Old Testament in a Year

January 22nd Old Testament Readings

Genesis 44:1-45:28
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In Genesis chapter 44 we read about Joseph instructing his servant to place his silver cup in Benjamin's sack.  I guess what struck me about all this is that it seemed to me like Joseph was possibly playing mind games with his brothers.  Not to say that they didn't deserve it...  but, I wonder if in all of this Joseph had a master game-plan - or if it was simply games he was playing?  The weeping we see from him kind of makes me think that he was not 100% sure of what he was doing, game-plan wise.  The weeping seemed to indicate that he wanted to reconnect with his brothers and his family.  It seems in all of this he has kept at least 1 family member around - or has not let them get very far away.  This makes me wonder - do we play mind games with others around us?  Should we?  Would it have been better if Joseph was honest with his brothers from the beginning on who he was?  Would it be better for us if we are simply honest with others from the beginning?  And don't play mind games?  (I wrote the previous words several years ago. I've since read a couple of Bible commentaries that now make me think that Joseph wasn't playing mind games, but was bringing his brothers to a needed place of repentance for their sins before he revealed himself, which does make a lot of sense.) Below is a painting from 1831 by Russian painter Alexander Ivanov of Joseph's household manager finding the silver cup in Benjamin's sack:

Verses 18 through 34 in this chapter is Judah's amazing speech to Joseph!  I don't know what it is about this speech.  But I love it!  It seems like Judah is finally owning up to being who he was born to be - the forefather of the line of King David and Jesus Christ.  Verse 33 is the verse that really stood out to me: "Please, my lord, let me stay here as a slave instead of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers."  What struck me about this is that now Judah is willing to be the slave, in the place of his brother Benjamin - whereas 22 years prior he offered up the idea of selling his brother Joseph into slavery as we read in Genesis 37 verses 26 & 27: "Judah said to the others, "What can we gain by killing our brother? That would just give us a guilty conscience. Let's sell Joseph to those Ishmaelite traders." It seems like Judah in chapter 44 has finally grown up and is acting like a morally responsible adult.  Judah with this speech today is finally beginning to look like he might indeed deserve to be referred to as the father of the tribe of the "Lion" of Judah!

Genesis chapter 45 begins with Joseph weeping again - and I think that it makes perfect sense that he does so, in light of Judah's impassioned speech!  And I wonder if Joseph in part weeps because Judah is offering to be the slave in the place of Benjamin?  Either Joseph is weeping because his brothers did not show him this same mercy 22 years prior - or he is weeping because he is happy that Judah and his brothers seem to be very different people from 22 years prior - or he's weeping for other reasons.  :)  (Similar to my note above, I now think Joseph was weeping because his brother's are now humbled and repentant - very different men than they were 22 years prior.)  Below is a painting from 1816 by Peter von Cornelius of Joseph revealing his identity to his brothers in today's readings:

Verse 5 in this chapter is a powerfully mature statement from Joseph to his brothers: "But don't be angry with yourselves that you did this to me, for God did it. He sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives."  I find this very powerful that Joseph discerned this.  He had been sold into slavery for 11 years!  He was in a prison for 2 years!  And then, yes, things got better for him thereafter - but he was still apart from his family.  And yet - Joseph saw God's hand and God's plan in all of this.  There was a greater good happening - the preservation of Abraham & Isaac's descendants.  The preservation of God's covenant people.  I then wonder about this in our lives.  Are there times where we go through some hard times - maybe for many years - and in the midst of that, could God be working?  Could God's hand and God's plan be moving in the midst of challenging times in our lives?   I think it's possible that if I was Joseph that maybe I would have become a bitter man toward my brothers - and maybe done worse than just mind games.  But, Joseph was compassionate - he wept - he gave grain in abundance to his family - he forgave his brothers.  And more than anything, he saw that God was in control.  Do you believe that God is in control of your life?  Right now?  All the time?  No matter how good or how bad circumstances seem?  Is God in control?  Below is a very unique :) portrait by artist Guy Rowe of Joseph revealing his identity to his brothers and their looks of shock from 45:3: "But his brothers were speechless! They were stunned to realize that Joseph was standing there in front of them."

Bible.org's commentary on Genesis chapter 44 titled "The Final Test: Dothan Relived" is at this link, and commentary on chapter 45 titled "The Fundamentals of Forgiveness" is at this link.

Worship Video: Today's readings in reminded me of the Third Day song "Call My Name:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEXXUdU--Zg

Have you ever called on God's name?  Click here and make that call today!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

January 21st Old Testament Readings

Genesis 42:18-43:34
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Hi everyone - I'm a bit short on time today, so here is a brief OT post.  Bible.org's commentary on Genesis chapter 42 titled "The Proper Use of Power" is at this link and commentary on Genesis chapter 43 titled "The fears of Jacob and the tears of Joseph" is at this link.

Worship Video: Our readings today reminds me of the fantastic Charlie Hall song "Marvelous Light:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAQJKZJB-kE

Are you running into the Marvelous Light?  Click here and run!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

January 20th Old Testament Readings

Genesis 41:17-42:17
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~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Today in Genesis chapter 41 we read about Joseph interpreting Pharaoh's dreams - and not just interpreting them, but offering a solution!  Joseph suggests finding a wise man to administer a program to collect crops during the 7 years of plenty to save up for the 7 years of lean.  Verses 39 & 40 in this chapter tell us: "Turning to Joseph, Pharaoh said, "Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, you are the wisest man in the land! I hereby appoint you to direct this project. You will manage my household and organize all my people. Only I will have a rank higher than yours.""  Notice that Joseph did not ask for this position.  He probably could have, in light of interpreting the dream and offering a solution.  But he didn't.  The position was simply thrust upon him.  And I wonder in our lives - are we like Joseph - humbly offering our gifts and skills with no need of a payback?  Or, do we expect something in return?  Do we want to be put in charge?  I do wonder this about myself - if I was put in charge of all of Egypt, would I still remember God?  Or would the power go to my head and would I think it is all about me?  And then I wonder if there are similar, smaller temptations like this in my life - in my work or ministries or in my social circles. Are there times where I offer my skills & gifts, and expect to be put in charge of something, forget about God, and think it's all about me? How about you? Do you give freely and humbly from your God-given gifts with no need of a payback?

Below is an image from a modern day production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" of Pharaoh appointing Joseph to be #2 in the land (and giving him his signet ring... and dressing him... and giving him the royal gold chain... and giving him the chariot... and renaming him... and giving him a wife...  think all this would possibly inflate one's ego?  It really does scare me to think about me being put in this type of position...)

In Genesis chapter 42 Jacob sends Joseph's brothers to Egypt for grain.  Verse 4 stood out: "Jacob wouldn't let Joseph's younger brother, Benjamin, go with them, however, for fear some harm might come to him." As you'll recall both Benjamin and Joseph were Rachel's only sons.  And Jacob loved Rachel dearly.  It seems that in light of Jacob already losing one of Rachel's sons, he didn't want to lose the other.  Or - I wonder - did Jacob maybe have some sort of mistrust in the back of his mind of the other 10 brothers?  (as obviously Joseph disappeared when going to find the 10 brothers many years back)  Below is a cute etching by Rembrandt from 1637 of Jacob and his son Benjamin:

Verse 6 also stood out: "Since Joseph was governor of all Egypt and in charge of the sale of the grain, it was to him that his brothers came. They bowed low before him, with their faces to the ground."  This fulfilled the dreams Joseph had in Genesis chapter 37 verse 6 & 7! "He said to them, "Listen to this dream I had:  We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it."  And verse 6 was 21 years after Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers at the age of 17 - Joseph has spent 11 years as a slave, 2 years in prison, and 7 to 8 years in charge of Egypt (through the 7 fat years of the harvest, and now they are likely in the first year of the famine).  And even after 21 years Joseph recognized his brothers immediately.  I read a commentary that his brothers probably didn't recognize Joseph because he was decked out in Egyptian robes & garb, he may have been speaking through an interpreter, and he was likely clean shaven - Egyptians shaved, whereas Hebrews typically wore beards.  So now, Joseph's reunited with his brothers and what takes place next is coming up in our readings tomorrow...  Below is a painting from 1745 by the Austrian painter Franz Anton Malbertsch of Joseph meeting his brothers once again after 21 years apart:

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings on Genesis chapter 41 titled "From the Pit to the Palace" is at this link and commentary on chapter 42 titled "The Proper Use of Power" is at this link.

Worship Video: Today's readings reminded me of the beautiful Casting Crowns song "Praise You in This Storm:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ype1xE0wzsg

Are you in the midst of a storm?  Click here and praise Him in your storm!

Comments from You and Questions of the Day:  Okay, back to all of my fretting above about if I was given all that Joseph was given by the Pharaoh in today's readings... :)  What are your thoughts on this - if you were given all of these things, would it inflate your ego possibly?  Would you possibly forget about God?   It's interesting to reflect upon the devil's temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, from our earlier readings this year in Matthew - the devil was tempting Jesus with a lot of "stuff" - and Jesus refused it all!  I'm just wondering if even today in our modern world if we need to be careful about being tempted by too much wealth or power or pride, etc.?  But then I also wonder if sometimes God elevates us to important positions, like Joseph, so that we may be a blessing to many?  I do think this is possible for sure - I just think maybe the richer we get or the more powerful we get, the more we need to pray and stay as absolutely close to God as possible.  Would you want to be in Joseph's type of situation today?  Think you could handle it?  I pray that each of us could, and will, no matter what position in this life we are called to by God! Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

January 19th Old Testament Readings

Genesis 39:1-41:16
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Today in Genesis chapter 39 we read about Joseph in Potiphar's house!  Verse 5 stood out to me in this chapter: "From the day Joseph was put in charge, the LORD began to bless Potiphar for Joseph's sake. All his household affairs began to run smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished."  I found it fascinating that God was blessing Potiphar for Joseph's sake.  It reminded me of God blessing Laban for Jacob's sake earlier in Genesis.  And I wonder - does God today continue to bless others around those who love God?  For the sake of those who love God?  I will admit that there are definitely times in my work life, where I feel like some very positive things are happening that are beyond me.  Things I am not "controlling" on my own - it's something more.  I do try to pray about my work life and pray that God will bless my business dealings - mostly to keep me honest & moral in my business dealings.  And that God will allow me to love and serve others during the day.  And big crazy good things continue happen - something happened just today that was unbelievable to me.  It did not happen because of my own wits or power.  Below is an image from a modern day production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" of Joseph in Potiphar's house:

Verses 8 & 9 also stood out to me in today's readings, demonstrating Joseph's strong moral integrity when being approached by Potiphar's wife: "But Joseph refused. "Look," he told her, "my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. No one here has more authority than I do! He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I ever do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.""  I admire this so much.  Joseph was gaining more and more favor with Potiphar and more and more "power" so to speak.  And here we see a situation where Joseph could have abused his favor and power.  But he did not.  He stood strong with his moral convictions.  And I wonder about this in our lives.  As we maybe gain more and more favor in our work or personal or ministry lives, do we also gain more and more "power" so to speak?  And when this happens, do the temptations maybe even somehow seem to get bigger and bigger and our opportunity to abuse our favor or power get easier and easier?  And in light of all this, will we stand strong by our moral convictions?  Will we realize, like Joseph, that our favor or power only comes from God - and it can be taken away in an instant if we sin against God?  If we give in to the temptation that pursues us...  Below is an oil on canvas painting by Rembrandt from 1655 titled "Joseph Accused by Potiphar's wife":

In Genesis chapter 41 we read about Pharaoh's dreams and Joseph is called from prison to interpret them.  The cup-bearer finally remembered Joseph 2 years later!  :)  Verse 16 is powerful for us to consider as Pharaoh calls for Joseph to interpret his dreams: ""It is beyond my power to do this," Joseph replied. "But God will tell you what it means and will set you at ease.""  What I like about this reply from Joseph is that he is giving credit to God for his "gift" of being able to interpret dreams!  And really, it is God interpreting the dreams, and letting Joseph know what to say.  I wonder about this in our lives today.  Do we have some unique gifts in our lives?  Things that we are really good at?  And do we give credit to God for these gifts in our life?  Or do we claim them as gifts we developed on our own?  Do you believe that God is truly the Gift-Giver of all your skills and talents and wisdom in your life?  Below is an image of Joseph before Pharaoh interpreting his dreams:

Bible.org's commentary on Genesis chapter 39 titled "From the Penthouse to the Prison" is at this link and commentary on chapter 40 titled "How to Get Out of the Pits" is at this link.

Worship Video: Our readings in Psalm 17:7 today remind me of the song "Mighty To Save." Here's Laura Story performing the song live:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcwBUauhobY

Is God Mighty to Save in your life?  Click here for his Might!

Comments from You and Questions of the Day:  Based on my comments above related to our readings in Genesis about God blessing Potiphar for Joseph's sake - I wonder - does God intervene and bless our work lives?  I think He does.  I'd love to get your opinions on this - do you pray about your work life regularly?  Do you think God blesses your work life?  And like Joseph, does God maybe bless those around you, even if they aren't necessarily in relationship with God?   And maybe does He do this for your sake?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

January 18th Old Testament Readings

Genesis 37:1-38:30
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~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Today in Genesis chapter 37 we begin the incredible last portion of the book of Genesis where we read about Joseph!  This portion of the story that starts in today's readings will carry us through the rest of the book of Genesis and will set the stage for the exodus from Egypt.  Below is an image of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" from a modern day play of the same name (which I've heard is good - but I've never seen it - can anyone offer any reviews in the Comments below?):

In chapter 37 today we read about Joseph's dreams and how these dreams make his brothers jealous.  A couple of things came to mind to me today as reading through this.  First is that it is clear that God does some communicating through dreams in the Old Testament.  We've already seen this in our previous readings - via a dream Abimelech had or a dream Laban had.  And here we see some powerful prophetic dreams that Joseph has.  My first question I had was whether Joseph should have shared these dreams with his family?  And I asked this question because I wonder if sometimes we also maybe get an insight or what we believe to be a word from God - and if we should share these things with others?  Or keep them between God and ourselves?  I don't have an easy answer on this one...   If you have some thoughts on this, please post up in the "Comments" section below.  The other thing that came to mind for me here is what role do dreams play for us today?  Does God still communicate to people via dreams today?  I know this might be going out on some fringe thoughts or theology here...  but, if anyone has some Christian perspective on dreams, I'd appreciate it.  I'm just curious.  I have had some dreams in the past that have scared me in big ways... and helped me set my life on a better course back when I had them.  Below is a painting from the year 1853 by French painter Emile-Jean-Horace Vernet of Joseph's brothers in today's readings putting goat's blood on his coat:

Actually, while I am on this topic of dreams, let me share this.  I did used to have nightmares periodically.  However, when I started reading the One Year Bible each night before going to bed many years ago the nightmares basically went away.  Seriously.  I honestly believe because of the Light & life-giving power of the Word of God that the nightmares went away.  Just a little testimony here for you on the power of reading the Bible each day.  It is spiritual food and nourishment and protection for you in ways that you may not consciously realize.  For me, there has been maybe a time or two in recent years where a nightmare has still come to fruition - and I don't remember the details of the nightmares, but somehow I know that in the midst of my dream I called out the name of Jesus and the nightmare stopped immediately!  I am not kidding.  I don't know how I got myself to call out Jesus' name in the nightmare, but I am so thankful that I did!  Maybe this is something that prayer brings - or maybe this is something that happens when we really understand and believe in the all-powerful name of Jesus?  If you suffer from nightmares, my two prescriptions are to 1. read the Bible before going to bed, 2. somehow someway say the name of Jesus in your nightmare.  Pray about this before you go to bed.  Maybe this will help you do this in your dream.  I hope so!   Below is a painting from 1630 by Spanish painter Velasquez Diego of Joseph's brothers presenting his bloody coat to their father Jacob from today's readings:

Genesis chapter 38 brings us the story of Judah and Tamar.  Keep in mind that Judah, Tamar, and Perez from this chapter are all part of the genealogy of King David and Jesus as we recently read in Matthew chapter 1 verse 3: "Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron."  Verse 24 stood out to me in this chapter as sad irony: "About three months later, word reached Judah that Tamar, his daughter-in-law, was pregnant as a result of prostitution. "Bring her out and burn her!" Judah shouted."  This verse reminded me quite a bit of a recent teaching we read about from Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapter 7 verse 3: "“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"  Is it possible that we too are sometimes like Judah?  Condemning others for sins that we ourselves commit too?  Even if we don't commit the same sin as someone else, should we instead leave the judging and condemning to God?  Below is a painting from 1650 from the school of Rembrandt of Judah and Tamar from today's readings:

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Genesis chapter 37 titled "Jacob, Joseph, Jealousy, and a Journey to Egypt" is at this link and commentary on chapter 38 titled "The Skeleton in Judah's Closet" is at this link.

Worship Video: Today's readings reminded me of Matt Redman's song "10,000 Reasons:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xk11x52nc04

Do you have any reason to love God?  Click here for 10,000 reasons!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

January 17th Old Testament Readings

Genesis 35:1-36:43
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Today is a big day for Jacob in that he finally returns to Bethel - the same place where his pilgrimage began with God in Genesis 28:10-22!  Bethel is where Jacob had his dream of the angels ascending and descending the staircase, when he was leaving the promised land for 20 years in Haran.  Below is a map of Jacob's journeys for his entire life:

Bethel was the place where God first gave to Jacob His covenant promise that was also given to Abraham and Isaac - and the covenant promise is reconfirmed in today's readings in chapter 35 verses 11 and 12: "Then God said, "I am God Almighty. Multiply and fill the earth! Become a great nation, even many nations. Kings will be among your descendants! And I will pass on to you the land I gave to Abraham and Isaac. Yes, I will give it to you and your descendants."  These 2 verses are essentially thought to be the climax of the Isaac-Jacob portion of Genesis.  In tomorrow's readings we begin the Jacob-Joseph portion of Genesis. (which is an amazing narrative that begins tomorrow...)  The covenant continues!

Today we read about the passing of Isaac and Rachel.  What was interesting to me today about the death of Isaac was that he passed away after Jacob and Esau reconciled.  I honestly forgot that Isaac had lived this long - I thought when he gave Esau's blessing to Jacob 20 years prior that he was on his deathbed!  Obviously not.  However, even with Jacob and Esau being reconciled at this point, going forward in the Old Testament we will see that this reconciliation didn't carry forward to their descendants.  The nation of Israel (Jacob) and the kingdom of Edom (Esau) will have much strife in their coming generations toward each other, which we'll read about later this year.  The red area in the map below shows the kingdom of Edom at its largest extent in approximately 600 B.C.:

In chapter 36 we read about Esau's descendants.  One interesting note on verse 11 per Zondervan's NIV Study Bible - "Eliphaz: Teman - One of Job's friends was named Eliphaz the Temanite (Job 2:11), and Job himself was from the land of Uz (Job 1:1).  Thus Job probably lived in Edom (see verses 28 & 34 in Genesis readings today)."  Interestingly, I have a friend reading a Chronological Bible where Job is the book that is read just after this portion of Genesis - I think even before the Jacob-Joseph narrative coming up, some Chronological Bibles place the book of Job in the timeline of being read at this point.  Below is an image of Eliphaz the Temanite and Job:

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Genesis chapter 35 titled "The Way Back" is at this link.

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of the Chris Tomlin song "How Great is Our God" with the line "Name Above All Names!" Please watch this video from start to finish. It's incredible to see Chris start, then have the band play along, and to hear the crowd sing. Please feel free to worship along with this one!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpIcqoKOz2Mw

How great is our God?  Click here and find out!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

January 16th Old Testament Readings

Genesis 32:13-34:31
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Genesis Chapter 32 closes out with Jacob in a wrestling match! With God?  Or an angel?  Or God in the form of an angel?  Or Jesus preincarnate? Or Michael the archangel?  Biblical commentaries offer a few different views on just who Jacob was wrestling with.  Clearly, God ordained whomever was wrestling with Jacob and I do think it could have been God himself in an angelic form.  It was obviously not God himself in all of his glory - because He would have whooped Jacob in a wrestling match!  :)  We do see the quick & fierce power of whom Jacob was wrestling in verse 25 when "he struck Jacob's hip and knocked it out of joint at the socket."  Please do let me know your thoughts on who Jacob was wrestling this night in the Comments section below?

This painting above from 1855 by Gustave Dore of Jacob wrestling with the angel is one of my favorites! I think it says so much about our faith journey at various stages. I don't know about you, but there are times when I have wrestled with God over aspects of my faith. It happens at various stages and seasons – sometimes unexpectedly. And I think it is okay to enter into these wrestling matches as long as we ultimately realize that God is in control and we are not. God is going to win the wrestling match. We will not. But, sometimes the wrestling match – the struggle – is something we need to go through to move forward in our faith. Sometimes we need to wrestle with God before we enter the Promised Land, as was the case with Jacob returning to Canaan with his family in our readings in Genesis this week coming up.  Below is the French Romantic painter Eugène Delacroix's "Jacob Wrestling the Angel" from the year 1861:

This is what I love about the chapters of Genesis that we are entering into with our readings now – we read about imperfect humans, not so unlike us, trying to make sense of their lives and their relationships with God. Sound like anyone you know? :) In this early part of the Bible we are shown a God who is willing to wrestle with us, if we need to wrestle. A God who gives us dreams that end up saving a family that will soon become a nation that will save the world. A God who moves us into places and lands and situations to where we need to be to fulfill His perfect will. And in the midst of all of this – we read about imperfect humans that make mistakes. And God still can work through those mistakes and redeem mankind. This is incredible narrative in our readings coming up this next week in Genesis!  Below is Rembrandt's "Jacob's Struggle with the Angel" from the year 1659:  (can you tell by all the paintings I'm posting up here that I'm fascinated by this wrestling match... :)

Chapter 32 verse 28 is an incredibly important verse: ""Your name will no longer be Jacob," the man told him. "It is now Israel, because you have struggled with both God and men and have won."" This is interesting to know!  Israel means "God struggles" or "one who struggles with God."   It is also interesting I think to see that God gives people new names at times in the Bible, and the names are reflective of their new lives with God.  Abram becomes Abraham.  Sarai becomes Sarah.  Jacob becomes Israel.  Simon becomes Peter.  Okay, no more wrestling images... :)  Below is stained glass artwork from the Duomo Cathedral in Milan, Italy of the angel blessing Jacob:

Today's Genesis chapter 32 starts off with Jacob preparing presents for Esau.  Overall, I thought this was pretty smart.  I suppose in some ways you could look at all this as bribery... :)  But, I guess I thought Jacob was demonstrating some good business / political principles here.   This is something that I do struggle with at times in my own life - a balance of utilizing good business principles versus relying completely on God.  I suppose you could argue that Jacob should have simply relied on God to prepare the way for Jacob's meeting with Esau.  And this would be a good argument - Esau had become wealthy over the years himself, and seemed to have forgiven Jacob before they met up here again.  Though, if you were in Jacob's shoes, think about how you would have had no way of knowing this... and think about the last time you saw your brother 20 years earlier and how that ended... I do think that while clearly our reliance should be on God and His work and providence first and foremost, I believe God also wants us to be actively partnering with him.  So, I think after we first pray to God about a situation, we should also do the work that we are called to do by God for the situation as well.  This is where I think good business / political principles can come into play - as long as they are clearly aligned with the will of God.  Again - a fine line to walk, and a line that can only be blessed by the Holy Spirit.  We cannot walk this line on our own power or smarts.  Do you pray to God to show you the work He wants you to do in your life?  Do you also ask God to show you the work to be done in various situations that arise in your life?  Do you enjoy working with God?

In Genesis chapter 34 Jacob and Esau meet again!  I found verses 5 through 7 interesting.  Jacob presents his concubines and sons first - then Leah and sons - and then Rachel and Joseph.  I read a commentary that he was keeping his favorite wife and son back, as the last presentation to Esau - just in case anything should go wrong with Esau and the introductions of his family...  Meaning, if any violence erupted - Rachel and Joseph would hopefully be removed from it.  Below is an image of Esau and Jacob meeting in verse 4: "Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him affectionately and kissed him. Both of them were in tears."  Below is Flemish Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens' "The Reconciliation of Jacob and Esau," from the year 1624:

In verse 14 of this chapter we see Jacob likely being deceitful again: "So go on ahead of us. We will follow at our own pace and meet you at Seir."   He did not follow Esau and meet him at Seir, as we will see in the next chapter.  And commentaries suggest Jacob never intended to go to Seir.  Below is a pretty good map showing you where some events in this chapter took place:  Peniel, where Jacob wrestled with God - Shechem in chapter 34 - and Seir is basically where you see Edom on the map, just south of the Promised Land.

Genesis chapter 34 is a chapter where we see a lot of violence...  It is interesting to note that the name of God ends chapter 33 and begins chapter 35, but is completely absent from this chapter!  The NIV Study Bible has this note about this chapter: "Jacob is now confronted in the promised land with the danger of being absorbed by the native Canaanites (verses 9 & 16), and then with the threat of their hostility after his sons' vengeful act (verse 30).  These were dangers Israel constantly faced from the peoples around them - either absorption or hostility, both of which are perpetual threats to God's people."  As there is so much going on in this chapter, I highly encourage you to spend a few minutes with Bob Deffinbaugh at bible.org for his commentary on Genesis chapter 34 - surf down to about mid-page at this link for ch. 34.  Below is a 13th century French miniature painting of Simeon and Levi taking Dinah from Shechem:

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Genesis chapter 32 titled "How to Win with God and Men" is at this link.

Worship Video: Today's readings in reminded me of the Aaron Shust song "My Savior My God:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UnyaQt9Dt4

Do you have a Savior?  Click here to meet your God!

Comments from You and Questions of the Day:  Let's talk about my fascination with wrestling in today's post...  :)  What is your take on Jacob wrestling with the angel and then being blessed by the angel?  Should Jacob have not wrestled / struggled with the angel / God?  Should we in our lives today not wrestle / struggle with God?  Or should we wrestle with matters of faith sometimes?  As long as we know God will win the wrestling match - is it okay for us to enter into a wrestling match with God or no?  Is there a faith-journey wrestling match in your past that you'd be willing to share with others?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

January 15th Old Testament Readings

Genesis 31:17-32:12
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Today's Genesis chapter 31 readings take us through Laban's pursuit of Jacob and his family and Laban & Jacob's treaty.  In this chapter we read about Rachel taking Laban's "household gods", which were worthless idols - and yet both Laban and Rachel were very attached to idols, which was common in pagan religions of that time.  Idols were often family heirlooms that were passed down from generation to generation and could sometimes signify that someone would receive their family's estate if they received the idols.  People believed idols could bring blessings - and Laban obviously wanted them back.  Though, I think he wanted more than just his idols back - I think he also wanted control over Jacob and his family back.  In verses 33 & 34 we read: "Finally, Laban went into Rachel's tent. Rachel had taken the household gods and had stuffed them into her camel saddle, and now she was sitting on them. So although Laban searched all the tents, he couldn't find them."  Rachel was cunning like her husband Jacob!  Below is a fresco painting from 1729 by the Venetian artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo titled "Rachel Hiding the Idols":

Verse 42 stood out to me in today's readings as Jacob spoke to Laban: "In fact, except for the grace of God--the God of my grandfather Abraham, the awe-inspiring God of my father, Isaac--you would have sent me off without a penny to my name."   I like seeing that Jacob is realizing that the grace of God has blessed him!  I wonder if sometimes in our lives the grace of God is blessing us, and we don't realize it?  Do you ever have those moments when you look back on a day, or a week, or even a year and realize that God's grace was so there - and yet... you didn't realize it at the time?  Will you try to live more like Jacob in this verse - and recognize awe-inspiring God's grace more and more frequently in your life?  And can you give praise to God for this ever-present ever-dependable gift of grace that is available to you?

In Chapter 32 we see Jacob preparing to meet his brother Esau.  And - we see Jacob praying to God an amazing prayer!  Verse 10 is beautiful: "I am not worthy of all the faithfulness and unfailing love you have shown to me, your servant. When I left home, I owned nothing except a walking stick, and now my household fills two camps!" Do you believe that God has been showing faithfulness and unfailing love to Jacob in our readings?  Do you believe that God is showing faithfulness and unfailing love to you today?  Below is an engraving by the artist Gustave Dore of Jacob praying to God here in chapter 32 (I love this image!):

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Genesis chapter 31 titled "The Difference between Legality and Morality" is at this link.

Worship Video: Today's readings remind me of the beautiful Jason Castro song, "You Are:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUkCrSTYGA8

Is Jesus the One for you?  Click here for the One!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

January 14th Old Testament Readings

Genesis 30:1-31:16
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Today's Genesis chapter 30 readings bring us the account of several of Jacob's sons and a daughter being born to Leah, Bilhah, Zilpah, and Rachel.  We also read about Jacob gaining wealth and wanting to leave his father-in-law Laban’s house to go back home in Genesis chapter 30. In verse 37 we read: "Now Jacob took fresh shoots from poplar, almond, and plane trees and peeled off strips of the bark to make white streaks on them."  It seems in this verse and the ones that follow that Jacob is getting a bit superstitious - and not really asking God for help.  Later Jacob does admit that God did do the work of increasing his wealth, and that he didn't do it on his own with his superstitions, as we see in Chapter 31 verse 9 when Jacob is speaking to his wives Rachel & Leah: "In this way, God has made me wealthy at your father's expense."  I think it's great to see that Jacob starts to realize more and more that God is in control.  I wonder for us, today, do we sometimes act like Jacob with the sticks - and rely on superstition or our own power, when we should be relying solely on God?  Are there maybe areas in our work life or personal life where we think we are running the show?  Are we really?  Or is God?  Will we let our superstitions go, and embrace the reality that God is in control?   And - who better is there to be in control, really?  :)  Actually - I'll share with you a quote someone shared with me once when I was really trying to micromanage a situation - and was worrying and fretting way too much about the situation.  The quote is simply this: "Let go and Let God." Let us let go of what we are hanging on so tightly to if it is not of God - and let us instead let God run the show.  Are there areas in your life where you need to "Let go and let God"?  Below is a painting by Spanish painter Jusepe de Ribera from the year 1632 of "Jacob and Laban's Flock":

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Genesis chapter 30 titled "The Battle of the Brides" is at this link and commentary on chapter 31 titled "Jacob gets Laban's Goat" is at this link.

Worship Video: Today's readings reminded me of Lincoln Brewster's song, "Everlasting God:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT0UodmNhKk

Do you know our Everlasting God?  Click here to know Him forevermore!

Comments from You and Questions of the Day:  Just curious if anyone has any Biblical fiction books that you might be willing to recommend?  Sometimes I find Biblical fiction books can augment our imaginations and understanding of our readings in the Bible.  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

January 13th Old Testament Readings

Genesis 28:1-29:35
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Today's Genesis chapter 28 readings begin Jacob's adventure as he leaves the land promised to Abraham and Isaac and heads for Paddan-aram to stay with his uncle.  Jacob's dream at Bethel is awesome in this chapter! While this dream is often referred to as "Jacob's Ladder," many commentaries say it was probably stairs that Jacob dreamt of - similar to the stairs of a ziggurat (think tower of Babel) that winded around the outside of the tower on the way up.  Have you ever had a dream anything like this one? :)

I do have to admit - Jacob's story and the parallel stories of his uncle Laban, Jacob's wives, and his sons - culminating with Joseph in Egypt - is one of my favorite parts of the Old Testament.  This is just good narrative!  I think one thing that really opened my eyes to all of the small details of the story of Jacob is that I was in an amazing Bible study for about a year going through this part of Genesis.  I don't know if you've been in a group Bible study before?  If not, let me encourage you to join one!  They are incredible.  You get so many different perspectives from each person in the group - similar in some ways to what you are getting here on this blog - but more personal and I think far better.  You get to go through the text with other people and really dive into things - and even have some fun joking around about things.  If the church you attend has some sort of Bible study, will you consider checking it out this month of January?  I know you will be incredibly blessed by this decision!

I found verses 21 & 22 intriguing: "Then Jacob made this vow: "If God will be with me and protect me on this journey and give me food and clothing, and if he will bring me back safely to my father, then I will make the LORD my God."  Do you notice the "if" / "then" statement in this vow from Jacob?  Jacob is putting some conditions on what it will take for him to make God his God.  Do we do this in our lives sometimes?  Do we try to put "conditions" on God?  Does this really make sense to do?  What if our conditions are not met?  What if things don't go as planned?  Will we still love God as our God, even if the "conditions" in our life are not met or are not ideal?

In Genesis chapter 29 Jacob arrives at Paddan-Aram, which was close to Haran.  See this map below for where Jacob will spend the next 20 years of his life.   All 12 of his children besides Benjamin will be born in this land!  Note that this map below shows arrows going from right to left - because it's really a map of Abraham's early journey.  :)  But, you can see how far Jacob traveled from Bethel - where he had the dream discussed above - to Haran / Paddan-Aram at the top of the map.

In this chapter Jacob meets Rachel and Laban, and works for 7 years to marry Rachel - except for the fact that Jacob was deceived by Laban on the wedding night!  Which is a bit ironic, as we have seen in recent chapters that Jacob did some deceiving himself...  I read one commentary that said for most of his life Jacob was so focused on getting the rights of the first born from his father Isaac - and now he must accept the rights of the first born in this surprise marriage to Leah!  At the end of today's readings we see that Leah is beginning to have sons - including Levi who will be the ancestor of the Aaronic priestly line of Israel, and Judah who will be the ancestor of King David and ultimately Jesus Christ.  Below is an oil painting from 1836 by Bohemian painter Joseph von Fuhrich of Jacob encountering Rachel with her father's herds in verses 9 - 11:  "As this conversation was going on, Rachel arrived with her father's sheep, for she was a shepherd. And because she was his cousin, the daughter of his mother's brother, and because the sheep were his uncle's, Jacob went over to the well and rolled away the stone and watered his uncle's flock. Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and tears came to his eyes."

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Genesis chapter 28 titled "The Seeker Is Sought" is at this link and commentary on chapter 29 titled "I Led Two Wives" is at this link.

Worship Video: Today's readings remind me of the Brandon Heath song "Give me your Eyes:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5AkNqLuVgY

Do you have eyes for the harvest?  Click here for new eyes!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!