January 23, 2019
DO NOT FEAR GOD’S PURPOSE FOR YOUR LIFE The Lord spoke to Jacob in a vision the night after he offered sacrifices in Beersheba on his way to Egypt. Surely old Jacob was concerned about leaving the land promised to his family since his grandfather Abraham had obeyed the Lord and brought the family there…. Read more »
January 22, 2019
JOSEPH, A FORESHADOWING OF CHRIST Joseph sees God’s purpose in being sold into slavery in Egypt. He forgives his brothers and welcomes them to live under his care. There is a foreshadowing of Christ in Joseph– the way he suffers betrayal and injustice before rising to become their savior and lord. The dreams he had… Read more »
January 19, 2019
THE DREAMER GIVES GOD THE GLORY Joseph had thoughtlessly shared his dreams with his older brothers, predicting how they would one day bow down to him. In their jealousy, they sold him into slavery. Yet after years in slavery and prison, Joseph had changed. He was humbled, giving God all the glory for any power… Read more »
January 17, 2019
STAYING NEAR THE TOWER OF THE FLOCK Jacob, whom God had named Israel, finally found a place to pitch his tent. The place was called “Migdal-eder,” which means “Tower of the Flock.” It described a hill with a tower where the shepherds could watch over their sheep. Migdal Eder was located between Jerusalem and Bethlehem…. Read more »
January 16, 2019
A NEW NAME AND A NEW IDENTITY Jacob got a new name after wrestling all night with God. The name “Jacob” means “grasping the heel” or “pulling the leg.” It was given to him because he was born grasping his twin brother Esau’s heel at birth. Perhaps we get the cliche, “you’re pulling my leg,”… Read more »
January 11, 2019
BIBLE HISTORY AND CURRENT EVENTS Isaac and Ishmael buried their father, Abraham, in the same tomb he had bought to bury Sarah. These two sons became two great peoples. The Jewish nation came from Isaac and the Arab nations from Ishmael. They stood united at their father’s funeral, but enmity has existed between them until… Read more »
January 10, 2019
FINDING A WIFE FOR THE FATHER’S SON Abraham instructed his most faithful servant to go to his homeland and find a wife for Isaac, his son. In this narrative a picture of God the Father sending the Spirit to the Bride of Christ, which is the Church, might be seen. Like the Spirit, the servant… Read more »
January 9, 2019
THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS God told Abraham to sacrifice his son on a mountain in the land of Moriah. Early the next morning, Abraham took his son Isaac and his servants and headed out. As they approached Mt. Moriah, Abraham told his servants to stay behind and taking the wood from their donkeys, he… Read more »
January 6, 2019
DISTRACTIONS THAT MUST BE CHASED AWAY Abram had prepared the sacrifice as the Lord had commanded. Yet, as he waited on the Lord, vultures swooped down to eat it. Abram chased them away. He would not let them distract him from waiting on the Lord. He was focused on hearing from God. When we… Read more »
January 5, 2019
GOD PREACHED THE GOSPEL TO ABRAHAM BEFOREHAND God called Abram to leave his country and relatives, saying “go to the land that I will show you” (Gen. 12:1). And Abram obeyed God’s call. God had selected Abram for a particular purpose. For the Messiah would come through his family line. The apostle Paul called… Read more »