Hi!  A few thoughts from today’s reading.  Especially focused on these verses from Galatians 1. Galatians 1 11Beloved ones, let me repeat emphatically that the gospel entrusted to me was not given to me by any man. 12No one taught me this revelation, for it was given to me directly by the unveiling of Jesus […]

Exodus 20-21; Matthew 13; Psalm 109 In the simplicity of our faith, there’s a profound truth: Our God desires no extravagant offerings of gold or silver. Instead, He asks for something far more humble yet infinitely more precious – an altar made of earth. Exodus 20 23 “You shall not make gods of silver to […]

Exodus 2 16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came and drew water and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock. 17 The shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and saved them, and watered their flock. 18 When they came home to their father Reuel, he […]

Genesis 43

9 I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me personally responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him here before you, I will bear the blame before you all my life. 

Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), and like all good authors, He foreshadows His purposes and the means through which they unfold. Jesus, our Messiah, is destined to come from the line of Judah, whose account is recorded in the book of Genesis.

Looking back, we witness in Judah the beginnings of this glorious storyline. Faced with certain death and encroaching famine, the sons of Israel devise a survival plan. It involves embarking on a perilous journey to Egypt to purchase grain. To complicate matters further, they must bring along their youngest brother, Benjamin, who is deeply cherished by their father, Israel. This decision carries great risk.

Genesis 44 12 A young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. When we told him, he interpreted our dreams to us, giving an interpretation to each man according to his dream. 13 And as he interpreted to us, so it came about. I was restored to my office, […]

Genesis 40 14 Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house. 15 For I was indeed stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put […]

Genesis 37 19 They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer.” 20 Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.” Dreaming is a dangerous business. Dreamers are […]

Has God spoken a word over your life? Then brace yourself, for that very word will be challenged with relentless intensity. All opposition rises against the divine plan. Darkness threatens to engulf the promises the Lord has bestowed. In such moments, we may find ourselves bewildered and disheartened, questioning if we misunderstood or if God has changed His mind.

But let me assure you, the Word of the Lord never returns void! (Isaiah 55:11)

Through his suffering, Jacob learned the way of obedience, just as we do. In Laban, he confronted not only external mistreatment but also the reflection of his own character flaws. Jacob’s inclination toward deception and cheating was mirrored by Laban’s similar disposition. It was in the crucible of enduring mistreatment, caused by his own mirrored flaws, that Jacob was apprehended by the fear of the Lord.

Jacob made many mistakes. He usurped his brother’s birthright and deceived his father, stealing Esau’s final blessing. There isn’t much commendable in his actions. Jacob was conniving and deceitful, willing to hurt others for personal gain.

And yet! And yet, something else was stirring within him. He desired the blessing, esteemed the birthright, and longed to be chosen. That desire for God’s blessing holds significance.