Daily Devotion: Recent Episodes
cynthiamartin
Daily Devotion with host Cynthia Martin, produced 5 days a week, with Bible reading chapter by chapter, commentary, and prayerful application. In 15 minutes or less. The goal is to learn, gain insights, and consider how we can actively apply the word of God to our life.
Today we are discussing the continued review that Moses is giving to the Children of Israel before they are to cross of the Jordan to begin taking possession of the promised land.
Today we continue the review of the Children of Israel as Moses reviews before they cross of the Jordan and take possession of the land God promised them many years ago.
Introduction to the book of Deuteronomy and review of chapter 1. Moses gives a final address to the people of Israel and reviews the law and the history of their travels with Him. He applies the law to the new land and directs them to remember.
This chapter the last of the book reviews a topic covered in Numbers 27. This ruling set precedence for the future. It protected the inheritance of each tribe. We also note the people are as close to the promise as they could be and not be in it. Join me today as we close out the book of Numbers
Today we are reading Numbers 35, the chapter focuses on Levitical cities, God gives the Levities their own portion. These cities were spread out throughout Israel so all of the community had access to a priest. In this chapter, we also learn about cities of refuge of which are totally different from what we understand that to be here in the United States.
Today we are reading Numbers 34, and discussing the boundaries given to the Israelites.
Today we are reading and discussing Numbers 33. In this chapter, we will review the 40 year Journey of Israel from Egypt to the river Jordan.
two and a half tribes to "settle: on the east side of Jordan. Scripture tells us they looked around and saw where they were was suitable. Going over the Jordan was unknown and they weren't able to trust God for better than what they saw. How does this apply to you and me? Are you able to trust God for better, or for what He wants for you to do, to be, to have? Good questions from our study today.
Today we are reading and discussing Numbers 31. Vengeance on the Midianites, of which seems out of character for God. But we must realize there comes a time when vengeance and judgment do occur.
Today we on Daily Devotion, we are reading and discussing Numbers 30. Moses speaks to the topic of vows. In our culture, we miss the importance of keeping our word and any vow. These are serious to God, and He also attaches accountability to them as well.
Today we are reading about The Festival of Trumpets, The Day of Atonement, and The Festival of Tabernacles. Today each of these events still have an important impact on us as Christians. I encourage us all to look at them and ask the Lord how He would have you to respond when they occur each year.
Today we are reading Numbers 27, in this interesting chapter we see God's provision for the daughters of Zelophehad.
The second census, today we are reading Numbers 26, in which Israel is instructed to take a second census. The first census was taken at Mount Sinai to discover how many fighting men were in the camp.
The second census, today we are reading Numbers 26, in which Israel is instructed to take a second census. The first census was taken at Mount Sinai to discover how many fighting men were in the camp.
Today we are reading through Numbers 25, titled Moab seduces Israel in my Bible. Here we see what an enemy could never accomplish against, Israel did to itself through disobedience.
Today we are reading Numbers 28, and reviewing the offerings morning and evening, Sabbath offering, Monthly offerings, Passover, and the Festival of weeks, we call Pentecost. Join us as we discover that He set out rest, provision, and appointments to meet with him.
We are reading Numbers 22, in which we are reminded to do what God has said the first time, don't entertain if we can get close.
The people rebel again and begin to speak against God. Snakes invade the camp bite the people and people are dying. After repentance, God tells Moses the antidote, put a serpent on a pole and if/when the people look to it they will be healed.
A lesson we will learn today in Numbers 20, is that no one is exempt from obedience. Moses, Miriam nor Aaron could plead exemption from the judgments and laws that God had spoken. As we grow in the Lord, and as we gain authority and power we are still required to be obedient, God said speak to the rock and Moses hit the rock. That disobedience caused him to not see the promised land.
Today we are reading Numbers 19, in which we will see the red hefifer and the symbolism of the ultimate purification and cleansing to come.
Today we read what the Lord assigned to the priests as their portion. forever. As priests, God assigned their tasks and made provision for their lives. God Himself arranges a covenant of salt (friendship, value) with the priests.
Today reading In Numbers 16, we see Korah, Dathan, and Abiram voice their opinions and rise up against Moses and Aaron's position and responsibilities. It did not end well for them.
Today we are reading Numbers 15 that deals with Intentional and Unintentional Sin. The important idea we must remember is that God is serious about His word (law). He also wants a holy people, set aside for His purposes.
Today we are reading Numbers 14, the 12 who had been sent in to check out the promised land returned with their report in chapter 13. Eight had an evil report and two who stated we can. Today continues with the response of the people.
Today we are reading Numbers 13, Moses sends spies into the new land, the promised land to check it out. When they arrive all that they had been promised was there. But they also saw the people and obstacles.
Today we are reading Numbers 12. In this chapter, we see that Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses, because of his wife. We see God act very quickly and defends Moses as his choice and also put Miriam and Aaron in their place.
Today we are reading Numbers 11 and will be looking at Fire and Quail from the Lord. Neither was provided as a blessing. We must be careful about what we cry out for because sometimes God gives it to us.
Today we are reading Numbers 10, and discussing the movement of God's people. "The Silver Trumpets" are introduced as a signal of movement and a call to assemble. I wonder if The Silver Trumpet will once again be used, for the last trumpet that will be blown at the end of this age? Curious? Let's talk about it.
Today we are reading Numbers 9, the people had now been in the wilderness for one year. Remember they left Egypt right after the first Passover. The year was reset so that Passover began a new year. Join me as we look at this important chapter.
Today we are reading Numbers 8, Setting up the lamps, and the setting apart of the Levites. Up to this point in time all of the work of the priesthood had been carried out by Aaron and his sons. God now wants the Levites 25-50 to serve.
Today we are reading Numbers 7, we see the recording of the offerings at the dedication of the Tabernacle. This offering took 12 days to complete.
Today we are looking at the vow of the Nazirite and will conclude this chapter with the priestly blessing.
Join me as we read through Numbers 5, and look at purity in the camp, separating ourselves from sin. We will read about restitution and important subject not talked about enough by Christians.
In today's chapter Numbers 4, we see each group, and each man was given a task to support the work of the tabernacle, the care of the tabernacle, the upkeep, and the moving of each part. Each duty or task was and is important to keep the tabernacle working properly. This is the same today each person has their role in which God would have them fulfill.
Today we are looking at numbers 3, in which the Levites who are taken as His special "firstborn" right. This principle opens the door to the topic of firstfruits as well.
Today we continue our look into the fourth book, in our Bibles, most agree that Moses was the author of this book. The people had been set free from Egypt and have been in the wilderness for about a month when God begins to work in His people. This chapter starts the organization of the camp.
Today we begin the book of Numbers, the Hebrew title is "In the Wilderness". This book relates so in so many ways to our lives today.
Leviticus 27, is the last chapter of the book. It lays out the rules and requirements when giving a gift to the Lord. The chapter also includes rules on how to redeem something offered to the Lord.
Today we read in Leviticus 26, an overview of the promise of blessing and the result of curses if Israel does not follow the commandments that have been given to them. Remember this was not given tot he enemies, or those who do not know God but to His people. Many speculate that because of Jesus this no longer applies to those who are His. However, if we look at the lives of many Christians I wonder are they living under blessing or Curses.
Today we discuss Leviticus 25, Sabbath and Jubilee - Interesting to read when God creates a rule He makes provision for us in this rule.
Today as we read through Leviticus 24, the priests were told to keep the lamp burning continually. Today. we can apply the same instruction to keep the light, the spirit, our spiritual lives burning.
In this chapter Leviticus 23, we take an overview look at "The Feasts of the Lord". Each feast has prophetic meaning and deep spiritual truths for us to embrace.
Today we are reading Leviticus 21. I've named this chapter "The Call to be Different" for reasons that God himself has specifics on how He is to be treated. He has specifics on how we are present ourselves before Him and how important it is to make the distinction between what is his.
God is holy and His desire is for those who serve Him to be holy as well. Today we look at His requirements for the priests who served Him in the tabernacle. Today we see that Jesus raised the level, He took what we see/saw in the Old Testament the outward and made it inward. Its not what we "look" like on the outside but it is who we are on the inside.
Today our reading brings us to Leviticus 20, labeled in my Bible as punishments for sin. It does not sound like fun reading however the law helps us to know right from wrong and should be part of our foundation in understanding what God wants.
Today we are reading Leviticus 19, in this chapter we read be Holy, Honor the poor, live honestly, love your neighbor, and Keep His decrees. What a great practical list of how to live.
Today we are reading Leviticus 16. The rituals and requirements of the Day of Atonement. Our thoughts compare to who we are today and our ultimate sacrifice, the ultimate day of atonement.
Today we are reading Leviticus 15, Rules and rituals for unclean and clean. The Bible speaks to every area of our life if we will take the time to search it out and apply the truth.
Daily Devotion reading through the Bible one chapter at a time, with a short commentary and application prayer. All this in 15 minutes less. Cynthia has several audio series, you can find her on most podcast services or at https://www.talkshoe.com/conf/shows To find out more about Cynthia, check out RealLifeRevised.com.
Leviticus 14, speaks to use in detail the process of pronouncing a leper clean or cleansed. The chapter speaks of the cleansing the leper The law prescribed specifics that the priests were to follow to insure, it wasn't left up to priests individually. Of coarse leprosy is a symbol of sin and we apply it that way most of the time. Today we can look back and see correlation to Jesus and what occurred to him to provide our ultimate cleansing.
Today in Leviticus 13 we read extensively the rules pertaining to skin diseases and infected fabrics and surfaces. It seems the priests acted as health providers, and applied the rules that God had revealed for the health and safety of the Israelites. We see separation from the community for health purposes in certain circumstances.
Today we look at Leviticus 12, which includes the discussion and rules or law for circumcision. We discover that this sign of circumcision points towards God's plan of the new man.
In Leviticus 11, we are reading and commenting on the Dietary laws, clean and unclean. How do those instructions apply today?
Leviticus 10, offers us a look at the responsibility of the priest. They were to offer the sacrifice the prescribed way, with reverence. In our humanness we many times think we have a better way or an easier way and attempt to short cut or change the process. God has His own ways and we must recognize His leadership
Leviticus chapter nine records the end of the seven days that Priests had been set apart for. We see in this chapter that it is the eighth day. We know the eighth day is a day of new beginnings. After creation and rest, the eighth day began the new thing. Here we see God's new order being set into place. My favorite portion of this chapter is verse six, you will see the glory of the Lord. Then in verse twenty-four the fire comes out and burns up the offering and the people fall of their faces. Can you imagine what that was like?
Today we are looking at Leviticus 8, in which Aaron and his sons are consecrated and become our first priestly role model. We see the sacrifice for sin and the sacrifice of consecration. The end of the chapter mentions the requirement of eating portions of the sacrifice and also waiting at the door for seven days. I think we miss the part of the waiting before God places us into our place.
Ep. 94 - Leviticus 7, We continue our reading concerning the offerings and the instructions for the priests. We realize that Jesus became our ultimate sacrifice yet it is important that we see God has a system. He has ways of doing things we can learn by reading how He brought it all together through Jesus.
Today in Leviticus 6, our study we see that God instructed that the fire must be kept burning. The duties of the priests were to keep the fire burning perpetually. Sadly as today "most" Christians are aware or do not know how to keep the fire burning within their own lives. Fire requires maintance to keep it going.
Leviticus 5 The portion of scripture holds the believer accountable to do the right thing. This portion of scripture speaks in my opinion to the sin of omission it is the same as if you did it yourself. Being false is more than just not saying or doing the wrong thing. It includes not speaking up or telling all.
Leviticus 4 God continues to make a way for imperfect people to connect to Him a perfect God. His desire has always been to be in fellowship, close connection to us. Yet He knows who we are and we will need help. God created a system in which imperfect people could still connect. This served until Jesus gave us His ultimate sacrifice that ensured our connection when we accept His act on our behalf.
Leviticus 3, We are to give God our life and the best of that life. The blood representing life was given to the Lord. The fat representing the best of an animal, proving its health and abundance was given to God. As we give Him our life and best, He in return does the same back to us.
Leviticus chapter one begins the book of instruction in matters of holiness, law, sacrifice, and choice.
The tabernacle is finished and God moves in! When we build as He has instructed, when we follow His commands, He comes to dwell among us. This is still true today.
As the Lord commanded they completed the tabernacle, today we read that the workman finished all the work. Moses looks at the completed project and notes it was completed as God instructed and then he blessed them. It should be our goal to complete all that the Lord commands us to do.
The items for the outer court are constructed, it is noted the laver was constructed from the mirrors that the women donated. Ancient mirrors were not glass they were made of highly polished brass. There is an interesting word used for the women who serve at the door. Today we look at the Hebrew word "Tsaba"
Exodus 37 the construction of the tabernacle continues, this chapter lists the construction of the Ark, Table, Lamp, altar and perfume. God instructions were detailed and compete.
Exodus 36, More than enough was collected to build the tabernacle. We must not take more than what is needed. Several scriptures remind us to trust the Lord for what we need. This example shows God sends what is needed when it is needed. Other scripture reminds us to not store up, or to take more this shows we don't trust He will provide when we need it.
Moses tells the people to rest in who God is, then he invites them to bring an offering to add to the building and creation of the tabernacle. Each person whose heart was moved was invited to bring items that were requested. God appointed two specific craftsmen, who were gifted in workmanship artistic design and ability.
Moses again goes up the mountain, he had to carve out the stone for the 10 commandments that he had broken in his anger. God himself speaks to Moses of who He is and renews His covenant with the people.
Exodus 33, begins with Moses being told to leave where they were. God shares He is removing himself so He doesn't want to destroy them. Moses intercedes and reminds God these stiff-necked people are His. Moses pushes into an even deeper place with God, reminding Him and standing in between. God relents and grants the prayers of Moses
Today our reading is serious, it is important that we remember this portion. The chapter reminds us in the face of what we do not understand, in the face of delay, we must always wait for the Lord. It is too easy to go back to allow our flesh to rule our thoughts and actions. We must not fail and we must stand for what is right.
God gives Moses the names of two men who were said to be gift artisans who were full of knowledge, wisdom, and expertise. They had the skill necessary to create all the things that God had shown Moses. God knows what you can do and I might add has created you to use your gifts for Him.
Today Exodus 30 the chapter reviews the creation and use of the altar of incense. It was to be tended morning and evening. Verse 6 and Verse 36, The Lord states, "Where I will come face to face with you." He desires to have daily communion with us. He desires to meet face to face.
Exodus 29, speaks to us the detail of the seven days of consecration of the Priests as they enter Holy service. The instruction gives us insight and application that we can apply today due to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus.
Exodus 28 describes how all the clothing of the high priest and the other priests were to be created. The significance of the duties of the priest was reflected in his clothing. God instructs the priests to be consecrated, separated, and sanctified for His service and the service of the people.
Today we read in Exodus 27, Moses is continuing to get design or plans for the tabernacle in the wilderness. God gives us detail and the pieces have such significance in our lives today. From the horns that reached outward to the oil that had to crushed, only the pure clear oil was used. The regulation to always keep the light burning.
Exodus 26, Moses continues to receive the instruction on how to build the tabernacle. We wonder sometimes if God cares about details, from this portion of scripture it looks to me like He does indeed care about details.
Exodus 25, God gives Moses the instructions to begin building a place for Him, at His request so that He can dwell among the people. His desire to live among us and be approachable, reachable and close. Moses is shown and instructed how to build it. How will know what to build unless we've seen it? We see it through our time with Him.
Moses and a few go up the mountain and meet with God. God, Himself invites a few to go up but not draw completely near. He then invites Moses to come up closer. God wants to deliver the commandments that He Himself has written.
The instructions for restitution continue. laws promoting justice, kindness and righteousness. Instruction to observe three feasts a year, and the promise of God's presence and blessing. Israel is given encouragement that they will gain the land and the boundaries of what they will possess.
Exodus 22, the instructions for restitution continue. The word tells us how to treat strangers, widows, orphans and the fatherless. God specifically address how we talk about Him and authorities or rulers over us. He also instructs the people to give of their first fruits and for their firstborn. It ends by reminding us to be Holy to Him, we are to be different than others.
Exodus 21, the people are instructed how to treat others including slaves. The chapter introduces the topic of a bond-servant, 30 shekels of silver, and the principle of restitution.
God speaks and gives what we now call the 10 commandments. Moses draws near to the voice and the people back up. Sadly they ask for a mediator instead of approaching God themselves. It seems we still today react to God by backing up, we are the one who moved away. He longs to show Himself to us, to have relationship.
The children of Israel arrive at the foot of Mount Sinai. they are directed to prepare themselves to hear from God. They are givens specific instructions and 2 days to prepare. They were to stand before the Lord in their place on the third day.
Jethro the father-in-law of Moses arrives and offers some advice. Moses had been attempting to settle all disputes himself for all of the people. Jethro advises Moses to set up other godly men to assist with the work. Ministry was never to be a one man show. We need each other and we limit what God wants to do when we do it all our self.
Moses lifts up his rod over the enemies, with Joshua and the people fighting... Aaron and Hur come and assist Moses as he becomes weary. They helped Moses perform his prayer by meeting, helping him sit and propping up his arms as Moses continued to hold up the rod until the victory. God reveals Himself as banner over us.
God miraculously provides food for the Israelites every day. This portion was just enough for that day except on the sixth day, He provided enough for the seventh the sabbath the day of rest. God still provides what we need on a daily basis when we are following after Him, when we are doing what He has told us to do.
Moses and the Israelites sang to the Lord, thanking Him, praising Him, acknowledging His great power. He is a great warrior and even a God of war. Pharaoh's horses, chariots and horsemen were covered by the sea, as the Israelites walked through on dry ground to safety.
God brings His people to the place that they see His hand move mightily again on their behalf. When God has spoken many times we get discouraged when things look like they are not working. We must learn to trust in the Word that we have received that He will follow through in what He has said.
the Lord tells Moses that from this time forward every firstborn male is to be kept holy for the Lord. They are to be marked as belonging to Him. The New Testament announces that we are all firstborn because of Jesus and are marked as belonging to Him when we make Him Lord of our life.
God instructs the people through Moses how to keep Passover. He instructs the people in detail to celebrate what miraculous deliverance from Egypt that will occur. Egypt's final judgement is about to happen. the people are instructed to keep Passover as an act of worship for all time.
Chapter 11 is a short chapter just 10 verses long. God announces that the firstborn of the Egyptians shall die. The Hebrew people gather articles of silver and gold from their Egyptian neighbors. God tells Moses that Pharaoh will not only let them go but they will be compelled to go.
Pharaoh is again questioned how long will you be lifted up in your pride? When God questions us we need to take serious thought to our actions and search our hearts. God brings the plague of locust that destroys every green thing. Then darkness comes to all of Egypt except Goshen. The chapter ends with Moses confirming Pharaoh will not see his face again.
The plagues continue on all the animals, then a skin disease on man and beast of which the wonder-workers or magicians were not able to duplicate. God explains He is using these signs that His name will be honored in all the earth. Pharaoh still refused to believe, in his pride he kept his animals and keeper unprotected rather than yield to a warning. Pharaoh again looks like he is going to repent and then breaks his word and hardens his heart.
God continues his judgment on Pharaoh and the Egyptians. God begins with a plague of frogs, lice, and flies (and/or insects). Moses announcing the clear division between the Egyptians households, land and the land of Goshen where the Israelites lived. Pharoah's heart is hard and he will not let the people go.
Exodus 7, God answers Pharoah's question or taunt that he does know of any Hebrew God. God himself begins to reveal himself to the Egyptians, miracle by miracle, plague by plague, judgment by judgment. Because of Pharaoh's choice to not believe, becuase of his own pride God allows his heart to continue to be hardened. God answers, God's response begins in this chapter and continues through the next four plus chapters.
Exodus 6, answers Moses question that he asked God at the end of chapter 5. God reveals himself, as God Almighty, the God who is enough, the all-powerful, the one who is self-sufficient. He shows himself by a new name and strength, he is as his name suggests. Prior He has revealed Himself as "the God who sees me' Genesis 16:13 and Jehovah Jireh, He who provides, and now as the Almighty.
Chapter five begins with Moses and Aaron announcing what God has said, to let His people go. Pharaoh replies who is this God, and orders the Hebrews to make bricks without being given straw. They were to gather their own straw and continue to make the same amount of bricks.
In chapter four Moses and God continue their conversation at the burning bush. Moses expresses his concerns and God answers with miracles. The miracles will be a sign to the Hebrew people and will eventually cause Pharaoh to let God's people go. On the way back to Egypt God makes sure all is in order and Zipporah circumcises Gershom.
This chapter made famous by God, Moses, the Jewish people but also by the great movie with Charleston Heston, "The Ten Commandments" God speaks to Moses from a bush. God gives Moses the direction to go and get his people, God has heard their cry. He is going to set them free from the oppression in Egypt.
Exodus chapter we have the story of the birth of Moses, with pharaoh's daughter rescuing Moses from the Nile, paying to have him nursed and then she raised him as her son. Moses kills an Egyptians for being cruel and decides to leave Egypt crossing the desert he arrives in Midian.
Exodus chapter one is the story of a family who grows into a large nation of people. They outnumber the Egyptians, there are more Israelites than Egyptians in Egypt. Just as we forget what God has done for us the Egyptians forgot Joseph. They began to fear and torment the people of Israel. The edict to kill all baby boys is given.
The last chapter of Genesis records the end of the lives of Jacob (known as Israel) and also the death of Joseph. Jacob is taken back to the land of Canaan and buried as he had requested. The brothers of Joseph fear for their lives now their father is gone. Joseph reassures them that what they meant for evil God used for good. The end of the book concludes with the death of Joseph
Jacob/Israel call sh his sons together to speak of the things to come. All of what was spoken has still not been completely understood, which is typical of prophetic words. We see the mercy of God in the tribe of Levi in years to come, and we see Judges rises and the Messiah foretold. Through these last words.
Jacob is failing and death is near, Joseph brings his two sons to his father Jacob so that they can be blessed before Jacob passes. Jacob claims Manasseh and Ephraim as his own sons and blesses them accordingly. He spoke that both will be great nations. However, Ephraim, the youngest will be greater than the older Manasseh.
Joseph takes five of his brothers to meet with Pharoah, Jacob then meets with Pharoah and blesses him. The family settles in Goshen, separate from the Egyptians. The famine continues and Joseph collects all the money, cattle, flocks, horses and eventually all the land for Pharoah. Whatever we do we must do it as unto the Lord.
Today Jacob/Israel arrives with his household in Egypt. This chapter lists the sons and grandsons, daughter Dinah and wives of Jacob, the two maids of Leah and Rachel. Sixty-Six people, plus the wives of Jacobs sons. Joseph and his two sons were already in Egypt. Joseph instructs Jacob how to reply to pharaoh so they will be settled in Gosen.
In chapter 45 Joseph reveals who is he to his brothers. After weeping and rejoicing the brothers are sent back to get Jacob/Israel their father. Pharoah invites the family to come and live in Egypt.
The brothers are sent on their way unknown to them with their money in their grain sacks and Joseph's cup in Benjamin's grains sack. It appears Joseph is testing his brothers. They all return to Egypt after the cup if found and Rueben pleads that he take the place of Benjamin.
Food runs out again in Canaan, and Jacob makes the decision to let Benjamin go with his brothers back to Egypt. The ten brothers return with double payment hoping to get Simeon and food. Joseph releases Simeon and has a banquet prepared seating his brothers in order of their birth.
Jacob now known as Israel sends his 10 sons to Egypt to buy grain. He keeps Benajmin with him, afraid for his life. The ten brothers appear befoe Joseph and Joesph recognizes them. However, they do not recognize Joseph. Joseph remembers his dreams and interrogates his brothers, apparently testing them. Have they changed?
Joseph emerges from prison and gets moved to the palace. Most scholars agree God's character building has taken 13 years. Joseph was sold into slavery at 17 and is now 30. Placed in charge of all of Egypt.
Genesis 40, we find Joseph in prison interpreting dreams for the baker and the cup-bearer. Three days later the cupbearer is restored to his position and the baker is put to death. Joseph's interpretation was correct.
Genesis 39, Joseph goes from bad to worse in his situation. The favor of God was on Joseph and he was granted rule or was put in charge of all in Potiphar's house. Potiphar's wife desired Joseph and attempted to trap him. Potiphar's wife lied and Joseph was put in Jail. The favor of God was upon him there and he was put in charge.
After the death of Judah's wife, he makes the decision to sleep with a prostitute. Unknowingly his own daughter-in-law. Tamar is vindicated by the LORD and given a place within Judah's tent. It's important to point out that God does not wink at sin, He does make a way for those who have been treated wrong. Perez reminds us to break forth and let nothing hold us back.
Genesis 37 the story begins when Joseph is 17. His father Jacob scripture tells us preferred or loved Joseph because he was born to him when he was older. The other brothers were filled with envy and jealousy. The plot to get rid of him. Joseph gets sold to slave traders and is taken into Egypt.
Genesis 36 is the account of the lineage, the family descendants of Esau who became known as Edom. This chapter tells us that Esau and Israel (Jacob) have to part ways because they were both so wealthy the land could not support both families.
Jacob hears from God and determines he and his household need to return to the place that God has spoken to him when he was on his way to his Uncle Laban's. Jacob has his family put away the idols and prepare themselves to meet with the Lord. At the end of the chapter, Issac dies.
Dinah the only daughter of Jacob goes out to see the daughters of the nearby city. Sheckem sees her takes her and rapes her. He then with his father comes to Jacob to offer marriage to Dinah. Jacobs sons deceptively agree only if the men are circumcised, then Levi, Simeon, Dinah's true brothers go in and kill all the men. The other brothers come in and plunder the city.
Jacob and Esau met after years of separation. After Jacob had wrestled all night with the angel of the Lord. Jacob arrives with offerings and in humility and the reunion goes well. Jacob establishes himself in the land of Canaan. He builds an altar and names the place EL or El-Elohe, the God of Israel (his God) the God of the nation.
Today we see Jacob continuing on his journey back to the land that God had called him to live. Fear rises up and Jacob sends offerings to appease Esau. After wrestling with an angel of the Lord Jacob is renamed Israel. In our struggles, if we continue to hang on to God we will find a complete resolution.
Jacob leaves Haran and began his journey back to the land of his father Issac. Laban chases after Jacob, God speaks to Laban in a dream to not harm Jacob. When its time for God's people to move he will alert us, and let us know his plan.
The envy of Rachel and the discord between Jacob and Rachel cause another work of the flesh. We see the same situation that plagued Abraham and Sarah. Laban notes that his blessing, fortune is because of Jacob. Jacob makes a deal with Laban to take only the marked sheep. What appears to the lessor or the least valuable.
Jacob arrives at his uncle Laban's home. He lives with them obtaining 2 wives, with maids. Jacob worked for 14 years to fulfill his promise so that he might have Rachel. Leah gives Jacob 4 sons, with Judah being her fourth she begins to praise the Lord.
Issac blesses Jacob and sends him to his brother in law Laban to find a wife. On the journey, Jacob has an encounter, in a dream. Jacob sees a ladder and angels going up and down. The Lord spoke to Jacob and re-affirmed the promises he gave Abraham, He now gave to Jacob.
Issac blesses Jacob after Rebekah assists Jacob in tricking Issac to believe Jacob is Esau. Her trick caused her to never see Jacob again. Esau is angry and little is left to bless him with. Rebekah sends Jacob to her brother Laban's house.
Our discussion today is Genesis 26, a drought causes Issac to move his family into the Philistines land after God had instructed Issac not to go into Egypt. Issac enters into the same sin of his father Abraham, fear rather than faith. Abimelek and Issac create a treaty and agree to live peaceably together. God blesses Issac one hundred fold.
Genesis 25, Abraham dies, and the chapter notes the history of Ishmael and Issac. Also, Rebekah conceives, with two nations within her. Esau sells his birthright to his brother Jacob for a quick lunch. It's dangerous when we attempt to satisfy an immeidate desire sacrificing the long term.
Abraham's servant is tasked to go back to Abrahams homeland and obtain a wife from his family for his son Issac. Arriving, the servant prays that the wife that God has chosen would offer him water and also draw for his camels. Rebekah fulfills the prayer, Issac's wife is found. Rebekah chooses to go immediately back and become Issac's wife.
In this chapter, Sarah has died and Abraham grieves for her. He also purchases land, which gives him deeded property rights in the promised land. The first owned property by Abraham, another step towards the fulfillment of God's promise.
Genesis 22, Abraham is tested, and God pronounces His blessing on Abraham, his descendants. His descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies. God reveals Himself as Jehovah Jireh, He provides. At times God does allow testing for our growth. He also provides what we need if we will only trust Him.
Issac is born, bringing laughter and joy into the household. Ishmael causes a bit of trouble and he and his mother Hagar are sent away. God miraculously provides for them as another nation is being formed. Law and Grace both valid and necessary in our life. We must trust God that he will provide for us in every circumstance and that all His promises are true.
Abraham has lied for the second time about Sarah. Abimelech has a dream in which he is told about Sarah. He then responds by making things right and sends Abraham on their way. We see in this chapter a half-truth is still a lie. That God will take care of you if your authority has committed wrong. If we stay sensitive to Holy Spirit He will warn us and keep us right with our Heavenly Father.