Genesis 37-40

“When [the brothers] saw [Joseph] from a distance and before he came close to them, they plotted against him to put him to death.” (Genesis 37:18). Jealousy can quickly grow into an ugly and uncontrollable rage, completely blinding us to what is right and honorable. Jealousy seeks to destroy whatever it touches – marriages, families, communities, and even nations…. Fast forward several hundred years, and we find another Man, the Lord Jesus was sent by His Father to His brothers who also hated and despised Him. But for both Joseph and Jesus, those who sought to destroy them, only served to help move them closer to their intended destinies.

Genesis 32-36

Jacob says to his brother Esau, “Please take my gift which has been brought to you, because God has dealt graciously to me and because I have plenty.” (Genesis 33:11). There has been a dramatic change in Jacob. He had once used deception to gain Esau’s birthright and now he has insisted on giving him several hundred animals. The previous night of wrestling with the Angel of the Lord has transformed Jacob’s heart from deceiver to Israel, one who now willingly and generously blesses others.

Genesis 29-31

“Then the Lord said to Jacob, ‘Return to the land of your fathers… and I will be with you.’” (Genesis 31:3). This promise from God should have given Jacob great confidence, yet we find him sneaking off out of fear (Genesis 31:20, 31). However, God is sovereign and He forbids Laban to do Jacob any harm (Genesis 31:29). Even though Laban did not believe in the God of Abraham, he must still submit to His authority! “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28).

Genesis 27-28

“So Isaac called Jacob and blessed him and charged him, and said to him, “You shall not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan.” (Genesis 28:1). The Lord wants and deserves our fullest devotion. He also knows that the choice of a spouse can set the direction of your life, for the rest of your life. Godly people should seek out the companionship of other godly people. This is especially true when seeking a spouse, but it also applies to who we choose to have as business partners or close friends. You simply cannot walk close to the Lord when your spouse is pulling you in the opposite direction.

Genesis 25-26

“Esau said, Behold, I am about to die; so of what use then is the birthright to me?” (Genesis 25:32). There are at least two things wrong with Esau’s thinking at this point. First, he was hungry, not dying. But his perceived sense of urgency distorted his perspective and he made a foolish decision. Second, he failed to value something that should have been important to him. As heirs of Abraham, this birthright was much more than merely gaining possession of a few earthly goods. Esau traded a bowl of stew for the Promised Land and being in the lineage of the future Messiah.

Genesis 21-24

“Now Abraham was old, advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in every way.” (Genesis 24:1). Most often we think of blessings as gifts from God that we ourselves enjoy. However, when God bestows blessings, He intends them to overflow into the lives of others. In that sense, God’s blessings never stop flowing; they keep getting passed on from person to person. Acknowledge God as the Giver of all your good gifts and resolve today that you will help pass His many blessings on to others, beginning with your salvation by grace.

Genesis 18-20

“For I have chosen him so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice.” (Genesis 18:19). Here we are given a very plain purpose for God choosing Abraham; it is also the same purpose for anyone to be chosen. We are called by God to share the good news with others, beginning with our own families. One of life’s greatest achievements is to successfully pass on the torch of your faith to the next generation, teaching them “to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).