"Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, through his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept."
Genesis 33:4
Genesis 33:4
My Take Aways:
Something Old in a New Way
Genesis 32:1
"This is the LORD's camp."
God sent angels to meet Jacob. How compassionate of God! He was assuring Jacob that He would protect him in his travels. What would happen if we declared before probable danger, "This is the LORD's camp."
Something New:
I did not know that Dinah was raped by the son of the man who sold Jacob land. Jacob's family worshiped pagan idols.
Something To Do:
Give God the time He needs to work in my life. I love the transformation Jacob made from the time he fled his home until the time he returned. Even though he made mistakes, the Lord was with him so obviously his heart had changed. Time has a way of changing things.
38 Comments:
He spent the night there, and from what he had with him he selected a gift for his brother Esau: 14 two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, 15 thirty female camels with their young, forty cows and ten bulls, and twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys. 16 He put them in the care of his servants, each herd by itself, and said to his servants, "Go ahead of me, and keep some space between the herds."
Jacob sent a gift to his brother . what is a gift for?
1. it makes the hear glad.
2, it tells the other person, i was thinking of you.
3. it shows the value we place on that person.
jacob gave his brother more female gifts than the male ones.
women of God, you are a gift to you families, to you neighbourhoods and to the world at large. may you always be the gift that the Lord would want us to be, make others glad, lift others up and vslue people.
loice
Old in a new way:
That I, like Jacob professes in today's reading, am "unworthy of all God's unfailing love and faithfulness", which is why I write my Gratitude Journal to the Lord.
New:
That Simeon and Levi, Jacob's son, slaughtered the townsmen after Dinah's rape. I'm eager to see how this all "works together for good to those who believe (Romans 8:28)
To Do:
Understand that God sometimes "allows" seemingly bad things to happen, but be patient and give him time to bring good out of bad.
Michelle
Thanks for the reminder of that song, Wendy. It is one of my favorites!
Gen 32:10 There are times that I, too, fell unworthy of all that God has done in my life. Yet, it's because of Christ that I wam worthy, because of God's love for me that I am.
Gen 32:20 brings to mind the times in our lives when we try 'works' to appease God instead of obeying and submitting to Him.
Gen 35:5 God brought me to Jerimiah 20:11. The beginning of the verse say 'But the LORD is with me like a dread champion'. The Dread Champion, the Mighty Terrible One(KJV) had gone out before Jacob and his family. It's the same for us. God has gone before us and prepared a way. I love that!
My take away today comes from Gen 35:2. I didn't realize that Jacobs household still held onto pagan idols! Wow! Yet, when I search my heart... what idols are still in my life? Our spouses, children, houses, money, cars, tv... so many things can be idols in our lives, and we may not even know it.
I am searching my heart today to see what I've allowed in places that only God should fill.
Morning Everyone,
I had lots I wrote in my journal today, but I had to share something that God really opened up to me and showed me that was just too cool. So many times we pass over reading genealogies, at least I do. This morning though when we read in Genesis 35:22b-26 about Jacob's sons, something stood out to me. Did you notice that Judah was the son of Leah? Leah was the least loved sister, Jacob really did not want her, he wanted Rachel. What did God do though? He redeemed her, He provided the line of Christ to flow through Leah! I don't know if that hits anyone else like it did me, but I just thought how that is so like God. To use Leah in such an amazing and powerful way, something she would not have even known at the time, to change the face of human history. I flipped back over to Genesis 29:35 to see which son was born when Leah's heart changed to praise the Lord after giving birth instead of focusing all her attention on Jacob and his affection and approval. Guess who the son was? Judah! At that moment Leah chose to praise the LORD and Judah became the line of Christ. That just speaks so powerfully to me this morning. No matter what circumstances might look like, if we chose to praise the Lord He can do more than we can even imagine! Miracles and God's glory can come from our praises.
Everyone have a wonderful day! Kids are finally back in school here so I have a super busy day of catching up on my house work to-do list :)
In Him,
Brandee
Brandee I had noticed too that Jesus would be coming down Leah's lineage; but when you added that Judah was born after Leah's heart became one of praise I went "wow". Too neat.
I was stuck today on Jacob's wrestling with God. Don't we all wrestle with Him at one time or another? In the story there is a point where Jacob went from wrestling with God to clinging to him...that's when he got his new name. When there was transformation in his heart and he went from wanting to be in control, to surrendering (clinging onto God) he became a new man.
I also noticed that Jacob saw the "face of God" twice - the first at the wrestling match and the second time after seeing Esau smile. God presents Himself to us in many ways, we just have to be ready to see Him.
Morgen
Wendy, I am enjoying your vlogs so much! It's like a real Bible Study, face-to-face, only better because we receive instruction daily, not just once a week! Thank you so much to all of you posters too! So much to learn in in God's Word. So many treasures to unveil!
Familiar but new:
Jacob arrives at Succoth and builds himself a house, (33:17) and settles with the Canaanites, (33:18) rather than going to Bethel and his relatives. By doing this, I see more clearly, how he “temporarily postpones” the vow in which he made to God (28:20,21) -which leads to the licentious events within his family, (34:2, 25-29).
New:
I did not know that Israel means, "Prince with God." No other person in Hebrew history has received such a prestigious name!
Application: Many times in our effort to gain material advantages and possessions, we may be “postponing” the will of God and losing out from being in the “promised land.” Why settle on “crossroads?” It’s easy enough to get sidetracked from obeying the Lord; but, Oh, I never want to forfeit God’s true blessings while banking on a crossroad. Jacob was so very close to the promised land, yet he settled down with the Canaanites.
Happy Tuesday! May we be a gift to those around us today! (loved how you wrote about the women of God, Loice!) Hugs & prayer's coming your way! Lori
A few of the things that struck me today ...
2. Gen. 34:23 The men of this town agreed to be circumcized as adults awfully quickly! Sex and money are powerful enticements.
3. Gen. 35:2-3 Jacob buried the idols of his household and asked them to purify themselves and put on special clothing. It seems like he was trying to hide, or cover up, their sin! It's great that he would take a stand against such things in his household, but isn't it also wonderful that we don't have to hide our mistakes or wear special clothing to meet with God? He's always ready to spend time with us wherever we are!
I love reading everyone's comments and am learning so much. I've never been this excited to read my Bible. Thanks! :-)
Hey, y'all! I loved today's reading as well. Wrestling with God is something I do sometimes without realizing it! Then,it hits me like a ton of bricks that He is in control--not me!
Brandee,I too took note about Judah--the lineage of Christ--being from Leah. I call her the "bless her heart wife". That was so neat! How wonderful that she finally praised God!
Y'all have a great day!
Hugs!
Susan
Well, the video transcript is up now...sorry for the mornings it appears a little later.
Just wanting to add a quick prayer request today. For those of you who were taking this journey last year, you know that before Christmas I was experiencing a lot of pain and the Dr's discovered cysts that were causing the problem. I return this afternoon at 1pm for two ultrasounds to check on them again. I am praying that they have disappeared (even the Dr. said that was an option). Please join me in praying and trusting that God's will is done. Thank you.
Blessings,
Joy
PS. Travis Cottrell is my favourite worship leader too!!! :)
Just now watched the video, LOVE it today Wendy! I am hunting up that song now :) Love Travis as well!! "Jesus Saves" is my favorite song right now and one that I am claiming over my home!
Prayers for you today Joy.
Brandee
I, too, love the declaration "This is the Lord's Camp"!
When we opened our office last fall, my boss, his wife and I dedicated our business to God, so this is a particular reason those words resonated so deeply within me. I think of this blog as the Lord's camp, too...and my church, and my home. Hopefully, everywhere I go I am walking into the Lord's camp! I just love that!!
I want everything I do to reflect that I live in the Lord's camp!
My familiar but new was a fresh take on Jacob wrestling with God. I learned from a commentary that shepherds sometimes had to break the legs of their sheep (the stubborn or hard of hearing ones) and carry them as they mended in order to get them to listen to them/to obey. The Lord humbled/broke Jacob by touching his hip and causing a permanent limp (similiar to the story of Paul!) Jacob (like Paul) clung even tighter to God after this. I find that inspiring!
Completely new to me is (again) how God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things - two women we often overlook and rarely discuss popped out at me today - Bilhah & Zilpah - mothers of four of the tribes of Israel. Like Leah and Rachel, they are our sisters, too.
My to do is closely related to my familiar but new (this is happening 99.9% of the time with me!).
I want to resemble this:
"What a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God!"
I want people to remember my gentleness (working on that, as I am still a bit like a bull in a china shop) and my joy...and my beaming smile. I want the love of Christ to shine through me and people to see God in me. I surely need God's help to do it, for I cannot do it on my own.
Praising God for another rich, rich reading today and for all of you sharing your insights and your hearts!
SO happy to be camping with the Lord,
Liz
AK
Wendy,
I, too, am encouraged by how God changed Esau's heart. There is hope! And it is good to remember that only God can change someone's heart. Not my manipulations, pleadings, tears, etc.
Joy,
Praying for a complete healing. May God's hand be upon you as you go to your appointment this afternoon. May you be like Jacob where God goes before you and after you.
So many things in our reading today!
1. Familiar but new: God told Jacob to go to Bethel but he took an alternate route to Shechem. There he bought land and even built an altar. The only problem was God intended all along for Jacob to go to Bethel, not Shechem. The commentary by David Hocking said "Because of a little shortcut and by not doing what he had originally committed himself before God to do, tragedy came to Jacob."
2. Did now know: When I read the account of Dinah. I just assumed she was a young woman. But the commentary said she would have been between 9 - 12 years old! Jacob worked for Laban for 20 years. He did not marry Leah until after the 7th year, so her oldest Reuben would have been 13 when they left. Dinah was the 7th child after all the boys were born. Even if Leah had back to back kids, that would have taken 5.25 years to bear the 7 children. So Dinah was around 8 when they left Laban. I don't know how long they were in the land but that is just horrifying! I can see why Levi and Simeon did what they did. But God still protected them when they packed up to go to Bethel. Again, a nugget from David Hocking "Jacob constructed another altar, literally, "God of the house of God." Bethel was the place of worship, but now Jacob was focusing on the Person of his worship. The Lord had worked in his heart in such a way that he now knew that he needed not only the location of worship but also the true God he was to worship." Amen to that!
3. Application: a) No shortcuts!
b) Jacob wrestled with God when he was alone. We need our alone time with God to be with Him. Yes, we wrestle with Him most of the time, we fight with Him unknowingly. Yet, I love how God is so patient with us even in our striving.
Have a blessed day, fellow travelers!
Liz,
Amen! I want them to see God's face when they see me, too. Joyce Meyer said, "Some Christians look like they have been baptized with lemon juice." :)
Oh Wendy, I found that song on itunes and it brought me to my knees today! I praise Him that He has changed my name!
Praising Jesus,
Brandee
It stood out to me how Leah was trying to get Jacob to love her by having children In my past I was always trying to get men to love me by not being what God created me to be and to just be the real me instead of who man wanted me to be. as with Jacob he has changed my name from not enough to more than enough
For those of you who haven't heard the song "You changed my name", I found it on Priscilla Shirer's website - http://www.goingbeyond.com/blog/worship-sampler-listen-something-new
Great song!
I mistakingly posted this to yesterday, first.
My nugget today, comes from a collection of verses. Everyday as I have been reading, I find myself reapeating the same phrase, "How can such man of God do (fill in the blank)." Personally, I get trapped in the thinking that God only uses "the best" to accomplish His will. And if that is the case, then I have nothing to offer. This is not the case, at all. I will rejoice in the fact, that even in my many imperfections, God will use me. I can obey and follow Him, and he will work out the details.
To the Anonymous post mentioning your struggle concerning trying to be what man/men want you to be to be loved:
I appreciate your post, and I hear you, sister. I am still struggling with letting go of man's expectations in order to be "loved on". I believe God has used that weakness to bring me back to Him and the incredible, overwhelming source of love and acceptance only He has to offer. I have discovered that man just cannot compare (it's not possible) or fill that void only meant for Him. I have recently found freedom in "being the real me", and letting myself breath and accept myself for who He made me to be. It's like saying, "It's ok to just be you, there is only one of you He made, so own it, He wants you to." He has brought me such blessing by my acceptance of who He has made me to be, it's like I'm "loving on" myself and it feels really great. Take the power away from man and give it back to God. Be the "real you":)
You don't have to make everyone else love you, b/c that's not ever going to happen (and I have discovered that it is self-absorbed and ultimately selfish). He has everything you need, and can bring you beautiful blessings of His love along the journey. It's amazing how freeing He can be "found in Him" as a complete and be-loved daughter, to let go of the pressure of man's expectations, and often my own that are too harsh on myself. Know you are not alone, you are loved, and that God will fill you with His overflowing love and contentment beyond compare. Sounds like you've already found that to be true! Thank you for sharing and letting me share my heart back.
Regarding today's reading:
OLD: When Jacob met up again with Esau and he exclaimed that seeing Esau's smile was like seeing the face of God. I am just imagining my Jesus looking at me with a friendly smile, I can't wait to see my Jesus' smile.
NEW: When Rachel dies, Jacob builds a stone monument over her grave. The passage (Gen. 35:20) says it can still be seen to this day. Realizing this was written in Genesis and an incredibly long time ago, I'm wondering if anyone know if the monument still can be found?
Krista
I'm hoping someone can clear up some confusion I'm having from today's post and blogs in reference to the meaning of the name "Israel": both in the video and in Lori's post below:
"New:
I did not know that Israel means, "Prince with God." No other person in Hebrew history has received such a prestigious name!" However, in the chronological bible I'm reading from on the bottom of page 44, it says "Israel means "God fights." I was wondering where it says that Israel means "Prince with God."? Thanks!
I love reading all the comments and when I can, come back late in the evening to read more of them.
I did not know Jacob was crippled after he wrestled with God. This hit me as my dad was crippled all his life (but never stopped him and he never complained), but was a godly man. When he was dying, all he wanted was to be lifted up so he could go home to his savior.
Take away- when others see me, who do they see? The face of God, or Gaylene? I need to become less so that He can be more.
Gaylene
Sheryl..THANK YOU!!!! I tried finding the song and came up empty!!! I would have hated to miss this. It's just what I needed to hear today. Thank you.
He changed my name,
Joy
Anonymous
Question about the meaning of Israel:
You have striven with being Divine and human
rule with God
Prince of God
Hope this helps.
What I didn't know... but from reading Vernon McGee's commentary is that when Jacob told his family to get rid of their idols and they brought their earrings, too, that earrings were associated with the idolatry. He told them to purify themselves...or confess their sins, to change their garments...or change their bad habits.
To do...just as Jacob slowly changed his ways as he learned to walk with God, so new Christians grow slowly, and we need to encourage them, not judge them when they make mistakes.
Keep the comments coming everyone, I am learning so much from all of you.
Joy hope you got a good report from your tests. Am praying for you.
Jan TN
I found your blog through your devotional on Proverbs31. It really spoke to me. Thanks for challenging me to live differently. :)
Deb
Hello,
Apply Gen 35:2-3 Purify myself for God who has always been there for me.
Different: Gen 35:8 Oak of weeping for Debra the Nurse
Gen 32:13-16 The list of animals Jacob prepared for Esau - is amazing - I really paid more attention this time thru.
Have a great evening.
Lynn
As posted on FB: I haven't watched your video yet, but I am also reading chronologically through the Bible this year and found Gen 33:4 jump off the page! I wondered how Esau came to forgiveness toward Jacob. Did Isaac mentor him through that having been duped by his wife and needing to come to forgiveness himself? It made me see God as a God of Redemption all over again.
Update: watched the video and enjoyed it...thanks so much for that, it really add to the reading.
Aynonmous, 32:28 (King James V.)
"And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel; for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed." Then, afterwards I heard Prince of God, in Wendy's vlog.
I'm enjoying the different translations! I'm so glad you've encouraged us to do this Wendy! It really opens up the scriptures sometimes in a much deeper way!
Jacob spent the night alone with God in prayer. Afterwards, God gives this new name to him, (Israel)-what an honor! Through the centuries to follow the people of God would be called by his name---Israelites. I missed this altogether last year! :)
Oh my goodness sweet ladies, such a treat for me to check in this evening and catch up on all your treasures! Thank you so much for posting and digging deep!
I'm adding that song, "You changed My Name," to my ipod and will enjoy listening to it tomorrow on my walk! LOVE, love Travis Cottrell, myself!
Hugs,
Lori
PS Kristen, guess what? Your book arrived today! "Coffee with the Savior" Now, how can I get you to AZ to personally sign it? :)
Wendy, I had committed to reading thru the Bible when I read your devotional (Nov. I think). I didn't think about stopping by and then realized you were doing vlogs. Wow! I have been catching up. I am amazed at what the Lord is doing and teaching. All my "somethings old" and "somethings new" mirror so many of the other commentors but one thing that stuck out to me was the "off the cuff" mention of Reuben sleeping with Bilhah near the end of the daily reading. My question is the significance of including that. I cannot find any answer as to why that was included and its significance.
I love the story of forgiveness here.
We cannot take revenge, on someone who wrongs us, into our own hands. That is God's place (see Romans 12:19). The fact that Jacob's sons took it upon themselves to revenge the man who raped their sister, along with all the other men in the city, was not their responsibility. I could understand their anger, but that is where we need to hold ourselves in check and let God take care of the rest.
I have been pondering on the struggle Jacob has with God. Jacob has really struggled all along to do life his way. Now he's struggling with God and he says his name, Jacob-deceiver, almost as a confession. Jacob wouldn't give up until he got a blessing. God changed Jacobs name to Israel, He blessed him and for the rest of his life he walked with a limp. I wonder how much of my life would be less of a struggle if I would confess and ask God for help.
I have a joy to share. It's my birthday and I didn't buy the chronological Bible. I've just been using the online version. My cousin (who is reading with me) sent me a Bible for my birthday. Thanks, Susie.
May God watch over you as you sleep.
This comment has been removed by the author.
I am really enjoying the vlog - it brings it all to light so much better. I am learning so much from all of you.
Krista - thank you so much for your post. Your story meant so much to me as I still struggle with so much of what you wrote about - trying to be the person God wants me to be versus being someone else to make others happy. I am who God created and am learning to own it.
Thanks so much for your words.
Kristin
Janet,
The passage about Reuben sleeping with Bilhah also jumped out at me and it is very significant. From "Light and Shadow" commentary on this passage:
"Reuben's act was not one of lust, but a deliberate attempt to displace Jacob's leadership in the family. He knew that his father preferred Rachel to Leah, his mother. He did not want Bilhah, Rachel's servant and Jacob's sometime concubine, to succeed Rachel as his father's favorite wife. But, his act, also, virtually amounts to a claim to replace his own father in the leadership of the family. Reuben was making his play for inheritance and authority now, while his father was still alive, just as Absolom would later do by sleeping with David's concubines. It was, without question, a deeply evil act: an outrage against filial piety, against sexual purity, against the law and the will of God. In the Law of Moses it would be an act only the death penalty could avenge.
In Reuben's case it was also an act of defiant hypocrisy. You remember that Reuben was among the leaders of the sons of Jacob who protested that the rape of Dinah by Shechem was "a disgrace in Israel." Shechem and Hamor had disgraced Israel and revenge must be sought. But, here, Jacob's eldest son does a still more disgraceful thing against Israel, his own father, and the self-righteous Reuben is exposed as nothing but a hypocrite. Whatever his motive in avenging Dinah, it wasn't any pure interest in the honor of his father, as he had claimed.
But do you see what all of this says about Jacob's family and the disfunction of it. How profoundly unfaithful to God's gracious covenant this family still is! Jacob had bred into his sons a rivalry between one another and particularly, by his favoritism for Rachel and Rachel's children, a rivalry between the sons of Leah and the sons of Rachel. This act of Reuben, for someone who knows how the history proceeds from this point, is an ominous portent of troubles, grave troubles to come. The sons were eaten up with jealousy, a jealousy created by Jacob's ineffectual government of his home. Jacob had lost control of his family, and, clearly, had failed to instill covenantal character into his sons, even at this late date."
It's sad to see how favoritism bred insecutity and such strife into this family and is such a lesson for us!
Hope this helps!
Kim in Illinois
Hey there!!! As I looked at your vlog tonight Wendy I realized I am commenting 24 hrs later! :) I am a late night girl and do most of my studies at night!!! lol
Anyway, what a blessing today's reading was! The first thing that I took, was this truth, which is something that I knew, but don't practice as I should, but that the first thing that Jacob did when he found out about Esau coming with an army of 400 men was PRAY!!!! What a wonderful thing it is to just get down on your knees in the middle of the opposition or in the unknown itself and give it up to GOD!
Something I did NOT know was that the people of Israel didn't/don't eat the tendon near the hip socket because of Jacob's injury in his wrestling match with God. And again notice that the first thing Jacob did was to praise Him and thank Him that he was still alive!
I feel like there was so much more, as I just feel like I have been meant to take this study because things are just clicking and I am understanding and can picture the way things were in my head!! PTL!
Thanks to all for posting, I am also really enjoying reading comments. Just sometimes puts a whole new perspective on things!
Take care
Lena J, IA
Thanks all the ladies for the comments. its amazing what the Lord is teaching all of us.
is there a chronoloical version of the bible online? i have been doing my readings without a bible. i have been travelling i\through Europe and have not been able to get one. i was thinking i will get one when i get back home to melbourne at the end of january , but someone mentioned an online version.
i would love to know if there is one, sometimes i am finding i am reading my own things instead of following the readings with the rest.
but despite that i am being blessed everyday.
now about Esaus family...Oh Lord i need a revelation here.
Holy Spirit may you minister to your daughters in this chapter.
Esau sold his birth right and was cheated by Jacob of his inheritance as a first born.
Yet He was humble enough to forgive his brother and receive him back in the Promised land.
i assume because of this Godly character, God stilled blessed him and expanded his horizons. Christ did not come from this line, yet Esau was still blessed with wealth , wives??? , many children and a lineage worth to be mentioned in the bible.
God make us humble and always willing to forgive and blessings will follow us all the days of our lives and even our children will be called blessed.AMEN AMEN
loice
Thanks all the ladies for the comments. its amazing what the Lord is teaching all of us.
is there a chronoloical version of the bible online? i have been doing my readings without a bible. i have been travelling i\through Europe and have not been able to get one. i was thinking i will get one when i get back home to melbourne at the end of january , but someone mentioned an online version.
i would love to know if there is one, sometimes i am finding i am reading my own things instead of following the readings with the rest.
but despite that i am being blessed everyday.
now about Esaus family...Oh Lord i need a revelation here.
Holy Spirit may you minister to your daughters in this chapter.
Esau sold his birth right and was cheated by Jacob of his inheritance as a first born.
Yet He was humble enough to forgive his brother and receive him back in the Promised land.
i assume because of this Godly character, God stilled blessed him and expanded his horizons. Christ did not come from this line, yet Esau was still blessed with wealth , wives??? , many children and a lineage worth to be mentioned in the bible.
God make us humble and always willing to forgive and blessings will follow us all the days of our lives and even our children will be called blessed.AMEN AMEN
loice
As I read through the Bible study I seem to always come back to a thought when I read of the deceitful ways of these men of God. Even when they undermind their brother and keep their marriages secret to protect themselves, God still blesses them. He still appears to them and helps them in their time of need. He still speaks to them when they don't deserve his time. He still showers them with material things and wealth. I think to myself, "couldn't God find more righteous men to rely on and bless so abundantly?" I guess at times I feel that they didn't deserve all of this and then I realize we are no different than those men and women of old. Our circumstances are of a different time period but are sins are still sins and we fall short each day. It is comforting to know that God will bless and protect us if we just rely and count on him. Whenever we come to Him He will be there and listen. It is such a simple concept but very hard for me to comprehend at times.
Kim,
Thanks for the info. on Reuben! Very interesting. I figured it had something to do with a power play more than lust but wasn't able to find much on it with what I have here at the house. I need my sweet hubby to bring back that one commentary I like the best. *smile* Thanks again! Tremendous insight. Nothing is mentioned that isn't important.
Blessings,
Janet
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