9. Genesis 27:1-28:22 Jacob and Esau

Birthright was so important in the Old Testament. It came with privileges and responsibilities of the firstborn son that could be forfeited by behavior that was offensive or opposed to God's will. Previously, Rebekah had asked God why was there such a struggle taking place in her womb. The Lord told her there were two nations within her. Two peoples that would be separate and that one people would be stronger than the other. That the older shall serve the younger. She never forgot those words the Lord gave her. Esau foolishly squandered his birthright by trading it to his younger brother, Jacob, for a bowl of stew when he was hungry. 
Rebekah encourages Jacob to deceive his father. Did she not trust that God Himself was able to bring to pass the words He shared with her years before? When Isaac gave his blessing to Jacob and not Esau, Esau bore such a grudge against Jacob that Jacob had to be sent away because his mother feared for his life. 
While on his journey the Lord gave him a dream telling him that his descendants will be many and that He will give them a blessed land. He trusted in the Lord and committed to serve Him and tithe unto the Lord.


What are your thoughts on these passages? Leave a comment :)

8. Genesis 21:1-22:19 Isaac's Birth & 'Sacrifice'

Wow! What an awesome account of God's faithfulness! Abraham and Sarah got their Isaac, and through Isaac, God said their descendants would be named. God even had mercy on their ignorance and told them not to be distressed about Hagar's son. That He would even make a nation of Ishmael, because he was Abraham's descendant. 
Abraham obeyed God and took Isaac willingly up to Mt. Moriah. Abraham's faith is clearly seen when he says to his servant, "WE will worship and return to you." And to his young son, "God WILL provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering." And, indeed, God showed Himself faithful and provided a ram in the thicket. It pleased Him that Abraham did not hold back his only son. Faith pleases God. And praise God that He Himself did not withhold His only Son from us. But was pleased to sacrifice Him and cause His righteousness to be added to our accounts!

7. Genesis 15:1-21 Covenant with Abram

So God had a plan for Abram. He came to him in a vision telling him not to fear but that He would be a shield for him and his reward would be very great. That He would give him a true heir and that his descendants would be many. When Abram struggled to comprehend it, God gave him the illustration of the stars of heaven and said his descendants would be just as numerous. God knew, if Abram should need a reminder, each evening he would see those stars staring back at him and bolster his faith. All Abram had to do was believe God and He reckoned it to him as righteousness! Praise God that is our job today too...just to BELIEVE and let God bring to pass all that He has promised.

6. Genesis 12:1-20 Call of Abram

The Lord tells Abram to leave his family and to go forth to the land which God will show him. He told Abram that He would make him a great nation. That He would bless him so that he could be a blessing. That He would bless all those who blessed Abram and curse those who cursed him. And that ALL the families of earth would have the opportunity to be blessed through Abram. For some reason Abram did not obey completely and took his nephew Lot with them. Then Abram lied to Pharaoh and said that Sarai was his sister and not his wife, therefore bringing a curse on Pharaoh's house. In His great love this covenant is unconditional, depending solely upon God, Who obligates Himself in grace, when He declares to Abram "I will". It was not only personally, for Abram and his family, but universally, causing blessings to be upon all the families of the earth through the Messiah, Who according to the flesh, is Abraham's son and provides salvation for the entire world. Praise God, in Christ, we too can partake of each and every blessing this covenant holds!
What are your thoughts? Leave a comment below.