Tag: Abraham

Our Refuge is God Alone

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If you are feeling overwhelmed by your current circumstances or even afraid of what may lie ahead, take solace that God is in control.

He is on top of what seems out of control in your life or around you.

Whether it’s finances, family issues, loss of a job, health concerns, addictions, or any other adversity—you can count on God to help you and bring you out of the hardship for the better.

The Bible tells us that God is with us and guiding us through each difficult situation we encounter.

“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8  

One of the many blessings I have received from reading God’s word is that I have learned about many keepers of the faith who were able to overcome dire circumstances because God loved them and provided the answer, the way out, and the peace to keep moving along with Him.  

When I walked through difficult situations in the past, my mind would immediately go to heroes such as Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Esther, David, and Daniel, just to name a few. I recalled how faithful God was to them, and I believed that He would do the same for me.

Why did I believe this? Because His word tells us that He does not show favoritism, but rewards those who follow Him and gives them peace (Romans 2:9-11).

It is our faith in God that allows us to see His supernatural power at work.

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

He majestically guides, protects, and transforms us while changing our situations. He helps us overcome our adversary because He loves us and created us for His purposes.

God called Abraham to leave his home and follow Him to a better place to live that he knew nothing about nor how to get there. As God instructed him every step of the way, He encouraged him with promises for a good future for him and his descendants. Abraham, although not perfect, believed God even when he could not see how He would work it all out. God was pleased with Abraham’s faith and considered him righteous and called him a friend (James 2:23). Abraham lived many years and received all the promises God made to him in his lifetime and beyond—and it is because of Abraham’s faith that we are blessed today (Genesis 11–25).

Joseph was hated by his older siblings who sold him into slavery and was taken to a foreign land where while continuing to be obedient to God through difficult circumstances, he was thrown in prison. But God was with him even in prison and orchestrated his release and swift promotion to governor of Egypt, second in power only to Pharoah. Even though Joseph suffered greatly from his own family and fellow Egyptian citizens, God had a divine purpose for him—to save his family and the future nation of Israel (Genesis 37–50).

Moses was transformed from a shepherd in the desert to a great leader who led Israel out of slavery in Egypt, through the wilderness, and up to the Promised Land. He led hundreds of thousands for approximately 40 years, many of whom complained, rebelled, and threatened to kill him. Moses had the responsibility to protect, feed, find water, teach, judge, build a mobile sanctuary, discipline, train for war, intercede for, and forgive the entire way. For a mortal man this would be impossible, but God was there with Moses, guiding him and performing miracles for and through him (Exodus–Deuteronomy).

Joshua took over when Moses died and was responsible for leading Israel, numbered in the millions, across the Jordan River into the Promised Land inhabited by Canaanites. Joshua had to trust God that he could not only lead this great nation, but that he could also defeat the Canaanites as instructed by God to gain possession of the land. He had to trust God for his very life and for the livelihood of his people (Joshua 1-24).

Esther was a young Jewish woman taken from her home to compete against many other beautiful women for wife of King Ahasuerus in Persia. Her beauty and intelligence won the favor of the king, and she became Queen of Persia. She had to learn a new language and culture, and with this new role, she had to learn and execute the court life of royalty. When the Jews were threatened to be killed by an evil senior nobleman of the court, Esther had to lay her life on the line by going into the king unannounced. She called for a fast and prayer within her Jewish family and community to win the favor of the king as she went in for a special request. She could have been killed if the king wished by her unannounced appearance. The king granted her entry and request for a special dinner where she planned to expose the evil nobleman intent on annihilating her and her fellow Israelites. God was with her in this all the way and gave her the wisdom and favor she needed to succeed in order to save the Jewish nation (Esther 1-10).

The God of yesterday is the same God as today and tomorrow. (Hebrews 13:8)

I can also attest to God’s goodness and faithfulness.

Because I trusted in Him, he took me from uncertain days and nights wondering whether I would be able to overcome trials to leaving all my concerns to Him in prayer.

Also, I realized that I had to be content with having JUST my Savior Jesus by my side. I had to place Him first in my life.

And how could I not? He loved me so much that He gave His life as a ransom for me.

I was not perfect along the way, but I trusted God and I set my life goal to seek after Him. I no longer put my faith in people or circumstances. I dove into His word and believed Him for a victorious life.

I made myself available to serve Him in the doors of ministry that He opened for me, and I found purpose in helping others instead of being focused on myself and my troubles.

God in His faithfulness heard my prayers and brought me gradually to a life filled with many blessings—some I asked for over the years, and others I never even dreamed of.

God is faithful!

I would like to share another Scripture verse I learned that helped transform me from being unsure about my future to knowing that God was with me, helping me every step of the way despite difficult circumstances.

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
    From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;
    he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;
    the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil;
    he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep
    your going out and your coming in
    from this time forth and forevermore.  Psalm 121

There is nothing our heavenly Father would not do to help His children overcome adverse situations and reach His purpose for their lives.

Following the ways of this world will not bring peace, joy, and fulfillment. Only God can.

If you are experiencing difficulties and don’t know what to do or can’t see your way through, I urge you to trust in God, surrender your life to Him (if you haven’t already), and seek after Him. You will be astounded by His perfect love, and you will find His will for your life.

May you be blessed as you listen to this song about how great and powerful God is.

If you want to have a relationship with God and are not sure how or where to start, see my previous posts Relationship with God and Relationship with God – Part 2.

Why Stand with Israel?

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Israel has been on my mind daily since the brutal attack on its people on October 7, 2023. I have thought incessantly about the war between Israel and its enemies—Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis, Iran, etc.

Appalling events happen in war, whether intentionally or unintentionally. It has been this way throughout history, and it is better to avoid war if possible. 

This war was started because Hamas and its allies have one goal in common—annihilate the country of Israel and its people.

Israel has no alternative but to defend itself.

What would you do if someone invaded your home and tried to kill your family?

I would certainly defend mine.  

Over the last year, I have recalled important scriptures to advocate the call to support Israel and I have studied even more to help me be sure that I follow God’s word.

I have felt compelled to explain why we should support Israel.

First, it was important for me to lay some groundwork, which I have done in my previous posts, Israel—Chosen by God.

In today’s post, I will reiterate what the Bible says about God’s relationship and love for Israel, referencing His covenant with Israel and why He chose Israel. I will also restate God’s wondrous gift to mankind through Israel and conclude with His sovereignty over all creation and His promise to defend Israel against its enemies.

God’s Covenant with Israel

God’s eternal covenant with Israel is found throughout scripture and begins with God promising Abraham to make him a great nation that would bring blessings to the entire world.

Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Genesis 12:1-3

It’s our support of the nation of Israel that renders blessings—especially in their time of need.

God’s Decree for Israel to Live Righteously

God chose Israel because He wanted a nation to follow His ways and receive His blessings to thrive and be a witness to other nations.

God provided specific laws for man to follow that are righteous and bring blessing.

These laws were given to Israel because He did not want them to commit the abominations of the people He rejected. (Deuteronomy 18:9-14)

This is why God gave Israel the land they inhabit today—and even more land that they failed to enter into.

Was Israel always obedient to God in following His commands?

No. It is recorded in scripture that Israel disobeyed God and followed after the customs of their neighbors. They essentially rejected God. And since He is a God of justice, He had to discipline His beloved children.

However, when Israel turned back to God, He forgave them and reestablished them as He said He would.

“For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts…

Malachi 3:6

God’s Deliverance of Israel

Israel is God’s chosen people, and He will always draw them back to Him.

Israel has been attacked by other nations commencing with Assyria’s invasion in 733 BC. Since then, Israel has been under attack and its people have been scattered throughout the world.

They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Luke 21:24

“The times of the Gentiles” refers to the period of the Gentile invasion of Israel starting with the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 586 BC and ending with the future return of Jesus Christ to earth. This return will mark Christ’s defeat of Israel’s enemies, and He will set up His kingdom in Jerusalem to rule the nations during the millennium.

God’s Gift to Mankind through Israel

God chose Israel to provide redemption through His only Son, Jesus Christ.

This forgiveness of sins is a gift to all mankind if they surrender their lives to Christ by professing their faith in Him, asking Him for forgiveness of their sins, and abiding in Him. 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” 

John 3:16-18

The people and nations who believe in Jesus Christ are blessed through the seed of Abraham and his descendants just as God promised.

The United States of America has been blessed because of its foundation built upon Jesus Christ, because of the Jews who came here and made this their home, and because of our alliance with Israel and recognition of the reestablishment of its statehood in 1948.

Our nation indeed has many flaws and I pray that we would repent and turn back to God wholeheartedly; that we would not follow man, but God and His decrees; and that we would continue to stand by Israel—because God has ordained it. 

God’s Sovereignty over All Creation

God set His plan in action and will not be deterred. He is the creator of all things! 

The apostle Paul asserts that God is sovereign and can do what He wants, how He wants.

 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

“For who has known the mind of the Lord,
    or who has been his counselor?”
“Or who has given a gift to him
    that he might be repaid?”

 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Romans 11:33-36

Once you become a student of the Bible, you begin to understand why the events of today are taking place and what the future holds. There is so much information in scripture about the past, present, and future events of the world, I cannot share it all here in one post.

God makes it clear that He will never turn His back on Israel. He may chastise Israel, but He will always be watching Israel and will make good on His promise to defend His beloved nation.

If I forget you, Jerusalem,
    may my right hand forget its skill.
May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth
    if I do not remember you,
if I do not consider Jerusalem
    my highest joy.

Psalm 137:5-6

God’s Battle Against Israel’s Enemies

As stated previously, when Jesus Christ comes back to this earth, He will defend Israel by engaging in battle against Israel’s enemies and definitively defeat them.  

Behold, a day is coming for the LORD…For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle…Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle. On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward…Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him…On that day living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea and half of them to the western sea…And the LORD will be king over all the earth…But Jerusalem shall remain aloft on its site from the Gate of Benjamin to the place of the former gate, to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king’s winepresses. And it shall be inhabited, for there shall never again be a decree of utter destruction. Jerusalem shall dwell in security. And this shall be the plague with which the LORD will strike all the peoples that wage war against Jerusalem: their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths. And on that day a great panic from the LORD shall fall on them, so that each will seize the hand of another, and the hand of the one will be raised against the hand of the other…And the wealth of all the surrounding nations shall be collected, gold, silver, and garments in great abundance.                                                                                          

Zechariah 14:1-14

I take God at His Word and understand that we should stand with Israel, pray for Israel, and teach others the truth in God’s word about Israel.

May we turn our hearts, prayers, and support toward Israel and stand strong with this chosen nation of God.

And—may we also pray for the innocent Palestinians who are caught up in this war. It is pure evil for the Hamas terrorists to use their own people as shields in a time of war.

Shalom שָׁלוֹם

Below is a beautiful song that demonstrates Israel’s ongoing affliction and future hope.

Woe to My Country

Israel—Chosen by God: A Blessing to All

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The nation of Israel was chosen by God to be a blessing to all people.

In my nine previous posts, the Israel—Chosen by God series, scripture has been clear about this promise God made to Abraham, the father of Israel, and to every generation of Israel until the end of time.    

God chose Israel to be His nation, to follow His ways (which results in blessing), and to provide the ultimate blessing—a Savior.

This promise was first made to Abraham in Genesis.

Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

                                                                                                             Genesis 12:1-3

This same promise was reiterated by God to Isaac, Abraham’s son of promise in Genesis 26:2-5, and later to Jacob, Isaac’s son, in Genesis 28:13-15.

Jacob’s name was changed by God to Israel when he was on his way back to Canaan. Israel means “he strived with God and prevailed.” (Genesis 32:24-31)

So, it is from the nation of Israel that the blessed promise was given to all mankind.

This promise is salvation through Jesus Christ, a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.

                                                                                                           Matthew 1:1-17

Jesus’s birth was planned from the beginning of time. The Bible is about the creation of the world, sin, redemption, and defeating evil.

Jesus Christ is the center theme of the Bible and He was with God the Father at the creation of the world. (John 1:1-3)

Jesus is our redemption that was promised and prophesied throughout the Old Testament by the prophets, and He is the God man who left the throne-room in heaven and came to earth as a baby in Bethlehem of Judea in Israel.

He came to this world to teach truth, love, and forgiveness, but most importantly, to be the sacrificial Lamb.

The apostle John who walked with Jesus during His ministry here on earth testifies to this.

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

                                                                                                                 1 John 2:1-2

The only perfect human to live on this earth was destined to become the sacrifice for our sins—perfection taking on the iniquity of the whole world.

This is how God the Father planned the redemption of mankind, past, present, and future.    

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

                                                                                                               John 3:16-18

Jesus did not come to this earth to condemn it, but to save the world through drawing the lost to Himself.

He is the fulfillment of the Law given by Moses, not the replacement of the Law, as some may think.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” 

                                                                                                         Matthew 5:17-18

One of the godly men that I have followed over twenty years is John F. McArthur, pastor of Grace Community Church and host of Grace to You, national Christian media ministry.

He explains Matthew 5:17-18 stating, “Jesus was neither giving a new law nor modifying the old, but rather explaining the true significance of the moral content of Moses’ law and the rest of the OT…Christ was indicating that he is the fulfillment of the law in all its aspects. He fulfilled the moral law by keeping it perfectly…And he fulfilled the judicial law by personifying God’s perfect justice.”

McArthur further clarifies, “Christ was affirming the utter inerrancy and absolute authority of the OT as the word of God—down to the smallest stroke or letter…This should not be seen as supplanting and abrogating the OT, but as fulfilling and explicating it.”

Therefore, the ceremonial requirements of the law (Colossians 2:16-23) were fulfilled by Jesus Christ and are no longer required to be followed by Christians. However, other mandates of the law are not to be abolished and very much remain as a standard of scriptural truth in the New Testament. 

Because Jesus obeyed His Father in heaven and died for our sins—the whole world’s sins, we are resolved of our past wrongs if we surrender our lives to Him, ask Him for forgiveness of our sins, and abide in Him.

Jesus’s sacrificial love for us along with our personal acknowledgment of His deity and following Him in obedience shields us from eternal damnation.  

We are indeed blessed through Israel; if from Israel we were given Christ, what better blessing can we acknowledge?

From the twelfth chapter of Genesis, we have been called to bless Israel.

We should certainly want to because of what God has given us through the nation of Israel: Our Lord and Savior—and with Him, forgiveness, freedom, blessings, and eternal life with God.

If you have not yet surrendered your life to Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, who gives us eternal life through His loving sacrifice, I hope you will do so today.

I will be happy to help you in making your decision for Christ in any way that I can. Send me a message in the comments and I will respond.

I hope this series has been a blessing to you and has helped you understand why we should bless Israel.

Join me next for Why Stand with Israel?

Below is a song that glorifies our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May it bless you.

“Thank You Jesus for the Blood” – Charity Gayle

Israel—Chosen by God: Jacob – Part 7

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In the previous post, Israel—Chosen by God: Jacob – Part 6, we learned about the preservation of Israel through Joseph, Jacob’s first son by Rachel.

Joseph was sold in to slavery by his jealous half-brothers, which landed him in Egypt where he suffered many wrongs. God, however, was watching over Joseph, and preparing him for a great role—one that would make him second in charge under Pharaoh over all Egypt.

Impressive?

Yes, but Joseph had a role to play in God’s plan, just as we all do if we’re surrendered to Him.

God chose Joseph to carry out His plan to save the nation of Israel, just as he chose Abraham, Issac, and Jacob to bring about the greatest blessing of all time.

But first, Let’s see how the rest of Jacob’s life unfolds.

We resume with Joseph’s brothers on their way back to Canaan to their father Jacob to give him the good news about Joseph.

When they arrived in Canaan, they told Jacob that Joseph was alive and ruled over the land of Egypt. At first, he did not believe them, but when he saw all the provisions that Joseph sent, he became a renewed man. The Bible says his spirit revived.

Jacob was looking forward to leaving Canaan and going to Egypt to see his son Joseph before he died.

So Israel took his journey with all that he had and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.”

Genesis 46:1-4

Did you read what Jacob did?

He didn’t forget to thank God for His faithfulness by worshiping Him and offering sacrifices to Him.

When God makes a way for us, it benefits us to give Him praise and thank Him for His faithfulness, protection, provision, miracle—whatever it is that only He could have done for us.

Next, God spoke to Jacob and assured him that it was okay for him to go down to Egypt and that He would be with him.

Often, when God purposes something in our lives, He will confirm it. Whether it be through His speaking to us through the Holy Spirit, through someone who speaks to us, or through something that we read.    

Don’t forget that God also reiterated His promise of making a great nation of him.

So, Jacob took all his family (sixty-six in number), servants, belongings, and livestock with him down to Egypt.

Jacob and Joseph were reunited with tears of love and joy. Imagine being reunited with your loving father or lost son for over twenty years. No doubt it was an emotional day.  

Joseph tells his father and brothers that when they meet Pharaoh and he asks their occupation to tell him that they are keepers of livestock. This was done so that they could live in Goshen which was a great place to graze herds. Also, shepherds were not well accepted in Egyptian society, they were looked down on and thought of as an abomination.

Joseph’s wisdom about where to place his family came from God. This distance between Israel and the Egyptians was to keep the Israelites from intermingling with the Egyptians and picking up their customs.

Remember that God chose Israel for His own. He did not want them to follow the customs of other cultures because they were set apart and were to be different from all the rest of the world.

Joseph chose five of his brothers to meet with Pharaoh, and he asked them about their occupation. They told Pharaoh they were shepherds just as their fathers were. They stated they needed land for their livestock to graze, because the famine was severe in Canaan.

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Your father and your brothers have come to you. The land of Egypt is before you. Settle your father and your brothers in the best of the land. Let them settle in the land of Goshen, and if you know any able men among them, put them in charge of my livestock.”

Genesis 47:5-6

What favor!

God not only saved Jacob and his family from famine, He took them to another land that was at that time better for them and their livestock. He gave them the best land in Egypt perfectly suited for them and their livestock.

What is it that God is moving around in your life, child of God?

Even if it feels uncomfortable and “way out there,” you can trust Him. He will only give you His very best and provide opportunities you never dreamed of.

The Bible tells us that God even gave Pharaoh, a Gentile, the opportunity to be blessed. Yes, Joseph brought his father in to meet with Pharaoh, and after they spoke to each other, Jacob blessed Pharaoh.

My friends, we are blessed to be a blessing to others.

It doesn’t matter whom we meet, we have the privilege to bless others. This is serving the LORD, this is our mission, this is our calling.

Israel settled in Egypt and became successful and grew greatly in number.

When Jacob was dying, he called Joseph and made him promise that he would not bury him in Egypt, but in Canaan where his fathers were buried.

Jacob told Joseph that his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, although born in Egypt before Jacob came to Egypt, were his (Jacob’s), and any other children born to him would be Joseph’s own. 

So, two Egyptian-born citizens instantly became citizens of Israel and were blessed accordingly with all the other children of Jacob.

Jacob then blessed Joseph and told him that God would be with him and take him back to Canaan where he had a plot of land for him.

Then he called his other sons to bless them and prophesy their future. 

Some received good news and others did not. Those who caused him grief and trouble did not get positive news in Jacob’s blessing. (Genesis 49)

Jacob’s sons are the Twelve Tribes of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Zebulun, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Benjamin, and Joseph.

All these are the twelve tribes of Israel. This is what their father said to them as he blessed them, blessing each with the blessing suitable to him. Then he commanded them and said to them, “I am to be gathered to my people; bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, in the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, to the east of Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite to possess as a burying place. There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife. There they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife, and there I buried Leah—the field and the cave that is in it we bought from the Hittites.” When Jacob finished commanding his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed and breathed his last and was gathered to his people.

Genesis 49:28-33

Jacob died at the age of 147 years after having lived 17 years in Egypt.

Although Jacob was not perfect and endured some difficulties during his life, he was blessed by God.

He kept the promises of God forever on his mind and believed Him for not only his own life, but the lives of his children, his grandchildren, and his descendants for years to come.

It’s important to note that over 400 years later, one of his descendants from the tribe of Levi, Moses, led the Israelites out of Egypt and into the promised land. The land was divided among the following twelve tribes: Reuben, Simeon, Judah, Zebulun, Issachar, Gad, Dan, Asher, Naphtali, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh.

Although Joseph was given land, it was not listed as part of the land of the twelve tribes. The lands of his sons (Ephraim and Manasseh) were.

Levi’s descendants did not inherit land because they served the LORD at the tent of meeting and later in the temple. Some were priests and others were laborers, and their inheritance was the LORD Himself. They received tithes from the congregation and lived in cities among the twelve tribes where they pastured their flocks.

Please join me next for Israel—Chosen by God: A Blessing to All

I have included a song for your listening pleasure and to help you in your walk with God.

“Faithful Still” – KingsPorch

Israel—Chosen by God: Jacob – Part 5

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In the previous post, Israel—Chosen by God: Jacob – Part 4, we left off with Jacob getting ready to meet his brother Esau whom he hadn’t seen in 20 years. He feared Esau would harm him and his family, so he sent his servants ahead of him and his family away from him, just in case. Then the Angel of the LORD came to Jacob and struggled with him. God renamed him “Israel” for contending with Him and prevailing.

Today we will learn about Israel’s encounter with Esau.

Jacob was now limping as he was walking toward Esau because his hip was pulled from its socket during the encounter with the Angel of the LORD. He went ahead of his family to meet Esau and bowed seven times before Esau as a sign of peace and humility. Esau surprised him by embracing and kissing him, and after meeting Jacob’s family, he asked Jacob why he sent all the gifts by his servants. Jacob explained that he wanted favor from him.  

Esau was also wealthy and told Jacob to keep the gifts for himself, but Jacob insisted that he take them.

Jacob said, “No, please, if I have found favor in your sight, then accept my present from my hand. For I have seen your face, which is like seeing the face of God, and you have accepted me. Please accept my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” Thus he urged him, and he took it.

Genesis 33:10-11 ESV

This is a good lesson in making amends with estranged family members.

There were no harsh words traded, no past wrongs brought up; just every effort made by both parties to make peace and get along with each other.

Be humble and do everything possible to make peace; and accept the peace offering made by the person who humbles himself to start the healing process. 

This is how our heavenly Father wants us to be—at peace with one another.

After 20 years of separation, perhaps they both learned that nothing is worth harboring hurt and doing harm to one another.

Esau wanted Jacob to travel back with him, but Jacob insisted that he would only slow him down with children and so many livestock.

Jacob traveled on to Shechem where he made his home and Esau went back to his home in Seir.

Shechem and Seir were a great distance from each other and it was probably best that these brothers settled so far apart. Who knows what could have happened to their relationship if they had lived near each other. Remember that Jacob was the youngest and was given the blessing to rule over Esau and his offspring.

I believe that it was by God’s design that they lived apart from one another due to His plans for Jacob, now called Israel.

Israel was chosen by God to become a mighty nation, even though they were at this time few in number. God would fulfill His promise through Jacob and his descendents that he made to Abraham many years before.

This would not happen overnight and would take many years to fulfill.

In the meantime, Jacob would continue to live his life and wait upon the LORD to bring about His promises knowing that He is faithful.

In Shechem, Jacob’s life was filled with joyful moments and he, like us, had his share of sorrowful moments.

First, his daughter Dinah was defiled by the son of Shechem, the prince of the Hivites. It turns out that this son of Shechem did love Dinah and asked his father, the prince, to arrange for them to be married.

The prince of Shechem went to Jacob and told him that his son loved his daughter and wanted to marry her. He also told Jacob about what had already transpired with his son and Dinah.

Shechem asked for her hand in marriage to his son and asked for favor from Jacob. He also said he would pay whatever price Jacob asked. He invited Jacob’s sons to marry their daughters and to live in the land with them and do business there.

Jacob was surely distressed, but “held his peace” until he spoke with his sons who were out in the field tending to the animals.

Upon learning this news, Jacob’s sons were indignant at their sister’s defilement and deceived Shechem and his son by telling them all the men of their tribe must be circumcised so that his son may marry Dinah. Shechem agreed and once all the men were circumcised, Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, went into their village and attacked and killed all the males. They took Dinah out of their city and plundered it by taking their wives, children, and livestock.  

When Jacob found out, he was furious with Simeon and Levi telling them that they were few in number compared to the Canaanites and would be attacked because of their deceitful actions.

Then God appeared to Jacob and told him to leave the area and go to Bethel (“house of God” in Hebrew) where he first met God after he fled from Esau more than twenty years prior.

The Bible says that as Jacob and his family were on their way to Bethel, God caused the cities around them to fear Jacob so that they would not attack them.

When Jacob and his family arrived at Bethel, God spoke to him.

And God said to him, “I am almighty God: be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come from your own body. The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give the land to your offspring after you.”

Genesis 35:11-13 ESV

Soon after this, Rachel gave birth to her second and last son, Benjamin. She died just as Benjamin was born. Even though Jacob was married to Leah, Rachel’s sister, and had two concubines, it was Rachel that he loved most.

Then Reuben, his eldest son, slept with Bilhah, his father’s concubine. She was also Rachel’s servant and mother of his half-brothers Dan and Naphtali.

To add to all these sorrows, Isaac, his father died. He was 180 years of age.

This must have been a very difficult time for Jacob. The loss of his beloved Rachel and his father probably created a mountain of loneliness in his life. Then his only daughter being defiled, not to mention the hurt and betrayal caused by Reuben, Simeon, and Levi were surely grievous.

Jacob’s relationship with God must have been very strong to keep him going and looking forward to the promises that God made to him.

We are told by our LORD Jesus Christ that in this life, there will be trouble. (John 16:33)

None of us are exempt. This life is worth living despite the losses, upsets, and betrayals.

God is still on the throne and is very much in control of all things. Be encouraged and trust God with your life.

If you belong to Him, He has a plan for your life filled with joy and purpose.  

When we have a relationship with God, we may have hurts, but we know Whom to turn to for consolation and strength. He is faithful!

Join me next for Israel—Chosen by God: Jacob – Part 6

Below is a beautiful song from one of my all-time favorite Christian bands. I hope it blesses you.

“God of All My Days” – Casting Crowns

Israel—Chosen by God: Jacob – Part 4

On By Carmen2 Comments

In my last post, Israel—Chosen by God: Jacob – Part 3, we learned about Jacob’s life in Haran after marrying Leah and Rachel, both daughters of his uncle Laban who lived in Paddan-aram (Haran).

We resume today with Jacob having just left Haran to return to his home in Canaan. He was actually fleeing Laban due to his deceit and hostility.

Laban found out about Jacob’s departure three days later and began to pursue him. It took him about seven days to catch up to him and he found him near Gilead, a hill country.

God sent Laban a warning to not harm Jacob.

But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream by night and said to him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”

Genesis 31:24

When Laban encountered Jacob, he accused him of fleeing without allowing him to say goodbye to his daughters and grandchildren and send him off with a celebration. He also accused him of stealing his gods.

He told Jacob that he had every right to attack him, but the God of Jacob’s father spoke to him and warned him to not harm Jacob.

Jacob explained that he left without telling Laban because he was afraid that he would not allow him to leave with his wives. He also told him that he did not steal his gods and that he could search his camp for them. He also said that if he found them, the person who had them would die for stealing them.

Jacob didn’t know that his beloved Rachel had stolen them, but Laban never found them because she was sitting on top of them and made an excuse for not getting up to greet her father Laban.

I am certain that God protected Rachel because of His relationship with Jacob. She was not found out, so she lived.  

We can say that Rachel was blessed through this protection.

Jacob confronts Laban and tells him that he (Laban) has not been good to him even though he worked for him for 20 years (14 years for his wives) and made him wealthy; that he never took anything from Laban even though Laban cheated him by changing his wages ten times.

He acknowledged God’s blessing and protection in his life.

“If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been on my side, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God saw my affliction and the labor of my hands and rebuked you last night.”

Genesis 31:42

So, Laban and Jacob made a covenant between each other with God as a witness to their actions toward each other and their families. They set up stones as a pillar and marker that each would not cross over to do the other harm once they started back to their homelands.

Laban leaves the next morning after saying goodbye to his daughters and grandchildren and pronounces a blessing over them.

With Laban behind him, Jacob continues his journey toward Canaan with yet another concern on his mind.

His focus has turned toward Esau his brother, from whom he fled Canaan twenty years earlier.

Jacob sent servants as messengers ahead of him to meet Esau to ask for favor and to determine the safety of his family. They reported that Esau was on his way to meet him with four hundred men. Jacob divided his family into two camps so that one group would be able to escape if the other was attacked.   

The Bible says that Jacob greatly feared Esau and he called upon God to protect him.

And Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O LORD who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your kindred, that I may do you good,’ I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps. Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear him, that he may come and attack me, the mothers with the children. But you said, ‘I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.’”

Genesis 32:9-12

Jacob then sent servants one by one ahead of him with droves of different animals as gifts for Esau to appease him, so that he would not attack him and his family.

He also sent his wives and children across the Jabbok River away from him for safety. He slept alone that night prior to meeting Esau.

God changes Jacob’s Name

That night the Angel of the LORD, Jesus Christ Himself, wrestled with Jacob until morning.

And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” 

Genesis 32:24-30

Israel means “striver.” We have seen Jacob strive with several people, and now finally, God—and fighting with all his might, Jacob prevailed. He went from being a deceiver to a fighter.

Jacob just did not give up!

Jacob received a two-fold blessing from God. He was not only blessed, but was able to see God’s face and live. Jacob was not about to let go of the Angel of the LORD without a blessing. I believe that his intent was understood and favored by God probably because of his faith.

At this point, Jacob knew where he stood with God. He was His chosen son and would live for God out of relationship and love for Him.

When we surrender our lives to God and repent, He forgives us and protects us, but this does not mean that we will not have consequences.

Jacob certainly had consequences and learned his lesson about deceiving others.

My sincere wish for you is that you would not look at your past with shame, fear, or disillusionment, but that you would surrender to and trust God—right here, right now.

He loves you and will show Himself to you if you sincerely turn to Him in faith.

Jacob had great faith, and we are told that without faith, it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:6)

The Bible also says that we need faith only the size of a mustard seed. (Matthew 17:20)

Below is a song about never giving up in prayer to God.

“Don’t Stop Praying” – Matthew West

Join me next for Israel—Chosen by God: Jacob – Part 5

Israel—Chosen by God:  Jacob – Part 3

On By Carmen1 Comment

This week we continue the story of Jacob’s life after he marries both Leah and Rachel.

If you remember from “Israel—Chosen by God: Jacob – Part 2,” Jacob was tricked into marrying Leah by his uncle Laban. He had worked seven years for whom he thought was Rachel, Leah’s younger sister. He woke up the morning after the wedding ceremony and found out it was Leah who was with him. He was not at all happy about this and confronted Laban who insisted that he had to marry his oldest daughter first. Laban offered Rachel to Jacob in marriage for another seven years of work and Jacob accepted this offer because it was Rachel whom he loved.

Messed up!

And this is in the Bible? Oh yes, and it is true.

The good news is that God can take our human mess and use it for His purpose and for our good.

Let’s continue the story.

Jacob’s children

Jacob fathered 12 sons and 1 daughter by Leah, Rachel, and their handmaids. His first four children were born to Leah—Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah. Rachel had been without a child for a few years and was quite upset about this, so she gave her servant Bilhah to him so that she could conceive a child for her. Bilhah gave birth to Dan.

Once again, we witness a chosen and loved wife feeling insecure about not having a child of her own. You would think that this lesson would have been passed down and learned from Sarah and Abraham. Instead of taking her concern of being barren to the LORD, Rachel became jealous of her sister Leah and devised a way of having children through her handmaid.

We cause ourselves a multitude of problems when we do not trust God and lay our sensitive issues before Him.  

Not long after Dan was born, Bilhah gave birth to another son named Naphtali.

Then Leah could not conceive, so she gave her servant Zilpah to Jacob as a wife in hopes of having more children. Zilpah gave birth to Gad and then to Asher.

I personally cannot imagine sharing my husband with any woman, let alone three other wives with their own children. I guess you could say that I have a righteous jealousy. I wouldn’t be able to live this way, not to mention the chaos that comes with all of this.

This was not God’s design.

No matter how one may explain or even excuse this behavior, God created one woman for one man (Genesis 2:20b-24).

Eventually Leah became pregnant again and bore Issachar; and then again with Zebulun; and again, with a daughter, Dinah.

Finally, Rachel was able to conceive and gave birth to Joseph. Later after Jacob’s return to Canaan, Rachel gave birth to Benjamin.

Jacob Becomes Successful

After many years of shepherding in both Canaan and Haran, Jacob was very knowledgeable in the breeding and raising of sheep and goats.

He lived in Haran and worked for Laban fourteen years, completing his commitment for his wives. During these years, all his children except Benjamin were born in Haran.

Jacob decided to leave and return to his family in Canaan. He spoke with his uncle about his intentions, but Laban wanted him to stay and offered him whatever he asked. Laban knew that God was with Jacob and had blessed him through Jacob’s work these fourteen years.

Jacob wanted nothing from Laban and told him so, but he decided to work with him a while longer to show his uncle once again his loyalty to him.  It turned out that Jacob stayed another six years.

During this time, Laban tried to make it as difficult as possible for Jacob to be successful and separated Jacob from him a distance of three days travel.

But God was with Jacob and he became even more successful.

Instead of being grateful for Jacob’s success, Laban and his sons became jealous and began accusing Jacob of cheating them and stealing from them.

At this point, God was ready for Jacob to return to his family in Canaan.

And Jacob saw that Laban did not regard him with favor as before. Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.”

Genesis 31:2-3

God’s timing is perfect!

We need to remember this when we are feeling down and disappointed with the difficulties in our lives. We may not see it, but God is always working on behalf of his children.

Our focus should always be on serving and following God—no matter what.

In the famous words of Dr. Charles Stanley, one of my lifelong mentors in the LORD, “Obey God and leave all the consequences up to Him.”

We will have success when we wait upon the LORD. It may not be easy and it may be a long wait, but God has only the best intentions for us. We may not understand it at the time, but if we will trust Him and walk in obedience to Him, we will one day understand why God allowed difficulties in our lives. Sometimes, we perpetrate these hardships, other times we are being refined and groomed for God’s purposes.

After God tells Jacob that it’s time to leave Haran, he immediately speaks to Leah and Rachel to let them know that they will be leaving for Canaan. Jacob reminds them of how he served their father, Laban, faithfully all these years and was loyal to him. He reminds them how their father cheated him again and again, and is now becoming hostile toward him. He also tells them that God has seen all this and has made him successful anyway, and is now telling him to leave for Canaan.  

Jacob’s wives respond in favor of leaving.

Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, “Is there any portion or inheritance left to us in our father’s house? Are we not regarded by him as foreigners? For he has sold us, and he has indeed devoured our money. All the wealth that God has taken away from our father belongs to us and to our children. Now then, whatever God has said to you, do.”

Genesis 31:14-16

Imagine trying to convince your spouse to leave their family and the only home they’ve ever known under such circumstances. Jacob had to convince two wives who were sisters, jealous of each other and who worked against each other.

When God is in it, He makes the way possible!

Jacob leaves Paddan-aram (Haran) without notifying Laban, and heads toward Canaan with his wives, children, servants, and livestock. The Bible tells us that he was wealthy, and in those days, this meant a lot of people and flocks were part of the caravan leaving Haran. This was going to be a long, slow journey.

Join me next for Israel—Chosen by God: Jacob – Part 4

Wishing you God’s abundant blessings as you walk with Him.

Below is a beautiful song about how God always makes a way for us when He is in our battles.

Don’t give up following God—He is with you and for you!  

Way Maker – Leeland

Israel—Chosen by God: Jacob – Part I

On By Carmen1 Comment

If you remember from my previous post, “Israel—Chosen by God:  Isaac,” Jacob’s name means “he cheats.” His name perhaps came from his struggle in the womb with his brother Esau to be the firstborn. The Bible says he came out holding onto Esau’s heel.

When Jacob is a young man, we learn that he cheats Esau out of his blessing and lies to his father, Isaac.

Isaac was old and losing his vision, so he called for Esau to give him his blessing. He told Esau to first go out to hunt and bring him back some of the wild game prepared the way that he loved. His mother, Rebekah, overheard the conversation and quickly told Jacob to go out to the flock and bring her two goats so that she could prepare a delicious meal for Isaac and for Jacob to take it to him. Her intention was for Jacob to receive the blessing while Esau was out hunting.

Jacob was concerned that his father would know it was not him, because he and Esau were very different. First, Esau was hairy and Jacob was not. Esau liked to hunt and often smelled like the outdoors in the field where he liked to hunt; Jacob liked to stay around home. Their voices were distinct as most of our voices are compared to our siblings’.

Jacob was further concerned that his father would curse him for trying to fool him, but Rebekah was not about to let Jacob miss the blessing, and she was willing for the curse to be on her if Isaac found out. She told him to put on Esau’s clothes and she put goat’s hair on his body as a disguise.

Jacob took to his father the food Rebekah prepared, and Isaac was suspicious because he had brought him the food so quickly. Isaac may have been old and nearly blind, but his mind and other senses were still good.

So he went to his father and said, "My father." And he said, "Here I am. Who are you, my son?" Jacob said to his father, "I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me; now sit up an eat of my game, that your soul may bless me." But Isaac said to his son, "How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?" He answered, "Because the LORD your God granted me success." Then Isaac said to Jacob, "Please come near, that I may feel you, my son, to know whether you are really my son Esau or not." So Jacob went near to Isaac his father, who felt him and said, "The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau." And he did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau's hands. So he blessed him. He said, "Are you really my son Esau?" He said, "I am." Then he said, "Bring it near to me, that I may eat of my son's game and bless you." So he brought it near to him, and he ate; and he brought him wine, and he drank. 
Genesis 27:18-25

The goat skin he felt on Jacob seemed to convince him that it was his son Esau, so Isaac asked him to come closer to give him a kiss and then blessed him.

So he came near and kissed him. And Isaac smelled the smell of his garments and blessed him and said, “See the smell of my son is as the smell of a field that the LORD has blessed! May God give you of the dew of heaven and of the fatness of the earth and plenty of grain and wine. Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be everyone who blesses you!” 
Genesis 27:27-29

A father’s blessing was and still is very important to his children. And the blessing of passing on the family leadership meant everything to the child (usually the eldest) who received it.

So, Jacob lived up to his name and cheated his brother Esau out of his blessing.

Esau, on his part, was not an exemplary son; when he was younger, he had sold his birthright to Jacob for food, and had since married women from the Hittite tribe which greatly distressed Isaac and Rebekah. Just as the patriarch Abraham was very careful in ensuring Isaac would marry from his own family, Isaac should have done the same with Esau. Perhaps he contested these marriages with his eldest son, but Esau nevertheless married outside of the family. He clearly was not following God’s plan for his life and the blessing of the family legacy was taken from him.

When Esau returned from his hunting trip, he cooked the stew that his father had requested and went to see him for the family blessing. Isaac told him he had already given the blessing to whom he thought was Esau, but was deceived. They were both distressed and Esau pleaded with his father to give him the blessing. Isaac informed Esau that he could not reverse the blessing and that his future would be less than what it should have been and that he would serve his brother Jacob until he (Esau) broke away from him.  

Esau hated Jacob for this and plotted to kill him after his father died. As soon as Rebekah learned of this, she told Jacob to leave for Haran, where her brother Laban lived. She told Jacob that she would send for him to return when Esau had enough time to get over his anger toward him. Rebekah also wanted Jacob to find a wife from her family and not from any of the Hittite women that lived in Canaan.

Isaac then called for Jacob and told him to go his uncle Laban’s house and marry one of his daughters. He gave strict instructions for Jacob to marry within the family and not from the Canaanites. Isaac blessed him and sent him to Paddan-aram where his uncle lived.

Join me next for Israel—Chosen by God:  Jacob – Part 2

I have included a beautiful song below for your listening pleasure.

“I Am Not Alone” – Kari Jobe

Israel—Chosen by God: Isaac

On By Carmen1 Comment

Abraham fathered Ishmael and Isaac who both would be leaders of many nations. Isaac, however, was chosen by God to be the covenant heir and direct bloodline of Israel through Abraham’s wife, Sarah.

After Sarah died, Abraham sent the elder servant of his household on a journey back to his country to find for Isaac a wife. It was important that Isaac marry only from Abraham’s family and not from the Canaanites where he lived.

Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years. And the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh, that I may make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell, but will go to my country and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” 
Genesis 24:1-4

Abraham’s servant was concerned whether the young woman suitable for a wife for Isaac would refuse to leave her family and land to be Isaac’s wife. Abraham assured him that he must go and seek out a wife for Isaac from his family and that the LORD would direct his steps to the chosen woman. Abraham believed God would be faithful and provide a wife for Isaac.

The servant said to him, “Perhaps the woman may not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I then take your son back to the land from which you came?” Abraham said to him, “see to it that you do not take my son back there. The LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my kindred, and who spoke to me and swore to me, “To your offspring I will give this land,’ he will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there. But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this oath of mine; only you must not take my son back there.” 
Genesis 24:5-8

It was customary for parents to choose spouses for their children in those days, so Abraham summoned his servant to go search for a wife for Isaac instead of sending Isaac himself. There was a covenant to be fulfilled and Abraham would not risk sending his son Isaac to the land that God told him to leave years before in search for a better land.

As Abraham’s servant traveled back to Mesopotamia, he asked God to let the woman he asks for a drink of water who gives him and his camels water, be the woman He has chosen for Isaac’s wife. The servant eventually stops near a spring for water and finds Rebekah. He asks her for water and she said that she would give him water to drink and also draw water for his camels. He was grateful that God led him to Rebekah and then asked her if there was room at her father’s house to stay for the night. She invited him to her home where he met her family. Abraham’s servant found out Rebekah was the granddaughter of Abraham’s brother, Nahor. The servant meets Bethuel, Nahor’s son and Rebekah’s father, and is intent on settling his business in Mesopotamia. He tells Bethuel and Laban, Rebekah’s brother, how he was sent by his master Abraham to seek a wife for his son and what happened at the spring with Rebekah. He tells them that his master Abraham is very wealthy and asks if they would be willing to let Rebekah go back with him to be Isaac’s wife. They acknowledge the request to be from the LORD and gave their consent.

“…Then I bowed my head and worshiped the LORD and blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham who had led me by the right way to take the daughter of my master’s kinsman for his son. Now then if you are going to show steadfast love and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left.” Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, “The thing has come from the LORD; we cannot speak to you bad or good. Behold, Rebekah is before you; take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master’s son, as the LORD has spoken.” When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed himself to the earth before the LORD. And the servant brought out jewelry of silver and of gold, and garments, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave to her brother and to her mother costly ornaments. 
Genesis 24:48-53

It’s important to add that Rebekah accepted the proposal as well and was willing to leave with Abraham’s servant the next day, as he wanted to waste no time in returning to Isaac with Rebekah.

When Rebekah reached Canaan she sees a man in a field in the distance, and asks Abraham’s servant who he is. He tells her that the man is his master Isaac, so she jumps off the camel and runs to meet him. The Bible tells us that Isaac falls in love with Rebekah, marries her, and is consoled of his mother’s death.

Isaac prayed to the LORD for children because Rebekah could not conceive. God answered his prayer and Rebekah becomes pregnant with twin sons, Esau and Jacob. These two brothers were very different and fought against each other even while in the womb. Rebekah was concerned about this and asked the LORD why this was happening.

And the LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.” 
Genesis 25:23

Esau, the eldest was named as such because he was red and hairy. Jacob came out of the womb holding onto Esau’s heel and was therefore given his name which means “he cheats.” In Hebrew, “heel catcher” means supplanter which means “to supersede (another) especially by force or treachery.” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

As Esau grew up, he became a hunter of wild game and was Isaac’s favorite. Jacob was the opposite and preferred to be at home and was Rebekah’s favorite.

Once when Esau was out hunting, Jacob was home cooking stew. When Esau returned, he begged his brother for some of his stew because he was hungry and exhausted. Jacob tells him, of course! But first, you must sell me your birthright. Esau’s rashness led him to comply because he said what good was a birthright when he was going to die of starvation. Jacob made Esau swear to give him his birthright, which he did, and God despised Esau’s lack of gratefulness.

A famine in the land where Isaac lived became severe, so Isaac went to Abimelech, the king of the Philistines for help. Then the LORD spoke to Isaac.

And the LORD appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell you. Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you, for to you and to your offspring I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father. I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.” 
Genesis 26:2-5

Isaac remained in the land of Gerar and became very successful and wealthy. Even with success, Isaac experienced trials with his neighbors and continued disappointment in his children.  

Join me next for Israel—Chosen by God: Jacob

For additional information, look for Israel—Chosen by God: Abraham

In the meantime, I pray that God blesses you and reveals His truth to you.

I have included the song below for your listening pleasure and to encourage you in your walk with God.

“Waiting” – Healing Place Worship

Israel—Chosen by God: Abraham

On By Carmen3 Comments

The nation of Israel represents the people that God chose to be His very own which started with a promise to the patriarch Abraham.

In Genesis 11, we find Abraham, originally named Abram, descended nine generations from Shem (son of Noah). When Abraham was around 70 years old, he was called by God to leave his country in Mesopotamia to go to a land that God promised him where He would make of him a great nation. This promise is known as the Abrahamic Covenant.


Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Genesis 12:1-3

So, Abraham believed God and left the land of Ur. Abraham followed God through many lands and trials because he trusted God for the promise. God reiterated His promise and told him he would be called Abraham which means “father of many nations.” 

When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly." Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you.  And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you and throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.”  
Genesis 17:1-8

Because Abraham and his wife Sarah, originally named Sarai, were very old, they had a difficult time believing that God could give them a child. Instead of trusting God, they decided to “help” Him. Sarah gave her Egyptian handmade, Hagar, to Abraham so that she could give them a child. Hagar conceived through Abraham, and a son was born whom they named Ishmael. Abraham loved Ishmael very much, but soon trouble started between Sarah and Hagar. Arrogance and jealousy between the two women ensued because Hagar looked down upon Sarah who was without her own child. This was difficult for Abraham, but he held on to Ishmael as if he would be his covenant heir.

However, Ishmael was not God’s choice, as Abraham had hoped. God said that He would provide through Sarah the promised son who would be named Isaac.

And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.” Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!” God said, “No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him.” 
Genesis 17:15-20

As God promised, Sarah became pregnant in her old age and gave birth to Isaac, the covenant heir. Abraham was overjoyed with Isaac and still loved Ishmael very much. As Isaac grew, trouble in the family started again—this time between Ishmael and Isaac. Ishmael made fun of Isaac and Sarah became enraged, telling Abraham to get rid of Hagar and her son. Ishmael was Abraham’s first son and he was very displeased by this reaction from Sarah.

God appeared to Abraham and assured him that Ishmael would be okay and that he should send him away with his mother. 

But God said to Abraham, “Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman. Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for through Isaac shall your offspring be named. And I will make a nation of the son of the slave woman also, because he is your offspring.” So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed and wondered in the wilderness of Beersheba. 
Genesis 21:12-14

Why did God make a covenant with Abraham through Isaac?

From the beginning of time, God had a plan for eternal redemption through the bloodline of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. These patriarchs are through whom Jesus was born. Our heavenly Father wanted the Israelites to be separated physically and spiritually from the other nations that worshiped false gods and performed ungodly practices. God called the Israelites to be righteous and to follow His ways which He gave to them in the form of laws.

When you come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD. And because of these abominations the LORD your God is driving them out before you. You shall be blameless before the LORD your God, for these nations, which you are about to dispossess, listen to fortune-tellers and to diviners. But as for you, the LORD your God has not allowed you to do this. 
Deuteronomy 18:9-14

Does this mean that the Israelites always followed God’s laws?

No.

The Israelites would sin against God time and time again, but God was faithful to His word, forgave the Israelites, and vowed to bring His promise to fulfillment until the end of time here on earth.

Join me next week for the next part of this blog post where we will focus on the continued lineage of Jesus Christ through the nation of Israel.

May God bless you as you seek His truth for your life.

I have included a song for your listening pleasure.

“Promises” – Maverick City