Week 32 - Genesis 29-33 (Click on Title for Video Intro)

 

Click on Title for Video Introduction

Monday, Genesis Chapter 29

Genesis 29

Delores Little

August 11, 2006

THOUGHT

Well, a lot has happened in this chapter. Jacob gets to Padden Aram and meets Rachel and rolls the stone away for her to water the sheep.  She runs to tell her Dad that Jacob is there, and he welcomes him. Jacob was attacked to her immediately.  Laban said he had to work 7 years for her.  Jacob worked and waited all that time. (Too bad the kids today don’t see things that way!!!)

Then Laban gave his oldest daughter to him, and he didn’t know it until the morning. Did she have a veil over her face when they got married or was she  sent to his tent and that is how they were married?  Jacob was angry and had to then wait another 7 years for Rachel. Wow, now it was 14 years for her.  Jacob loved Rachel.  When God saw Leah was not loved, He opened her womb, and she had the first 4 sons of Jacob. 

This is a love story for one woman and a commitment on Jacob’s part to wait that long for her.  She didn’t end up being the first bride. That Laban was something else. But this must have been God’s plan as Leah had the most children of the two.  Rachel was into idols which we find out later, which isn’t pleasing to our Father in heaven. I never picked out any verse as the whole chapter speaks of this story so well.

PRAYER

Father, forgive us of our sins and show us Your way daily. Thank You for a wonderful weekend. I pray this e-mail will go out to everyone Lord. In Jesus name I pray.  AMEN

True Love Challenge - Rachel & Jacob

Tuesday, Genesis Chapter 30

Genesis 30

Verse 22

Jane Jones

August 13, 2006

Verse 22:  Then God remembered Rachel; He listened to her and opened her womb.

THOUGHT

This is the chapter that shares with us the story of the birth of Jacob’s 12 sons. It is a good thing that God remembered Rachel because the line of lineage came from her with the birth of Joseph.

Eventually God answered Rachel’s prayers and gave her a child of her own. In the meantime, however, she had given her maidservant to Jacob. Trusting God when nothing seems to happen is difficult. But it is harder still to live with the consequences of taking the matter into our own hands.

There are times that I become so impatient with waiting for someone to say or do something that I act on my own decision. Sometimes I can’t wait to share something with someone that I should wait on. I get so upset with myself. I am trying to learn to wait upon the right and correct time. I am getting better at it.

I need to resist the temptation to think God has forgotten me. If Jacob can wait seven years for the woman he loves and then another seven, I can wait several months for a clear decision on one of my problems.

PRAYER

As we enter another week, Lord, please help us gather up patience and understanding to wait upon You. Above all, Lord, please give the Salt Shakers patience and courage to wait for God to act. AMEN

Wednesday, Genesis Chapter 31

Genesis 31

Verse 24b

Jane Jones

August 14, 2006

Verse 24b:  “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”

THOUGHT

I believe it was truly a blessing that the Lord spoke to Laban in his sleep. What if Laban had not been careful about the words that came out of his mouth?  Laban’s whole life was stamped by self-centeredness. His chief goal was to look out for himself. The way he treated others was controlled by that goal. He made profitable arrangements with the lives of his very own family members.

He used Jacob for years.  Finally when Jacob broke the hold Laban had on him, Laban still was unwilling to admit defeat.  His hold on Jacob was broken, but he still tried to maintain some kind of control by getting Jacob to promise to be gone for good. Laban realized that Jacob and Jacob’s God were more than he could handle.

Like Laban, we often have a strong tendency to control people and events to our benefit. How many times have we tried to control our spouse or one of our children? One way to discover our own selfishness is to examine our willingness to admit we’re wrong. Recognizing selfishness is painful, but it is the first step on the road back to God.

We are not the ones in control here, Salt Shakers. God is in control. Let’s stay out of His way.

PRAYER

Father, we all fall short, and so often we want the best for ourselves instead of others.  Help us to rid our lives of selfishness and self-control and let God RULE.  May the power of the All-Mighty place a peaceful calm on our rest.  AMEN

Thursday, Genesis Chapter 32

Genesis 32

Verse 4a

Jane Jones

August 15, 2006

Verse 4a:  Tell my master Esau this, “A message from your servant Jacob.”

THOUGHT

It had been 20 years since Esau and Jacob have seen each other and Jacob had wronged Esau.  However, Jacob did leave, and Esau remained behind. Can you imagine how terrible Esau felt when Isaac gave Jacob his birth right? WOW! 20 years. I can’t imagine going 20 years without seeing my sister or brother.

After 20 years, however, Jacob still realized the wrong he had done. I thought the words he chose were perfect. It was like an apology and/or forgiveness. He called Esau “Master” and himself “servant”. Jacob lowered himself below his brother. Jacob put Esau in the master’s seat. He gave his brother the birthright back and put a crown on his head.

Tomorrow we find out how Esau reacts. We must remember that Esau vowed he would kill Jacob the next time he saw him. During the 20 years did hatred consume Esau or will love flow from his heart?

Stay tuned.

PRAYER

There are times in our lives where we fall short. There are times when we need to surrender from Master to Servant. Lord, help us treat our family members with love and respect. We should thank God daily for our families and loved ones. May we always respect and accept each other as a child of God, one that You created. May our differences never tear down relationships but rather build up support for each other. We love You, dear Jesus. AMEN

Friday, Genesis Chapter 33

Genesis 33

Verse 16

Jane Jones

August 17, 2006

Verse 16:  Esau said, “Let me at least lend you some of my men.”  “There’s no need,” said Jacob. “Your generous welcome is all I need or want.”

THOUGHT

It is refreshing to see Esau’s change of heart when the two brothers meet again. They ran to each other and embraced with kisses. They wept in each other’s arms. Jacob was worried for nothing. The bitterness was gone. Esau was content with what he had. Life can bring us some bad situations. We can feel cheated, as Esau did, but we don’t have to remain bitter. We can remove bitterness from our lives by honestly expressing our feelings to God, forgiving those who have wronged us, and being content with what we have.

How many times have we purchased gifts and presents to take to people in the hospital, visits, weddings, showers, baby gifts, etc., when all the recipient really wanted was just a loving warm greeting from the heart? Esau tried to give Jacob an army of men, but Jacob’s response was ‘your generous welcome is all I need or want’.

This evening going up for a visit with TJ’s friends...the look on their faces of joy just seeing us was all we needed. We knew it was the best gift, better than flowers or money. We did the right thing.

PRAYER

Lord, sometimes we fail to realize that a smile, a kind word, a visit, a hug, a soft kiss, is worth more than a treasure chest full of gold; especially, when it comes after an unkind act. Please help us realize that bitterness is a cancer that can eat away at us. A priceless cure is forgiveness with a hug and a kiss as we read in your Word tonight. Thank You for bringing home such a simple story for us to understand. Please love on the Salt Shakers for me. AMEN 

Jacob's name was changed to Israel.

These are the 12 Tribes.