconcile broken families. If Jacob’s, Leah’s and Rachel’s sins weren’t beyond Your saving grace, then neither are ours. Like Jacob’s experience with Laban in Genesis 30–31, our world is marked by constant change. As laws shift, governments transition and promises are broken, help us to remember that Your character provides stability. Let us cling to You and Your Word when uncertainty threatens to shake our resolve. Give me the grace to conduct Your will for my life, and to fit into Your sovereign plans and purposes for Your greater praise and glory. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.

Day 31, the 7th of May 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 31

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

The story turns back toward Canaan, the land God has promised to Abraham’s descendants. As he explains the situation to Rachel and Leah, Jacob emphasizes God’s blessing and the desire to rely on God’s provision instead of remaining dependent on Laban. Jacob attributes his flocks’ successful breeding to God’s guidance and protection—a shift from depending on his own cleverness and ability to trick others. Jacob’s character has matured as has learned to trust in God’s promises (and perhaps as he’s been the victim of tricks himself). His wives, too, are ready to leave their homeland and trust in God’s provision instead of their father’s.

JACOB, LEAH, AND RACHEL DETERMINE TO LEAVE LABAN’S HOUSE (31:1-16):

As Jacob grew wealthier, Laban’s sons started grumbling about him, saying he was only rich because he took what belonged to their father.

God appeared to Jacob and told him to return to his father in Canaan. Jacob left for Canaan for two interrelated reasons: 1) Animosity by Laban’s sons was growing against Jacob, and Laban’s mood was dangerous; Perhaps God stirred up the nest. 2) God told Jacob to return to his own land: a divine call to leave for the land of promise.

Jacob called Leah and Rachel and told them he wanted to leave.

He reminded them how Laban had not been honest with them in their business dealings, but how God had blessed them despite Laban. 

He told them how the angel of the God appeared to him, just as He had in Bethel, and instructed him to make the journey to his homeland.

Leah and Rachel were aware of their father’s dishonesty, and they agreed to return to Canaan with Jacob. The response of both women was in faith as well. Laban had exploited his daughters’ wealth and had lost their good will. So they were willing to leave their father.

JACOB’S FAMILY FLEES FROM LABAN (31:17-21):

Jacob’s family quietly gathered all their belongings and fled south out of Laban’s land when he was off shearing his sheep.

Rachel stole Laban’s household “teraphim,” figurines of deities. This shows the pagan influence in Laban’s family. Wordplay shows Rachel to be a true “Jacob,” for there were parallel thefts: he stole away and she stole the gods. Perhaps she told herself she deserved them since Laban had turned the tables on her in the name of custom and had deprived her of her right to marry first, but her hardheaded self-interest almost brought disaster.

The Nuzi Tablets

Excavations 1925-1931, American; Schools of Oriental Research, with Harvard University Museum. They found written documents yielding Rachel stole her father’s household idols and hid them in her luggage. detailed insights into the life and culture of the region in the 2nd millennium B.C. Ex: Teraphim could be used by son-in-law as proof of being principal heir; that’s why Laban insisted on a boundary stone at Mizpah, to assure property to his sons; “sisterhood” could be elevated to a superior position even over that of a wife; a Hurrian custom unknown to neither Abimelech nor Pharaoh; thus, possibly a misunderstanding rather merely subterfuge; and, slave-wife practices documented for continuance of male heirship; maid servants a common wedding gift from the fathers-in-law, etc.

LABAN PERSUES JACOB (31:22-25):

It took Laban 3 days to discover Jacob had fled. As soon as he discovered it, he took his relatives and pursued Jacob’s caravan for 7 days.

God came to Laban in a dream and told him not speak either good or bad to Jacob.

LABAN CONFRONTS JACOB (31:26-43):

Laban was angry that Jacob fled in secret and didn’t give him a chance to say goodbye to his daughters and grandchildren, and he demanded to know why Jacob stole his idols. In the controversy between Jacob and Laban, legal jargon was used to describe their civil suit. In the first “strife” (rib; cf. v. 36) or accusation Laban claimed that Jacob had robbed him (vv. 26-27, 30)—but he presented himself as a hurt father (v. 28) and a baffled avenger (v. 29).

Jacob told Laban he fled in secret because he was afraid Laban would take his wives by force.

He denied stealing Laban’s idols and permitted him to search his house. This is why Laban pursued Jacob. It was one thing for Jacob to take his flocks and family: but his gods too? Perhaps Jacob would try to steal back to Haran someday and claim all of Laban’s estate. (Failing to find the gods, Laban later, vv. 43-53, made a treaty to keep this troublesome man out of his territory.) But Laban was then deceived by Rachel: She put the idols in her camel’s saddle and sat on the saddle in her tent.

Laban searched but couldn’t find the idols because Rachel deceived him by hiding them in camel’s saddle which she was sitting on. Apparently, Laban never dreamed that a woman would dare take a chance to contaminate the idols. [What a blow this was to the teraphim—they became “nothing gods,” for a woman who claimed to be unclean sat on them: cf. Lev 15:20].

Jacob became angry and berated Laban for assuming he stole the idols and for his years of dishonest during the 20 years Jacob served him.

He told Laban God had sustained him, even though he had ripped him off.

THE COVENANT OF GALEED (31:44-55):

Jacob gets angry about his father-in-law’s intrusion. He reminds Laban of all the good fortune he’s brought him over the past 20 years. Laban offers to make a covenant with Jacob, so they gather a heap of stones as a witness between them. Laban says that God will be witness between them if Jacob mistreats Rachel and Leah or takes any additional wives. Jacob swears accordingly, and they eat bread together. Early the next morning, Laban blesses his daughters and grandchildren and leaves.

Jacob and Laban agreed to make a covenant of peace between them. Laban suggested they make a covenant for a boundary between them. Laban instigated it, for Jacob neither needed it nor cared for it! Jacob set up a tall stone and then piled a heap of stones around it.

Genesis 31:49 “And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.”

Mizpah = beacon, or, watchtower. Laban called them by the Aramaic name Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called them the Hebrew Galeed. Laban explained that the name means a heap of witness but he added the Hebrew name Mizpah (“watchtower”), entrusting God to watch over them.

They gathered stones and made a heap and a pillar as a witness of their pact.

Jacob offered a sacrifice to the Lord and ate with his relatives.

In the morning, Laban kissed his daughters and grandchildren and returned home. Both the boundary settlement and the wives’ rights show that Laban and Jacob wanted to confirm the status quo. But the treaty also marked a break with the East for the family of Israel. This border treaty marked out the frontier in the hill country of Gilead. [This account later had great significance for Israel: God would deliver and protect Israel as He brought them back to the land from Egypt. All this became important for later Israelite-Aramean relations (Laban was an Aramean, or Syrian, 25:20)

Stay Tuned: Genesis 32, Jacob’s Wrestling; Genesis 33, Jacob Reconciles with Esau; Genesis 34, Dinah Avenged; Genesis 35, Jacob Returns to Bethel; and Genesis 36, The Generations of Esau

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Dishonesty and deceit will keep you running from your past and will cause you to lose the things you love the most. 

Jacob had to flee his home in Canaan because he lied to his father and stole the blessing that belonged to his brother.

Laban lost his family due to his dishonesty and they ran away from him because he wasn’t trustworthy.

It’s better to be honest and up-front in our relationships.

Honesty isn’t always easy, but it is necessary to retain the people we love the most.

Trace the reconfirmation of the Abrahamic Covenant through the sons of Abraham. Why is this important?

How was there ironic retribution in Laban’s deceiving Isaac?

Explain the significance of the Teraphim and why were they important to Laban.

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, thank You Father, Keep the eyes of my heart looking to Jesus. Father presence, Lord, brings purpose to our pain. You alone can take our difficulties and use them for our good and Your glory. Lord Jesus, it is time for us to get to bed. We thank You that You are with us all the time and throughout the hours of darkness. Thank You, that You never leave us and that You have promised to be with us throughout the night.

Give us all a good night rest we pray, and help us not to allow our thoughts to wander aimlessly through our minds so as to keep us awake, but may we settle down securely, knowing that sleep is a precious gift from You, so that we may be ready to do all the things that You have prepared for us to do tomorrow.

Forgive us for the wrong things we have done today and thank You that Your love for us never fails and that Your mercies are new every morning. Thank You, that You died on the cross to pay the price us from our sins and save us, so that we can live together with You in heaven.

Thank You, that nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Help us all to rest securely in You, in the knowledge that we are Your children, and You are our gracious God. Give me the grace to conduct Your will for my life, and to fit into Your sovereign plans and purposes for Your greater praise and glory. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.

Day 32, the 8th of May 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 32

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

Genesis 12-20                  Abraham

Genesis 21-27                  Isaac

Genesis 28-36                  Jacob

Genesis 37-48                  Joseph

Genesis 49-50 12           Tribes Prophetically

God guards and blesses Jacob’s return to Canaan. In his homeland, Jacob faces unfinished business—especially his youthful conflict with his brother, Esau. When he hears that Esau is approaching with a huge company, Jacob naturally fears that after 20 years, Esau still carries a grudge for Jacob’s childhood deceit and wants to get revenge. In response, Jacob humbly appeals to God to fulfill his promise.

JACOB PREPARES TO MEET ESAU AFTER FLEEING FROM HIM 20 YEARS EARLIER (32:1-21):

Jacob once again encounters angels. Yes, Jacob continues his way, in the company of the angels of God.

Mahanaim = “Two Camps.” A comparison with Jacob’s earlier encounter with angels at Bethel (28:10-22) when he left the land proves most instructive...“The angels of God” occurs only twice (28:12; 32:1); Zeh (“this”) is used four times (28:16-17). “This is the gate of heaven” (28:17) and “This is the camp of God!” (32:2). In both cases Jacob interpreted what he had seen before naming it (28:17; 32:2); the identical expression is used in the naming of both places (28:19; 32:2). Halak and derek (“to go on one’s way,” “to take a journey”) are used in 28:20; 32:1.

After making a treaty of peace with Laban, Jacob prepared to reunite with his brother Esau. Jacob left Canaan on bad terms with his brother after stealing his blessing (27:1-29).

Genesis 32:3-5 “Then Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the [a]country of Edom. 4 And he commanded them, saying, “Speak thus to my lord Esau, ‘Thus your servant Jacob says: “I have dwelt with Laban and stayed there until now. 5 I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, and male and female servants; and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight.”

He feared how Esau might respond when he saw him again. Many key ideas and wordplays are in this section. (The Heb. word for “angels” also means “messengers.”) Apparently prompted by the idea in the vision, Jacob sent messengers to Esau in Edom. Jacob had just seen the angels (God’s messengers) and now he sent his own messengers to Esau.

As Jacob sent messengers to Esau they return telling him that Esau was coming to meet him with 400 men.

Jacob feared Esau might attack him, so he split his family into two groups, thinking if one were attacked, the other would survive.

A prayer to the Lord was offered by Jacob, thanking God for His past care of him, and asking the Lord to protect him as he met his brother. Jacob addressed God as the God of my father Abraham and of my father Isaac and reminded God of His command for him to return to his country and of His promise to bless him. God wants people to remind Him of His word when they pray. This is a motivation to faith. Jacob then confessed his unworthiness of God’s kindness and faithfulness and material blessings. He had the correct attitude in prayer—total dependency on God.

Presents were sent ahead of Jacob to be given to Esau as he approached: 200 female goats, 20 male goats, 200 ewes, 20 rams, 30 milking camels and their calves, 40 cows, 10 bulls, 20 female donkeys, and 10 male donkeys.

Jacob’s gift, taken out of the abundance of God’s provision for him, is meant to signal to Esau that Jacob bears only good intentions toward his brother, and that Esau should trust him, despite his deceit long ago.

Jacob told his servants to refer him as the “servant of Esau” when they delivered the gift. He thought these five herds sent separately would impress Esau and pacify him. Jacob had to learn later, however, that God would have delivered him without such gifts. [So too the nation would need to learn that deliverance comes by faith in God, and not by giving tribute to the enemy.]

JACOB WRESTLES WITH GOD (32:22-32):

That night, Jacob sent his wives and children ahead of him while he remained alone.

A man wrestled with until the break of day.

While wrestling, the man touched Jacob’s hip socket and put it out of joint.

Jacob thought he was winning the wrestling match, and he demanded the other man bless him if he wanted to be let go.

The man blessed him by changing his name from Jacob to Israel because he had “striven with God and with men” and had prevailed (32:28). The word Israel can be translated he who striven with God, or God Striveth, or he who persevere; or, it may be associated with the word sìar, “prince.” Both ideas may be combined in the name as the princely wrestler with God. [Isn’t that descriptive of us, too?]

Jacob asked the man his name, and the stranger replied, “Why is it that you ask my name?”

Jacob named the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.”

Due to his hip being put out of joint, Jacob was left with a limp. 

Peniel: = “The face of God”: The i and the u are mere connecting vowels joining the substantive pen and el. [Penuel: older form?] Face to face: cf. Genesis 16:13; Exodus 14:11; 33:20; Judges 6:22; 13:22; Isaiah 6:5. The wrestling occurred when Jacob was at the threshold of the land of promise. Jacob was named Israel; the place name, Peniel, was given in response to Jacob’s new name. This story also results in a dietary restriction for the people of Israel. Orthodox Jews still refuse to eat the tendon of the hindquarter of animals.

The emphasis of the narrative is certainly on the wrestling; but its purpose was the changing of Jacob into Israel. One cannot ignore the context of Jacob’s life here. The connection is strengthened by the plays on the names. At the outset are ya‘aqob (“Jacob”), the man; yabboq (“Jabbok”), the place; and ye’abeq (“he wrestled”), the match. These attract the Hebrew reader’s attention immediately, because of the similarity of the consonants y, q, and b in the words. Before Jacob (ya‘aqob) could cross the Jabbok (yabboq) to the land of blessing, he had to wrestle (ye’abeq). He was to try once more to trip up an adversary, for at this point he was met by Someone wishing to have a private encounter with him, and he was forced to struggle.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Don’t get caught up speculating and miss the most important information God is sharing with us.

If you are like me, you probably have a lot of questions about this mysterious wrestling match between God and Jacob.

Why did God want to wrestle? Why was Jacob winning? Why did the wrestling match need to end when the sun rose?

All of these are fair questions and worth thinking about, but don’t miss the key details that are easily understood from this text.

God blessed Jacob by changing his name to Israel. This is hugely important because it explains how Jacob’s descendance, who we will read about through the rest of the Old Testament, became known as the Israelites.

It’s not wrong to think about the mysteries of the Bible, but don’t spend all your time thinking about the details we aren’t given to the neglect of the details we are given.

In Genesis 33:3-4, Jacob “bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother. But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him ….” May the Lord help us, to forgive our brothers and sisters and forget past offenses. Give us a spirit of peace and reconciliation with one another.  

Just as Jacob feared Esau in Genesis 32:11, Maybe we also fear for our future. May the Lord help us to trust His promises and boldly face our fears though His strength, in His name.

I want you to note down seven points from Jacob’s prayer in Genesis 32:9-12 to help you as you pray also. Now using those seven points, write a personal prayer of thanksgiving, supplication and faith as you honestly pour out your heart to God

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, forgive us, Lord, for doubting You. Like Jacob, who consistently depended on his own resources, we are slow to surrender to Your plan and ultimate power. Thank You Father, Keep the eyes of my heart looking to Jesus. Father presence, Lord, brings purpose to our pain. You alone can take our difficulties and use them for our good and Your glory. Father, thank You for the Scriptures, both Old and New, which are profitable for our learning - for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, and for our spiritual growth and maturity. Thank You for instructing us in our spiritual walk of faith through the lives of those that have gone before, like Jacob, whose pride, resourcefulness, and ingenuity had to be broken before You could use Him to forward Your plans and purposes. Search me, O God, and know my heart, I pray. Try me and see if there is any wicked way that needs to be refined, honed, corrected, or established. May I live from this day forward for Your eternal praise and glory. Lord Your Word gives us insight into the history of the nation of Israel. Thank You for the powerful story of Jacob, who learned that it was not by his might or power, schemes or wit that he was blessed, but by Your grace. And thank You that it is not by my might or power, good works or good character that I am saved, but by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone. You are a God who hears our prayers. We are “unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown ….” (Genesis 32:10) Thank you, Father, for making us new. Just as you gave Jacob a new name and identity in Genesis 32:28, You sanctify Your people today, developing our character and changing our direction. Jacob’s past sin against Esau threatened his family and children in Genesis 32. Too often, our sin impacts families, communities, governments and churches. Direct Your people, Lord, and purify Your Church. May we be known as a people of hope, offering a place of refuge. Lord give me the grace to conduct Your will for my life, and to fit into Your sovereign plans and purposes for Your greater praise and glory. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.

Day 33, the 9th of May 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 33

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

Jacob approaches Esau with great humility and deference. However, Esau cuts short Jacob’s formal greeting and joyously embraces him, showing he no longer harbors animosity toward Jacob. Jacob finally makes his way to Canaan, and his first act after establishing a dwelling is to build an altar and worship God. In response to God’s faithfulness in bringing him to Canaan, Jacob obeys God.

JACOB MEETS ESAU AFTER 20 YEARS (33:1-11):

After being blessed by God in Genesis 32 and having his name changed to Israel, Jacob looked up and saw Esau approaching with 400 men.

Fearing Esau might still hate him after their 20-year separation, Jacob divided his family into groups, with Rachel and Joseph at the back.

He went ahead of his wives and children and bowed to Esau 7 times.

Esau ran towards his brother, embraced him, and kissed him and the brothers cried together on account of their happy reunion.

Jacob introduced his family and his household to Esau, and they all approached and bowed.

Esau tried to return the gift Jacob had sent him (32:14-15) because he was already a wealthy man, but Jacob insisted he keep it.

THE JOURNEY TO SEIR (33:12-20):

After reuniting, Esau invited Jacob to his home in Seir. The acceptance of a gift is equivalent to the striking of a covenant of friendship. If your present is received by your superior you may rely on his friendship; if it is declined, you have everything to fear. It was on this ground that Jacob was so urgent in pressing Esau to accept his present. Esau took it and so gave Jacob an assurance of his complete reconciliation.

Jacob told Esau to go ahead of him. He needed to travel slowly because of the animals and children in his company.

Jacob journeyed to Succoth and built a house and shelter for his livestock. Succoth (from saccac, to entwine): i.e. booths.

Later, Jacob went to Shechem and purchased a piece of land from the sons of Hamor on which to erect his tent.

He built an altar at his camp and called it El-Elohe-Israel.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Forgiveness will bring peace to your soul and resolution to your problems. 

Esau could have held a grudge against his brother for 20 years and refused to forgive him, but that would have been toxic to his soul, and it would have brought war to his house upon Jacob’s return.

We harm no one more than ourselves when we withhold forgiveness from those who genuinely ask.

We forgive people in light of the forgiveness we’ve receive from God, through Jesus.

The more we appreciate God’s forgiveness, the quicker we’ll extend forgiveness to others.

GENESIS 33 EXPRESSES A SPIRITUAL DIMENSION:

The reunion between Jacob and Esau, after years of estrangement, is a powerful image of reconciliation. This reconciliation can be seen as a prayer of sorts, an expression of forgiveness and the restoration of a broken relationship.

Jacob's Words of Gratitude:

In Genesis 33:10, Jacob expresses his gratitude to Esau, saying, "I have seen your face as though I have seen the face of God." This statement highlights the profound spiritual significance of their reunion and the joy it brings.

Esau's Actions as a Prayer:

Esau's actions, particularly his running to meet Jacob, embracing him, and kissing him, are acts of love and forgiveness. These actions can be seen as a silent prayer, a heartfelt expression of peace and reconciliation.

Themes of Forgiveness and Redemption:

The entire narrative of Genesis 33 is filled with themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the restoration of broken relationships. This can be interpreted as a prayer for the restoration of broken relationships and the healing of wounds, both spiritual and emotional.

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, forgive us, Lord, as we thank You Father, Keep the eyes of my heart looking to Jesus. Lord thank you for this new day and grace of life in Jesus’ name. Heavenly Father have mercy on me and forgive my short comings in Jesus’ name. Lord, I come to you have your way in my life in Jesus’ name. Father you alone can heal the broken hearted, heal all that are broken hearted that I know or do not know of in Jesus’ name. My father remove every hindrance causing me to stay at a point in Jesus’ name. Lord almighty heal my foundation remove every pain and hurt breeding division in my lineage in Jesus’ name.

Father touch the heart of as many who have chosen not to forgive me or anyone else in Jesus’ name. Lord reveal to me where I need to make restitution or who I need to ask forgiveness from that has kept me bound in a position in Jesus’ name. Father, I lift all broken marriages, family, friendship that is meant to be together that the enemy is robbing them off their blessing due to division, cause divine healing, unity and restoration in Jesus’ name. Lord do not let me end my journey on the way without fulfilling destiny in Jesus’ name. Oh Lord my father as you made Esau to forgive Jacob give me a heart that let go and embrace in unity those who have hurt me or who I have hurt in Jesus’ name. Father whoever says they will make sure I am brought down due to reasons known or unknown father avenge for me in Jesus’ name. Lord remove henceforth every plague placed on my lift because of strife and disobedience in Jesus’ name. Holy spirit fill every relationship I am in or I go into in Jesus’ name. Thank you, Jesus, for answered prayers in Jesus’ name. Lord give me the grace to conduct Your will for my life, and to fit into Your sovereign plans and purposes for Your greater praise and glory. Sin shall not have dominion over me I am operating in the power of the word of God. I am free from all blood guilt and affliction. I am not a subject to any planned or unplanned attack physically or spiritually in Jesus’ name. I am above always and never beneath. Henceforth deceit and delay are no longer in existence in my life in Jesus’ name. I am free in Jesus’ name This I ask all in Jesus' name, AMEN.

Day 34, the 10th of May 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 34

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

Though Jacob’s family is now settled in Canaan, their life isn’t perfectly secure, as Dinah suffers a traumatic assault. In response to this crime, however, Jacob and his sons turn once again to deception.

DINAH, JACOB’S DAUGHTER, IS DEFILED (34:1-4):

While Dinah, the daughter of Leah and Jacob, was out visiting the women of the land, Shechem, “the prince of the land,” seized her and raped her. This action loosened a stone that caused a landslide. Hebrew laqahò, took (v. 2), indicates that an irresistible force was used. The word ana, defiled (AV), indicates dishonourable treatment. After a woman was debased in this way, she had no expectancy of ever having a valid marriage. [Hamor—that is, “ass”; and it is a striking proof of the very different ideas which, in the East, are associated with that animal, which there appears sprightly, well proportioned, and of great activity. This chief is called Emmor (Acts 7:16).

Shechem became obsessed with Dinah and asked his father, Hamor, to get her for him as a wife.

JACOB’S SONS TRICK HAMOR INTO MAKING A PACT WITH THEM (34:5-18):

When Dinah’s brothers heard what had happened to their sister, they were furious, but they held their peace when Hamor and Shechem came to speak with Jacob. 

Genesis 34:7 “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.”

“...in Israel”: This is the first mention of the nation by this name.

Hamor proposed a treaty of peace between Jacob’s family and the people of his land.

He invited Jacob’s sons to marry their women and trade amongst them.

Shechem offered to pay any bride-price Jacob wanted for Dinah.

Jacob’s sons pretended to agree with Hamor’s proposal but told him they would only accept if he and all his people were circumcised.

Hamor agreed to their terms.

LEVI AND SIMEON ATTACK HAMOR’S CITY (34:19-31):

Hamor returned to his city and convinced all the men to be circumcised.

Three days later, while the men were still healing, Levi and Simeon, two of Jacob’s sons, attacked the city with swords and killed all the men. Why Simon and Levi? Simeon and Levi were Dinah’s full brothers.

They killed Hamor and Shechem and took Dinah back to Jacob’s house.

They plundered the city and took all their wives, young children, and animals.

Jacob was angry with Simeon and Levi because he feared the people of the land would ally against their household and destroy them. Jacob rebukes Simeon and Levi for giving him a bad name, but he doesn’t rebuke them for the sin that they have committed. For this, Simeon and Levi were passed over in the blessing with the birthright. Moreover, a deceptive covenant was not to be dangled before the pagans. On occasion, however, God used a Simeon and a Levi, and a Jehu (2 Kgs 10:11-14, 17-31), as His instruments of judgment. Cf. “But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth…But thou shalt utterly destroy them; …” Deut 20:16-18.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

This is not so much an application as it is an observation that’s important to keep in mind as you read the Bible.

The Bible doesn’t always speak to the morality of the history it records. 

If you are like me, after reading this story you probably wanted to know God’s thoughts on the matter.

In God’s eyes, were Levi and Simeon justified in their actions? Was their response to extreme? What did God think of Shechem’s actions?

In Genesis 34, God doesn’t provide a definitive statement about who was right and who was wrong.

In these instances, it’s important for us to focus on the information we are given and to add it to the larger story God is telling us through these narratives. emotional.

Praying for Women Who have been Hurt

As I’m reading through this chapter and thinking about how we can pray according to it, I was just immediately struck in these first couple of verses by the desire to pray specifically for women who have been hurt, and abused, by men doing evil things. I know there are many, many women who have experienced that, and in different ways. I just want to lead us to pray together for them, for you if that is you.

So, God, we hate sin and evil in this world, we hate it. I say that as we read these verses, we pray that in each one of our lives you would help us to hate sin and evil more, not to flirt with sin, not to justify sin, to run from sin, to run from any and every temptation to sin. God, we pray for that in our lives. We pray that we would never be casual with sin. Don’t let us be casual with sin at all today, especially as we consider the hurt that Dinah experienced in Genesis 34:1–2, and the hurt that many women, many of whom are sisters in Christ, have experienced.

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, forgive us, Lord, as we thank You Father, Keep the eyes of my heart looking to Jesus. Lord thank you for this new day and grace of life in Jesus’ name.

In the name of Jesus Christ and His Precious Blood, By the authority given to me by the natural law and by that You also have given to Your Church with these things; right now, I claim authority, rights and power over (name the people/things under diabolic oppression in your life) and anything else that pertains to this diabolic oppression.

By the merits of Jesus Christ and the finished work of the cross, I reclaim the rights, powers and authority over anything which I may have lost or conceded to any demon, and I ask You to remove any demon’s ability to influence or affect anything in my life.

Father, humiliate the demons that have sought to steal Your glory from You by oppressing Your creatures. We beseech You to show Your great glory and power over them and Your great generosity to me, Your unworthy child, by answering all that I have asked of You.

I bind all demons of oppression, in the name of Jesus, by the power of the Most Precious Blood, the power of the humility with which Christ suffered His wounds, and I command every demon to leave and go to the pit of hell now to receive your sentence, in the Name of Jesus Christ.

Father God, we pray that all who’ve been hurt in this way would find deep, true, perfect eternal healing in Jesus. Jesus, we praise you for meeting us where we are. What we see you doing all over the gospels. For coming to people in their needs and for coming for their hurting. For coming to the victim, Father God, and for stooping to serve us at our deepest point of need. You are God, for your love for us, for your mercy.

So, Lord, I just pray your love and your mercy over every single person who’s been hurt in any way like this. Father, we pray that they would know your love. They would know that we would all know that there’s a day coming when sin will be no more. Evil will be no more Sorrow will be no more and hurt will be no more. You will wipe away all those things and everything will be new. We praise you that we are not held captive to our own sins. We are not held captive by the sins of others against us.

So Father, we hate sin and evil in this world, we hate it. I say that as we read these verses, we pray that in each one of our lives you would help us to hate sin and evil more, not to flirt with sin, not to justify sin, to run from sin, to run from any and every temptation to sin. God, we pray for that in our lives. We pray that we would never be casual with sin. Don’t let us be casual with sin at all today, especially as we consider the hurt that Dinah experienced in Genesis 34:1–2, and the hurt that many women, many of whom are sisters in Christ, have experienced.  Lord heal all today and draw them closer to You this I ask all in Jesus' name, AMEN.

Day 35, the 11th of May 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 35

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

Two themes run through Chapter 35: completion and correction. It is a story of completion because Jacob was back home in the land of promise, with all his family and all his wealth; victory was won, the goal achieved, and the promise fulfilled. But it is also a story of correction, for the family had not completely held to the walk of faith: idols had to be buried and Reuben had to be dealt with.

After Dinah’s rape and the subsequent slaughter, the family seeks another new beginning, and God protects them from interference as they go. Part of this fresh start is rejecting “foreign gods,” perhaps remnants of the polytheistic beliefs of Rachel and Leah’s upbringing.

JACOB RETURNS TO BETHEL (35:1-15):

God told Jacob to return to Bethel, where he had seen the vision of the heavenly ladder (Gen 28) and build an altar there.

Jacob told his household to get rid of all their foreign Gods. God called Jacob to return to the land (28:13-15; 31:3), but his pilgrimage took a long time. God had to remind Jacob of his forgotten vows. [Apparently his indifference to those vows provided the occasion for Dinah’s defilement by Shechem. Jacob should have travelled on to Beersheba, his parents’ home (28:10), without stopping at Shechem.]

Jacob took their idols and buried them under a tree near Shechem. To complete his vows, there had to be a sanctification process. Jacob’s family had to remove all their idols, the foreign gods. God permits no rivals; He allows only single loyalty and no magical charms. All this purification (getting rid of idols, washing themselves, and changing their clothes) was instructive for Israel, who later would need such a consecration when they entered the land of promise (Josh 5:1-9).

Interestingly Jacob’s wives’ idols were also buried under an oak, back in Shechem (v. 4). At Bethel God confirmed the promise He had made there earlier. Jacob’s name-change to Israel was proof of the promised blessing.

God caused a great terror to fall on the people of the land so they would not pursue Jacob’s family to avenge Hamor and Shechem (Gen 34). In Canaan, Jacob has assumed the place of his father Isaac and grandfather Abraham as the one through whom God’s promises are passed down. Here, God repeats his renaming of Jacob as well as his promises of offspring and land.

Jacob built an altar in Bethel to honour the Lord who watched over him when he fled from Esau.

God appeared to Jacob and told him his name would be changed to Israel. Now that the patriarch was back in the land of promise, the promise of the nation (“seed”), kings, and the land was once again confirmed (cf. 12:2-3; 15:5, 18; 17:3-8; 22:15-18; 28:13-14). Jacob’s actions here are almost identical with those in his earlier Bethel experience: setting up a stone pillar, pouring oil on it, naming the place Bethel (cf. 35:6-7, 14-15; 28:16-19). And both times God promised Jacob many descendants in the land (28:13-14; 35:11-12). But here He added that kings would be included in Jacob’s offspring.

He told Jacob He would make him the father of nations and would give him the land of Canaan.

Jacob set up a pillar of stone in the place God appeared to him.

THE DEATH OF RACHEL (35:16-21):

Rachel went into labour as their family was travelling to Ephrath (Bethlehem).

She had “hard labour” and died shortly after delivering a son.

Jacob named the boy Benjamin. Benoni = The son of my sorrow; Benjamin = The son of the right hand. Once in the land the family was completed by the birth of Benjamin. (Interestingly, 11 of Jacob’s 12 sons, progenitors of the nation’s 12 tribes, were born out of the land in Paddan Aram, 29:31-30:24.)

JACOB’S 12 SONS (35:22-26):

Jacob had children with 4 women: Leah, Rachel, Bilhah, and Zilpah.

Jacob’s 12 sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. We see here that Reuben laid with one of his father’s concubines. It is possible that Reuben, Jacob’s eldest, was trying to replace his father as patriarch prematurely by this pagan procedure. But in so doing, he lost his inheritance (his birthright; cf. 49:3-4; 1 Chr 5:1-2).

THE DEATH OF ISAAC (35:27-29):

Jacob visited his father Isaac at Mamre (Hebron).

Isaac died at 180 years old and was buried by Jacob and Esau. Jacob comes to Isaac at Mamre, and after Isaac dies, Jacob and Esau bury him.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

God was with us before we found the people we would love the most, and He will be with us when we lose the people, we’ve loved the most.

God was with Jacob before he went to Haran and found the woman he loved (Rachel), and He was with Jacob when she left him on the road outside Bethlehem.

Our lives, like Jacob’s, are marked by spiritual wins and losses, but God is faithful to meet us in both. God loves and responds to repentance. Only God’s purifying work turns our rebel hearts back to Him. He pursues us, not when our lives are together, but when we are straying and stumbling. Regardless of our current circumstances precious saints, we can trust God to refine and guide us. Today, find a quiet place and practice repentance. Ask God to reveal your sin and confess before Him. Allow the Almighty God to redirect your steps and guide your actions today. Ask Him for wisdom

What a friend we have in Jesus.

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, forgive us, Lord, for doubting You. Like Jacob, who consistently depended on his own resources, we are slow to surrender to Your plan and ultimate power. Thank You Father, Keep the eyes of my heart looking to Jesus. You alone, Lord, deal rightly with sin. In Your righteousness, evil cannot prevail. You are holy and You are good.

Show us our sin, Lord, and purify Your people. Like Jacob who commanded in Genesis 35:2 to “get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes,” help us to confess our collective sin and repent before You. Guide our churches, Repentance Revival Movement as we navigate the destruction of generational sin.

Like Simeon and Levi, who defensively replied, “Should he have treated our sister like a prostitute?” in Genesis 34:31, forgive us, God, for blaming our sin on others. Soften our hearts to confess our sin before You. Help us to seek Your wisdom and council.

Thank you, Father, for continuing to guide us when we turn to You. As You appeared to Jacob in Genesis 35:1, You offer wisdom and counsel to Your people. You are the God “… who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.” (Genesis 35:3) We ask You, Lord, to protect Your people from violence and oppression. For those facing persecution in Your name, we pray for wisdom, courage and peace. We long for the day when every knee will bow before You and evil actions will be set right.

Lord give me the grace to conduct Your will for my life, and to fit into Your sovereign plans and purposes for Your greater praise and glory. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.

Day 36, the 12th of May 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 36

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

Esau’s line is an offshoot from the direct line (Jacob’s) to which God’s promises are directly entrusted. Still, Genesis gives an overview of the descendants of Isaac’s firstborn, who come to make up the Edomites. Edom, in what’s now southern Israel and Jordan, was an ancient kingdom located to the south and east of the land of Canaan.

Before recounting the life story of Joseph, the writer of Genesis describes something of the land of Edom and its inhabitants. The original inhabitants of Mount Seir were called Horites or Hurrians. In the course of time, Esau and his descendants took over the territory. Esau became wealthy and possessed many cattle and sheep. The principal cities of the area were Sela, Bozrah, Petra, Teman, and Ezion-geber. The Edomites continued to be hostile to the Israelites throughout OT times (cf. Obadiah).

THE WIVES AND SONS OF ESAU (36:1-5):

Esau (also known as Edom) had 4 wives who bore him sons: Adah the Hittite, Oholibamah the Hivite, and Basemath the daughter of Ishmael.

Esau also married a woman named Judith (26:34) but she is not named in this chapter. Since two of these wives’ names are not the same as those listed earlier (26:34; 28:9), either the others had died or he favoured these three among his six or the two took different names.

Esau’s had 5 sons: Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.

In addition to his sons, Esau also had several daughters (36:6)

ESAU MOVES TO SEIR (36:6-8):

Jacob and Esau owned so much livestock the land could not support them both.

Esau took his family and herds and moved to the hill country of Seir. The narrative has stressed two elements: 1) Esau’s sons were born in the land (Canaan, v. 5) before he moved to Seir (v. 8). This contrasts sharply with Jacob, whose children were born out of the land, and who then moved into the land. 2) Esau was Edom. Certainly, Israel would understand the import of this because she often struggled with the Edomites (cf. Obad), Esau’s descendants (Gen 36:43).

THE EDOMITES (36:9-19):

Esau’s descendants grew into the Edomite nation.

The Edomites are mentioned over 100 times in the Bible. 

Esau’s son Eliphaz had 6 sons: Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, Kenaz, and Amalek. This is the beginning of the Amalekites. Down through the centuries those tribes which were there in the desert pushed out in many directions. Many of them pushed across North Africa. All the Arab tribes came from Abraham—through Hagar, the Egyptian, and through Keturah, whom he married after the death of Sarah. And there has been intermarriage between the tribes. They belong to the same family that Israelites belong to.

Esau’s son Reuel had 4 sons: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.

THE DESCENDANTS OF SEIR THE HORITE (36:20-30):

The Horites lived in the land of Seir before Esau’s descendants (Deuteronomy 2:12).

Seir had 7 sons who were chiefs among the Horites: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan.

Verses 22-28 list the sons of each of these chiefs.

THE KINGS OF EDOM (36:31-39):

“These are the kings who reigned in Edom, before any king reigned over the Israelites” (36:31). It is not certain how the kings of Edom were related to Esau, but they were kings who reigned in Edom, and “Esau is Edom” (v. 8). The organization of the clans in Edom apparently paralleled that in Israel. They ultimately chose a king from one of their tribes and carried on a line of succession from him. Whether or not the line of eight kings mentioned here extends beyond the time of Jacob and Esau is unclear. The point is comparative, though: there were kings in Edom before any Israelite king reigned (v. 31). So why is it that Esau, Edom, is the first to begin to practice kingship? What is the author of the story telling us? It is a message, right from here, echoing the international promise given to Abraham that his blessing would be a blessing for all nations, that the kingdom of God is one that is accessible by all nations and peoples. There is a line, a seed, a covenant blessing to God’s people, but even in the Old Testament that blessing was meant to extend to all nations. And now in the New Testament we hear Jesus’ commission to make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey everything he has commanded in this kingdom of God and the Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 28:19-20).

The names of the kings in order of succession: Bela, Jobab, Husham, Hadad, Samlah, Shaul, Baal-hanan, and Hadar.

THE CHIEFS OF ESAU (36:40-43):

“These are the names of the chiefs of Esau according to their clans and their dwelling places by their names: the chiefs Timna, Alvah, Jetheth, Oholibama, Elah, Pinon, Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar, Magdiel, and Iram; these are the chiefs of Edom” (36:40-43a). These verses list the names of the chiefs who descended from Esau according to their families, after their places, and by their names. Esau was thus a great, powerful overlord: the father of the Edomites (v. 43) over clans and regions (v. 40), with 11 chiefs descended from him. Isaac’s promises to Esau were thus being fulfilled: and by being away from Jacob he was shaking the “yoke” of his brother from his “neck” (27:39-40).

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

The descendants of Esau, or Edom, are listed, all of them born to Esau’s Canaanite wives, Adah, Oholibamah, and Basemath. Esau and his household move to the hill country of Seir since the land could not support both his and Jacob’s possessions. Esau has several sons, Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah, from whom Edomite clans and kings descend. These Edomite kings reign before the Israelites have kings of their own.

It only takes a generation to steer an entire family away from God.

Jacob retained a relationship with the true God, the God of his father Isaac and his grandfather Abraham.

But Esau married Canaanite women and directed his family in another direction.

Many of Esau’s descendants would become enemies of God and enemies of Jacob’s family, the Israelites.

Esau is not spoken highly of by the other Bible writers (Hebrews 12:16).

You have a decision to make, will you serve the true God and teach your family to do the same? Or will you turn away from Him and potentially influence generations to pursue the same unwise path?

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, forgive us, Lord, for doubting You. Like Jacob, who consistently depended on his own resources, we are slow to surrender to Your plan and ultimate power. Thank You Father, Keep the eyes of my heart looking to Jesus. You alone, Lord, deal rightly with sin.

Help me Lord do what is right for my parents, give me that mind oh Lord in Jesus Christ name,

The grace to establish good things or companies give me oh Lord in Jesus Christ name,

Open my eyes to discover new things in Jesus Christ name,

Demons blocking my progress should go into abyss in Jesus Christ name,

Give me children who shall take care of me during my old age in Jesus Christ name,

Give me responsible, loving and caring children oh Lord in Jesus Christ name,

I refuse to be barren of good things in Jesus Christ name,

Heal the wounds I incurred for residing where I ought not to reside in In Jesus name,

Grace to obey your directives to letters give me now in Jesus’ name,

As I obey your directives put your terror on my enemies in Jesus’ name,

Every pursuing enemy should be blocked from getting to where I am in Jesus’ name

Lord give me the grace to conduct Your will for my life, and to fit into Your sovereign plans and purposes for Your greater praise and glory. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.

Day 37, the 13th of May 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 37

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

The most remarkable drama in the Bible—the incredible career of Joseph, from being sold into slavery by his brothers to becoming prime minister of the ruling empire of the world! Genesis 37, Joseph’s Dreams; Genesis 38, Judah’s Sin with Tamar; Genesis 39, Joseph Imprisoned.

The remaining chapters of Genesis focus on the story of Jacob and his family, particularly his son Joseph. This subsection of the patriarchal history also shows how the people of Israel wound up in Egypt, transitioning to the Book of Exodus. The Hebrew word describing Joseph’s robe is uncertain; besides referring to a robe with sleeves, it could also mean a “coat of many colours.”

INTRODUCTION TO JOSEPH (37:1-4):

The chapter opens by reintroducing us to Joseph, Jacob’s favourite son, when he was 17 years old. In dramatic contrast with the expanding, powerful Esau, reviewed in the previous session, Jacob was dwelling in the land of the sojourning’s of his father, the land of Canaan. Unlike Esau, Jacob had no “chiefs” or kings (35:11) yet no lands to govern, and no full tribes. He was a sojourner. Delitzsch remarks that secular, worldly greatness comes swifter than spiritual greatness. A promised spiritual blessing demands patience and faith. Waiting while others prosper is a test of one’s faithfulness and perseverance.

Joseph’s brothers hated him because he was their father’s favourite.

Jacob gave Joseph a robe of many colours. Joseph is with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah: oversight or superintendence is evidently implied. This post of chief shepherd might have assigned him either from his being the son of a principal wife or as a “faithful steward” in reporting the scandalous conduct of his brethren. “Coat of many colours”: probably a multi-coloured royal tunic, with long, flowing sleeves, which set him out from the group as the favoured one; formed in those early days by sewing together patches of coloured cloth and considered a dress of distinction (Jug 5:30; 2 Sam 13:18). [Another possible translation could be the “coat with sleeves,” a long-sleeved robe.]. The natural inference was that Jacob had chosen Joseph to be the one through whom the divine blessings would flow. (Jesus also possessed a distinctive robe: Ps 22:18; Mt 2:35; Jn 19:24) [Begin a list of similarities between the narratives of Joseph and Christ. Arthur W. Pink lists over 100.]

JOSEPH’S DREAMS (37:5-11):

One day, Joseph had a dream which he recounted to his brothers. This seems to signify that Jacob favoured him above the rest with the intent of granting him all or a larger portion of the inheritance. Yet Jacob should have remembered what parental favouritism does to a family. It had separated him from his loving mother (27:1-28:5), and it would separate Joseph from Jacob. God used dreams when His people were leaving or outside the land, that is, in the lands of pagans: God had announced to Abraham in a dream the Egyptian bondage in the first place (15:13); God promised protection and prosperity for Jacob in his sojourn with Laban (28:12, 15); and, by two dreams God predicted that Joseph would rule over his family.

He dreamed they were binding sheaves in the field and his stood upright while his brother’s sheaves bowed down to his. The scene of the first dream was agricultural: This may be a hint of the way Joseph’s authority over his brothers would be achieved (cf. 42:1- 3). His ostensible destiny wasn’t missed by the envious brothers.

His brothers hated him even more after he told them the dream.

Joseph dreamed a second dream and told it to his brothers.

In the second dream, the sun, moon, and 11 stars bowed down to him.

Jacob rebuked Joseph saying, “Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?”

By telling his brothers about his dreams, Joseph doesn’t endear himself to them; in fact, his superiority in these dreams (despite being one of the youngest among them) makes him appear arrogant. The second dream suggests that even Joseph’s parents will bow to him (the sun and moon), hence Israel’s rebuke. The scene of the second dream was celestial. The sun, the moon, and 11 stars bowed down to him. The dream, then, symbolically anticipated the elevation of Joseph over the whole house of Jacob. Jacob himself acknowledged the implied interpretation. [This becomes especially significant in understanding the imagery employed in Revelation Chapter 12: the woman there is Israel, by Israel’s own interpretation! This also is suggestive evidence that the “signs in the heavens” perceptions have some validity.]

JOSEPH’S BROTHERS SELL HIM INTO SLAVERY (37:12-36):

Jacob sent Joseph to check on his brothers who were pasturing his flock.

Joseph found them in Dothan. From Jacob’s home in the Valley of Hebron north to Shechem was about 50 miles (and Dothan was another 15 miles north). The vale of Shechem was, from the earliest mention of Canaan, blessed with extraordinary abundance of water. That’s why they travelled from Hebron to this place, though it must have cost them near 20 hours’ travelling—that is, at the shepherd rate, a little more than 50 miles.

As he approached, his brothers plotted to kill him, but Reuben convinced them not to harm him but to throw him into a pit (Reuben planned to return and save him). The brothers devised a plot to kill that dreamer in order to prevent his dreams from being fulfilled. Before, they plotted to kill many Shechemites in revenge for their sister (34:24-29); now, by contrast, they plotted to kill their own brother! Cf. 1 John 3:12-13.

The brothers seized Joseph, took his coat of many colours and threw him into a pit.

A while later, while Reuben was away, Joseph’s brothers sold him to a passing caravan of Ishmaelites headed to Egypt. Reuben, the first-born, was directly responsible for the lad to his father. Trying to gain an opportunity to restore Joseph to Jacob, Reuben persuaded his brothers not to commit such a crime.

They sold Joseph for 20 shekels of silver. They are called Midianites (Gen 37:28), and Mennonites, in Hebrew (Gen 37:36), being a travelling caravan composed of a mixed association of Arabians. Ishmaelites were descendants of Abraham by Hagar (16:15) and the Midianites (37:28) descended from Abraham by his concubine Keturah (25:2). The term Ishmaelites became a general designation for desert tribes, so that even Midianite traders were also known as Ishmaelites. Their approach could easily be seen on the plain of Dothan: their road, after crossing the ford from the trans-jordanic district, led along the south side of the mountains of Gilboa.

In order to deceive their father about Joseph’s true fate, the brothers killed a goat and dipped the robe of many colours into its blood.

They brought the robe to their father and allowed him to believe Joseph had been attacked by a wild animal.

Jacob put on sackcloth and mourned many days for his son. When they give Israel Joseph’s torn robe—which they’ve dipped in a goat’s blood—Israel goes into deep mourning. Meanwhile, Joseph is carried to Egypt and sold to Potiphar, Pharaoh’s captain of the guard.

Jacob’s son and daughters tried to comfort him, but he couldn’t be consoled. Jacob was convinced that his favourite son was dead. Ironic retribution here: Jacob had deceived his own father Isaac using his brother’s tunic, and the skins of a goat… (Gen 27:16).

Joseph was sold as a slave to Potiphar, “an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.”

Genesis 37: 35 “And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.”

“Grave”: Sheol, not the grave: the region of departed spirits; Greek: hades. He expects to meet Joseph there (Cf. Luke 16…).

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Life may not always be fair, but envy is not the right response.

It wasn’t fair that Joseph was the favoured child, but his 11 brothers couldn’t control their father’s favouritism, they could only control their response to the reality of it.  

We can’t control the fact that life isn’t fair, we can only control the way we respond to the realities of the world.

Envy doesn’t solve anything, and it is listed as one of the “works of the flesh” Galatians 5:21.

Although we may not understand why things are the way they are, we can be confident God is in control of His world, and all things will be made right in the end. God will see to it.

With that knowledge, we can be at peace in an unfair world.

In Genesis 37:4, we read, “When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.” Heal us, Lord, of blinding hatred and reveal areas where we don’t love others well. Let our churches and Repentance revival Movement be a refuge for those who are mistreated and unloved.

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, forgive us, Lord, for doubting You. Like Jacob, who consistently depended on his own resources, we are slow to surrender to Your plan and ultimate power. Thank You Father, Keep the eyes of my heart looking to Jesus. You alone, Lord, deal rightly with sin. Father, thank You for Joseph whose story is so familiar to us. As I reflect on the coat that Israel bestowed on Joseph and the privilege and status it inferred, I am reminded of the astonishing privilege and status You have bestowed on me. Thank You that I am Your child and that You loved me so much, You sent Your beloved Son to die so that I might live. Father, thank You for telling us in Your Word that "the tongue has the power of life or death." Give me wisdom to know when to speak the truth in love and to know when to keep quiet about a matter. May I ever live to lift Jesus up in all I say, and do, and think, and act. Every pursuing enemy should be blocked from getting to where I am in Jesus’ name! Lord give me the grace to conduct Your will for my life, and to fit into Your sovereign plans and purposes for Your greater praise and glory. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.

Day 38, the 14th of May 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 38

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

Especially with its graphic sexual content, this chapter seems like a diversion from the narrative. However, as the ancestor of one of the major tribes of Israel, Judah is a forerunner of the line of King David, which is probably why his offspring are discussed. Under Judah’s authority, Tamar is serially married to Judah’s sons. Onan is told to undertake what’s called a levirate marriage—begetting children for his brother’s childless widow—which is discussed in the books of Deuteronomy and Ruth. However, he selfishly (in the view of the time) demurs from this duty.

JUDAH’S SONS AND TAMAR’S DILEMMA (38:1-11):

Judah, one of Jacob’s sons, married a Canaanite woman and she bore three sons with him (Er, Onan, and Shelah). This final part of the story provides the significance of the whole account. Judah then left and stayed in Adullum (about 15 miles NW of Hebron) and married a pagan Canaanite woman. This marriage to a Canaanite almost ruined Judah’s family. Intermarriage with the Canaanites had been avoided earlier (Ch. 34), but not here.

Judah found a woman named Tamar to be Er’s wife.

Er was “wicked in the sight of the LORD” and God killed him.

Judah told his middle child, Onan, to fulfill his role as a brother-in-law and have children with Tamar so his brother’s family line could continue. By the custom of the levirate law of marriage, the second son, Onan, was to marry Tamar, the widow of his brother, and raise up offspring for his brother. However, Onan repeatedly used that law for sexual gratification. He took advantage of the situation but refused the responsibility that went with it. So, God took his life too. Levirate Marriage: (from Latin levir, “husband’s brother”) was codified in the Torah (Deut 25:5-10). The role of the Goel (as Kinsman-Redeemer, cf. Ruth 1-4; and the Ultimate Redemption (Rev 5).

But Onan, whenever he slept with Tamar, spilled his semen on the ground because he knew the offspring would be considered sons of his brother rather than his own.

God killed Onan because he did not fulfill his duty to his deceased brother and his wife.

Jacob told Tamar to remain a widow until his youngest son, Shelah, grew up.

TAMAR TRICKS JUDAH (38:12-23):

In the course of time, Judah’s wife died and Shelah grew up, but Judah did not give him to Tamar as he had promised. Shelah was not yet grown up (and even later when he was, Judah still refused). Sheep shearer season, which occurs in Palestine towards the end of March, was spent in more than usual hilarity, and the wealthiest masters invited their friends, as well as treated their servants, to sumptuous entertainments. Accordingly, it is said, Judah was accompanied by his friend, Hirah.

When Tamar learned, Judah was going to Timnah to shear sheep, she disguised herself as a prostitute and waited along the road. Tamar felt she would have to take matters into her own hands if she were to be granted the rights of the levirate custom. Pretending to be one of the kedeshot (religious prostitutes), she tricked Judah into having illicit relations with her.

When Judah came by, he hired her, and gave her his signet, a cord, and his staff as collateral until he could send her a goat from his flock.

Judah slept with Tamar, and she became pregnant. In pledge that he would send a goat for payment, he left his seal (which hung suspended from a cord around his neck) and his staff with her. Bracelets, including armlets, were worn by men as well as women among the Hebrews. But the Hebrew word here rendered “bracelets,” is everywhere else translated “lace” or “ribbon.”

He did not discover the “prostitute” was his daughter-in-law.

TAMAR’S PREGANCY IS DISCOVERED AND JUDAH IS SHAMED (38:24-30):

Three months later, when Jacob was at home, it was discovered that Tamar was pregnant. Again, Jacob’s family experienced deception—this time by his Canaanite daughter-in-law! Burnt? The crime of adultery was anciently punished in many places by burning (Lev 21:9; Judg 15:6; Jer 29:22).

Jacob assumed she had been immoral and had slept with another man. He told his family, “Bring her out, and let her be burned.”

But Tamar revealed she was pregnant by Judah when she produced his signet, his cord, and his staff.

Judah admitted, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” When she proved by the seal, cord, and staff that he was the guilty partner, Tamar had won the right to be the mother of Judah’s children, though in a deceitful way. Her action was desperate and risky. [And she thus appears in the Messianic family tree: Mt 1:3.]

Tamar gave birth to twin boys and named them Perez and Zerah.

God gave Tamar twins, and the line of Judah continued because of her. It is as if the oracle concerning Jacob’s ruling over his older brother (27:29) was being relived in the line of Judah. What was so significant was the connection with Judah’s dealing with Joseph (37:26-28). He and his brothers sold their younger brother into Egypt, thinking they could thwart God’s design that the elder brothers would serve the younger Joseph. Yet in Judah’s own family, despite his attempts to hinder Tamar’s marriage, God’s will worked out in a poignant confirmation of the principle that the elder would serve the younger.

The Book of Ruth (Synopsis)

“In the days the judges ruled…” The Book of Ruth is the ultimate love story, both at the literary level and at the prophetic, personal level. It is one of the most significant books for the Church, giving us insights into the role of the Kinsman-Redeemer, and it’s the essential prerequisite to understanding the Book of Revelation.

• Love’s Resolve              Chapter 1           Ruth cleaves to Naomi

• Love’s Response          Chapter 2           Ruth gleans

• Love’s Request             Chapter 3           Threshing Floor

• Love’s Reward              Chapter 4           Redemption of both

Land and Bride

Ruth Cleaving: Chapter 1

Famine drives family to Moab: Elimelech (“God is my King”); Naomi (“Pleasant” ...Land?); Mahlon (“Unhealthy”; “to blot out”); Chilio (“Puny”; “to perish”). Naomi deters daughters-in-law from following: Orpah (“Fawn”) [Ultimately returns] and Ruth (“Desirable”) [Remains with Naomi].

Ruth 1:16-17 “But Ruth said: “Entreat[a] me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. 17 Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.”

Ruth Gleaning: Chapter 2

The Law of Gleaning (Lev 19:9,10; Deut 24:19-2) was a provision for the destitute. Ruth “happens” upon the field of Boaz; Boaz = “In Him is Strength” (Temple Pillar); introduced by “Unnamed Servant,” Boaz provides protection + “handfuls on purpose…” Goel: Kinsman-Redeemer (Law of Redemption, Lev 25:47-50; Law of Levirite Marriage, Deut 25:5-10).

The Threshing Floor: Chapter 3

Naomi recognizes an opportunity for the redemption of her land and for a new life for Ruth. She instructs Ruth on what to do: Ruth approaches Boaz... And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.

Ruth 3:8-9 “Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself; and there, a woman was lying at his feet. 9 And he said, “Who are you?” So, she answered, “I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take[a] your maidservant under your wing, for you are a [b]close relative.”

Ruth approaches Boaz to fulfill the role of a Goel; but, there is a “nearer kinsman” in the way . . . (6 measures of barley = a code for Naomi).

The Redemption: Chapter 4

Boaz confronts the “Nearer Kinsman”: he is willing to redeem the property; but, he is not willing to take Ruth as bride. He yields his shoe

to relieve the obligation. Boaz steps up: he purchases the land for Naomi and he “purchases” Ruth as his bride. “May your house be like Pharez…” Cf. Deut 23:2.

The Strange Prophecy

Perez, Hezron, Ram, Amminadab, Nahshon, Salmon, Boaz, Obed, Jesse, David.

Typological Analysis

Goel = Kinsman-Redeemer: must be a kinsman; must be able to perform; must be willing; must assume all the obligations. Boaz = The Lord of the Harvest; The Kinsman-Redeemer. Naomi = Israel. Ruth = Gentile Bride.

Observations

In order to bring Ruth to Naomi, Naomi had to be exiled from her land. What the Law could not do, Grace did. Ruth does not replace Naomi. Ruth learns of Boaz’s ways through Naomi. Naomi meets Boaz through Ruth. No matter how much Boaz loved Ruth, he had to await her move. Boaz, not Ruth, confronts the “Nearer Kinsman.”

Ruth: Final Remarks

The Book of Ruth always read at the Feast of Pentecost (Shavout ). You can’t really understand Revelation 5 without understanding the Book of Ruth. You and I are also beneficiaries of a love story, that was written in blood, on a wooden cross, erected in Judea almost 2,000 years ago.

Prophetic Undercurrents

David’s lineage encrypted in the Hebrew text of Genesis 38—in 49-letter intervals (see chart on previous page). David’s lineage prophesied (in the time of the Judges) in the Book of Ruth. The 10th generation after Pharez (Ruth 4:12,18-22); bastards excluded until 10th generation (Deut 23:2).

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Don’t be a person who is quick to point out other people’s sins without addressing your own.

Judah was quick to demand a punishment for the sin he assumed Tamar committed, but he failed to address his own sin of withholding his son from her.

It is usually easier to see other people’s shortcomings than to see our own, but we need to be conscious of our own weaknesses if we want to avoid playing the hypocrite like Judah.

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, thank You Father, I recognise Your almighty power and great glory, for the heavens declare it and Christ proved it with outstretched arms on Calvary's Cross. But You are also my great Provider, for which I thank You. In Genesis 38:26, Judah recognized his seal, cord and staff in Tamar’s possession. He declared, “She is more righteous than I ….” Like Judah, give me the humility to admit when I’m wrong. Help me to elevate Your name above my own, especially when my sin is exposed before others.

The truth about redemption makes salvation possible, but it also gives hope when circumstances in life appear hopeless.” What circumstances, relationships or individual in your life seem to be beyond redemption? Ask God for the endurance to continue to pray for those things that seem lost. Make a of today’s date in your Bible lesson to remember that God can accomplish His eternal purposes through the most desperate situations.

You, God, can redeem what sin destroys. You keep Your promises and Your purpose is good. Your plans cannot be overturned; Your way is just. Like Judah in Genesis 38, we allow fear to determine our decisions. Forgive us, Lord, for our selfishness and desire for control. You, Father, are a God who redeems. Just as You saved Joseph from the hands of his brothers in Genesis 37 and included Tamar in the line of Christ in Genesis 38, You alone can redeem us from sin. Thank you for graciously restoring Your people through the ultimate sacrifice of Your Son. Direct our leaders, Lord, and hold those who abuse power accountable. Like Joseph’s brothers who sought to elevate their position through his mistreatment, we also see community and government officials seek power at all costs. Give us wisdom in dealing with these men and women and deliver us from leadership that disregards You. Thank You that You are working in my life from an eternal perspective. May my life be a testimony of Your goodness and grace. Hallelujah! I ask this in Jesus' mighty name I pray, AMEN.

Please click for Part 3 (Day 39-49) https://www.repentancerevival.com/single-post/49-days-of-prayer-fasting-from-monday-7th-of-april-to-tuesday-27th-of-may-2025-part-3